Loving Book of Mormon!

Hey there!!  It has been a little bit since I've posted...I just wanted to share that I'm loving my Book of Mormon class.  I love studying the scriptures and finding things that seem to pop out the page saying, "Katie you need this today.  Stop being down on yourself and get to work!!"  Book of Mormon and my ballet class are two things that soothe my soul after a busy day with stressful homework and classes.  Here are a couple entries I wrote in my journal about some topics we discussed in class.
To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.  The atonement will help us avoid offense if we personalize it.  Brother Riggins said the church is "A hospital for the sick not a museum for the perfect."  I want to add my thought to that by saying Heavenly Father is the master doctor who knows how to heal each of our hearts.  We just have to let him by communicating with him and accepting the things he does for us.  Sometimes I get annoyed with people who have to keep up a "perfect person" shield so they don't make themselves look bad in front of others.  We are all fallen people who need each other in order to improve.  It's important that we keep working to be active members of the church.  There is no possible way to sit on the stairs facing up.  If we aren't progressing and climbing the stairs then we are remaining stationary and looking down.  While we know that "A mans a fool who takes insult where it is not intended," we need to do our best to not offend.  We determine how we act in every situation.  I loved this quote by Brother Thurgood, "The best time to ask for forgiveness is when you're not at fault."  I definitely could be better at that.  Every word we say is recorded in the books of heaven.  Watch your thoughts, words, and actions.  Love one another!! 

5-26-10

I love the song true to the faith.  It makes me realize that even though our parents drive us crazy sometimes, they are wise and will help lead us to a path that brings eternal happiness.  Eternal happiness can be very difficult to achieve in this constantly changing wicked world.  I believe facing evil everyday is a different personal struggle for everyone.  People and Satan influence individuals by targeting their weaknesses and glamorizing worldly treasures.  He knows us so well.  It is so easy to give into his temptations.  Especially when those temptations come from peers and when the actions seem harmless.  This journey is a challenging one, but it is my testimony that Heavenly Father knows our hearts.  He knows that we desire happiness so he gives us the scriptures, prophets, leaders of the church, and strong friends to help us in this war on earth.  I have found in my life that Satan gets me with self doubt.  Sometimes I feel as though I have a gloomy rain cloud over my head and there is no way to make it go away.  However, I have found that a principle that is non negotiable and essential to living every day life is to read scriptures and pray daily.  I know that when righteous youth do these things every day Satan is shaking in his boots.  I don't want to give him the satisfaction that comes from success.  We cannot let him succeed in bringing anyone down.  We must strive to keep ourselves and others strong by clinging to the faith that our parents have cherished.  doing this will bring us the greatest joy imaginable.