Hands

There is a song by Jewel called Hands. I know this probably sounds cheesy, but I think it is one of the most profound songs. It is all about serving the world through what you’ve been given. She says that we should not be idle with despair, but rather gather yourself around your faith serve with your hands. Because “my hands are small I know, but they’re not yours they are my own and I am never broken.”

This reminds me of my little brother’s favorite scripture. It’s Mosiah 2:17, which states that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.” When we serve those around us, we are serving God. And it doesn’t take super-human powers to serve with our heart. Just by using the hands, talents, and compassion given to each one of us, we can better someone else’s life.

“Poverty stole your golden shoes
But it didn’t steal your laughter”

We have all been so blessed. We have all been give hands to serve and laughter to chase away the worries. No matter how hard a situation seems, or no matter how much “poverty stole,” we still have our soul, we still have our laughter, we still have our hands.

Fasces

In Humanities, I just learned a lot fasces and they are surprisingly fascinating. They are used a lot in Roman architecture to symbolize power or unity. I was learning about little devises Napoleon or Jefferson used to show he was in control and wanted the society to support him. One of the tools he used was sculpting fasces into pillars of buildings, statues, etc.

A fasces looks like a bunch of while rods tied together with a red leather ribbon into a cylinder. It is meant to show the many coming into one. This makes better stability, persistence, unity, and strength. It reminds me of Moses 7:18 where he states "the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind..."

Zion is the ultimate form of unity, strength, and stability. And if Zion was created by being of one heart and one mind, then the fasces symbolize Zion too. fasces are a physical mirror of what Zion is in the hearts of saints or citizens or communities that feel unity.

Romanian Orphans

One thing I am passionate about is the beauty in every person. I think that everyone has enough power in them to impact the world – whether by dominating others or serving with their whole soul. I believe that the “worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 18: 10). I know that the homeless are as intelligent as doctors with PHDs. I know that the lepers are as caring as a revered priest. I know that what everyone has in common is their worth. I just wish everyone can see the gem inside of them.

I wish that I could show each person their potential and how much they are loved. I want to show the orphans in Romania how to play. I want to show each of them sunlight. I want to show them how to laugh. I want to feel their loving arms. I want to see them smile. I want to see them grow. I want them to know true happiness.

I think that is why I want to serve a mission so badly for my church. I just want everyone to know how much they are loved and that there is true joy in this corrupt world. I want everyone to get a glimpse of what Heavenly Father sees in them. I want to share this love to everyone. I know that the happiness I feel comes from my church and being a Mormon. I cannot wait to serve a mission in a year and tell people about Jesus Christ.

Galileo and Christina

Today I was reading a letter from Galileo to the Grand Duchess Christina in 1615, regarding his scientific evidence supporting the geocentric theory. At the time, it was 100% contrary to the church so he was persecuted for his radical ideas. As I was reading his letter, he said one thing that really stuck with me. He was talking about how “the intention of the Holy Ghost is to teach us how one goes to heaven, not how heaven goes.” I loved that thought. I have always tried to figure out trivial, specific, random questions that are not pertinent to gain salvation. That is when I need the reminder that the Holy Ghost will teach us how one goes to heaven, not necessarily the menial questions.

Then I thought about the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 84:45, which tells what the Holy Ghost is.

“For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”

 I love this scripture because is shows it simply that the Holy Ghost is based on truth and teaching us truth and giving us truth so we can gain salvation. And that truth gives us light. And it is “given to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.”

That is so comforting to know that the Holy Ghost can give us light and enlighten me if I listen to him. I hope that I will always listen to him and have Galileo’s view. I know that the Holy Ghost is pure. I know that he guides us through this life, helps us have perspective, and live righteously to achieve salvation. 

Jerusalem

I just got accepted into Jerusalem for a study abroad! I am stoked. I am leaving on January 6! I cannot wait to study Near Eastern Studies from actual residents of the Holy Land. I look forward to spending time there and understanding the different mindsets and perspectives as I interact with the people. The opportunity to actually live and receive an education in the Jerusalem Center will be an extraordinary cultural experience. Being there will allow me to take rough knowledge of the Middle Eastern world and apply real life experience to understand both the ancient and modern importance of the Holy Land.

When I think of going there, I remember one of my favorite scriptures in Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24. Here, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon are bearing powerful testimony of the divinity of the Savior and his role as the creator of the world. He declares that “by Him and through Him and of Him, worlds are and were created.” But what I love most about these verses is the declaration that “He Lives!”

I cannot wait to go to Jerusalem and be where Christ performed miracles and spent His ministry. This opportunity will bring me closer to the Savior, help me understand the reality of His Atonement, and bring His ministry to life. I cannot imagine a greater honor and spiritual experience than to live where Christ lived, to walk where He walked, to see the empty tomb and to kneel in Gethsemane.