Today I went with a couple friends to International Cinema. We watched an edited version of "Motorcycle Diaries" about the trip of Ernesto "Che" Guevara across the South American continent. It was beautiful. He started off as a privileged student wanting to have some fun, and ended as a more selfless and wise person. His love and service to the poverty-stricken peoples of Argentina, Chile, and Peru was beautiful. The film made me want to be a better person and find ways to serve others. It made me want to change the world.
Today I also heard that a good friend of mine has left the church. He said the church made him feel guilty for the things he didn't do and was too rigid. He said he wanted to be happy without being told what to do. This news just broke my heart. He is so confused. He had access to the joy and happiness that God has right in his fingertips, but got lost in the distractions of the world.
I got on my knees and asked God what I could do to help. I have been given so much - a relationship with God, wonderful family, a testimony of the true church, a college education, knowledge of the scriptures, wealth, a healthy body, food and shelter, music, great teachers and examples, good friends - the list goes on and on. I want to be able to help all of those who are suffering physically and spiritually but, I told the Lord, I don't know how.
Then I looked up at the picture of my Savior, the most amazing and perfect man that ever lived. I realized that Jesus Christ was not an expert or virtuoso in any certain area. He was not a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher or a politician. He did not have a college education. He didn't ever leave His country. He didn't always have a steady job. But what did He have? Charity. Christ had a perfect love for everyone, and that's how He changed the world. That's why Satan is working so hard on my shyness and feelings of inferiority - because they are preventing me from loving and serving others with my full heart and soul. As President Hinckley once said, "You may not be a genius. You may not be exceptionally smart. But you can be good, and you can try. And you will be amazed at what might happen when in faith you take a step forward."
I am going to be good, and I am going to try. As Elaine S. Dalton said in our last General Conference, "I truly believe that one virtuous young woman or young man, led by the Spirit, can change the world, but in order to do so, we must return to virtue." I may not be able to change the world by political means, but I believe that I can change MY world through Christlike love. And so can each one of us.
"You've seen what might be. Now go and make it so."
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