I’m often asked, “Where did you serve your mission?” and I don’t know if I should feel flattered because many people think I served a full-time mission. But then I tell them I did not serve and they have sometimes responded with a shocked, “WHY NOT?” I then would relate why I did not serve. Some would give me a nod of understanding, and some would give me an icy, “you should have” response. I know that young single adult women in the church are encouraged to serve full-time missions, but not serving does not mean we are not committed enough to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. It also does not mean that we are not putting God first. Not serving a mission does not mean that our love for the Savior is any less.

Some of us also feel this pressure when it comes to dating and starting a family of our own. It is not surprising that Mormons start their own families at a young age. But to all of us who have not reached this goal yet, let’s continue in our efforts and diligence towards reaching this goal. Not starting a family at an age range when most people get married can be frustrating sometimes, and but let’s not despair. Let’s not beat ourselves up thinking that we are not doing enough or we are not good enough.

There will be times when we feel as though we do not fit in a church where family is the primary focus. But we must remember that the Plan of Salvation is in full effect for single adults as well, and that exaltation will not be withheld from us if we are worthy and endure faithfully.

Some expect us to make ourselves available to everyone ALWAYS, since we do not have little kids to care for at home. It is a great feeling to serve other people as much as we can, but we should not push ourselves so much that we forget to take care of ourselves. We must make sure that we are not running faster than we have strength. It is okay to take a break and take some time to breathe.

There will be moments when we feel we are not at our best— we might succumb to creeping negative feelings, cut our scripture study to a half hour, minister through a phone call instead of doing an actual visit, not join the ward choir for a season, or come to church late sometimes. These and many other things might make us feel that we do not fit the criteria of a perfect Mormon girl. We may sometimes feel a little short of what is expected of us. But aren’t we all falling, not only a little, short of perfection?

Perfect Mormon girls do not exist in this world. But Mormon girls who desire increased righteousness do. Let’s not beat ourselves up because of our shortcomings but focus instead on improving steadily towards perfection—perfection that we cannot earn on our own, but can only receive through the grace of God. Our faithful efforts, however small, will be sanctified by the Lord if we continue trying to become more like Him.

The post Why It Is Okay To Not Fit the ‘Perfect Mormon Girl’ Criteria appeared first on morefaith.ph.

In this mortal world, sometimes we fall subject to natural disasters, economic downfall, poverty, wars, death, crimes, or other challenges. With all these challenges, how can we find peace and joy?

The song in the video entitled “The Prayer” and composed by David Foster contains two important principles on how we can find peace and joy in this life.

First Principle: Seek God’s Guidance

I pray you’ll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don’t know

Let this be our prayer
When we lose our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe.

I pray we’ll find your light
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night
Remind us where you are.

Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe.

The first and second verses of this song focus on asking help from a divine source. In times of troubles and difficulties, God can lead us to a safer, more peaceful ground. He can help us find comfort and will inspire us on how we can deal with life’s challenges. If we pray and ask for His help, He will listen and answer our prayers. He will help us find the light even during the darkest moments of our lives.

God’s greatest gift to each one of us is His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the light and the life of the world (Doctrine & Covenants 11:28). Through His example, we will know how to be truly happy in this life. His message teaches us what to do in order to find happiness in our mortal journey. Through His sacrifice, we are able to feel relief from our burdens. Jesus Christ suffered not only our sins but also our “pains, afflictions and temptations” so He could understand how to help us base on our experiences (Alma 7:11-12). When we sincerely believe that Jesus Christ can support us, we will feel His love and His hands comforting, protecting and guiding us.

Our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ are not physically present here with us but this does not mean that we cannot feel their presence. We can feel Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s love and presence through the Holy Ghost. Before Jesus Christ returned to Heaven, He promised His disciples that the Father will give the Holy Ghost to guide them (John 14:26). The Holy Ghost is given to us to guide us in this life. We can know that we are feeling the Holy Spirit when we have feelings of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23).

Second Principle: Love and Serve Others

A world where pain and sorrow will be ended
And every heart that’s broken will be mended
And we’ll remember we are all God’s children
Reaching out to touch you
Reaching to the sky.

We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love.

The last verses of the song remind us that we are all brothers and sisters. God is our Father and we are His children. He loves each one of us equally. We are God’s hands on the earth. One way God answers our prayers is through other people. When we love one another, we will have genuine peace.

Jesus Christ taught us to love one another. He taught this principle both in Jerusalem and in Ancient America, and the results were wonderful.

“And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.

There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.

And how blessed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an hundred and ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land (4 Nephi 1:15-18).”

Just like in Ancient America, it is also possible to have peace and joy today when we apply the teachings of Jesus Christ and love one another. One way of showing love to our brothers and sisters is through service. A great leader from the same continent named King Benjamin exhibited this. When he was serving as the King, his greatest desire and motivation was to serve God. Because of this desire, serving other people became natural. He encouraged the people to help each other whether their need was emotional, spiritual or physical.

Now, a few years after the tragic incident in Tacloban, many families are starting to rebuild their lives. Service offered by other people has given them hope to start again. All forms of service whether it was as simple as praying for them, giving donations or building homes for them made them feel loved and comforted.

Our society can have continual joy and peace if we follow God’s commandments to love and serve one another. Through helping each other, our pains and sorrows can be ended. Christ-like love can heal a broken heart, strengthen a person and give light and hope to an uncertain future.

Our lives are full of challenges in different forms. Some challenges come from natural calamities while others from other’s choices. Whatever our troubles may be, there is a way to be happy and have peace in our lives. God will not give us anything that we cannot handle. If we trust Him, we will overcome whatever trials may come our way.

For more information about Tacloban after the typhoon, please see the links below:

2 Years After  Typhoon Yolanda
Tacloban One Year After Typhoon Haiyan
Remebering Yolanda
Shelters Built and Carpenters Certified
Cebu After Typhoon Yolanda

The post Finding Peace and Joy in Troubled Times appeared first on morefaith.ph.