So, it's 2016, and you're feeling kind of sad now right?
Well here's some quotes and thoughts to help you look on the bright side...
"If something seems bad, turn it around, and find something good." - Daniel Tiger
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt lovethy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?"
- Matthew 5:43-47
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
- Philipians 4:13
Our nation is run on checks and balances, a very wise decision, because then one branch doesn't have all the power. Annoying because it then takes a long time for things to get done. But it's better than the wrong things being done quickly.
In the Book of Mormon there is a man who was going around bashing the church, his family and generally trying to lead people into unrighteousness. His family said many prayers on his behalf. One day he was visited by an angel and he changed his whole life. He spent the rest of his life trying to help and lift others, and redeem himself from his sins. He truly had a change of heart. That is the power of prayer. Alma went on to become the President of the Church. I believe that prayer can accomplish a lot. As well as living in faith.
Living in faith means to me that your actions reflect your faith. That you are going out and trying to be a good example of the change you wish to see. It will do no good to pray and then sit inside all day and complain about how there is no change. Living in faith also means that we trust in God and his timeline. I once asked my mom, after listening to a popular country song on the radio, if God doesn't answer all prayers. She told me he does, just some people don't like the answer so they ignore it or don't recognize it. I think that includes the answer to wait and be patient. It's easy to get frustrated when waiting, but faith can make it easier.
and finally...
Christ's atonement was for everyone. Every single person. Even people you don't like. Even people that didn't like Jesus. Even people that don't believe he existed.
I had this thought the other day that part of our journey to becoming Christ-like is finding a way in our hearts to understand that even those people are deserving of love, forgiveness, and a chance to change. Even those people can change.
And you probably thought this was going to be a funny post.
