Ether 4:12

And whatsoever thing persuaded men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me - that I am.

I have tried to fill my life with goodness - good friends, good times, good books, good music, good movies. There is no end of opportunities. Museums are filled with beautiful art. The world of nature is all around us.

Being surrounded by good is not the same as doing good. The first can just happen because of the community where you are born. But at sometime in our lives we must consciously begin to choose good - to do good.

I have tried to follow the Spirit and let it be my guide. I may be reading a book and not like the how it feels so I stop and choose another. I have turned off movies that felt wrong. I have walked away from conversations.

But the more important is to do good things for others. Being a good neighbor, reaching out to serve in the community, accepting a church assignment have become an important part of my life. Connecting to others in meaningful ways brings abiding joy.

There are endless ways to fill your life with goodness and with beauty. Sometimes though you have to take a stand and fight for something that is right.

My first attempt to do that was as a young college student. I joined a Civil Rights group at Wayne State University. We worked to create a local library for blacks living in a small town in Mississippi where the community library was for whites only.

I knew I was doing something good. Working for Samaritas and the refugees now gives me that same feeling. I'm so grateful to be able to serve others and especially to be able to do it along side my husband.

I like to think about all the times the scriptures admonish us to do good.

Romans 12:9 

Cleave to that which is good.

2 Corinthians 9:8 

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

Philippians 4:8 

Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, think on these things.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

1 Timothy 6: 7-9

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich and good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against a time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life

3rd John 1:11

He that doeth good is of God.