The Book of Mormon is filled with stories of courageous men and women—righteous people who stayed true to God and to themselves in the most difficult of situations.  Because these stories are so awe-inspiring and remarkable, it’s a little too easy to forget that these are stories of real people—human beings with weaknesses and imperfections who struggled in their trials.  It’s easy to look up to these people and wish to be as faithful as them, but harder to recognize that they were tempted just as I am, that they struggled just as I do.  The difference is that they held tightly to the gospel truth that they knew, consistently doing the things they were supposed to be doing, and this is why they were able to accomplish miraculous things (or perhaps, why God was able to work miracles through them).
Christus

Jesus Christ

        If I sacrificed those things in my life that are taking me further from Jesus Christ, who knows what miracles He could work through me? I love the idea of thinking of myself as a mirror, and all the good I do angles me closer to reflecting the light of Christ, so that others can see His light through me. Obviously it’s not a perfect analogy, considering that we are not merely mirrors and do much more than just reflect things, but I still love thinking about being able to inch closer and closer to the perfect angle that will allow Christ’s light to shine through me.
        The story of Lehi, an ancient prophet, and his family is one example of an amazing story filled with amazing examples of righteous people.  The Book of Mormon begins with this account of Lehi and his family living in an increasingly wicked Jerusalem, and the Lord asks Lehi to preach to the people of Jerusalem and warn them of its impending destruction (now known to be the Babylonian captivity).  They ignore Lehi, so he takes his family and they venture far into the wilderness and eventually reach the “promised land”. It’s an amazing story, even more because of all the different (clashing?) personalities within the family.
        In this story, Nephi, Lehi’s son, goes through so many tests and trials of his faith, but seems to never waver in his trust and faith in God. It’s easy to think of him as this superhuman, perfectly righteous person who didn’t even have to try to overcome temptation, but Nephi surely had imperfections and insecurities.  He must have had moments of doubt or at least frustration with his circumstances, but he didn’t allow any of that to stop him from obeying his Heavenly Father.
       So being in my wonderful circumstances, with the gospel and a great family, and being able to get a wonderful education, I really shouldn’t have much to deter me from being completely righteous.  I just have to continue developing my relationship with my Heavenly Father through the little daily things like reading my scriptures, carefully thinking about how to improve the way I act on a daily basis; praying to Him and really listening for answer to questions and problems in my life; trying to love everyone around me as Christ does, with a kind of charity that is not judgmental or demanding; and constantly looking for ways to improve myself and allow the Spirit to speak to me.  I know it’s harder than it sounds, but it is possible with God’s help.
Article written by Lydia T
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