My declaration: I do believe in a Deity. I believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I believe in the Supreme Creator of the universe. I believe in the Father of our spirits. I believe in the Giver of all good gifts, including life itself. "We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." (Joseph Smith, see Articles of Faith)
I believe in the power of creation. I belief that God has given us life and agency and, along with that, the ability to redefine ourselves and recreate who we are from day to day by the choices we make, the things we think (including the books we read or the blogs we write), and the deeds we do. Hence, when we feel to proclaim, "Life is good," it can very well be because we feel good about our choices and the direction we are headed.
But I affirm that "life" itself is good. The length of life or the quality of life, according to worldly standards of health, doesn't matter. Life is good! I believe that is because God is good, and whatsoever comes from God is good. (See James 1:17-18)
I feel to exclaim that life is and was good for my infant son who just lived 2 1/2 hours. I know that he was grateful to receive a mortal body, that his spirit lives on, and that he will take up his physical body again in the resurrection. This faith I have because I believe in the resurrection of Christ. Indeed, life is good. Our Father who has granted us earthly life, immortality, and the possibility of eternal life is good.
I am glad for the knowledge that I have of a pre-earth life, this earthly life, and life beyond death. Life is a miracle; in all of its stages, it remains a miracle. It is not something that mortal man can copy. But as children of God, we have the seeds of deity right within us, and He has permitted us to have the power of procreation wherein we can help provide His spirit children with physical bodies. Life and the power to perpetuate life is truly a gift.
For all the dear family members that I have said good-bye to for a time, I do believe and I must believe I will see you again! I feel it in my heart, and the Spirit testifies to my spirit that it is so. I feel the warmth of the testimony coursing through my veins. Both you and this testimony are an essential part of who I am. I know that Ed’s life is not snuffed out; nor is Robby’s; nor is my dear sister Kathy’s. Life is good; they are good; and they continue in God who is not only good, but great.
Tears flow freely as a think about my recently departed sister. She indeed had a testimony that life is good. I never once saw her bitter. Her circumstances or the quality of her life did not affect her testimony that life is good. Not once did she want people to feel sorry for her or pity her. She loved life; she loved her family and friends; and she was the best example of creating an atmosphere of happiness and faith no matter what. She even went so far as to say her cancer was kind. Why? Because it gave her time to concentrate on all the things that matter most and to have a couple more years to really enjoy her family, friends, and this beautiful world that we live in. Also, because she knew that cancer was not going to really bring an end to her life, but that life would and does continue for her. She believes in the resurrection as do I. I hope that I can face the challenges of life as well as she did with this motto: “Come what may and love it.” (Joseph B. Worthlin, see Article from October 2008 Conference)
I am so thankful to have the gift of life. I know that God who is the Creator gave me life. I know that I do not have the power to even maintain life on my own, but that He is the one who sustains me from day to day by giving me breath and nourishment through this beautiful earth on which we live. (See Mosiah 2:20-22, word from King Benjamin.)
So whether my individual days are good days or bad days, I do proclaim that life is good. We do experience joys and sorrows, and often there is sorrow mixed in with our joys. But even in the midst of sorrows, I feel my Savior’s love, and I still do proclaim, “Life is good.” I find that the sorrows help me to remember Him and to value life more. And when everything seems to be going along perfectly, I hope that I will do better at stopping to be thankful to Him and to those who have enriched my life and blessed me to be able to enjoy all the wonderful things I enjoy. I acknowledge that I am nothing of myself. But because God has chosen me to be His daughter, and because I have loving earthly parents, loving family, and friends, I have been nurtured in the good things of life and my possibilities for progression are endless. This gift is from my Father who is Eternal and whose gifts are Endless.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Shutterfly Card to thank those who helped with the wedding.
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=8fff1287ec5f0dc42f762628e38c6d8e&sid=8AatGjNk2atGIl
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