come as you are

context ~ 2 years ago I left on mormon mission to wisconsin, & in January met an individual who really caused me to think & feel a lot of things. This is an excerpt from my journal the week that we met her.

-----

first of all, there is room for EVERYONE in Christ's gospel. "He layeth down His own life that He may draw ALL men unto Him. wherefore, He commandeth NONE that they shall not partake of His salvation." (2 ne 26:24) Jesus stands with open arms to receive ALL those who will come unto Him and be saved. that's a fact. there is room for EVERYBODY in God's family.

Second... God allows us to be born into a fallen world because He knows that only through our struggles can we learn and become like Him. The "natural man" is an enemy to God. "for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." none of us can just "be ourselves" and return to live with God again...

We are imperfect beings in an imperfect world, but we serve a perfect God whose perfect Son wrought a perfect Atonement so that we could be changed and return to live with Them :)

the whole idea of life is choosing God's will above our own and becoming TRANSFORMED through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. "Bringing our lives in line with God's will through repentance is a central purpose of our lives." (PMG).

The fact is, God accepts us and loves us just the way we are, but He refuses to leave us this way. none of us are perfect, but through the grace of God we ALL can become perfected. He will make us into MORE than we are - if we'll let him!

So come. Come to church in your pants. Come as you are, but please don't leave as you were. Come unto Christ, & be perfected in Him. deny yourselves of all ungodliness.

"Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? Verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive, and blessed are those who come unto me." 

"Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee." 

"Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin which doth easily beset you... come, and go forth, and show unto God that we are willing to repent." 

"Remember that the Lord surely should come to redeem His people, but that He should not come to redeem them IN their sins, but to redeem them FROM their sins. & He hath power to redeem them from their sins because of REPENTANCE."

THAT is why repentance is a central purpose of our lives. God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. THANK GOD. and thankfully His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts."

"as we change, we recognize that we are children of God and that we need not continue making the same mistakes over and over." as elder kanahele (from new zealand) would say, "so true. so true." :)

full text

you are more than what you have become

~ an important distinction ~

in all my time of thinking & having opinions 

{which is a lot... i have a lot}

i have realized something important

& that is this

there's a difference between what I feel & believe & think i should do

& my choices

& what i would advise other people to choose {esp. friends & family}

& how i choose to respond to other people's choices

& how i would advise other people to respond to other people's choices

in order to be happy :)

meaning

i make choices 

& i try to make choices that are kind 

& thoughtful

& in line with God's will

but i also recognize that every human in the world is different

& is coming from different places

& that my job is soooooooooo not to judge them

& I am firmly in support of their right to make their own choices

{pursuit of happiness & all that}

so while i choose to use certain language

& wear certain clothes

& behave a certain way

i also choose not to judge others for their choices

bc i have no idea where they're coming from

& i choose to assume

that they're doing the best they can

& i can probably even learn something from them.

It is not for us to say who, in the deepest sense, is or is not close to the spirit of Christ. We do not see into men's hearts. We cannot judge, and are indeed forbidden to judge.

C.S. Lewis

"It is impossible to know all that informs our minds and hearts or even to fully understand the context for the choices we each face." // w. craig zwick 

EDIT ~ Dallin H. Oaks actually stated it really well here: [emphasis added]

"In dedicated spaces, like temples, houses of worship, and our own homes, 

we should teach the truth and the commandments plainly and thoroughly 
as we understand them from the plan of salvation revealed in the restored gospel... 

In public, what religious persons say and do involves other considerations. 

The free exercise of religion covers most public actions, but it is subject to qualifications 

necessary to accommodate the beliefs and practices of others...

On the subject of public discourse, we should all follow the gospel teachings to love our neighbor and avoid contention. 
Followers of Christ should be examples of civility. 
We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. 
Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable. 
Our stands and communications on controversial topics should not be contentious. 
We should be wise in explaining and pursuing our positions and in exercising our influence. 
In doing so, we ask that others not be offended by our sincere religious beliefs and the free exercise of our religion. 
We encourage all of us to practice the Savior’s Golden Rule: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12).

When our positions do not prevail, we should accept unfavorable results graciously and practice civility with our adversaries. 
In any event, we should be persons of goodwill toward all, rejecting persecution of any kind, including persecution based on race, ethnicity, religious belief or non-belief, and differences in sexual orientation."

language

sometimes, someone says something, usually off-hand, & it sticks with me & i can't stop thinking about it for days 

this happened the other day in my american studies class {which i  ♥, btw}. the professor neglected to say a certain word & explained it this way ~ 

"I don't like to use that word - not because it's a "swear" word per se but because it implies there's something wrong with people who, through no fault of their own, were born out of wedlock." 

& then we moved on.

but it got me thinking. 

of all the swear words i know [which, admittedly, is not many... #mormon], how many have inherently negative meanings?

yes, i know i know that words have different meanings for different people & that you don't MEAN it that way & all that, but i also believe that words have a more powerful effect than we realize, both on the humans we're talking to and on our own selves/psyche. 

so if we use a word that means "child of unmarried parents" as an insult, what does that say about how we view those people? what effect does that have on our own thoughts & feelings?

i have an issue with the word that means female dog, since it's applied almost exclusively to women, & even when directed at men it carries an inherantly female tone.... as if there's something wrong with being a woman? that makes it a good insult??

side-note this video is great side-note you should watch it side-note there is a swear

etc etc. i won't entertain you with other curse words & their meanings. i'm sure you already know & if you don't then bless your soul :)

ANYWAYS. i ~do not~ believe there is anything magically "bad" about "swear words." there's such a weird gradient there anyways, like which-word-is-worse-than-which-word. 

HOW ABOUT THIS.

for my personal philosophy, i have chosen to follow these two verses:

meaning

i want my language to reflect my mind & soul

& i want my mind & soul to reflect my language

so, i'm choosing to use my language to 

uplift

& edify

& minister grace

{at least i'm trying to}

& for me, that means i don't swear

i don't cuss

& i ALSO

don't use words that put people down. words that carry sexist/racist/ostracizing/shaming meaning.

& i ALSO 

try to speak kindly

& positively

& build up the things i love 

instead of tearing down in hate

I want to view people (& myself) the way God does. 

So I'm trying to think & speak about people (& myself) the way God would.

obviously, i am working on it. :)

i am not perfect,

but i am trying :)

re-entry

i've been telling myself forever that i need to get back into blogging bc i just have all these THOUGHTS in my HEAD that need to get out & i think better when i write anyways

but i've been putting it off bc it's not ~perfect~ & because other people write so much better etc etc etc

well enough is enough. today is the day. i'm going to write something even if it sucks because darn it, it's time :)

i am by no means an expert & i will never be perfect

but these are my words :)

#ldsconf study: peace

a collection of quotes from the october 2014 general conference on the subject of obtaining peace :)

[photos with words by me. other pictures of Christ taken from biblevideos.org. other illustrations used with permission] 

Elder Perry

“It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that provides the foundation upon which we can find lasting peace”

“The world is crying out for something, it scarce knows what. Wealth has come, … [and] the world is filled with … inventions of human skill and genius, but … we are [still] restless, unsatisfied, [and] bewildered. … [If we open] the New Testament [we are greeted by these words], ‘Come Unto me and I will give you rest, I am the bread of life, I am the Light of the world, If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink, My peace I give unto you, You shall receive power, You shall rejoice’” [Charles Edward Jefferson, emphasis added]

~[restless - audrey assad]~

“The only way to find lasting peace is to look to Him and live.”

Elder Scott

“We are able to understand peace because we feel turmoil.”

“Our Father in Heaven has given us tools to help us come unto Christ and exercise faith in His Atonement. When these tools become fundamental habits, they provide the easiest way to find peace in the challenges of mortality.”

PRAYER | SCRIPTURE STUDY | FAMILY HOME EVENING | TEMPLE ATTENDANCE

“Because He respects your agency, Father in Heaven will never force you to pray to Him. But as you exercise that agency and include Him in every aspect of your daily life, your heart will begin to fill with peace, buoyant peace. That peace will focus an eternal light on your struggles. It will help you to manage those challenges from an eternal perspective.”

“I add my voice with this promise: as you dedicate time every day,personally and with your family, to the study of God’s word, peace will prevail in your life. That peace won’t come from the outside world. It will come from within your home, from within your family, from within your own heart. It will be a gift of the Spirit. It will radiate out from you to influence others in the world around you. You will be doing something very significant to add to the cumulative peace in the world."

"I do not declare that your life will cease to have challenges. Remember When Adam and Eve were in the garden, they were free from challenges,yet they were unable to experience happiness, joy, and peace. Challenges are an important part of mortality. Through daily, consistent scripture study, you will find peace in the turmoil around you and strength to resist temptations. You will develop strong faith in the grace of God and know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all will be made right according to God’s timing.”

“We all know there is no more peaceful place on this earth than in the temples of God. If you don’t have a temple recommend, qualify to get one. When you have a recommend,use it often. Schedule a regular time to be in the temple. Don’t let anyone or anything prevent you from being there."

"While you are in the temple, listen to the words of the ordinances, ponder them, pray about them, and seek to understand their meaning. The temple is one of the best places to come to understand the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Seek Him there."

"These four tools are fundamental habits for securing your life in the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Remember our Savior is the Prince of Peace. Peace in this mortal life comes from His atoning sacrifice. When we are constantly praying morning and night, studying our scriptures daily, having weekly family home evening, and attending the temple regularly, we are actively responding to His invitation to “come unto Him.” The more we develop these habits, the more anxious is Satan To harm us but the less is his ability to do so. Through the use of these tools, we exercise our agency to accept the full gifts of His atoning sacrifice."

President Uchtdorf

“The commandments of God aren’t just a long list of good ideas. They aren’t “life hacks” from an Internet blog or motivational quotes from a Pinterest board. They are divine counsel,based on eternal truths, given to bring “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.”

“The Creator of the seas, sands, and endless stars is reaching out to you this very day! He is offering the grand recipe for happiness, peace, and eternal life!"

"To qualify for these glorious blessings, you must humble yourself,exercise faith, take upon you the name of Christ, seek Him in word and deed, and resolutely “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.”"

Sister Stevens

“Peace, power, and protection came into her life as she made and kept sacred covenants on her journey."

“The whisperings of the Spirit speak of eternal promises, of comfort and peace amid the storm.”

Elder Oaks

“We should “follow after the things [that] make for peace” (Romans 14:19)

"As followers of Christ we should live peacefully with others."

President Packer

"Those who listen to and heed His words and the words of His chosen servants will find peace and understanding even in the midst of great heartache and sorrow."

"The mercy and grace of Jesus Christ are not limited to those who commit sins either of commission or omission, but they encompass the promise of everlasting peace to all who will accept and follow Him and His Teachings. His mercy is the mighty healer, even to the wounded innocent."

President Uchtdorf

"God wants you to learn of His Son, Jesus Christ, and experience the profound peace and joy that come from following the path of divine discipleship.”

"Spiritual truth will fill your heart and bring light to your spirit. It will reveal to you pure intelligence with wonderful joy and heavenly peace."

Elder Bednar

“We have experienced the cleansing, the peace of conscience, the spiritual healing and renewal,and the guidance that are obtained only by learning and living the principles of the Savior’s gospel.”

Sister Esplin

“Obedience to the commandments brings the power of the gospel into our lives and greater peace and spirituality.”

twenty-three

& these are the things most important to me :)

member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [learn more here or here]

part of the best family #teamproffit // older sister to 3 brothers & two sisters 

student

deep & abiding love for the northwest...

... and the midwest

one thing which is of more importance than they all:

let's be friends: twitter | instagram

#ldsconf recap in pictures :)