Individual Worth Value Experience #3

Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 and 121:45. Do all you can to build others and make them feel of worth. Every day for two weeks notice the worthwhile qualities and attributes of others. Acknowledge them verbally or in writing. In your journal write what you have learned about the worth of individuals and how your own confidence grows when you build others.

I wanted to keep track of what I noticed in others and how I acknowledged those things. I tried to make note each day by using the journal feature in the online Personal Progress site.

One of the things that really stuck with me was the experience's use of the phrase 'building others up.' I became very aware of how frequently we tend to tear each other down, instead of building up. I particularly became sensitive to it within our family. There are often words used, meant to be teasing, but in reality, are mean things just said with a teasing voice.

I even challenged our family at one point to see if they could go eight hours without saying anything negative about anyone or to anyone. They did it! Sadly, I thought it would be quite hard for some of them, but I'm grateful to know that maybe that behavior isn't as ingrained a habit as I thought it was.

My prayer is that we can learn to have humor and good natured teasing in our home without the words that will tear one another down. I know that I cannot make anyone else change just because I want them to, but I pray that as I am more aware of things I say and how I say them, that it will effect change in all of us.

Individual Worth Value Experience #1

You are a daughter of Heavenly Father, who knows you and loves you. Read Psalm 8:4-6; Jeremiah 1:5; John 13:34; Doctrine and Covenants 18:10; Abraham 3:22-23; Joseph Smith-History 1:1-20. Write in your journal how these scriptures teach you that Heavenly Father knows you, loves you, and is mindful of you.

(Original journal record is on May 12, 2010-no idea how I never posted it before!)
I have had experiences in my life while reading a particular scripture, I was hit with such force and clarity that prayers were answered, undeniably. That this is possible and to have feelings of love from Heavenly Father as I study is evidence to me that He loves me, knows me, and is mindful of me, and the things I face.

These scriptures are beautiful reminders that He loves each of us, knows each of us.

Individual Worth Value Experience #2

Learn about the importance of patriarchal blessings by studying about them in True to the Faith and recent conference talks. Find out why they are given and who can give them. Discuss with a parent or Church leader how to prepare to receive a patriarchal blessing and how it can teach you of your worth and identity and be a guide throughout your life. If you have not received your blessing, prepare to receive it.

In preparation for this value experience, I read two wonderful talks on the subject: President Thomas S. Monson's Your Patriarchal Blessing: A Liahona of Light and Sister Julie B. Beck's You Have a Noble Birthright.

How grateful I am to have been working on this experience, particularly at this time. I am touched by the things I read in the talks. I have felt the outpouring of love from Heavenly Father about my worth as I have pondered these talks and my own blessing. I have known it was inspired from the time I received it, a knowledge which was again confirmed to me as I studied. I had another one of those experiences this week when I was concentrating on helping a family member with something and a promise from my blessing suddenly came to my mind. It was just another little testament of the inspiration behind patriarchal blessings. How grateful I am for such a loving Father in Heaven!