Katelyn Elgaaen in Utica New York: September 11, 2017 Fall is Coming!

This week has again flown by and brought with it Fall! I am very excited for the colors and wonderful beauty that Heavenly Father has given me to witness.

From church, we had another wonderful discussion and I learned a lot. So, Did you know that negativity is a habit? It is something that it will effect you more than those around you! When you speak badly about others it hurts them, but through personal prayer and scripture study then can feel Heavenly Father's love for them and overcome those emotions- but you will still have that lens that you will see your life through.

Someone in the Class said that "What you say about others is a reflection of something you have noticed about yourself." I think that in part that is true. We all have weaknesses Ether 12:27, Heavenly Father desires to uplift us and use our struggles to help us become stronger.

https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/spiritual-whirlwinds

There are times when it is important to be understood, and others when it is important to be understanding. I know that if we pray for the discernment to know when to speak and when to be silent the spirit will whisper to our minds the things to say or do.

Sometimes when we love someone we want them to hear all that we have to say- because we know that it will benefit them and greatly impact there life, Saving them from walking down a perilous road. But, The world takes us out of the slums, Christ takes the slums out of us. If we are to be like the Savior, we must be the examples that will show love and uplift. Sometimes words or one big 'cleanup' will make no difference at all. But the way that we act and treat others will.

D&C 136:23 says, "Cease to contend one with another; cease to speak evil one of another." We can replace contention with kindness, and words of negativity with Charity.

We are children of the most High, our example and big brother is the lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All of us have a role model that we can read about, study, and talk with. None of us are ever alone in this quest to become ready to meet them again. But I know that it will be that much easier to grow and uplift others if we ourselves are already uplifted and away from negativity.

I love you all and hope that we can start in the homes, cleansing them of contention and negativity, then spread that to all around and cover the Earth.

Have a wonderful week and never forget to pray for the attributes needed to truly understand and love our neighbor's.