Restrictions?

A lot of people look at religion and when confronted with it an immediate red flag comes up. Ahhh restrictions, taking away my freedom. I can't do this, or I can't do that. Should we really view our beliefs as such a limitation of our lives? I love my standards and am thankful for them every day. I don't know where I would be without them. I believe that religion gives us hope and can make us truly happy in this life. Sure there are hard times and temptations but thats life and those experiences increase our faith. Having high morals and standards sets us apart from the rest of the world. Life would just be boring if everyone were the same. Sometimes I feel like Waldo in that people who don't drink, smoke, endorse immorality, etc are really rare and hard to find. The interesting thing is that these people tend to be the ones who are the happiest, and have direction to their lives. Families are meant to be huge strongholds for us. When family is important, life's problems will work themselves out. But look at the media and talk to your friends, the concept of family has been destroyed and the pieces waved around as if a victory in war was achieved. Satan is throwing this victory in our faces and we aren't even doing anything about it. Families are awsome and I love mine so much! Being family centered and doing things that allow me to be in control of my own life rather than allowing other influences to control my thoughts and actions makes me the most blessed, happy man on earth.

How powerful is your influence?

I think that many of us do not even fathom the extent of our influence on those around us. The standards that we live by define who we are not only in our own eyes, but in the eyes of those around us. I grew up in a small town where there weren't very many members of my church. In case you haven't figured it out I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Anyway, I was one of maybe 5 members in my high school of 1500 students. Growing up I was often the only member in my entire class. I made a decision early in my life to obey the commandments I lived at home, at school. I believe I was in 5th grade when we had a class party where everyone brought soda with caffeine and i had to face them all and say that I don't drink caffeine. I ended up with a glass of water, which everyone knows is a 11 year old's favorite, right? The funny thing is that everyone remembered that I don't drink caffeine and at the next class party people brought sprite and other drinks just for me. Even through high school people remembered that I have certain standards that I keep. The point is that even though it is hard to stand for what you believe in, once you do it will be easier from then on because people respect that you stand for something. The fact that you stand out from the crowd and dare to be different triggers something in people's minds that makes them remember you verses all of the look-a-likes in the world. As an individual with high standards and standing for what you believe in rather than simply sitting back and allowing others to trample your values you can change the world around you to make it a better place. That influence will snowball into something huge, but the change must come from within each and every one of us. As we lead exemplary lives the Lord will work miracles through us and not only answer our prayers but make us answers to prayers of those around us because we will be prepared to be tools in the Lord's hands.