"Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices and choices determine our actions."

-Dallin H. Oaks

Hello Brother Williams...

Just some quick instructions on this blog...

Click on one of the 10 topics at the right to view the quotes I chose for that particular topic.

My position statements for each topic can be found at the VERY bottom of this page.

Enjoy!

M

Timely

Choosing to focus on moving forward in my life was a very timely choice. Why do you ask? SEVERAL events have occurred this semester that have forced me to make some very life-altering decisions.

I'm moving to New York City in 18 days. That was the big decision of the semester. And it wasn't an easy decision, though doesn't it seem like it would be an easy one?

I struggled with whether I should go for a long time. I prayed, would get the feeling that I should go. Then the next thing I knew, things weren't falling into place and it seemed like the right, or easy, thing to throw in the towel and go home for the summer.

I went back and forth for a long time. And finally, I told Heavenly Father that if things didn't fall into place by the end of the week, I wasn't going. Within the next couple days EVERYTHING fell into place. And I knew it was the right thing to go.

I've been pretty nervous about this big move in my life. But every time I feel a little bit nervous, I think about how I have been promised that IF I will be determined to go forward without fear, I won't be intimidated. I'm moving forward, and going into this fearless.

I'm grateful for past experiences in my life that have prepared me to make this big change in my life. I look back, and if I hadn't taken the necessary steps to gain experience in work and had never made connections with certain people, I would never be able to do this.

So while past experience is very detrimental to the opportunities that are given to you, it's important to move forward with your life and to not dwell on the past.

"If you have determined to live righteously, don't become discouraged. Life may seem difficult now, but hold on tightly to that iron rod of truth. You are making better progress than you realize. Your struggles are defining character, discipline, and confidence in the promises of your Father in Heaven and the Savior as you consistently obey Their commandments."

-Richard G. Scott

(The Transforming Power of Faith and Character: October 2010)

"Humility is the quality that permits us to be taught from on high through the Spirit or to be taught from sources whose origin was inspiration from the Lord, such as the scriptures and the comments of the prophets. Humility is the precious fertile soil of righteous character. In it the seeds of personal growth germinate."

-Richard G. Scott

(The Transforming Power of Faith and Character: October 2010)

"He [satan] cannot take away any blessing that has been earned. He cannot alter character that has been woven from righteous decisions. He has no power to destroy the eternal bonds forged in a holy temple between a husband, wife and children. He cannot quench true faith. He cannot take away your testimony. Yes, these things can be lost by succumbing to his temptations. but he has no power in and of himself to destroy them."

"It is the very essence of character woven from threads born of countless correct decisions. These choices are made with trusting faith in things that are believed and, at least initially, are not seen. A strong testimony gives peace, comfort, and assurance. it generates the conviction that as the teachings of the Savior are consistently obeyed, life will be beautiful, the future will be secure, and there will be a capacity to overcome the challenges that cross our path."

-Richard G. Scott

(The Transforming Power of Faith and Character: October 2010)