Thursday, April 14, 2011

self worth

In Relief Society last Sunday, we heard a wonderful lesson about self worth.
This seems to be an issue that affects women very deeply and causes a lot of pain and sorrow. 

Elder Boyd K. Packer testified:
"No idea has been more destructive of happiness, no philosophy has produced more sorrow, more heartbreak and mischief, no idea has done more to destroy the family than the idea that we are not the offspring of God"

A cause of low self worth is forgetting, or maybe never even knowing, that we are all children of God, of a Heavenly Father. And it doesn't just hurt us; it destroys the family. 

Here are a few quotes concerning self worth:

Relief Society general president Elaine L. Jack has observed that "the word would have you believe that you are of worth only if you have money, a certain physical appearance, stylish clothes, or social position. The gospel assures you that your value is not dependent on your look or material possessions....Part of what it means to be a Latter-day Saint is to know within your soul your eternal worth, who you really are, and why you are here on earth." (Ensign, Nov. 1989, p. 88)

1 Samuel 16:7
"......for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart"

President Howard W. Hunter has said:
"Why face life's burdens alone, Christ asks, or why face them with temporal support that will quickly falter? To the heavy laden it is Christ's yoke, it is the power and peace of standing side by side with a God that will provide the support, balance, and the strength to meet our challenges and endure our tasks here in the hardpan field of mortality" (Ensign, Nov. 1990, p. 18)

Knowing and believing we are children of God allows us happiness and freedom from cares of the world. It provides peace and comfort. 

During the lesson, our teacher had us each stand up and share something that we liked about ourselves. At first, I felt uncomfortable. Sure, I think I am smart.....but not compared to some other women in the room. I like the way I look....but I am not as pretty as some of the other women. What was special about me?
Then I realized I was missing the point- I don't have to be the best at something to like it about myself. I can be proud of my talents, even if they aren't as accomplished. When I thought that way, I was able to think about myself, and the things that I really am proud of. I am a special person-I am a daughter of God. 

I challenge everyone to write down what they like about themselves, and to pray to know that you are a child of God. And then believe it. 

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Agency vs. Freedom

I had to read a talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks for one of my classes. The talk is entitled "Weightier Matters".

Elder Oaks says at the beginning "I wish to speak about some "weightier matters" we might overlook if we allow ourselves to focus exclusively on lesser matters"

This talk is awesome and there is one quote I just have to share.
He says

"it will not do to pretend that our agency has been taken away when we are not free to exercise it without unwelcome consequences"

My father always said "you can choose your choice but you CANNOT choose the consequence". Every choice we make comes with some sort of consequence, whether it be positive or negative.
When we make poor choices, we are going to receive the poor consequence. Elder Oaks is saying that if we choose to disobey a law or commandment, we will get that consequence. Laws and commandment do NOT take away our AGENCY. We can still choose to do whatever we went. But we may receive an unwanted consequence because of that choice.

Yes, our FREEDOM may be taken away. But AGENCY can never be removed. We are always responsible for our actions and can choose what to do in any situation.


Talk can be found here at lds.org