Be more kind

RONI

I recently went to a fast food restaurant with a friend to get some dinner. Working there was a girl I'd known in middle school. This girl was constantly made fun of and didn't have that many friends. Looking back, I remembered that I too had made fun of her.

After ordering my food, I asked her if she remembered me and she did. I then apologized for the mean things I had done in middle school. She told me about how much she hated it there and she ended up leaving because she couldn't handle it anymore.

I learned a huge lesson from this experience.

I strive to be kind to all of those around me because I know how hard life can be. You never know what that person is going through and what can push them over the edge. I encourage all of us to be more kind to everyone and befriend those who are often alone. The feeling you will have is amazing!

BE MORE KIND!

Make it fun!

KEVIN

I am human.

Not every week I'm jumping for joy to go to the Temple Celebration rehearsals. I often have friends, sports, and school in the way. However, I know that I can choose my attitude once I get there. The attitude I must always choose, and challenge you to choose, is to be happy and cheerful. I can promise if you slap a permanent smile on your face during the rehearsal, your happiness will all come natural.

What I like to do while at rehearsals is make things funs while dancing. Believe me, there is a variety of ways to do that. As 2 Nephis 10:23 says, "Therefore cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves--to choose the way of [boredom at rehearsal] or the way of [absolute fun at rehearsal]." (Hey, look it up!)

My challenge to you is to make rehearsal fun and enjoyable. I promise if you do this, you will find yourself looking forward to it all.

Why a mountain?

McKAY

In my opinion, the theme of a mountain is perfect because a mountain can represent so many things!

Personally, I like it because the mountains are what I call "perfect places". You can use the mountains for any purpose. Lots of people go camping and fishing because they enjoy it. Some people go to the mountains to get away from their daily life. I go to the mountains to snowboard. But also, because of a feeling I get while I'm there. It is honestly the best feeling in the world for me. There is an excitement and sense of fear for the slopes. But at the same time, a huge respect. I also get the feeling of calming and comfort in the snow. When you sit in the trees and look around, it's beautiful. Indescribable.

Thinking about it, I realized that the temple is just like the mountains.

People go because they enjoy it. They go to run away from life. They go for the feelings they get while there. When we go, we think of the Savior and realize His power, His creations, and His sacrifice. Wehn we go to the temple, we we just sit down and look around, we see how beautiful it is. How indescribable it is.

Go get just one!

NATHAN

Our rehearsals have been extremely fun and very uplifting and spiritual. The choir director in my stake told us last week that we had about 50% of our youth participating. We need those youth. We want all of those youth there, singing or dancing, so they can feel the spirit.

I had the opportunity to speak at three firesides and my stake conference in March. This was a very humbling and very uplifting opportunity for me. I was scared to death at my first fireside. I wasn't exactly sure what I said or how it impacted the youth there but I hope it helped those youth feel the need and desire to participate in this celebration.

In Psalms 149:1-5, it tells us of how we can rejoice in the name of the Lord by singing his praises and dancing. This is exactly what we're doing in this celebration and we need to participate and invite others to come.

In Deuteronomy 33:2, it tells of tens of thousands of Saints gathered with Moses, whom the Lord loved and praised.

All of you who have already joined, go out and invite all to come up to the mountain. If every single person reading this post brought just one friedn who hasn't been coming, the numbers in practices would increase by exponential numbers.

Senior Ball or Celebration?

ASHLEY

This is for everyone out there who has something on their Celebration performance date and are having a hard time choosing what to do.

I was in the same situation.

I have Senior Ball the same day! Senior Ball was the only dance I really even cared about going to my whole high school time. It was a tough choice. For THREE YEARS I've been excited for Senior Ball. Our seminary tried to get the school to change the date so none of us would have to make that decision. Unfortunately, it didn't work out nad we weren't able to change it. So, this left me having to make a choice.

I have got such a great love and testimony of this gospel that there is no way that there is anything more important than this celebration. And I pray for all you guys who are in the same situation that I was in. Make sure you are at the Temple Celebration. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

So, come join all of our fun and come celebrate the wonderful temples that our Lord has given us. I know that the decision is hard to make but you have the Lord on your side. Do not be afraid to ask Him for help on the decision. He is there to help you and He wants to.

COME UP...to the Celebration!

It's all about attitude!

HEATHER

It's truly awesome to see how fast the time is flying until our Celebration! Firesides are being held, text messages are being sent out, and it appears we are getting quite a few hits on the blog. AND rehearsals are happening all the time!

I haven't been involved in a performed dance for five years and I can feel it all coming back...the confusion over a new step, the frustration at the slow pace we're learning, the excitement as you stare down at that costume made just for you...and the nervous pit in your stomach as that little inner voice pipes up and tells you that yes, you will be performing this in front of thousands.

I remember Trek. I wanted to be there but some seemed to be forced by parents, pressured by peers, or just making it a lot more miserable than the 90 degree sun really was (okay, the heat wasn't that grea, but it did rain a lot).

My point is, no matter how you found yourself in this dance or choir rehearsal, it is you and your attitude that determine how you are going to feel, and how well you are going to do. You're doing this to celebrate the Lord's temples and to come up to the mountain. So do it with a positive attitude, and you'll see how special & amazing it really is.

Text Message!

The text message we sent out today:

Just as the Salt Lake Temple took 40 years to build, stone by stone, you are building a virtuous life step by step. (Sister Cook) COME UP TO THE MOUNTAIN!

(This great quote comes from Sister Mary N. Cook, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency)