Be An Example

One of the greatest thing we can do for those around us, is be a good example. People will always be influenced by the example that you are, whether good or bad. Choose right this second to be a good example.

My parents have been two of the greatest examples in my life. I will list only 10 of the MANY amazing things that they have done for me, just through their example.

• True Love: My parents have shown me what it is like to have true love. To know what respect is and what is means to love unconditionally.
• Jesus Christ: My parents taught me to love Jesus Christ. To look to Him for comfort. To always strive to be like him. 
• Forgiveness: My parents always forgive one another and us children. They don't hold grudges to any of those around them. 
• Humility: My parents are always humble and are willing to admit their weaknesses. They ask for help when needed. They know their limits. 
• Humor: My parents have taught me the importance of laughing. To laugh at yourself. To laugh at what you cannot control. To just enjoy the little things and not be too serious all the time.
• Time: My parents have shown me how important it is to use your time wisely. To make time for the most important things of life. To value the time you have with your family. They have taught me the ways to prioritize my life to use my time to the fullest.
• Work Hard: My parents have taught me the importance to work hard. To give everything I have to what I am doing. To do the best job that I can.
• Education: My parents have taught me that I need to gain an education. It is the way to succeed in life. They have shown me that I need to try in my schoolwork. That I need to do all I can to get the most out of everything.
• Standards: My parents taught me to have high standards and to never let anyone shake them. 
• Contention: I don't think I can recall my parents ever fighting in front of us. They didn't yell. When they punished us, it was always very loving!
• Honesty: My parents taught me that we need to be honest in all our doings. Even when it could hurt us or others. To do what is right. They always were grateful to us when we were honest with them, even if it was when we were telling them the wrong things that we have done.

I could go on and on about all the things that my parents have taught be purely through their example. I rarely recall my parents just lecturing us about the above topics, but they always showed that they were important to them, through their examples. 


Now as much as my parents influenced me just by their example, I still have my agency that God has given me. I still have the ability to choose what I am going to do in my life. I wish I could say I am as good as my parents in those things I listed above, but I am not. I wish I was more like Christ, but I am not. BUT, I am always working on it and striving to be better!!!! :) As each of us takes upon the personal responsibility to be a good example, we will see those around us be better as well as ourselves! How awesome is that?!


Some incredible talks about being an example are as follows:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/be-an-example-of-the-believers?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/be-thou-an-example?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/be-thou-an-example-of-the-believers?lang=eng

Below are some awesome meme's I love about being an example.

Language

I want to start off with a scripture; In Leviticus 19:12 it says: "And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord."

On LDS.org it says,

"Profanity is disrespect or contempt for sacred things. It includes casual or irreverent use of the name of any member of the Godhead. It includes any type of unclean or vulgar speech or behavior.

We should always use the names of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost with reverence and respect. Misusing their names is a sin. Profane, vulgar, or crude language or gestures, as well as immoral jokes, are offensive to the Lord and to others.

Foul language is both degrading and harmful to the spirit. We should not let others influence us to use foul language. Instead, we should use clean language that uplifts and edifies others, and we should choose friends who use good language. Setting an example will encourage those around us to use clean language. If friends and acquaintances use profanity, we can good-naturedly encourage them to choose other words. If they persist, we can politely walk away or change the subject.

Those who have developed the habit of swearing can break it. They must begin by making a decision to change and then pray for help."

Okay, now if many of you have met me, you are probably thinking that I have no room to talk. That is true. I don't. I am so NOT perfect, especially at using the proper language I know I should. I am working on it. It is a slow process but it is coming along! I am on a mission right now, and should be so much better and not using any profanity of any kind, but I still do. I am a lot better, but I am so far from perfect. I have met quite a few people who are very good at not saying type of vulgar language. That is incredible, but for most of us, it surrounds us and can be hard for us to not develop the same habit. It is easy for us to just brush off what others say, but I want to invite all of us to put a stop to profanity that surrounds us.

If you use profane language, does that make you a bad person? NO! My dad is an outstanding man. He is absolutely stellar and loves the Lord with all his heart, but does he swear? YES, yes he does. I grew up around swearing and it wasn't really a big deal to me. My mom LOVES potty jokes. Like seriously they are her weakness, although she won't admit it... So I grew up around this. So I of course totally LOVE potty humor too, and if I am mad, choice words sneak out. I can see that I am totally my parents. I think it is hilarious honestly. Looking back at everything I notice all the habits that those around me had, I have now too, both good and bad! So if we can each decide right now to use good language in all aspects of our lives and help those around us use good language too, then our spirits will be stronger.

Of course the paragraph above seems to be kind of negative to my parents. That was so NOT my intention!!! My parents are absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! They have always been there for me. They love the Church and support me through everything. They love me unconditionally. They always taught me to love the Lord and put him first. They always try to serve. They give their whole hearts to what ever it is that they are called to do. They love each other dearly and I can see that love shine. They made our home a place of safety and love. I have learned so many different life skills from both of them. I could go on and on about how amazing my parents are. My mom is the most forgiving person I have ever met and I TRY to be as forgiving as her. My dad the smartest man I have ever met and I TRY to develop knowledge. Okay another thing I need to admit right here, I totally try to learn as much as I can about one subject so I can school my dad, I am still waiting for the day when that happens... Maybe one day I will be able to out-whit him with my GOOD words!

I love the meme below. The words we use can be used for good or for bad. Words are such a big part of everyone's lives. Imagine if a little child repeated what you just said, would you tell them not to say it? Be smart. Those around you will listen and repeat what you say. ESPECIALLY children!

Anyways that was a total tangent. Haha but basically what I felt I needed to share today, was that as we all are at different points in our lives, there is room for improvement in the language department. As everyone tries to make a bigger emphasis on using just a little bit better language, whether it is in the jokes we tell or the angry words we use, our spirituality will be increased.

Just another point I want to make sure I touch on... Replace your bad words with good words. Like the words of Christ!! Super cheesy right? Well just do it and see the difference!!! :) 

I want to share a story a sweet young woman shared last night. We will call her Lindsey. She was in school and there was a girl who was using some very vulgar language. So Lindsey gave her a look of discouragement. The other girl said, "What it just means a female dog." Lindsey looked at her and said, "Yeah? Well I don't like that kind of language. Stop, I don't want to hear it." How brave was Lindsey in this instant? She could have easily just tried to ignore what the other girl was saying, but she stood up for her beliefs. She controlled the situation that she was in, to ensure that she would be able to continue to feel the spirit.

There is a talk I love by Elder Packer about using clean language: https://www.lds.org/new-era/1976/01/the-clean-voice-of-youth?lang=eng

So my thoughts were pretty much everywhere, but here is the basics:

• Use better language in all aspects, and if you do then you will feel the spirit more in your life. 

• Make sure that you replace the vulgarity with the good words of Christ.

• Make sure to stand up for what you are striving to do in your life. Show your beliefs.

• Don't develop the habit like I have.

• Just try a little harder each day to be a little better.

• You don't have to change instantly over night, but just a little bit better every day.

• Rely on God for His help through out your desires! He WILL help you!

• Also my parents are absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!!! Some of the best examples I could ever ask for in my entire life.

 

Also Allison Lindsey is super awesome, #teameastwood ;)

Virtue

Virtue is a prerequisite to entering the Lord’s holy temples and to receiving the Spirit’s guidance. Virtue “is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards.”  It encompasses chastity and moral purity. Virtue begins in the heart and in the mind. It is nurtured in the home. It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions.  
 

Virtue is a word we don’t hear often in today’s society, but the Latin root word virtus means strength. Virtuous women and men possess a quiet dignity and inner strength. They are confident because they are worthy to receive and be guided by the Holy Ghost.

President Monson has counseled: “You be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow. There is no friendship more valuable than your own clear conscience, your own moral cleanliness and what a glorious feeling it is to know that you stand in your appointed place clean and with the confidence that you are worthy to do so” (“Examples of Righteousness,” Apr. 2008 general conference).

 

One of my favorite talks I have heard is A Return to Virtue by Elaine S. Dalton. Here is a link to read it: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/a-return-to-virtue?lang=eng 

My symbol of virtue is a white Lilly. (Shown above.) Every time I see one I am reminded of how I need to be virtuous in my life. I have a picture of one marking my favorite scriptures about virtue. Doctrine and Covenants 121:45, It says, "Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven."

I love that if we allow Virtue to garnish our thoughts unceasingly, then we will have confidence in the presence of God. How amazing is that promise? 

I encourage each one of you who is reading this, to choose now to be virtuous. To choose something that you will see that will remind you of your promise to be virtuous. I know God will bless you and help you accomplish your goal, if you truly desire this. So desire it now. Choose now.

BE VIRTUOUS!

Below are a few of my favorite meme's about Virtue.

Scripture Power!!

I was reading the Bible this morning for about 45 minutes. And I started to cry a little. Just a few tears.

WHY?

Because I LOVE the scriptures so much! I can hold in my hand the word of God. I can read exactly what he wants me to do to return to him again. I can read it all the time! God loves us so much that he gave us the scripture to read daily and learn. How awesome is that?! Like seriously. I love the scriptures so much.
 

 

Above are some awesome pictures a dear friend Michelle Belnap took of me before I left on my mission. (about 30 pounds lighter)..

Michelle is so talented, but more than just being a good friend and photographer, she loves the gospel with her whole heart. She always does what Christ would do. She strives to follow him every day. Her testimony is so strong. She is so inspiring. She is always sharing things to boost your faith in our Savior. If you are reading this, I LOVE YOU MICHELLE!!!!

The Word of Wisdom

Today I was told that Mormons have too many rules and we are missing out on so much! So I asked this lady, "Well what are we missing out on?"

She said, "Well y'all can't drink milk, you can't drink coffee or tea, you don't celebrate Christmas. Y'all don't walk on grass even!"

I looked at her, smiled and replied, "We can drink milk, I drink it all the time. I love Christmas, we are Christians and so we celebrate Christ's birth. And we can totally walk on grass."

This lady was shocked! She replied, "What? I didn't know that! But you can't drink tea or coffee right?"

I looked at her, smiled and replied again, "We don't drink coffee or tea. And it is one of the greatest blessings in my life."

She had a look of disbelief. She couldn't see how it was blessing. She said, "Well you haven't even tried a good cup of coffee or a nice cold southern sweet tea, So you really don't know."

Well, I smiled again and replied, "I have had coffee in many forms, many times. I have had all kinds of tea, many times. And some of them were pretty decent, but I would much rather have my health, than a decent drink."

I went on, "We don't drink coffee and tea because there are some long term health side effects that we would rather avoid."

She asked me what kinds of bad side effects there are?

So I told her, "Just for a few examples of tea, it creates a digestive system diseases, and it increases the toxicity in the body. It can create an addiction as well as coffee. For coffee, some bad side effects are that it increases or creates heartburn and it can cause ulcers."

She had no idea about these side effects. So she then asked me, "What if you want to drink coffee, can you still be part of your church?"

My answer, "ABSOLUTELY!!!!!! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints excepts everyone and their choices. The church has issued a health code called the word of wisdom. Where we are expected to CHOOSE for ourselves to not: smoke, do illegal drugs, drink coffee and tea, alcohol or any tobacco products. But ultimately it is up to us. God has given us knowledge, but also agency. He has told us that those things are bad, and has left it up to us to make the right choices."

She told me that she was going to quit drinking her coffee and sweet tea, because if they are as bad as the other things listed, then she doesn't want them in her body.

The word of wisdom is truly just a way for God to bless us. We get to live healthier lives and he gets to bless us for following His commandments. It is a win-win situation!!! How awesome is that?! Why wouldn't you choose blessings? Because you don't want to "miss out"? Trust me, you are not missing out.

Read more about the Word of Wisdom here: https://www.lds.org/topics/word-of-wisdom?lang=eng

Here is an awesome talk on the Word of Wisdom and the blessings that com from it:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/04/the-word-of-wisdom-the-principle-and-the-promises?lang=eng

Here are some websites that talk about the bad effects that coffee and tea have on us. The links are:

http://www.healthmw.com/20/02/2012/mens-health/tea-side-effects-top-10-bad-effects-of-tea-on-health-49.html

http://www.healthambition.com/negative-effects-of-coffee/

The Dangers of Cheating

To start off, there is a picture below. Honestly, I has always freaked me out, but I really like the message and it applies perfectly to what I would like to share with y'all today! So read it and enjoy.. Haha, Here is the creepy picture..

Okay so funny story to demonstrate the principle of the danger of cheating, in any form.

Yesterday a bunch of Sisters in the Apex Zone gathered together at the church to play some fun basketball! Now I am not good at basketball at all, but I love to play and have fun! I also like to win... Sister Bowers however is AMAZING at basketball. So I thought you know? This is just a friendly game, it is friendly to tackle her when she has the ball right? She is good enough that it won't matter right?

I will answer that right now. Tackling is cheating and cheating is bad. So you aren't going to win in the long run if you cheat. So I went to tackle Sister Bowers and I totally biffed it hard core. Like not just kind of tripped awkwardly and like fell, but I fell HARD. Let me tell you, that hurt! So I stood up, laughed hysterically and was really sad that we didn't have it on video so I could watch it over and over again. Anyways... I fell on my knee and skinned it pretty bad and bruised it. Well I played the rest of the time, and had a blast. Don't know who won because we didn't keep score and it was all just a friendly game.

Well this morning when I woke up. I was so stiff! I could not move my leg! My knee was completely swollen and black and blue. It hurts so bad! How ridiculous is that? I tried to play a fun friendly game and cheat, and I got hurt. Sister Bowers didn't get hurt. And I didn't just get hurt in the moment. I am still hurt! But of course it was all 100% my fault, so I have no room to complain. But still, my knee is in a lot of pain!

So moral of this silly, stupid stunt of Sister Eastwood is: Don't try to cheat. You will be the one to get hurt.

I am not talking about only games, or silly things that you could physically get hurt, but anything that could hurt you emotionally, or spiritually.

Don't cheat yourself out of getting blessings from God! Do what he asks us to do!

Don't cheat yourself from getting an education, by just casually going to class and cheating during tests. Learn for yourself the material and try your hardest. You get to take what you learn with you to the eternities!

Don't cheat on your spouse! Live the law of chastity, that includes your thoughts and actions!

Don't cheat others of the chance to serve you. Allow others to help you. Everyone gets blessed during service, so why not serve and let others serve you?

Don't cheat and try to get ahead of others. Do it on your own, by working hard. You will get what you earn and what you work for.

There are so many ways to cheat ourselves and others out of the blessings of God. And how sad do you think that makes him? Like seriously, we are all brothers and sisters and we should be loving each other and not trying to take advantage of one another. He wants us all to work our hardest and help others do the same.

So I guess if you get anything out of this story, (besides the fact that I fail..), is that cheating will never benefit you or others around you.

Marion G. Romney gave an awesome talk about how we as LDS members believe in being honest. Here is the link to the talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1976/10/we-believe-in-being-honest?lang=eng&query=cheating

Loving Others As Jesus Would

I want to start off with a simple test, be honest okay? Look at the picture below for only 3 seconds. Find the green square. Memorize where it is.

Did you find it? Awesome!! Continue reading... there is more to come with this simple test.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave an awesome talk about Loving others this past General Conference. Here is the link: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/loving-others-and-living-with-differences?lang=eng

When I was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I was set apart as a representative of Christ. When I was set apart as His representative, I gained this INCREDIBLE opportunity to see God's children as He sees them.

It is amazing how much the Lord loves each one of us and being able to feel a little bit of that love that he has for others is stunning.

I have found that with this special gift that I love people so much. I didn't know I was capable of loving all these random people I meet every day as much as I do.

We are always told that we need to love everyone. We need to see the good in others. We shouldn't judge. We ALL know these things, but lets be real we are human. We are NOT perfect, nor will we ever be. But if you truly desire to see God's children as he sees them, to not judge them, to love instantly, then PRAY and ask him! He will answer you. God wants us to see others as our brothers and Sisters. He wants us to love everyone and He is more than willing to help us out! We just need to ask.

It can be really hard. There are some people who just push your buttons and rub you the wrong way, but guess what? As much as those individuals who you think are just the most awful, God loves them just as much as He loves you. His love is unconditional.

Now like I said earlier, we are human and probably can't love every single person as much as we should, but we can try! And even just loving those a little more, trying a little harder, God will be so proud of you.

We are all different. There are so many circumstances that we cannot fully comprehend. But if you decide now to look for the good rather than the bad, you see find it. I promise. I pray every day to see God's children as he sees them. It has made the world of difference in my life.

Okay now back to the little test we did at the top. Without looking at the picture, can you tell me where the light blue triangles are? How about the yellow diamonds?

Have a look at the picture again. Where are they?

They are right next to the green square. Why didn't you see them? Because you were looking for the green square. You weren't looking for the triangles or the diamonds.

We see what we want to. We see what ever we are looking for. So are we going to choose to look for the good or the bad in others? Are we going to see only our differences or see how much we are alike as brothers and sisters? Make the choice right now to love others.