another comment for homer

"looking for love in all the wrong places"...

that has been my motto for the past few years...

and now i think i've found where i need to be...

i want to share an experience i had yesterday...i went to my family's ward...which is a new ward for us...(see my blog - My Beloved Sauniatu)...and i can honestly say that in this new ward...i do not feel the spirit there...

i've tried and i just can't feel it...

so my brother and i decided to try a tongan singles ward (i'm samoan btw) and we've never felt the spirit so strongly in the longest time...and i honestly feel that the spirit knew we needed some spiritual nourishment...and prompted us to go to this other ward...

and it was a great experience, especially since my brother and i are not the perfect members that we should be...we still love the church and strive to be better...

one of the speakers talked about "true happiness"...how sharing our light with others so they can feel true happiness...and that true happiness is knowing the truth...that THE LORD loves us...and wants us to be happy...

another speaker talked about being self reliant...that we have to meet THE LORD half way...that we cannot just pray to find that special someone...that we have to get out there...and meet the people and be active in our church activities and functions...and so forth...

it was a really good day yesterday...

and i'm glad you're on your path to happiness :)

warm regards,

ro :)

it was a really good experience yesterday at church......i just went to sacrament at the singles ward cos unfortunately i broke the sabbath to hang out with a friend at the movies......(see???.....not a perfect mormon, but striving to change my ways)......

anyway.....the first speaker talked about "true happiness"......and it reminded me of a scripture found in Alma 41:10 "....wickedness never was happiness"......and it made me realize that yeah, i do fun things that don't coincide with the church.....and yeah, it seems fun......but sinning.....isn't really giving me joy......and that "true happiness"......is doing what it right for your spirit......and faith......

sure going to the movies was yesterday was "fun".....but breaking THE LORD'S 4th commandment......keeping the sabbath day holy.....is going to get me in the long run.....

same with the word of wisdom......i have a problem with smoking.....sure it was "cool" back in the day.....but now.....it just sucks big time.....and it's a problem i shouldn't even have if i just obeyed the word of wisdom......

the second speaker talked about "the light"......the light in the eyes of the members of the church......how righteous members have "the light" or "a glow".......

on saturday, my friend's mother told me that i had "a glow" on my face......and wondered what it was......and i told her i get asked that a lot......and never did i realize until sunday when i went to church that maybe i had "the glow"......

"the light" is the amount of knowledge you know about THE LORD......and the strength of your faith and testimony......some lights are very bright.....radiant......and others are dim.....almost a flicker......and the speaker pointed out that us members should "let our light so shine, that others may see our good works, and glorify our father, who which is in heaven"......(i did that last quote by memory, so if i misquoted it, do forgive me)......

and that member should not be ashamed of who they are......

when i thought about that, as she went on with her talk, that i do feel ashamed.....because i'm a sinner.....because i'm not living up to the values of the church......it's something i need to change before i can honestly represent the church......

honestly, how can i say i'm a member of "THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS" with a cigarette in my hand????......

i'm not ashamed to be a member of the church......i'm ashamed of myself not being able to represent the church.....and that i know i must change.....

and the last speaker talked about being self relient.....that we cannot rely on THE LORD for everything that happens in our life......that we have to meet him half way.....and that if something does not go our way.....we cannot just put it all on THE LORD.....we have to do our part......

one for example that the speaker pointed out......getting married......you can pray night and day for that "special someone".......but you have do your part by getting out there......going to church functions......hanging out with people.....meeting new faces......and praying for the patience you need in finding the right one......you cannot just pray and expect Mr. Right or Miss. Right to come knocking on your door.....

and i took this to heart.......cos yeah.....you've read my blogs.......this in an area i also need to work on......

also another topic he mentioned was "believing testimonies" vs. "moving testimonies".......and how everyone had a "believing testimony", -i believe the scriptures are true.....-i believe the prophet is a true prophet.....-i believe the church is true......

and he said "believing testimonies" aren't bad or anything.....but everyone needs to progress to "moving testimonies"......testimonies that MOVE the bearer into reading the scriptures.....MOVES the bearer into following the prophet......MOVES the bearer into to become a righteous member of the church and show others through service that they hold the pure love of christ......

it was a great and uplifting service on sunday......the most spiritual nourishment of had in a very long time.....

and i've taken all that was said to heart......and seriously making a change toward righteousness......

now i'm not going to change over night.......it will take time.....baby steps.......i'm going to start going to church from now on.....i've been inactive for about 4 or 5 years......and make my spirit stronger with THE LORD's teachings......and feed my spirit every chance i can get......while trying to quit smoking and all the other stuff i do......

it's going to be difficult.....and there will be times that i will fall.....but now i have a net to catch me......so i don't fall to far down......