"I was in prison, and ye came unto me." (Matthew 25:36)

#LightTheWorld #day23

As I read the scripture for today, "I was in prison, and ye came unto me" (Matthew 25:36), I couldn't help but think of how we are all "in prison" at times. This means that we are held captive by our fears, by hanging onto the hurts, or pains that we have experienced intentionally or unintentionally afflicted upon us. Being unforgiving is one way of being spiritually in prison. "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body" (Hebrews 13:3). Prison can be physical captivity, as well as spiritual captivity.

I have come to notice that when I am unforgiving I tend to see others through the eyes at the age in which I was wounded. I am "unable to break out of the prison of [myself]" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland). As I think about how I have changed over the years, I do hope that people see the "new me", even the me that has changed, and been "born again in Christ" (conversion). As I offer this same compassion to others, as I hope they will give to me, I have felt like I am free, even released from this self made prison that has held me captive.

Sometimes that prison is the prison of envy, hate, fear, not forgiving others or myself, resentment, pain, loss of faith or hope. Sometimes we get locked into prison of not being compassionate. President Monson gives us a wonderful solution that helps us free ourselves and others from these prisons. He said, "We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at the present but as they may become when they receive testimonies of the gospel of Christ" (Pres. Thomas S. Monson). As we continually strive to have this perspective, to see the truth of what really is, then we can be made free. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (see John 8:32).

Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life"(John 14:6). He is the One that can and will set us free. This I testify.

"Wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared. Behold, the kingdom is yours and the enemy shall not overcome (D&C 38:9)

Next scripture from my personal scripture study: thoughts, ideas, and inspiration. (see previous note here)

"Wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared. Behold, the kingdom is yours and the enemy shall not overcome (D&C 38:9)." I am grateful for this scripture today...the blackness has been heavy and it has been a battle that has been tough. So as I read this I think about preparing for war and the challenges it brings.

To me, to gird up my loins is a symbol of making myself prepared to go to work or perhaps even to war. In Ephesians 6 it is the description of putting on the whole armor of God and preparing for battle. Part of that armour is to gird up my loins with truth (see Ephesians 6:14). I love this! The battle against the darkness is often filled with lies about who I truly am or what I am capable of doing. Having my loins girt about with truth includes the truth that I am a child of God. We are all God's children. This truth is vital for us to know and understand in order to win the battle against the darkness.

Having to gird up my loins is also a symbol of being pure and chaste, thus I must keep God's commandments in order to be prepared to fight the war that is before me. I must prepare to serve God daily and overcome the enemy of all righteousness (see D&C 10:5; Moroni 9:6; Alma 34:23). Scripture study, prayer, journal writing, and exercise are just a few things that have helped me when the battle is thick with darkness.

You know what? The whole purpose of winning this battle is to beat the darkness. Moroni said to his son Mormon: "And now, my beloved son...let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God" (Moroni 9:6). On my rough days, I can remember that the "labor to perform" is to conquer the enemy. I must keep trying, keep serving, keep fighting...no matter how hard the battle. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said: "I simply say to us all, young and old, never give up. Keep trying, keep reaching, keep talking, keep praying- but never give up. Above all, never pull away from each other (Within the Clasp of Your Arms) .

The enemy shall not overcome. I will endure. And in the long run I shall "come off conqueror" (D&C 10:5). Just keep trying. Every little bit makes a difference.

This is a quilt that was made and then donated to the Humanitarian Center. I think about the time and effort that has gone into making it...and then they donate it. What love! Every little bit makes a difference!

This is a close-up:of the detail

Notice that everyone has been hand stitched. Every little bit makes a difference. Just keep trying!

"And I will also be your light in the wilderness" (1 Nephi 17:13)

There were some incredible sunsets, silver linings, and awesome clouds on my rides these past weeks. As I watched the light change, and the silver linings appear I couldn't help but think how God is filled with light. I love what Elder Jeffrey R. Holland about silver linings. "Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His children shed" (An High Priest of Good Things to Come).

Sometimes it may feel like we are just wandering or riding around with no direction, but He will always be our Light. "And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led" (1 Nephi 17:13).

Today, just keep "pedaling"...the Light is there, the clouds pass away, for we are being led to greater things (sometimes there are even rainbows at the top of the mountain). More often than not, it's hard, challenging, and a lot of work, but the climb is always worth it! The Light is always there, we just have to wait for the clouds to part. And they always do- this I testify.

Silver lining 

Silver Lining just a minute later- even more light!

Sunset looking to the West

Same sunset looking to the East- reflected light through the clouds

Light behind the clouds- sometimes we just have to wait for them to part in order to see the Light

"I will be your light "- seek Him and we shall always find Him

And sometimes there is even a rainbow at the end of the "climb"

"...I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up" (D&C 84:88)

Riding around Bear Lake has become somewhat of a tradition for my dad, my brother David, my brother-in-law Kevin, and the past two years has increased with my nephew Garrett, and this year two of my sons- Stockton and Ethan. Often we ride fast, and there is a bit of a competitive edge about doing it to see how fast one can finish the ride. But this year was a little different in that my son Ethan has absolutely no desire to go fast. He goes at his own pace. I stayed behind him, and for the first 15 miles thought he may turn around because everyone had gone ahead of us. We caught up with them, they started again and passed us, with the exception of my brother David (therefore Ethan's Uncle). He stayed with us. He told Ethan, "Riding is suppose to be fun. You go at your own pace. Especially with this being your first ride, don't worry about how fast you're going. I will even ride back to the cabin with you if needed". With these words of encouragement, Ethan settled in and kept pumping away, slow and steady.

This was a ride in the true sense of the word. It was not a contest, but a ride. All too often in life the competitive side of our natural man comes charging in and wants to take control, or be the best, fastest, better than, or greater than all other participants when in reality, it's a ride...not a competition and there is no need to contend for one's place or position while on a ride. When David told Ethan to "enjoy the ride" I couldn't help think of this scripture: "Adam fell that men might be; men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi  2:25). The joy comes in the journey!

I had started out on this ride expecting to ride fast, keep up with everyone, and be back in time for lunch. Well, it turned out to be different and in the long run (or ride in this case), one that will stand out in my mind forever. It was an incredible experience to watch my son continue pedaling hour after hour, enduring the heat, and receiving encouragement from his Uncle David. Pres. Monson says it so beautifully about enjoying the journey now: "This is our one and only chance at mortal life- here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey- now" (Finding Joy in the Journey).

On that ride I learned so many subtle, but powerful lessons and the ride ended up being one of incredible joy. While seeing my son Ethan with his Uncle David encouraging him and patiently riding beside him, I understood more clearly that the Savior will always be there for us. He says, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:18). There are so many times when we think we are on our own, and yet he will always be there to comfort and guide us on our life's journey.  We are told, "...I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up" (D&C 84:88). Most often, the angels beside us are our family members, friends, and people we associate with on a regular basis. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland teaches us this about angels:

"But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with-here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems close than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind" (The ministry of Angels).

This ride called life is meant to be enjoyed, and yes, endured well. As a mother who witnessed a miracle of her son finishing the longest ride he had attempted (the longest he had ridden was 4 miles prior to attempting this 50 mile ride), I testify that we are never alone, we will never be left comfortless (see John 14:18), and there will be angels in our lives to "bear [us] up".

Riding behind Ethan and David

We did it! Ethan, David, and me. It was a journey of great joy :)

P.S. Know you are loved!