Truth.

(If you don't know/understand my beliefs, read the entire post so that it makes sense.  If you get time, click on the highlighted words to go to links that will explain and answer a lot of your questions.  It'll simply explain things so that it makes sense.  If you still have questions/concerns, email me at callie.stats@gmail.com)


Well guys.... my phone and camera are in comas.  We don't know if they will make it.


However, when I woke up this morning I realized I left my scriptures in Moab.  And that's when I realized, I can survive a week without my phone... even weekS if forced - granted it would suck, but I wouldn't die. However, I CAN'T survive a day without knowing that my scriptures are available.  I didn't tell anyone, and I didn't show it, but my insides were in panic mode.  I prayed over and over again that my scriptures would make it back to me somehow.  And, what do ya know!?  Makenna (who came back to Centerville this morning instead of late last night like I did) found them and brought them back to me!

I know that it's a simple thing, but it really hit me how much I rely on my scriptures.  They mean way more to me than my phone.  My phone gives me contact to past clients, friends, family, and basically planet earth (let's face it).


However, my scriptures give me contact to God through the Spirit.  Through the Spirit, they lift me up when I am down, remind me to be grateful and humble when my life feels perfect, give me comfort, knowledge, love, and peace, and they remind me where I came from, why I'm here, and where I'm going to be - where I aim to be.  I can't survive without them.


And I am so grateful for them.  I'm especially grateful for the Book of Mormon.  For those of you who don't know much about it, the Book of Mormon is not meant to replace the Bible, but is more of an aid and also contains vital  information that the Bible lacks.  It is simply another testament of Jesus Christ.  As a classified Mormon I study both the Bible and Book of Mormon.  While I love the Bible and its stories I grew up with that continue to give me strength, the Book of Mormon is what gives me greater understanding of truth.  It is honestly what pieces my life back together when it's fallen apart.  My life would be of no value without it, I would have no purpose, and I would feel empty.  Instead, my life has value as long as I am living my life as God would have me do, I have purpose as I strive to be God's hands, and I feel spiritually full as I receive a constant stream of love, comfort, and peace.


Therefore, this morning, when I realized that my personal scriptures could be lost, I couldn't help but be afraid.  Thankfully, as usual, God answered my prayers and I now currently have them at hand.  I am especially grateful to be reminded of how important the scriptures are in my life.  I think I needed this experience as a knock in the head, telling me that I take advantage of this precious book.  I don't always read it as well as I should.  I always make it a goal to read at least a scripture a day, but that is cutting myself short.  Sure, reading one verse is better than reading nothing at all, but when I read more than that, ponder, and truly study what I'm reading, then I receive so much more inspiration and personal revelation - prayers are answered, direction is given, and I can feel the love of God.  On those days when I make excuses and cut myself short, I am left with an empty cup.


And that is not good enough.  I deserve better than that.  And God knows that, which is why He keeps telling me through blessings and talks that I need to truly study the scriptures daily.


God tries to get through to each of us continuously, but if we don't do our part and do the simply things like pray and study the scriptures, then we are not giving him the opportunities to do so.  We are choosing to cut ourselves off from Him.  Why do we even do that?  God is only trying to show the love that He has for us by helping us, lifting us up in our trials and burdens, and by giving us direction so that we no longer feel lost.  Why would we turn down such blessings?


I am  just so grateful for the scriptures.  I am so grateful for Joseph Smith who sacrificed so much to save the Book of Mormon and restore the same church that Jesus Christ established when he was on earth. I am so grateful to have a current prophet, President Monson, who gives me guidance just as Moses and other prophets gave their people guidance.  I am so incredibly blessed to have the knowledge and to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 


 Lastly, I'm so grateful that I originally prayed to know that this church is true for myself.  Because of that simple prayer, I have a personal testimony based on Christ, not a testimony based on someone else's testimony.


For anyone who questions these things, I strongly suggest you pray for yourself to find out the truth.  It doesn't matter what church you are a part of, if you are a part of it because it's how you were raised, or because someone else told you what to do, then you are a member for the wrong reasons.  It's not that you are necessarily wrong, it's that you are there for the wrong reasons.  To know for yourself, I urge you to personally ask God if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true.  As it says in James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."


I am endlessly grateful to be a part of this church and to know the truth.  Because of this truth, I have every reason to be happy.  In fact, all of  my happiness is because of this truth.  It allows me to be happier and closer to God than I ever imagined I could be.


It is through this Gospel that my dreams have come true.  It is through this Gospel that my dreams continue to come true.


I am so grateful for such a loving God who loves me enough to give me trials that strengthen me and bring me closer to him.  I am also so grateful for such a loving God who loves me enough to answer simple prayers and bring about simple desires, such as my desire to have my scriptures back with me instead of lost in a hotel in Moab (which was an amazing trip, if you were wondering).





p.s. click on the highlighted/underlined words to go to links that will explain more.
p.s.2. I apologize for being repetitive.
p.s.3. Last apology:  I'm sorry for errors.  I typed pretty quickly without proofreading. 
p.s.4. leave comments.
p.s.5. follow me.  If you are reading this, you probably already are. But, if you got here through fb, follow me through fb. just click on the networkedblogs button on the top right of my blog.