Standing Up for Truth

Sometimes it can be tough deciding when and how to defend your beliefs. It's not easy to say or do something that might offend close friends or the people you associate with even though it's the right thing to do.

Carrie Prejean is Miss California, a graduate of Vista High School here in San Diego County and currently a student at San Diego Christian College. She was a finalist in the recent Miss USA pageant. During the interview question portion of the competition, she was asked how she felt about legalizing gay marriage. She responded, "In my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."



She wasn't chosen to be Miss USA and some believe that her response was the reason she lost the crown. All over the internet, radio, and TV people are criticizing her for her comments and beliefs. Does she regret how she answered the question? Not at all. At a church in San Diego today, she was quoted as saying the following:

“I don't take back what I said. No way I wasn't going to stand up for what I believe in"

“This is how I was bought up to believe. We have to be strong and true to our faith and our beliefs.”

“Are you going to stand up for what you believe or are you going to compromise to win Miss USA.”
(SD Union Tribune article)

Miss Prejean is not a Mormon, but she certainly is a great example of standing up for what you believe to be right even in the face of strong opposition.

It can be very discouraging when the people around us don't support our beliefs or values. We should keep in mind though that whenever we feel alone and in despair, we can turn to the Lord for help and courage to lift us up.



I love my children very much. I want them to hold firmly onto the true principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope they can stand up for what's right like Miss California did. I believe it's the only way to be truly happy in this difficult world.

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Celebrating on Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday. Some celebrate this day with egg hunts, candy, toys, or fancy dinners. I would rather have my family try to remember that this is a day to celebrate the Atonement and Resurrection of the Saviour. There has been no greater gift offered to every human being than that of repentance and a hope of eternal life through the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. What a truly wonderful message this is!

The tomb where the body of Jesus Christ is believed to have been laid.
© 2009 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

At this Easter season of hope and renewal we testify of the glorious reality of the atonement and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The empty tomb brought comforting assurance and provided the answer to the question of Job, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14).

Because of the Savior’s resurrection we will overcome death and become the beneficiaries of His mercy and grace. In a world of trouble and uncertainty, His peace fills our hearts and eases our minds. Jesus is in very deed “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

We give our sure witness that Jesus is the Christ. Though He was crucified, He rose triumphant from the tomb to our everlasting blessing and benefit. To each member of the human family He stands as our Advocate, our Savior, and our Friend.

The First Presidency of the Church (President Thomas S. Monson and his counselors, President Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

In the following video, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland describes the Savior’s solitary journey to overcome sin and death and testifies of the resulting blessings to all mankind.

"He is risen! He is risen!
Tell it out with joyful voice.
He has burst his three days’ prison;
Let the whole wide earth rejoice.
Death is conquered; man is free.
Christ has won the victory."
("199: He Is Risen!,” Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, no. 199)

I invite you to think about these things, to pray about them and allow the Holy Ghost to bear witness that these messages are true. I have done so and testify that they are.

April 2009 General Conference

This was General Conference weekend. There were many wonderful messages from the general authorities of the church. I don't have anything to add other than to invite you to go to the archives to review and study their words, especially the words of our living prophet, President Monson.

http://lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-1032,00.html

I'm so grateful for the technology that makes it possible to go back and experience the spirit of General Conference. What a wonderful blessing it is.