"Filling their souls with Joy"

Dear Emmia and Kirk,

In the  Book of Mormon. there are so many trials:

Moving and not knowing where your going (1 Nephi 2:4)

Sibling revelry (1 Nephi 3:28)

Mistakes (2 Nephi 4)

Wayward sons (Alma 39)

Just to name a few. So what did they do when things got tough? What should we do when a tsunami of problems wash away our peace? Again the Book of Mormon not only gives us examples of trials but also examples of ways to get through it.

  I want to share with you one of my favorite scriptures. I say one of them because its just too hard to pick just one favorite scripture. That's like trying to pick out a favorite star among the heavens.
Anyways back to the scripture. Its Helaman 3:35.

This scripture is talking about the Nephites a people that lived in ancient America. They have had a lot of wars (a trial, right?) because of wickedness but this is a time where some of them are striving to live the commandments of God.

"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

Their trials weren't over and done with and then they had joy. They still had hard times but they had joy through it. How you might ask? Through fasting and praying and trusting in God

I know that we must fast and pray. That is the only way we will receive spiritual light. I know that when we put in our effort we will gain strength and firmness in our humility and faith in Christ.

I know that when we "yield our hearts unto God" Christ will "fill our souls with joy" even when we are going through the "very jaws of hell" (D&C 122:7)

Whenever your life feels like its going downhill, kids, think of Jesus Christ. His name has power alone. Jesus Christ will help us climb up our own personal mountains but we have to choose to move forward. We have to choose to receive the joy Christ desires to give us.

The Refiner's Fire

This talk (link above) is by James E. Faust. Here are some clippets of what he says and quotes:

Parley P. Pratt said: “If I had been set to turn the world over, to dig down a mountain, to go to the ends of the earth, or traverse the deserts of Arabia, it would have been easier than to have undertaken to rest, while the Priesthood was upon me. I have received the holy anointing, and I can never rest till the last enemy is conquered, death destroyed, and truth reigns triumphant.” (Journal of Discourses, 1:15.)

Elder Orson F. Whitney asked and answered this question: “To whom do we look, in days of grief and disaster, for help and consolation? … They are men and women who have suffered, and out of their experience in suffering they bring forth the riches of their sympathy and condolences as a blessing to those now in need. Could they do this had they not suffered themselves?

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” (Heb. 5:8–9).

"The Divine Shepherd has a message of hope, strength, and deliverance for all. If there were no night, we would not appreciate the day, nor could we see the stars and the vastness of the heavens. We must partake of the bitter with the sweet. There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day.They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless."

I know that no matter what your going through whether it be debt, losing a loved one or wading through the storm of guilt, that Jesus Christ loves you and has given you this things because He knows you can handle it. 

There have been times in my life where I didn't believe that. Where I would yell at God for giving me things that I did not believe I could handle. 

Many burdens feel that way; that they are dragging us down. and they may not be big burdens really. They may be those small thoughts in the back of your mind asking: Will it work out? or What does my future hold? and the enormity of that unanswered questions leaves you in worry and doubt.

Remember the Savior in those moments. Strength comes to change, to have hope and happiness in the agony of sorrow and hardship. 

DO NOT GIVE UP. 

Keep your eye on the Son of God though your horizon is dark.

Have faith that it will all work out in the end. If it ain't working out, it ain't the end.

Have faith in Christ and let Him purify and sanctify your heart so that you can stand firm and know that He is.

Love,
   Ryn.

The Hope in my Heart

Dear Emmia and Kirk,
   My life has not been perfect. Big surprise right? From the get-go it was violent and stormy. I really hope that your start in life will be filled with loving parents and a peace in the home.

I have many memories  that hurt to look back on (the first four years of my life, the passing of my grandpa and many in between). We all have those moments in life where everything seems hopeless. You struggle to get out of bed, put on a brave face to greet the world and move forward. . . or you don't. You just sit there thinking about all the hopeless things. I've done that a lot in the past. I've had many trials in my life, probably not the most extravagant of hardships but they are unique to me.

I've learned from them a hope. This hope isn't fleeting or temporary. Its real and has been real my entire life. It has comforted me through the darkest of paths and the thorniest of ways to find some peace in this life of chaos.

Jesus Christ is the Hope in my heart.

This painting by Greg Olsen is a small vision of the peace I get when I think of Jesus Christ. When I was pitying myself for not having an earthly father or crying at night because of nightmares or grief that peace was with me. It doesn't stop me from crying or feeling sorrow. All it does is reassures me that nothing will be lost.

  Through Jesus Christ I know I'll see my grandpa again. I'll see my Father in Heaven again. Everything that's unfair or mean in life will be made right. Jesus Christ will make all the imperfect things perfect.
   Emmia. Kirk. I want you both to know that He wants to be with you all the time. When you choose to let Him in He will give you peace and everything you need to become like Him. Sometimes it won't be easy. He'll give you things that don't seem like blessings, but they are. When your in the darkest part of your soul thinking you can't possibly return to Him or find Him, wondering how you'll ever see light again, know please know that He is there, in that dark place with you feeling all that you feel, crying all of those tears you've ever cried and holding out is hand. Just have faith to reach out to Jesus Christ and He will lift you up. All of those dark times are molding you into who you can become: greater than you can dream, better than you can imagine, strong enough to touch the stars and maybe someday make some of your own.

  When I walk with Him I am at peace.

Remember always His love for you.

    Love,

Ryn