But after graduation, and in the midst of adult life, how many of us have accidentally let education slip from our list of priorities? Is education just for the young, or is there more we can do to continue learning, no matter what our age?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints puts so much importance on education. Growing up in the Church gave me the right mindset and has guided me as I have worked to continue to educate myself.

Ancient Prophets Teach of The Value of Education

Proverbs 1:5 emphasizes that those who are wise will seek learning. The scriptures are replete with lessons of how important it is to teach and to learn. The Savior of the world lived on the earth increasing in wisdom (Luke 2:48) and teaching in any way and at every opportunity He could. His example is a light to us all as we strive to improve. It is important to understand how the world works, and that takes a lot of effort. How much more effort is needed to understand how heaven works? No wonder we are taught to elevate ourselves from ignorance by doing all we can to obtain education. There is so much to learn in order to go through life and much more in order to grow through it.

Modern Prophets Exhort Everyone to Acquire Education

Russell M. Nelson, prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said,

“Your mind is precious! It is sacred. Therefore, the education of one’s mind is also sacred. Indeed, education is a religious responsibility.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by people who foster this sacred and strong desire for learning among its members. “The glory of God is intelligence…” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:36) and Heavenly Father, with all His glory, wants His children to have the quality of life that would bring the greatest joy and happiness. This is His mission, not only in this life but also in the next – “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency of the Church, in the April 2009 New Era magazine, said:

“The Lord and His Church have always encouraged education to increase our ability to serve Him and our Heavenly Father’s children. For each of us, whatever our talents, He has service for us to give. And to do it well always involves learning, not once or for a limited time, but continually.”

As much as we teach each other in Sunday school, we are not limited to spiritual learning alone. President Eyring teaches of the importance of total education,

“That spiritual element, when it is effective, refines and uplifts the aims of our total education. …Remember, you are interested in education, not just for mortal life but for eternal life. When you see that reality clearly, you will put spiritual learning first and yet not slight the secular learning. In fact, you will work harder at your secular learning than you would without that spiritual vision.”

To achieve the “work and glory” of God, President Eyring warned that “education must never stop. If it ends at the door of the classroom on graduation day, we will fail. And we will need the help of heaven to know which of the myriad things we could study we would most wisely learn….

“The real life we’re preparing for is eternal life,“ President Eyring said. “Secular knowledge has for us eternal significance. Our conviction is that God, our Heavenly father, wants us to live the life He does.”

The fundamental principle of education in the Church, then, is based on the eternal goal to become like our Heavenly Father. This is what drives the leaders as well as the members of the Church to pursue all possible means of education – to gain “more knowledge and intelligence in this life through… diligence and obedience…” in order to “have so much the advantage in the world to come.”

Available Church Resources

The heart of the education system of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started with the School of the Prophets in 1833. Now, the Church operates three large universities in the United States – Brigham Young University (BYU), BYU-Hawaii and BYU-Idaho. It also runs LDS Business College in Utah. The Church also runs an online education program that makes it possible for many more students to get their education from these larger campuses remotely. The PathwayConnect program prepares students for that opportunity. More information about these opportunities can be found at www.besmart.com

The Church also invests in the seminary and institute programs, which are intended to further students’ religious education and give them a gospel-orientated preparation for life. These programs are free to ensure that anyone interested can participate. The following links will help in understanding these programs.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/si/seminary?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/si/institute?lang=eng

Continuing Your Education

Since learning is an eternal principle, that means that education is meant to last far longer than the years of our initial schooling. This entire planet was created as a learning experience for us, to help us grow. Our Heavenly Father’s ultimate goal is to help us be like Him, and He is very, very smart. He knows all there is to know, so our eternal journey is and will continue to be one of higher and higher learning until we reach the level where He is.

Even though we can’t learn everything in this life, we should still try to make continuous learning a part of our everyday lives. So sign up for that class, watch educational videos online, study current events, study and pray to receive more spiritual knowledge, read a book, or try something you’ve never done before.

We can take more responsibility in our lives by continuing to educate ourselves on everything we can. After all, this mortal life is meant to be a time of growth and learning guided by a Heavenly Father who is the greatest teacher there is.

The post Why We Should Continue to Learn appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Why the discrepancy?

When we try to picture godhood, we want to see very nice people wearing white glowing robes and not having any weakness at all. Then we look at ourselves with all of life’s mess and the comparison feels impossible. It seems as though man’s nature is simply vicious and self-destructive. Maybe this is why we often excuse ourselves from our mistakes by saying, “I am only human.”

Or We Can Think Otherwise

While human nature has been overused throughout the ages as a reason for being weak, maybe we should instead try to retrace our steps and ask, “Why, with all these weaknesses, does God trust me to be an agent to myself? Why does He allow me to make mistakes?” Yes, trusting us to retain our agency is one big leap of faith for our Heavenly Father. He places this divine trust in us despite the large chance that we will not be obedient to Him. Doesn’t that make you feel good about yourself? That someone divine knows you can overcome challenges, however big they are? Maybe being human then, is not that bad at all!

Harnessing the Natural Man

Weakness and all, we have the capacity to be honed into something remarkable, if we but humble ourselves and allow God to help us (Ether 12:27). The flaws that we now have are but crude resources that, when overcome, will transform us into better creatures. Consider the natural resources that we use to our advantage. A raging waterfall and a scorching sun are both very damaging if we come into contact with them as they are. But if we make use of our intellect and capacity to work on these crude resources, they can produce something much greater – the electricity to power our cities and homes.

Weakness Into Strength

If we accept our weaknesses and work to overcome them so we can be molded into better versions of ourselves, then we have power within us to bolster a beautiful transformation. Our natural tendencies can either abase us or make us polished individuals. It is all up to us. But wouldn’t it be nice if we considered ourselves diamonds in the rough? Instead of choosing to remain as pieces of coal, let us allow ourselves to be made into precious gems. Being human then, is not a form of weakness but a state of opportunity and a time to understand the raw materials needed for godhood that are already inside of us (2 Nephi 2:21).

For most, it is our goal to rise above our human tendencies, however; it is not always that easy to do. Believing that we are more than what we appear to be right now makes the difference. Our Heavenly Father believes in us. He knows we are innately good, but because we are exposed to a carnal environment, we can be placed in situations when we sometimes forget who we really are. But remember… That is the key. Remember and trust that gut feeling that you are special – that you are divine.

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“Education is Very Important”

One of the stories that inspires me in the pursuit of education is that of two women – sisters who held on to their desire to attain that which they deemed to be of great importance.

Sister Cherry Lyn Morin-Elem and Sister Yolindina “Jona” Morin-Javaluyas endured a lot of challenges during their younger years. Their family joined the Church when they were in high school and the things they learned at Church helped them carry on despite the loss of their father and the inconvenience of sending themselves to school. Despite all the hardships, they graduated with their desired degrees and are successful in their fields of expertise – business and finance – while serving as wives, mothers, and servants in the Lord’s Kingdom.

This is their story:

”Even when we were very young, we already knew the importance of education. Maybe because we’d heard from our parents that it was one way we could improve our lives. The teachings of the Church also played a major role in how we viewed education. We always knew that education would play a big role in what we would become in our future life.”

“Our father died when I was 18,” Sister Jona explained. “I was a 3rd year College student at Mindanao State University (MSU) in General Santos City. Life became more difficult without the breadwinner of the family. Shortly after his death, my mother got sick and was temporarily paralyzed. Her small ukay-ukay business, which sold ready-to-wear clothes and second-hand garments, was closed. We had to move to MSU Iligan City, then eventually to MSU Marawi City to continue our studies because my father’s sister offered us some allowance and food assistance so we could continue to go to College. There were days when I went to school without food in my stomach because many times we hesitated to ask assistance from our Aunt because of “kaulaw” (embarassment). Hunger was an ordinary thing for me. Life was very difficult, we couldn’t afford to buy new clothes. New shoes were already a luxury. But hunger was the most difficult thing we experienced. It almost made me quit school.”

The Value of Hard Work and Grit

Sister Cherry recalled that they stayed focused on the goal in mind. To earn, she approached her landlord and asked if she could babysit his two-year-old child and do the laundry in exchange for free food and board for her and her sister. She even made fruit salad and “binignit” (a Filipino delicacy made from sticky rice and root crops) that she sold for profit. Sister Cherry acknowledged that part of their staying power was their desire to work hard so they could also pay their tithes. She even taught institute classes on campus where she had 6 students whom she remembers very vividly until now. The sisters make it a point to keep the Sabbath Day holy by not doing school work on Sundays even if it meant they had to settle for a lower grade. There were people who saw how Sister Cherry and Sister Jona worked and stayed focused and these people helped and supported them in whatever means they could afford. This gave them hope that if they stay faithful and if they help each other, they’d be able to rise above every difficulty.

Lessons Learned More Precious Than That of Their Degree

“We learned many things as we went through those tough times: patience, faith, perseverance, humility, contentment, hard work, and endurance are a few of them. We needed to be patient and have faith that the Lord would bless us in His own due time. We knew that as long as we did our part with patience, all our efforts would be rewarded. The only reward we asked for was to finish a College degree which was eventually given to us. But during the process, we needed the principle of perseverance and endurance. We needed to keep on holding to the faith that we were in the Lord’s hand and that He would carry us through all of the hardships. We needed to be humble when at times we saw our roommates having good food while we could only eat a humble meal wrapped in a plastic bag. We needed to be humble when we couldn’t have nice clothes while others were well provided and we needed to borrow clothes for special events like our graduation. From our shoes to our dresses, almost everything was borrowed. Life was really hard but the Lord taught us that as long as we desired to do what was right He would bless our efforts. We learned and those experiences have blessed us beyond our comprehension. It has made us better versions of who we were. We are now able to teach our children that sometimes it’s okay not to be okay. We have become more compassionate of others who are going through hardships and share whatever we can give however little. It made us more grateful for all the blessings that we now enjoy. It taught us to keep ourselves grounded because we know that all of these blessings come from the Lord.”

Doors of Opportunities Opened

“Finishing school gave us better opportunities when it comes to work.” added Sister Jona. “It also gives us an edge in regards to our work now. Me being a Financial Adviser and my Manang (elder sister) being a Businesswoman. I can better present my product because I am more confident. It has boosted my self-esteem. But more importantly I can teach my children the importance of education and to make sacrifices whenever necessary to achieve it.”

I am grateful to know these remarkable women. Their story made me realize that there is a silver lining, even in the bleakest of times. They are undeterred in their efforts to graduate and make their lives better.

When I look at my children and all the other students in their schools who graduated, I think of Sister Cherry and Sister Jona and tell myself that the future is bright. So whatever challenge you are facing right now in your pursuit for a good education, grow through it! Someday when you have crossed the bridge, you can wear it as a badge of honor – that you have hurdled the hardships. You have paid the price to better yourself by getting educated.

The post What does it take to get an education? – A Story of Two Sisters Who Paid the Price and Succeeded appeared first on morefaith.ph.

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10)

Aside from the obvious ones, there are a lot of subtle blessings that obeying the Law of Tithing can open up for us. Elder David A. Bednar has spoken about how they have been blessed because of obedience to this Law. Among other things, the Law of Tithing can be a blessing to us by opening our minds to how we can be better with our finances.

What to do with the 90%

After separating the 10% from our increase, we are left with the rest of the 90%. When we obey the Law of Tithing, we see our increase as portions instead of as a whole. The human mind works better if it can see things in details. Breaking down large things into smaller things can help us see what to do with each part rather than thinking only in terms of large purchases. We realize when 10% has already been given to the Lord, that we are accountable for what we do with what is left. This can help us be more responsible with where our money goes by creating and following a budget. This mentality increases our desire to be better stewards over the blessings the Lord has given. And this does not apply only to those blessings in the form of money but also to our use of our time, health and strength, to name a few.

How to Increase our Increase

As promised by the Lord, when we obey the Law of Tithes He will open the windows of heaven. These windows come in a lot of forms. Employment, business opportunities, investment strategies – these are some of the windows that the Lord opens. Because tithing gives us a better perspective when it comes to money, we now have a higher objective in mind. Our money-making efforts are not only limited to our needs and wants, but they give us a desire to align these efforts with the building of the Lord’s Kingdom here on Earth. This desire to contribute more to the Lord’s work will encourage us to aim for a higher income so we can pay a larger amount in tithing. A higher objective also gives us the power to bridle our passions and to prioritize our needs over our wants. What a blessing it is to think this way! Indeed, the Lord multiplies what we can do, thus increasing what we can earn.

Be a More Confident Earner

The Lord also promises that He “will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field…” This gives us a sense of security in all our efforts to earn an income. This confidence in the workplace can help us become more efficient in our craft. Isn’t it such a blessing to be able to focus on the tasks at hand because the Lord has promised that He will take care of everything else while we are working? Paying tithes reinforces our sense of obligation and builds responsibility and self-reliance. These qualities are prime requirements in any employment or business.

A Word of Caution

If we pay tithes because we expect to get rich, we are paying tithes for the wrong reason. Although it is true that the Lord will open the windows of heaven, He will do that in His own due time when we need it the most. These blessings are not to fuel our greed but to increase our understanding of the greater purpose of money. The main purpose of tithing is to care for His children and provide means for the Church to further the Lord’s work here on Earth. The blessings that come with that are only secondary to the privilege it affords us to be a contributor to the fulfillment of the Lord’s work and His glory.

It is such a blessing to understand that finance is but a tool. The Law of Tithing helps us avoid the many traps the adversary sets up to make us slaves to the riches of the world. Looking at the big picture, tithing helps us rise up wiser and better in the gaining and management of our finances. What a blessing indeed!

The post How the Law of Tithing Teaches Us to Be Financially Savvy appeared first on morefaith.ph.

The Philippines considers mental and emotional health problems to be minor, compared to other maladies. Whenever someone talks about being very sad or depressed, there is a cultural tendency to assume that the person is just acting out or seeking attention. The irony is that attention is actually needed. Filipinos are known to be resilient – strong in the face of poverty or tragedy. Maybe this is why being mentally and emotionally challenged is considered taboo. This maybe the reason people afflicted by mental or emotional conditions feel deprived of help.

The Lord is Mindful of All of His Children

The Savior’s love extends to all of His children. If you are experiencing depression or any other disorders, that does not mean He loves you less. Always remember that He gave his life for you. Yes you! That is not a small thing. The Son of God suffered and died for you. And because of His eternal love for you, you can ask Him for help. You can expect help. He can whisper peace to your soul and help make your burdens light, no matter the circumstances. He will be with you every step of the way, supporting you, even in difficult times. He is your older brother, and your light in the darkness.

Your Family and Friends Love You

You may be a family of one or a part of a huge clan, trust that the people around you know and care about you. Even if you feel that you do not matter, there are people who love and worry about you. Never fall for Satan’s lie that no one cares, because someone does. Talk to your family. Talk to your friends. Even if they cannot understand everything you are going through, expressing your feelings is a giant step towards healing.

Professional Help is Available

There are people who study and specialize in these matters. You can take advantage of the services they offer. Psychiatrists, psychologists, support forums, and other groups provide guidance and refuge. There are places you can go to talk to someone whose chosen mission is to understand and help. Hopeline (https://www.hopeline-nc.org/) is one place you can call and get help. You can even volunteer. The Church has also initiated a movement to help in this area (https://www.lds.org/mentalhealth?lang=eng).

The Lord’s timing is perfect because now that light is being shed on this issue, people are becoming more and more aware and willing to offer mental and emotional support. There are ways to get help. If you are struggling mentally or emotionally, reach out! Help is available. And if you know of someone who might be having trouble in this aspect, reach out! Make yourself available. We are all in this together.

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Put God as Your Priority

Spending more time with God starts with making Him your priority. Your time for God should not be the time when you are just free or when it is convenient – after going home from work, finishing an assignment, or watching a favorite TV show. God should be the first, not the last part of your day.

A good way to make God your priority is by planning your day first thing in the morning. Identify all of your things-to-do, then rank them based on urgency and importance. Make sure to set aside time for prayers, reading the scriptures, or quiet contemplation.

There will be days when you will have too much on your plate, and you will not accomplish everything on your list. And that’s okay. This is where setting priorities comes in. When you have your priorities set, you’ll accomplish the most important things for the day, and leave others that are not that urgent and important for the next day.

At times, you might be tempted to skip over to Priority # 3 when you have not yet finished Priority #2 because it is easier and more fun. Don’t do it. Be firm in following your priorities. Over time, you will learn that you have more time than you thought of. You will also notice that you accomplish more during the day, even when you set aside significant time for God.

Give God the best part and not the leftovers.

Evaluate How You’re Spending Your Time

Sometimes when you say you don’t have enough time it just means you are not using your time effectively. For example, is it unreasonable for you to say you don’t have time to read a verse or two from the scriptures when you just spent two hours on social media? Evaluate how you are spending your time every day. It will be an eye-opener.

You might find that you are spending more time than you thought on things that don’t matter much, such as computer games, watching TV, and social media. You may want to change your routines and develop better habits. I am no way saying that you need to eliminate these things entirely from your life nor I am suggesting that they should not be important to you. However, compared to spending time with God, they should take a backseat.

You can still do the activities you enjoy and like by strategically scheduling them over the week or month. But, in the process, make sure that it does not affect your time with God.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3: 1).”

Understand that God is Not Only For Sunday and Church

The Zoramites in the Book of Mormon had an interesting way of worshipping God. One by one, they would stand on an elevated place called the Rameumptom, stretch their hands toward heaven, and offer a repetitive prayer. After doing this, “they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again until they assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks [to God] after their manner (Alma 33:23).”

For these people, worshipping God was only confined to a specific place and day of the week. In a modern-day setting, this is just like saying you can only worship God during Sunday at church, which should not be the case.

After witnessing this type of worship, the prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon asked two questions:

“Behold I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?

And moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in a week (Alma 32: 10-11)?”

You know well the answers to both of these questions. Worshipping God involves spending time with Him, and it should not only happen during Sunday at church but every day, anywhere.

Look for a Quiet Time and Place

One of Jesus Christ’s names is the Prince of Peace. This clearly explains what He did and what He prioritized during His life. Jesus Christ understood well that in order to commune with the Father, He needed a peaceful time and place. Therefore, as recorded in the scriptures, He would often rise up early, leave the company of others, and go to solitary places to pray (Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16).

You can do well to follow the example of Jesus Christ in order to spend quality time with the Father. The Father speaks in a still, small voice. Other times, He puts feelings into our hearts. If you are distracted, you will not hear or feel Him.

The definition of a quiet time and place varies for everyone. For some, it is six in the morning while reading the scriptures on a study table. For others, it may be late at night, kneeling by the bedside for a long prayer when the kids are sleeping. Some opt to go to a library or spend time with nature. It does not matter when or where your quiet time and place is. What matters is that it should be your time to just be with God.

Be Realistic When Making Your Schedule

If your plate is full but you want to make time for God, be reasonable with how you plan your schedule. For example, it is not good to immediately block off one hour for reading the scriptures or 30 minutes for praying when you have three young children to take care of. It is not the length but the quality that matters when you are spending time with God.

This is especially true when you are just starting to prioritize God more in your daily schedule. Do it gradually. You may, at first, set aside 15 minutes for God. Then, as you get your footing, you might want to increase it to 30 minutes as time goes on. As you learn to manage your time more effectively, you may be able to give one hour of undivided attention to God and so on.

Pacing is important so you will not get burned out, or discontinue your efforts to spend more time with God completely. With time, you will learn what works and what does not work for you.

Make Use of Reminders

You might get up in the morning and feel absolutely confident that you will spend 30 minutes reading the scriptures later that night. However, as unexpected events arise during the day, you may completely forget about it, and find yourself sleeping soundly in your bed without doing the thing you promised yourself you would do.

It is easy to forget your spiritual goals when things get busy. It is also easy to put things off until tomorrow. As humans, we are bound to forget a lot of things. My suggestion is to make use of reminders.

You could set an alarm on your mobile phone, post sticky notes in places where you will easily see them (e.g. your bathroom mirror), or ask people to remind you verbally. What the old adage says is true – “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Keep Your Appointments with God

Just as you try hard to honor your commitments with other people, you should also do it with God. Your plan to spend time with God is your appointment with Him. Do everything you can to keep it.

Jesus showed us a perfect example of making time for God.  Aside from waking up early and leaving the crowd for a quiet place, he also climbed up a mountain to show His willingness to talk with the Father (Matthew 14:23).

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do not require us to climb mountains just to be with Them. What They ask of us though is to make time for Them in our daily lives and to bring our spirituality to a higher level. Spending more time with Them is as simple as saying one short prayer, reading a scripture verse or two, or just sitting still and waiting for inspiration and revelation to come from above.

These are just a few suggestions to give you a head start. You can spend more time with God as soon as right now if you make the conscious decision to do so.

Can you think of any other practical ideas to add to this list?  Share your thoughts below. We would love to hear them.

Reference:

1 Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Regrets and Resolutions,” Liahona, October 2012, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/of-regrets-and-resolutions?lang=eng

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One of the main focuses for me and my family in 2018 was to better our financial stewardship. I then searched out materials that helped us improve in that area.

One of the things that I focused on is how to recover from bad investments or bad choices when it comes to money. I realized that the principles I have learned with regards to money are also applicable when it comes to our spirituality. To the Lord there is no demarcation line between the temporal and the spiritual, because to Him everything is spiritual. We are still striving to improve, financially and spiritually, but my positivity that the future is bright has increased substantially.

So here are some tips I learned about how to recover from bad choices (financial and spiritual):

1. Don’t Lose Faith

2. Immediately Try for a Refund

3. Don’t Fall for the Sunk Cost Trap

4. Factor in the Opportunity Cost

5. Be Grateful You Know Better

If money is the currency for financial investment, the currency we use in our day to day lives is TIME. Time is the currency of life but unlike money, once time is spent, we cannot take it back. So how do we relate the principles I have shared to our progression in this mortal probation?

1. Don’t Lose Faith

This one is simple. With the bad choices we made in 2018, we may feel discouraged and feel like giving up. But I hope that despite the fact that we made a number of mistakes, we do not forget that we are children of God. And that we are here on earth to learn. The best teacher sometimes is our mistakes. According to studies, the best way to learn is by doing things in real life and actually exercising our agency. So don’t lose faith in yourself, because the moment you do, you are holding back from the good things ahead. It is natural to feel sad, angry, or frustrated but all of these are a matter of choice. You can choose to recover from negative things. Regain the confidence that you can still get to your future goals. It helps if you sing “I Am A Child of God” over and over again.

2. Immediately Try for a Refund

This one is a bit ironic since time cannot be taken back. So how do we get a refund then? For me, this means to immediately repent. Yes, it is true that we cannot take back time but we can repent immediately because for me repentance is a reset button. It does not instantly get things back to normal, but it begins the process so that no matter how long it takes, you have already started on the path. It does not matter who we are, whether we have made huge mistakes, or we have been diligent in obeying the commandments, we all need to repent. Repentance is a continuous process of change and improvement, because being subject to the Fall, we all need to work to progress and be worthy to be with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again. As fallen creatures, it must be our goal to progress every single day of our lives and repentance is the way. If we are at the first rung of the ladder today, we need to strive to be better tomorrow, however small the steps are. Sometimes we make bad choices, and fall back a few steps, but we can get up, shake off the dust and continue moving up the ladder. Repentance does that. You can confidently claim your right for second chances, because that’s what the Atonement is for. The Savior of the world died so we can have second chances, so we can have our refund.

3. Don’t Fall for the Sunk Cost Trap

What is a sunk cost? A sunk cost is something that you cannot get back. An example is a downpayment you can’t get back once you have signed a contract. In life, we also have sunk costs. The could-have-beens, if-onlys, I-wish-I-could-turn-back-times, etc. We just need to move on. Like Lot’s wife, let us not look back at the things that could hinder our progression. We are blinded to the future if we only keep looking toward the past.

4. Factor in the Opportunity Cost

An opportunity cost is the value of the opportunities that are given to you. Example, you lose your opportunity to learn in school if you choose to spend your time skipping classes. In life, we are faced with a lot of choices, every single day. There are consequences to every choice we make. If we know how to factor in Opportunity Costs, we will be able to make right choices. Here’s a scenario. We are all given 24 hours every single day. How we spend those 24 hours is how we are spending life’s currency. So if you choose to use social media upon waking up and not read the scriptures, the cost of receiving divine revelation first thing in the morning is lost to you. Or if you choose to play video games instead of studying for your lessons, the opportunity of getting good grades is lost to you. I hope we understand that in everything we think, say or do, there is a cost. With each cost is attached an opportunity that we either gain or lose.

5. Be Grateful You Know Better

We should be grateful that we have learned from our mistakes. Hopefully, we are better people because of the experiences we have gone through. I hope that every single mistake last year will be a badge we can wear, not because we made them but because we have overcome them, or are striving to, and we can rise up as stronger and better individuals. For that’s what this life is all about: learning and growing.

We have a lot of opportunities to grow. We have things we can look forward to because we have the Savior on our side. I know He is cheering us on despite our shortcomings. I am grateful I know of the Plan of Salvation, for it guides the choices I make every single day. I have my triumphs and I have my downfalls but I am grateful all the same. May we all look forward with faith and not just work hard, but work smart. Let us be worthy of the Holy Ghost so we will be guided to make right choices. I know that Heavenly Father wants us to be happy and He is always ready to bless us with success and abundance if we do our end of the bargain.

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Christmas for Latter-day Saints is centered on the Savior’s birth, life, and Atonement. They commemorate the birth of the Son of the Living God as one of the most important events in the history of man. They remember the love that God the Father has for all mankind when He sent His Only Begotten Son to Earth.  They also remember Mary and Joseph’s obedience in becoming the earthly parents of the Savior.

The Christmas season is also a celebration of the life of Jesus. Latter-day Saints celebrate His life by embracing the spirit of giving and love. During Jesus’ mortal ministry, He gave much of His time caring for the sick, widows, fatherless, and all those who needed physical and spiritual healing. He gave His all, even His life, to save the world from sin. Latter-day Saints celebrate Christ’s life by following His perfect example of giving to those in need in their homes, neighborhoods, communities, and around the world. They give of their time, love, and resources to share the love and light of the Savior Jesus Christ.

Latter-day Saints also remember the Atonement of Jesus Christ and rejoice because of the gifts that were made possible because of His Atoning sacrifice. The gifts of repentance, forgiveness, and eternal life are just some of the gifts available only because of His Atonement. They remember His sufferings and death, and they rejoice that He is risen.

In one of his Christmas Devotional addresses, the late prophet, Thomas S. Monson, shared the most valuable gifts we have because Jesus came to Earth. He said, “Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow…Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence. Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or distress, wherever they may be. Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came. Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life.”

In past years, the efforts of Latter-day Saints during Christmas have revolved around the theme “Light the World”. Lighting the world means gladdening hearts, comforting those who are in need of comfort, giving selfless service, rescuing those who need spiritual healing, loving those who are oppressed, and inviting others to do the same. Lighting the world means sharing the Savior’s light with everyone they meet. And sharing the Savior’s light to help others come unto Him is what Christmas is for.

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“We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” (Articles of Faith 1:9)

And the Savior does lead His Church by continuous revelation, as seen by the number of announcements and changes enacted by President Russel M. Nelson. One of these changes includes using the full name of the Church and dropping the nicknames “Mormons”, “the Mormon church”, and “LDS church” among others. Another is the decrease in Sunday services from 3 hours to 2 hours so we can focus on gospel learning at home in addition to a traditional church setting. This bold move, following various changes in the Church in recent years, has garnered various reactions from members and from the general public. During the time of President Thomas S. Monson, the age of full time missionaries allowed to serve was lowered. There is a need for all these changes and we will come to see why this is so.

The Need for Continuous Revelation in Our Days

As the adversary continuously upgrades his evil schemes, it is very important that we seek what the Lord wants us to do to keep up with the times. The cunning ways of Satan may ensnare us and take us away from the covenant path. Through the revelations given to His chosen prophet, the Lord directs His Church and gives instructions on how to upgrade our defense against the evil one. With this continuous guidance, we can make necessary changes that will enable us to endure in the last days.

The Need to Use the True Name of the Church

One of the most talked about revelations given recently is the directive to drop the common nicknames of the Church and to use its full name, which is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is so much need for this change no matter how subliminal it may seem. A beautiful article that expresses the depth of this revelation can be read here:
https://faith.ph/common-questions/why-mormons-change-name/

The Need for a Shorter Sunday Meeting Block

Focusing on Gospel learning at home is the main goal of this change. The way I see it, there is a great need to do this for spiritual self-reliance. We are in the last days, a time when wars, rumors of wars and different calamities are prophesied to occur. There might be times when it will be difficult to make it to a meetinghouse or the seminary and institute buildings to be taught and to learn gospel principles. If not in a home setting, where will we have it then? The Lord wants our testimonies to remain strong in those times, and for us to be able to feel the Spirit of God, even at home. Where better to nurture our testimonies and fan the ember of faith if not within our families? The Lord wants us to emphasize teaching and practicing gospel principles in a more personal way.

The Need for Opening our Minds and our Hearts for Coming Changes

There will be more changes to come. It is not an issue of what revelations and when they will be given, but more how we will take them that matters. Let us broaden our understanding and live by faith. As the world evolves, the need for further instructions from God becomes more vital. Yes, “He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God”

At the foundation of all these is the truth that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are mindful of us. These changes protect us and strengthen us, not only as a Church collectively, but individually as well. If we take them to heart and live in accordance to these inspired counsels, we can have personal security, even in these “perilous times”.

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However bleak the idea may be, my heart found strength in the knowledge that my Heavenly Father has my back. I then made a list of reasons why I need not doubt.

I Have the Gospel and I Can Teach Them the Plan of Salvation

Knowing the Plan of Salvation, we draw inspiration from the knowledge that there is a purpose to mortality. We understand where we came from and why we are here on Earth. It is inspiring to know that I will have opportunities to tell my children of a loving Heavenly Father and of the Great Atoning Sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. The world, with all that is unfair in it, is made brighter by the Gospel. Armed with this testimony, I have an assurance that the future is as bright as our faith. Our faith may not shield us from all the negative things in life but it will raise us to a level of understanding that makes sense of it all.

When we teach our children the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can rest assured that they will have the right foundation to base their life on.

Heavenly Father Depends on Us to Give His Spirit Children Physical Bodies

Equipped with a physical body and able to conceive children within the bonds of marriage, we have one of the greatest errands divinely given to God’s children – to be procreators with God to bring His spirit children to earth. I am often reminded that when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to His help. When it comes to bearing children, I am confident that my Father in Heaven will never leave me helpless. Parenthood is not easy but help is always available. Call upon the Lord through prayer and He will always hear you. He is counting on us to bring about His work in carrying out His plan.

Let Us Not Deprive Them of This Mortal Experience

When the foundations of the earth were laid, “all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:4-7). It must have been such a glorious moment when we learned in the premortal world that we would be able to come to Earth and experience mortality. But since passing through the veil of forgetfulness, we cannot fully recall that experience. Nevertheless, this gift of mortality must be undergone by all of God’s children. If we feel that we do not need to bring children into this world, we are, in a way, limiting opportunities for Heavenly Father’s spirit children to come and experience mortality. Not all of us have the opportunity and/or capacity to bear children but we all have the power of choice to love and take care of them. We all have different circumstances in life, but I believe we can be united in the knowledge that we have been given the chance to be here on Earth, so let us make the same opportunity available to others as well.

As world conditions tend to be unfavorable for parents bringing children into mortality, let us not forget that there is a Plan for us to find joy in this life. May we continue to be steadfast in our efforts to obey the Lord’s commandments and be true to our covenants. By doing so we will find the peace and assurance that our efforts to bear and nurture children in these trying times are never wasted. I know that the heavens smile upon us as we move forward with faith in building up the Lord’s kingdom here on Earth. So when you begin to doubt if it is still worth it, “Take heart, brothers and sisters. Yes, we live in perilous times, but as we stay on the covenant path, we need not fear.”

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