The Power of #

Okay... I'm going to confess something. I quite frankly did not know what the point of this thing called a "hash-tag" was until just a short while ago. I know... Where have I been for the last 13 months? I can answer that... In Mesa, AZ... As a missionary... Where we have no idea what is really going on in the world because we are dedicating our lives to serving and teaching about Christ. Sooooooo I am a little slow on the uptake. On top of that, I enjoy social media, but you have to realize, I just really don't understand why people post 95% of the things they do.

Diverting from the subject for a moment, this last weekend was GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!! YAY!!!! It was fabulous. There was a talk in particular by Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis of the Seventy. In it, he spoke of the internet. Regarding just surfing the internet, he said, "One should not roam through Garbage."

Okay, back to hash-tags. How can hash-tags help us not to roam through garbage, as Elder Aidukaitis directs?

Okay Okay Okay... Let's think about this. The purpose of a hash-tag is to group posts of similar content together. I think about the different hash-tags I have seen. #ChristLives, #LDSconf, #Restoration... Here's the thing. These aren't utilized to their fullest. Let's do that!

We can change the internet, one hash-tag at a time as we flood the internet with virtue. Yes, it may take some thought. Yes, it may take a bit more effort. Yes, it may be out of your comfort zone. But let's do something worthwhile with this thing. The internet CAN be great, as long as we stay away from the garbage of the world. By this, I am referring to inappropriate and downright vile images, text, and video you can find. This is destructive to the spirit.

Since I've been online as a missionary, it has been so nice to see how my Facebook has gone from something rather dramatic and annoying to something that is flooded with virtue with countless posts about Christ. I challenge you all to flood your news feeds and your friend's news feeds with uplifting and feel-good (aka Spiritual) thoughts. Use images, conference quotes, scriptures, brief, powerful statements. We CAN change the world. Why don't we do it? Let's #HashTagTheGospel. Let's talk about #faith, #repentance, #baptism, #GiftOfTheHolyGhost, and #EnduringToTheEnd. Let's #PlanOfHappiness. Let's #TruthRestored. Let's #YourTestimony.

Stop being timid. Now isn't the time to hide what you believe. Now is the time to #SpeakOutForRighteousness and not let your voice be silenced by the world. The evolving wickedness wants the voice of the righteous to be stopped. So let's not let it. Believe and broadcast. Respect others, but still don't be afraid to #StandAsAWitness.

My challenge and invitation is for you to use these hash-tags and others that you think up to start sharing your testimony, but always add in #ChristLives. Let's see if we can get this trending and start #FloodingTheInternetWithVirtue.

Example Posts for anyone who may be a bit confused:

• "'There are no endings, only everlasting beginnings.' (Dieter F. Uctdorf) I am so grateful for the #PlanOfHappiness in my life and that #ChristLives to make it possible!"
• "'Church was amazing today! I am always uplifted by the messages. #ChristLives. Enough said."
• "Headed to the Easter Pagaent tonight! What a wonderful way to celebrate the Easter season! #ChristLives." 

Do you accept? Do you understand? Comment below to sign up with the challenge and/or ask any questions.

I promise that you will see miracles by using this tool to try to change the world!

I love you all!
Love,
Sister Mackenzie Esmond

Call Me Crazy

I want you to think back to 1776. None of us were alive, I'd hope.... But this year was extremely important. Why? It was the year that several men signed what we know as the Declaration of Independence. Okay, now I want you to think about a few of these men. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson... Think about what they were doing. They were declaring their independence and liberty from England, the largest and most powerful empire in the world. When you think about it, they were a wee bit crazy.

Okay, now go back a few hundred years to Martin Luther. He saw corruption in the Catholic Church as he read through the bible, in particular the sales of indulgences. He decided he needed to do something about it, thus beginning the reformation with the posting of his 95 thesis. He was fighting against the largest church in the world that had so much control it wasn't even funny. He was a wee bit crazy.


Christopher Columbus. He decided that maybe there was a better and safer way to travel to India than going down and around Africa. He felt as if he was being pulled to go west instead of east. As he traveled west, he landed on a land no European knew of. We now know this as the American Continents. Because of him, we have our home now. But, you have to admit, he was a wee bit crazy.

Last one, Galileo Galilei. As a scientist, he was testing some of the theories of the day. He realized there were many errors that were commonly accepted such as the earth was flat and everything orbited around the earth. He realized the earth and mankind were not the center of the universe. Again, he shared his findings with those in charge at the time. Once again, he was persecuted and put on house arrest for believing this. They all thought he was a wee bit crazy.

My point? These 4 examples show us that it is possible for one person to change the world. It shows us that it is possible for us to discover something new, create new ideas, and most of all, make a difference. What do they all have in common? People around them believed they were a wee bit crazy. And when you put yourselves in the shoes that surround them, I can see why. What they were doing was revolutionary. It was something no one had ever thought of, or at least no one had the guts to stand up for.

I want you all to think of someone you believe to be crazy. Are the crazy because they have a way of thinking that you don't agree with? Many believe is. Many believe that Mormons are crazy because we believe that God still speaks to His children today by the same means that He did in biblical times, namely Prophets. Many think we are crazy because we live moral lives jut as taught in the bible. Many think we are crazy because we follow the basic 10 commandments plus a few more. Many think we are crazy because we are happy all the time because we know that there is hope in happiness hereafter. Many think we are crazy because of the claim that we have the fullness of the gospel. Many think we are crazy because we say we have the authority of God to act in His name, the same Priesthood authority given to prophets of old and Christ's original apostles. Many think we are crazy for believing God has laid out a plan for us. Many think we are crazy because we have the same organization that existed in the Church of old. Many think we are crazy because we believe the family unit to meant to be eternal, not temporary. Most of all, many think we are crazy because we can  know for ourselves if this is true.

Call me crazy, for all I care. Call me crazy for having read the Book of Mormon, prayed, and received my personal witness that the true Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. Call me crazy for spending 18 months of my life to share this incredible message of hope and joy with others. I would rather have the courage to be called crazy than the cowardice to follow the crowd. Call me crazy. Go ahead. But don't you ever doubt that I believe this with all my heart, mind, might, and soul. Don't ever doubt that I will always defend and stand as a witness of Christ. Don't ever doubt that you can believe with the same conviction I have. I know you can.

If you doubt me, then test me. My conviction is deep rooted into my soul that my lips, actions, and thoughts will never cease testifying of my Savior. I know He lives. I know He loves us. Most of all, I have the fullness of His gospel in my life and wish to share with anyone who is willing to listen. Comment, send me a Facebook message, whatever. You have questions, ask. I will do my best to help you find them because I love you. Why? You are a child of God. I am a child of God. That makes us family. To quote a favorite movie, "Ohana means family. family means no one gets left behind." I don't want to leave a single one of you without the light that I have in my life of the full, restored gospel. If you want to stay in the dark, that is your choice. But never can you deny that I have invited you to find out for yourself why Mormons are considered crazy and to finally know for yourself that Christ's church is once again on the earth.


I love you all!
Love
Sister Mackenzie Esmond

Owning Womanhood!!

Holy. Smokes. I am so excited for tonight! Tonight is the first ever General Women's Meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yup. All women 8 and up are invited to intend. This is a historic moment in which we, as women, get to get together and learn. There are few things that I enjoy more than being a women.

In this world, womanhood is mocked. Feminism is huge. Not saying that we are not equal to men, which we are, but just the fact that womanhood is being degraded. I think of some of the greatest women to ever live and think of their example of faith, love, charity, devotion, and courage. I think of some incredible women who have changed the world and stood up for what is right. I think on the amazing miracles that have occurred because of the faith of women. I think of the women who have influenced me so much. Where would I be without them to have shown me the way?

I think that the world has diminished the power of women by trying to homogenize the genders. They want equality and no separation. But it is so important to remember that men are men and women are women. We think differently, should act differently and have different and beautiful gender-distinct roles in the progression of mankind here on Earth. In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World", it states "ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." Gender is truly essential and makes up the core of what we are. By trying to make this null and void, then we are attempting to be God and make a mockery of His plan. Gender is essential. That is why it is important to embrace the awesomeness of Womanhood, ladies. 

Women can be powerful. We are the sisters, daughters, and most importantly mothers. We play a huge role in the educating the next generation and helping them to learn, grow, and respect. We instill faith in the children we have the opportunity to have in our lives. I look forward to the day I get to become a mom. Many think motherhood is a mockery of women and degrading to expect and desire to be a mom. Well, let me just tell you, Motherhood is the most divine and revered calling. We are able to create mortal bodies for God's spirit children. Men can't do that, women can. There is a reason we are the way we are. Own it. Respect it. Live for it. And reap the rewards of being a mom!

Women also have changed history. Think about Esther. She was the queen of Persia. She prevented a great tragedy with her faith and courage. She saved her people. Think about Ruth. It was because of her willingness and devotion that she went with Naomi to her land and through a series of really amazing events married Boaz. Through that line, Christ came. Mary, the mother of Christ, showed such great courage as she was called to bear the Son of God. Mary Magdalene showed such faith as she ran to tell people that Christ lives. This women changed history. I think of my own mother. Her example and her little sayings have stuck with me. She helped become who I am today and influenced my siblings and I to be strong in the gospel.

Womanhood is being celebrated as we meet as Sisters in God's family tonight. How beautiful the sight will be and how amazing will the spirit feel. There is nothing like the joining as sisters to learn and grow from the words of God's living servants on the earth today. What an magnifecent time to be a woman!

I hope that those of you that are trying to prove that women can do everything men can do will learn that maybe we don't need to. Maybe God has a different, greater purpose for us than we could ever have for ourselves? Think about that!

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Mackenzie Esmond

The Road Less Travelled

You are stuck at a crossroads. You have messed up, you have been hurt, you don't know which way to go from here. You feel utterly alone. You want to scream out as Christ did while He was hanging on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46).

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

You see the left road. It has been trodden down. It has been beaten to the ground. It seems easy. But for some reason everyone takes it. There must be some reason people take that road. It is the easy way out of where we are now. Follow the crowd. Just go where everyone else is going. It looks so easy. You see that many must have traveled which means that many are at the final destination. But there is an uneasiness as you see the debris scattered down that path. Objects, things you are wanting to escape. You gaze down it for a moment. Then look down the right one.

Then took the other, just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear,

Though as that for the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

But then you realize that soft, dewy grass is calling to you. There is a peaceful feeling that comes over you. You feel as if you are unworthy of the peace you see in that the right path. The sun is shining through the trees so perfectly and the beauty of the light hitting the dew on the grass overwhelms you. Ivy grows up the trees in a magnificent maze. You are overwhelmed. You get down on your knees and pray to your God to know where you must go.

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way

I doubted if I should ever come back.

As you head down the untrodden path, your feet get caught as you walk. They get caught in the overgrowth. You have to step over fallen trees. It's not as easy as the path you decided against. You fall down and have to get back up. It seems never ending, when at last you see what appears to be a small clearing. You have to overcome the biggest obstacle you have faced, an old oak that is probable ten feet in diameter. You begin to use the knobs and holes in the tree to climb over it. 

I shall be telling this with a sigh.

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference.

You have made it. You see the clearing. There is a beautiful brook running through. You feel the peace and the serenity that is found in such a place as this. You look around, only to discover you are not alone. You see a man and look into His eyes. You realize He is Jesus Christ, your Savior, your Redeemer. His arms are open to you and He calls you by your name and says, "My Child, I love you."

Christ loves each and everyone of us. He wants us all to return to live with Him in a place of peace and eternal happiness. He has provided a way for us. It may not be the road that many people will take, but it is open to all that will come, believe on His name, have a change of heart which is repentance, and come unto Him through following His example. His atonement is what makes all of us able to be forgiven, healed, comforted, and know that we will never be utterly alone as He was. He walked the path alone, so we wouldn't have to. His atonement is the reason for the Easter season. It is the reason we can find peace in this life. The Atonement of Jesus Christ gives us our purpose in this life. I have learned this and felt it, I know each and every one of you can too. 

There are certain verses in the Book of Mormon that I would like to end with. This is in the book of Alma, 7:11-12. It reads,

 "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

This means that if you have felt it, suffered it, sinned any sin, He has felt the pains and afflictions brought with that. He knows you and knows you perfectly. Don't let your own stubbornness stop your conversion to become more like your Savior. Use the atonement of Jesus Christ every day and you will see it will make all the difference. I know this is true. I know He loves you so much that He did this. I want every person in the world to know that God is looking out for you.

I love you all!
Love,

Sister Mackenzie Esmond

(The poem is The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost)

Of Boys and Men

Dear Boys,

You want to be men? You want to be someone that others aspire to be? You want to be true, manly men? No softies or cry-babies. No talking about your feelings. No showing any emotions. True manly men. Guns and Cars and Hunting and Hikes and all that jazz... Wait, no jazz, rock 'n'roll, heavy metal.  

This is today's idea of a true man. A man is someone who has the most girls he can. His whole worth is based off of such temporal pleasures that, you know, a "real" man doesn't need Jesus. A "real" man doesn't "waste" his time on others. He makes sure he is working to get the best of the best. A "real" man drives a sports car, wears his Nike's everywhere, and is a "ballah". Yup. Doesn't that sound awesome? (No. Not really.)

I want to let you know... This isn't what makes a boy a man. I want to tell you about the most manly man to ever walk the face of this earth. He didn't do what we consider manly nowadays. He never did what you do. He didn't work out his muscles to make them huge. He didn't focus all his time on getting the latest and greatest video game console or beating that level on Halo 5 or whatever is out now. 

This man spent all his time serving others. He played with the children, wept with others, and cared for the sick. His life was spent looking outside himself. He didn't care what the world thought of him. Actually, many people hated him. He wasn't afraid to stand up for what he knew to be true. He knew His identity. This man performed the greatest act of pure charity that has ever been performed.

Boys act like what I was first talking about. Boys are self-centered, unfocused on an eternal perspective, and go through life only caring about worldly things. Men look for the eternal. They do what they can to make the lives of others better. They rely on their God. 

Just like the most manly man to ever walk the faith of this earth. That is our savior, Jesus Christ. He is the person that true men strive to be like. By following his example, you can become someone that others will aspire to become like. Through your example they will see your Savior. They will see Christ in your countenance. What a beautiful thing to picture. Christ in your countenance is what you should strive for.

You want to be men? 

Learn of, live like, love like, and be like Christ.

That is what makes you real, true, and manly men.

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Mackenzie Esmond

A Basic Human Right

There is something that is very prevalent in today's world. Something that I would like to address. I would like to talk about religious freedom. What is it? Why is it Important to know NOW? And how can we work to preserve religious freedom as a society?

WHAT IS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM?

In short, it is the ability to worship how, where, or what you may without fear of persecution or discrimination. This means you are able to worship freely in public and in private. You have the right to voice your beliefs and others have the right to do the same. As a missionary, I exercise this right every day that I go about the work to teach people about the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This means that individually we can come to know that God is our loving Heavenly Father. We can pray to Him and talk with Him. We can see our families being blessed by founding them upon the teachings of Jesus Christ. And we can do all of this without being judged, persecuted, or discriminated against. Religious Freedom is a basic human right and is outlined and protected in the First Amendment of the United states Constitution. Many people who disagree with the beliefs of others try to silence any voice that is contrary to what they believe. But in a society that has a lot of moral issues, it is more important now than ever to remember that most peoples morals are based on their core beliefs, their religion, whether they identify with one or not. By keeping this blog and posting on Facebook as a missionary, I am exercising this religious freedom. Even as missionaries, we let every person we teach know that they have the agency, the free will, to accept or reject what we have to teach based on their experience with prayer, church attendance, and reading the Book of Mormon. Religious Freedom DOES NOT give us the right to practice discrimination. We need to respect others beliefs, but are not obligated to accept them as our own.

WHY IS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SO IMPORTANT?

As I said above, religious freedom is a basic human right. Nobody can tell you how to believe. You must discover for yourself what you believe. In the Book of Mormon, Captain Moroni shows his readiness to fight for his religious freedom when he rents his cloak and writes upon it what many know as the Title of Liberty. It says, "...In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children..." (Alma 46:12). Religious Freedom gives us the right to stand up for what we believe, even if what with believe may be unpopular. It is the right to remind people that there are laws and statutes written in stone by our God that cannot be changed, even if they are legalized. But most of all, it is the right to worship in the way that pleases us. This means that there can be many different denominations and you are free to convert to any one of them. The United States of America was built upon a foundation of religious freedom. The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ could not have happened any other time than the year 1820 when Joseph Smith, then 14 years old, asked a question and had a vision in which he saw the resurrected Christ at the right hand of God, the Father. (For more info on this, click here) Until after the war of 1812, which was the last war fought on American Soil, there was no country in the world that had religious freedom after the death of Christ's apostles. If you remember back to European History, there was persecution for those who spoke out with their own beliefs. Religious Freedom protects our right to what is stated in the 12th Article of Faith. "We claim the privilege of worshiping almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscious and allow all men the same privilege to worship how, where, or what they may." Finally in 1820, there was a place where religious freedom was allowed and religious freedom was what people practiced. This was when Heavenly Father knew that the Restoration of the Gospel could come forth again. This is the example of religious freedom that has touched my life the most. Without the restored gospel, I would not be here on my mission, writing this blog post, and so passionate about religious freedom as a whole. I know that this country as established on these principles for the purposes of the Lord. 

HOW DO WE PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM?

We need to be educated on the subject itself. I have been reading in the Old Testament about Moses taking the Children of Isreal out of Egypt. I think of Pharaoh and his tyrannical rule and the fact the Hebrew slaves were washed free of their religion as they were in bondage. This was a period of time that the Children of Isreal were oppressed. When religious freedom is taken away in any age, oppression follows. There is a simple way to prevent oppression, persecution, and discrimination and that is to stand up for what we believe. Let's not let the adversary win this battle. Let's take what we know to be true and defend it.

Let's go back to Captain Moroni for a moment. He was willing to defend his religion and fight for the right to worship his God. Why shouldn't we feel the same? And if you don't know if there is a God, you have the right to get down on your knees and ask Him if He is there. You have that right. I challenge each one of you to do just that. Ask God if He is there and if He has a wise purpose for allowing the establishment of a country with religious freedom so that His true church could be restored. But don't take my word for it. Learn for yourself at  mormon.org and feel free to ask me any question in the comments below. I want to help you to know for yourself. You can learn through the power of the Holy Ghost. "And by the power of the Holy Ghost, you can know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:5). Simple as that. You can learn for yourself, but you have to start by learning. I hope you exercise your religious freedom and give it a whole-hearted and sincere try.

I love you all!
Love,

Sister Mackenzie Esmond

Oh The Lies We Tell Ourselves!!

Do you ever feel inadequate? Do you ever feel like you are not enough? Do you ever look at yourself in the mirror and see nothing but flaws? This is normal. There is so much negativity in the world about the human body and there is a false representation of what is beautiful. Seriously... You really think you're Heavenly Father wants you looking at the body He gave in the mirror and thinking, "If only my eyes were green, then I'd be beautiful." or "If only my neck wasn't so long, then I'd be beautiful." or the worst thing ever, "If only I looked like the girls on the magazine, then I'd be beautiful."

Remember this next time you
think bad about your body!!!

 Here's the dealio, everyone. There is a lack of respect for the human body in the world today. I will be quite honest, it is sickening. I am talking to everyone who starves themselves for beauty as well as those who "self-harm" so they can release emotion, to those who work out a lot to get "ripped" or weigh 100 lbs, to those who drink, smoke, use drugs, have pre-marital sex, watch pornography. I am speaking to anyone who abuses the temple that your loving Father in Heaven has given you. Do you think that is what God wants you to do? I don't think so. I don't think He gave you your body to use it for evil and to abuse it. He gave it to you as a vessel by which your spirit could come to the earth. STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP FOR NOT LOOKING LIKE THE WORLD THINKS YOU SHOULD!!! Simple as that. See, there is this guy who decided to rebel against God. His name is Satan and well... long story short, he lost the amazing privilege to come to Earth and receive one of these pretty incredible human bodies we got. Sooooooo... this certain someone is very jealous of our bodies and will do anything to destroy them. That is why we have so many substances and practices that are "cool" (aka actually not very smart and extremely harmful).

Satan lies to us everyday.
Stop listening to him.

Now, you may say to me, "Sister Esmond, but I like doing that stuff! I won't hurt me." False. You are just lying to yourself. Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking, Pre-Marital Sex, Pornography... Yup. All are harmful Stop lying to yourself and realize that they are. It drives me nuts that some believe that these things are okay. It's actually quite disgusting. Think about the diseases, health problems, relationship problems, etc. Nothing but problems for temporary gratification. I know I'm seeming harsh, but these lies that the world tell us only bring us harms. Satan is excited when he sees you destroying your body.

For all of you that harm yourself: Please seek professional help. This isn't good. You think in 10 years you will want to look at your scars and be reminded of the pain you suffered? Suicide and Self-Harm are permanent solutions for temporary problems. I beg of you, please just don't do it.

Portland, OR Temple
Isn't it GORGEOUS?
YOU ARE TOO!!!!

Okay, why should you listen? In the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 6:19, Paul poses a question. He asks, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" Think about this statement. Some may ask, what is a temple? Well, the image on the left is the Portland, Oregon LDS Temple. I am partial to it myself... But what a temple is is a House of the Lord. They are built to facilitate the Lord's work her on the Earth. They are places of peace, where you can feel of His spirit always. This is what our bodies are. They are given to us to move forward with God's plan, for us to experience life, but live it within the bounds the Lord has set. If we do this, I know we can find true peace and happiness and we will be able to know that we are Children of a Loving Heavenly Father.  

It's a great day to be YOU!

Well... Now that I have gotten all of this out, I just wanted to say I know that it can be hard. The world wants us to look a certain way, act a certain way, be a certain way... Well, that is all a bunch of lies. You need to turn to your Heavenly Father to help you know who to be really. This is what I have come to realize as I, just many, if not all, or you, have dealt with self esteem issues. I finally realized that every negative thought about the way I look is from Satan. Every negative thought about the fact I work my best to keep my standards high is from Satan. Heavenly Father blesses us to keep ourselves healthy, strong and happy when we follow His commandments. It is worth it. I promise you will see blessings if you live the commandments! Be yourself, laugh, make a fool of yourself, have fun, but remember to live the laws of the Lord, and you will be the happiest you you can ever be!

I love you all!
Love,
Sister Mackenzie Esmond