Easter

This is my testimony that He lives!  This Easter we should remember who's day it really is- it's the Lord's day.  I had the opportunity to attend BYU's Easter Conference last night where Bro. Brent L. Top, Bro. Brad Wilcox, and Elder John M. Madsen spoke.  I want to share some of their words and share to you what Easter really is all about.

Easter is truly amazing.  We get to celebrate the victory of al time: victory over death!  Christ's mercy is the essence of Easter.  The Lord is both merciful and just.  No matter what we do, good or bad, the Lord's arms are stretched forth still.  It is that outstretched hand that we call grace.  We receive his grace every hour of every day.
Remember that Jesus Christ came to lift us up, not bring us down.  We are here to grow-it is all about growth.  The ultimate goal is not only coming to Christ, but becoming like Him.  Bro. Wilcox said that turning to the Lord is NOT just another thing to do.  It's the ONLY thing to do.  Grace is not the prize of the worthy.  We need to turn to the Lord always as he is always blessing us.  Christ is not waiting at the finish line once we have done "all we can do".  He is with us every step of the way.  Grace is no more earned than Christ's love is deserved.
We need to be thankful not only for what Christ delivered us from, but what He saved us for.  We believe in life after death and life after salvation.  We need to be willing to be perfected.  Remember, grace will lift you up!

Elder Madsen said that the atonement isn't part of the gospel.  It is the gospel.  He also said that the Lord's day is not just Easter, but that every Sunday is the Lord's day.  Let us remember this.

I know that these things are true.  I know that Christ has risen.  I receive life in His name.  I also know that his grace is sufficient for all.  As we strive for perfection, Christ is the improver.  I know that we cannot achieve perfection without the atonement.  I am so grateful for Christ in my life.  He has blessed me in so many ways and has helped me achieve things that I could never do alone.  I know that I never am alone, because He is always there.  I bear you my testimony that He lives! In the name of my Savior Jesus Christ, amen.

ps. watch this-

My Mission

Missionary work has been a hot topic for the past 5 months.  So many of my friends are leaving to serve the Lord and I am so grateful for their examples of diligence and willingness to serve.  I got excited when the announcement was made for the lowering of missionary age.  I too wanted to serve.  All I want to do is share with people the happiness that I have.  I want to serve God with all my heart.

I never planned on serving a mission, and so I prayed and fasted, but still my answer was no.  I got confused because I felt so good about serving and I really wanted to, but my answer was still no.  Then I realized that I was supposed to serve.  I can still serve without a call, and that is what I am supposed to do.   My answer was no to going on a mission, but yes to serving a mission.

One of my friends told me, "You don't need to serve a mission to spread the gospel.  You just need to live the gospel to spread it, and you do that everyday."  Missionary work is the most important work.  I can do my part here where I am.  I can serve others around me.  I can start within the walls of my own home.  Being an example is so important.  You never know who is watching or who you can touch by just saying hi or sending a friendly text.  I can go to the temple and do family history work.  I challenge you to serve those around you, as I try to be better at serving as well.

"Missionaries teach the world, but Mothers teach the missionaries."  This is one of my favorite sayings. I love it.  I know that I need to prepare now to be a mother, and I'm so excited to teach my children the gospel so that they themselves can be missionaries one day.  I am grateful for my mother and father who have taught me the gospel and have been there for me through everything.  I am realizing more and more of things they have taught me as I am now living with people other than my family.  I am grateful for their examples.