{Light on a Hill}

Beware of the monster post, but I had a few things on my mind that I wanted to write down. I wanted to be able to look back and remember a few important truths that I was taught this week. I also wanted to share with you.

Yesterday in Young Womens, the lesson was "Learning to Share the Gospel." It was such a significant lesson, and so important. We decided to meet all together and share our testimonies on Missionary work with the girls.

Since I have moved away from Utah, I have such a strong testimony of this. It is amazing how badly I just want to shout it from the rooftop. "Hey, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am a member of the true church, and I KNOW this without a doubt. I belong to the church that Jesus Christ organized when he lived on the earth. What a blessing it has been, what a peace it has brought to my life, and Oh... how it has saved me from so much heartache." I want everyone I love to Know what I know, Feel what I feel, and Do as I do. (okay, maybe not always do as I do.) These three words were a big part of our lesson; Know, Feel and Do.

It seems like Missionary work has been a big theme at church lately. I know it has been a little push for me. One man from our ward asked, "How does it make us feel to share this with others?"Personally, it makes me sick to my stomach and so nervous. He said, "It causes us to be fearful and worried. Worried that we might offend, or they might not like us anymore." Then he said... and this hit me so hard, "Missionary work is not about you." He is so right. It is about our friends who may be looking for something, possibly waiting for us to share with them. It is for them to decide what to do with the information. We just have to share. I also loved when this man in our ward said, "We are not selling anything. We are not asking for money. It is not a burden on anyone. Don't worry so much about it... just share what makes you happy. That is all you are doing."

The Missionaries have asked us to bring a non-member friend to church on August the 10th. I so hope that I can be a part of this. I would love to participate in bringing but one soul.

At the end of our lesson yesterday, we shared a song with the girls. The words of the song resemble the scripture Matthew 5: 14-16:

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The spirit was so strong in our meeting, and especially during the song. Here are the words:

Light on a Hill
By: Jenny Phillips

You are just one light in the darkness
Traveling by Faith
But just one light
Is hope to the ones who’ve lost their way

You are a light on a hill
Cannot be hidden
Cannot be still
Sharing His light
Til the whole world is filled
You are a light on a hill

In a world that’s lost and lonley
Heaven works through you
Bringing hope to those who
are searching for the truth

You are a light on a hill
Cannot be hidden
Cannot be still
Sharing His light
Til the whole world is filled
You are a light on a hill

Father rejoices on high
For the beauty that fills up your life
In all that you do
You have been true
And others can see him through you

We are a light on a hill
Cannot be hidden
Cannot be still
Sharing His light
Til the whole world is filled
We are a light on a hill

My goal this month is to share my light. I will share the light I have gained by:
A) my example
B) sharing my testimony of the gospel with one person, and asking them to come to church
C) teaching my children about the love that I have for this church, and the blessing of being a part of it.

One more little part of a song. It is a childrens song that they sing in primary. I love one little part, and I hope that I can teach my children just how important this is. The song is "Holding Hands around the World" by Janice Kapp Perry.

It says:
We are covenant children with a gift to give
We will teach the gospel by the way we live
With each word and action we will testify
We believe and we serve Jesus Christ.

I hope I am raising my children in a way that they show in their word and actions just who they believe in. I want their light to shine as well.

I am thankful to belong to this church. I hope and pray that those who are searching will find the truth of this gospel.

For more information about our church please visit http://www.mormon.org/

Here is the handout that I gave the girls yesterday: