The Outward Appearance

We've all heard the saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover." But we're all guilty of doing that sometimes, well at least if you're like me. I'm nowhere near perfect at that. But, I try not to, of course.

This video really made me think twice about judging people by how they look. Appearance isn't everything.A lot of times our appearance reflects hardships we've faced or are currently facing. For me, that would be my back brace, amidst others. I know I wouldn't want anyone to think badly of me just because I have a brace. Or because the can't see the actual brace (It's under my clothes.) think that I look funny. Other people have scars from traumatic accidents, surgeries, illnesses, etc. But that doesn't reflect the person inside.

Here is a video of just that. The judges and everyone in the audience judged this boy before he had even said anything, unfortunately myself included.  But then, we were all in for a big surprise.

(If you have trouble viewing it from here, click right here.)

There is more to every person than you can see just by looking at them. Everyone has a story. Everyone is fighting a hard battle, but you can't see that from the outside. And everyone has inner beauty and awesomeness! But most importantly, God can see the strength and royalty in everyone. He doesn't judge people based on the way they look. 

"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord ^aseeth not as ^bman seeth; for man looketh on the outward ^cappearance, but the ^dLord looketh on the ^eheart."

 

Everyone has inner awesomeness. And I've decided today that I'm going to strive harder to find it in everyone.

My Guest Post: Shelter From the Storm

Hey everybody. Yesterday I wrote a post for the very awesome blog: My Soul Delighteth.

I wrote a guest post for that blog, and I'm very pleased with how it turned out.

Please check it out!

Click here!

 

Conference: Why it has Everything to do with You

 

Next weekend, something exciting is happening. I'm not talking about a football game, or a concert. I'm talking about General Conference.  You may be wondering, "What does this have to do with me?". I'll tell you. General Conference has everything to do with you. Here's why.

1. Being a teen is hard, as you know, and you can gain specific revelation that pertains to you during General Conference. Here's how.  Before Conference, prayerfully ponder some questions you have, or some of the difficulties in your life. During conference, listen to the speakers, songs, and prayers. Also listen to the Holy Ghost. He is the one who will give you the teach you. Be prepared to write down any thoughts, feelings, or promptings you get during conference. This is more important than taking notes of the speakers' talks. Their talks will be published for you to read over and over again, but the Holy Ghost's whisperings that day might not be.
2. Even though the speakers are not young, they still have things to say that will interest you and better your life. Because they are much older than us, these General Authorities know what they are talking about. Not only do they receive revelation from God about what to tell us, they've been in our shoes. They have been through our stage of life. Sure, President Monson probably didn't have a phone when he was in school, but he still went to school. He, and all of the other apostles and prophets know what we're going through and can impart wisdom to us accordingly.
3. The prophets, apostles. and other speakers will tell us what Heavenly Father wants us to know right now.  I actually don't know what else to say about this. It speaks for itself. The speakers pray for so much guidance in choosing their topic and preparing their words. Their goal is to be a conduit for Heavenly Father, and they achieve that by paying close attention to the Holy Ghost when they are pondering over which words to speak. This allows them to speak what Heavenly Father wants them to say.

What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my ^aword shall not pass away, but shall all be ^bfulfilled, whether by mine own ^cvoice or by the ^dvoice of my ^eservants, it is the ^fsame.

-Doctrine and Covenants 1:38

I know that every one of us will benefit from watching conference. I love it. And I'm so grateful for it! I'm grateful for my Father in Heaven who loves His children enough to send the Holy Ghost and living Prophets to give us guidance and counsel. 

 

Blessing the Lives of Others Through Trials of Your Own

As you might have been able to tell (through reading the My Life portion of my blog, if you have ever chosen to do so) I have been going through a lot of health problems lately. It's been hard, but sometimes I got stuck in the rut of feeling sorry for myself.
Just now, I found this incredible video of a teenage girl who has such a difficult health problem, but instead of complaining she uses her talents to bless the lives of others. Brittany is such an amazing example! Please watch her story!

She is so inspirational! I hope this video influences you as much as it did me!

Spring Time: A Time for Rejuvenation and Renewal

Ahhh...Spring. You wake up to the sound of birds, the earth is green, life blooms, and you can breathe in that innately fresh smell of Spring air. Spring always feels like a time of renewal and happiness, or at least it does to me! Some of my favorite parts of springtime are: Easter, General Conference, wearing shorts, listening to birds, grilling outside, planting the garden, and just feeling so... alive!

For me, Spring is a time of renewed focus and energy. In January and February colds are going around, kids are inside all day, and people's lips seem eternally chapped. School gets frustrating, homework seems to pile up, and the days seem endless. (Sometimes.) When it's Spring, I can take a deep breath of fresh air and rejuvenate myself. Here's what I do in the Springtime to refocus myself.

• Start thinking about Easter.When it's close to Springtime, and during the time before Easter, I like to read the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These apostles recorded the life and ministry of the Savior on the earth. I don't necessarily read them straight through. Sometimes I will pick a certain event, such as the Savior's experience at Gethsemane, and read each of their accounts of that part of His life.  I have found this to be a very fulfilling, enlightening, and inspirational method of studying. Doing this really helps prep my mind for the celebration of Easter.
• Get super excited for General Conference.  General Conference is so inspirational. I have learned much and really felt the Spirit through intently listening to what the Lord wants us to hear. Not only are the messages phenomenal, but it is so cool to see how you can receive answers to prayers and receive inspiration during that time.  My family has many family traditions that we participate in during Conference weekend. If your family doesn't have any, I would recommend  trying to start some with them. You'd be surprised how much more you and your family will look forward to Conference when you have exciting family traditions to also look forward to. And to those whose families are not LDS or do not wish to watch Conference, you can share it with them! Or, develop traditions for yourself, or start conference traditions with your friends! Here are some of my family's conference traditions:  Buying and eating seasonal candy during Conference (Easter candy in April, and Halloween candy in October). Sometimes we make games with the candy too. When I was younger, my mom would print out packets of coloring pages and word searches about Conference that I loved to do ,and  during the October Conference, my mom and I start making Christmas presents for family and friends. But, my favorite part about General Conference is having the Spirit in our house and getting to spend the WHOLE weekend with my family!
• Look back at my goals. For me, Spring is a time of self-evaluation. This includes refocusing myself on goals that I made in the beginning of the year.Spring is a perfect time to do this because it's only been a few months, so there's still time to reach your goals, but because it's been a few months, you can evaluate your goals to make sure they're realistic. Like for me this year, one of my goals is to to save 80% of my income. So whenever I get paid I put 10% into tithing, 10% into spending, and 80% into savings. I have done pretty well with this goal and am proud of myself for upholding it so far. However, I have not done a good job with another one of my goals: keeping my laundry done. This one is much harder for me, so I need to reevaluate myself  and renew my energy and will to keep up this goal.
• Learn new things.  Learning stuff is fantastic because the more knowledge you have, the more power you have. You  do better in school, know more stuff to have cool conversations, and understand more jokes. :D  Also, when you learn things, you feel so accomplished!

I feel so blessed for the beautiful weather we're having and that I am able to enjoy it. Presently I am typing this right by an open window in our family room, and my grandparents (who are visiting) are sitting here enjoying the weather too. Life just feels so wonderful right now!

YOUth Sound Off

I'm pleased to announce a new feature on my blog- YOUth Sound Off. This is a feature I"m starting on my blog to give anyone the opportunity to influence teens around the world for good. Periodically, I will post a new topic (on my YOUth Sound Off page, see the top ribbon of my blog), and I want YOU to talk about it! Whether you write it, sing it, record it, video it, photograph it, whatever! I will compile all of the media together to make videos by YOUth. Many of the videos I make will be submitted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to be Mormon Messages (if they do accept them is still to be seen. :D). All of them will be uploaded to youtube through my blog so that you can inspire teens around the world too!

How You Participate (It's Easy and Fun!):

1. Check out my current topic.

2. Write, record, video, or photograph anything YOU have to say about the topic. Whether it's sharing your testimony, a personal experience, or something else.

3. Email your words, sound recording, video, or photos to me at lifeofamormonteen@yahoo.com.

Then, I will sort through the submissions, and quite possibly, your input will be in a video!

 

I hope that everyone will take advantage of this opportunity! I'm so excited to start this feature! Your testimony is important, and it can change the world! Let it!  

 

If you have any questions, check out the YOUth Sound Off page at the top, or contact me at lifeofamormonteen@yahoo.com. I'd be delighted to answer them!

 

 

Ever wondered how you can let your light shine for nations? You can start here.

What Guys Want Girls to Know

This is a video I found by a group called Blimey Cow. They are not Mormons, but they are Christians. I really love this video. It's so great to know that some guys still care about decency, modesty, and chivalry.  He speaks the truth! And it's also good to know that LDS people aren't the only ones who care about this stuff!

What Guys Want Girls to Know

What do you think of this video?  Comment or share! (Oh, and BTW, I've added a facebook comment feature at the bottom of my blog if you would like to comment there.) :D