Youth Standards Night

The youth theme this year is "Stand in Holy Places and Be Not Moved."  Which begs the question, of course, "Where are these holy places?"  Sister Fullmer gave a talk where she made a beautiful argument that wherever you are can be a holy place when you are seeking the spirit.  She talked of Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail and of battlefields in the Book of Mormon.  These became holy places because those who were there were seeking the spirit -- and He came.  "Seek me and ye shall find me."

I love the application for everyday life.  The injunction to "Pray always," takes on new meaning.  Or the phrase in D&C 101:38 to "seek the face of the Lord always."  This is why when I remember to check in with the Lord throughout the day, my day is more holy.  I can do that by talking to Him in my head, "What do you think, God?  Is this the right thing to do?"  Listening to or singing spiritually themed music has worked well for me, too.  Gratitude, too, brings the spirit into my daily life.  When I look around and say (feel, think), "Thank you, God, this is all so, so good!"

Then my kitchen becomes a holy place and my bedroom or my car.  My day becomes holy.  I draw close to my Father and my whole life becomes richer for it.

And chances are, with a life like that, I will Be Not Moved.