Sister Clare Vaterlaus-NY, Rochester Mission

THE LIFE OF A CLARE BEAR

2012-11-13T19:01:00.000-08:00

With my education I learned to use Wordpress, and so my blog has been changed. It is one that follows me in many aspects of my life. If your interested check it out, its a good one, I mean its the life of a CLARE BEAR!

http://lifeofaclarebear.wordpress.com/

Here is a PREVIEW

I am CLARE. I am 22 ALMOST 23! I was born and raised in Boise Idaho, with my fellow FIVE siblings. I am daddy’s little girl, my mom is my best friend. I am one spicy 5’2 spit fire. I have lived my life with the motto, “I do what I want.” I never look back, I like to live in the moment. I am a Mormon girl, and I promise, I don’t practice polygamy. I live a somewhat “normal” life. I am studying at Utah State, and will receive a Bachelor Degree in Communications Studies, minors in Family Human Development and Women and Gender Studies, and a concentration in Computer Science, all in the month of MAY! I currently do social networking for a job, and hope to pursue a larger career in it in the future. I am an avid rock climber, golfer, snowboarder, longboarder, and tv-watcher.

The Climb

2012-01-08T11:07:00.000-08:00

THE CLIMB...CHECK IT OUT :]

www.whywerehot.blogspot

I am not forgotten...

2011-12-12T19:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa....

I know I am not forgotten.

check out my new post...

Not Forgotten

FINALLY...FINALS

2011-12-08T22:37:00.001-08:00

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FINALS!!!

CHECK OUT MY “FINALS” BLOG

FINALS

WWW.WHYWEREHOT.BLOGSPOT.COM

Rebel To Rescued

2011-12-06T19:59:00.001-08:00

Everyone needs to be rescued, NEVER GIVE UP…

Amazing conversion story of Al Fox

www.whywerehot.blogspot

REBEL

(C)LV2011

www.mormon.org

Sista, Sista!!!

2011-11-28T17:01:00.001-08:00

-Sisters-

Check out my new post...

-sisters-

Home, Sweet Home :]

2011-11-22T10:11:00.001-08:00

Home, Sweet Home :]

The time has come, and I AM HOME! After THREE very long plane rides I was finally reunited with my family...and John Wayne. When I saw them, it felt like I had never been gone. Since I have been home, my mission has felt like a dream. Before serving I was so worried that everything would change while I was gone. Granted I was only gone for 10 months, everything that I was worried about is the exact same. The only thing that has changed is ME! Serving a mission was the BEST thing for ME to do, and I am grateful that God lead me to that path. I know that a mission is not for EVERYONE, but that is why we can be member missionaries. I have decided to continue blogging. Since I do not have an official name tag I have created a NEW BLOG, that you are welcome to follow and share.

Once a Missionary Always a Missionary...

Check out my NEW Blog:

"Remember You're a Daughter of God, and You're Hot!”

www.whywerehot.blogspot.com

www.mormon.org

(C)LV2011
www.sistervaterlaus.blogspot.com
www.whywerehot.blogspot.com

Our Everyday Warriors....

2011-11-13T10:18:00.001-08:00

Our Everyday Warriors!

Over 1,000 pounds of pure Missionaries....

There were two thousand of those young men, who entered into this covenant … to defend their country. … They were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. (Alma 53:18, 20.)

I have been blessed to serve with many great ELDERS. As I have served with them, I have realized how important they are to the progressing of the church. Many people think, WHY do we send out these young men and trust them with the MOST IMPORTANT message in These ELDERS are like the young stripling warriors found in the Book of Mormon. They have been raised by wonderful parents, who have sent them out to teach of truth. In the Book of Mormon story of the stripling warriors, not one of them died during the fight. Every single one of these young warriors were injured, but not one was killed because of God’s protection. As you prepare to serve missions, always remember that these young men went out VALIANTLY, trusting in their God. The warriors had only an idea of what they were getting themselves into, but no experience. You may feel like you do not have the experience to serve, but if you trust in God, you will come out of the fight alive.

www.mormon.org

(C)LV2011

FREE BOOK OF MORMON

Pick a Sword any Sword!

2011-11-12T13:22:00.001-08:00

Pick a Sword any Sword!

While serving a mission I have discovered some of my favorite things....One of the things I have fallen in love with is looking for “swords” throughout the scriptures. It was during my transfer (6 week period) with Sister Carver that I discovered the use of swords in the scriptures. Every morning during “companionship study” we would pick a “sword” to use throughout our day…figuratively speaking. So here began my spiritual quest to find swords within the scriptures.

So far I have found…

· Sword of Justice

· Flaming Sword

· Sharp Sword

· Sword of Laban

· Sword of the Spirit

· Two-edged sword

When I broke the news of going home to Sister Carver, she told me I would have to pick a final sword to take home with me. As I pondered my weapon of choice, I realize that I could relate to Nephi in the Book of Mormon. In 1^st Nephi, it tells a story about how the sons have to go back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates. The first time the sons of Lehi tried to get these plates, they proved to be unsuccessful. However, they decided to try again! The second try, they took everything they owned and they tried to give it to the king so that they could get the plates. In turn the King stole everything, and the son’s came back empty handed…On the Third try, Nephi went in, not knowing beforehand what he should do, but he was lead by the spirit. The spirit told him to kill the King, who was drunk and then take the plates. Nephi DID NOT WANT TO! However, he went forth according to the spirit. In the end he was able to get the brass plates.

On my FIRST try to serve a mission I received a call to serve in Albania. After about 14 weeks in the Mission Training Center it just didn't work out. After that I got my SECOND chance to serve in the Rochester, New York Mission. I tried my best, and did all I could, but it has come time to go home...So NOW for my THIRD chance, I get to go home, but this time I am going with the SWORD OF LABAN. I do not know what will happen, but I do know I am being lead by the Spirit :]

I love how we can relate the Book of Mormon to our Lives!

http://www.mormon.org/

(C)LV2011

One Fine Day...

2011-11-11T13:36:00.001-08:00

Set Up for Success

"Baptism is a precious gift from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Through faith in Jesus Christ repentance, and baptism, we are cleansed of our sins, become members of the Lord’s Church, and qualify to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. We make sacred promises to Heavenly Father, and He promises us blessings in return. As you prayerfully read the scriptures on this poster, you will learn about these promises, or covenants."

www.lds.org

Last night Sister Crook and I got to witness a baptism of one of the people we have been teaching. It was a BEAUTIFUL event. It was so neat to see him progress and enter the "gate" of baptism because HE had PRAYED and found out for himself.

While Sister Crook and I were teaching him, we would come home at night and just say this is too easy, teaching people CAN NOT be this easy... As we continued to teach him, all we could think was when is something going to go wrong. To our surprise, everything went smooth. He was able to go through the steps and learn what he needed to come closer to Christ.

As Sister Crook and I got into the car, I said we just need to say a prayer of gratitude. As we prayed and thanked Heavenly Father, I realized something new I had learned. That missionary work is easy, because the message we are sharing is TRUE. Heavenly Father wants us to succeed; he has not set us up to fail!

www.mormon.org

www.lds.org

(C)LV2011

Making Clean a Teenager Thing.....

2011-11-09T12:01:00.000-08:00

ITS TIME TO STAND OUT....BE CONFIDENT IN CLEAN THOUGHTS

Because “the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7), youth whose thoughts are virtuous will be confident the Lord accepts them and will more likely live virtuous lives.

-2007 Mutual Theme

Youth, it is time to be confident, i have been thinking about how vital it is that we keep our thoughts clean. i know it is not part of the "normal" teenage scene to keep things clean, but that is why we have to stand out. we need to be the ones who have good feelings towards others, who keep their thoughts clean, and have our eyes centered on the lord so we can stand confident in front of him one day.

(C)LV2011

www.mormom.org

Not just a one time thing....

2011-11-06T11:13:00.000-08:00

Not just a onetime thing…

Yesterday, just happened to be a Christmas Miracle in November. We were working at the Hill Cumorah when I saw a box with all of the missionary’s monthly ensigns in it. I started to dig through it to find the one with my name on it. As I picked it up I had all of the feelings from conference rush right back into my soul. I had missed these beautiful talks.

I ripped it open and started to read through many different talks. One of my favorite talks was by our beloved President Thomas S. Monson. He gave a great talk about prayer and listening to the Holy Ghost and the promptings he gives. I remembered back to the first time I had heard this message. It was right after I had received news of a possible medical release. While listening to his talk, my brain wandered many times thinking about what was going to happen, until I looked up and all I heard was “Follow it.” At that minute I realized my prayers had been answered, that whatever was going to happen I just needed to go with it. As I read through the talk again, I was looking for those key words “Follow it,” I could not find them anywhere! It took me a few times to realize that those were not the exact words he had used, but it was the Holy Ghost that had whispered those words to me. It was so neat to realize that I received such a clear answer from God while listening to the Prophet. Now Youth, they did not print this pretty magazine for nothing, get one and READ IT. Read one talk a week, and then ponder and pray about it, and see how it blesses you! How lucky are we to have words that come from our Heavenly Father through his faithful worthy servants.

WILL YOU FOLLOW IT???

(C)LV2011

http://www.mormon.org/

SHOOT THE TUBE

2011-11-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

SHOOT THE TUBE

The summer of 2010 I was hired to be an Especially For Youth councilor in Logan and Salt Lake City Utah. We got to meet MANY youth from all over. It was a wonderful time to have youth with similar standards come and learn more about the Gospel. One of the weekends, we councilors decided to go and "Shoot the tube" a popular summer activity in Salt Lake. When my friend Kaitlin and I got there we looked up the tunnel and thought we might not make it...All we could see is the light at the end.

We were pretty nervous... What you had to do was walk in the water that was freezing all the way to the end; there was only a rope to hold onto as you walked. Kaitlin and I went in together and we held onto the rope and let it guide us. At the beginning we were scared to start walking in the tunnel, but we conquered our fears and continued. After making it through the tunnel it was our turn to be "shot down the tube." What would happen is a board of wood was put up to block all of the water from coming down the tube. As the water built up we put our tube down and prepared for the swift water that was that coming. When the board was taken out, the water RUSHED past us "shooting" us down the tube. The excitement was exhilarating...when we reached the outside we were shot into a pond that was filled with dogs and other treasures...Overall it was something that was good in the moment but did not end well...

What I realized is that it was an experience that made me happy for a moment. After it was all said and done I smelled like a wet dog. It was defiantly something that gave me a rush of adrenaline but not something that gave me lasting happiness. Youth, as you go through High School you are going to find many things that make you feel good for the moment...but in the end you need to find something that gives you happiness forever. I know that living the Gospel Standards is what has brought me the most happiness...

“Happiness leaves no bad aftertaste, it is followed by no depressing reaction; it calls for no repentance, brings no regret, entails no remorse; pleasure too often makes necessary repentance, contrition, and suffering; and, if indulged to the extreme, it brings degradation and destruction.”

-W. Eugene Hansen

The Search for Happiness

(C)LV2011

www.mormon.org

CHUBBY BUNNY

2011-11-04T14:42:00.000-07:00

CHUBBY BUNNY

"Testimony will come to you in pieces as parts of the whole truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ are confirmed. For instance, as you read and ponder the Book of Mormon, verses you have read before will appear new to you and bring new ideas. Your testimony will grow in breadth and in depth as the Holy Ghost confirms that they are true. Your living testimony will expand as you study, pray, and ponder in the scriptures."

-President Henry B. Eyring

Usually, I do not show pictures of myself stuffing my face...in this case I believe it’s going to be worth it :)

This morning we woke up at an hour that I did not even know existed…5 a.m.... So that my companion and I could attend early morning seminary and talk with the youth about serving missions. As we shared mission experiences, I realized that it was not just one experience that made my mission but it was loads that did. I started to think about my testimony and how I gained it .

I remember as a young woman I was never confident in the church. I always felt that I was just there listening and not acting upon what was said. As I got older I realized that it was not going to be one event that secured my testimony, but many. When we think that one experience is enough that is when Heavenly Father sends us another one. Always remember that you must build upon what you have to continue to have that firm testimony that comes piece by piece. You can see in my pictures, it was not just one marshmallow that filled my mouth, but piece by piece I was able to get 13 in and win the chubby bunny contest :)

***DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME***

(C)LV2011

www.mormon.org

Going Tagless...

2011-11-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

…Trust In God…

COME WHAT MAY AND LOVE IT

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.”The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner, helper, and advocate. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to be successful. If we do our part, He will step in.

He who descended below all things will come to our aid. He will comfort and uphold us. He will strengthen us in our weakness and fortify us in our distress. He will make weak things become strong.

-Elder Worthlin

Handing in my key :(

If there is one thing that I have learned while serving the Lord, it is to TRUST IN GOD. For the past few months, I have still been pretty sick. I have been able to receive many PRIESTHOOD blessings, which is a HUGE comfort to me, to know that my Heavenly Father loves me. I recently received the news that I will be going home early…I am receiving an Honorable Medical Release and will be going home in the middle of November. It has been a heartbreak to know that I was only able to serve a 10 month mission, but I do know that I did my best. I have come to know my Savior Jesus Christ; he has held my hand through every moment that I have been in pain. He is the only one that truly knows what I have been through; he has made my burden lighter.

My Testimony :)

When I heard the news my whole life changed once again, but my past has prepared me for this new challenge. All I have known for the past 9 months is serving the Lord. I felt like I was not ready to go back to the real world and move on with school. As all of the feelings of doubt crept into my mind, I remembered the talk that Elder Worthlin gave…Come What May and Love it. At that moment, I decided to not focus on things I did not get to do while serving, but focus on the many things that I have accomplished and the many things I can do when I get home! I have no idea what will come for me in the next few months, but I do know that it will be God’s will and I can still be a missionary without a black name tag. I know that there is a reason for everything and that even though I will say many tearful goodbyes, I will always remember the good things that have come from serving the Lord.

I know many of you are WONDERING if I will still blog… YES of course! You can expect me to keep posting :)

Tears Trail to Tender Mercies

2011-11-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

The Principle of Compensation

come what may and love it...

“The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.”

-Elder Worthlin

Youth, there are many times in life when you just don't get what you want. You may not get asked to the prom, you may not win the big game, and you may not think life is fair...to be honest, at some points it is not! As all of you know, in the beginning of my mission, I was reassigned to serve in New York. At first I thought this is an AWFUL time in my life to be sick. All I could think was, give me another chance! It was an experience that came with many tears. I was ripped away from friends, desires, and experiences. I was heartbroken... When I got to New York, I thought that, all was lost. However, I continued to be faithful and serve the Lord. As I did, I was able to see how the Lord was compensating me for that loss. I was able to learn HOW TO have a good attitude even when things are hard.Through out my mission, I have been blessed to meet thousands of people and bear my testimony to them. I have been able to see people change their lives because they came to know Christ. I have been able to witness TRUE HAPPINESS. Heavenly Father truly knows how to compensate us, maybe not in the way we want or the timing, but it is what he needs us to have.

come what may and love it :0

(c)LV2011

http://www.mormom.org/

Miss Grumpy Pants

2011-10-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

Seek for the Eternal…Come What May and Love It!

“Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others.”
-Elder Worthlin

Youth, we are going to have MANY times of disappointment whether the disappointment is about big things or the small. We are going to feel sorrow every now and then and in the end we WILL learn from it. I love how Elder Worthlin described these times of trial, it is our on-the-job training. So the next time your parents tell you to get a job you can say living is one....just kidding :)

Last Thanksgiving we had a family contest, to see who could build the best gingerbread house. My sister Emily, and my niece Madison were on my team. We only had 20 minutes to complete the house and so we had to work FAST. At the end we had to do a presentation of our gingerbread house. As you can see, we are not the most talented builders...My niece Madison did not think it was as funny as we did. She was experiencing the sorrow of losing the contest. It was something that she had really wanted to WIN! After losing the contest she turned to her mother to find comfort. Her mom was able to get her to calm down and realize it was just a game. In that short moment she was able to have an experience that was hard for her and she had someone to turn to. Just like Madison was able to turn to her mom, I know we can all turn to our Heavenly Father when we go through something we are not used to. Heavenly Father puts us ALL through DIFFERENT trials for a reason to see if we will turn to him :)

www.mormon.org
(C)LV2011

COME WHAT MAY AND LOVE IT

2011-10-29T08:12:00.000-07:00

COME WHAT MAY AND LOVE IT!

I recently came upon Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's talk "Come What May and Love It." While serving a mission, I have realized that you can NOT always control what happens in your life. There will be times where we get a curve ball and we just don't know how to hit it. I looked back to my sophomore year of college when I really learned this lesson. After months of a constant pain in my stomach a doctor decided it was time for surgery. When he proposed the date, I realized it was going to be Spring Break. I had already gotten tickets to go to California, but I decided my health was probably more important... I can tell you I was not a happy camper! The day I went in for surgery, it all hit me. I would have 5 incisions in my stomach, and would not be able to really move for a week. Through all of this the only thing I could think of was... WHY ME!?!?!

Right before I went in for the two hour surgery, I said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father to teach me something valuable from this experience. All I can say was, HE DID! When I woke up the first thing the nurse said to me was, “Well I guess it looks like it is time to get you out of here!” I was barely conscious when she told me to get dressed. All I could think was seriously?! I cannot even move! My beautiful mother helped me get out of the bed and let me sit in the recliner chair as she helped me get dressed. She thought it would be a good idea to pull the lever on the side of the chair...bad idea... It was like the scene from Sweet Home Alabama, I flew forward and I could instantly feel the pain shooting up and down my incisions. At that minute though, I decided instead of getting mad at my mom, I would laugh. Even though it HURT, my Mother and I laughed and laughed...Throughout the recovery of that surgery there were many times I just felt like crying, but I decided to rely on the Lord and LAUGH.

"The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable."

-Elder Worthilin

Bulls Eye!

2011-10-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

Bulls Eye!!!

"As we go about living from day to day, it is almost inevitable that our faith will be challenged. We may at times find ourselves surrounded by others and yet standing in the minority or even standing alone concerning what is acceptable and what is not. Do we have the moral courage to stand firm for our beliefs, even if by so doing we must stand alone? ...It is essential that we are able to face—with courage—whatever challenges come our way. Remember the words of Tennyson: “My strength is as the strength of ten, because my heart is pure.”

-President Thomas S. Monson

Dare to Stand Alone

YOUTH, you will face challenges every day, like President Monson said, it is inevitable. We cannot PICK and CHOOSE the trials we go through, but we can CHOOSE how we get through them. It is our attitude and pure hearts that will help us make it through the trial. I know that many of you are “looking the bull in the eye” right now. What I have come to learn is that through the atonement, Heavenly Father will give us that strength we need to get through the unfortunate events. It all starts with our FAITH! Our FAITH in the atonement will give us strength as we stare the adversary in the eye…

Now the question is how will you face the challenge?

www.mormon.org

PICK A TEAM

2011-10-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

CALLED TO SERVE

“This is a life-and-death contest we are in, young men, so I am going to get in your face a little, nose to nose, with just enough fire in my voice to singe your eyebrows a little—the way coaches do when the game is close and victory means everything. And with the game on the line, what this coach is telling you is that to play in this match, some of you have to be more morally clean than you now are. In this battle between good and evil, you cannot play for the adversary whenever temptation comes along and then expect to suit up for the Savior at temple and mission time as if nothing has happened…My young friends, we need tens of thousands of more missionaries in the months and years that lie ahead.”

-Elder Holland

This last General Conference Elder Holland gave a great talk about the young people needing to step up and serve missions. YOUTH its time, PICK A TEAM! We cannot sit here and play for the adversary; we are too good for that. I can tell you that preparing for a mission spiritually is hard, but it can be done! It is not something you can do over night, but it something that takes years! Use the time you have in seminary to learn the stories of the scriptures, memorize them, and live them. A mission only lasts a short time; you do not want to spend the full time, learning the basics. You are going to be called to serve. It could be anywhere, speaking any language. The only thing that will prepare you is your standards and a strong testimony... Youth, its time... Pick a team and play your hardest, all we need is one last victory!

Elder Vaterlaus, Sister Vaterlaus, Elder Vaterlaus

***In January I was able to enter the MTC with my Cousin who is serving in Mexico, and also my brother who is serving in Argentina***

Elder Hollands Talk...READ IT!

Special thanks to Sister Carver and Sister Correia my old companions who were willing to get the band back together :)

She said YES!

2011-10-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

She said YES!

October 15, 2011

A few weeks ago I did a post labeled “Miracle on Lime Street”. Well, today my companion and I were able to see the beautiful couple be sealed for all time and eternity in the Palmyra, New York Temple.

My Niece Madison First day of school

It was such a BLESSING to see this couple make such a sacred covenant, or two way promise. Many people think that the things that happen in the Temple are SECRET…I am here to tell you that they are not… They are SACRED. I like to think about it this way… My niece Madison recently started first grade. She did all she needed to, to prepare for this big step. She was ready because she had gone to kindergarten. If I was to drive her to school, and say okay we are going to put you in 11^th grade instead, she would not have completed the grades to prepare her. Entering the Temple is all about being prepared spiritually. God wants all of his children to enter His Holy House one day. Now youth, always remember that this is what you are working towards, a

TEMPLE MARRIAGE!

The Dillinbecks

tRiCk Or TrEaTiNg fOr ThE TrUtH

2011-10-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

tRiCk Or TrEaTiNg

fOr ThE tRuTh

Rica and I as Salt and Pepper 2010

"You can count the seeds in an apple, but you can't count the apples in a seed."

-Elder Costa

My Niece and Nephew as Kiss :]

With Halloween coming up I thought of many of my favorite traditions of the Holiday. I love dressing up, making candy apples, carving pumpkins, and also going TrIcK oR tReAtInG. When I was little we would just set out with our big pillow cases and hope that we would come back with them full. It was always discouraging to go door to door and only get a piece or two of candy at a time. However when a persistent child continues to tRiCk Or TrEaT their bags become full. As we plant seeds in people about the gospel, with time it will grow. At Halloween it is easy to get scared of all of the creative costumes that we see. When sharing the gospel, I think we see it through the same eyes, while in reality under those scary costumes is a Child of God who is “tRiCk oR TrEaTiNg” for the truth. Throughout this scary season always remember that one piece of candy counts, that each time we interact with someone and include the church we are planting a seed.

The Family in Masks.....

PUMPKIN CARVING

2011-10-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

PUMPKIN CARVING…

My last companion Sister Correia was from Hawaii. When we became companions, one of the first things I told her was how excited I was about HALLOWEEN. She confessed to me that she had never carved a pumpkin. At first I was SHOCKED that she had never had that chance... I know that my reaction would probably be considered an overreaction. However I knew how much FUN it was to carve a pumpkin, I knew it was not easy, but at the same time it was something worthwhile. I told her that I would teach her and we could do it together. So we planned it out, we bought pumpkins and got down to business carving. We loved it, it took her a little bit to get into it, but she trusted me and she kept going. By the end we both had somewhat good looking pumpkins.

As I laid in bed that night, praising my pumpkin, I thought about how happy I was that I got to share one of my favorite traditions with Sister Correia and how she loved it in the end. At the beginning she was very hesitant at what she was getting into, but she trusted me and so she went forward. I thought about how that relates to sharing the BOOK OF MORMON with our friends. I know it is not something that they have usually heard of, or something they are familiar with. However, they might never have that chance if we don’t offer it. I know I could not just let Sister Correia carve her first pumpkin by herself; she might have really used the ice cream scOoP the whole time… I know that when we are willing to share the BOOK OF MORMON with our friends, it is a learning process for both people but both end up learning a lot :0

I mean there is a first time for everything :)

Twins on our last day :)

CLV(2011)

WWW.MORMON.ORG

Behind Enemy Lines

2011-10-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

Behind Enemy Lines!

“I say again that youth today are being raised in enemy territory with a declining standard of morality.”

-Boyd K. Packer

Halloween 2010

I loved the talk Counsel to the youth that Elder Packer of the quorum of the 12 apostles gave in this last General Conference. He spoke to the youth! He talked about how the youth are being raised in enemy territory, and honestly that is the best way to describe it. Youth, you are behind enemy lines. There is so much sleaze around us in this world, that we start out on the wrong side. In the talk he gave a great story about listening to the Holy Ghost. I think that is one of greatest tools as we go out into battle in enemy territory. I know that as we continue to read the Book of Mormon, Pray, attend Seminary, and go to Church, it will only act as ammo for the Holy Ghost to work with us. Youth, you have the chance to be in this dangerous territory, use it to your advantage. It is time to suit up for battle and win :]

“If you are slipping into things that you should not slip into or if you are associating with people who are pulling you away in the wrong direction, that is the time to assert your independence, your agency. Listen to the voice of the Spirit, and you will not be led astray.”

-Boyd K. Packer

Counsel to Youth by Elder Boyd K. Packer

READ ME :{

www.mormon.org

The Youth's Webpage

LINCOLN LOGS

2011-10-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

Lincoln Logs

As a child, I played a lot with Lincoln Logs. My brother Max and I would sit and play for hours. Unfortunately it would always end up with us throwing the logs at each other , its been a good memory. This past Christmas, my nephew received some LINCOLN LOGS. I decided to relive some of my childhood and play with him. I was so impressed with how he quickly caught on to building these strong log houses. At first he was just putting pieces together, but by the end he was building houses that could withstand our attacks. When I asked Hayes why he had built the house so strong he said that it was to withstand the storms! That's when I had Helamen 5:12 from the Book of Mormon pop into my head. Hayes taught me, that I need to build MY foundation strong so that when storms come my foundation will stand still. As we go through our life we are going to have many storms and sometimes we are going to break down. However the STRONGER we make our foundation the longer we will last. There are many things you have to do to make a little log house strong...and they are many things we have to do to make our testimony strong. Read the Book of Mormon, and pray about it. The Book of Mormon is ONE thing that will give you a strong foundation...don't believe me? Try it out!!!

“And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”

-Helamen 5:12

WHAT MAKES YOUR FOUNDATION STRONG?!?!?