Knowledge is UNLIMITED!

Here is my reiteration of the 13th article of faith. No looking- I promise!

"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow to admonition of Paul, we believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

I drove home from BYU on Thursday morning. All by myself..... and it was so much FUN! Blasting music, eating junk food, and the lone road.
I got home to find welcoming parents and a very attractive bed.
I went crazy and unpacked pretty much everything. My mom came up to me with a little cute smile on her face, which means she has something exciting to tell me.
Her surprise?









2 Tickets to the performance of WICKED!!!!


Now let me just say, my whole family saw this musical in LONDON ENGLAND without me. So this was sooooo exciting for me! My mom told me the story of how her visiting teaching companion had two extra tickets and just gave them to my mom! Just like that!
Well, what a beautiful performance and we had wonderful seats thanks to our new friend.

Thinking about the requirements for this experience, I was filled with appreciation for not only the performers and their talent, but the message of the play.
-Love
-Friendship
-Honesty
-Courage
-Accountability
-and more LOVE
Sometimes when we do something, it can be perceived by others in a way that we never intended it to me seen or recognized. Our intentions were true and honest, but the perception of others would say differently. How then do we fix it?

As I have had my own experiences similar in nature to those of Elphaba, where people don't understand me or the things I do, or even I don't understand why some people say what they say or do what they do, I have had this phrase come into my head on multiple occasions.
"Give each other the benefit of the doubt."
Glinda had her heart broken because of something that Elphaba did that she didn't understand. But when she put aside those hard feelings and remembered that she loved Elphie, that she was her best friend, those feelings that tore them apart disappeared and there was love and kindness.

How grateful I am for the experiences that I have been having that have led me to learn and grow. I know that the Lord is leading on a path that will only bring me more happiness.

Next Experience

Knowledge Value Experience #3

Memorize Article of Faith number thirteen and recite it to a parent, a leader, or another adult. Then visit a museum or exhibit or attend a performance that involves dance, music, speech, or drama. Using this article of faith as a guide, evaluate what you saw and heard. In your journal write your thoughts about how you can use this article of faith as a guide for all you do so the Holy Ghost will be your constant companion. Share those thoughts with a parent or leader.

I am coming up on finals week, so I don't know when I will finish this one. But I will keep working on it!!!!

I'm HOME

Well folks,
this is me! Emily Jex back from the beautiful city of Nauvoo!

It's amazing how different I can be in just 3 1/2 months.

I know so much more!

What else can I say except this:
I know that God lives. He loves us and is so mindful of us. His hand is in our lives and it's there for a reason. I know we cannot succeed in this life without Him and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our Savior, our Redeemer, our Friend, our Brother, and our Advocate did the most unselfish thing. As one of my friends quoted "He lowered himself to the lowest point of human existence so we could be exalted to the highest state of immortality." He knows us so well because He knows EXACTLY what we have gone through.

I won't say it has been easy being back. I miss Nauvoo and all the busy-ness of the days. But one missionary shared that in order to understand Nauvoo and the saints who lived there, you need to leave it. Leave it all behind. I have just an idea of what the Saints left when they crossed the Mississippi. But they didn't do it alone.  I have gained a testimony of angels and their strong power. Elder Jeffery R. Holland said, "...in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near..." I know that angels are here right now, bearing us up in our day to day trials and afflictions. Not one trial goes overlooked or unknown to our Heavenly Father.

I know that not only were the pioneers protected by angels but they were led by a living prophet, Joseph Smith. He, being only 14 years old, prayed for an answer and received something much greater. The Father and His Son visited Joseph. Two Heavenly beings talked with a young boy and led him in the ways of righteousness.  Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. He restored the true and everlasting gospel and because of him I have the privilege of being a part of this true church. He sacrificed so much for this gospel. I will always remember what he suffered so we could have the fullness of the gospel in our lives today. Because of him, we have the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. It's pages only reaffirm the truth of the gospel. By reading its pages we can feel closer to our Savior and feel His love for us.

I had the experience of a lifetime. I wouldn't have had it any other way. The city beautiful is a part of my heart and soul. "Press on, Press on, ye saints of God" ("Though Deeping Trials") I know that this church is true. I wear it on my sleeve and live it conspicuously. I love my Heavenly Father and I love my Savior. I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that this church is the true and everlasting gospel brought forth in these latter days to help us return and live with our Father in Heaven again.
I invite those who do not know for themselves to read the Book of Mormon and ponder the challenge that Moroni leaves us the Moroni 10:3-5. Pray. Ask God if these things are true.
I bear my witness to you,
in the sacred name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.

One Special Night

So last night, I had the most magnificent opportunity to enter into the House of the Lord.
My family accompanied me through, and I can say that it was wonderful.

I have so many things to learn.  But I know that with the Lord on my side, I can do all things.

Some pictures to show my happy night.

What a night.
I love this gospel.

you already know....

so I attended a fireside last night that was specifically for those who were planning on Missionary service by none other than the President of Brigham Young University himself! Cecil O. Samuelson

He told many stories of his youth and his experiences with his journey to prepare for his mission.

One story he told, really impacted me because I almost had the same thing happen to me!

He said how when he was reading the Book of Mormon, he took Moroni's challenge at the end and prayed to know if it was true.  The spirit told him that he already knew the answer.  He shouldn't be praying to know it's true, instead he should be praying for understanding.

A while back, I remember saying my prayers and for some reason, I wanted to ask my Father in Heaven if Joseph Smith was in fact a true prophet. I thought it was a good idea. To my disheartenment, I was told that I already knew the answer and didn't need to be praying about it. He told me He loved me for my desire to have a feeling of confirmation, but I already had it while I learned about the prophet.

I didn't think much about it since til last night. When President Samuelson told that story it made me think about what I know it truth and what I understand.  I know a lot to be true, but I don't understand everything.  I am not supposed to understand everything. But I am supposed to use my knowledge to know and understand more.
That is how I grow.

I know and understand that this gospel is true.  I know and understand that the Book of Mormon was given to us in our day to help us become closer to our Savior and know of a surety that this church is true. I know and understand that the Prophet Joseph Smith restored the Church and its keys on the earth.  I know and understand the God loves me and everyone.  I cannot comprehend the amount of love, but I know and understand it is always there and will never fail.