Gospel Topic Tuesday

So one of my YW on her blog wrote last week about how she wanted to study more gospel topics. I started thinking about it and the idea won't leave me so maybe it's something I should do...I am going to try and do a post each Tuesday about a gospel topic with my thoughts on it. This is to help encourage me to study more on my own. :) It will be Gospel Topic Tuesday.

I've been reading a book called "65 Signs of the Times Leading Up to the Second Coming" by David J. Ridges. My sister in law Tausha was talking about how great it was when I was in Idaho. I'm not very far into the book yet but I must agree it's a great book so far. It's very insightful and helpful.

My favorite part so far is how it's calling out that getting worried and stressed out about the signs that are happening around us is not how we should be feeling/thinking. Below are a few quotes that come from the Prophets that is counsel to us about the times we live in and how joyful we should be.

Below is a quote by our current Prophet Thomas S. Monson from his talk titled "Be of Good Cheer".

"It would be easy to become discouraged and cynical about the future—or even fearful of what might come—if we allowed ourselves to dwell only on that which is wrong in the world and in our lives. Today, however, I’d like us to turn our thoughts and our attitudes away from the troubles around us and to focus instead on our blessings as members of the Church. The Apostle Paul declared, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

None of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges—and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”"

We are that we might have joy! We need to focus on the blessings we have. The world is dark and it's easy to get pulled into its doom and gloom but we need to resist that. Satan wants us to be miserable and insecure at these last days. The time is winding down and he will do all he can to bring us down with him. I know how real Satan is and I know how real my Savior is and that it is a time to be happy. He is coming again!

What a joyful time to be on the earth! It won't be easy but if we do what is right and stay close to the church, follow the counsel of our Prophet, study the scriptures, say our prayers and listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost we will be prepared. We will be able to recognize the signs and not be afraid. I will admit that I have moments where I get nervous but when I read that quote by Thomas S. Monson I feel joy again.

There's one more quote I would like to share from our last Prophet Gordon B. Hinkley from his talk entitled, "Living in the Fulness of Times".

"I do not know what we did in the preexistence to merit the wonderful blessings we enjoy. We have come to earth in this great season in the long history of mankind. It is a marvelous age, the best of all. As we reflect on the plodding course of mankind, from the time of our first parents, we cannot help feeling grateful."

I'm grateful for our Prophet and past prophets and the apostles that give guidance and direction. If we heed their words and counsel then we have nothing to fear.