Sometimes Life is Hard. . .

Sometimes I wish things had turned out differently. There are times I wish I were born in a completely different family with completely different values. I think that life would have been a lot easier if I did not have to face all of the temptations that I do. If I did not believe the things that I do. At time like this, I mentally smack myself across the face and say "of course life would have been easier, but would it have been worth it?" The answer to that question is no. If I was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints then life would have been worth it. Sure it would be easier to not have to worry about some of the temptation I face in my life, but It definitely would not have been worth giving up what I already have. I have amazing friends who love me and want the best for me. I have a family, that may be a little screwed up, but they love me too. I have so many blessings from the Lord that I cannot even begin to count them. I love life, I love my friends and my family, and I love the Lord. I knew that life was going to be hard before I was born.

In my Repentance, Atonement, and Forgiveness institute class we were given a quote that the Prophet Joseph Smith said. In short he said that in the pre-existence Christ was set apart for his calling on this earth by the hands of the Father while his heavenly mother looked on. The point of the quote was to show us that we have a heavenly mother. But I took more from it. Christ was set apart for this calling! He chose it! He knew what he would have to face if he came to this earth to be the savior to the world.

I think that we all made a similar choice. I think that we all knew what could happen to us in this life. I think I knew the hardships I would face before I got here. I know that the Lord knew I could make it through all of the trials I would face; otherwise, he would not have sent me here to this family. I have been through a lot in my short twenty-one years on this earth, but I know I have more to come. I just pray that I will be able to make it through and remain valiant so that I might stand at the foot of my Lord and be accepted by him once again. Every time I fall I will pick myself back up and repent. I will work harder every day to be the best that I can be.

Pray for me please.

-Sarah