Exclamation Point, Smiley Face

I fear that my writing is becoming stagnant. There are really only so many ways to say "God must really love me; let me tell you how." So once again, I attempt to convey the humorous affection of our Heavenly Father.

I went on exchanges with my beloved MTC companion this week. Sister Cooper and I have been out for eleven months now, and we agree that text messages from missionaries should end with an exclamation point and a smiley face. Elders have contested against this uber-happy use of the phone, but after nearly a year as a missionary, I find nothing so happy and worth exclaiming as is God's love.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, our lives (as our text messages) should always convey a spirit of "exclamation point, smiley-face!"

When I tell people that we believe in the Book of Mormon, in a living prophet, and in the restoration of ancient truths, I say it with a metaphorical "exclamation point, smiley-face." It shows in my face, in my tone of voice, and in the choices I make. It's not just a bunch of doctrinal dogma, it's life-changing, highly motivating truth. We believe that God cares about us as individuals. We believe that we are innately good, and that we can be better. We believe the radically generous truths taught by Jesus Christ-that we are here on earth for the express purpose of blessing others and learning joy.

So let us live what we preach. Let us pour over the scriptures, sink into prayer, and jump to serve our neighbors!