Depression Is Real

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints just came out with this new Mormon Message about depression. It is INCREDIBLE. Below is my story about depression and thoughts...

Depression is a struggle that runs genetically through my family. Many of my family members suffer from it, including me. I was diagnosed years ago.

I remember feeling so hopeless. Feeling that no matter what I did, it was wrong. I felt I would never be able to amount to anything in life. I felt like no one loved me. I felt like I didn't have friends. I felt like no one understood what I was feeling at that time. I felt absolute despair. I didn't have any motivation to be awake. I slept a LOT. I didn't ever want to go out and do things. I avoided people. I had constant thoughts of suicide. I felt like I was worthless.

I was then taken to the doctor and was diagnosed. Having to depend on medicine to make me happy was really hard for me to accept. I was already struggling with so many emotions and not being able to control them, and then I felt I didn't get to have a chance to control them. I didn't like having the feeling that I was helpless on my own and that I had to depend on something else. But the reality was that I did.

I look back and I realize now that I was not lost. Jesus knew exactly where I was. I wasn't worthless. People really did love me. My family tried to be with me, but I wouldn't let them. I didn't make an effort to talk to people or call up my friends. I didn't talk about it.

I see now that a lot of my feelings fed off of each other. They escalated from one negative thought. Did I have friends? Yes. Did my family love me? Yes. Was I worthless? No. Did I realize any of that? No. When you are in a state of depression, it is so hard to see the good in yourself.

A lot of people who don't suffer from depression sometimes have a hard time grasping the fact. They think that we acting a certain way to get attention. That is NOT true. Sometimes others think that we can just snap out of it, and that is hard. Everyone has days where they are harder than others, but with depression it feels like those bad days are never ending and only get worse.

Now after I have been on medicine for awhile I realize that I am lot more happy in general. I still have to make a conscious effort to smile and be happy, but it is easier.

BUT HEY!!!!! LETS LOOK AT THE NOW!!!! LETS SEE THE DIFFERENCE!!!

I have noticed that being on a mission I am lot more happier and that is not just because I take my little happy pill everyday, it is because I get my daily dose of Jesus. Hahaha how cheesy does that sound?! But it is true. I study for 2-3 hours a day about Jesus. The doctrine He teaches and it seriously makes the biggest difference in my attitude. Seriously, Jesus is awesome. We can do anything with Jesus Christ. Even overcome the hardest challenges of life.

I was in a state of depression when I knelt down and prayed to God to know what to do with my life, and got the answer to go on a mission. I was SHOCKED! I seriously said out loud, "Really? Me? HA yeah right." Well look at me now. On a mission.. Looks like God knows us and knows what is best for us!

I was told a lot that a mission is hard and that if you suffer from depression it is even harder. That is probably true. But guess what!!!? Jesus has been through everything that we are going through and more. So if we rely on him, even through that hard times in life, we WILL be able to overcome anything we go through. ANYTHING!!!! That is my promise. I can promise that to each of you reading this, not only because I am representative of Jesus Christ right now, but because I have seen the power in my life.

LDS Temple Garments

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/temple-garments

When you go through the temple to get your endowments out, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, you make special promises to follow God. As part of this endowment session we then wear garments. They are our inner commitment to follow Jesus Christ, without disrespecting our covenants.

The video below explains and shows the temple garment. Just as all other religions expect respect for their religious clothing, we as Latter-Day Saint members desire the same.

 

Below is a picture of the the Mount Timpanogos Temple in American Fork Utah. This is the temple that I got my endowments out at. It is a beautiful building, but even more beautiful are the covenants I made with God. I am on a mission right now to help others come to Jesus Christ. I have come to Him and I desire all to as well. 

Families Are Forever

One of the greatest  blessings I have in this life is the knowledge that families are forever. There is no one else I would want to spend eternity with, than my family. They are my whole life. I love that Jesus Christ atoned for each of us, so that we have the ability to overcome death, and have eternal life. I love that we have the promise of marrying in the temple for time and all eternity.

I am here on a mission because this knowledge has blessed my life beyond belief and I want to help others have eternal families as well. Family is one of the most fundamental parts of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As we all strengthen our family relationships, we can become more Christ-like and come closer to God all together. What an incredible promise that is.

Below are just some pictures of my dear sweet family. I love them with all my heart. I am glad we are sealed for all eternity. My family includes: Dad (Martin), Mom (Melanie), Andrew and Alex (my dear old brothers).

My Daddy's side of the family

My Dear brother Alex

Alex again!

My brothers and I watching Starwars

Andrew and his buddies watching the world cup.

My tough mudder Andrew

Andrew and Alex who told me they would get the 3rd swing down for me if I took off my top... they didn't...

Daddy bluing my grandfathers 1885 Highwall

Mom and I being dorks with Cheetos

My parents and I on my Graduation day!

Mommy and me in our Christmas Pj's. :)

I Pray When...

I pray when I need to be reminded of God's love. Sometimes we are not able to see how much God is there for us.  God will never leave us. We can be filled with pure joy if we can always remember how much God loves us. It is easy to get caught up in the world and not be able to see how strongly God is truly there for each one of us. I know for myself I can feel forgotten, and that is why I pray to God to be reminded of his love. We can each have a more joyful life if we remember that we are all God's children and He loves us each dearly! :)