Brightening My Light

June 27 marks the 166th anniversary of Joseph Smith's death. I found this amazing video in honor of him ( click here for another good one). I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and restored His church to the earth. I know that he loved the Saints and the Lord and that he sacrificed so much to bring us the blessings of the gospel. Praise to the man! Challenge: May we continue to share his story and our testimony of him with all the world so that he did not die in vain.

I know that Jesus Christ still speaks to His children, through all types of revelation: the scriptures, our Church leaders, and personal revelation through the Holy Ghost. It does not make any sense to me why some believe He has stopped communicating with His children. His works never change, for He is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" ( 2 Nephi 29:9 ; see also Hebrews 13:8 ). He has not stopped, but has spoken to His children ever since Adam and Eve, giving us all the knowledge we need to return to Him. We especially need His guidance in these latter days, the final scenes before His Second Coming, and I am so grateful we have it. I know the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and that President Monson is a prophet. I know that Christ lives and loves us, and I am so grateful He shows His love by continuing to speak to us today. Challenge: Read 2 Nephi 29 .

I love singing and listening to Primary songs. Their sweetness, energy, and sincerity touch my spirit and remind me to be childlike. Their simple words emphasize the basic yet most important principles of the gospel. They bring the Spirit, joy, and peace. And some songs are just plain fun to sing! Sharing Time: What is your favorite Primary song? photo from deseretbook.com

Christ commanded us to be the salt of the earth ( 3 Nephi 12:13 , Matthew 5:13 ). What is so special about salt? The Israelites had to use salt in their sacrifices to symbolize the Lord's preserving them just as salt preserves food ( Leviticus 2:13 , Numbers 18:19 ). Christ fulfilled the law of Moses and did away with sacrifices, but He still used salt symbolically when He called us the salt of the earth. Salt is obtained by evaporation, the removal of moisture by sunlight. We become the salt of the earth by allowing Christ, the source of all light, to remove our sins. Salt is white, the color of purity. We too must be pure. Salt preserves food, drying out moisture that allows it to spoil. We can preserve souls by bringing them to Christ and showing them how to repent of all soul-spoiling sin. Salt draws out and intensifies the natural flavor of food. Likewise, we can draw out and intensify the natural goodness in others by being an example of good. Salt adds flavor to bland food.

My friend shared this amazing video with me, called " Validation ." It's touching and funny and shows the best, easiest, fastest, cheapest way to make Heavenly Father's children happier and kinder. I try to live by this principle (making others happy). I hate seeing people sad or upset, because I know how painful it is to feel depressed or stressed or whatever other negative emotion. People want validation, and it's so easy to give. This small act has such huge results: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine . . ." On the flip side, small acts of unkindness also have huge results: " . . . but a broken spirit drieth the bones" (Proverbs 17:22; see also Proverbs 15:13 ). How can we not afford to be kind to one another? Smiles and compliments take little time and energy. And for every smile we bring to someone's face, we also bring a smile to Christ's. Challenge: Let's change this world one smile at a time!