The Seeds That We Plant

Agency is the greatest gift we have ever been given. Not a day goes by that we don't use it. It will never go out of style. It is beyond price and no one can rightfully take it away from us completely.
We were given this gift to truly test us. Our agency, when used properly, can bring us unlimited joy! But when we misuse it, our agency can bring us into the depths of sorrow that only a perfect Savior (who had agency, too) can bring us out of.

Every time we make a decision we plant a little seed. Eventually that seed is going to grow into a tree and produce some fruit, which is the consequence of our action.

2 Nephi 13:10-11 says, "

 10 Say unto the righteous that it is well with them; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

 11 Wo unto the wicked, for they shall perish; for the reward of their hands shall be upon them!"

And thus we see that we reap what we plant. Every action has a consequence, BUT we can't pick that consequence. When we choose something we accept the consequence that comes with it, both good and bad.

If you plant a good seed you will get good fruit.
If you plant a bad seed you will get bad fruit.

Sometimes the fruit that comes forth from a bad seed doesn't seem like bad fruit at all! Sometimes the fruit looks really pretty on the outside, but when you taste it the fruit is nasty and sour. It could even be rotten on the inside, but look just fine on the outside! But no matter what the outside may pretend to be, that fruit is going to taste disgusting.

Sometimes we make mistakes and we plant bad seeds. If we plant a bad seed that isn't the end! We can't just give up! Through the glorious process of repentance we can mend our ways that led to our rotten fruit. There is always hope and always a way back.
I'm so grateful for Jesus Christ and His Atonement that makes it possible for me to replant and make sure that I plant good seeds.

check out how people work towards using their agency to plant good seeds every day at mormon.org

Knowledge is Key

Knowledge in life is key.
Knowledge in life can unlock doors and expand opportunities.
The more we learn the more we grow.

We are encouraged throughout our whole life, no matter where we are, to learn. But why is it so important for us to learn? Well there are plenty of reasons that we need to gain earthly and spiritual knowledge!

First of all we can't be saved in ignorance. We can't know something we don't know. We have been commanded to know. The more we learn, the more we can come closer to our Heavenly Father. The more knowledge we have, both spiritual and worldly, the closer we will come to our Heavenly Father.

Second, knowledge is one of the few things that we take with us into the next life.
Doctrine and Covenants 130:19 says,

"And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come."

We won't take our cars or any of our fancy clothes. All we will have is our knowledge. Will we be happy with what we have? Will we wish we had more? Will we wish we had read different books?

Third, we can't teach what we don't know. How can we teach our friends, our family, or our children if we don't know it ourselves? How can we help them come closer to Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father if we ourselves don't know them? We just can't. 

We can increase our knowledge through diligent study of the scriptures, modern prophets, and through experience. Knowledge is a capacity and like any other capacity God will expand it, but we have to give it to Him and be willing to accept His divine help.

When Jesus Christ came to the Nephites in the Americas He gave a discourse similar to the Sermon on the Mount. He counseled them as to the gaining of knowledge. This is what he said, 

 "19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;

 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

(3 Nephi 13:19-21)

Where is YOUR treasure?  

Worth Worlds

Each person, no matter who it is, is of infinite worth. An infinite and individual worth.
No matter what we have done, or who we thing we are, Heavenly Father knows us. He knows our hearts. He sees them as we can't. He sees them as clean, pure, ready, and willing. He knows our hearts and what we can become. WE just have to trust in Him. We must trust Him as He leads us on our path to become the person He knows we can be. He knows how we can get there too! All we have to do is follow.
Each person has a different path, which shows how precious and important we are to God as individuals. Often all we want in life is to fit in, but we have to remember who matters the most and where we can find the most happiness.

Think of snowflakes!

 

 Each snowflake is an individual. Not even ONE of them is the same as another. Each snowflake is small, but it is important. It was specially designed and created beautifully.  Just. Like. Us. A snowflake falls where it needs to be. It's decent isn't always straight down! Sometimes it meanders. Sometimes it is pushed by strong winds. Sometimes it bumps into other snowflakes. But in the end the snowflake always ends up where it needs to be. Just. Like. Us.
We are each so precious in the sight of God and we are His children. He loves us more than we can imagine and to Him we are priceless.

"Even the least soul on earth right now is worth worlds."-Bonnie L. Oscarson

Each soul is a sacred soul.  
Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 says, "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God."

I'm grateful for my individuality and the knowledge that God has created me to be unique. I am grateful for His everlasting love and kindness. 

To see how people recognize their individual worth each day visit mormon.org