The gospel hasn't changed, I have.

I've recently been approached about my religion. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have grown up in the church but as everyone knows there's a time where you question what you've been taught your whole life. For example what sport you REALLY like instead of what your parents prefer you to play and if the religion you've grown up in or been introduced to is true. I have been at that point where questioning was my favorite thing to do. I wanted to test people, and see if they could defend what they stood for. Needless to say I was the one who learned the most from this experience. I went through high school knowing the church was true but that doesn't mean I never had doubts. I started studying for ME, no one else, just me and I learned that what i've been learning has been true all along. I studied, I prayed and I have all surety that the spirit confirmed to me that I was doing what was right and that comfort of knowing everything was indeed true was the most amazing feeling in the world. I've learned something going through that time in my life and it is that everyone can twist your words to make you sound wrong but if you study and do it for yourself you will be able to understand and know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the true restored gospel on the earth.

Like I said earlier I was approached about me being a selfish person and me being someone who didn't know enough about my own religion. When feeling attacked in situations like this the best thing to do is offer a prayer of comfort and stop the conversation in the most polite way possible. Unfortunately that wasn't the case in this conversation. I had tried standing for what I believed in trying to prove this individual wrong, which is the worst way to go about things. If someone is questioning your beliefs and attacking you with phrases like, "You don't know enough about your own religion or you would keep this conversation going." Or "Your a selfish person and I think I deserve an explanation on why you do this." the truth is I didn't owe this person anything but an apology. I should have made what I believed in known in a more profound way. I want to clear things up for anyone who knows me and knows about the LDS church.

The religion itself has not changed, I have. I have learned more about it, since studying it in depth. I regret not being a better example in high school,  and even last time I was home but I do want you all to know that I believe in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 100%. I stand by the teachings of the church and I am continuing to expand my knowledge of it. There are many things to learn and I will admit I don't know everything there is to know. That is something that I personally need to work on. I am thankful for this gospel and the tools it has to help me learn more about it. If you want to learn more about it start by reading information that isn't anti. I promise you learn a lot more than the anti stuff. I am not suggesting that you need to read everything out there about the church but if there is something specific that you've heard or read feel free to explore in the right places. A helpful web-site that I like to use is www.LDS.org It has so much great information about the church and I know it'll be helpful to you. Another thing would to meet with the missionaries. You can call them and set up and appointment, I would suggest listening to what they have to say and not go into the appointment with the mindset of proving wrong, simply listen to what they believe. I invite you to read the Book of Mormon, it is an amazing book and it has helped me find the joy i've been seeking my entire life.

CAUTION SIGNS

Handle with care, fragile, use before 11/12/11, CAUTION roadwork ahead, these are all signs we see every day but do we really look beneath the literal meaning? We are given these warnings so we may keep fragile things from breaking, using things before they expire so you don't waste it or perhaps from going too fast in a construction zone and hitting a cone or sliding off the road. There is more we can learn from following these cautions. Yes we can physically be safe and we can save money by not wasting but what if you related these labels and signs to God and his all that he has done for us in trying to keep us spiritually safe. The handle with care, fragile sings can be applied as keep yourself healthy, don't do anything that would harm you or handle Gods children with care by not only being physically assistive but also spiritually. Are you helping others come closer to God? Are you using language that uplifts and builds? Are you playing music that makes you filled with the uttermost happiness or are you listening to music that offends with it's vulgar lyrics? As far as the use before the expiration date I believe we can use this as a warning to use our TIME wisely. We are taught through trials and tribulations that time is something that won't ever be long enough. Are you doing the things you know you should be doing? Are you spending time with those you love? Are you using your spare time to do something nice for a peer or co-worker? Do you look at your day and wish you would have used your time for something different? We all have those days that we wish we wouldn't have wasted and I have them a little too often. Let us make goals daily to one do what needs to be done and two make a priority to what matters most. You never know how much time you really have left. Lastly the caution: road work ahead sign. We are warned by our prophets of things to come, yet do we REALLY listen. The prophets have been say for YEARS to get our homes in order with food storage and to get out of debt and now there are natural disasters and jobless mothers/fathers. This economical crisis that our country is in, is affecting those who are in debt the most. The natural disasters are heartbreaking but how many people who had food storage were able to help their family and their neighbors? The Lord is giving us these caution signs for a reason! He also uses building us up spiritually as a sign. When trials come, if we are strong we will be able to better withstand the harsh wind that is blowing our way. Are we going to pay attention to the signs from now on? I hope so! I know that I need to get better at paying attention and as I do I will be blessed. Do yourself a favor and pay close attentions to the signs in your life. 

Jenna Jones, age 20

Critical Eyes

Me; Critical Eyes

Do you ever wonder why life gets so hard? Do you wonder why certain events aspire the way they do
? Can't it go differently? Why can't you be the girl crowned at your senior prom, or the guy who gets the football scholarship? Why do others have it easier? The answer is simple, they do NOT have it easier than you. Everyone has certain things they are able to handle, you may have a high tolerance for pain and someone passing you on the street may not. The beauty of this world is that we are all so different but have at least one thing in common; we are sons/daughters of God. When you decide to judge someones situation, think twice because it's not your place.


I believe Satin to be real; so real he feels tangible. He will do ANYTHING to get to you. He will degrade you and make you feel like the divine worth you were born to obtain isn't applicable to you because you don't deserve it. He will try his hardest to make you believe that you are simply not good enough. The question is, why do we torment ourselves with thinking what He tells us and makes us feel?

Through my high school years I made myself miserable. I would look at myself with critical eyes and focus on things I needed to change. Did I have good qualities? Yes. Did I notice them? No. Because of my critical eyes I became a person who was absorbed in envy. There were things I felt I should have, that I didn't and it wasn't fair. I should have the perfect body and the perfect hair. I got so obsessed with how I should look that I lost what was within me. I was focusing so much on what the media was portraying what perfect was that I was hurting myself. I was hurting my closest friends and my family by doing this as well.


Without explaining too much I hit rock bottom. I was done. It came down to a choice, loose everything I've ever lived for or find myself and break through my critical eyes. My choice was obviously to find myself and to work on being happy with who I was. I have found that throughout those high school years I was living but I wasn't really LIVING. I missed out on so much of my youth by being absorbed in the perfection I thought was perfect. What's the definition of perfect? Who made that definition? I say forget the word/definition and find the beauty of the world and then take a step back. You'll realize that you have a noble birthright to be happy and to feel loved. You have a divine purpose and a role in this life that can't be replaced. No one can replace you. If you think you are replaceable, then stop. You are not and you will never be. You are wonderful! You are here for a specific reason, you need to find this reason and run with it. Go be who you were meant to be. Make your Father in heaven proud. Show Him you love Him by loving yourself. 


Jenna Jones, Age 20

Last night as I kneeled in prayer, the beautiful melody of the Hymn; "Where Can I Turn For Peace," came to my mind. I have written about trials before but I never really felt I could do the subject justice, for at those times my trials were almost nonexistent. However, lately my heart has been humbled by recent events that have transpired. Although my understanding of affliction is still very shallow compared to those with much greater woes than mine, I felt inspired to write of my feelings. Over the past two weeks I have come to comprehend more fully the fact that Satan knows each of us and knows each and everyone of our weaknesses and because he knows are weaknesses he knows the perfect poison to kill the happiness in all of us. I have witnessed many a miracle in my life and in the lives of others and recently I have had answers to my prayers came to me about a certain subject and those answers were extremely clear and vivid. They were truly miracles. It seemed as if the Lord was smiling upon me and a shower of great blessings came from the heavens, flooding me with great confidence and brilliant shining happiness. Then I started to analyze those answers and fear that I was wrong. Something happened that saddened my soul and Satan knew that if he could get me to just doubt my spiritual experiences, if he could just get me to think that there was a minute chance I was making it all up in my head that he could start a chain reaction inside of me that would send me spiraling down the great staircase of despair. Needless to say I began to feel like the apostle Peter in, (Matthew 14:28-31) 
“28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was aafraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little afaith, wherefore didst thou bdoubt?” 
I too was scared just as Peter, even though I knew in my heart of hearts that Jesus was standing right in front of me, guiding the way. Satan knowing my weaknesses though, planted a small seed of fear in me and that was all it took to make me sink and just when I thought the storming sea of despair would take me Jesus my loving Savior and friend saved me from that tumultuous sea. As I go through life I will apply the lesson I learned from Peter. Instead of focusing on the boisterous winds of life I will always keep my eyes on the Savior and never ever look away.

Taylor McCartney, age 18




Below is a video of me singing and my cousins photography. Enjoy! 

WATCH YOUR STEP

JJones Photography, Trinity Lake, CA
"Heaven on Earth"

"A journy of a thousand miles begins with one step, so whats your step?" Think long and hard about this question. What comes to your mind when you ask yourself? Do you think of the decisions you are faced with on a daily basis? Do you live in fear not knowing where you stand? Your life has indeed already begun, but has it's purpose begun? My answer would be YES. You have the free agency to choose if you are going ponder what the world has to offer you and what part of this offer you belong in OR you have the free agency to choose FINDING where your place is and then willfully enduring your task. My advice to you would be pick the second one I listed. I spent a whole 17 years pondering and it got me no where. I finally realized that I did have a reason to be here and I did have a divine purpose. You have a purpose and it doesn't matter if you have an issue with having the confidence to believe that you are divine or not, because you are. It's time to look the world in the eye and fight back. I want you to look at the photo to the left and then I want you to close your eyes. Imagine you sitting on the bank of this lake, alone. What do you feel? Do you feel at peace? Do you feel confident knowing that theres something bigger than you and I? If you answered yes to these questions then here is my next question; what are you doing to enhance the love of God in your fellow man? If your answer is no, my next question is why and what do you see in your life that is taking away from this heavenly place. If you can't take the time to sit down and notice the beauties of this world that God has so graciously given to us, then you need to take a second look at your life. There are tools here for every single one of us to find our purpose and to find our gethsemane. Everyone needs a place to go when they feel alone and in need of love. My advice would be to find your gethsemane, get on your knees and pray with all your heart. I can testify that I know there is someone listening. I know that there is someone who loves you with a perfect love. I know that He is here for you and He is here for me. I know that answers will come if questions are asked. I know there is someone who wants to help you take that one step, the step that will change your life forever and set you on a journey back home to your Heavenly Father. 


-Jenna Jones, Age: 20

No pain, No gain

As we look at the world today it is easy to look and see the glass half empty. All over the world the storms of tragedy pass through leaving disaster and destruction behind them. Not only do we have the cares and calamities of the world to focus on, we also have our own person trials. It sometimes seems that our sufferings have surrounded us and we have no other option but to put up our arms and surrender to it. The picture I just painted is bleak but it is realistic; tribulation is no respecter of persons. At some point in our lives we will all experience hard times. The only element you can control is how you deal with those trials. Will you suffer at it alone or will you choose to let the Savior comfort and help you along your way? Christ has suffered all things and truly knows exactly what you are going through because he has experienced it firsthand. When we take our afflictions to our Savior and let our grief be swallowed up in Him we can look at trials with a eternal perspective. We will realize that once we get through the pain we will come out stronger. Just as my family likes to say," no pain no gain." In all seriousness though, just like a muscle cannot become stronger without strenuous exercise, we as people cannot truly progress without opposition. Just as Jesus Christ said to his frightened Apostles being tossed upon the sea in (Matthew 9:2) and to the paralytic man lying helpless in (Matthew 14:27), " Be of good cheer." This simple message from Christ hits home for me personally. I know that at times I let my fears and challenges consume me, when I should really be using my experiences to grow closer to God and become a better person in the end. I must learn to have joy in good times and in bad times. Trials remind me of my third year at girls camp when we hiked Mount McLoughlin. As we reached our final destination and looked out upon the vast Oregon landscape that was being painted gold by the setting sun, we all knew that the fatiguing journey to the top was worth that ethereal view. -Taylor McCartney-

 Sometimes its easy to feel like God is far from us. In times of trial or weakness one may wonder if He is even there. I testify with my whole heart that He is and that someday when we leave this mortal probation we will realize that he was by our side the entire time lifting us up and drying our tears. If we could only see how near He really is,  I know we would all live our lives in a completely different way. He is not just our King He is our Father he loves us and knows us individually. He knows and understands us like no other can because he has felt all our pains and experienced all our griefs. Whenever my soul is heavy I think of His infinite sacrifice for me personally. Below is a poem in the perspective of Jesus Christ, whenever I read it my heart warms because I realize that He truly is our big brother and our dearest friend who cares about us more than we could ever fathom.  Someday we will rejoice when we see Him again and as we fall at his feet He will pick us up into his loving arms. Then we will realize He was there all along. ~Taylor McCartney~

Dearly Beloved Friend:
How are you? I just had to send you this letter
to tell you how much
I love you and care for you.
I saw you yesterday as you were walk-
ing with your friends.
I waited all day, hoping you would walk
and talk with me also.


As evening drew near, I gave you a sunset to
close your day, and a cool breeze to rest you.
Then I waited, but you never came.
And yes, it hurt me, but I still love you
because I am your friend.


I saw you fall asleep last night,
and I longed to touch your brow, so
I spilled moonlight upon your pillow and your
face...Again I waited, wanting to rush down so
we could talk.
I have so many gifts for you.


You awakened late this morning and rushed off
for the day.
My tears were in the rain. Today you looked
so sad, so alone.
It makes my heart ache because I understand.
My friends let me down and hurt me many times,
but I love you.


I try to tell you in the quiet green grass.
I whisper it in the leaves and trees,
and breathe it in the color of the flowers.
I shout it to you in the mountain streams,
and give the birds love songs to sing.
I clothe you with warm sun-
shine and perfume the air.


My love for you is deeper than the
oceans and bigger than the biggest want or
need you could ever have.


We will spend eternity in heaven.
I know how hard it is on earth.
I really know, because I was there,
and I want to help you.


My Father wants to help you, too.
He's that way, you know. Just
call me, ask me, talk to me.
It is your decision...I have chosen you,
and because of this I will wait...Because I love you. 

  Your Friend,

Jesus