I'm a Mormon

I completely agree with Sister Dibb. I love this gospel; I love the hope and peace it brings. I think the world should hear it. Then why do I have such a hard time bringing it up with those around me. I see a lot of people each day on the bus to and from work but never have I brought up religion. Maybe it is because I am afraid of being shut down. This reminds me of the scripture in Romans, 

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” I do not feel ashamed of the gospel, I just feel ashamed at my ability to share it. Looking in the scriptures there are many apostles who felt the same way and were rejected by entire cities but they still did it. If God could help them overcome their weaknesses in sharing the gospel then why can’t He help me? I want to find the strength and courage they did and be able to bring souls unto Christ. “For the worth of souls is great in the sight of God...how great will be your joy if you bring many souls unto me.”  

Ann M Dibb, Engsign, Nov 2012

Romans 1:16

D&C 18:10, 16

Life Is Like A Piano

When you play just one black key in all the white keys it sounds wrong, this is the same if you look at just one trial or heartache compared to how life is. It does not seem right or fair but sometimes we just have to wait for a little while, just like we have to wait for the next notes to come in a song. Only then can we look back and see how important that experience was to building who we are. Sometimes I try to erase or forget events that hurt me, but when I do I lose the learning experience that comes from those experiences. I do not grow the way I could if I took a trial as a part of the song and let it make beautiful music.

Prayer

One idea recommended to me was to say a prayer for 20 minutes and only say things I was thankful for, without asking for anything. I thought this would be easy and so I started out strong with all the things I was thankful for. That lasted for about 5 minutes. Then I had to really start thinking about things I was grateful for, things that I took for granted every day. This opened my eyes as I realized everything that I had and how much the Lord helps me throughout the small things in the day to day activities. It seemed that any problems I had or anything that I felt I had needed were a small pebble compared to how many blessings I had. There is a lot of power in gratitude and just as the one leper who came back was blessed more than just physically, so too are we blessed beyond our immediate needs when we express gratitude often. 

David A Bednar, "Pray Always" Ensign, Nov 2008