Light

Sometimes I think, "What is the point of having a blog?" It takes up a lot of time, adds a little bit of stress to my life when I can't think of something to say or when I realize I haven't posted in forever, and truthfully--not that many people read it (it tells me that...embarrassing!).

But sometimes I genuinely enjoy writing about a topic that I want to discuss. I want people to know how I feel on certain issues because that's just how I was raised. I'm somewhat outspoken and I like to share what I think. It doesn't bother me if people know a little too much about my life--I just want to be honest. I want everyone to know that I am okay with being "weird" or "different" (which comes naturally when you're a Latter-day Saint I think...). 

One of my friend's dads in high school told me that he thought I was so great because I am "so down to earth." I seriously did not even fully understand what that meant until I got older, but I assumed it was a compliment. Now I see what he means. I am pretty down to earth. I try to be positive and happy (and for the most part I am), but I have also matured enough that I can be realistic and recognize that I probably will not make a difference in more than a few people's lives. I am aware of the impact I had in high school as one of very few Latter-day Saints (less than ten throughout my four years there) and remember being told, "Olivia, you are so happy." Another asked me, "Olivia, why are you so happy all the time? And why are you so nice to everyone?" I don't know if they knew why there was such a noticeable difference in me then, but I know now that it was the light that is in everyone who knows and tries to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is truly amazing that we can see the happiness in others just by the light they emit from their eyes. 

I love this quote by Elder Eyring in our church, who explains what that light is:

"Every child of Heavenly Father born in the world is given at birth, as a free gift, the Light of Christ. You have felt that. It is the sense of what is right and what is wrong and what is true and what is false. That has been with you since your journey in life began." 

~Henry B. Eyring

I also love this one by Roald Dahl, (who is not LDS) as he recognizes that kindness and goodness make a person attractive more than anything else:

“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

~Roald Dahl

I believe it is important that we be the type of people that radiate light. No matter what you believe, if you are standing for something that you instinctually know is inherently good, then go for it. I know my daughter will be a light in my life and I hope that I, as her mother, can teach her to recognize good from evil as she is raised in a world that is so much more wicked than the one in which I was born.

So I guess, my thought for today is shine the light. Everyone has a light. Channel yours and brighten it.

Also! I dare you to watch this quick video...and I dare you not to cry (it's a happy cry):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aup9M5HZawI

Pay attention to how you feel.

Day 11: Little Children

Cute kids

I have a confession.

I was really, really freaked out when I got called as Primary President of the BYU Married 4th Ward. When I got called to Bishop Schroeder's office, I knew I was getting a calling. Dalin had just been called as Sunday School President, and I had just been released as Ward Bulletin Specialist. Still, getting called as Primary President had not even occurred to me. I happily accepted the calling. It wasn't until later that it sunk in that I would be teaching the children every week and additionally would be in charge of the primary program in the fall. I called some great women to lead with me and they have been a huge blessing for me in this calling. They know their responsibilities and do them well. But it is the primary children who have had the most significant effect on me.

They are so humble and pure of heart in all they do. They are joyful and love to laugh and share the things they know about the gospel. Children are great teachers. They teach me more about being like Christ than I could ever teach them. As I have taught primary (alongside my counselors) for the last seven or so months, I have learned that it is my duty to reinforce the principles of the gospel being taught in the children's homes. We are helping them to build a foundation of faith in the gospel. We are not forcing them to believe in what we are teaching, but rather encouraging them to make good choices and exercise their agency.

I love the primary children. They bring me happiness when I do not feel like being cheerful. They have taught me to strive to maintain purity in heart and have humility and meekness. The children have increased my desire to be a mother. They have the pure love--and light--of Christ within them.

President Gordon B. Hinckley with some children

President Spencer W. Kimball said: 

"I should like . . . to pay special tribute to the divinely inspired Primary organization of the Church. It is just a hundred years ago that Bishop Hess, with the approval of the First Presidency, called Aurelia Spencer Rogers to organize the first Primary in Farmington, Utah. From that humble beginning has grown a worldwide organization that has touched the lives of millions of people. I am confident there is not one within the sound of my voice who has not had his or her life influenced for good by the teachings of the devoted officers and teachers of this Primary organization."

Jesus loves the little children

 President Boyd K. Packer gave a great talk on children. 

It is called "And A Little Child Shall Lead Them."  

“Children are an heritage of the Lord: and … happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.”

The creation of life is a great responsibility for a married couple. It is the challenge of mortality to be a worthy and responsible parent. Neither man nor woman can bear children alone. It was meant that children have two parents—both a father and a mother. No other pattern or process can replace this one.

The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is to see a husband and his wife and their children happy at home, protected by the principles and laws of the gospel, sealed safely in the covenants of the everlasting priesthood. Husbands and wives should understand that their first calling—from which they will never be released—is to one another and then to their children.

One of the great discoveries of parenthood is that we learn far more about what really matters from our children than we ever did from our parents. We come to recognize the truth in Isaiah’s prophecy that “a little child shall lead them.” In Jerusalem, “Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” “Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. “And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.”

We read in the Book of Mormon of the visit of Jesus Christ to the New World. He healed and blessed the people and commanded that the little children should be brought to Him.

Mormon records, “They brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him.” He then commanded the people to kneel. With the children around Him, the Savior knelt and offered a prayer to our Father in Heaven. After the prayer the Savior wept, “and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. “And when he had done this he wept again.”

I can understand the feelings expressed by the Savior toward children. There is much to be learned from following His example in seeking to pray for, bless, and teach “those little ones.”

I cannot wait to have little children to light up my life and serve as a constant reminder of who am trying to emulate.


I am grateful for primary and little children.

Accounts that Teach Eternal Truths

 The Parable of the Unjust Steward

Luke 16:1-12

"The Children of This World Are in Their Generation Wiser than the Children of Light" (124)

On first reading, the parable of the Unjust Steward would seem to be an endorsement for malfeasance in office. Careful study will show, however, that it was given to teach the care with which the saints of God should approach the task of preparing for their eternal future. Knowing that he had but a short time left in his appointed post, the steward wisely tried to secure his future by winning some friends. 

“It was not the steward’s dishonesty that was extolled; his prudence and foresight were commended, however; for while he misapplied his master’s substance, he gave relief to the debtors; and in so doing he did not exceed his legal powers, for he was still steward though he was morally guilty of malfeasance. The lesson may be summed up in this wise: Make such use of your wealth as shall insure you friends hereafter. Be diligent; for the day in which you can use your earthly riches will soon pass. Take a lesson from even the dishonest and the evil; if they are so prudent as to provide for the only future they think of, how much more should you, who believe in an eternal future, provide therefor!” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p. 464.) 

Major Principle: Verse 10: He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

My Thoughts: Dishonesty will come back to haunt us. We must have integrity and treat others fairly. If our dealings with our fellow men are unfair, what is to stop God from judging us unfairly?

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Luke 16:19-31

"What Do We Learn About the Spirit World from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus" (124-125)

In the famous parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus we are exposed to two different conditions in the post mortal world: “Abraham’s bosom” and “hell.” The former is depicted as a place of rest, the latter a place of torment. Between the two “is a great gulf fixed” which prevents social interchange between the two. Such was the condition prior to Christ’s visit to the spirit world between the time of his death and his resurrection.

The Savior’s visit to the spirit world bridged the gulf between paradise (Abraham’s bosom) and hell, making it possible for the spirits in prison to receive the message of the gospel by authorized ministers.

“But now, since our Lord has proclaimed ‘liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound’ ( Isa. 61:1 ), the gospel is preached in all parts of the spirit world, repentance is granted to those who seek it, vicarious ordinances are administered in earthly temples, and there is a hope of salvation for the spirits of those men who would have received the gospel with all their hearts in this life had the opportunity come to them. ( Teachings, p. 107.) At this time, as Joseph Smith explained it, ‘Hades, sheol, paradise, spirits in prison, are all one: it is a world of spirits.’ ( Teachings, p. 310.)” (McConkie, DNTC, 1:521–22.) 

Major Principle: Verse 25: But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

My Thoughts: We will be dealt with justly. We should treat others well, keeping in mind that our situations could become switched easily.

The Ten Lepers

Luke 17:11-19

"Why Were the Ten Lepers to Show Themselves to the Priests" 

"Were There Not Ten Cleansed?" (130)

For a leper, “in the day of his cleansing,” the prescribed means of obtaining permission to reenter society required him to show himself to the priests of the people. (Read Leviticus 14:2,3.)

Jesus also told the lepers to show themselves to the priests as a test of their faith. When all ten believed and complied with the terms of the cure, all were healed “as they went” to visit the priests. (See McConkie, DNTC, 1:536.) 

The one who returned to give thanks was a Samaritan, and “perhaps this exhibition of gratitude by a Samaritan was another evidence to the apostles that all men are acceptable to the Lord and that the Jewish claim to exclusive superiority as a chosen race was soon to be replaced with a command to take the gospel of peace to all races.” (McConkie, DNTC, 1:537.)

Major Principle: 15-19: And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

My Thoughts: We must show gratitude to the Lord for the blessings He gives to us. We must remember that they only come through Him and keep in mind to always be grateful for the things great and small that He blesses us with. I love this parable and know it is always relevant. 

The Parable of the Unjust Judge

Luke 18:1-8

"Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Unjust Judge?" (131)

“The judge was of wicked character; he denied justice to the widow, who could obtain redress from none other. He was moved to action by the desire to escape the woman’s importunity. Let us beware of the error of comparing his selfish action with the ways of God. Jesus did not indicate that as the wicked judge finally yielded to supplication so would God do; but He pointed out that if even such a being as this judge, who ‘feared not God, neither regarded man,’ would at last hear and grant the widow’s plea, no one should doubt that God, the Just and Merciful, will hear and answer. The judge’s obduracy, though wholly wicked on his part, may have been ultimately advantageous to the widow. Had she easily obtained redress she might have become again unwary, and perchance a worse adversary than the first might have oppressed her. The Lord’s purpose in giving the parable is specifically stated; it was ‘to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.’” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p. 436; read also D&C 101:81-92.)

Major Principle:Verse 1: And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

My Thoughts: The unjust judge was lazy. He did not care about the feelings of others. He was selfish, only concerning himself with what was comfortable to him. He did not come to the woman's aid out of the goodness of his heart but rather to prevent her from being a further nuisance.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican

Luke 18:9-14

"Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Pharisee and Publican?" (131)

“We are expressly told that this parable was given for the benefit of certain ones who trusted in their self-righteousness as an assurance of justification before God. It was not addressed to the Pharisees nor to the publicans specifically. The two characters are types of widely separated classes. There may have been much of the Pharisaic spirit of self-complacency among the disciples and some of it even among the Twelve. . . . The parable is applicable to all men; its moral was summed up in a repetition of our Lord’s words spoken in the house of the chief Pharisee. . . .” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, pp. 472–73; read also Luke 18:14.)

Major Principle: Verse 14: I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

My Thoughts: We cannot be prideful, we cannot be fake. Heavenly Father sees right through our insincere acts of goodness. If we are doing good things only for the praise of men, God will not bless us.

The Pre-mortal and Mortal Savior (John 1:1-14, John 17:1-5)

This semester at BYU-Idaho (online of course--we still live in Provo), I am taking two religion courses. Yes, two. I begin at BYU in the fall and both religion courses transfer. My first is FDREL 211, or the first part of the New Testament. The other is FDREL 121, or the first part of the Book of Mormon. I have already taken part two. For an assignment, I was encouraged to ponder the doctrinal connections and determine five truths from the Savior's Pre-mortal life, and five from mortality.

John 1: 1-14

 1 ^aIn the ^bbeginning was the Word, and the ^cWord was with God, and the ^dWord was ^eGod.

 2 The same was in the ^abeginning with God.

 3 All things were ^amade by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 4 In him was ^alife; and the life was the ^blight of men.

 5 And the ^alight shineth in ^bdarkness; and the darkness^c comprehended it not.

 6 ¶There was a man sent from God, whose name was ^aJohn.

 7 The same came for a ^awitness, to bear ^bwitness of the Light, that all men through him might ^cbelieve.

 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

 9 That was the true ^aLight, which ^blighteth ^cevery man that cometh into the world.

 10 He was in the ^aworld, and the ^bworld was ^cmade by him, and the world ^dknew him not.

 11 He came unto his own, and his own ^areceived him not.

 12 But as many as ^areceived him, to them gave he ^bpower to become the ^csons of God, even to them that believe on his ^dname:

 13 Which were ^aborn, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 14 And the Word was made ^aflesh, and ^bdwelt among us, (and we^c beheld his ^dglory, the glory as of the ^eonly ^fbegotten of the Father,) full of ^ggrace and truth.

Before He came to this earth, the Savior was "the Word," and the Word was both with God and the same as God Himself. This teaches us that Christ's plan was perfectly aligned our Heavenly Father's in the pre-existence. The word of God and His love is demonstrated through the Savior's actions and His atonement. 

He created us. Before "the world was," Jesus worked with the Father and "without Him was not anything made that was made." As God's first-born son, Jesus was given the power to create the earth with the help of Michael. Commanded by Heavenly Father, He developed light and darkness, the sun, moon, and stars, the earth, the plants and animals on it, and then last, man and woman. I have a strong testimony of the creation. Using the power of God, Jesus obeyed His Father and created the earth. With God's help we can accomplish remarkable things. 

Jesus is known as the "Light" and hope of the world. He "shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not." The cousin of Christ, John, was sent by God "to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe." John was sent to teach of Christ and help men to believe in Him. Before the world began, the Savior was a Light to us, for He presented the Plan to the Father which would give us choice and accountability, and allow us to choose to return to Him. Not only did Christ create light, but He represented the goodness in the world and bore witness, with His life, of our Father's love. 

The Savior was given power over the flesh. Because of His resurrection, we can be made whole and live again. The Father chose Jesus in the Great Council in Heaven because He was God's first son, and He knew that Christ would be the only one who could fill the Atonement. The Father loves us so much that He sent His only begotten son to atone for our sins so we could return to Him someday and reside with our families for eternity. 

Last, in the pre-mortal realm, the Savior accepted the Father's plan and offered to be the one to complete the Atonement for us, His brothers and sisters. Like the Savior, we should accept the callings we are given and work to fulfill them to the best of our ability with the help of God. 

Christ is our advocate

John 17:1-5 

 1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy ^aSon, that thy Son also may ^bglorify thee:

 2 As thou hast given him ^apower over all flesh, that he should give^beternal life to as many as thou hast ^cgiven him.

 3 And this is ^alife ^beternal, that they might ^cknow thee the only true ^dGod, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast ^esent.

 4 I have ^aglorified thee on the earth: I have ^bfinished the work which thou gavest me to do.

 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the^aglory which I had with thee ^bbefore the world was.

Upon His arrival to the earth, the Savior continued to glorify His father. He obeyed Him and completed the work that was required of Him. We must strive our best to follow the Savior's example by keeping the statutes and commandments of God. 

On the earth, "He came unto His own, but His own received Him not." Despite His love and service given as the Savior, Jesus was not recognized by those who believed themselves followers of God. They did not recognize Him. We must get to know and learn of the Savior in this life, that we may recognize Him upon His return. We should know Him personally. 


For those who did receive Him, Jesus gave these men power "to become sons of God." All those who believed in Him were blessed for their recognition of and faith in Him. In order for us to obtain the power of the blessings of God, we must be prepared to recognize and know the Savior.


The Savior "dwelt among" us and we (the people of earth) beheld His glory as "the only begotten of the Father." Because of this, we saw He was full of grace and truth, and were able to witness the miracles He performed while among us. Those who lost faith were never true believers and those who did not know Him will someday. We must use Jesus's example in this life and follow it. Our hearts should be filled with love and compassion for our fellow men. 


The Savior was in the world but the world did not know Him. Another truth that comes from this is that of His behavior and ultimate example of perfection given for us to follow. Jesus was, as I said, in the world, but He was far from of the world. He did not allow the world to influence or corrupt Him. We, like the Savior did, must stay on the straight and narrow path and, though we live in a tumultuous world, we should not allow ourselves to be influenced by it. We too should be a light and a standard for the earth. Only by doing this can we return to our Heavenly Father forever.