{Fear Not}

I was sitting in church yesterday and a teenager, probably about fourteen years old, stood up and shared this poem. I've been thinking about it ever since.

"A basketball in my hands is worth about $19 A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million. It depends whose hands it's in A baseball in my hands is worth about $6 A baseball in Mark McGuire's hands is worth $19 million It depends whose hands it's in A tennis racket is useless in my hands A tennis racket in Pete Sampras' hands is a Wimbledon Championship. It depends whose hands it's in A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea It depends whose hands it's in A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon. It depends whose hands it's in Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus' hands will feed thousands It depends whose hands it's in Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world. It depends whose hands it's in As you see now it depends whose hands it's in. So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because....... it depends whose hands it's in." --- Written by Paul Ciniraj - I have been so blessed! Especially since I returned from my mission I looked back today and was amazed at all Heavenly Father has done for me. I know when we do trust in the Lord and His plan He will mold us and shape us into who we need to be. A few years ago, I couldn't have anticipated all the challenges and good that would come into my life, but I thank God for each one because I like who He is helping me to become. I still have a long ways to go, but with Him, I have nothing to fear. I love this scripture in Moroni 7:33, "And Christ hath said: if ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." I was pondering on the drive home from work looking at the beautiful mountains covered in snow and touched by the beginnings of a sunset and felt that was true. There is nothing that I can't do-or any of us can't do-with God's help. In Hebrews chapter 11, Paul speaks of those who'd gone before and their valiant faith. They did amazing things because of their faith. He starts in verse 33: "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight...armies...." My own "lions," "goliaths", "armies" are no match for God. I know that we go through nothing (unless we must deal with consequences of our own bad choices) that is not for our betterment and the greater good. And even our own sins can lead us back to Him if we choose to repent.  Next time I fear, next time I doubt, next time I cry or toss and turn worrying instead of sleeping, I hope this is something I can remember. One example I love is found in 2 Kings 6:15-16. Elisha the prophet and his servant woke up to their city being surrounded by soldiers. His servant panicked and asked what they could do. Elisha answered in verse 16, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw and behold the mountain was full or horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." I pray that all of us can have our eyes opened to see all the good around us, all that God is providing for us. President Uchtdorf said, "No matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it." I know He lives. I know He loves us. And I know a loving Father has beautiful things in store for each one of His children if we will put it in His hands-trust Him-and follow Him. The more we do the more we will see. And it will lead us back to live with our Heavenly Father, Savior, and those we love forever.  One of my favorite quotes puts all of the trials of this life in perspective. Sister Linda Reeves, a counselor in the general Relief Society presidency (the largest women's organization in the world) shared this, "Sisters, I do not know why we have the many trials that we have, but it is my personal feeling that the reward is so great, so eternal and everlasting, so joyful and beyond our understanding that in that day of reward, we may feel to say to our merciful, loving Father, “Was that all that was required?” I believe that if we could daily remember and recognize the depth of that love our Heavenly Father and our Savior have for us, we would be willing to do anything to be back in Their presence again, surrounded by Their love eternally. What will it matter, dear sisters, what we suffered here if, in the end, those trials are the very things which qualify us for eternal life and exaltation in the kingdom of God with our Father and Savior?" This is worth it. I know it. And God is good to us.  CTR Always....ETTE

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{To truly see}

What does it really mean to have faith? It was pointed out in my institute class recently that the natural man's way from the beginning is to demand signs before they will believe. But that is not our Father in Heaven's way. That is not faith. That doesn't bring conversion, strength, and won't result in integrity to the faith we've already found. Trials of faith build true character. And until we humble ourselves enough to believe, we won't see the truth-things are as they really are, have been, and will be. Without that knowledge we can't become like our Heavenly Father. We can't know true joy.
Our last family vacation my sister and I decided to go on a sunday afternoon adventure. We went outside our resort in Jamaica, past all the bungalos beyond where most tourists usually went. Em and I climbed on the jagged rocks that followed the bay. Blue waves frothed with white foam and crashed against the armor of rock shielding the island. Occasionally the bright turquoise water calmed and revealed a glimpse of a beautiful world below.  We climbed in our sandals carefully on the coarse rock as close to the edge as we dared go. Em and I looked down and saw in the clear water a giant coral reef. Fish with bright yellow stripes darted through the cool, clear water. It was breathtaking.
Our view was beautiful, but there was so much of the world under the surface we didn't see. Our glimpse was just the beginning. Sometimes faith is that way. The deeper you dive into faith the more you can truly see, just like the ocean. Occasionally in life from our perspective things might seem murky. We might not be able to see past all the "white foam" to all that Heavenly Father yearns for us to see. But the test of life requires that we trust in God and take the leap, dive in to faith and receive the promised blessings. We might wonder if there's anything truly meaningful beneath the surface. But God has promised us glory and joy beyond our comprehension if we will only find that faith and stay true to it. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Cor 2:9)
The beauty of the gospel is that there is no limit to what you can learn. There is no end to the discoveries to be made. God longs to help us understand all we need and want to understand.  The gospel is beautifully simple and simply beautiful, yet it will take an eternity to entirely to know everything. There is no limit to its depths.  President Uchtdorf, a member of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said this of faith and the purpose of mortality,

"God will take you as you are at this very moment and begin to work with you. All you need is a willing heart, a desire to believe, and trust in the Lord.....But the Savior’s grace can do much more for us. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we aspire to something unimaginably greater. It is exaltation in the celestial kingdom. It is life eternal in the presence of our Father in Heaven. It is the greatest gift of God.¹³ In the celestial kingdom, we receive “of his fulness, and of his glory.”¹⁴ Indeed, all that the Father hath shall be given unto us.¹⁵Exaltation is our goal; discipleship is our journey. As you exercise a little faith and begin your walk as a peaceable follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, your heart will change.¹⁶ Your whole being will be filled with light.¹⁷God will help you become something greater than you ever thought possible. And you will discover that the gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed working in your life. It works." (It Works Wonderfully, Oct 2015 General Conference)

I know that as we have faith in the Lord and act on that faith He truly will change our hearts. We will feel more peace, joy, and become like Him. One day when we see His face and understand the magnitude of all He's done for us we will be filled with eternal gratitude for His patience. We will rejoice if we chose to have faith.

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