Sundays

I'm grateful for Sundays, for being able to go to church, and for the peace the gospel brings to my life.

It's so beautiful to know that after a crazy week, I have Sunday, a day filled with uplifting spiritual messages that only Christ and His word can bring.
By living the gospel, I find balance, and comfort. I know that I am not a perfect person, neither are the people who go to this church--but the gospel itself is perfect and that is where I place my trust and my heart--in the hands of Jesus Christ, my savior and redeemer.

Sundays.

A day for rest and contemplation.

For church and service.

There is a particular talk about "Sundays". . . it got me through a lot when my great Grandmother died. . . and dear young friend, Abelina passed away. . . as well as my soccer coach who we always referred to affectionately as "Coach Grandpa." This type of doctrine can be applied to other hard trials as well though I think. . .
I encourage you to read it.

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/sunday-will-come?lang=eng&query=sunday+will+come&cid=facebook-shared

Growing up LDS has been such a blessing. I will never be able to fully express my gratitude for my parents for making sure I was raised in the church or for my wonderful, amazing grandparents for making sure my parents were also raised in the church.
Even though I've been taught the basic principles for eternal life and happiness through Christ and His church since I could talk, I still had to go through my own conversion process. It brought me to my knees time and time again in fervent prayer. Being Mormon wasn't easy during high school, but is made easier as I've matured with the right kind of perspective. If the church was true, the Book of Mormon a true book, Joseph Smith a true prophet of God, and the doctrines taught were indeed real life applicable principles and consequences--than there was no reason for me to wander off the straight and narrow path. I had to know. I had to be 110% sure. . . .

I'm not going to lie, I struggled a lot with this as a teenager. Satan is very real and very strong and he only grows stronger. Don't believe me? Pay attention to what is happening in the news. What kind of contention lies in public opinion, even. Pay attention to politics. Pay attention to the degradation of morale--to the evil that lurks just outside your door or maybe even in your own homes. Families are falling apart and its a scary place to live anymore. . .

Unless you have faith.
Faith and fear cannot coincide within us.
My favorite scripture is Joshua 1:9
       Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest.

How beautiful is that?
Very.

I can tell you today that I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's true church. I testify that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that there exists a Prophet for our time, today. I know that if I continue to live my life in such a way that is harmonious to Christ's teachings that I will be happy and safe from the evil influences of this world.
Bad things will happen, but by living the gospel, I am comforted with the though that Sunday will come. . .

I learned a lot from my mistakes as a reckless teenager but I do NOT advise making mistakes solely to learn from them. It is so much wiser and better to learn from the mistakes of others and keep yourself pure and clean then to jump off the path to take a swim in the murk for a while.
The Atonement is real and it is beautiful but its a serious and sacred thing and should not be taken lightly.
Forgiveness is a necessity for the Plan of Salvation and I'm grateful that Heavenly Father has so much mercy on my imperfect being.

Sundays.
The day for rest and contemplation.
Church and service.

I'm so happy to have a day specifically set aside for me to breath and remember my covenants. I become drained through out the week but on Sunday I am rejuvenated and full of rejoicing for I know that God lives that Christ lives and is my loving Redeemer and the Holy Ghost resides within my heart to give me comfort and aid when I need Him most. 

I know that my life would be empty without this knowledge and I would not be as happy a person as I am today without it.

So thank you, Heavenly Father, for giving us Sundays to remember Him and his atoning sacrifice; for remembering you and your mercy and love.

For letting us take time to catch our breathe and for providing us with challenges that let us grow. . .

Amen

--Missa