Never forget.

Today is 9/11, and I've been thinking about it all day.

So I had some thoughts about it during the sacrament this morning, as well as some other thoughts and I wanted to share:

Today is 9/11. I don't really remember it but I remember all the times in school when we would remember it and talk about it. It was a sad day in our nation's history–we lost so many good and precious people–but we grew closer as a nation and came to be one. I hope it doesn't take another event like that to bring us all closer once again. We will never forget the events of 9/11, but I hope that we never forget how it brought us closer as a nation. 

Our Savior died for us. He died so that we could be saved. He died to help us return to our Heavenly Father. He died so that we can repent. He died so that we can forgive and feel peace. He died for us in so many ways. But the biggest reason of all, I feel, is that He died because He loves us. 

The topic in sacrament meeting was missionary work, and there were so many great things said. One thing that stood out to me today was that Christ is the one who makes us whole. I've known and felt that my whole life but I don't think I've ever worded it like that, so I'm grateful for the speaker who said it. Christ is the one who makes us whole. He brings the broken pieces of us together and heals us. And we represent Him! We are His hands. He has entrusted us with His name, so we must never forget who we are or who we represent.

In Gospel Doctrine we talked about the stripling warriors. Someone said that it's better to look for different solutions than to break your covenants. Something else that was said that I liked was that strength comes from being perfect in trying. We don't have to be perfect–in fact, we can't be perfect on this earth by ourselves. But we can be perfect in trying, and we can be perfect with Him.

In Relief Society we talked about visiting teaching and a couple of the last things that were said hit me. We had read 3 Nephi 11:13-17, and were talking about how we can learn from Christ's teachings to the people. He preached from within the multitude of the people, and He let them feel His wounds one by one. I've talked about "one" before, but I feel the need to emphasize that you are a significant individual to Him. He loves you and wants you to know Him.


Reading stories, watching collections of pictures from 9/11, it makes me cry every time. I can't imagine how hard it must have been and must still be for the families who lost loved ones too soon that day. Losing someone you love is hard. Losing someone you love like that must have been almost impossible to deal with. It's something you will never be able to forget. I know that I will never forget those who gave their lives trying to save others, and I will never forget those who lost their lives in all of the turmoil. We lost a lot that day, but we also gained a lot: our nation became closer together as one, and in love and repsect for the losses that were suffered that day.

I know that life is hard. I know that we suffer losses in our lives in many different ways–physically, mentally, emotionally–but I also know that our pain can be lifted through Jesus Christ. It most likely will not go away altogether, but I do know that He will lift your burdens. I know that He will help carry your pains. I know that He will be there for you. I know that He loves you. I know that He never forgets you. I know that you are never alone. Please never forget that He is there for you whenever you need Him. He will be there, I promise. You might not always be able to feel Him or His love for you, but I promise that He is there.

Xoxo
Mattie

A collection of simple messages. :)

There were lots of great messages today!! So I am just going to post them in bullet list form. :-)

Sacrament meeting: Specifically about missionary work/mission prep, but it also works for the Gospel in general:

• To be able to teach, we must first love the student.
• All refining comes with a price.
• The Plan of Salvation would be void without the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
• You know more than you think you know. 
• Doctrine and Covenants 38:30-"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear."

Relief Society: Simplicity ("It Works Wonderfully" by President Uchtdorf):

To become converted, you have to actively live the Gospel. Develop your own testimony. Study the scriptures and pray. That is how you become converted. Conversion is a life-long process. :)

These are a couple of thoughts that I had after our lesson in Relief Society:

• You are a child of God. And there is nothing that He wants more than for you to return and live with Him.
• People often forget that we are all human, and humans make mistakes. God does not make mistakes–His Gospel is perfect. It is the people living the Gospel who are imperfect.
• The message of the Gospel is love. It's the love that our Heavenly Parents and our Savior Jesus Christ has for each of us–They want us to return home to Them. 

I am trying so hard to be a good example. I'm trying so hard to be a better hand for the Lord. I'm not going to lie–sometimes it's difficult; sometimes it's really easy and fun. :-) Regardless of whether it's difficult or easy, it's always worth it to see a smile on someone else's face, or to make their life easier, or whatever the results end up being. 

Loving those you serve makes your life so much better. 

You know more than you think you know. Don't freak out so much. Take a breath and step back from your worries–believe me, I know how hard that is, but you can do it!–and think about it slowly and carefully. The answer will come to you in time. :)

The process of refining and changing yourself to be a better person comes with a price–you have to let go of who you were. I know that it is super difficult, but I also know that you can do it with the Lord's help and guidance. Trust me–Jesus Christ will help you, and He will not let you fail or fall. 

I know that this Gospel is true. I know that my Savior lives, and that He died so that we could all be saved. I know that He died so that we would never be alone in our troubles. I know that He sends people to us to help us. I know that He has sent me to help those around me. I know that conversion is a life-long process, and that your testimony can stop growing and disappear if you don't work on it daily. I know that God is always there for me. I know that He loves me. I know that He is always there for you; I know that He loves you. I know that you are a child of God–a daughter or son of an almighty King–and I know that He loves you with an infinite and endless love. That will never change. 

P.S. If you ever have any questions, you can ask me, or you can check out lds.org or mormon.org. These are a few of the Church's official sites. Mormon.org has a link where you can ask to meet with the missionaries.