My thoughts on President Uchtdorf's talk "A Matter of a Few Degrees"
How absolutely horrible to that such a tragedy could have been prevented by just a few degrees or correction. How horrible to think that many of our friends and neighbors could be saved by just a little correction in their lives.
There are many examples in the scriptures of those who needed only a small correction in a moment of weakness; King Saul as Pres. Uchtdorf points out, but I wonder how many great ones we don’t know about. I think of Alma who did get a course correction.
“Small errors and minor drifts away from the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring sorrowful consequences into our lives. It is therefore of critical importance that we become self-disciplined enough to make early and decisive corrections to get back on the right track and not wait or hope that errors will somehow correct themselves.”
I know this was given during the Priesthood session, but I know he is speaking to me personally and more importantly as the mother of five Priesthood holders. As their mother it is so important for me as their guide to make sure they have set their course on the correct path. To make sure that they are watchful for the signs of course deviation and make those correction necessary to bring them back in line with the proper path. That the Iron Rod isn’t just word play, but a book that means something to them. And of course, I also need to look in the mirror. Does my charted course and actually course match up?
But what happens when they do get off a bit. Many scriptures tell us what we need to do, even the fourth Article of Faith tells us what we need to do. Repent!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
And Who is My Neighbor?"
My thoughts on Bishop Burton's talk "And Who is My Neighbor?"
I love the way we, the church, without ceremony, without media, go about doing good. I know there isn’t much “doctrine” in this talk, but there is much love and warmth. I was part of the “helping hands” that helped those in the NW with the floods that hit us last December. I didn’t do much. I just tied a quilt. I truly didn’t do much as others spent days, weeks and even months trying to help those people. I didn’t do much. I just spent 10 hours hemming quilts for new baby kits for a scouts eagle project. It was only 10 hours—only 40 blankets. I didn’t do much when my son asked me to help him with his eagle project: making wood block kits for the church to give to under privilege kids. I just helped a young man reach out. We all don’t do much, but together we do a lot and we do make a difference.
We may not help in the big things--earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes—but we do help when we hold a child’s hand, comfort a sister in need, take a dinner over or just listen. We truly are serving our God when we serve his people.
I love the way we, the church, without ceremony, without media, go about doing good. I know there isn’t much “doctrine” in this talk, but there is much love and warmth. I was part of the “helping hands” that helped those in the NW with the floods that hit us last December. I didn’t do much. I just tied a quilt. I truly didn’t do much as others spent days, weeks and even months trying to help those people. I didn’t do much. I just spent 10 hours hemming quilts for new baby kits for a scouts eagle project. It was only 10 hours—only 40 blankets. I didn’t do much when my son asked me to help him with his eagle project: making wood block kits for the church to give to under privilege kids. I just helped a young man reach out. We all don’t do much, but together we do a lot and we do make a difference.
We may not help in the big things--earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes—but we do help when we hold a child’s hand, comfort a sister in need, take a dinner over or just listen. We truly are serving our God when we serve his people.
Give Heed Unto the Prophets' Words
My thoughts on Elder Cook's talk "Give Heed Unto the Prophets' Words"
As I was reading this I was thinking, “This isn’t ringing a bell. I don’t remember any mention of crisis and fire.” Then in the second paragraph, I realize he is speaking at the Priesthood session. Sometimes it take a bit of time for my lights to come on all the way.
“…it is also valiant today to follow the counsel of our prophet.”
I love D&C 1:38 “What I the Lord have spoke, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; …whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” I use this as my guiding stick. Sometimes they are hard to do and other times they are easy.
“Prophets are inspired to provide us with prophetic priorities to protect us from danger.” Elder Cook gives examples of how the prophets have spoken of dangers way before the world knew. Who knew about the ill effects of coffee, tobacco, drugs etc in the 1800’s? Who knew the family would be under attack like never before?
I want to share something with you. I don’t recall when I heard this, but I want to say it was from President Benson’s lips. I have searched and can’t find the direct quote. If you know the quote, day, time, setting, please, please email me! But I know it was after 1989 because I was married and it was devastating for me to do what the prophet asked. I do know that in the “True to the Faith” book it says on page 27 “Latter-day prophets strongly discourage the piercing of the body except for medical purpose. If girls or women desire to have their ears pierced, they are encouraged to wear only one pair of modest earrings.”
Ok, this rocked my world. How could something so little and insignificant rock the world ofa grown woman? Well it did! When I was 14 I got my ears pierced. I love it since my earlobes are detached. Earrings looked great. When I was 16 my mom took me down to get a second piercing in my right ear. She must have saved a ton of money because she bought me a real pearl earring. She told me that I was to wait for the “right” man who would treat me as a “pearl” of great price. And when that day would come I was then to go get my left ear pierced and have my husband put in a diamond earring signifying that I had “left” my father’s home for a man who was worthy to put a “diamond” on my finger. I wore a pearl and diamond in a mismatched set until I heard the words of the prophet ask me to remove them. My heart broke. I pleaded with Him to let me keep them. This was different. They weren’t gaudy pieces of jewelry. They meant the world to me. My mother had to pay a LOT of money for those pearl earrings and I know my husband didn’t have the money to fulfill my mother’s wishes, but somehow we managed. Now I had to take them out. I went to bed that night with those same earring in my ears and with a very heavy heart. But that was the last night I slept with four earrings. The next morning with tears running down my face I removed them because the prophet asked me to.
I thought the holes would fill in and never be seen again. I was wrong. To this day I could easily slip a pair of earring in them and often times when I’m putting my set in blindly I will then look in the mirror to see one earring higher than the other. They have not filled in or healed. I still have four holes in my head and a mismatched set of earrings in my jewelry box.
As I was reading this I was thinking, “This isn’t ringing a bell. I don’t remember any mention of crisis and fire.” Then in the second paragraph, I realize he is speaking at the Priesthood session. Sometimes it take a bit of time for my lights to come on all the way.
“…it is also valiant today to follow the counsel of our prophet.”
I love D&C 1:38 “What I the Lord have spoke, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; …whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” I use this as my guiding stick. Sometimes they are hard to do and other times they are easy.
“Prophets are inspired to provide us with prophetic priorities to protect us from danger.” Elder Cook gives examples of how the prophets have spoken of dangers way before the world knew. Who knew about the ill effects of coffee, tobacco, drugs etc in the 1800’s? Who knew the family would be under attack like never before?
I want to share something with you. I don’t recall when I heard this, but I want to say it was from President Benson’s lips. I have searched and can’t find the direct quote. If you know the quote, day, time, setting, please, please email me! But I know it was after 1989 because I was married and it was devastating for me to do what the prophet asked. I do know that in the “True to the Faith” book it says on page 27 “Latter-day prophets strongly discourage the piercing of the body except for medical purpose. If girls or women desire to have their ears pierced, they are encouraged to wear only one pair of modest earrings.”
Ok, this rocked my world. How could something so little and insignificant rock the world ofa grown woman? Well it did! When I was 14 I got my ears pierced. I love it since my earlobes are detached. Earrings looked great. When I was 16 my mom took me down to get a second piercing in my right ear. She must have saved a ton of money because she bought me a real pearl earring. She told me that I was to wait for the “right” man who would treat me as a “pearl” of great price. And when that day would come I was then to go get my left ear pierced and have my husband put in a diamond earring signifying that I had “left” my father’s home for a man who was worthy to put a “diamond” on my finger. I wore a pearl and diamond in a mismatched set until I heard the words of the prophet ask me to remove them. My heart broke. I pleaded with Him to let me keep them. This was different. They weren’t gaudy pieces of jewelry. They meant the world to me. My mother had to pay a LOT of money for those pearl earrings and I know my husband didn’t have the money to fulfill my mother’s wishes, but somehow we managed. Now I had to take them out. I went to bed that night with those same earring in my ears and with a very heavy heart. But that was the last night I slept with four earrings. The next morning with tears running down my face I removed them because the prophet asked me to.
I thought the holes would fill in and never be seen again. I was wrong. To this day I could easily slip a pair of earring in them and often times when I’m putting my set in blindly I will then look in the mirror to see one earring higher than the other. They have not filled in or healed. I still have four holes in my head and a mismatched set of earrings in my jewelry box.
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Gospel of Jesus Christ"
My thoughts on Elder Perry's talk "The Gospel of Jesus Christ"
Elder Perry speaks to my heart. I collect cookbooks because of the pictures. When my mom was sane she use to give me a cookbook for my birthday every year. They were always themed. My favorite was the chocolate one. I gained 10 pounds just going through the cake section. But these aren’t just any ordinary cookbook, no they have a picture on every page! I love those cookbooks—never use them, but occasionally I crack them out to drool over the pictures. I don’t know how to cook or bake so I just drool. Elder Perry’s statement I can testify is truthful. “..there are pictures of the prefect dishes that recipes make—the fullness of the joy of cooking.” That is what those cookbooks are for me. My problem is that I know the agony of defeat in the kitchen all too well to know not to even start the process. But that could change. I could go to cooking or baking school. I could hire a private tutor. I could watch lots of cooking shows (which I do). And here is the one that gets me all the time: practice. I could do a lot of things to increase my chances of success.
I believe that is the same for the gospel. We know how it will end. Nephi has shown us that. We could be standing by the tree cheering on our loved ones who are walking the straight and narrow while holding to the rod of iron and/or weeping for those we love who are letting go or worse who are in the great and spacious building. Now how we get to that picture is through classes (church), hire a private tutor (home/visiting teachers & bishop), watch lots of cooking shows (conference and other church videos—and articles) and then practice (just live the gospel). I think I too can achieve this as well.
“It is important to begin with the end in mind, but the end represented by pictures in cookbooks is an end that is only possible if everything is done right.” That is usually my problem in cooking. I substitute and find out I don’t have something and then it doesn’t end up like the picture. “If directions are not followed or an ingredient is left out or miscalculated, the desired taste and appearance are seldom attained.” Oh, that’s my problem ~smile~. “The picture of a perfect dish, however, can serve as motivation to try again to create something that ids both delicious and beautiful.” I love how he didn’t say nutritious—because I love my chocolate cookbook.
Seriously though, he speaks wisdom. I make pancakes almost every morning and have the recipe memorized now. I can make them perfectly when not distracted. When I kid starts speaking to me I’m not sure how many eggs I cracked or how many teaspoons of baking powder I’ve put in. Worse yet, is I forget to flip them and one side is not the shade of brown I’m striving for. When I follow those instructions—memorized or not—I get the perfect back of buttermilk pancakes every time. The same goes for our life. When we follow the direction—memorized or not—we get the prefect life, or at least the life that leads us to perfection.
But unlike my pancakes, there is more to The Gospel of Jesus Christ than just buttermilk, eggs, flour and a few other things. The Gospel starts out with faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost but there is that last ingredient—enduring to the end that is so hard and difficult. And just like my pancakes which I make every morning, we too must start over constantly, weekly, even daily with faith, repentance, sacrament, Holy Ghost and that enduring to make that perfect being.
A few quote that I love:
“…we must humble ourselves before Him—off our sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit and accept His will.” I’ve heard it said that since EVERYTHING is his the only thing we can give him is our will and yet it is the hardest to give.
“Baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost are the prescribed ways to enter the strait and narrow path to eternal life.” Kind of like trying to cheat on your diet. You know exactly how to lose weight, but you cheat and the weight doesn’t come off. There is only one way to the path—no cheating is allowed.
Enduring—oh how I hate that word. Reminds me of the end of my pregnancies. “First, it requires the Savior’s redemptive power.” WOW! ”second, enduring to the end requires the Holy Ghost.” Good thing we get it just before we have to start enduring. “Third…serving and receiving service from our brothers and sisters in the gospel.” I got the serving, but receiving? Now that’s hard. But be careful the Lord has a way of humbling you into receiving. “Fourth, we must share the gospel with others.” As moms we do it daily with our children, extending that is hard. It is tough seeing someone trample on things you hold in the center of your heart. Hopefully being an example will qualify. “finally… are praying, fasting and reading the scriptures.” I want to add, with a sincere heart.
I’m sure I can create the prefect dish if I follow the recipe. I have all the ingredients and I even have many helpers, but it is up to ME to put then in my life and create it.
Elder Perry speaks to my heart. I collect cookbooks because of the pictures. When my mom was sane she use to give me a cookbook for my birthday every year. They were always themed. My favorite was the chocolate one. I gained 10 pounds just going through the cake section. But these aren’t just any ordinary cookbook, no they have a picture on every page! I love those cookbooks—never use them, but occasionally I crack them out to drool over the pictures. I don’t know how to cook or bake so I just drool. Elder Perry’s statement I can testify is truthful. “..there are pictures of the prefect dishes that recipes make—the fullness of the joy of cooking.” That is what those cookbooks are for me. My problem is that I know the agony of defeat in the kitchen all too well to know not to even start the process. But that could change. I could go to cooking or baking school. I could hire a private tutor. I could watch lots of cooking shows (which I do). And here is the one that gets me all the time: practice. I could do a lot of things to increase my chances of success.
I believe that is the same for the gospel. We know how it will end. Nephi has shown us that. We could be standing by the tree cheering on our loved ones who are walking the straight and narrow while holding to the rod of iron and/or weeping for those we love who are letting go or worse who are in the great and spacious building. Now how we get to that picture is through classes (church), hire a private tutor (home/visiting teachers & bishop), watch lots of cooking shows (conference and other church videos—and articles) and then practice (just live the gospel). I think I too can achieve this as well.
“It is important to begin with the end in mind, but the end represented by pictures in cookbooks is an end that is only possible if everything is done right.” That is usually my problem in cooking. I substitute and find out I don’t have something and then it doesn’t end up like the picture. “If directions are not followed or an ingredient is left out or miscalculated, the desired taste and appearance are seldom attained.” Oh, that’s my problem ~smile~. “The picture of a perfect dish, however, can serve as motivation to try again to create something that ids both delicious and beautiful.” I love how he didn’t say nutritious—because I love my chocolate cookbook.
Seriously though, he speaks wisdom. I make pancakes almost every morning and have the recipe memorized now. I can make them perfectly when not distracted. When I kid starts speaking to me I’m not sure how many eggs I cracked or how many teaspoons of baking powder I’ve put in. Worse yet, is I forget to flip them and one side is not the shade of brown I’m striving for. When I follow those instructions—memorized or not—I get the perfect back of buttermilk pancakes every time. The same goes for our life. When we follow the direction—memorized or not—we get the prefect life, or at least the life that leads us to perfection.
But unlike my pancakes, there is more to The Gospel of Jesus Christ than just buttermilk, eggs, flour and a few other things. The Gospel starts out with faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost but there is that last ingredient—enduring to the end that is so hard and difficult. And just like my pancakes which I make every morning, we too must start over constantly, weekly, even daily with faith, repentance, sacrament, Holy Ghost and that enduring to make that perfect being.
A few quote that I love:
“…we must humble ourselves before Him—off our sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit and accept His will.” I’ve heard it said that since EVERYTHING is his the only thing we can give him is our will and yet it is the hardest to give.
“Baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost are the prescribed ways to enter the strait and narrow path to eternal life.” Kind of like trying to cheat on your diet. You know exactly how to lose weight, but you cheat and the weight doesn’t come off. There is only one way to the path—no cheating is allowed.
Enduring—oh how I hate that word. Reminds me of the end of my pregnancies. “First, it requires the Savior’s redemptive power.” WOW! ”second, enduring to the end requires the Holy Ghost.” Good thing we get it just before we have to start enduring. “Third…serving and receiving service from our brothers and sisters in the gospel.” I got the serving, but receiving? Now that’s hard. But be careful the Lord has a way of humbling you into receiving. “Fourth, we must share the gospel with others.” As moms we do it daily with our children, extending that is hard. It is tough seeing someone trample on things you hold in the center of your heart. Hopefully being an example will qualify. “finally… are praying, fasting and reading the scriptures.” I want to add, with a sincere heart.
I’m sure I can create the prefect dish if I follow the recipe. I have all the ingredients and I even have many helpers, but it is up to ME to put then in my life and create it.
To Heal teh Shattering Consequences of Abuse
My thoughts on Elder Scott's talk "To Heal the Shattering Consequences of Abuse"
I don’t even know how to begin dissecting this talk. I’ve never been abused, nor do I abuse (at least I think so), nor do I honestly know someone who has suffered from abuse. But I think this talk was timely. There are many open wounds out there that need to be healed by the love of the Savior. Many people out there who need to hear this talk, read this talk and take actions to repent, to heal and to forgive.
I love his opening paragraph—the one that really starts his talk, “Some matters are so sensitive and intensely personal and can awaken such disturbing feelings that they are seldom mentioned publicly. Yet, if tenderly and compassionately treated in the light of truth…” I hear the love and concern he had in his voice even when I read his words. It reminds me of the time the Savior told the disciples not to send the children away or when here in the Americas he blesses the children.
In his words to the abused he said this “Satan uses your abuse to undermine your self-confidence, destroy trust in authority, create fear, and generate feelings of despair. Abuse can damage your ability to form healthy human relationships. You must have faith that all of these negative consequences can be resolved; otherwise they will keep you from full recovery. While these outcomes have powerful influence in your life, they do not define the real you.”
I have thought about this paragraph since I first read it a while ago. The things Satan uses to get us NEVER define us. Even though I was never abused, he has used much to destroy my self-confidence and self-worth. He tells me I’m fat. Yes, I’m overweight, but that is a health problem not a look problem. He tells me I’m stupid for being a stay at home mom. He tells me I’m mixed up because my family is my first priority and I don’t have ME as number 1. He has great influence in my life and has told me what I really am—but I’m not listening and I don’t believe him and therefore his influence is weak, very weak. I just have to remember that the one who defines me, love me and died for me.
I do have an abuser in my life, but I’m not sure if ___ knew or knows how much ___ influenced my life. While I was growing up this person seldom gave me the time of day and yet ____ should have been the biggest part of my day. I married who I married because of this person and for that one thing I’m thankful. I do not need to seek a bishops counsel in this matter, I just need to forgive and move on. Not an easy task when the pain is very deep. An acquaintance of mine had the same problem as I did and she has learned to forgive. She tells me it is very freeing and I should do it. I’m working on it every day. No I will never confront this person because I don’t think this person even knows it, but I do and I do my best to not let ____’s actions, words and emotions make me a victim or influence me in anyway. Yes, I learned a lot from that person; mostly how not to treat people, but the education was painful—still is.
I don’t even know how to begin dissecting this talk. I’ve never been abused, nor do I abuse (at least I think so), nor do I honestly know someone who has suffered from abuse. But I think this talk was timely. There are many open wounds out there that need to be healed by the love of the Savior. Many people out there who need to hear this talk, read this talk and take actions to repent, to heal and to forgive.
I love his opening paragraph—the one that really starts his talk, “Some matters are so sensitive and intensely personal and can awaken such disturbing feelings that they are seldom mentioned publicly. Yet, if tenderly and compassionately treated in the light of truth…” I hear the love and concern he had in his voice even when I read his words. It reminds me of the time the Savior told the disciples not to send the children away or when here in the Americas he blesses the children.
In his words to the abused he said this “Satan uses your abuse to undermine your self-confidence, destroy trust in authority, create fear, and generate feelings of despair. Abuse can damage your ability to form healthy human relationships. You must have faith that all of these negative consequences can be resolved; otherwise they will keep you from full recovery. While these outcomes have powerful influence in your life, they do not define the real you.”
I have thought about this paragraph since I first read it a while ago. The things Satan uses to get us NEVER define us. Even though I was never abused, he has used much to destroy my self-confidence and self-worth. He tells me I’m fat. Yes, I’m overweight, but that is a health problem not a look problem. He tells me I’m stupid for being a stay at home mom. He tells me I’m mixed up because my family is my first priority and I don’t have ME as number 1. He has great influence in my life and has told me what I really am—but I’m not listening and I don’t believe him and therefore his influence is weak, very weak. I just have to remember that the one who defines me, love me and died for me.
I do have an abuser in my life, but I’m not sure if ___ knew or knows how much ___ influenced my life. While I was growing up this person seldom gave me the time of day and yet ____ should have been the biggest part of my day. I married who I married because of this person and for that one thing I’m thankful. I do not need to seek a bishops counsel in this matter, I just need to forgive and move on. Not an easy task when the pain is very deep. An acquaintance of mine had the same problem as I did and she has learned to forgive. She tells me it is very freeing and I should do it. I’m working on it every day. No I will never confront this person because I don’t think this person even knows it, but I do and I do my best to not let ____’s actions, words and emotions make me a victim or influence me in anyway. Yes, I learned a lot from that person; mostly how not to treat people, but the education was painful—still is.
Three Presiding High Priests
My thoughts on Elder Walker’s talk “Three Presiding High Priests”
I didn’t highlight much of this talk, but it did make me think about how I run my life, my marriage and my family. Not long ago we had to institute a formal family council every afternoon after church to go over the week. Since we homeschool our children there wasn’t much that needed to be openly discussed. We communicated all day long and for the most part everyone knew what each other was doing. But then we had our oldest turn 16 and get a driver’s license and a job outside of the home. And then he decided to do something weird: have friends! Needless to say, I love the time where we get to go over the calendar and make sure everyone is taken care of with rides to and from, last minutes details taken care of (well most of the time) and a chance to catch up on what is happening in the life of our family, I also hate it! I’m no longer in control. I hate losing control—just hate it! I guess that is why I like being in charge. I guess that is why I like coaching—I’m in charge! No longer—I have others that have opinions, desires and wishes. Many times we butt heads. I need to remember Elder Walker’s council when he describes President Joseph F. Smith and his councilors working out a problem. “When a case came before [the President of the Church] to judge, he and his counselors would talk it over and give it their careful consideration until they came to the same conclusion.” Then Elder Walker adds “That should be our pattern in presidencies.” I will change the last word to say “families.”
When we as the head of the family and families get together we should pray and pray until we all come to the same conclusion. I think the best thing we can hear as partners is “Yes, I got that same answer.” And even more spectacular is when a child comes up to you after pondering on a big decision and says, “mom, you were right I think I better….”
There is much we can learn from the way the church is organized. There needs to be three: you, him and Him. And they need to be in every decision.
I didn’t highlight much of this talk, but it did make me think about how I run my life, my marriage and my family. Not long ago we had to institute a formal family council every afternoon after church to go over the week. Since we homeschool our children there wasn’t much that needed to be openly discussed. We communicated all day long and for the most part everyone knew what each other was doing. But then we had our oldest turn 16 and get a driver’s license and a job outside of the home. And then he decided to do something weird: have friends! Needless to say, I love the time where we get to go over the calendar and make sure everyone is taken care of with rides to and from, last minutes details taken care of (well most of the time) and a chance to catch up on what is happening in the life of our family, I also hate it! I’m no longer in control. I hate losing control—just hate it! I guess that is why I like being in charge. I guess that is why I like coaching—I’m in charge! No longer—I have others that have opinions, desires and wishes. Many times we butt heads. I need to remember Elder Walker’s council when he describes President Joseph F. Smith and his councilors working out a problem. “When a case came before [the President of the Church] to judge, he and his counselors would talk it over and give it their careful consideration until they came to the same conclusion.” Then Elder Walker adds “That should be our pattern in presidencies.” I will change the last word to say “families.”
When we as the head of the family and families get together we should pray and pray until we all come to the same conclusion. I think the best thing we can hear as partners is “Yes, I got that same answer.” And even more spectacular is when a child comes up to you after pondering on a big decision and says, “mom, you were right I think I better….”
There is much we can learn from the way the church is organized. There needs to be three: you, him and Him. And they need to be in every decision.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Service, A Divine Quality
My thoughts on Elder Amado's talk "Service, A Diving Quality"
Elder Amado spoke about something that is so close to my heart. In fact we make this a part of our schooling. Every Friday we serve at a local food bank for a couple of hours (until the job is done). It has been hard, but the rewards are great!
Three purposes of the Lord’s life: His atoning sacrifice, His doctrine, and His service. One of my favorites parts of the scriptures is when the Savior takes the children and blesses them, not because he has to but because he wants to serve them and bless them. Why do I could dinner? Yes, I have to—well sort of, they can make a mean PB&J—but because it is my way of saying “I love you” to my family.
Elder Amado has quite a bit of stuff on the blessings of service. “those who serve…” Interesting list. But I like the two paragraphs before the list. “Service makes us strong in our faith an useful in His kingdom.” We all need to feel needed and useful and we do buy doing our Visiting Teaching, home teaching and other callings. It is a blessing to just be useful and extra cool that we can strengthen our faith by being useful and needed.
“Kindness, love, patience, understanding and unity will increase as we serve, while intolerance, jealousy, envy, greed and selfishness decreases or disappear.” I TRULY NEED THIS BLESSING RIGHT NOW!!!! I need those things to decrease, so I guess I need to increase the others (so this will be short since it is almost dinner time).
I have two scriptures that are my mantra “I will go and do…” and “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” I live my life according to those two scriptures.
Of course the best thing about the church is “by their fruits ye shall know them.” I have NEVER seen an organization who can have people on the ground in record time when disasters happen and truly MAKE A DIFFERENCE without thought to politics, religion, race, gender, etc. As I watch other organization duke it out for who was first, I know the church went in, accessed, moved forward, moved out and left a HUGE impact. I had a friend’s husband who is a truck driver and he was in Texas when Katrina hit and as he was leaving the area because of the approaching storm he noticed that at the truck stops around Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma, generic looking trucks that were from Salt Lake City. They were ready for the hurricane to hit and then move in. They held back just enough to be safe but when the storm was done, they were able to come in and be there. Another friend’s husband flies for a Fed Ex or is it UPS (not sure which) but he was called in to make flights into the area carrying LDS Humanitarian aid within 24 hours of the hurricanes arrival. By their fruits ye shall know them.
Elder Amado spoke about something that is so close to my heart. In fact we make this a part of our schooling. Every Friday we serve at a local food bank for a couple of hours (until the job is done). It has been hard, but the rewards are great!
Three purposes of the Lord’s life: His atoning sacrifice, His doctrine, and His service. One of my favorites parts of the scriptures is when the Savior takes the children and blesses them, not because he has to but because he wants to serve them and bless them. Why do I could dinner? Yes, I have to—well sort of, they can make a mean PB&J—but because it is my way of saying “I love you” to my family.
Elder Amado has quite a bit of stuff on the blessings of service. “those who serve…” Interesting list. But I like the two paragraphs before the list. “Service makes us strong in our faith an useful in His kingdom.” We all need to feel needed and useful and we do buy doing our Visiting Teaching, home teaching and other callings. It is a blessing to just be useful and extra cool that we can strengthen our faith by being useful and needed.
“Kindness, love, patience, understanding and unity will increase as we serve, while intolerance, jealousy, envy, greed and selfishness decreases or disappear.” I TRULY NEED THIS BLESSING RIGHT NOW!!!! I need those things to decrease, so I guess I need to increase the others (so this will be short since it is almost dinner time).
I have two scriptures that are my mantra “I will go and do…” and “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” I live my life according to those two scriptures.
Of course the best thing about the church is “by their fruits ye shall know them.” I have NEVER seen an organization who can have people on the ground in record time when disasters happen and truly MAKE A DIFFERENCE without thought to politics, religion, race, gender, etc. As I watch other organization duke it out for who was first, I know the church went in, accessed, moved forward, moved out and left a HUGE impact. I had a friend’s husband who is a truck driver and he was in Texas when Katrina hit and as he was leaving the area because of the approaching storm he noticed that at the truck stops around Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma, generic looking trucks that were from Salt Lake City. They were ready for the hurricane to hit and then move in. They held back just enough to be safe but when the storm was done, they were able to come in and be there. Another friend’s husband flies for a Fed Ex or is it UPS (not sure which) but he was called in to make flights into the area carrying LDS Humanitarian aid within 24 hours of the hurricanes arrival. By their fruits ye shall know them.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Opening Our Hearts
My thoughts on Elder Lund's talk "Opening Our Hearts"
I testify that you “feel” the Holy Ghost more than you “hear” him. Although on occasions I have heard him.
“The heart is a tender place. “
“It can be softened by love”
Elder Lund then talks about the fences we build around them. As someone who has studied a lot of defenses fences (notice the word fence in defenses—yes spelled a bit different), it pains me to see people put up stone walls 10 feet high around their heart. Because of abuse, life happenings, pains, or rebellion and sin they become higher and thicker, harder for the love to find them, but try we must.
“We must, of our own free will, open our hearts to the Spirit, for He will not force Himself upon us.”
I think we have to remember this when dealing with our children as well—especially our teens. You can lead a horse to water…
But where is my heart? What kind of fence or wall does it have surrounding it? “Purity of heart is certainly one of the most important qualifications for receiving inspiration from God.” (What am I going to be working on this month, year, decade, life-time?) I can either have this blessing “O, all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love.”
OR
“The Lord noted there natural consequences of having one’s heart set on the things of the world: First, we seek to hid our sins instead of repenting of them. Next, we seek to gratify our pride and vain ambitions rather than seeking the things of God. Finally, we begin to exercise unrighteous dominion over others.”
Gut check time! Where is my heart? Where are my thoughts, my actions, my words? And how do I teach this to my children without pointing fingers (even the three pointing back at me)?
“Pride quickly desensitizes our hearts to spiritual promptings.” We see this in almost every civilization on earth that fell or is falling. What about our country, our state, our county, our city, our school, our home, our family, ourselves? Are we desensitized? Are we so proud that we can not receive the promptings and comforting of the Spirit?
“I say again, the condition of our hearts directly affects our sensitivity to spiritual things.” “We choose what we let in or hold out.”
And as the scripture says, “As for me and my house, we will choose the Lord.” I just pray that my children are doing the same thing. That their fence is short, approachable, with a welcome sign on it and that they eagerly allow the Spirit in.
I testify that you “feel” the Holy Ghost more than you “hear” him. Although on occasions I have heard him.
“The heart is a tender place. “
“It can be softened by love”
Elder Lund then talks about the fences we build around them. As someone who has studied a lot of defenses fences (notice the word fence in defenses—yes spelled a bit different), it pains me to see people put up stone walls 10 feet high around their heart. Because of abuse, life happenings, pains, or rebellion and sin they become higher and thicker, harder for the love to find them, but try we must.
“We must, of our own free will, open our hearts to the Spirit, for He will not force Himself upon us.”
I think we have to remember this when dealing with our children as well—especially our teens. You can lead a horse to water…
But where is my heart? What kind of fence or wall does it have surrounding it? “Purity of heart is certainly one of the most important qualifications for receiving inspiration from God.” (What am I going to be working on this month, year, decade, life-time?) I can either have this blessing “O, all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love.”
OR
“The Lord noted there natural consequences of having one’s heart set on the things of the world: First, we seek to hid our sins instead of repenting of them. Next, we seek to gratify our pride and vain ambitions rather than seeking the things of God. Finally, we begin to exercise unrighteous dominion over others.”
Gut check time! Where is my heart? Where are my thoughts, my actions, my words? And how do I teach this to my children without pointing fingers (even the three pointing back at me)?
“Pride quickly desensitizes our hearts to spiritual promptings.” We see this in almost every civilization on earth that fell or is falling. What about our country, our state, our county, our city, our school, our home, our family, ourselves? Are we desensitized? Are we so proud that we can not receive the promptings and comforting of the Spirit?
“I say again, the condition of our hearts directly affects our sensitivity to spiritual things.” “We choose what we let in or hold out.”
And as the scripture says, “As for me and my house, we will choose the Lord.” I just pray that my children are doing the same thing. That their fence is short, approachable, with a welcome sign on it and that they eagerly allow the Spirit in.
Gaining a Testimony
My thoughts on Elder Hales "Gaining a Testimony of God the Father; His Son, Jesus Chris; and the Holy Ghost."
A testimony of God the Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost. Why do you think it needs to be a testimony of these three beings? Is this different than having a testimony of the Gospel? Or Baptism? Or Tithing? I believe it is.
I have a friend whose husband pays on honest tithe because he has a testimony of it, but is not a baptized member of our church. He sees the blessing that come to his family through his obedience. But he doesn’t have a testimony of the Father, The Son or the Holy Ghost—at least not yet.
I truly didn’t mark but one line from the whole talk because I just agreed with everything Elder Hale said. So what I’m going to say has NOTHING to do with the talk but about my testimony of the God Head.
When I was a young girl and trying desperately to find direction for my life, I was praying like nothing else to feel the Savior’s love and to become a changed person. (not sure I changed all that much ~smile~) I was on an overnight water skiing activity with my Laurel class. We spent the night under the stars at some state park. For some reason when I choose my spot I didn’t realize that when the sun came up it would hit me straight in the face. Everyone else must have placed their heads better than I for at 4:30 AM (we are up way north) the sun woke me up. Of course there wasn’t much for me to do. We air was a bit chilly so I just snuggled into my bag and watched the sun rise. Eventually the sunrays hit a spider web. This as a unique spider web as it was like a ladder between two trees which must have been about 10 feet apart. The dew and the sunlight made this invisible ladder some to life. As my eyes traced up the ladder I noticed that it led to heaven. It was then that my heart burned and I knew Heavenly Father truly loved me as much as anyone else. Not that the spider web was special, but that my heart and mind were open at that moment to feel the love.
Of course I crawled as best as I could onto my knees and spent some time in prayer and then opened my scriptures (the only books we were allowed to bring) and the testimony that had begun to burn that morning was etched into my mind and heart.
When the scriptures say that they can not write the words they heard, I know what it is like. I didn’t hear words, but the feelings I had don’t have an English (or any spoken language) word for them. There is NOTHING to describe the way I felt. I knew then as I do today that the Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost are three different beings each with a similar but different task.
Another time, about 10 years ago, I was asked to speak on Father’s Day, but my topic was our Heavenly Father. You can search all you want, but the scriptures talk very, very little about our Heavenly Father. Our latter-day prophets have spoken more about him than any ancient prophet has. But the one thing I did learn is that if you want to know the Father, know the Son. As you study the Son, his mission, his life and his teachings you will come to know the Father. After all he is about his father’s business.”
A testimony of God the Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost. Why do you think it needs to be a testimony of these three beings? Is this different than having a testimony of the Gospel? Or Baptism? Or Tithing? I believe it is.
I have a friend whose husband pays on honest tithe because he has a testimony of it, but is not a baptized member of our church. He sees the blessing that come to his family through his obedience. But he doesn’t have a testimony of the Father, The Son or the Holy Ghost—at least not yet.
I truly didn’t mark but one line from the whole talk because I just agreed with everything Elder Hale said. So what I’m going to say has NOTHING to do with the talk but about my testimony of the God Head.
When I was a young girl and trying desperately to find direction for my life, I was praying like nothing else to feel the Savior’s love and to become a changed person. (not sure I changed all that much ~smile~) I was on an overnight water skiing activity with my Laurel class. We spent the night under the stars at some state park. For some reason when I choose my spot I didn’t realize that when the sun came up it would hit me straight in the face. Everyone else must have placed their heads better than I for at 4:30 AM (we are up way north) the sun woke me up. Of course there wasn’t much for me to do. We air was a bit chilly so I just snuggled into my bag and watched the sun rise. Eventually the sunrays hit a spider web. This as a unique spider web as it was like a ladder between two trees which must have been about 10 feet apart. The dew and the sunlight made this invisible ladder some to life. As my eyes traced up the ladder I noticed that it led to heaven. It was then that my heart burned and I knew Heavenly Father truly loved me as much as anyone else. Not that the spider web was special, but that my heart and mind were open at that moment to feel the love.
Of course I crawled as best as I could onto my knees and spent some time in prayer and then opened my scriptures (the only books we were allowed to bring) and the testimony that had begun to burn that morning was etched into my mind and heart.
When the scriptures say that they can not write the words they heard, I know what it is like. I didn’t hear words, but the feelings I had don’t have an English (or any spoken language) word for them. There is NOTHING to describe the way I felt. I knew then as I do today that the Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost are three different beings each with a similar but different task.
Another time, about 10 years ago, I was asked to speak on Father’s Day, but my topic was our Heavenly Father. You can search all you want, but the scriptures talk very, very little about our Heavenly Father. Our latter-day prophets have spoken more about him than any ancient prophet has. But the one thing I did learn is that if you want to know the Father, know the Son. As you study the Son, his mission, his life and his teachings you will come to know the Father. After all he is about his father’s business.”
Monday, June 16, 2008
Testimony
My thoughts on Elder Oaks talk "Testimony"
Elder Oaks hold nothing back when he says, “A Testimony is not a travelogue, a health log, or an expression of love for family members. It is not a sermon. President Kimball taught that the moment we begin preaching to other, our testimony is ended.”
How many of us sit through fast and testimony meeting without hear a testimony. I know there are times we want to share our experiences of travel, or an event, but unless there is a testifying of why we know the gospel to be true, or who the Holy Ghost has worked in our lives, we realy shouldn’t stand up. I don’t begrudge anyone their time at the microphone, but I truly only want to hear testimony. If I want to know about their travels, stories or their sermon I will ask.
Knowledge: “…three different kinds of knowledge, each learned in a different way.” Scientific proof. As homeschooler we should understand this knowledge as we try to teach it every day. Personal and subjective can’t be proven scientifically but it is “still important.” Then there is spiritual knowledge. This truly can’t be explained, it has to be felt deep inside. Science can’t explain it and will not yield it.
I have a friend who loves to find facts that the Book of Mormon is true and can’t be a made up story from the mind of Joseph Smith. One day he taught a class on the first 13 chapters of Nephi. In the class he was going to attempt to prove that what Lehi and his family did was totally possible and even show us the route. But before he began he told us that what he was going to show us should NOT be the basis for our testimony and if it is, we should leave and come back when we knew the Book of Mormon was true because science and physical evidence does NOT make a testimony as evident in many of the witnesses to the Gold Plates. He had a long pause before he began his class. I’ve thought about that as I get travel brochures for Central America to tour the Book of Mormon ruins, etc. Those will only enhance my testimony but they are NOT the foundation of my testimony. My testimony of the Gospel comes through the Holy Spirit; one of the Godhead. It is only then that these extra stuff can help cement my testimony in the gospel.
I can liken this to have of the gospel because the Bishop is a good man or you like the youth program. What happens when the bishop is released or something goes wrong at YM/YW? Feelings get hurt and then we leave and have to come back ask Elder Bednar talked about in a conference address.
Elder Oaks then tells us how to get it. This shouldn’t be a secret to those who read the scriptures because it is all over. Nephi tells us how to get it just before he has the same vision as his father. Joseph Smith tells us in his history. The first thing you need is DESIRE! You can add fasting to your prayers to help in declaring your desire and to prepare the soul to receive the personal revelation the Lord has waiting for you. “As we desire and seek, we should remember that acquiring a testimony is not a passive thing but a process in which we are expected to do something.” DARN! I have to work? I wanted it free! Nothing worthwhile is free—especially a testimony of the Gospel.
Elder Oaks also tells us that we can strengthen our testimony by bearing it. “Someone even suggested that some testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them.”
But my favorite part of this is the scripture Elder Oaks quotes: “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, … To others it is given to believe on their words,” I ask you where are you? Are you a bearer or a believer? We need to remember this with our children as well. They might not be a bearer but a believer and if that is the case who are they listening to? As Elder Oaks said, “Our children should also hear us bear our testimonies frequently.”
The last bit of this talk is about the relationship between obedience and knowledge. “…knowledge encourages obedience and obedience enhances knowledge.” DARN more work! “Obedience is not blind when we act upon knowledge suited for the subject of our action.”
I’m not blind!
Elder Oaks hold nothing back when he says, “A Testimony is not a travelogue, a health log, or an expression of love for family members. It is not a sermon. President Kimball taught that the moment we begin preaching to other, our testimony is ended.”
How many of us sit through fast and testimony meeting without hear a testimony. I know there are times we want to share our experiences of travel, or an event, but unless there is a testifying of why we know the gospel to be true, or who the Holy Ghost has worked in our lives, we realy shouldn’t stand up. I don’t begrudge anyone their time at the microphone, but I truly only want to hear testimony. If I want to know about their travels, stories or their sermon I will ask.
Knowledge: “…three different kinds of knowledge, each learned in a different way.” Scientific proof. As homeschooler we should understand this knowledge as we try to teach it every day. Personal and subjective can’t be proven scientifically but it is “still important.” Then there is spiritual knowledge. This truly can’t be explained, it has to be felt deep inside. Science can’t explain it and will not yield it.
I have a friend who loves to find facts that the Book of Mormon is true and can’t be a made up story from the mind of Joseph Smith. One day he taught a class on the first 13 chapters of Nephi. In the class he was going to attempt to prove that what Lehi and his family did was totally possible and even show us the route. But before he began he told us that what he was going to show us should NOT be the basis for our testimony and if it is, we should leave and come back when we knew the Book of Mormon was true because science and physical evidence does NOT make a testimony as evident in many of the witnesses to the Gold Plates. He had a long pause before he began his class. I’ve thought about that as I get travel brochures for Central America to tour the Book of Mormon ruins, etc. Those will only enhance my testimony but they are NOT the foundation of my testimony. My testimony of the Gospel comes through the Holy Spirit; one of the Godhead. It is only then that these extra stuff can help cement my testimony in the gospel.
I can liken this to have of the gospel because the Bishop is a good man or you like the youth program. What happens when the bishop is released or something goes wrong at YM/YW? Feelings get hurt and then we leave and have to come back ask Elder Bednar talked about in a conference address.
Elder Oaks then tells us how to get it. This shouldn’t be a secret to those who read the scriptures because it is all over. Nephi tells us how to get it just before he has the same vision as his father. Joseph Smith tells us in his history. The first thing you need is DESIRE! You can add fasting to your prayers to help in declaring your desire and to prepare the soul to receive the personal revelation the Lord has waiting for you. “As we desire and seek, we should remember that acquiring a testimony is not a passive thing but a process in which we are expected to do something.” DARN! I have to work? I wanted it free! Nothing worthwhile is free—especially a testimony of the Gospel.
Elder Oaks also tells us that we can strengthen our testimony by bearing it. “Someone even suggested that some testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them.”
But my favorite part of this is the scripture Elder Oaks quotes: “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, … To others it is given to believe on their words,” I ask you where are you? Are you a bearer or a believer? We need to remember this with our children as well. They might not be a bearer but a believer and if that is the case who are they listening to? As Elder Oaks said, “Our children should also hear us bear our testimonies frequently.”
The last bit of this talk is about the relationship between obedience and knowledge. “…knowledge encourages obedience and obedience enhances knowledge.” DARN more work! “Obedience is not blind when we act upon knowledge suited for the subject of our action.”
I’m not blind!
The True and Living Church
My thoughts on President Eyring "The True and Living Church"
“Now our obligation is to remain worthy of the faith necessary for us to fulfill our promise to sustain those how have been called.”
I had never thought of my faith being part of my promise to sustain the Prophet and other general authorities or even local leaders. WOW what an earth shattering thought for me.
“For us to sustain those who have been called today, we must examine our lives, repent as necessary, pledge to keep the Lord’s commandment and follow His servants. The Lord warns us that if we do not do those things, the Holy Ghost will be withdrawn, we will lose the light which we have received, and we will not be able to keep the pledge we have made today to sustain the Lord’s servants in His true Church.”
My thoughts go back to early in the Church’s history; those who didn’t keep the commandments, fell away and their support and faith of the chosen leaders was deeply felt. I wonder what my little bitty pieces of faith does to the chosen leaders today.
Elder Eyring asks us to evaluate ourselves (oh, don’t we just love to look at the huge old beam in our own eye!). “First, we need to measure the depth of our gratitude for membership in the true Church of Jesus Christ. Second, we need to know by the power of the Holy Ghost in what ways we can do better in keeping the commandments.”
This last sentence is the one I’m praying for daily. I’m not feeling the Spirit too often in my home so I know there is something missing and so I’m praying to find out what it is that I’m not doing so I can do it better. I pray for help each day trying to figure out why the Spirit of Contention is rampant in our home and how to get him out. I’m sure most of it is lain at my feet, so I pray harder each day to fix one more thing. (Ok, I pray for the whole week or even the month to fix that one thing before I move on to the next.) and then he adds this: “Our lives will be transformed for the better as we exercise faith unto repentance, always remember the Savior, and try ever harder to keep His commandments.” I’m hoping for the transformation—I NEED IT!
I love service. To me that is the ultimate in expressing love. When President Eyring said, “Every member will have opportunities to sustain through service given in the name of God, “ my heart jumped. That is how I can best show my love for the Prophet and other leaders. That is how I can express love to my Relief Society President by doing my visiting teaching. This to me is the best example of our church—by their fruits they will know them.
“Now our obligation is to remain worthy of the faith necessary for us to fulfill our promise to sustain those how have been called.”
I had never thought of my faith being part of my promise to sustain the Prophet and other general authorities or even local leaders. WOW what an earth shattering thought for me.
“For us to sustain those who have been called today, we must examine our lives, repent as necessary, pledge to keep the Lord’s commandment and follow His servants. The Lord warns us that if we do not do those things, the Holy Ghost will be withdrawn, we will lose the light which we have received, and we will not be able to keep the pledge we have made today to sustain the Lord’s servants in His true Church.”
My thoughts go back to early in the Church’s history; those who didn’t keep the commandments, fell away and their support and faith of the chosen leaders was deeply felt. I wonder what my little bitty pieces of faith does to the chosen leaders today.
Elder Eyring asks us to evaluate ourselves (oh, don’t we just love to look at the huge old beam in our own eye!). “First, we need to measure the depth of our gratitude for membership in the true Church of Jesus Christ. Second, we need to know by the power of the Holy Ghost in what ways we can do better in keeping the commandments.”
This last sentence is the one I’m praying for daily. I’m not feeling the Spirit too often in my home so I know there is something missing and so I’m praying to find out what it is that I’m not doing so I can do it better. I pray for help each day trying to figure out why the Spirit of Contention is rampant in our home and how to get him out. I’m sure most of it is lain at my feet, so I pray harder each day to fix one more thing. (Ok, I pray for the whole week or even the month to fix that one thing before I move on to the next.) and then he adds this: “Our lives will be transformed for the better as we exercise faith unto repentance, always remember the Savior, and try ever harder to keep His commandments.” I’m hoping for the transformation—I NEED IT!
I love service. To me that is the ultimate in expressing love. When President Eyring said, “Every member will have opportunities to sustain through service given in the name of God, “ my heart jumped. That is how I can best show my love for the Prophet and other leaders. That is how I can express love to my Relief Society President by doing my visiting teaching. This to me is the best example of our church—by their fruits they will know them.
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