First Talk

I was asked to speak on 1 Timothy: 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

I liked this scripture very much because it's a good guide on how to live our lives. I hadn't read it before being assigned this talk, but when I did, it resonated deep within me.

The first part, "Let no man despise thy youth", says to me that even if you are young, you can make a difference. There are many examples of this in the scriptures. One of them is in Luke 2, when Jesus in his youth was found preaching to men much older than him in the temple.

Being an Example of the believers in WORD includes using clean language and trying to avoid using inappropriate words. There is no need for profanity in our lives.

Being an Example of the believers in CONVERSATION includes not gossiping, and being selective about type of things we talk about.

We can be an Example of the believers in CHARITY by trying to love and serve others the way Jesus does. A few months ago I started spending time reading books to my brother. This time together has strengthened our relationship, and we've grown closer because of it. As Brandon put it, "the thin string that connected us to each other has grown into a strong rope". I've learned how serving others can help us grow in love for them.

One way we are examples of the believers in SPIRIT is by renewing our baptismal covenants during the Sacrament. As we just heard, the words in the sacramental prayer remind us that we may "Always Have His Spirit To Be With Us" as we live the commandments. We can use the time during the Sacrament to pray about ourselves and others.

Being an example of the believers in FAITH. We can compare believing in the gospel to a seed that is planted but hasn't sprouted yet. When we nourish that seed of belief, it can eventually grow into a plant that bears fruit. Likewise, when we believe in the gospel and nourish that belief by living the commandments, our belief can grow into faith, through the witness of the Holy Ghost. I have always believed in the gospel, but recently my beliefs have grown into genuine faith through some experiences I've had. The spirit has testified to me that the gospel is true, and my testimony has been strengthened through this experience.

Finally, PURITY. Being pure is essential to having the spirit with us. We keep ourselves pure by thinking clean thoughts, being modest in our attire, seeking virtue, and by repenting regularly of the things we do wrong.

The spirit has testified to me that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are real and they are guiding us every day. I believe the gospel is true. And I leave this testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

25 Things About Me

I tag Serena and Monica to do this on their blogs! ♥

1. I make wishes on digital clocks every time I see a math problem. For example - 6:42; I see
6-4=2. I don't know why I do it. So if you see me looking around at every clock in the room, you know why.
2. I collect pencils and notebooks and erasers, and I always use ugly pencils or pencils that have been sharpened on notebooks that have different drawings already in them and I erase with erasers I don't like. So for pencils I collect: pretty, shiny, sparkly, fuzzy, and mechanical pencils. I use the rest. Notebooks - I'll take any kind. Erasers - any will do.
3. I love writing stories and I'm working on a few right now - but mainly one for a school project.
4. I have a serious case of arachnophobia.
5. I love fairies, though I don't believe in them.
6. I've been to over half the United States as well as Bermuda, Canada, and Puerto Rico
7. Though I've been many places, I've only lived in 3 states: Illinois, Vermont, and Utah.
8. I'm horrible at writing thank-you notes...I plan to, but then I never get around to it.
9. I'm also terrible at writing in my journal on a regular basis.
10. I really do love school...I just get overwhelmed sometimes with all the work I have to do.
11. I'm addicted to email.
12. I only like bananas with Nutella on them. HEAVEN
13. I'm a perfectionist and I'm always straightening out my school desk.
14. I'm the fastest typist in my class. I learned how to type from Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing a few years ago (it's a CD that I have)
15. I'm a lot more focused on the future rather than the past. That's why I hate studying history in school. I like the scriptures though, and our Middle Ages unit is actually pretty interesting.
16. I have never had one best friend...I just can't choose from so many good ones.
17. I don't ever want to become really famous...I'd be a hobo rather than having any single flaw I have or any embarrassing mistake I made put in hundreds of magazines sold across the country.
18. I can't choose favorite things besides my favorite food (SALMON) and color (cerulean blue - though I LOVE most shades of green too).
19. I inherited a habit from my mom of either swinging my leg back and forth slowly (when it's crossed) or moving my foot up and down furiously (though it doesn't make any noise - it's not tapping). I also play with my fingers a lot - I like making all the fingers on my right hand except my thumb make a galloping sound like a horse by tapping them somewhere in quick succession. I don't know why I do it.
20. I hate wasting things - sometimes I'll put on lotion even if my skin isn't dry just so I can use it (if it's a lotion I don't like very much) and not have to throw it away.
21. I wear a lot of layers most of the time - I've even worn snow pants in the summer before.
22. My mom says I'm very diplomatic, though I don't always notice it.
23. A woman I really admire - who gave us dancing classes in fourth grade and teaches singing in school now - told my mom that I am always very kind to everyone, not just the popular people. I've tried hard to live up to that since then. And I have to say I've succeeded.
24. I love skiing and snowboarding though I tire of the snow that is not in the mountains...I prefer it to be spring, summer, or autumn where I live.
25. And last but not least: I'm proud to be LDS, and though I haven't read the Book of Mormon all the way through yet I'm working on it. I've been striving especially hard to obey the commandments and live the Gospel since I joined Young Women, and I've been working on my Personal Progress which has helped me a lot. I thank all those who have helped me grow in understanding of the Gospel and been beside me all this time.