First post.

Blogging. You can spread the work of the Lord through blogging. Be patient with me as I try my best to gather my thoughts together in a hopefully clear and concise way.

Today I read Alma 1. My favorite verse of the whole chapter was Alma 1:25. It reads,

"Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them."

What was it that troubled them so greatly? It was that their friends in the gospel who chose not to continue to follow Jesus Christ anymore. This was a great trial that was placed upon them. This trial is also placed upon some of us. People are able to make choices for themselves because of the moral agency that our loving Heavenly Father so willingly blessed us with. Sometimes these people make choices that are not in line with what we want for them, but more importantly, not in line with what God wants for us.

What can we do to help these people? Well, first things first, we can LOVE them. Today we had a missionary conference call and we talked about "loving people back to activity." We have the opportunity and the responsibility to love and help the people around us feel of God's love for us. Our mission president's wife told us the way we treat [others] is the way that we help them feel God's love for them. I know this principle is true. May we please, please, please treat all people with love and kindness, like the Savior would.

Going back to the verse, we also need to stand fast in our own personal testimonies. Don't let negative influences in your life drag you away from the miraculous blessings of the gospel.

If we focus in on the end of this verse, we can gain so much comfort. If you are experiencing a loved one who is not choosing the right, or going through any other trial that seems insurmountable, this verse and many others promise you that the God will help you bear with patience the hard things you are going through. He will be there. At all times of the day. Or night. He will be there. Pray to our Heavenly Father. He will comfort and bless us more than we can ever imagine.

Here is a link to an article written by Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/03/faithful-parents-and-wayward-children-sustaining-hope-while-overcoming-misunderstanding?lang=eng