Brightly Beams

We live in a world where we are told that we need to take advantage of others, use the government for as much as we can squeeze out of it. It is all about me, and not about others. Lie, steal, cheat, and take advantage of our neighbors. Why is it like this? Why do we follow the "natural man?" Yesterday at church we sang my favorite hymn, "Have I done any Good in the World Today?" This hymn teaches us not to be self centered. It also teaches us that there is much that we can and must to help ourselves, and also help others. Here are the lyrics for them: Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad? If not, I have failed indeed. Has anyone's burden been lighter today Because I was willing to share? Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way? When they needed my help was I there? Then wake up and do something more Than dream of your mansion above. Do

Tis the time of year that everyone is making those New Year's Resolutions to change. Many people seeing how much they over ate these past few weeks, wanting to lose some weight. Others wanting to make their lives better. Others seeking for the Mr./Mrs. Right. And some just like the way they are. Looking at how the world is going, we all need change, a better life not just for ourselves, but everyone! Everyone is in need of joy, laughter and thanksgiving. But where do we find this, is it something we buy at the store, is it something we earn by running on the treadmill? No, but we can learn about it, and seek what our forefathers wanted for everyone, "the pursuit of happiness." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has taught us how we can be a family, and it is in the family where we find true joy and happiness. "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" teaches us our role in the family, and how being a family brings us this joy. Many political lea

This story comes from a really great friend of mine, I had no idea what he was going through until he told me this. "My family grew up in the church. I loved going to church and hearing the many different Bible stories and Book of Mormon stories. But after so many years it seemed like I had heard all these stories before, so what is the point of me going to church if I have already learned it all? So I would pretend to be sick, and stay home. I didn't want to displease my parents. So I would pretend to  be sick every once and awhile. "A few years before this started happening I was going through my spam email, and came upon this email with some pornographic material in it. I hurried and closed out of it. But this started a curiosity in me, I knew that it was bad, but my brain wanted to see more. So I started looking at it, more and more, thinking that I could stop anytime that I wanted to. But I was so wrong. The urges grew stronger and stronger, and wanting to lo

The other day I got the idea to start collecting people's conversion stories, and share them with others. Some of us feel that we don't have one because we were born into the church, but we all have to come to the knowledge to either follow in the footsteps of others, or find it out for ourselves. This first story is from a great friend of mine, who has always brought light into my life! "It starts back in Jr. Year of high school. I have done stuff that I am not proud of and I regret them everyday. I had to confess some stuff to the bishop. It was very severe stuff. I was so scared to tell him. I felt like God hated me and was so disappointed in me. But the worst part was that I felt God didn’t love me anymore and that He wouldn’t love me again. But I just felt like I needed to go talk to the bishop anyways. So in March I went and told my bishop everything the love in his eyes was so strong!! Even though I had made some stupid mistakes, he still loved me!! "

I recently finished this book, "Train To Potevka." The reason I decided to watch it was because the author had come to my high school a few years ago, did a wonderful presentation, and was selling the book for only $5. So I bought one, got it autographed, and went home and put it on my bookshelf, with all the other books I have. These last few weeks I have been trying to organize my room, and once again came across this book. So I decided I should read it. And boy am I glad that I did! This is one of those books that you can't put down. I had to keep reading it. There is a lot of action, a love story, and it talks about missionary work too! It is about this American Spy in Russia. He assignment was to bring an evil man to justice. But unfortunately his cover is blown, and the Russian Mafia is after him. So he is on the run, going all across Russia, seeking safety. I give this book 5 stars. And I recommend it to all!

Since recently returning from my mission, I have seen the big difference of technology, and how it has grown. Many people focus on the evils that come from this. Pornography just a click away, cyber bullying, and many other things. But with this technology before us we have a great opportunity and duty to use it for good. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been encouraging us as members to do all we can to share the gospel, and the joy it brings into our lives. With this technology it makes it so easy to share our testimonies of the many tender mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through many resources, like facebook, instagram, twitter, and much more, instead of danger a click away, we have the opportunity to share our knowledge and love of the Savior with just the click of a button. This is amazing, this is the day that Isaiah, Peter, Paul, John, Moses, Adam and many of the ancient prophets, they saw the amazing world we live in, and have asked us to "not be a

As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to focus on having a thankful heart. A lot of the time we just remember to be thankful this time of the year. Why aren't we thankful for all other times of the year? Why aren't we thankful for the glistening snow on January? Why are we thankful for the love which fills our lives and heart in February? Why aren't we thankful for our lucky charms in March? Why aren't we thankful for the Resurrection of our Lord and Master in April? Why aren't we thankful for the beautiful flowers which bloom before our eyes in May? Why aren't we thankful for school getting out in June? Why aren't we thankful for our freedom in July? Why aren't we thankful for watermelon and BBQs in August? Why aren't we thankful to start school in September? Why aren't we thankful for cold weather perfect to cuddle with someone in October? And why aren't we thankful for the birth of Jesus Christ, our only reason to have hope, in December?