THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

I don't believe we're in Kansas, anymore!

 

This week's Young Women in Excellence program at Church featuring the theme "Wizard of Oz" involved much planning and effort by the young women and their adult leaders. The families of the girls who attended this event were shown how the important lessons learned by Dorothy as she went down the yellow brick road in the movie compare with the righteous principles for living that are being taught through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

The beautiful decorations, the talks given by the youth and leaders, together with their singing and the delicious desserts that were served all reflected the wonderful program theme. There were two display tables featuring projects that have been completed by the girls during the year. We even had a replica of the yellow brick road in the aisle on the floor between the chairs!

 

The young women are learning about their about their divine nature as daughters of God the Father and the importance of exercising faith in Jesus Christ. The youth of the Church are being taught that knowledge is the love of God. It's impossible to worship a God that you do not love and you can't love a God whom you do not know. Our characters are shaped by the Christ-like attributes of virtue and integrity. We demonstrate our love for Heavenly Father and the Savior by living the truth that we know while giving our lives in service to others. We humbly acknowledge that after we have done all that we can do, it is through the Atonement and grace of Jesus Christ that we will obtain salvation.

 

During the program, one of the adult leaders reminded everyone that in the movie, Glinda the Good Witch told Dorothy (after the Wizard had left Oz in his hot air balloon without her) that she had always had the power to go back home to Kansas. Likewise, each of us has been given the power to make choices regarding how we choose to live our lives in mortality. Making wise choices that are in harmony with God's commandments and maintaining our faith in Jesus Christ will allow us to go home to be with Heavenly Father when our journey on earth is completed.

 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, tells us, " . . . the gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation; it is a pathway, marked by our loving Father in Heaven, leading to happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressible fulfillment in the life to come. The gospel is a light that penetrates mortality and illuminates the way before us.

 

"While understanding the 'what' and the 'how' of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the 'why.' When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet."

 

We learn through the scriptures and our membership in the Church that earth life is not our final destination. It is the route that we must take in order to return home to be with Our Heavenly Father. What joy we shall know then. Or as Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz" would suggest, "There's no place like home."