Keeping an eternal perspective.

Today in sacrament meeting, the speakers talked about keeping an eternal perspective. I thought they had some really great messages.

One of the ways to help us keep an eternal perspective is that we have to remember who we are. We are children of God, and He loves us.

Another way is to keep the Holy Ghost with us. In a quote read by the first speaker, Sister Sheri Dew said, "Our challenge is not one of getting the Lord to speak to us. Our problem is hearing what He has to say. He has promised, “As often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit” (D&C 6:14)." We must be confident in our first promptings from the Holy Ghost.

God's plan for us is often fluid, and can be an adventure. Sometimes we can be confident that God wants us heading in one direction, and then later He can be directing us down a different path in a different direction. But He doesn't tell us all the answers every time.

The third way is to remember that it's a doubles match. God is in our court. We are supported by Him, and He will help us as we move forward.

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Asking "why" never takes away the hard things. Life gets crazy. Sometimes God calms the seas, and sometimes He calms the sailor.

In the talk "Accepting the Lord's Will and Timing", Elder Bednar said he asked Elder Neal A. Maxwell what lessons he learned through his illness (he had leukemia) and he said, “I have learned that not shrinking is more important than surviving.” Just as Jesus shrank not to drink the bitter cup, we, too, can shrink not to drink the bitter cup. It's like taking medicine–it tastes terrible, but you need to take it in order to get better. We need to "drink the bitter cup" and stand tall. God is with us, and He will help us through it all.

"Trial" in the medical world has a positive connotation. As you go through trials, you are getting closer and closer to the answers. "Clinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical approaches work in people. Each study answers scientific questions and tries to find better ways to prevent, screen for, diagnose, or treat a disease." Trials that we go through in our lives are testing that helps us develop our faith and testimony. The variety of experiences and challenges that we go through is for our growth. Living the Gospel gives us the support and understanding we need to get through this life. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! God loves you! 

Xoxo

Mattie

Don't forget.

I have been thinking about what to write for a little while. First, my idea was to write a poem. That is still an option but I can't think of what to write, how to start it, etc. Now I'm at an impasse.

So, as I said, I've been thinking for awhile...

And I want to say this:

Don't forget.
Don't forget you are needed.
Don't forget you are loved.
Don't forget who you are.
Don't forget whose you are.

You are a divine child of God.
You are His child.
He made you!
He loves you.

Don't forget your divine nature.
Don't forget your worth.
Don't forget why you came to this earth.

Don't forget to be–
Be you,
Be kind,
Be grateful.

People are imperfect.
People have moods.
People will come and go.
But God is perfect.
God is always constant.
He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
He will always be there for you.
He will always be with you.

So please don't forget:
Don't forget whose you are.
Don't forget to be you.
Don't forget that God will always be there for you.
~"Don't Forget" by Mattie Radke

I know that He loves you. I love you, too. You are precious to Him and He sent you here for a reason. He knew that you were needed here. Someone needed to meet you, or to learn from you. Someone needed you. In order for them to become their best self, they needed you. So don't forget that you are needed and loved. Because you are.

We are here for a purpose.

I want to tell you a story. 

Once, a long time ago, there lived a child. Now, she (or fill in with 'he', boys) lived in a place where she was loved by so many! She had many friends and people who loved her. One day, she had to leave her home for another home, but in this home, she would have to forget who she was, and that she was loved. One day, when the girl was around 14 or so, she had a few questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? And what is my purpose? Well, in order to find the answer, she searched. She searched and searched the scriptures for an answer. And she found her answer: She is a daughter of God. She came from Heaven, and her purpose is to accept and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others, and to make a healthy home for more of God's children on earth.

I know that sometimes life is hard, and we lose our focus. But I just want you guys to know that we are here for a purpose. There is a God, and He does love you. I know it. I know that we are here to have a family, and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. I know sometimes we doubt, but it's okay to have questions. Just 'doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.' Don't lose track of who you are. You are a daughter or son of God, and He loves you. He cares for you. He knows exactly what you're going through, and He knows how to help you. Life will get hard–I'm not going to lie to you. Life is hard–but if you have faith in Jesus Christ, you can do it! I know that sometimes there are unexpected curveballs thrown at you, and sometimes they're really rough, but you can get through them with the help of our Savior and Redeemer. I love those names for Him: Savior and Redeemer. They remind me that He is there–and wants–to save us, and He is there and wants to redeem us. He loves us and wants us to be able to return to our Heavenly Father. I know it and I love Him so much. He is there for me, even when I feel unworthy. Even when I feel alone. Even when I feel unloved, HE IS THERE! He will never leave you alone. He will never leave you. He will never leave. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.