Just a thought :)

"All the water in the world,

however hard it tried,

could never sink the smallest ship,

unless it got inside.

All the evil in the world,

the blackest kind of sin,

can NEVER hurt you the least bit,

unless you let it in."

I really like this poem, because it is true. We can be able to withstand the evils of this world IF we don't let them in. If the temptations become too strong, then rely on good friends, family members, and most importantly, rely on the Savior. Strengthen your testimony of Him and what He has done, does, and will do for you.

Just something for y'all to think about...

-Sister Reid

Ephesians 4:31-32

"It is said that wisdom has 2 parts: 1) having a lot to say and 2) not saying it."

Gossip and words said out of anger or in haste will always lead to regret and sorrow.

There is enough grief and troubles in this world without us adding to it by putting down another person, regardless of whether we think they deserve it or not. The Savior said it best when He commanded (not merely suggested or hinted at) us to "Love one another as [He] ha[s] loved [us]." The phrase "walk a mile in my shoes" can be best exemplified, again, by our Savior, when He did just that, and more, for each of us. Indeed He has walked our entire lives in our shoes. He knows perfectly how we feel and He knows perfectly how to help us. Both the offendee and the offender can find access to His love, mercy, and forgiveness as they repent and seek to be better.

Remember, the Savior taught: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40) The Savior paid the price for everything that has happened or will happen in our lives. Every heartache, every trial, every pain, sickness, sin, loneliness, EVERYTHING has been felt and atoned by Him. I testify that that is true and that no sin or guilt ever need be permanent. All that is wrong about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We just have to have faith in Him (which is more than just a passive belief in Him; we have to be willing to act, to follow Him, to repent/change in order to be like Him). And as we do, we can choose to be more willing to forgive others and then we can be forgiven. I know that The Lord will NEVER leave us comfortless, alone, or forsaken. He has promised it. (See John 14:18)

Therefore, let us all be slow to take offense. Let us forgive one another and forgive ourselves. Let us "come unto Christ, and be perfected in him." (Moroni 10:32) Only then can we find joy and peace in this life and eternal life in the next. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

-Sister Reid

"For Such a Time as This"

I found this talk today given by Ezra Taft Benson and I wanted to share some of it.

For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the Second Coming of the Lord. Every previous gospel dispensation has drifted into apostasy, but ours will not. True, there will be some individuals who will fall away; but the kingdom of God will remain intact to welcome the return of its head—even Jesus Christ. While our generation will be comparable in wickedness to the days of Noah, when the Lord cleansed the earth by flood, there is a major difference this time. It is that God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the Kingdom triumphantly. And that is where you come in, for you are the generation that must be prepared to meet your God.

All through the ages the prophets have looked down through the corridors of time to our day. Billions of the deceased and those yet to be born have their eyes on us. Make no mistake about it—you are a marked generation. There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time as there is of us. Never before on the face of this earth have the forces of evil and the forces of good been as well organized. Now is the great day of the devil’s power, with the greatest mass murderers of all time living among us. But now is also the great day of the Lord’s power, with the greatest number ever of priesthood holders on the earth. And the showdown is fast approaching.

Each day the forces of evil and the forces of good pick up new recruits. Each day we personally make many decisions that show where our support will go. The final outcome is certain—the forces of righteousness will finally win. What remains to be seen is where each of us personally, now and in the future, will stand in this fight—and how tall we will stand. Will we be true to our last-days, foreordained mission?

I love this, because we are destined for greatness! The Lord has saved us for this time for a specific purpose. You did not come here by accident. Your life has meaning, purpose, and direction. As you seek after Him and seek to do His will, you will discover in greater detail what that is. You are meant to succeed! That has always been the case.

Just something for y'all to think about...

-Sister Reid 

Smile on. Serve on.

"...men ^care, that they might have ^djoy." (2 Nephi 2:25)

Happiness is a choice, plain and simple. But, the real question is how can we be happy? Well, there are countless ways, but what brings true happiness involves other people and what brings lasting happiness involves the Lord. (Both of which are not disconnected.) It involves forgetting ourselves and serving others. 

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn ^awisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the ^bservice of your ^cfellowbeings ye are only in the service of your God."

(Mosiah 2:17)

We can make a great difference in our lives and in the lives of others as we serve our fellow men. We will be happier and so will the ones that we are helping. Plus, as we serve, we will develop a love for others and for the Lord. 

So, how can you serve? Well, you tell me. Serving can be a creative challenge, but at the same time, it doesn't have to be. You can serve in many capacities, but start off by showing your strength. Share your talents, whether that be singing, dancing, drawing, painting, listening, talking, etc. Beyond that you can do chores, rake/mow someone's yard, bake cookies, help set up for an event, volunteer, the list can go on and on. One simple thing that everyone can do, though, is to smile. It will cheer you up and chances are that it will be reciprocated. So, here's the challenge: be happy. And serve in whatever form you can. You will be happier and healthier. Guaranteed.

Smile.

Serve.

Love.

Just something for y'all to think about...

-Sister Reid

"We believe"

1 We ^abelieve in ^bGod, the Eternal Father, and in His ^cSon, Jesus Christ, and in the ^dHoly Ghost.

 2 We believe that men will be ^apunished for their ^bown sins, and not for ^cAdam’s transgression.

 3 We believe that through the ^aAtonement of Christ, all ^bmankindmay be ^csaved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

 4 We believe that the first principles and ^aordinances of the Gospel are: first, ^bFaith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second,^cRepentance; third, ^dBaptism by ^eimmersion for the ^fremission of sins; fourth, Laying on of ^ghands for the ^hgift of the Holy Ghost.

 5 We believe that a man must be ^acalled of God, by ^bprophecy, and by the laying on of ^chands by those who are in ^dauthority, to^epreach the Gospel and administer in the ^fordinances thereof.

 6 We believe in the same ^aorganization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, ^bprophets, ^cpastors, ^dteachers,^eevangelists, and so forth.

 7 We believe in the ^agift of ^btongues, ^cprophecy, ^drevelation,^evisions, ^fhealing, ^ginterpretation of tongues, and so forth.

 8 We believe the ^aBible to be the ^bword of God as far as it is translated ^ccorrectly; we also believe the ^dBook of Mormon to be the word of God.

 9 We believe all that God has ^arevealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet ^breveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

 10 We believe in the literal ^agathering of Israel and in the restoration of the ^bTen Tribes; that ^cZion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will ^dreignpersonally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be ^erenewedand receive its ^fparadisiacal ^gglory.

 11 We claim the ^aprivilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the ^bdictates of our own ^cconscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them ^dworship how, where, or what they may.

 12 We believe in being ^asubject to ^bkings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in ^cobeying, honoring, and sustaining the ^dlaw.

 13 ^aWe believe in being ^bhonest, true, ^cchaste, ^dbenevolent, virtuous, and in doing ^egood to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we ^fhopeall things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to^gendure all things. If there is anything ^hvirtuous, ⁱlovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

I would like to add that I believe these things. I know them to be true. I know that God is our Eternal Heavenly Father and that Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten Son and that They communicate the truth to us through the Holy Ghost.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

-Sister Reid

Yesterday, Today, and Forever

"We need not let yesterday hold tomorrow hostage."

-Neal A. Maxwell

I love this quote because it is true. How often do we punish ourselves and withhold our progression and keep ourselves from receiving the blessings of the Lord by bringing up our past mistakes? And yet, how little do we turn to the Lord for Him to remove our heavy burden and set us free? 

It seems that we don't understand just how much our Heavenly Father and our Savior really love us. We underestimate their love for us. But why? They are more than willing to forgive. They are more than willing to forget. Why aren't we? 

Often we think that after we have sinned, we have to suffer a certain amount of time, but that is FALSE! We can be forgiven long before the time that we think is suitable. Heavenly Father is right there. Let Him in and let the healing begin.

Watch this video.

President Boyd K. Packer has taught: “There is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ”

I know that that statement is true. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real and it works! It makes salvation and happiness possible. Believe it. Turn to your Heavenly Father and ask Him. He will answer you. Don't be afraid. He loves you more than you can ever imagine. He wants you to talk to Him.

Just something for y'all to think about...

-Sister Reid  

"I reflected upon it again and again..."

As a missionary, I get the opportunity to share the message of the Restoration quite frequently. For those of y'all who are unfamiliar with what this is, learn more now.

----------

To bring out certain points from Joseph Smith History of what happened at that time, I will quote the following from Joseph Smith:

 10 In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be^aright, which is it, and how shall I know it?

 11 While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the ^aEpistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack ^bwisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 12 Never did any passage of ^ascripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed ^bwisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects ^cunderstood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.

 13 At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in^adarkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God." 

What unfolded next can only be described as miraculous. Joseph Smith recounts: 

"...I saw a pillar of ^clight exactly over my head, above the brightness of the ^dsun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. ...When the light rested upon me I^bsaw two ^cPersonages, whose brightness and ^dglory defy all description, ^estanding above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My^fBeloved ^gSon. Hear Him!"

---------

I testify that God and His Son, Jesus Christ, did appear to Joseph Smith. They absolutely did. I love this Gospel and the message that it contains. The same church and Gospel that Jesus Christ established whenever He was on the Earth, was restored (not created or imagined) through the prophet Joseph Smith. Through Joseph's experience, we learn that we can and should ask God, our Eternal Heavenly Father, to know if something is or isn't true; if something is or isn't right. Just as James directs, we must ask of God. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that He will answer our prayers. It may not all come at once, but it will come. This message of the Restoration is true. I know it. And I encourage you to learn for yourself if it's true as well. Ask the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to tell you more. They can help you.

In this Mormon Message, it tells the same story, basically, but it shows how we can relate the Book of Mormon, other scriptures, and this story to us today. I love this Mormon Message and I encourage you all to view it. It is really worth watching. :)

Just something for y'all to think about...

-Sister Reid 

We are all masterpieces!

This week, I thought that I would draw a picture and document it as I drew it, instead of just taking a picture of the finished product. So... I did! :) All the while, I thought of how it can be related to the Gospel. This is what I came up with. Check it out!

A lot of people have the tendency to judge themselves and others on what they like while they are in their developmental stages, such as in these pictures.

        

And just like in these pictures, we are not whole. We are not finished. We are all still in the refining process. And sometimes, we take the drawing instrument and try to draw ourselves. When we do, we sometimes make smudges, smears, and stray marks. But that is where the Atonement of Jesus Christ comes in. Christ can clean us up and make more of us than we ever could by ourselves. The Lord is merciful and so forgiving. He understands fully that we are all a work in progress. So, we shouldn't look at ourselves and other people under a microscope, because we when we do, we usually look at the worst moments, which cuts us short of our full potential. Each of these pictures are taken during the developmental process of this drawing. None are complete, except the finished piece. The drawing at its developmental process is not what it is meant to look like, but it is necessary in order to get to its completion. Each step is needed in order to achieve the end result. Each step is needed in order for it to become polished and refined. When all is said and done, all of the mistakes will have been corrected and smoothed out.   

 

Well, guess what? This life IS the developmental process and each of us must go through this refining process. It can not be escaped or avoided. We must go through it. But in this life, we are all a work in progress. Our Heavenly Father is still working with us. So, don't get discouraged with how things are at this current moment in time. Be patient and have faith that Heavenly Father knows what He is doing. 

Proverbs 3:5 states:

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

 

Everything will work out and be the way it is supposed to be. 

I am sure that as you were scrolling through these pictures, you had a hope that my drawing would get better, right? You just knew that it would get better. (After all, why would I post unfinished art, right?) You kept that faith until you saw it come to pass. My drawing did, indeed, become better and better. And just like that, you must have faith that everything will work out. Trust in the Lord and be kind to yourself and others. We are all in the developmental stages of our existence. Heavenly Father is not done with us yet. And the finished product is worth waiting for. :)

Just something for y'all to think about...

-Sister Reid

Stop! It's temple time!

Today, I want to talk about Latter-Day Saint (LDS) temples. :)

LDS temples are dedicated buildings in which members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints go to in order to make covenants with the Lord. Temples are beautiful refuges from the storms of life. They give spiritual strength to all who enter. They stand as beacons to the world and the Spirit of the Lord can be felt just by standing on the grounds of the temple. I have personally felt that. 

On the temple, are the words: "Holiness to the Lord. The House of the Lord." Indeed each holy temple is the House of the Lord. I love (absolutely love) to see the temple! One of my favorite temples is the Washington, D.C. temple. It is so beautiful. If you would like to check it out, click here.

I know that the temple blesses families. Families can be together forever! Not even death can sever the ties of families married and sealed in the temple. I know that to be true!

Other temples, from all around the world, can be found here.

Temples have truly blessed my life and I know that they can bless yours!!

Just something for y'all to think about...

-Sister Reid

"What's in a name?"

I was thinking about this the other day...

When I first got my name tag, at the Missionary Training Center (MTC), I remember thinking that it was so huge (like astronomically so). I felt like my name tag was somehow different than every other missionary's and that it and (by extension) I stood out. Of course, this idea was not completely true. I say "not completely" because even though my name tag was not a different size than other missionaries', I did stand out now, simply because I wore the name tag. I realized that I now have a big role to fill. Since the day I received my name tag, I have been looked at differently, treated differently, and people have acted differently around me simply because of who/what I am and, more importantly, Who I represent. Because of the Name that is on my name tag, I have to be better. The bar has been raised and I have to do the things that Jesus Christ, Himself, would do and be His disciple with more exactness than before my mission. This concept is no different from pre-mission life, except for the name tag. People distinguish me since I have the name tag. I am very thankful that I have this wonderful opportunity to be a missionary of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I feel like I am fulfilling my role and my name tag doesn't seem quite as big anymore; I have "grown into it."

So what IS in a name? So much more than can be put on paper or posted on a blog. This goes for more than just a name tag and more than just a missionary. Each of us represent many names: our family's, our own names, our country's, our religion, etc. You represent more than what you think. So, 'what e'er thou art, act well thy part.'

Just something for y'all to think about...

-Sister Reid    

Just something to think about...

"3 He is ^adespised and rejected of men; a man of ^bsorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we ^cesteemed him not.

 4 ¶Surely he hath ^aborne our ^bgriefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

 5 But he was ^awounded for our ^btransgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his ^cstripes we are ^dhealed.”

Isaiah 53:3-5

Isn't it amazing to think about how much Jesus Christ loves us? He has done so much for us and yet all He asks is for us to follow Him and then He will give us comfort and peace. He will help us beyond our imagination. Surely, we are the ones that benefit the most, so who wouldn't want that?

Just something for y’all to think about…

-Sister Reid