Spiritual Teachings

Today in RS we had a lesson on baptism and it really got me thinking about my baptism. I can (and don't really want to) honestly say I don't remember a lot of my feelings that day, and I don't think I wrote in a journal about it either.

This is what I can remember:

• I was SO scared. I bawled the entire morning.
• I was really upset that Abby got to go before me.

I'm really grateful my dad was able to baptize me and that I was also able to share that day with Abby. That's one of the best connections we have. I feel like, having been baptized on the same day, has caused us to be a source of strength to each other. 

I haven't done this in a while but I wanted to bear my testimony on baptism and other things. I'm so grateful for baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. I'm so grateful I was brought up into the church and that I was "born of goodly parents" who love me, and live for me, and guide me each day. I truly am blessed. I've been reading the Book of Mormon lately, and everything has been going well. My goal is to read it 3 times this year. Unfortunately, for a few days I forgot didn't read. Every day I would wake up, and my first thought, read the Book of Mormon, and I never did. But today, I changed that. I'm starting to study in a different way, which causes me to take longer with my studying but I love it. So far I love it. This journal I'm using is amazing and I'm so glad I decided to use it this time around.

I had a rough week, emotionally, but I'm really glad I have the Book of Mormon, my family and Brady. I have struggled really bad with friends. I feel like I have this expectation/responsibility to stay in touch with them, talk/text them, visit them, include them in everything, all.the.time. and it is getting really hard on me and I'm struggling. I don't know what more to do. All I feel is that I'm putting forth the most effort. So then I feel angry, and decide that I'm just going to forget them and all I need is Brady and my family. Then I get upset and tell myself that I'm not that kind of person. (It's this really tiring cycle that happens frequently) I will never forget my friends. I will always make sure they know how important they are to me, and that they matter. That they always have a friend in me. I have had way too many people leave my life for me not to care.

That is one thing this book has taught me. This book has taught me the tender mercies of the Lord. This book has taught me the pure love of Christ, and that I am NEVER alone. The Spirit is always with me when I read, and as long as I'm living my life in such a way that I'm blessed with the Spirit every second of my life, I will never feel alone. I will never feel angry towards my friends. I will never feel like nobody cares about me. I will never feel anything but happiness, peace and love. My Savior loves me. He lives and I know it. I know He is there for me. I know He understands me in good times and bad times. I know through Him, my heart can heal any pain. I am grateful to Him and His influence in my life. 

This book changes people. It definitely changes me every single time I read it. It humbles me and reminds me not to sweat the small stuff. I'm grateful for all of the examples inside this book, and that I can use those stories in my daily life. I will always love this book. I will always believe in this book. I will always stand as a witness that it is true.

And I hope you can too.

Happy Sunday. ♥