Truth Taught in All Thing

If anyone has ever met my family, you may know how much we love movies and movie quotes. There is something about it that as long as I can remember we have loved. It's just how we are. There are a few movie quotes that I especially like because they remind us of some really key principles that lead us to true happiness.

"Remember Who You Are. Remember... Remember..." (Mufasa, The Lion King)

This is something my mother says to us constantly. Every time we left the house or anytime she dropped us off somewhere. She would tell us to "Remember who you are!" I know I have mentioned it before, but it is so important to note that we are Children of a Loving Heavenly Father. He cares about us and wants us to be happy. He wants us to speak with Him through prayer. As we pray and seek Him, He will guide us through our lives.

"You is Kind. You is Smart. And you is important." (The Help)

As we come to know that we truly are children of a loving Heavenly Father, we know we matter. Especially within our family unit. We are someone that can make a difference and we each do make a difference each day. With every choice we make, we are influencing those around us. We are important in our own families and in the eyes of God. Even if you feel minuscule, remember that you do matter.

"The time has come, Harry, where we must choose between what is right, and what is easy." (Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)

This is a time in history where there is an easy path and the right path. The easy path is to live in the world, to ignore the commandments of God and to justify sin. It is to seek out temporary pleasure instead of eternal happiness. The right path is to live the way our Father in Heaven would have us live. It is more difficult and takes a lot of effort, but it is the only way to true and eternal happiness. It is following the commandments, reading our scriptures, attending church, living promises made with our Heavenly Father. It is the right path, and we should follow it. But it is our choice.

"To love another person is to see the face of God." (Les Miserables)

The first and greatest commandment is to love God. The second is to "love thy neighbor as thyself". When we love other people, we are fulfilling this commandment. We are truly understanding charity, the pure love of Christ. As we strive to be like our Heavenly Father and love all mankind, we will be able to see them as they can become, instead of as they are.

"I am a nice shark. Not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change my ways, I must first change myself. Fish are friends, not food." (Finding Nemo)

Okay, while this one is rather silly, it illustrates a desire to change. The sharks decided they no longer wanted to be mean and live the lifestyle they were. They wanted to overcome the natural shark. Much like we need to over come the natural man because "the natural man is an enemy to God." (Mosiah 3:19) As we make the resolve to change and stick with it, then we can change and become a disciple of Jesus Christ (a nice shark). 

These thoughts go to show us that we can find truth in anything. But the fullness of the truth lies within the pages of the Book of Mormon and the Bible. The two in conjunction give us the complete truth and show us the way to Salvation. You can come to know for yourself by reading and praying about the Book of Mormon to know if it is true. 

I promise that if you do this, you will seek a remission of your sins through baptism. You will know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to a 14 year old boy, Joseph Smith, through whom the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the same church that Christ set up upon the earth was restored through Him and we have a living Prophet today. I know that Christ lives and wants us all to come unto Him! Let us accept His invitation and live our lives in accordance with His laws to be able to utilize fully His sacrifice which is the one and only way to salvation. I know this to be true.

I love you all!
Love,

Sister Mackenzie Esmond