Reece's Talk

Hey my name is Reece Clayson. the topic for my talk is optimism. I kinda didn't really know what this meant at first I thought it had something to do with looking at all sides of a situation or something like that, but I didn't feel like looking up the word either so I just asked my mom, she's smart. she told me its looking at the positive side of things. I was ALMOST right so I felt really intelligent after that. somebody who's optimistic looks at the positive side of things even if its a negative situation. Being optimistic is something that I think everyone can work on at some point, I know I for sure can.

Its hard sometimes to think of the positives when your going through hardships and things, but I also know If we live with more positive outlook on life than we ultimately be more happy and receive more blessings. How many of you receive a new calling and think “man I already got tons of stuff to do”? Or young men doing there priesthood responsibility with negative attitude wishing they could be doing something else? I know i have and if there's some people out there that can honestly say that you've never done that than I congratulate you, that's cool. But think about it coming to church once a week and having a few measly responsibility's like passing the sacrament isn't asking much. its what we need to be doing, its what the lords wants us to do and I'm positive that if we fulfill our priesthood responsibility's or callings with and optimistic outlook than the lord will bless you.

Take some of the story's in the scriptures for example: like Nephi When he had to get the gold plates from Laban, his brothers complained and were negative. But not Nephi he said I will go and do what the lord has commanded. He knew that it was the lords will and he did what was asked of him.

The prophet Gordon b. Hinkley said: “I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we “accentuate the positive.” I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort. I am not asking that all criticism be silenced. Growth comes of correction. Strength comes of repentance. Wise is the man who can acknowledge mistakes pointed out by others and change his course." So this to me basically means that we uplift others rather than insult them and put them down. "There never was a greater time in the history of the world to live upon the earth than this. How grateful every one of us ought to feel for being alive in this wonderful time with all the marvelous blessings we have. … And on top of all that is the Restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with all of the keys and authority, with all the gifts and blessings, with all the organization and doctrine of all previous dispensations all brought into one. And you and I are partakers of that marvelous restoration. We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. … You can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and good things happen."

I know what Gordon b Hinkley is saying is true. The lord blesses us in many ways sometimes we don't even realize. Its like a saying I've heard lots of times throughout my life. Do you think of it as the glass half empty? Or the glass half full? I didn't realize the purpose off this saying really before I started writing and thinking about this talk. It represents the way we live our lives and the way we think and act, if for you the glass is half empty than im betting your more focused in the negatives and bringing people down. if for you the glass is half full, than you look at the positive side and all of the great opportunity's that life has to offer.

I just got back from EFY and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life, but it fits in this talk because I didn't want to go at first. I just wanted to stay home and not go anywhere for the rest of summer and I was thinking negatively not having an optimistic outlook. Throughout the week my mindset changed about EFY, one day in particular I liked the most was Thursday where we had the musical program and testimony meeting. That was one of the times I've felt the spirit the strongest in my life, and after that I knew I definitely wanted to go back and hopefully next year have a more positive attitude.

I wanna encourage all of you to think with an optimistic outlook and try to uplift others. I bare my testimony that if we live with a positive outlook on life and everything we do the lord will bless us, And I know this is the true church and I know the lord loves us all. I felt his love before and its the best feeling in the world. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.