Divine Indebtedness

As I began to read King Benjamin’s address to his people, it helped me to reflect on the gratefulness and indebtedness I feel to the Lord. It is the beginning of the season of thanksgiving and the subtle reminders I read and see help me to reevaluate my life and the way in which I should view my obligations to the Lord. For the Lord has truly given me everything in my life and as hard as I try there is no way in which I can ever repay him. He created each of us and has granted us the gift of life. And for that, I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I have been given to come to earth, gain a body, and do all I can to  make it back to my Heavenly Father. It is through His grace and love for each one of us that we can still fall short of being perfect and yet, still be purified and return back to God’s presence. I find it overwhelming and I am often left in awe at how the Lord continuously repays us for our thankfulness and obedience. I will always be indebted to Him for the endless blessings I receive everyday. King Benjamin says it perfectly in Mosiah 2:24, “And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you and therefore he hath paid you. Any ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever therefore, of what have ye to boast?” This scripture helps me to remember the importance of humility and to remember that everything I have been given is because of God. Nothing that I have accomplished has been without the help of my Heavenly Father. Our bodies belong to Him, for he created them. To respect Him I must treat my body as a temple and with the upmost respect. Throughout the rest of my journey I must continue to serve Him and do all I can to assist my brothers and sisters on their path back to the Lord.

Real Beauty

What really helped me get started on my topic for my research paper was when I heard about the Women's 10 Day Body Challenge held here at BYU through Women's Services and Resource. This event got me thinking of how much we, as young women, don't see our bodies as beautiful. As I look around our society today there are many "role models" that I believe falsely exemplify beauty. Most are immodest, dangerously thin, wear the latest and most expensive fashions, and only are seen in magazine and print ads looking flawless. But, they are not real women. Real women have curves, blemishes and bad hair days. They may not have the most expensive clothes or have their faces airbrushed with makeup, but they are real and unique in their own individual way and that is beauty.
So, these observations led me to my research question: How do "models" in the media affect the body image of young women? I believe that much of women's role models today have a distinct contribution to how they wish themselves to be. Much of these false portrayals lead to negative actions, such as eating disorders, immodest clothing, lack of self-worth or confidence, and depression. So, in my paper I hope to find and identify these different effects of unreachable perfection and also look into the main causes of how society allows these "models" to be their view and examples of women ought to be.

We Wait Upon the Lord

This past session of conference has moved me more than any other. The one talk that has remained constant in my mind is that of Robert D. Hales. I don't know if it was because of how sick he looked or how much I needed his talk but I am thankful that he was healthy enough to deliver it. "Why are trials so hard?" This is a question that i have asked myself time and time again, for it seems as if they are never ending. His statements are simple yet powerful. One that struck my mind was when he said, "too often we pray for the patience we want right now." This remark caused me to think about all the things I ask for and often expect right away. But, we must remember that it is all in God's timing. "His blessings are not temporal, they are eternal." Many of the answers we seek, we may have to wait for the hereafter for. We are beloved of the Lord more than we know, and He knows us better than we know ourselves. We must live our lives with patience in His plan and that He will do whats best for us. No matter what we may be going through, no matter how hard, it will be for our good. Thy will be done.