"born of goodly parents..."

I have challenged myself to read the Book of Mormon once through before the start of the fall semester. It's going to be a lot of reading but I know I can do it. As I read the Book of Mormon over and over again I read things, understand things, and have reveled things unto me that I have not seen before. It's amazing how the Spirit works when you're in tune. 

As I began reading I was stuck on the first verse, 1 Nephi 1:1 which reads " I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days."

I read it again but the beginning went like this, "I, [Celia], having been born of goodly parents, there I was taight somewhat in all the learning of my [parents]". Now "goodly" can mean wealth and Nephi did come from a well off home but I read it more than just material wealth. I read the word "goodly" as richness of the gospel. I began to reflect upon my own life as a daughter of my parents, of my parents faith and sacrifice, and of the person I have become and striving to become due to my parents teachings. My faith began with my parents. They taught me what faith was before anything else. You can say my testimony of the gospel began with their teachings. It began in the home. My parents have taught me many things that have kept me going through the years.

One thing they have taught me was the power of prayer. Ever since I could remember we had family prayer every night kneeling around their bed. Every night we took turns saying the prayer. We all basically said the same things, we said thanks for the day and asked to watch over each family member. Now that I am far from home and don't have family prayer I make sure to include those basic things in my prayers. I always ask Heavenly Father to watch over my family. I guess you can say I do out of habit but it's something I sincerely mean. 

Another things my parents have taught me has been in times of trial and hardships the best thing to do is turn to the Lord. My parents have had their fair share of trials over the years, big and small. Although I may have not understood them at the time I knew my parents faced them with faith in the Lord. As I look back I see how their actions reflected on their trust in the Lord. During this past school year I had to look back on my parents' example of their faith and trust in the Lord and I continue to follow their example. Times will become harder but I know putting my trust in the Lord everything will turn out to be okay.

Even though I'm not living at home I still look toward my parents' teachings to get through this crazy/hard/insane/interesting/random/fun life. All they have taught me has never gone to waste or wasn't something I needed. Far from home they still teach me. I will never stop learning from my parents. 

 

Some Go Young

Recently a fellow peer of mine passed away. He was hiking the Y mountain and had a tragic accident. He was only 22 years old. We were both members of the Cougar Marching Band. Despite not being in the same section and only being members of the same band it still saddens me. The marching band is a family to me away from my family while I am in Utah so something likes this really hits me. I remember him always smiling and enjoying each moment in the band. He will surely will be missed by all in the band.  

His death brought back memories and struggles I have had with death especially with the death of young people I have known. The first time I had to face the death of someone was when I was 7 years old. I remember it clearly when my mother told me my older cousin passed away. He was only 17 years old, one week away from high school graduation. I asked my mother why he died so young. At this point in my life I thought only old people died. Her response was something along the lines of "because God needed him in Heaven more than we did." For a 7 year old it helped me understand there were things to be done in Heaven after one had passed away. At that point in my life I didn't fully understand what happened after death but my mother's answer would be something I would and will refer to in the years to come.

Many young people have died, young people who wouldn't get to experience many of life experiences. When I was 15 years I had to deal with this again. Someone who I grew up in primary passed away and he as well was only 17 years old. At this point I felt anger toward God because He let someone so young die without experiencing so many things in life. I was wondering why he would let this young man along with other youth and children who die so young. I began to question this a lot. I went back to the answer my mother gave me years before, "because God needed [them] in Heaven more than we did." Sometimes we don't know what God has in store for each one of yes. He has a bigger plan that we can't understand. He doesn't forget about any of His children. The Plan of Salvation exists for all. No one is lost after death, no matter how long they live during this mortal state. The blessings of the Gospel gives one hope and a peace of mind.  

Yes at first I was feeling, "why God, why?" But I remembered what my mother told me, "because God needed him in Heaven more than we did." My prayers go out to his family. He is playing the French horn in Heaven for all to hear and preaching the Word of God to many.  

"Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of  happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." Alma 40:11-12 

Two Years? Almost.

In about a couple of weeks it would have been two years since I graduated high school. In August it would have been two years since I moved to Utah and started college. In October  it would be two years since I learned the reality but ignored it for months. 

Two years ago I wrote in my journal and how I felt, "I’m scared like I have never been in my life. This fear isn't because it’s dark or it’s a huge spider but because I’m growing up and I have to leave. Don’t get me wrong I want to go to college and get a higher education but there’s a part of me that doesn't want me to leave." As I look back I was scared when I got here. I wrote in September 2011, "Well I’m at college. It’s weird to say that out loud or to write it down. I am in college Me, Celia Rivera, attends college. Everything has been happening so fast. To be honest it’s a bit scary how fast it has been going by. I mean three months ago I was in high school, living at home and surrounded by people I have known for a while. Now I am living in a different state, with people who I have never met before and going to a top private religious university." Oh what a scared freshman I was but I had nothing to worry about. I was prepared well enough to get through two years. Now who knows how many more years I have left here but I have new fears. As time goes on I see my old fears as lame and dumb. More like "really Celia, really?" I'm probably going to say the same thing about how I'm feeling now 5 years from now. 

The move to Utah brought about many changes. I had to learn without my parents, manage my own money, and make my own decisions. One of the biggest decision I had to do was letting go of someone in my life. For months I struggled with the the decision and the possible consequences. I thought I knew the world at 18 years old but I didn't. Heck I still don't know anything and I'm almost 20 (wow I'm almost 20, let me ponder that for a minute.....) I should have realized I was having a person in my life who was not pushing me to complete my life goals but that was due to the fact we didn't view things in the same way. I don't want to speak ill of him because he wasn't a bad person at all. I learned a lot from him but he wasn't helping me pursue my goals. Letting him go was probably the hardest thing during my first year of college but it was my smartest decision. Of course I didn't know it then but now as I see the consequences of my decision I am pleased with my choice. Sometimes we just have to have a little faith. 

What else have these two years taught? Life isn't always going to be easy. There are going to be road blocks at times. We are always going to have challenges big and small. I have learned a lot about life and about myself these past two years. I'm not a completely different person but I have changed since that high school senior. One thing that has changed has been my way to approach my goals. I guess at the time I didn't think my goals mattered that much because it would be a "long" before I accomplished them. But I had a wake up call. It's time to act now for those goals. I have two more years (more or less) of school left. Marriage is one of my goals which would happen eventually but I have to prepare spiritually and mentally now. It's never to early to prepare for what's coming life even if I don't know what's coming. Does that make sense?

Next week I'm going to attend my little sister's high school graduation. I can't believe she is going to finish high school. I remember when she was a freshman and I was a junior. Time has really flown by. She is going to be entering a new chapter in her life. I just hope she is ready for what's coming. College life is hard at times. Being away from family is probably the hardest. Feeling alone on a college campus is the scariest thing I have experienced. I hope she can overcome those challenges awaiting her.

These past two years have gone by so fast. A lot has happened, good and bad. I am waiting for more years to come by and new experiences to occur. 

How About We Just Love Everyone

In recent weeks the semester end. I moved to a new apartment. Started working more hours every week. Got a second "mini" job. Had my carpet replaced. And now I am back to discussing my life on the internet. I am determined to blog more this summer. Maybe something exciting will happen this summer but I highly doubt it. 

I heard a song on the radio a while back that really caught my attention. Not because of the catchy beat but what was being said. Macklemore along with Mary Lambert said exactly what I have been feeling in the song "Same Love."

We live in a world today where discrimination happens. People get hurt because of words people say. Sadly there is violence involved too. I wish we could just live in a world where everyone can have the same rights. Despite race, color, sexual orientation, and gender. I have experienced discrimination and rude comments due to my skin color and I don't want anyone else to feel that way. I'm going to be honest I was one of those people back in high school to say "that's so gay." Surprisingly when I am came to BYU I realized how much that could hurt others. I realized despite how you love you're a person, a person that deserves the same rights as everyone else. I think people deserve to love who they want. 


Recently the Boy Scouts of America lifted their ban on openly gay boys. Let me tell you I am happy that youth boys will all be given the same opportunity if they desire to participate in the organization. No one should be turned away because of who they are in the inside. This is one step closer to being fair to all. 

"Love is patient. Love is kind."

Update of da life

Currently I am in stress mode. Finals are currently happening. I'm moving in three days. I am going to work more hours after Wednesday. I have a job interview next week. Oh and I'm planning a trip that's happening in three weeks. It's crazy right now. I just want to scream and look away. Two more days. Two more days. I'm going to be in school mode. Adios life. 

In Response to Yesterdays Incident

Yesterday the city of Boston was shaken up by bombings at the Boston City Marathon. How did I find out about? Facebook and Twitter began to fill up with thoughts, concerns and prayers for the victims and families. My first reaction was "how could there be such evil in our world" which many of you thought. But then I began to read about those who responded to the tragic incident by volunteering themselves to carry victims, offering their homes to those who couldn't go back to their hotel, their businesses to offer a place of comfort and refuge and those runners who finished the race and continued to run to the hospital to donate blood. Then I thought to myself "there are still good people in world today." I wish people would use their hands and mind to do good rather than to hurt others. In less than a year many people have been affected tragically due to someone else's action which includes the shooting in Aurora and Newtown. Now this? Those runners, bystanders and others at the marathon were there to enjoy a race, watch their love ones, and just enjoying a day in the city of Boston. They shouldn't have been hurt such a manner. I hope they catch the person or people involved in this so justice could be brought to the victims and their families. At the same time remember there are still a lot go good people in our world today. Hopefully we surround ourselves with them. Lets keep the people of Boston in our prayers and thoughts.   

Are you pushing your handcart?

I should be finishing my essay but the Spirit is so strong that I can't ignore it. Today in my Sociology of the LDS Church class we discussed the Church in regards with media and film. We watched the following clip.

I usually do not like to show my emotions in public. I will cry in front of certain people but at this point I did not care. As I watched this I couldn't help but cry. It's one of those video that really gets to you. The words of the hymn "Come, Come, Ye Saints" speak so powerfully and when it's combined with a depiction of the Saints the words just become alive. The early Saints had to go through so much when they crossed the plains into a land they did not know much of. The faith they must have had is a testimony in itself. They crossed in the cold freezing winter, in the heat with at times little food and water. They crossed the plains to worship freely and live the gospel freely. We have so much to thank for those Saints. Without them we wouldn't be here today with the gospel, with so many faithful missionaries and many temples where we can receive so many blessings.

I am just going to be honest, it would have been hard for me to have the faith as those Saints did. Am I ashamed of it? No. Each one of us is brought to this earth at a certain time because our Heavenly Father knows we can endure the trails of the time. I know He put me on this earth at this time for a reason. He knew I was strong enough to get through this life right now. I just have to realize for myself that I am strong enough. I may not have to push a handcart of all my possessions across the plains but I do have to push a handcart of my faith through this tempting time in our world. I feel as though I was sent here right now to face all the worldly things going on from drugs, immortality, and other things that do not meet the gospel values. It's a hard time to live in the world being surrounded by so many temptations  But if those Saints came push through a cold river in the middle of winter I can push through a street filled with immoral things.

Times are going to get worse. The thought that my children would be probably see more horrible things than I did growing up scares me. It truly scares me but I know if I prepare myself to teach them to push their own handcart through it all they can protect their faith. Yes I know that won't be for a long time until I have children but the time is now to prepare.  I have made choices in my life to make sure me children and their children will have the gospel in their lives. Some of those choices included leaving people behind who didn't help me push my handcart. About a year ago I decided I needed to prepare myself for the time to come. Everyday I am trying to push my handcart through it all. I know if we put our faith first we will be blessed and it turn out okay in the long run. We just have to remember to put our trust in the Lord through all our trails. At first it may be hard but He will be there with us through it all. 

My question to you is if you're pushing your handcart hard enough?