Laurie S.

It's easy to only see the negative to situations we don't actually know about.  We are told not to judge.  There's the age old adage about walking a mile in someone else's shoes.  As children of God and as brothers and sisters in Christ, shouldn't we be loving each other?  We have all failed, fallen and tried to get up and start anew.  Should we be surprised that our friends, family and ward members are doing the same? 

 One of the most memorable and inspiring  things I've ever heard was from a former Stake President speaking to the youth.  He said this, "It doesn't matter who you were or what you have done, from this very moment you can choose to be different.  To do better."  

 Church has not, nor is not always the peaceful joyful experience I would like it to be. And it's almost never easy to get there.  But besides the wiggling, poking and sometimes really ornery behavior, there's the deeper purpose.  And it's worth it. 

 God has been clear from the beginning that he is unchangeable and does not turn a blind eye to sin.  We, as members of the church, need to hold fast to those things we have already known to be true.  

Go to the costume section and you will inevitably find a devil costume with red horns and a tail.  Watch a horror movie and see Satan depicted as an ugly frightening beast.  He's scary and loud and invokes fear.

The Ten Virgins, I finally get it... by Laurie Smith

I've always struggled with the parable of the Ten Virgins.  I understood the "be prepared" part, but I just couldn't grasp the lack of charity.  Doesn't Christ teach us to give and help those in need?