Our Opportunities to Shine are Limitless

{November 1, 2011- President Thomas S. Monson gives BYU Devotional Address}

Since hearing President Uchtdorf’s “Forget me Not” talk I have been trying to be mindful of the small wonders that everyday has to offer and doing my best to diligently record them in my journal.

Somedays lots of awesome things happen and I have no problem filling multiple pages with these blessings-other days I have to look a little closer to find the small wonders that day has to offer. I have found that this small task has helped me, to put it simply, be happier.

Let’s pretend for a minute that yesterday had been one of those more difficult days. I probably would have come up with a couple silly things that made me happy..like maybe: “It’s November 1, 2011 which means I got to date all my notes 11-1-11…kinda cool” or “Today it rained. I got to wear my rainboots. I love my rainboots.”

However, yesterday was not a difficult day at all and here’s why:

That man is a Prophet of God and he came to my school and addressed our student body. And I got to be in the same room as him {for the second time in the last 30 days}. I wish I could describe to you how amazing it is to feel the Spirit when the Prophet enters the room and a hush comes over the crowd of almost 18,000 people as they rise to their feet.

I may not be able to explain that feeling to you but I can share with you some of the invaluable words he shared with us:

“We know where we came from, why we are here and where we will go after this life. We know that we are children of our Heavenly Father and that he loves us. We know we want to return to him after we leave this earthly existence. We know what we do and don’t do here in mortality is of the utmost importance.”

Those four sentences are things that I know. Think about that for a second. I KNOW those things…not think they might be true or think they sound logical. I know them. And most of you reading this probably do too, but I know that some of you don’t. But you could and wouldn’t that be awesome? Check it out!

 “Our opportunities to shine are limitless. They surround us each day, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. As we follow the example of the Savior, ours will be the opportunity to be a light, as it were, in the lives of those around us – whether they be our own family members, our coworkers, mere acquaintances or total strangers.”

Reading this quote while looking at this picture brings a smile to my face. I just picture each individual in that crowd being an example of the Savior to one person they come in contact with. Think of how many lives the Gospel of Jesus Christ could reach. I know that many of the young men and some of the young women in that arena served a full-time mission for the church and for two years let their light shine.

The part of the quote that gets me, however, is the “in whatever circumstances we find ourselves”. I love being a student at BYU but sometimes being surrounded by people who share the same faith and belief system as me makes me feel like missionary opportunities are rare. But that doesn’t mean living the Gospel and being an example of light is a necessity.

Then, I kid you not, the man quoted The Lion King. Obviously he’s inspired (:

“Look inside yourself. You are more than what you have become. Remember who you are. Remember.”

Don’t worry President Monson I haven’t forgotten that I am a daughter of God.

P.S. Fun fact: I decided to use the first picture because when I went to the original source and blew it up to full size I was able to find myself in the crowd. Yeah, I know I’m a nerd.