Self Control

What is the most precious gift one can give to another person? What is the most sacred gift one can give to another person?

There may be more than one answer to these questions. The answer that I believe fits both questions the best though is, yourself. Physical and sexual intimacy, if it is kept only within the bonds of marriage, is the most wonderful thing you can share with someone else. Exploring and exploiting physical and sexual pleasures before or outside of marriage, with or without someone else, not only destroys the value, sacredness, and meaning of those feelings and actions, but also destroys your self worth, appreciation for life, and essentially you as a person. By indulging in these powerful thoughts, feelings, and actions you enslave yourself to them. Love and respect for people and the body itself erodes and becomes lust for sensual pleasure. Please use self control and self mastery to resist the temptation to abuse your body, or someone else's, and the sacred power God has given us to create life. As you do this you will gain more appreciation, respect, and love for yourself and for others.

Experiencing Opposition

Two days ago it was really hot. I complained vocally and in my mind several times throughout the day. Yesterday it was a little cooler but still hot. Now, today as we were walking to the library I complained about it being relativily chilly. It is also windy which added to the chill factor. Yesterday we were talking to somone and he mentioned how if you never have a bad day, in relation to work and jobs, you never appreciate the good days. That applies to the weather just as well. If I have never been too hot or too cold than I would never appreciate or even realize that the temperature is just right. In fact it applies to everything. The prophet Lehi taught his son this principle of opposition. In a spiritual sense we need the opposition of good and evil in order to choose to be good or evil. Lehi also taught his son that opposition is provided for us so that we can exercise our agency by choosing to follow Christ. These teachings are found in chapter 2 of 2 Nephi. Please use the links to read the scriptures I'm referencing. Though it is super nice to have a perfect day I am grateful for days that are less than perfect. Even when the bad days far out number the good days, they help me appreciate the good days just that much more.