Spiritually Preparing for the Savior

The world we live in today can be a pretty scary place. It feels as though the wicked ways of the world are getting worse and worse every day. Recently, President Russell M. Nelson, the Prophet of God for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, addressed the women of the church. He titled his remarks, “Sisters Participation in the Gathering of Israel.” I’d like to mention just a few things that he talked about that will help fortify and protect us in these latter days. 


The first thing that President Nelson talks about is praying to know our spiritual gifts. He said: “I urge you, with all the hope of my heart, to pray to understand your spiritual gifts—to cultivate, use, and expand them, even more than you ever have. You will change the world as you do so.” President Nelson continues by talking about how we can use these gifts in our ministering efforts. As we seek to serve and love others, we will be able to feel the love of God for those we serve and feel His love for us. This will spiritually prepare us for His coming as it will help us to uplift and support each other in these troubling days. It will also help us to become more like Jesus Christ. After all, He spent every day of His earthly life serving others.

Another thing that President Nelson talked about was reading the Book of Mormon. He said: “I invite you to read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year. As impossible as that may seem with all you are trying to manage in your life, if you will accept this invitation with full purpose of heart, the Lord will help you find a way to achieve it. And, as you prayerfully study, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation.” I have been participating in this invitation and have been loving every moment of it. I feel that reading the Book of Mormon by the end of the year is helping me to gain a stronger testimony of Jesus Christ. I am spiritually preparing myself by making reading a habit every day.


The last one that I would like to mention is attending the temple. President Nelson said: “Establish a pattern of regular temple attendance. This may require a little more sacrifice in your life. More regular time in the temple will allow the Lord to teach you how to draw upon His priesthood power with which you have been endowed in His temple.” For me, the temple is a place where Heaven touches Earth. I feel complete peace and happiness when I am serving in the house of the Lord. Although it requires that we take time out of our busy lives to go, it is so worth it. Going to the temple has spiritually helped to prepare me as it is a way I can leave the distractions of the world behind, serve, and feel close to my Savior. 

I hope that these things help as you think of ways that you can spiritually prepare yourself for when the Savior comes again. This world is growing ever more wicked and by participating in things that will keep us close to Heavenly Father, I know that He will guide, bless, and protect us. 

~Perfectly Imperfect Girl

P.I.G.

E.B. Photography

Hey all!

It's been a while. BUT! Here is some exciting news...

My baby brother graduated today! I am so proud of him :)

These were taken at the beginning of his school year, but here are some of the pictures that we took for his senior shoot.

Enjoy ~

~ Perfectly Imperfect Girl 

P.I.G.

Exposing the Enemies of Christ

What is an Anti-Christ? Chapter 30 in the Book of Alma gives us this answer - using the example of a man named Korihor. In verse 6, it reads: 

But it came to pass in the latter end of the seventeenth year, 

there came a man into the land of Zarahemla, and he was Anti-Christ, for he began

to preach unto the people against the prophecies which had been spoken by 

the prophets, concerning the coming of Christ.             

On my mission, I was able to meet and talk with several people who were what you could consider an “Anti-Christ”, like Korihor. They spoke pleasing words and were very smooth in the way that they presented themselves. Others were not so subtle. My companions and I met some men that would yell at us all of the false doctrines they believed about our church. Some would calmly lure us into talking to them, seeming normal at first, and would begin to say things that didn’t seem quite right with our beliefs and were sometimes a little odd. Something that I learned on my mission was to be able to look into people’s eyes and determine if I could trust them. Usually, their eyes were dark, and had no light in them. For some, it looked like there was a visible shade covering their eyes. I feel that Heavenly Father was able to bless me with the Spirit of Discernment, and I learned what the evils of the world looked like. The Book of Mormon helped me a lot when it came to praying for this gift. I read a lot from the account of Alma, when Ammon is able to discern the king’s thoughts, and testify of the truthfulness of the gospel. Both Ammon and Alma were prompted to ask questions, and were able to determine the evils of man in that way. Prophets throughout this book teach us how it is that we can expose the enemies of Christ. 

I was able to talk with my Father last night about Korihor, and the Anti-Christ's in our world. We read together from Chapter 30 in Alma. As we read and discussed, he shared with me some interesting insights. The first being that this chapter exposes 6 teachings of an Anti-Christ, and solutions to those modern day Korihors in our life. Here are the first 6:

6 Teachings of an Anti-Christ

1.) Verse 12, there shall be no Christ.

2.) Verse 13, For no man can know of anything which is to come.

3.) Verse 16, Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins. But

behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes from the traditions of your fathers....

4.) Verse 17, therefore every man prospered according to his genius, 

and that according to his strength....

5.) Verse 17, and whatsoever a man did was no crime.

6.) Verse 18, telling them that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof.

How to Deal w/ Modern-day Korihor's 

1.) Verse 20, Be wise.

2.) Verse 34, Declare/know the truth. 

3.) Verse 39, Testify. 

4.) Verse 42, Seek the guidance of the Spirit/ the Spirit of Discernment. 

5.) Verse 44, Teach the truth from the scriptures and prophets. 

I know that as we strive to stay close to our Savior, and use the tools and patterns that he has given us through the Book of Mormon - and by other means that he has given us - that we will be blessed and protected from those Modern-day Korihors. I have seen this in my own life and in the lives of many others. I testify that God lives and that He loves each and every single one of His children. He is so mindful of us, and the struggles of our everyday lives. 

Stay strong. Stay close to the Savior. He loves you.  

~Perfectly Imperfect Girl

P.I.G.

E.B. Photography

I had a great time taking pictures of this girl. She is a real beauty! 

 

Check out Kayla's Blog for more:

https://missmodesta.wordpress.com/

Have a delightful day!

~Perfectly Imperfect Girl

P.I.G.

E.B. Photography

Here is a glimpse of a photo shoot Kayla Tayco and I did! She took the pictures and I did the editing on them, she is a pro!

Check out Kayla's blog to see more of her work:

https://missmodesta.wordpress.com/

Have a lovely day!

~Perfectly Imperfect Girl

(P.I.G.)

"Obedience Brings Blessings, Exact Obedience Brings Miracles"

The First Presidency of our church stated not so long ago, that missionaries were no longer allowed to work out in gyms, go to sporting events, or participate in similar activities.

A lot of the missionaries that I served with were not happy about this news. My companion being one of them, concerning working out in the gym. Deciding to keep a positive attitude about it, and wanting to be obedient to what the Lord asked us to do, we found fun and creative ways to exercise in the morning.

A few days following, we received news that areas in France were bombed. We were informed from our Mission President that some of the places that were hit were music and sport centers - and that because all the missionaries were obedient to what the First Presidency had instructed us to do, they were all accounted for.

We shared this message with members frequently throughout the week, and many of them were touched by this tender mercy of the Lord.

---

In 1 Nephi 3:7, it reads:

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things

which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no

commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that

they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

There are passages all throughout the Book of Mormon and the Bible that talk about the blessings that come from listening and heeding the words of the Lord. The words that come from His apostles and prophets are the same as if God were speaking to us. Doctrine and Covenants 1:38 tells us something very similar:

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; 

and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but

shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."

I know that as we always strive to be obedient that the Lord will shower blessings upon us. I have seen it in my own life as well as in the lives of others. Obedience not only brings blessings, but it brings happiness. And although being obedient isn't always the most "popular" thing to do according to the world's standards - it is always the right thing to do in Heavenly Father's. 

~Perfectly Imperfect Girl

P.I.G.

Fancy Hair

I had a fun time helping this lovely roommate of mine get ready for a country dance. Isn't she the cutest? I hope you all have a wonderful day!

~Perfectly Imperfect Girl
P.I.G.