Colby's Hope: learn

World CP Day

1:04 PM
By Colby Christensen
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My family and I had a Family Home Evening lesson a couple of months ago about loving and treating yourself kindly. We discussed why itś important to love ourselves and how we can better love and treat ourselves well. We also read some scriptures with council and docrine regarding love towards yourself and others. I really thought that this was a good topic for us to discuss as a family because of the way the world is viewing things these days.

After we had this discussion, it made me think of a talk I gave in my ward earlier this year. I was assigned to choose one of the Young Women values, and I chose Divine Nature. I thought I would include this talk today just to give you some more thoughts on how I feel about divine nature and self worth.

In the Young Women theme that we repeat every Sunday, we learn that we are all [children] of God and that we have a divine identity. Memorizing and repeating this theme has helped me to realize that we have have a divine nature and we need to come to realize it.

In a talk called More than Conquerers through Him that Loved Us; by Elder Paul Johnson, it says "But these trials are not just to test us. They are vitally important to the process of putting on the divine nature. If we handle these afflictions properly, they will be consecrated for our gain."

This quote appealed to me because of the trials that I have had in my life. But one thing that I have realized through my trials, is that everything that happens, Heavenly Father knows about and he has a plan for us and knows that what we go through is for our good.

I've come to understand through my trials, some divine qualities that I have. I've learned that I have the ability to stay strong and find the good in the the things that I'm going through. I've learned a lot about myself through my trials. I've learned that I'm stronger than I think I am and that through the help Heavenly Father gives me, I can get through anything!

An important setting that I think we can learn our divine nature is in our homes. When we are there, we are with the people that we love the most and the people who love us the most and can help us reach our divine potential. According to the Family Proclamation which states, "ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny." When we remember that our family members have a "divine nature and destiny", then we can and will be kinder and more respectful in our homes in trying to help them recognize their divine nature.

Divine nature also has a lot to do with individual worth. I had an experience a couple of months ago that helped me realize one way that we all use our individual worth and divine nature. My mom and I went to a conference where Sheri Dew was speaking. She said something that stuck with me. "Everyone here will have a direct influence on 1,000 people or more!" That was really amazing to me because I never realized how many people I actually had an influence on.

Another important aspect of divine nature is being able to recognize our own. I began to start to recognize my divine nature when I received my Patriarchal Blessing. Patriarchal Blessings are supposed to help us recognize our divine nature because it's Heavenly Father giving us revelation about our lives. As I have read over my Patriarchal Blessing in the past months, I have been able to recognize the promises and warnings, as well as things that can help me to better understand my divine nature.

Also this weekend the LDS church is having what we call General Conference. It is where prophets and apostles speak to us about our day and the things we can do to better our lives. It is really an amazing experience! If you would like to tune in, you may do so at lds.org .

Always have hope,

Colby

cheer

Cheer Camp

12:58 PM
By Colby Christensen
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church history

Church History Trip

11:30 AM
By Colby Christensen
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I just got home from a church history trip that I did with my family. We went to many places along the east coast that were significant to the restoration and start of my church. This is going to be a long post, so bear with me!

First we went to New York to see where the church officially started. A young boy named Joseph Smith had a vision in a grove of trees telling him that he wasn't to join any of the current, that he was going to restore Christ's church back onto the earth.

We visited the Sacred Grove where he had the vision; as well as his family's log home and frame home. My testimony really grew of the faith that we all can and should have, with which we can do amazing things.

We also went to Grandin's Printing Press, where the first copies of the Book of Mormon were printed. It was really amazing to learn about the sacrifices of both money and time that they had to make in order to print it.

Then we also got to go to Niagra Falls! I was really excited about this because I've always thought it would be fun to see. As we were driving up we got to see Canada on the other side of the falls!

We got to ride in a boat that took us across, and pretty close to the falls. We had to wear ponchos for when we got wet. We actually got sprayed a lot! But it was still really fun!

Then we drove to Ohio to stay with some friends for a few days while we saw the sites there.

We visited the Kirtland Temple as well as Newel K. Whitney store and the ashery, and the John Johnson Farm. It was really cool to learn about all of the events that happened there.

Then we made the ten hour drive to Nauvoo Illinios. We stayed in a hotel that was right in the middle of town so it was close to everything.

The first night we had dinner with my great aunt and uncle who are serving a mission here. It has been fun to see them in action doing their missionary duties!

Then we went and saw the opening night of the Nauvoo Pageant. I was really excited to see this because I'd heard so many great things about it! It was amazing!! Just the stories of the Saints and the things that they were willing to sacrifice for the gospel was absolutely inspiring.

Over the next couple of days, we explored Nauvoo. We went on wagon and carriage rides in the rain and watched some of the shows that were done by the senior couples and the Young Performing Missionaries. I loved watching them share the gospel in that way!

We also got to see the British Pageant which started only two years ago. We met up with some friends from Florida and were able to do some things with them. I loved the British Pageant because it shared the stories of the English Saints and how they came to find the gospel and join with the others.

Nauvoo was probably my favorite place that we visited because of all the missionaries that were there. I became great friends with some of the sister missionaries there and they helped me to increase my love of this gospel.

For our last stop we went to Independence, Missouri. On the way we went to Adam-Ondi-Ahman, which is really just 3,000 acres of green, but the Spirit is still really strong. Then we visited Liberty Jail where Joseph Smith was inprisoned for 4 1/2 months! I thought this was a great ending to the trip to wrap everything up!

I had a wonderful time on my church history tour. My testimony of this gospel and of the Restoration was really strengthened from being able to learn about the Saints and all the things that they went through. I hope that I can share the gospel with others so that it can make a difference in their lives. You can visit lds.org for more information.