Things as they really are!

This past weekend, we had stake conference, a time when members of the Church in Northwest Tucson were gathered to hear messages from our local leaders and neighbors. When leaving the conference, I thought about a favorite scripture of mine from the Book of Mormon... Jacob 4:13.
I am grateful for leaders of the Church who courageously declare things "as they really are". This world seems to be evolving into a more deceitfully deceitful place every day! Things that were once viewed as private and sacred are now considered public and commonplace. Just the other day, I was thinking about the legalization of medical marijuana. It may seem harmless to some to prescribe this drug for medicinal purposes, but it simply isn't! The message sent by this action was: marijuana is okay! It's not! By its very addictive nature, God has declared it to be unholy.

Here are some of the "really are" things that I love:
- Happiness only comes in and through Jesus Christ!
- Rely WHOLLY upon the merits of Christ.
- Teach children both agency and consequences.
- To be a missionary, center your work in your home.
- Consistency and time yield results! The most important priority for time and consistency is family!
- True abundance comes from Christ. The abundant life is based in Jesus Christ!
- Undertake a quest for the abundant life and you will find happiness, success, and goodness.
- The Lord can direct EVERY aspect of our lives if we ask for his help.
- Through temple covenants, we are able to call down the power of Heaven to bless our families and those we serve.
- Happiness comes from overcoming the natural tendency to judge others.
- We are all children of God, and we are all beggars before Him.
- Remember to look at a person's potential!!