What about YOU?

So, we've been sharing what preparing for the Celebration has been doing for all of us.

But, what about you?

Tell us:
1.) What you've liked about the rehearsals
2.) How you feel about the temple
3.) What you've done for the "What Will I Give" project
or
4.) How you hope your life is different after May 29 & 30

We want to hear about YOUR experience!

Keep Climbing!

KAMI

I have recently been thinking about what it means to "Come Up to the Mountain". The main question I have asked myself is how am I supposed to get myself up to the Mountain?

Think about climbing an actual mountain. To start climbing you have to have all the right tools, good hiking shoes, plenty of water and you have to be on the right path. Sure you don’t have to have any of these tools to climb the mountain, but somewhere during the climb you will suffer the consequences of not having them. Your feet will blister, which will slow the pace of the ascent. If you don’t provide yourself with consistent water stops you will eventually get dehydrated, and if you don’t stay on the trail leading to the top, the chances of you getting lost are greater.

Our daily lives can be compared to this.

Every day we need to begin our climb with the right tools.

Begin your day on the right path: Say your prayers, read your scriptures.

Put on a good pair of hiking boots: Surround yourself with the things that won’t delay your climb. Avoid the temptations the Adversary puts on the trail. They will only weaken you.

I think the most important thing to remember when you are making your climb is to rehydrate your testimony frequently. A testimony rarely comes through one grand experience. We aren’t all as lucky as Joseph Smith was. A testimony comes from a combination of the little experiences. If you want it to grow, you have to do the work. You have to put forth a sincere effort.

Take advantage of the water stops, they will help revive you. Take advantage of this upcoming water stop. The Temple Celebrations on the 29th and 30th are a great way to freshen up your testimony and help strengthen it.

In a few weeks this whole celebration will be over, and you will stop hearing "Come Up to the Mountain" as often. I ask all of you not to stop your climb though! Keep moving forward. If the climb is getting difficult, lean on the Savior. [You] can do all things through Christ which stengtheneth [you]. (Philippians 4:13).

The climb gets easier as we draw closer to Christ.
So keep climbing and COME UP TO THE MOUNTAIN!!

Text Message!

Here's the message that went out today (and by the way...can you believe the Celebration is in TWO WEEKS???)

"There is something about a temple dedication which prompts a reevaluation of one's own performance and a sincere desire to do even better." (President Monson)

Have a great week!

True Happiness

CAMERON

This gospel is truly great news.

As President Uchtdorf said in his General Conference talk, "[Jesus Christ] gave us His gospel, a pearl beyond price, the grand key of knowledge that, once understood and applied, unlocks a life of happiness, peace and fulfillment."

So, what exactly do I do to obtain this happiness?

First of all, lasting happiness will not come after a mere few hours of labor. As it says in Doctrine & Covenants 14:7, we must endure to the end to obtain eternal life. Along with holding out to the end, you must keep the commandments nad do all the "Sunday School answers" regularly.

And King Benjamin gave us great counsel in Mosiah 2:41. "I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness..."

I know that if we remain faithful and endure to the end, that we CAN receive never-ending happiness.

STAY STRONG.

Hard runs. Good runs.

KELSIE

A few weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to run a half marathon with my Young Women's President. Let me say, it was an amazing experience.

To train for this race, I had to run a lot. It was difficult.

A few weeks before the race, she said something that struck me hard. She said, "I am so glad that we have hard runs so that we can better enjoy the good runs."

It reminded me of a scripture in 2 Nephi 2:13: "If ye say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness."

To me that says that we must have challenges and trials to be able to truly be grateful for the blessings and the good times we enjoy. And I testify we need to have trials to be grateful for the blessings. I also know that if we endure our trials well, we will be even more blessed.

The hard runs are worth it.

Overwhelmed?

TOMMY

Now a days, our lives can be so stressful. Especially new when many of you are busy getting ready for college, trying out for a dance or athletic team next year, finishing up the school year, and attending the Temple Celebration rehearsals.

I, like many of you, have been overwhelmed with so many stresses recently. I'm sure I'm no thte only one that has fallen to my knees pleading for help, strength, and comfort. I have felt like blanket after blanket of enormous tasks have been thrown upon me during this time.

But, after all of our tears fall, the Lord begins to send blessings to comfort us. My good friend Stephan shared a scripture with me recently. It says, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Guys, the Lord is helping us and carrying us through these hard things. President Monson shared stories of many people talking with the late President Hinckley about many problems they were feelings. They said that they were overwhelmed with the load they must carry. To many of these men, President Hinckley's reply was, "Things will work out."

AND THEY WILL!

Be strong.
Wait upont the Lord.
Go to the temple for escape.
Get lost in your scriptures.

"Things will work out."

Text Message!

Here's the message that went out today:

The Lord doeth that which is good among the children of men...and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness (2 Ne 26:33) Come & partake!

(thanks for making time for all the Conference Center rehearsals last week! Did you get your "gift give away" card?)