Friday, October 4, 2013

My Message To The World

Recently my cousin Seth posted a link on Facebook to an article he wrote.



First off, I can't get enough of his writing style. 
It's fantastic, and I'm always impressed by how clever he is.
And his word choice is just phenomenal.

Side note - he's one of the funniest people I've ever met.
(Don't worry, Mum. You're on that list too.)

But I'm writing about it because it made me think.

He wrote about the BYU vs UofU game last week.
I'm not really on either side of the BYU/UofU war.
I go to Utah State, remember?

This is last year, but still...
Utah State - Home of Winter Clothing!
It snowed today. It's BARELY October.

And I'm certainly not one to get mad and react by throwing things at officials.
So really, none of this is about the game last week.
Seth's article wasn't really either.

You know what, this will be so much easier if you just go read the article.
Don't worry, I'll wait while you read it.

....

Okay, you're back! 

His article made me ask myself something.
Am I living in such a way that people KNOW what I believe?
Am I representing Christ, my religion, and myself in a positive way?

I'd like to think the answer is yes.
I know I'm not perfect, and there are moments when the answer is no.
But I am trying.

One of my biggest goals in life is to have the love I have for my religion
and the fact that I know it to be true be literally visible to others.

Maybe that seems like a strange life goal to you.
But it's always been important to me.

I've always wanted it to be obvious to others that
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, just by looking at me.
And that has actually happened to me a few different times.
(Which absolutely made my day!)

Sometimes Pinterest just gets me, you know?

If it's obvious, and strangers can tell that that's what I believe and I'm where I belong?
I think I'm doing fairly well.
And maybe they'll know I'm open to questions about our religion.

I joke around with my roommate that if I was to share one message with the world,
it would be two simple words.
Chill out.

But if I'm being serious, and I could share one thing with the entire world, it would be this.

"I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I know that our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, love us.
I know that the Atonement is for everyone.
I know that we can receive personal revelations.
I know that the Book of Mormon is true,
and that the Bible is true as far as it has been translated correctly.
I truly love this gospel with every fiber of my being and know it to be true.
I would love to share what I believe with everyone,
but I would never force it on anyone.
And if you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them."


Since I'm not going to walk around to every single person in the world and say that,
For my beliefs to be visible to the world,
I have to live what I believe.



Our religion seems to be in the public eye a lot.
And since I'm a member and proud to be one -

I will try my best to live my beliefs.
I will try to be a positive example of our religion in every situation.
I will share what I know through my actions, and words when they're needed.
I will never deny what I know to be true
and never be ashamed of what I believe.
I will do my best to not be timid.
I'll share the gospel in every opportunity that arises.
I will be a lifelong missionary.

And my second message to the world would be to chill out ;)


Hey, kids! General Conference is this weekend!
I AM SO EXCITED!!
One of my very favorite times of the year :)
Watch it and love it.
Feast on the knowledge, Spirit, and teachings.
Take notes!
And have a fantastic weekend!