"Because forgiveness connects principles, it connects people."

I've been studying up on forgiveness. This is too good:

“Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”

Forgiveness is positioned right in the middle of these simple truths, founded on our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. Because forgiveness connects principles, it connects people. It is a key, it opens locked doors, it is the beginning of an honest path, and it is one of our best hopes for a happy family.

We have all been wounded. We all have wounded others.

I have discovered one thing that most have in common: they have a way of forgiving and forgetting the imperfections of others and of looking for the good.

We can feel God’s love for us every day. Shouldn’t we be able to give a little more of ourselves to our fellowmen as taught in the beloved hymn, "Because I Have Been Given Much”? The Lord has opened the door for us to be forgiven. Wouldn’t it be only right to put aside our own egotism and pride and begin to open that blessed door of forgiveness to those with whom we struggle?

In the end, happiness does not spring from perfection but from applying divine principles, even in small steps.

Thanks for always knowing just how to say it, Elder Uchtdorf. 

http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/10/one-key-to-a-happy-family?lang=eng

"There is only one way to happiness and fulfillment. Jesus Christ is the Way. Every other way, any other way, whatever other way is madness."

I rediscovered this gem as I was walking to school this morning. Holy cow. What a powerhouse. I've seriously replayed it four times already. In the body of his talk he says that every other way is foolishness, but as he's reading it he changes to saying "madness," and I love that. How powerful. The whole thing is just too good. 

Please just go and do. Listen to it.

There is only one way to happiness and fulfillment. He is the Way. Every other way, any other way, whatever other way, is foolishness.

He offers a well of living water. Either we drink and never thirst more, or we don’t and foolishly remain thirsty still.

He is the Bread of Life. Either we eat and hunger no more, or we don’t and foolishly remain weak and hungry still.

He is the Light of the World. Either we follow Him and see clearly, or we don’t and foolishly remain blind and in darkness still.

He is the Savior of the world. Either we accept the blessings of His Atonement and are made clean and pure, worthy to have His Spirit, or we don’t and foolishly remain alone and filthy still.

The Lord’s way is not hard. Life is hard, not the gospel. “There is an opposition in all things,” everywhere, for everyone. Life is hard for all of us, but life is also simple. We have only two choices. We can either follow the Lord and be endowed with His power and have peace, light, strength, knowledge, confidence, love, and joy, or we can go some other way, any other way, whatever other way, and go it alone—without His support, without His power, without guidance, in darkness, turmoil, doubt, grief, and despair. And I ask, which way is easier?

Life is hard, but life is simple. Get on the path and never, ever give up. You never give up. You just keep on going. You don’t quit, and you will make it.

He is the Way.

thank you, elder christofferson.

"Keep going, and the Lord will help you. At times you may not know quite what to do or what to say—just move forward. Begin to act, and the Lord assures that “an effectual door shall be opened for [you]” (D&C 118:3)."
-Elder D. Todd Christofferson
"Bretheren, We Have Work to Do"
GCon, Priesthood Sesh Oct 2012


Also, this is too good. Check it out.

rediscovering

i'm re reading a favorite book. it's too good. check this out:

(sierra smith, this one's for you. made me think of you soo much:)
"...the Savior is the physical representation, the incarnate expression of God's love for us, and our acceptance of Him and our profound gratitude for His atoning sacrifice is the ultimate expression of our love for the Father!"

"God's love fills the immensity of space; therefore, there is no shortage of love in the universe, only in our willingness to do what is needed to feel it." -E John Groberg

Willingness to do what is needed to feel it? 

"It may seem odd, even unfair when we read that we are required to keep the commandments in order to feel the Spirit, but God, in His infinite wisdom, knows how and when to succor us with His love. It is His to give and ours to accept in gratitude. It is part of the glorious and infinite gift of the atonement."

"What can I do, beyond being obedient to the commandments and praying fervently, what will help me feel His love, personally, every day?"

"I have seen others who carry great burdens, whose hearts are shriveled by the daily demands..--creating a debilitating fear that keeps them focused inward until they just don't see anyone else. And yet, paradoxically, the very looking outward, the reverencing of the Deity in others would open a space for God to step in and heal the wounds that continue to bleed in their own hearts."

"When I stack my obstacles against others' they seem too frivolous to be authentic. And yet, this mortal existence is designed by a genius, so that we will all, no matter our circumstances or parentage or gifts, have to exercise our agency to come unto Him."

-virgina pearce
A Heart Like His

hello. a few things--

i need you to do this (for some insights on who you are and how you communicate):

http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/love/

and watch this (for a laugh):