Arapahoe High School Student
Jesus Christ is mine and your savior. I know that he loves us more than we can imagine and wants what is best for us. He died for us so that we can return to him, so he knows our pains and sorrows. Because of his great love, he has helped me through ruff times. He is my savior, redeemer, friend, and brother.
Savanna Johnson, Heritage High School
Whenever I am feeling lonely and think that I have no one to talk to, I remember the relationship I have with Jesus Christ. I remember that literally any feeling I feel, he has experienced it himself. I remember that I can talk to him about anything and that his love for me is a perfect and unconditional love. He is my best friend and older brother, and I'm so lucky to have the knowledge of what he went through for me.
Jarom Bartlett, Heritage High School
Whenever I think of Jesus Christ, immense peace fills my heart. If I am going through difficult times with school, homework, friends, sports, or anything, I know I can turn to him and be comforted. I know that he was the perfect example of how we should strive to live, and when I follow his footsteps and try to be like him I am able to love and serve others more easily.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
What is it like being Young and Mormon?
Daniel Sabey, Arapahoe High School
We are not all that different from other kids our age. We love to play sports, listen to music, and hang out with friends. We go to school, do our homework, and have our own hobbies. From my perspective the main difference between Mormon youth and other youth is the standards we strive to live up to. We strive to remain virtuous in action and in thought. We strive to keep our bodies healthy by not taking in what is bad for us. We strive to study our scriptures every day and pray several times a day. We strive to participate in church and in service as much as possible. We strive for perfections but understand Christ atoned for our short comings so we strive to remain positive about where we are. Because of this personal and uplifting relationship with Christ we are happy!
Mackenzie Macfarlane, Arapahoe High School
Being young and Mormon is awesome. Some people may think we have so many "restrictions" on us, but really we just have guidelines that help to better our lives. We have standards that allow us to be free from things that would harm us and we have tons of fun within the guidelines we have! We still have a very close relationship with one another because we know that we have the same morals and standards and we spend a lot of quality time with each other. Really, we are just normal people. Being a Mormon does not mean your life is perfect or that you think you are perfect. As teenagers, we are far from perfect, but we try our best to be good people and the savior takes care of us. Having some thing to hold on to in my life gives everything a purpose and gives my life direction. This bring me so much comfort and peace to my heart. Being Mormon has helped shape me into the person I am today, and I am so thankful for all the wonderful blessing it bring to my life.
Jennifer Griffith, Arapahoe High School
Being young and Mormon is an incredible blessing- one I could spend much time talking about and still not even scratch the surface of. There is an interesting dynamic, however, to the word "young." In the early years of being a teenager, many young men and young women are trying to in a sense, "find themselves." They seek for understanding of where they came from, why they are here, and where they are going- truly seeking to know what life holds in store for them. The gospel of Jesus Christ in the Mormon church is such a wonderful comfort and testifies of the answers to these many questions (and more) that young people face. Being able to live is so wonderful. To have a purpose in life, and a direction to go is such a beautiful thing, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly provides these answers. in short, being young and Mormon is such an irreplaceable joy and blessing- one that I wouldn't change for the world.
We are not all that different from other kids our age. We love to play sports, listen to music, and hang out with friends. We go to school, do our homework, and have our own hobbies. From my perspective the main difference between Mormon youth and other youth is the standards we strive to live up to. We strive to remain virtuous in action and in thought. We strive to keep our bodies healthy by not taking in what is bad for us. We strive to study our scriptures every day and pray several times a day. We strive to participate in church and in service as much as possible. We strive for perfections but understand Christ atoned for our short comings so we strive to remain positive about where we are. Because of this personal and uplifting relationship with Christ we are happy!
Mackenzie Macfarlane, Arapahoe High School
Being young and Mormon is awesome. Some people may think we have so many "restrictions" on us, but really we just have guidelines that help to better our lives. We have standards that allow us to be free from things that would harm us and we have tons of fun within the guidelines we have! We still have a very close relationship with one another because we know that we have the same morals and standards and we spend a lot of quality time with each other. Really, we are just normal people. Being a Mormon does not mean your life is perfect or that you think you are perfect. As teenagers, we are far from perfect, but we try our best to be good people and the savior takes care of us. Having some thing to hold on to in my life gives everything a purpose and gives my life direction. This bring me so much comfort and peace to my heart. Being Mormon has helped shape me into the person I am today, and I am so thankful for all the wonderful blessing it bring to my life.
Jennifer Griffith, Arapahoe High School
Being young and Mormon is an incredible blessing- one I could spend much time talking about and still not even scratch the surface of. There is an interesting dynamic, however, to the word "young." In the early years of being a teenager, many young men and young women are trying to in a sense, "find themselves." They seek for understanding of where they came from, why they are here, and where they are going- truly seeking to know what life holds in store for them. The gospel of Jesus Christ in the Mormon church is such a wonderful comfort and testifies of the answers to these many questions (and more) that young people face. Being able to live is so wonderful. To have a purpose in life, and a direction to go is such a beautiful thing, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly provides these answers. in short, being young and Mormon is such an irreplaceable joy and blessing- one that I wouldn't change for the world.
Declarations of Faith: Joseph Smith
Katrina Jencks, Heritage High School
A couple summers ago i traveled with my family to Nauvoo, Illinois. Let me tell you: it was my favorite vacation ever. not only was traveling to the places Joseph Smith had been fun but it was also eye opening and spiritual. I know now that Joseph Smith really was a latter-day prophet. He saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove. I know that Joseph Smith was a kind, charitable, amazing man who died as a martyr. Knowing this has led me to become a better person. I strive to be kind, charitable and spiritual like Joseph Smith. I want to be worthy to be in my Father's presence.
Kathryn Cheney, Arapahoe High School
Joseph Smith, in 1820, asked Heavenly Father which denomination of church was true. In a grove of trees, heavenly father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph, then a 14 year old boy, and told him of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith then continued to be taught and eventually translated The Book of Mormon and restored Christ's church to the the earth: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. To many, this history and those experiences are made up or too fantastical to believe. But I know that they happened. I know that Joseph Smith was a true and living prophet. I know that he really saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He was so tuned with the Spirit of God that we have a whole Doctrine & Covenants full of the revelations he received. He was a pure man with a strong testimony and I know that because of his obedience to God, he is exalted on high.
A couple summers ago i traveled with my family to Nauvoo, Illinois. Let me tell you: it was my favorite vacation ever. not only was traveling to the places Joseph Smith had been fun but it was also eye opening and spiritual. I know now that Joseph Smith really was a latter-day prophet. He saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove. I know that Joseph Smith was a kind, charitable, amazing man who died as a martyr. Knowing this has led me to become a better person. I strive to be kind, charitable and spiritual like Joseph Smith. I want to be worthy to be in my Father's presence.
Kathryn Cheney, Arapahoe High School
Joseph Smith, in 1820, asked Heavenly Father which denomination of church was true. In a grove of trees, heavenly father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph, then a 14 year old boy, and told him of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith then continued to be taught and eventually translated The Book of Mormon and restored Christ's church to the the earth: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. To many, this history and those experiences are made up or too fantastical to believe. But I know that they happened. I know that Joseph Smith was a true and living prophet. I know that he really saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He was so tuned with the Spirit of God that we have a whole Doctrine & Covenants full of the revelations he received. He was a pure man with a strong testimony and I know that because of his obedience to God, he is exalted on high.
Declarations of Faith: Plan of Salvation
Ashlen Lemon, Heritage High School
The Plan of Salvation gives me hope. I know that my shortcomings and mistakes are compensated for by the Atonement, and that gives me so much comfort, because I know I'm not perfect, but I don't have to be. I am also so excited to live with my family forever, because that means I will never be alone.
Jenni Meyers, Arapahoe High School
The Plan of Salvation or the Plan of Happiness is a plan that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father proposed before we came to earth. In this plan, Jesus Christ allows for us to have eternal life, be with our families forever, and have agency. Having lost a brother, this is so special to me. I know that I will be able to see him again and wrap my arms around him. This plan also has many degrees of glory, instead of just a heaven and a hell. The Lord knows exactly where we will be most happy. This provides so much comfort to me. I know that wherever I end up, I will be content and joyful. it is also great to know that we have agency and that we are able to choose and act on our own. this allows us to learn and experience mortality. It is so wonderful to know that we can live with our families forever and have an eternal life that is full of bliss.
Declarations of Faith: Temples
Syd Barton, Arapahoe High School
The feeling I get when I go to the temple, it just can't be explained. You know that feeling when you go camping for days, then you get home and shower, and it just feels amazing! That's kind of how I feel when I leave the temple, but I feel like my soul has been cleansed. This feeling and the feeling of the Spirit are how I know that the temple is the House of the Lord. Everything in it is so pure. I can't wait till I can go through more of the temple! I love the communication I can have with the Lord there. I know this gospel is true, and the fact that we have a temple so close to us is the greatest blessing in the world. I wouldn't trade going to the temple with anything. I know it truly blesses.
Colie Lemon, Heritage High School
Temples are a big part of our religion. Without them, certain parts of God's plan would not be able to be fulfilled. I am so grateful that we have temples that we can be sealed to our families, both current and future, so that we will be able to live with each other after we die. My family means so much me, and my future family will too, and without the temples we would not get to be together forever. I am so glad that we have that opportunity.
The feeling I get when I go to the temple, it just can't be explained. You know that feeling when you go camping for days, then you get home and shower, and it just feels amazing! That's kind of how I feel when I leave the temple, but I feel like my soul has been cleansed. This feeling and the feeling of the Spirit are how I know that the temple is the House of the Lord. Everything in it is so pure. I can't wait till I can go through more of the temple! I love the communication I can have with the Lord there. I know this gospel is true, and the fact that we have a temple so close to us is the greatest blessing in the world. I wouldn't trade going to the temple with anything. I know it truly blesses.
Colie Lemon, Heritage High School
Temples are a big part of our religion. Without them, certain parts of God's plan would not be able to be fulfilled. I am so grateful that we have temples that we can be sealed to our families, both current and future, so that we will be able to live with each other after we die. My family means so much me, and my future family will too, and without the temples we would not get to be together forever. I am so glad that we have that opportunity.
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