I am not an expert in rappelling, but I have been a few times. In my youth it was an activity our Young Men and Young Women would do a couple times a year. It was also an activity I did with my family and another from our ward.
There are some aspects of rappelling that in my understanding could be related to the gospel.
First: Anchors. Before you can begin your climb down the mountain you must be securely tied to it. For me my anchor is my testimony. Hard things are happening all the time all around us, if I didn't believe in the gospel and have a sense of peace to return to daily I believe at times I would give in to the hard things and let it overtake me. My testimony has brought me through so much, especially over the past couple of months. In the next few months I will lose my job, and my home and if I'm lucky I can sell my car and I will need a lot of faith to get through that as well. My testimony is my anchor. It reminds me where my heart needs to be and how to live a fulfilling life.
Second: There is a rope. If I hold onto this rope and I follow it down the mountain it is my guide for my shortest and easiest route to safety. The rope is the gospel and all that it teaches. If I follow the teachings of the gospel it is the safest and happiest route back to my Heavenly Father.
Third: Belay. I don't really know the term but this is the person who stands at the bottom and is the backup in case I fall. If I slip and start to fall the belay will pull the rope tight which will cause me to stop falling. They are the ones who can in all senses save me. This is like my Savior, Jesus Christ. He took on the sins of the world and died so that I could safely return to my father in heaven. When I start to stray off the path he is the one who pulls the rope and reminds me why I am here and what I have to look forward to in the eternities.
Fourth: This is the last example that I could really think of but it doesn't have to do with everybody's rappelling experiences, this is specific to just me. Every time I rappel I am pumped. I am excited to go.... and then I get to the edge of the mountain and I freak out. Everything inside of me is telling me it's stupid to walk off the cliff. Once I get over that first section of the cliff I enjoy every second of my climb down the mountain and I have so much fun! This reminds me of so many things in my life. When I need to make new choices or the things in my life are changing it is very hard for me. I often have very emotional moments when I don't want to change anything- I get too comfortable with where I am. I often find that those experiences are what help me to grow the most and become a better person. When I do the things that the Lord has asked me to do I meet the most amazing people and I learn so much about others, the gospel, and myself. They become the moments in life that are the most special to me and which end up having the sweetest memories.
Another experience that is really embarrassing for me to admit to is that when I was in my later teen years (after YEARS of rappelling) the youth in our ward decided we were going to go rappelling as an activity. I don't remember if it was a particularly hard cliff or what but I would NOT go down it. I was hooked up to the rope and my harness was done up.... but nothing anyone could say would encourage me to go down the cliff. One of my leaders harnessed up, hooked me to him, and carried me down the cliff (with my permission). This is so symbolic to how I feel about my Savior. When I come to a time in my life that seems the hardest to go through he carries me through and reminds me how much he loves me. He wants me to be safe and to help others through this life- much like my youth leader helped me to get safely back to "dry ground"
I know that my Savior lives and that every day he guides me to become the best person I can be. This gospel is what brings me the most peace in my life and I couldn't imagine how things would be without it in my life.
If you are reading this and you are questioning life and all that comes with it maybe it's time you got down on your knees and asked your Father in Heaven for a little guidance and then accept the answers that he gives you.
I love you, I know that God loves you and I hope that you have a great Easter weekend!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Who will it hurt?
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we are often watched closely by those of the world.
These past couple months have been rather difficult and a couple weeks ago I was ready to throw in the towel. I didn't want to pray anymore, read my scriptures, or go to church. All I wanted to do was get in the car and drive until I couldn't anymore... then I realized I was broke and with gas prices right now I definetly was NOT getting far ;)
In the end, it was my testimony that saved me. I was ready to quit- my testimony was not. I was promted to ask for a priesthood blessing and so I did.
Leading up to this blessing I felt as if praying was leading to a dead end, I wasn't feeling anything in the way of answers. And I felt like I couldn't really make a plan for my future because I didn't understand what was suppose to be happening right now. During this blessing my father in heaven simply told me to stop trying so hard to control my life and to allow him to guide me by the spirit that I may become the person he needs me to be, to be in the places he needs me to be, and to influence the lives he needs me to influence.
Finally I feel at peace and I can look myself in the mirror every morning without worrying about tomorrow.
I read a passage in a book today that really hit me hard. I am the only member of my siblings and parents- if I had given up how would it have hurt me? Immediately it probably would not have. But it would have hurt my family and those who look to me to be an example.
The passage is from "To the Rescue; The Biography of Thomas S. Monson" and it reads:
"That Tom Monson was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints became well known. One of his fellow sailors.... later wrote in a letter to him: 'The eyes of so many of us were watching you as the Devil did his best to lead you astray. We were out at La Jolla Shores having an office-Beach party. Beer was being served... you were kind of a natural leader even then among us. They would not leave you alone... I can see you so clearly right now in my mind- that skinny, tall kid with your smile and sense of humor to laugh your way through saying no, so no one would take offense, pushing it away, repeating, no, no. How would it have hurt you? It would have hurt us, Tom-those of us who were watching you. The Lord could still have made you an apostle if you had taken that beer, but what would it have done to us who remember that moment in time so many years ago?..."
I wasn't being offered beer- but the illusions of a different life, if I were to give up, shown brightly. I could have taken that bait and I could have walked away but I know that it would not have changed anything. It would have hurt those who were watching me, those who look up to me, those who see in me what I can not yet see in myself.
The devil has away of making things look shiny, and in this dog-eat-dog world shiny is distracting. I am so grateful for the friends I have that tell me how much they look up to me. At times it is a bit much but at times it is all I have to hold onto. The devil will do everything to get you to come to him but in the end he will not love you. In the beginning he did not love you. He would never give his life for you and he would never want you to be happy.
I know that this gospel of Jesus Christ is the true gospel. I know that the atonement is there for me to lean on when I want to give up. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he, with the help of the Savior, was able to do hard things. I know the Book of Mormon is a true book of gospel and as I read it I become closer to my Savior and best friend. I become a better person as I read this book and see the good in others. I know that giving up is not the answer, no matter how pretty it is right now.
I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know who I am. I know God's plan, I'll follow him in faith.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
These past couple months have been rather difficult and a couple weeks ago I was ready to throw in the towel. I didn't want to pray anymore, read my scriptures, or go to church. All I wanted to do was get in the car and drive until I couldn't anymore... then I realized I was broke and with gas prices right now I definetly was NOT getting far ;)
In the end, it was my testimony that saved me. I was ready to quit- my testimony was not. I was promted to ask for a priesthood blessing and so I did.
Leading up to this blessing I felt as if praying was leading to a dead end, I wasn't feeling anything in the way of answers. And I felt like I couldn't really make a plan for my future because I didn't understand what was suppose to be happening right now. During this blessing my father in heaven simply told me to stop trying so hard to control my life and to allow him to guide me by the spirit that I may become the person he needs me to be, to be in the places he needs me to be, and to influence the lives he needs me to influence.
Finally I feel at peace and I can look myself in the mirror every morning without worrying about tomorrow.
I read a passage in a book today that really hit me hard. I am the only member of my siblings and parents- if I had given up how would it have hurt me? Immediately it probably would not have. But it would have hurt my family and those who look to me to be an example.
The passage is from "To the Rescue; The Biography of Thomas S. Monson" and it reads:
"That Tom Monson was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints became well known. One of his fellow sailors.... later wrote in a letter to him: 'The eyes of so many of us were watching you as the Devil did his best to lead you astray. We were out at La Jolla Shores having an office-Beach party. Beer was being served... you were kind of a natural leader even then among us. They would not leave you alone... I can see you so clearly right now in my mind- that skinny, tall kid with your smile and sense of humor to laugh your way through saying no, so no one would take offense, pushing it away, repeating, no, no. How would it have hurt you? It would have hurt us, Tom-those of us who were watching you. The Lord could still have made you an apostle if you had taken that beer, but what would it have done to us who remember that moment in time so many years ago?..."
I wasn't being offered beer- but the illusions of a different life, if I were to give up, shown brightly. I could have taken that bait and I could have walked away but I know that it would not have changed anything. It would have hurt those who were watching me, those who look up to me, those who see in me what I can not yet see in myself.
The devil has away of making things look shiny, and in this dog-eat-dog world shiny is distracting. I am so grateful for the friends I have that tell me how much they look up to me. At times it is a bit much but at times it is all I have to hold onto. The devil will do everything to get you to come to him but in the end he will not love you. In the beginning he did not love you. He would never give his life for you and he would never want you to be happy.
I know that this gospel of Jesus Christ is the true gospel. I know that the atonement is there for me to lean on when I want to give up. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he, with the help of the Savior, was able to do hard things. I know the Book of Mormon is a true book of gospel and as I read it I become closer to my Savior and best friend. I become a better person as I read this book and see the good in others. I know that giving up is not the answer, no matter how pretty it is right now.
I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know who I am. I know God's plan, I'll follow him in faith.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The Privilege of Prayer
A couple months ago I was asked to give a talk in church and the theme was from a conference talk given by Elder J. Devn Cornish entitled the Privilege of Prayer.
This talk was given in the Sunday afternoon session of the 2011 October Conference. His message is simple "Prayer is one of the most precious gifts of God to man." Here is a link to this talk so that you can read the whole thing! I just loved this talk- it really touched my heart (maybe it's because I had to study it in depth so that I could talk about it... or maybe it's because it's true. Either way I recommend it!)
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-privilege-of-prayer?lang=eng
Here is my testimony of both this talk and the power of prayer:
God, our Heavenly Father is real. He loves us and knows us! He is a fan of us!! Elder Cornish told a story about finding money on the ground so that he could buy some chicken, thus reminding him of God's tender mercies. I have a story of my own to tell. Every year on my birthday I try to really look at my life. I look at the past and see where I've come from, I see what I've been through and how far I've come. Then I imagine my future. I decide what goals I want to work on, set a plan, and dream of all the many good things I can do in this life. This year as I was considering my life I knelt down in prayer to thank my Heavenly Father for all that he has given me. As I sat there after my prayer had ended I heard a distinct voice tell me "Happy Birthday Nicole. I love you." Now- as per my blog title my name is Tiffani, this is very true. However, my middle name is Nicole and those who are close to me (family really) call me Nikki. Being called Nikki, for me is a sign of endearment and love- so for my Father in Heaven to call me Nicole is a great reminder that he is aware of me. We are important to him!
Here's an outline of how we pray, and you can use it every time you decide to talk to your Heavenly Father- he is, after all, waiting for your call!
We address our Heavenly Father, acknowledge and thank him for the many blessings we have been given (you can name them one by one- or if you're new at it it's fine to lump them into groups too!). We let him know that we are accepting of his will, and that we are trying our best to do what he would have us do. We can ask for blessings, we can never have too many blessings! An essential part of prayer is repentance (this is something for personal prayers-not public prayers). We simply acknowledge that we have done wrong and ask for forgiveness and the strength to do better. We close in the name of Jesus Christ.
Elder Hales gives an amazing talk about answers to prayers this link will take you to that talk! http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/waiting-upon-the-lord-thy-will-be-done?lang=eng
Elder Hales says that "sometimes I do not receive an answer to a prayer because the Lord knows I am not ready. When He does answer, it is often “here a little and there a little” because that is all that I can bear or all I am willing to do." and he goes on to say "We may not know when or how the Lord’s answers will be given, but in His time and His way, I testify, His answers will come. For some answers we may have to wait until the hereafter. This may be true for some promises in our patriarchal blessings and for some blessings for family members. Let us not give up on the Lord. His blessings are eternal, not temporary."
I know that waiting for the answer to our prayers is tough- one of the hardest things that we have to do in this life, but it is worth the wait. The Lord has promised us riches beyond our imaginations and asked very little of us. The least we can do it wait!
Elder Hales talk was what I needed to hear at the time that I read it. These two talks remind me of my Father in Heaven's love for me and all of you! What a blessing it is to know without doubt who I am and what I here for.
To finish I just want to close with a quote by President Thomas S. Monson. "To those within the sound of my voice who are struggling with the challenges and difficulties large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer."
I encourage you to read the two talks listed in this post and maybe even to look around the lds.org website for more information about prayer and answers.
<3
This talk was given in the Sunday afternoon session of the 2011 October Conference. His message is simple "Prayer is one of the most precious gifts of God to man." Here is a link to this talk so that you can read the whole thing! I just loved this talk- it really touched my heart (maybe it's because I had to study it in depth so that I could talk about it... or maybe it's because it's true. Either way I recommend it!)
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-privilege-of-prayer?lang=eng
Here is my testimony of both this talk and the power of prayer:
God, our Heavenly Father is real. He loves us and knows us! He is a fan of us!! Elder Cornish told a story about finding money on the ground so that he could buy some chicken, thus reminding him of God's tender mercies. I have a story of my own to tell. Every year on my birthday I try to really look at my life. I look at the past and see where I've come from, I see what I've been through and how far I've come. Then I imagine my future. I decide what goals I want to work on, set a plan, and dream of all the many good things I can do in this life. This year as I was considering my life I knelt down in prayer to thank my Heavenly Father for all that he has given me. As I sat there after my prayer had ended I heard a distinct voice tell me "Happy Birthday Nicole. I love you." Now- as per my blog title my name is Tiffani, this is very true. However, my middle name is Nicole and those who are close to me (family really) call me Nikki. Being called Nikki, for me is a sign of endearment and love- so for my Father in Heaven to call me Nicole is a great reminder that he is aware of me. We are important to him!
Here's an outline of how we pray, and you can use it every time you decide to talk to your Heavenly Father- he is, after all, waiting for your call!
We address our Heavenly Father, acknowledge and thank him for the many blessings we have been given (you can name them one by one- or if you're new at it it's fine to lump them into groups too!). We let him know that we are accepting of his will, and that we are trying our best to do what he would have us do. We can ask for blessings, we can never have too many blessings! An essential part of prayer is repentance (this is something for personal prayers-not public prayers). We simply acknowledge that we have done wrong and ask for forgiveness and the strength to do better. We close in the name of Jesus Christ.
Elder Hales gives an amazing talk about answers to prayers this link will take you to that talk! http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/waiting-upon-the-lord-thy-will-be-done?lang=eng
Elder Hales says that "sometimes I do not receive an answer to a prayer because the Lord knows I am not ready. When He does answer, it is often “here a little and there a little” because that is all that I can bear or all I am willing to do." and he goes on to say "We may not know when or how the Lord’s answers will be given, but in His time and His way, I testify, His answers will come. For some answers we may have to wait until the hereafter. This may be true for some promises in our patriarchal blessings and for some blessings for family members. Let us not give up on the Lord. His blessings are eternal, not temporary."
I know that waiting for the answer to our prayers is tough- one of the hardest things that we have to do in this life, but it is worth the wait. The Lord has promised us riches beyond our imaginations and asked very little of us. The least we can do it wait!
Elder Hales talk was what I needed to hear at the time that I read it. These two talks remind me of my Father in Heaven's love for me and all of you! What a blessing it is to know without doubt who I am and what I here for.
To finish I just want to close with a quote by President Thomas S. Monson. "To those within the sound of my voice who are struggling with the challenges and difficulties large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer."
I encourage you to read the two talks listed in this post and maybe even to look around the lds.org website for more information about prayer and answers.
<3
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