Of All Things

Words of Wisdom

You might think only your parents and health fanatics worry about their cholesterol levels and eating right. But that shouldn’t be the case. Some recent studies have shown that the risk of heart disease starts building in the teen years, especially for boys. High cholesterol at any age has harmful physical effects.

The Word of Wisdom forbids taking certain harmful substances into our bodies, but it also encourages eating well and living a healthy lifestyle. Eating excess amounts of saturated fat and not including enough grain, fruit, and vegetables in your diet can increase your cholesterol level, and that means you’ll be at a greater risk for heart disease or stroke when you are older.

Form healthy eating and exercise habits now, and it will be easier to stay healthy later on in your life. Remember, we are promised that we will enjoy good health and find wisdom if we obey the Lord’s rules for our spiritual and physical health (see D&C 89:18–21).

Conference 101

General conference is fast approaching, so now would be a good time to start a conference notebook. Have a good long ponder about problems that worry you and what would help you solve those problems. Pray about those things you want to understand better, and listen to the conference talks for answers. Write your questions and concerns in your notebook as they come to you and, when conference comes around, listen carefully and write down the answers to your questions. If you can’t write that fast, at least record the name of the speaker so you can find the talk later in the Ensign or on the Internet. It would be a good idea to take notes about the things that interest you or inspiration you get while you listen, too.

Happily Ever After

“We are living in our ‘once upon a time.’ …

“The story of our search for happiness is written in such a way that if we continue to trust in God and follow His commandments through the challenging times, even those times will bring us closer to the happiness we are seeking. The Savior said, ‘In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33). …

“We can fail to see and enjoy the unique happiness and beauty in each day if we are so focused on our desire for what we want instead of what the Lord has designed for us.

“Happiness is knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. …

“It is knowing and feeling the pure love of Christ that brings exquisite joy to our souls” (Coleen K. Menlove, Ensign, May 2000, 12–13).

Sharing Their Light

The Young Women of the Vladivostok Russia District had to work around tight school schedules to have their first-ever Young Women conference. The girls learned some crafts at the conference, but more importantly, they learned how to let their light shine and of the power of gratitude and prayer.

When the girls had some free time during the conference, they didn’t use it to finish their cross-stitching or other projects; they wrote a song about how much they enjoyed the conference and about what they had learned there. They performed the song for their leaders at the end of the conference. The Vladivostok Young Women are looking forward to sharing more time and strength in the future and to sharing their light with others.

Painting He Is Risen by Del Parson