Last summer I spent a lot of time alone. Often when I'm alone I sing whatever song has been running through my head. The song of the week was "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus." When I got to "I'm trying to love my neighbor, I'm learning to serve my friends" the words hit me like they never had before. Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ, love each of us no matter what we've done, and we are trying to follow that example. The commandment is not Thou shalt love thy neighbor unless they are annoying, or unless they smell bad, or unless they've offended us. We're asked to love our neighbors regardless of any of that. I often think back to a time near the end of high school. I had the opportunity to have a conversation with one of my favorite people. He had made a few stupid mistakes regarding the emotions of some of my other friends, and felt really bad about it. These other friends were and are still heavily involved in a good christian church, yet could not find it within themselves to forgive him. I didn't understand how they could claim to be such steadfast followers of Christ if they refused to follow in the footsteps of the master forgiver. He atoned to save even those who had killed him, for cryin' out loud! I made a mental note to make sure that I remembered to forgive people.
My soul aches when the prophet Joseph pleads, "O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?" Often we, or people we love, ask where God is hiding in times of trial. However, He promises us numerous times that he will never leave us. One of the most eloquent of these promises is Isaiah 54:10. He says, "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee." It is my goal to echo that sentiment. In my efforts to be Christlike, I want my friends, neighbors, and associates to know that whatever they've done, my kindness shall not be removed from them. These words coming from my mouth cannot have the same level of comfort as when it comes from Heavenly Father or Christ, but I believe people will be blessed and I will become the nicest me I am capable of being. I figure, I make mistakes, so who am I not to forgive? Often I hear people say that if somebody is mean to you, it's acceptable to return the favor. However, I know that when I get angsty is when I need the most kindness. Part of a poem President Monson shared in conference two years ago is "But I never have yet felt a tinge of regret for being a little too kind." You can seldom go wrong by doing a genuinely kind deed, and sincere compliments always brighten one's day.A brief side note/reminder--If we do everything Heavenly Father asks us to do, then everything works out for our good. That doesn't mean it works out to our immediate desire, however. Matthew 4:1 states, "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." I'm sure being tempted of the Devil must've been a pleasant experience, eh? But, really, we are lead wherever we need to be to become the best people we are capable of becoming.
And remember, "Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment." And no matter what "If You Could Hie to Kolob" would have you believe, there is an end; this too shall pass ;) "And then, if thou endure it well. God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes" (D&C 121:7-8). This I believe with all my head and heart. The proof is all around.
And I love this vid. And I hope the three people who read this will also :)
