What's holding me back?

Last week, our whole class went on a few really good college tours! We started the whole thing out on Tuesday, after a long weekend, in our civilian clothes (what else could you ask for, right?!). We went to BYU for the whole school day, took a tour, and shadowed a BYU student for the day! I didn't... but whatever.Wednesday, we stayed at school, and made file folder games. Thursday, we went to UVU, and took a college tour, (which I thought was really good). we had lunch(free Jamba Juice!), and were back at the school. Thursday was about the same, but at the U. We took the tour(which was also really good), had lunch, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...

This whole college experience definately helped me get a feel for colleges that I hadn't ever been in. BYU is the only school I was familiar with (I know it like the back of my hand). It was a little boring, if we're being honest here, and was probably the least exciting, which was very surprising. UVU seemed like a pretty cool environment, because of the feel. I really liked how the whole campus was just one really long connected building, for some reason... I also liked the style of it, in that it had a lot of interaction with other people, and seemed to have a lot of help for all kinds of things(plus, it's easy to get into!). The University of Utah was surprisingly better than I had thought. Honestly though, I had no idea what to expect. I really liked the style there, because every building was unique, and really cool. The library was AMAZING, and would be perfect to study in...

so pretty much, now I have a three way tie, for which college I'm going to, haha :). This last week has helped me get a much better feel (and just get more excited) for college. When doing any amount of thinking on just life in general, you tend to think of quite a few other things too! one of these things, is "what do I want to do in college?!". And that, my dear friends, is the problem. I don't know. But, while thinking, I did happen to, more or less, answer these three questions:

-Who am I?-First and foremost, I am a son of God. I think the biggest thing this has to do with college, is that I have unlimited potential, and can get into almost any college I want, and pursue any profession, interest, or degree!
-What was I born to do?- I don't know exactly, but I'm pretty darn sure it has something to do with some kind of creative... something. And obviously, if God has other plans, go for it. :)

-What's holding me back?- do you want to know the truth? school. short, sweet, and to the point... just kidding, I'll keep talking :). school has been making EVERYTHING impossible. how are you supposed to do anything when all you ever do is homework?!?! Nobody was born to just go through school, I can tell you that!
Anyway, you asked for it! so there ya go! :)

-Benj

Sharing the Gospel through using your talents and interests

How can you use your talents and interests to "join the conversation" online? How can you be an ambassador for the gospel by using your individual gifts?

I think that one very good way to join the conversation that the church has provided, is Mormon.org

this is a very good tool to share your beliefs, hobbies, interests, etc. famous mormons like Alex Boye, or Lindsey Stirling (my personal favorite ;) )can let others find out about what they believe. We can also share the gospel through maybe street performing hymns or something... :)
mormon.org also has a way that you can answer people's questions by answering their Frequently Asked Questions section. another way, is when you are just talking to others about your common interests, sometimes, the topic of the Gospel comes up, and they are interested in it. if we use these ways to get out there, and share the gospel, we can make a difference in other peoples lives without having to be a proselyting missionary.

Get out there and do something!!!



"There are conversations going on about the Church constantly. Those conversations will continue whether or not we choose to participate in them. But we cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches."- This quote is so true! this is true in not only the ongoing "conversation", but it's also true about all aspects of life! if you decide to just sit in the basement and do nothing all day, the world will keep going and won't really lose very much. now, if we ALL did this, the world would stop, because nothing was happening... but we'll ignore that for now ;). while this is fine and dandy, and will maybe make you want to sit in your basement and do nothing now (I know I do!), we can't "stand on the sidelines", we need to get out there, and make a difference! even if it is just teaching others about our church from the perspective of an actual member, not a critic (this can all be done from one's basement :D). while this may not be helping "the world" directly, it helps the church, which then helps the world.

"...You can write to media sites on the Internet that report on the Church and voice your views as to the accuracy of the reports. This, of course, requires that you understand the basic principles of the gospel. It is essential that you are able to offer a clear and correct witness of gospel truths."- this is kind of a part two of the first quote, because teaching others about The Gospel wouldn't do any good if we only knew as much as they did! now, this isn't a knowledge competition, but the other part of this is that we should study the gospel, and live it, because a hypocrite is not a very good teacher.

quotes taken from "Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet"by M, Russel ballard

My Perfect Day

Dearest people of the rather grand reality that is blogging,
My full christian name is Benjamin Richard Weyland, but you can call me Benj.
anyway, without further adventure, I will commence in telling you of myself through an extended metaphor (pronounced "metaphah").
really though, here you go, My Perfect Day~

 

If there was such a thing as a perfect day, it would consist of:

Hanging out with frabjous people, (like my dear siblings and friends... maybe cousins too),

waffles from bruges waffles and frites,

some kind of chill picnic at a nice park,
 music is always good :),
while I do love to do everything, one of my favorite things to do, is exactly nothing :),
a whole lot of nonsense makes most any day a perfect day, so plenty of that,

 and maybe a good movie to fall asleep to at the end of the day...