Living by the scriptures
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"Have ye received his image in your countenances?" — Alma 5:14
"Wow! I'm really looking old."
That was my thought looking in the mirror one morning. "Maybe I'm just focused on age today." It happened to be my husband's 50th birthday. I was flooded with more thoughts of my own aging, my struggle with a chronic illness and the overwhelming feelings of so much to do and not enough time or energy to do it. My image in the mirror just gave me another reason to feel bad about myself.
I went on to get busy with the duties of the day. However, the thoughts of how I looked continued. I passed by a mirror again later and again thought a much older woman was looking back at me. But this time as I moved on, the scripture in Alma 5:14 came to mind, "Have ye received his image in your countenances?"
My self-deprecating thoughts stopped as I considered this new idea from my Heavenly Father. What had I done to reflect my Savior in my image? Could the light of the gospel shine through the tired eyes and sagging skin? Which would I rather reflect: the world's image of beauty or the image of my Savior?
As I contemplated these new questions over the next few weeks, the Spirit affirmed to me where my real happiness and feelings of self-worth came from. These thoughts came to a positive conclusion at a Relief Society event in which I was able to look around and see a beautiful bouquet of daughters of God who were each striving to live Christlike lives. The beauty of the Savior's countenance shone in each face, and, by reflection, in mine, too.
— Lori A. Johnson, Sunrise Meadows 1st Ward, Saratoga Springs Utah Stake
"Living by the Scriptures" is another in a series of Church News reader response articles. Was there a time when a particular scripture touched you, when it offered comfort, guidance and much-needed support? If so, please describe your experience in 250-300 words, giving the scripture reference and telling how it affected you.
Send your submission to Church News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. Fax (801) 237-2524. E-mail: churchnews@desnews.com
