By their fruits, ye shall know them.

As I was doing my scripture study today, I was reading in 3 Nephi chapter 14.  This is when Christ has come to the Americas and is teaching the people.  

He warns in verse 14, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

This verse especially got me thinking.  Although there are many literal false prophets in our day, there are also so many distractions in our world that are the same thing.  Just think about it.  How many things do you see everyday that promise "happiness" and "peace"?  We are constantly bombarded by things of this world that claim to make people happy, when in reality they only bring temporary satisfaction and ultimately.. sadness.  When it comes to material things of this world, we will always feel incomplete.  We will always want more.  What we have is NEVER going to be enough.  There will always be a newer, better, trendier version of what you have.  Clothes, technology, cars, diets, followers on social media, likes on your Instagram picture, etc.  The madness never ends!!!  It's kind of discomforting actually.

While these material things can ultimately bring us down, they aren't all bad.  But how the heck are we supposed to tell the difference between a good thing and a bad thing in this world full of constant contradicting messages??  Jesus shows us how in these next verses.  Starting in 16,

"Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."

Then skipping down to verse 20, "Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them."  

This didn't quite make complete sense to me at first; I had to go back and reread it a few times, but finally it hit me.  It's really not all that hard to know a good thing from a bad thing.  All you have to do is look at what it brings about.  Look at the end result, not the immediate, temporary one. 

Whenever you are faced with something promising you happiness, although it's much easier said than done, just look at the big picture.  Is this really going to matter later on in my life?  If it will affect your life in a positive way, pursue it.  If not, is it really worth wasting energy, time and possibly your eternal wellbeing over?  

Life gets pretty crazy and extremely difficult at times, but it doesn't have to be all that complicated.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ provides a simple answer to our lives.  

3 Nephi 27:16: "And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world."

I know without a doubt that my Savior loves me.  He loves all of us individually.  He died so that I can return to live with Him again and have eternal happiness.  He will never leave me in a state of confusion, but He will lead me and guide me to do what's right.  I know that He will receive anyone and everyone that comes to Him with a sincere heart, He loves you.  With Him, I can conquer over every hardship and trial that is placed in my path.  He will never leave me comfortless.

(C.S. Lewis nails it.  Every time.  ^^^)

xoxo

brookelle

Resting Hour

Things have been pretty crazy lately, and I've been a little down.  Life is happening right before my eyes, and no matter what I do, I've realized it's not possible to slow it down.  I, like so many other college students in my position, have so many big decisions to make.  It's been stressful, but today I got a much needed letter from the sweetest boy, my missionary. :)  

I usually try not to tell him all the things I'm having a hard time with, because his mission is his first priority and the last thing I want to be is a distraction.  In the last letter I sent, I just told him I was having a bit of a hard time, and his response was priceless.  It's such an incredible blessing to have his eternal perspective on what I've been going through.  His words helped me, so I'm sure they can help some of you.

The Lord is so aware of each and every one of us, and He gives us trials and hardships so that we will turn to Him for help and comfort.  He truly loves each and every one of his children more than we can even try to comprehend.  In Adam's letter, he sent me this little quote:

"God sent a man to push a large boulder.  The man pushed and pushed on the boulder.  Satan came by and said, 'why are you pushing on that boulder?  You'll never be able to move it.'  The man became discouraged.  He went to God and asked why he had been sent to push a boulder he would never be able to move.  God said, 'I never expected or told you to move the boulder.  I told you to push the boulder.  In pushing the boulder, your arms, back, and legs have been strengthened and you have become strong.'"

When times get rough, we need to turn to the Lord, and He will show us how he is strengthening and shaping us.  Blessings will always come from turning to the Lord, and by putting our trust in God, we will be able to get through anything we may face in this life.

"Righteous sorrow and suffering carve cavities in the soul that will later become reservoirs of joy."

D&C 122:7-9

"7 And if though shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape opn the mouth wide after thee, now thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. 

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all.  Art thou greater than he?

9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass.  Thy days are known and they years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."

 God loves us.  God loves you. 

His hand is stretched out for you, all you have to do is reach for it.

xoxo

brookelle

"When we are broken we’re not forgotten
You will be strong
And even though that fight that we’re facing
Leaves you burned out and shaken
You’re not alone

 Give it all to me
I can be your resting hour."