Take a look at the glasses through which you see the world. Examine your own bias, your personal astigmatism. Adjust your correction from time to time by questioning what it is you see and how you see it. The world can be a surprising place if we're willing to see it in a new way.

When we step into the light of Christ, we break free of the shadows of sorrow, depression, failure and sin. There in that light our soul absorbs the power of the Son through the gift of His Atonement. He suffered all that mortality has ever caused all of us to suffer, individually and infinitely. 

Because He knows exactly what we are going though, He can make our burdens light when we take His yoke upon ourselves, when we step into His light and bask in the glow of knowing that we are not alone, that we are loved and worthy of love!

Come unto Christ, all you who labor under the burdens of mortality, and He will give you rest. He will give you living water to drink and soothe your tired soul. In His hands you will find the loving embrace of one who truly does know exactly how you feel. And He made it through. You are not alone. He will never abandon you.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of hearing one of the best sermons I've ever heard from a pulpit. I was visiting the services held for the residents of the care center where my dad is now being cared for because of advanced Alzheimer's disease. Mom and I and two of my children were there with Dad. 

The speaker was an old rancher who apologized for his lack of experience in religious speaking and knowledge of scripture and doctrine. Instead he said he would talk about cows because that's what he knows. He said cows are a lot like people.

He told a story of when he was nearly 12 years old and assigned the responsibility of moving the herd from winter range in the valley to summer range on the mountain. He was excited to be named trail boss as his only hand was another boy a few months younger than himself. The two boys were to get the herd to a midway point where they would meet the older boy's dad who would help them finish the drive.

Eager to show his dad how good of a cowboy he could be, the young trail boss worked very hard to keep all the cows on the road and moving along perfectly. His horse was doing a lot of work and once the two boys arrived at the midpoint, the horse had worked up a lather of sweat.

As the boys ate their breakfast, brought by the dad, the cows and horses rested. Before getting started up the mountain again, the father took his son aside and told him, "Son, a good cowboy doesn't work his horse on cows that are headed in the right direction."

Our speaker said he has thought about that wisdom his entire life. He continued with the story, indicating that when they got the cows moving again, he noticed that most of them were heading in the right direction. Some would wander a little off the road. Some would take a little shortcut when the road turned. 

When they arrived at the gate to the winter range, he had to ride up ahead of the herd to open the gate so the cows could go through. He opened the gate and looked back. There were about a dozen trails leading to the gate from all directions made from so many previous years. He realized that most of the cows were always going in the right direction generally and would eventually get to the gate from one direction or another.

He told us that people are like those cows and the gate is like baptism and other ordinances of the gospel. Many of us wander by the wayside, but as long as we're headed in the right direction, the Lord through His grace will help us get through the gate. 

So if you're riding herd on your kids or others in your life who need to get through the gates, you ought to take it easier when they are heading in the right direction. Just follow along and keep 'em going toward the gate. The Lord will do the rest.

Nephi left Jerusalem with his family 600 years before Christ was born, his father Lehi leading them. Years later after recording the "things of the ministry" including many prophecies and the words of Isaiah as well as Nephi's brother Jacob, he leaves us with this firm testimony and promise.

2 Nephi 33 (The Book of Mormon)

10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.

11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.

12 And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day.

13 And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come.

14 And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day.

15 For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen.

Let us believe in Christ. Let us hearken to his words. Let us pray to the Father in his name. Let us partake of his goodness, of the atoning sacrifice he made for us. He knows our sorrows. Let us set aside our sins and take upon ourselves his yoke. He pulls harder than any man. And if we do, life and its many burdens will be made lighter, easier. And we will meet him again and fall down at his feet to worship him, our tears bathing the prints of the nails in his feet. And he will gently pull us up to with strong arms to receive his loving embrace and hear the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into my rest."