"The Gospel Is The Easiest Way To Live"

this is so true. and it really is that simple.

again, one of the many factors that play into me absolutely loving where I live at this point in my life...two Sundays ago I was sitting, waiting for Sacrament Meeting to start. I looked up at where the speakers were sitting and thought, "that looks like John Bytheway." so I looked at the program and sure enough, John Bytheway was the High Councilor speaking in my ward that day.

John Bytheway has played a big role in my life through his many talks published on CD and DVD. it was interesting to think that if I were speaking that day (as they did have a young lady from the ward speak), I probably would have referenced one or more quotes by John Bytheway, which would have been so funny to me because he was sitting right there!!

he started speaking that day by saying, "The Gospel is the easiest way to live." and I would reiterate...it is so true.

I ♥ Salt Lake

besides being in an awesome house with great roommates, I'm in an incredible ward and absolutely love going to school at the U. the community on campus is so diverse, which I probably wouldn't have appreciated without the diversity class I am currently taking.

the first day I walked on campus I saw 2 or 3 people carrying cameras, and wondered if that was typical for the U campus, since I had not seen that as typical before at any university. after about a month of school, I have seen several things that made me wish I had had a camera out and ready. one time I saw a guy riding a unicycle in full crash protection with a motorcycle helment, elbow/knee pads and everything. another time I saw somebody riding a tall bike almost like the one my dad made. today I saw a deer disappear into the trees on campus...right off 500 S! THAT was just cool to see.

Its not every Sunday that the Prophet speaks in your ward's Sacrament meeting

so when I first moved to Salt Lake at the end of August I got online to check the time for a ward within the boundaries of my house. 11:00 was the supposed starting time. my roommate and I showed up and, at the end of the meeting found out that church was over for the day...the block had started at 9:00. no worries...I had wanted to check out a ward by the University and, after attending one Sunday there, became a member of the student ward. at the time I was a big fan of the late 1:00 block :) after long consideration and supposing this first ward I had visited was moving to the 1:00 schedule for the new year, I decided to switch wards to go with my roommates. I got online this time and the ward was listed to start at 9am. for some reason I wanted to go in the morning, not wanting to sleep in, and went to find a ward at 9:00. I am so glad I went.

I enjoyed the friendliness of the "regular" single adult ward as opposed to the larger student ward. the first person I met was a member of the bishopric, whom I sat by in Relief Society. I mentioned to him that I had come to the ward about a month ago in anticipation of joining. it was on a Sunday like today where all three wards that meet in the same building meet at the same time, and a month ago somebody told me I chose the wrong Sunday to come for the first time (jokingly, of course). the bishopric member told me I was in for a treat today. it was true. its not everyday you get to hear a Prophet of the Lord speak to you--not just on TV--but in person.

it was amazing. words seem insufficient for describing what I felt.