Test Time

Test taking, some love it, some despise it, but it is an essential part in evaluating knowledge and progress in different settings but mainly in School. I truly enjoyed taking tests when I had studied, and understand the material I am being tested on. I love displaying the knowledge I have obtained through my hard work and effort in the classroom and at home. But, when I refuse to study and I slack off, I go into the test nervous and usually start with one sincere and distressed prayer to not fail! 

Did anyone else have that really super awesome teacher who would sometimes let you take a test with your textbook out? I know I had a few of those, and those were some of my favorite tests! I was just able to take a problem, look up the answer, and fill it in on the paper! What a sweet setup! But looking for the answer always took more time, so it was always helpful to have studied and know the answers beforehand. Well, Heavenly Father is just like that super awesome teacher! Life is one big test for each of us. We will be rewarded based on how well we do and how we deal with different problems we face. God loves each of us enough to bless us with all of the ways in which He wants us to face each problem. What is the textbook? Well you can probably guess it is the Scriptures! We can find the answer to all the problems we face in life within those inspired verses. We can also seek more answers through the words of our modern day Prophets by listening to General Conference.

I suggest following the same basic idea as the test. Study beforehand. KNOW the scriptures and the guidelines your Father in Heaven wants you to live. Be ready and aware of the different situations and problems you could face in life and know the correct way to handle it. If there ever comes a problem that you don't have the knowledge of what to do, look it up! Study it out in the scriptures and review past conference addresses. This, even though may take more time, is better than making a wrong and rushed decision, the consequences are just not worth it.

So enjoy your open book test! Study up and get all of the answers you will need. God is there to help, we were not sent here to fail, but to succeed gloriously! 

Really a tough choice?

Who loves winning? I do!
Let's say you are a football player and you were asked to play in the biggest most monumental game in the history of sports. And even better, you get to pick which team to play for! So here are the profiles of the teams that you get to choose from:

Team 1:

We are the team that WILL win, there is no doubt about it, we will win the game. The players were diligent in preparing, everyone is suited up and ready to go at any time. The only way this team gives up points to the opponent is if they let the other team score. They are also very close knit and are great friends. No one talks down to a teammate after they make a dumb mistake, but rather pick them up and help them improve. They are the nicest people you have ever met, but come game time, they take every second seriously. They know how to win and are guaranteed a victory.

Team 2:
Man, you gotta join this team! We sure know how to have fun! Come on and join us, we aren't going to make you practice or anything, that's kinda hard and also pretty lame. Our plan is, make fun of the other guys for trying so hard, and then try and trick em to sneak in a couple scores or so. Oh yah, and we don't have a coach to yell at us too, so there is no need to worry about that either. So come chill with us, lay back and have some fun!

So, which team are you going to play for? Is it even a tough choice? Who wouldn't want to be a part of the team that is obviously going to win?

Well that is how life is today! We have the choice between joining God's team or Satans team. God's team WILL WIN in the end, there is no denying it. Satan knows that, but still tries to draw as many of us away from the winning team as possible. This "game" of life has much greater consequences than winning a football game. This is for our eternal happiness and salvation. Join the winning team and enjoy the winning celebration with your family and friends and teammates for the rest of eternity!

Just remember 2 Nephi 2:27: "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."