These are all lies.
One of my favorite church movies from my childhood was Johnny Lingo
(watch video here: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-05-0010-johnny-lingo?lang=eng ). The story is about a young woman who
is viewed as a very ugly and pathetic girl on her island. Johnny wanted to marry her and in their
tradition he needed to offer cows as a dowry to her father. Many women were given 4, 5, or 6 cows which
was “saying” a lot about their “worth” and their beauty. Johnny offers 8 cows for his bride to be and
everyone in the village is shocked because they believe her to be ugly and only
“worth” the hooves or tail of one cow. Some
time after their marriage Johnny his bride, Mahana, come back to the island causing
a sensation because she has blossomed into a beautiful and confident
woman.
What changed? She is
still the same being so why did everyone now believe, especially Mahana, that
she now had more worth and beauty as a person?
Perspective. The only thing to
change was Mahana’s perspective about herself and she because more beautiful to
everyone around her.
Why should our reflection be any different? If we think we are beautiful then we will
be! If we think we are of worth and
require the same respect from others around us then we will have it. I am not talking about getting our way,
winning every argument, or causing ourselves to be full of vanity. I am talking about genuine love for our
God-given bodies, spirits, and opportunities here on earth. We have the power to make ourselves more
likeable, loveable, and downright adorable!
But it starts with ourselves. We
can’t go seeking the opinions of others and allowing them to control our worth
because we will always find someone out there who doesn’t like us or think we
are the greatest thing to ever walk the planet.
But if we are confident enough we don’t have to let that get us down
because we will find people, even just one person, who will love us for who we
are.
There's always that one person that you can never get to like you ;)
God is aware of our situations and he is acutely aware of
our worth. Christ suffered His atonement
for all men, but he would have done it just for you, and you alone. There will always be a reason to keep
smiling, keep moving, and to keep living.
If you have questions about your own worth, ask. If you fear your path, stop where you are and
get on your knees. He is always
there. He is always listening. He will always answer. Because YOU are worth it.
Further Study:
"The Worth of Souls" - Elder Hillam https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/the-worth-of-souls?lang=eng
"The Worth of Souls" - Elder Romney https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1978/10/the-worth-of-souls?lang=eng
"The Worth of Souls is Great!" - Elder Dunn https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1973/04/the-worth-of-souls-is-great?lang=eng
