My land...

"And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so man precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon's temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship therof was exceedingly fine."

-2 Nephi 5:16-

Whether or not you believe in the Book of Mormon, this scripture ABSOLUTELY can apply to you. 

At first this can be a confusing scripture.  Nephi has broken off from his wicked brothers.  His people are establishing their homes and way of life.  Nephi tells us that they built a temple.  It was like Solomon's, except it wasn't, except it was, except it wasn't, and they liked it. Uh, okay.  

Upon closer inspection, we find that Nephi is telling us that he built a temple like the one that Solomon built.  It would have been better, as good as Solomon's, if they had been in a different place with different materials, but other than the materials - it was just like Solomon's.  

What is the significance behind it being just like Solomon's Temple?  In the Bible, there are exact directions for the temple.  Measurements, colors, trimmings, and materials to use.  Nephi, wanting to make a temple pleasing to the Lord, built according to these directions as closely as he could.

What does this mean for us?  We may not find ourselves on the land that we expected.  We may have hoped or planned for better circumstances, money, or even relationships. However, just because we may find ourselves in a different situation than we planned, we can still do/be something great.  Our specific faith aside, we all face life with all the twists and turns.  Things change and we can make ourselves adaptable and still create something great.  

Our challenge is just that: create something great.  Something that is "exceedingly fine" and pleasing to us.  There are few things in life that we can control, but we can control our attitude and how we respond to the things that happen to us in life.  My friends, please be happy!