I Choose You

I had been home from Montana for 4 months, almost exactly to the day. That was the day I had looked forward to. It was the day that months of emails had been eluding to, it was the day that everything could change from a hope to a real. The day Elder McCandless flew home.

After almost of month of not writing to each other as we remained obedient to President Mecham's council I was so ready to hear from my missionary. He'd asked for my phone number so he wouldn't have to "test my patience any longer than necessary." I don't think my family enjoyed being around me that day. They'd heard all about this Montana missionary, they'd read snippets of his emails but that day I couldn't stop pacing... I wasn't very good company that day. But finally I got a message on Facebook!!!

I got my phone call the next night and for the first time I talked to Brandon rather than Elder McCandless. I was grateful to realize that there really wasn't a difference. Brandon was every bit as kind, sweet and present as Elder McCandless was. After a wonderful conversation we agreed that I would drive to Huntington on Tuesday and have our first date. 

We met in the church parking lot on Main Street, because according to Brandon... his house didn't have an address. I realized then how small Huntington must really be. I remember watching Brandon pull up in his white Toyota with his ear to ear grin and knowing he was truly as great as I remembered him being. I got another first as he wrapped me in a big hug. Elder McCandless defiantly hadn't done that before!! haha His big arms and shoulders made me feel small and I loved it.  We enjoyed a wonderful and memorable first date up at Little Bear Campground and I was excited to see where this journey was going to take me. 

Brandon's homecoming talk was inspiring. He testified boldly of the Savior and his desire to be a disciple of Christ. 

His house was full of people that loved and supported him. I got to meet more of his family but spent much of the time with some other MBM missionaries that had come to support their friend. I teased him that I had to wait in a line of girls to get a word in but that wasn't true, Brandon sought me out and made me feel like a million bucks!!

Brandon quickly became my best friend as we talked every single day. He was so sweet and always willing to reach out to me even on busy or hard days. We spent time together whenever we could. This was hard since we lived so far away but we both strived to make it work. For a time he moved up north and lived with his aunt so we could be closer. It was there in his aunt Caths house that Brandon leaned down and gave me my very first kiss. 

Dating Brandon was always an adventure. We found many ways to entertain ourselves and learn about each other. I learned that Brandon is true to his desert roots and loves Dinosaurs and fossils. I saw his deep relationship with his family and the love they share. I learned he swims like one of the rocks he loves so much haha ;) Sorry Bubba! haha I benefited from his big heart and true desire to make those around him happy!

Brandon and I at my favorite park!

Riding the ferris wheel at Art City Days.

Hanging out in Huntington.

Attending the Payson temple open house.

Little Bear Campground

Swimming at Grandma Taylor's on Memorial Day.

Visiting the Provo temple.

Hitting up the Dino Museum!

Hanging out in Springville.

Those closest to us know that our dating story was not always easy and smooth. We encountered our own trials that tested and in the end strengthened and deepened our relationship. Although these trials were very real and difficult, looking back, neither of us would have it any other way. We learned so much about ourselves and each other and most importantly, grew closer to our Father in Heaven. 

We had a lot of adventures together and I'm grateful for every single minute that I get to spend with my Bubba! I choose you!!

Letters From My Missionary

Meg  "Hey! How was your week? How is your new companion? How is Chris? Did he go to church on Sunday? Do you miss me yet?”

Elder McCandless  "Hi Meghann! This week went by so fast! and its sooo cold!! It’s been negative ten all week down here...soo cold!!  But things are going so good Chris came to Church and loved it. And Yes I miss you!!

Meg  "Hello my friend!! Thanks for your email and your testimony, it was awesome! Being home is really great, and not nearly as scary we build it up to be. I've had so much fun catching up with family and friends but mostly I've been pleasantly surprised to realize that I've been able to bring so much of my mission home with me. I love sharing the gospel and I'm so happy I haven't had to give that up in coming home."

Elder McCandless  "That is so neat you are able to still share the Gospel back at home!! I am so excited to get to do that when i get back home. I have a few friends that i hope and pray i will be able to bless and serve back home i just hope i can be an influence to them to help them find that same happiness i feel everyday. :) Megs I hope you know that you are simply amazing and i have always thought that. You are such an incredible missionary now and then but honestly I think the world of your attributes and your traits and just you.”

Meg  "Did you have an awesome Thanksgiving? I'm so happy to hear all the miracles that you are experiencing, although I'm not surprised, Faith precedes the miracle and I've seen that in you again and again.  I had a few eye opening experiences this week. I realized that each one of us have unique trials that we will be required to pass through. Each of us are tested and stretched differently but in every situation a loving Savior knows exactly how to succor each one individually. I can see my friends growing in their extremities and I'm so humbled to learn from their examples.”

Elder McCandless  “We had a miracle with a person we tracked into this week. Her name is Rochelle and we taught her the first lesson and she is on date for Jan 10th. It was so special to experience the spirit working in her. I caught a glimpse of Gods love for her, It was amazing to feel! I Loved what you said about the trials we each have. I have seen that so much in the field and back home. I believe that we each face unique trials and opposition in life in order to qualify for the eternal blessing of life. Without these qualifying trials we would not have the ability to use the gift of agency and grow and really wouldn't become what God sees us becoming through the atonement of His Divine son.”

Megs   "Are you enjoying the Christmas Season? I loved Christmas on my mission! We did so many fun things. Have you gone Christmas Caroling yet? That was my favorite. "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing aloud for all to hear." Especially when you sing like Elder McCandless does!! I've really loved getting to know you more through your emails. They are a high light of my week.”

Elder McCandless   “We had our Christmas devotional this week and it was special to see and to feel the spirit of Christmas so strongly. President and Sister Mecham did such a beautiful job. I personally loved Sister Mecham’s talk about Him as the Gift to all the World. I was super touched... Transfers are coming up too!! I have two more and that is it!! That is so crazy for me to think about. I just hope I can do what the Lord expects of me so that i may serve him as my My King… I hope you are having the most amazing week at work and with family and everything. thank you for your emails. They are a huge lift to my whole week. I love them. please be safe and always be believing!!”

Megs   "I loved listening to President and Sister Mecham speak! They have the spirit with them so strongly and always know exactly what to say. I had many prayers answered through their words… Anyway, thanks for playing my game, and thank you for always being willing to share you testimony with me! Your experiences are a strength to me and I'm sure to everyone else you are writing to. I loved hearing about your opportunity to fast and receive an answer. God is good! Cant wait to hear all of your stories from this week.” 

Elder McCandless  "GUESS WHAT!! I’m training a new missionary for the last of my mission!! How neat is that!? I cant even tell you how excited I am to train a new missionary especially so close off my mission. Only twelve weeks left!! Things for me have been so incredible we put another person on date and the Lord has been so good to us. I’m excited because we have a lot of amazing work that is happening for this new missionary to dive into.”

Megs   "My week went a lot different then I'd imagined. Thursday I was in the middle of a photo shoot and Sasha came and took my camera and told me my mom was on the phone, my grandpa had just passed away...  I've been feeling so grateful for my knowledge of the plan of salvation. I can't imagine how people face something like this without a knowledge that we are an eternal family and that I will see him again. I've also been grateful that he didn't pass while I was in Montana. He was really bad this spring and I had to come to terms with the fact that I might not see him again in this life. I was blessed to make it home in time to spend 5 weeks with him. I got to sing to him again, which is what he wanted. I got to laugh at his humor that he never lost through it all.”

Elder McCandless   "Im so sorry to hear about your Grandpa that is defiantly a very hard thing .  things like that really make me grateful to know the things i know.. My grandpa died too not to long ago ... and it was kind of the same thing where we knew it was going to happen. I got the Call from President Mecham and after i got called my companion and I went to  the Church and i took some time to my self to pray and ponder about his life as best i could. i was overcome with the spirit that confirmed to me that he is ok. that was all i needed and i am forever grateful for that experience. ”

Megs   "Can you believe it's almost 2015!! Happy New Year! When I think back over this year I can't help but feel totally grateful for what I have, my life is so blessed in so many ways. I feel like I can't thank my Heavenly Father enough for He truly has opened the windows of heaven in my life. I am so thankful for my family. I feel closer to them now than ever before. I have such a powerful relationship with them and I'm grateful for their examples of faith, love and strength. They are true friends to me and they support me in more ways than I can say. I also  have the most amazing friends who inspire and lift me each time I am around them. I have the friends who not only make me laugh until my sides ache but they are the friends who want to read scriptures with me, and they help build my testimony everyday. I absolutely love my job!  It challenges me and helps me to become better at something that I have a passion for. It gives me a creative outlet and a way to express myself. I'm thankful for you too. I'm not sure how you are feeling and I don't know what the future holds but I know that every week that I get an email from you I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Thank you for sharing your story, your testimony and just giving me something to look forward too. My life is good! God is good!”

Elder McCandless  "I have learned this season where true and complete happiness comes from. I saw a lot of presents given and time spent with others, but the happiest people i saw in the whole world was simply those who remembered a story of a boy born in a manger no crib for His bed. This little boy was wrapped by his loving mother in swaddling clothes. Mary the Mother of the only Begotten Son of God covenanted that she would raise him with all she had unto God. This little boy grew up with goodly parents and became all that His Father needed him to Become for our salvation. I am forever in debt to that little boy born so long ago who descended under all things and who ascended above all things that He might draw you and I to him for eternal life with His Father and our Father.”

Megs  "I overheard someone talking this week and they said, "It seems like you always end up exactly where you are suppose to be." I haven't even been home for very long and I've already seen that in my own life. God knew me better than I knew myself and He arranged a wonderful life for me here. When I was moving to Salt Lake I murmured that even after being released as a missionary I still didn't get to choose my next transfer, but just like on my mission the transfer He chose for me is exactly right. I really enjoyed you last email! You are so good to me, That isn't a surprise though, you've always been so sweet to me.”

Elder McCandless  “One special thing I witnessed this week was about being filled with charity and using it. I could remember small instances when I could feel the Love God had for those I taught. I prayed very much to be filled with it and that's really what started all the miracles this week. I have learned The Holy Ghost can operate in our lives and it can pour out blessings through us if we are filled with that Love of God even Charity.  Charity is an ingredient for revelation.  Its been a Wonderful week.”

Megs   "Your emails always inspire me to be better! I loved what you said about praying to be filled with Charity. I know the times in my life, and on my mission that I focused on that I saw miracles. It's true that, Christ-like love can change the world. I know it has changed the small corner of the world that I live in. Your companion sounds like an awesome missionary! I wish I could meet him. I'm glad he has an awesome trainer!”

Elder McCandless  "I want to share with you My testimony Megs. :) and I want you too to know that I love the Lord with all my heart and I will serve him valiantly. I will give all that I have for Him. He is my life and light. He is what makes me whole and fills my heart with joy. He is the Only Begotten of the Father.  He has saved me and redeemed me. I would give all I can and have even all that i hope to become to stand in His Presence and to gaze at his Glory. I know He lives.”

Megs  "We are both lucky enough to say we were Montana Billings Missionaries under the direction of the best mission president in the world! I hope to support you in your calling as a consecrated missionary! The last two months of your mission are going to be so powerful! I know that our missions our unique and you wont have the exact same experience as me. What I'm saying is, I want you to have the best mission possible and learn everything you can. If God is giving you instruction I'm glad you are willing to follow it. Through my mission experience I have gained a testimony that, the most important reason why is because we love God and understand His love for us. I know that the end of your mission is going to be wonderful, so give it all your heart, might, mind and strength. Be obedient, work hard! It doesn't matter if you have 8 weeks left or 28 weeks left, I'm not going anywhere.”

Elder McCandless  "So this week I do have some people that you can pray for. Their names are Rochelle and Kyler, they are Mother and Son. Rochelle has had a very rough life with abuse, drugs and sexual immorallity and other things. My heart breaks for her. She is trying so hard to change her life around and she is doing a wonderful job. and her interview is comming up she is nervous because of her past. She wants so badly to go to the Temple and be active in the Church. So if you could this week pray for her and her son to do well in their interview and that the spirit will be present their that would be wonderful!!”

Megs  "I have no doubt that you will be able to help your district, you are a wonderful leader!! You lead from the front as an example of charity and hard work! Yet you are humble and always open for others input and ideas. You are like your own sun!! You are warm and open and always have that beautiful smile on your face!! The light of the Savior is in your countenance and I know that your District loves you! Everyone loves Elder McCandless. So don't stress about your new assignments, I have every confidence in the world in you.”

Elder McCandless   "So guess what we had two baptisms this last weekend and yes Kyler and Rachelle both made it!! How amazing is that!! Im so excited for them!! it was so powerful and there were many tears shed from everyone. she asked me to baptize her and it was so special.. I was so full of emotion i think mostly because I truly love these two.. they have come such a long ways and have over come so very much.. I am so proud of them. I have an everlasting testimony of this work and divinity of the son of god and this is Gods work and we cant do it without him.”

Megs  "I know your computer time is very limited and I know it's hard to fit everything in. I really love Mondays! I check my phone 20 times Monday morning waiting to hear from you. I love everyone of your emails and find excuse to re-read them half a dozen times through out the week. Thank you for sharing your testimony in each letter. I love this gospel. It has touched and shaped every part of my life. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. He is my best friend.

Elder McCandless  “I will be coming home March 14th and My bishop told my Mom that he wants my Homecoming to be on the 22nd of March. So I will have one week in between time. You don’t have to worry about it that's not a trunky topic. In fact I’ll just say this, that I hope with all my heart you will be there or I’m just gonna be one horribly sad returned missionary... ;)”

Megs  "I will absolutely come to your homecoming. I'm so excited. I'm kinda bummed to hear that I have to wait an extra week to see you though. Haha Again, I'm working on my patience. Maybe in the week you get home, after you've had a chance to catch up with family and friends we can work out a day to see each other. That would be fun, just let me know. Of course I will still come to your talk! You couldn't keep me away.”

Elder McCandless  "This week in MLC we came to together to meet about how we can transform the mission for the new mission president and it was powerful and so such an amazing feeling and there was so much council given. One thing though that was said to President Mecham was interesting. There is now a new counsel  given to the mission that all Missionaries now serving cannot email or have contact  with those that served in the same mission in the same time period that you have.... He told us that that there really are no exceptions to this new thing. Its not going to be policy but he challenged us as a MLC to take the Lead and too teach this quickly to all other Missionaries. I thought about this a lot and honestly Im very comforted in following his council. I did commit to follow his council that this means that this will be the last email i will get to send you.  I Want to Follow the Lord with all my heart. I love the Lord with all my heart and it will always be that way. He is my king and friend. It is going to stink to not hear from you for the last little bit of my mission. I am so forever grateful for our friendship and that we get to continue it.  I want you too know that you have been such a strength to me and i am so grateful for that. I love each of your emails. I love your testimony and with all sincerity Im going to miss them.

Megs  "I hope that your last few weeks as Elder McCandless are amazing! I'm excited to hear all about them. Please know that I will be thinking of you. I want you to know that I really like you Brandon. You are an amazing guy and I feel very blessed to know you. Please be safe, work hard and then come home and find me!"

Finding my frog among the falls!

Wow! It's been a long time since I wrote a blog post. I started this blog as a missionary in hopes that I could reach a few hearts in sharing my testimony of Jesus Christ. I quickly found that the heart that was changing was mine. The opportunity to study a gospel topic and share my feelings through the words of my blog helped me to sort through my thoughts, increase and knowledge and most importantly strengthen my relationship with my Father in Heaven.

So here I am again. 9 months have passed since I took off my badge and picked up my normal life again. My sweet sister started blogging (www.mandnking.blogspot.com) and I realized just how much I missed the chance to express my feelings here. A lot has happened in the months since I've been home. A lot of things that I should have been sharing here, most noticeably... I became a McCandless!! I'm going to give you a brief catch up of our love story, and then I hope to find many more opportunities to share my story, testimony and heart here.

I met Elder McCandless, June 2014 after being transferred back to my original area of Great Falls Montana! I had been out on my mission a year at this time and had just been called as a Sister Training Leader over the Great Falls and Great Falls East Zones. I remember calling a meeting with Elder McCandless and his companion almost immediately in an effort to unify with them in their efforts to help the missionaries in their zone.



Elder McCandless was famous for his positive attitude and permanent smile. He quickly became a friend of mine as I watched how he treated those around him and the respect and love that he showed to me and my companion. He was hard working and dedicated to his Savior. His testimony didn't need to be spoken (although he chose to share it often) you could feel it as you stood in his presence. He treated Sister Greenfield and I as if we were valuable assets to his zone. He listened to and sought after our opinions, and then treated our ideas like they were gold. 


I remember once asking my companion, "Do you know who would make an AMAZING husband?  Elder McCandless!!" I never even considered the idea that he would end up being MY husband! But he was humble and treated women like they were on a pedestal. I knew whoever ended up with him would be treated like a queen.

Missionaries don't usually spend a lot of time with other missionaries, especially Sisters and Elders together but as the 4th of July drew nearer I was given the opportunity to spend time with Elder McCandless and get to know him even better. The missionaries were going to walk in the Great Falls parade and a group of us were put in charge of creating a float of the Salt Lake Temple. We spent about a week in that garage, building and painting and having a blast. The parade was a huge success and I knew that I had an amazing friend.

As the Zone Leader it was his responsibility to drive the Sister Training Leaders to far away areas for exchanges. So we got everything arranged and Elder McCandless and Beck drove us the two hours to Shelby Montana. About an hour and a half into the drive, just outside the small town of Conrad, the truck sputtered, then chocked and then rolled to a stop. We were out of gas! Poor Elder McCandless was mortified as he realized he'd forgotten to fill up before we headed out. In other places this oversight might not be that big of an issue but in Montana the towns are few and far between. I couldn't stop laughing! The simple trip to Shelby had just become an adventure. Luckily we were not far from where the Conrad Elders served so we gave them a call. "Um... Elders, we ran out of gas." Elder McCandless said with a sigh. "Oh!" The Conrad Elders said, "Where are you?" I will never forget Elder McCandless' response as it sent me into another fit of giggles. "I don't know!! Out by some field, staring at some ponies!" We were eventually rescued and I will forever have that fond memory.

We only had one transfer together in Great Falls, just 6 weeks of Montana summer and Elder McCandless was moved to Corvallis. It wasn't long before I was mid-transferred to Billings and the mission went on. By that fall I was in my last area and my time as a full-time missionary was winding up. I was in Wyoming this time and I loved it! The people in Powell are amazing, the work was going forward and I loved my companion! As my last transfer came around I heard a rumor... Elder McCandless was being transferred to Wyoming as well. He was going to be the District Leader in Cowley. I was excited at the chance to serve around my friend again and hear him teach the gospel. 

The last transfer of my mission was a lot of work which brought about the opportunity to see many blessings. It was a wonderful end to an amazing year and a half. I enjoyed every chance I had to see my friend Elder McCandless and was grateful for the things that I learned from him. He taught me in District and Zone meetings but he also taught me a lot through his personal efforts to be a disciple of Christ. 

My last Preparation Day was spent in the Cody WY stake center playing games with the whole zone. I talked to Elder McCandless there and realized that this couldn't be the last time I talked to my friend. He was a good person and I knew that I wanted to stay in contact with him. I decided then I would email him when I got home. He still had 4 months left but I could continue to support him. We took a picture, and said see ya later.

I never could have known then just how important he would be to me! Brandon is every good thing that I knew then, and so much more. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to meet Elder McCandless! Who knew my fairy tale would start in Great Falls Montana!

Like Leaven

Why does God want us to live "In the world, but not of the world?" Wouldn't it just be easier for us all to pack up and head for the hills where we could live as the Monks do all alone or with only those of our same beliefs?

Dallin H. Oaks taught "We must live in the world because, as Jesus taught in a parable, His kingdom is “like leaven,” whose function is to raise the whole mass by its influence. (Matt 13:33)  His followers cannot do that if they associate only with those who share their beliefs and practices. But the Savior also taught that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments"

In my personal study the last few days I've been reading near the end of the Book of Mormon where Mormon's story is told. His calling was truly to live in the world. He speaks of a scene of war and carnage continually before him. In fact "there never had been so great wickedness among all the children of Lehi." They "did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them." Mormon is a perfect example of what it means to be "like leaven" in the world, without succumbing to the influences of the world around him.
 
"Followers of Christ should be examples of civility. We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable." -Oaks

I was impressed by the genuine love Mormon had for his rebellious and wicked brethren. In Chapter 3 he says. "notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the love of God which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them; nevertheless, it was without faith, because of the hardness of their hearts." 

Eventually their "wickedness and abomination" led Mormon to remove himself from his brethren and he refused to be their leader. However it wasn't long until his love for them caused him to repent of his oath and again take up position to lead them. Mormon then shares his lament over the darkest days in the Nephite history. His soul was rent with anguish, because of the slain of his people as he cried his famous, "Oh ye fair ones."

Elder Oaks continued, "When our positions do not prevail, we should accept unfavorable results graciously and practice civility with our adversaries. In any event, we should be persons of goodwill toward all, rejecting persecution of any kind."

"The commandment to love one another surely includes love and respect across religious lines and also across racial, cultural, and economic lines... In so many relationships and circumstances in life, we must live with differences. Where vital, our side of these differences should not be denied or abandoned, but as followers of Christ we should live peacefully with others who do not share our values or accept the teachings upon which they are based... As a Book of Mormon prophet taught, we must press forward, having “a love of God and of all men” (2 Ne 31:20)

The Savior showed us the way. As we face a troubled world with differing and sometimes wicked opinions, loving-kindness is required, but follower of Christ—just like the Master—will be firm in the truth. May we all be "like leaven" while we dwell in the world but not of it. Do not hide yourself away from others not of our faith, but let your light shine and be a blessing to all those around you. I know that God will bless us in our efforts to invite other to come unto Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Suprising Science Behind "Supremely Happy" People

I read an article on the Church News that really fasinated me and I thought I would share a brief overview:
https://www.lds.org/church/news/the-surprising-science-behind-supremely-happy-people?cid=HPFR102414513&lang=eng
 
It is a fact, human beings want to be happy, They cannot get rid of that pursuit. Type in ‘happiness’ on Amazon.com and you’ll find 2,000 books on happiness.

Statistics show that one in four people struggle with depression in the United States, It is a common thing, but we treat it as if it is some sort of stigma. We don’t do that with diabetes and think that person must not be spiritual, or that a person with cancer must be sinning.

Sometimes a normal day consists of challenges. Boyde K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “It was meant to be that life would be a challenge. To suffer some anxiety, some depression, some disappointment, even some failure is normal. Teach our members that if they have a good, miserable day once in a while, or several in a row, to stand steady and face them. Things will straighten out. There is great purpose in our struggle in life”(That All May Be Edified [1982], 94).
 
What can we do? How can we help ourselves? Kate Bratskeir, a happiness researcher, took data from multiple happiness studies from the past 40 years and put together a list of what she called “The Habits of Supremely Happy People,”

Ten things that supremely happy people do:

1.       Happy people surround themselves with other happy people. Joy is contagious. People are four times more likely to be happy in the future with happy people around them.

2.       Happy people try to be happy. When happy people don’t feel happy, they cultivate a happy thought and smile about it.

3.       Happy people spend money more on others than they spend on themselves. Givers experience what scientists call the “helper’s high.”

4.       Happy people have deep in-person conversations. Sitting down to talk about what makes a person tick is a good practice for feeling good about life.

5.       Happy people use laughter as a medicine. A good old-fashioned chuckle releases lots of good neurotransmitters. A study showed that children on average laugh 300 times a day versus adults who laugh 15 times a day.

6.       Happy people use the power of music. Researchers found that music can match the anxiety-reducing effects of massage therapy.

7.       Happy people exercise and eat a healthful diet. Eating a poor diet can contribute to depression.

8.       Happy people take the time to unplug and go outside. Uninterrupted screen time brings on depression and anxiety.

9.       Happy people get enough sleep. When people run low on sleep, they are prone to feel a lack of clarity, bad moods, and poor judgment.

10.   Happy people are spiritual.

I know that this life can be hard, that depression is a real problem that many of our loved ones face every single day. I also know that sometimes those same challenges and hardships are exactly what we need in order to grow and become more like Jesus Christ. Don't pray away your trials. Accept them, learn from them! He will be there with you as you strive to become more like him. I love you all, and so does He.

30 Day Challenge

During a Zone Training this week I was given a 30 Day Challenge that I want to extend to each of you. As I listened to the Challenge the Spirit touched my heart letting me know that I had some work to do! It's not an easy challenge, but I know that is what makes it so worthwhile.

"During an informal fireside address held with a group of adult Latter-day Saints, the leader directing the discussion invited participation by asking the question: “How can you tell if someone is converted to Jesus Christ?” For forty-five minutes those in attendance made numerous suggestions in response to this question, and the leader carefully wrote down each answer on a large blackboard. All of the comments were thoughtful and appropriate. But after a time, this great teacher erased everything he had written. Then, acknowledging that all of the comments had been worthwhile and appreciated, he taught a vital principle: “The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people.” Marvin J Ashton

How are we treating one another? Specifically how are we speaking one to another?

“The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.”

Is this something we could all work on just a little? Is this an area in which we could each try to be a little more converted to Jesus Christ?

"The voice that bears profound testimony, utters fervent prayer, and sings the hymns of Zion can be the same voice that berates and criticizes, embarrasses and demeans, inflicts pain and destroys the spirit of oneself and of others in the process. “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing... “My brethren and sisters, these things ought not so to be.” Jeffrey R. Holland

If you feel like you can do better in this way, I hope you will find this 30 Day Challenge to be as inspired as I did.

PHASE 1: NO NEGATIVE WORDS ONE TO ANOTHER

"None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we’re trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses... Be one who nurtures and who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them." Marvin J Ashton

I know as we strive to refrain from speaking negatively to or about each other we will be closer to the spirit and to those we love. 

PHASE 2: NO WORDS TO OFFEND THE SPIRIT

Please accept one of Elder Holland’s maxims for living, "No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse." Take an inventory of your speech. Are your words offensive to the Spirit? In what ways are your words limiting the Holy Ghost. In order to do better I offer a few ideas of caution:

• • Don't use words full of
   anger or hurt or defensiveness, it will drive away the Holy Ghost.
• • Remember a murmuring tongue shows a lack of faith, understanding and charity. 
• • 
  Be cautious with humor. Loud, inappropriate laughter will offend the Spirit. A good sense of humor helps revelation; loud laughter does not.”
• • 
  Another enemy to the spirit comes from exaggeration or loudness in what is stated. Careful, quiet speech will favor the receipt of revelation.
• • 
  You cannot lie. W
  e must be honest with ourselves, honest with God, and with our fellowmen. 

It's interesting to note that each week as we take the sacrament with our mouths, which is the very member that gets most of us into trouble during the week. Maybe this is a reminder not a coincidence. 

PHASE 3 NO UNCLEAN THOUGHTS

So what are the thoughts of your heart? What do you hear whispered to your mind each time you make a choice? What is your innermost desire? Are you driven my a love for Heavenly Father or are you an instant judge? Which way do you face, in or out? This step is the most challenging but the most important because our thoughts determine who I am. 

"I suppose it goes without saying that negative speaking so often flows from negative thinking, including negative thinking about ourselves. We see our own faults, we speak—or at least think—critically of ourselves, and before long that is how we see everyone and everything. No sunshine, no roses, no promise of hope or happiness. Before long we and everybody around us are miserable." Holland

President Monson said "So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference... We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude."

THE PRIZE: "let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever."

"So, in this long eternal quest to be more converted to our Savior, may we try to be “perfect” in at least this one way now—by offending not in word, or more positively put, by speaking with a new tongue, the tongue of angels. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity." Holland

Ponder the path of thy feet

"In thousands of different ways we are privileged to choose for ourselves."

At different times in each life we come to a point of decision. Maybe that choice is career, school, marriage, mission, children, retirement etc. With so many choices ahead of us it is sometimes intimidating to make a decision because we don't know the effects that one decision can have on the rest of our life.

Of all the choices we make "There is no higher end than this, that we should choose to accept His discipline and become His disciples and do His work throughout our lives. Nothing else, no other choice we make, can make of us what He can."

When I heard this in conference last weekend I realized that of all the choices that lay ahead of me after my mission the most important is to follow the path laid out by the Savior. In the end my Father in Heaven will not ask me where I worked or which neighborhood I chose to live in, but He will ask me what good I did with it. 

What would Jesus Christ do with the opportunities you have been blessed with?

 

"Of paramount importance we have been provided with a perfect example to follow... All of us can walk the path He walked when, with His words ringing in our ears, His Spirit filling out hearts, and His teachings guiding our lives."

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the words of Christ, and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father: ye shall have eternal life." 2 Ne 31:19

The Saviors example is perfect and simple. It is laid out in the open for all to see and learn from. If the path is so clearly marked, why is it that so many deviate from it and do not correct their course?

"The Saviors example provides a framework for everything that we do, and His words provide an unfailing guide. His path will take us safely home."

Quotes from Thomas S. Monson Oct 2014 Ponder the path of thy feet