My thoughts on President Eyring's talk "'Man Down!'"
"You will need bravery and you will need boldness because you are enlisted in the Lord’s army in the last dispensation. "
Let's all sing, "We are all enlisted til the conflict is over. Happy are we, happy are we."
It is a wonderful army that we are serving in. I love standing shoulder to shoulder with my fellow mates in singing praises, in raking leaves and mending hearts.
"First you are under covenant,"
Our baptismal covenants enlist us each in this wonderful Army lead by great men and women. We are to care for everyone. No one is to be left behind. I have felt this desire, this covenant in full force these past few months. I was that man down and my ward and friends rallied around me. I was physically down and they came to my rescue. That sure did help with my spiritual self too. It was easier to deal with the spiritual sides of things when I knew my physical and to some extent my family were taken care of.
I love how he gentle teaches our young men how to be a great home teacher. I've had some good ones and some bad ones. Every one has been there when I needed them--when I was that man down--but a true measure of a home teacher is that he is always there with love in his heart for my family.
"First, you will feel the love of God for the people you visit. And, second, you will feel the Savior’s gratitude for your desire to give the help the Savior knew they needed."
He says it ..."will show by your face and manner that you care for the people."
I have great home teachers. When one of the partnership moved I begged for the other one to stay. Thankfully I got my request. He has been keeping tabs on my family through the trial we have been going through. He was here to give me my blessing. I count him a dear friend. I count him part of my family. His new companion (only had him a few months--and then he was gone for some of the visits, on vacation) I think will be more the same. Brother W truly loves us. I can see it in his eyes as he talks with my children, as he visits with us and as he calls to make sure we are safe when things go wrong and celebrates with us when things are going great! He is a model home teacher and I'm so glad my young men have him as a model.
My two sons who go home teaching have great companions too. (One is my hubby so I'm a bit bias.) But the older son has Brother O and he is faithful in doing his duty and therefore the families they teach know my son and love him. One even hired him and his younger brother for a major yard improvement project and paid them well. She knew that they are saving for a mission (and school). She knew that in some way they were "men down" as they were poor teens trying hard to make money to pay for missions that their parents have no hope in helping them. (We have done the math $12,000 times 5 equals a LOT!) I thank her for helping my sons. I thank Brother O and my husband for doing their home teaching when I know they had other things to do.
I thank the Lord for the blessings of the Priesthood and the order which he has set up.
Monday, September 21, 2009
We are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down
My thoughts on President Uchtdorf's talk "We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down"
Am I focusing on the light bulb?
I hope that while I'm fighting the war on cancer I don't neglect the other parts of my life. It is all about balance. Giving the appropriate amount of attention to the lights that are out that mean something.
"Pause for a moment and check where your own heart and thoughts are. Are you focused on the things that matter most? How you spend your quiet time may provide a valuable clue. Where do your thoughts go when the pressure of deadlines is gone? Are your thoughts and heart focused on those short-lived fleeting things that matter only in the moment, or on things that matter most?"
It is possible to take good things to excess. I hope I never do that and neglect the other things that are good in my life.
"When we truly love our Heavenly Father and His children, we demonstrate that love through our actions."
I have lived this law my entire life. If someone wants to show me love it is by serving me because that is truly how I show my love. I guess that is why when my service goes unnoticed or unappreciated I feel like I've been slapped in the face. This makes it hard to be a mom. I've tried to bite my tongue as my family often doesn't notice that my doing their dishes isn't just because I need them done or don't want the confrontation, but because I truly love them.
Am I focusing on the light bulb?
I hope that while I'm fighting the war on cancer I don't neglect the other parts of my life. It is all about balance. Giving the appropriate amount of attention to the lights that are out that mean something.
"Pause for a moment and check where your own heart and thoughts are. Are you focused on the things that matter most? How you spend your quiet time may provide a valuable clue. Where do your thoughts go when the pressure of deadlines is gone? Are your thoughts and heart focused on those short-lived fleeting things that matter only in the moment, or on things that matter most?"
It is possible to take good things to excess. I hope I never do that and neglect the other things that are good in my life.
"When we truly love our Heavenly Father and His children, we demonstrate that love through our actions."
I have lived this law my entire life. If someone wants to show me love it is by serving me because that is truly how I show my love. I guess that is why when my service goes unnoticed or unappreciated I feel like I've been slapped in the face. This makes it hard to be a mom. I've tried to bite my tongue as my family often doesn't notice that my doing their dishes isn't just because I need them done or don't want the confrontation, but because I truly love them.
Pristhood Responsibilities
My thoughts on Elder Costa's talk "Priesthood Responsibilities"
I wish I could have been in the audience when this talk was given.
I hope that this post isn't just a bunch of clips from his talk because my copy is almost all high lighted. It is a great talk. I should pull it out for FHE.
"Each of us has a fourfold responsibility. First, we have a responsibility to our families. Second, we have a responsibility to our employers. Third, we have a responsibility to the Lord’s work. Fourth, we have a responsibility to ourselves.” (Pres. Hinckley)
I love this order. Something about it just rings true to my heart. (Maybe because it is TRUE.)
FAMILY:
"It is imperative that you not neglect your families. Nothing you have is more precious." (again Pres. Hinckley)
The primary's theme this year is on the family. It seems like the world is trying to focus on the family as well--just in different ways. I have had a lot of opportunity to read a lot of magazines these past few weeks and it is amazing at the contradictory messages we are getting. I wonder what the nation would be like if every house had family as its first priority and responsibility.
Elder Costa asks us to have these are priorities in our life:
1. daily family prayer
2. daily family scripture study
3. weekly family home evening
I know it is so hard to get these in AND with meaning and purpose. Sometimes I feel like I'm just going through the motions with my kids and they aren't getting anything out of it but a dislike for mom's "religious time." It is so hard to know the impact on your children. I know my mom fought with us kids but it really did work. I still am amazed at her faith and diligence in doing it day after day, week after week when she was fighting against the personalities and the wills she had in us children (and spouse). What a woman. I guess that is why I'm determined to do it too. If only to call upon the blessings I'm racking up by doing it--I have a feeling I'm going to be needing them soon.
"No other activity is more important for our family." talking about Family Home Evening.
My oldest son has started working on Monday nights. I'm so disappointed. I'm so sad. But I understand his desire for money as he is preparing for his own family. He needs the money to pay for college and his mission. I remember being in that same hard spot 25 years ago.
"Mom, if the house burns down, I must save my scriptures!"
I have had two dear friends lose their home to fire and every time I think about it, I think about the things I would miss the most from my house. I would miss my scriptures. I've spent some 20 plus years marking them and adding notes, etc. I now have an iPhone and they have the scriptures on them, but there is something missing--a lot missing. My notes, markings, etc. as well as the physical act of turning a page.
Our family daily scripture study has been very regular in our family. I don't recall when we haven't done it in some form. All of my kids have learned to read via the scriptures. Not that was the only phonics lesson they had, but it was a huge part of it. I love the scriptures and need to spend more personal time in them.
JOB:
"Do not do Church work on his time." President Hinckley said about our employer obligations. Since my employer is my family--this one really isn't a concern for me. ~smile~ But I understand his words.
"...our employment enables us to take care of our family as well as allowing us to be effective servants in the Church."
I remind myself of this often when I feel that my husband is spending way too much time at his job.
LORD'S WORK:
"Priesthood holders have many responsibilities and assignments. We have opportunities to visit, interview, teach, and serve people. It is our sacred responsibility to edify Church members and to help strengthen their faith and testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. We have opportunities to take care of the families whom we serve as home teachers and to teach members to provide for themselves, their families, and the poor and needy in the Lord’s way. Priesthood holders have the responsibility to motivate the youth to prepare to serve honorable full-time missions and to be married in the temple."
"As fathers, we also have the sacred responsibility to set a worthy example for our children to help them to become better parents and leaders in their own homes. Quoting Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve: “May we ask all priesthood leaders, especially you fathers, to help prepare your sons. Prepare them both spiritually and temporally, to look and to act as servants of the Lord.”
AMEN!
I know I take this responsibility seriously and I hope my husband does too. No, I know he does.
"Our example will always speak loudly."
Am I speaking loudly?
OUR SELF:
What is our responsibility to ourselves?
"...to grown spiritually."
I remember talking to my mom about temple covenants when I was a teen. She told me that it is necessary to have them to enter the kingdom of the Lord, and therefore it was important for me to be married in the temple. But then she said something else. (of course I'm paraphrasing) She said, "But remember it matters not how righteous your husband is, he isn't the one who will get you to heaven: YOU WILL." I can't get into the temple on my husband's recommend, or yours or my mom's or anyone else's. It is MY righteousness that will be my ticket to heaven. The ten virgins parable is true. As much as they five wise would have loved to share there are some things in life we can not share with others.
I wish I could have been in the audience when this talk was given.
I hope that this post isn't just a bunch of clips from his talk because my copy is almost all high lighted. It is a great talk. I should pull it out for FHE.
"Each of us has a fourfold responsibility. First, we have a responsibility to our families. Second, we have a responsibility to our employers. Third, we have a responsibility to the Lord’s work. Fourth, we have a responsibility to ourselves.” (Pres. Hinckley)
I love this order. Something about it just rings true to my heart. (Maybe because it is TRUE.)
FAMILY:
"It is imperative that you not neglect your families. Nothing you have is more precious." (again Pres. Hinckley)
The primary's theme this year is on the family. It seems like the world is trying to focus on the family as well--just in different ways. I have had a lot of opportunity to read a lot of magazines these past few weeks and it is amazing at the contradictory messages we are getting. I wonder what the nation would be like if every house had family as its first priority and responsibility.
Elder Costa asks us to have these are priorities in our life:
1. daily family prayer
2. daily family scripture study
3. weekly family home evening
I know it is so hard to get these in AND with meaning and purpose. Sometimes I feel like I'm just going through the motions with my kids and they aren't getting anything out of it but a dislike for mom's "religious time." It is so hard to know the impact on your children. I know my mom fought with us kids but it really did work. I still am amazed at her faith and diligence in doing it day after day, week after week when she was fighting against the personalities and the wills she had in us children (and spouse). What a woman. I guess that is why I'm determined to do it too. If only to call upon the blessings I'm racking up by doing it--I have a feeling I'm going to be needing them soon.
"No other activity is more important for our family." talking about Family Home Evening.
My oldest son has started working on Monday nights. I'm so disappointed. I'm so sad. But I understand his desire for money as he is preparing for his own family. He needs the money to pay for college and his mission. I remember being in that same hard spot 25 years ago.
"Mom, if the house burns down, I must save my scriptures!"
I have had two dear friends lose their home to fire and every time I think about it, I think about the things I would miss the most from my house. I would miss my scriptures. I've spent some 20 plus years marking them and adding notes, etc. I now have an iPhone and they have the scriptures on them, but there is something missing--a lot missing. My notes, markings, etc. as well as the physical act of turning a page.
Our family daily scripture study has been very regular in our family. I don't recall when we haven't done it in some form. All of my kids have learned to read via the scriptures. Not that was the only phonics lesson they had, but it was a huge part of it. I love the scriptures and need to spend more personal time in them.
JOB:
"Do not do Church work on his time." President Hinckley said about our employer obligations. Since my employer is my family--this one really isn't a concern for me. ~smile~ But I understand his words.
"...our employment enables us to take care of our family as well as allowing us to be effective servants in the Church."
I remind myself of this often when I feel that my husband is spending way too much time at his job.
LORD'S WORK:
"Priesthood holders have many responsibilities and assignments. We have opportunities to visit, interview, teach, and serve people. It is our sacred responsibility to edify Church members and to help strengthen their faith and testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. We have opportunities to take care of the families whom we serve as home teachers and to teach members to provide for themselves, their families, and the poor and needy in the Lord’s way. Priesthood holders have the responsibility to motivate the youth to prepare to serve honorable full-time missions and to be married in the temple."
"As fathers, we also have the sacred responsibility to set a worthy example for our children to help them to become better parents and leaders in their own homes. Quoting Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve: “May we ask all priesthood leaders, especially you fathers, to help prepare your sons. Prepare them both spiritually and temporally, to look and to act as servants of the Lord.”
AMEN!
I know I take this responsibility seriously and I hope my husband does too. No, I know he does.
"Our example will always speak loudly."
Am I speaking loudly?
OUR SELF:
What is our responsibility to ourselves?
"...to grown spiritually."
I remember talking to my mom about temple covenants when I was a teen. She told me that it is necessary to have them to enter the kingdom of the Lord, and therefore it was important for me to be married in the temple. But then she said something else. (of course I'm paraphrasing) She said, "But remember it matters not how righteous your husband is, he isn't the one who will get you to heaven: YOU WILL." I can't get into the temple on my husband's recommend, or yours or my mom's or anyone else's. It is MY righteousness that will be my ticket to heaven. The ten virgins parable is true. As much as they five wise would have loved to share there are some things in life we can not share with others.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
This is Your Phone Call
My thoughts on Bishop Edgley's talk "This is Your Phone Call"
"Now is the time to rally around, lift up, and help the families in our quorums who may be in distress."
This is another talk I read long before I was in the place I am today and today the feeling, the spirit and the message of this talk are totally different to me. When I first read it I was the one who was getting the phone call, the one being asked to serve, but today I'm the one who is being served.
At the end of his talk he says, "Speak up!" I never wanted to be the person who was supposed to speak up. I was never to be the one needing service. I was supposed to be the one giving it. Service is how I show my love to others and believe it or not I have a hard time receiving service from others. I find it uncomfortable most of the time. But today I have no choice. I had to speak up and I have to receive the service offered.
I have had a hard time finding friends the last six or seven years. I had a great tight knit group of friends and about ten years ago things started to happen that pulled the thread out of that groups. Mostly it was distance that caused the tightness of it to unravel, but other things played a part. As my friends moved, we kept in touch but there was something different. As I tried to make friends in the new wards I as in (the boundaries did most of the moving, not us) it was hard as friendships were already established and it was just hard. It also doesn't help that I don't have the schools in common with the other members of the ward. It was hard.
Then right after the boundary realignment I was in an auto accident. We graciously accepted service, but because of my concussion I don't recall anyone who came to help. That month of my life is not recorded on the tape in my brain. I couldn't even say thank you to the people who brought dinner because I don't know who they were.
Now we are in a similar situation and I feel awful accepting help because I'm still up and moving. I feel awful taking in dinners when the dinner we would have had had I been able would have been sandwiches made by each kids anyway. (It is soccer season and I don't get home until 8pm and it would have been sandwiches if I wasn't sick.) I feel so guilty having the RS sisters bring me dinners. I feel awful that they are driving me to my doctor appointments. I can do that. I have a kid who can do that. BUT, my wife and wonderful husband told me to stop talking, shut up and be served. "You might just find a friendship or start a closeness with this ward that wasn't there before." He is right. So even though it breaks my heart to be "needy" (I NEVER WANTED TO BE NEEDY IN MY ADULT LIFE--I lived needy in my childhood) I bow my humble head and I spoke up.
My phone call isn't one of service right now. It isn't one of mobilizing the next rescue. It is one of being quiet and letting those who received the phone call serve me. That is so hard and I'm learning a lot.
"As I have loved you love one another."
"Now is the time to rally around, lift up, and help the families in our quorums who may be in distress."
This is another talk I read long before I was in the place I am today and today the feeling, the spirit and the message of this talk are totally different to me. When I first read it I was the one who was getting the phone call, the one being asked to serve, but today I'm the one who is being served.
At the end of his talk he says, "Speak up!" I never wanted to be the person who was supposed to speak up. I was never to be the one needing service. I was supposed to be the one giving it. Service is how I show my love to others and believe it or not I have a hard time receiving service from others. I find it uncomfortable most of the time. But today I have no choice. I had to speak up and I have to receive the service offered.
I have had a hard time finding friends the last six or seven years. I had a great tight knit group of friends and about ten years ago things started to happen that pulled the thread out of that groups. Mostly it was distance that caused the tightness of it to unravel, but other things played a part. As my friends moved, we kept in touch but there was something different. As I tried to make friends in the new wards I as in (the boundaries did most of the moving, not us) it was hard as friendships were already established and it was just hard. It also doesn't help that I don't have the schools in common with the other members of the ward. It was hard.
Then right after the boundary realignment I was in an auto accident. We graciously accepted service, but because of my concussion I don't recall anyone who came to help. That month of my life is not recorded on the tape in my brain. I couldn't even say thank you to the people who brought dinner because I don't know who they were.
Now we are in a similar situation and I feel awful accepting help because I'm still up and moving. I feel awful taking in dinners when the dinner we would have had had I been able would have been sandwiches made by each kids anyway. (It is soccer season and I don't get home until 8pm and it would have been sandwiches if I wasn't sick.) I feel so guilty having the RS sisters bring me dinners. I feel awful that they are driving me to my doctor appointments. I can do that. I have a kid who can do that. BUT, my wife and wonderful husband told me to stop talking, shut up and be served. "You might just find a friendship or start a closeness with this ward that wasn't there before." He is right. So even though it breaks my heart to be "needy" (I NEVER WANTED TO BE NEEDY IN MY ADULT LIFE--I lived needy in my childhood) I bow my humble head and I spoke up.
My phone call isn't one of service right now. It isn't one of mobilizing the next rescue. It is one of being quiet and letting those who received the phone call serve me. That is so hard and I'm learning a lot.
"As I have loved you love one another."
Friday, September 18, 2009
Counsel to Young Men
My thoughts on Elder Packer's talk "Counsel to Young Men"
As a mom to young men, can I tell you how much I loved this talk. Now if only my young men would read it and ponder it and live it.
"The priesthood is something you cannot see nor hear nor touch, but it is a real authority and a real power."
I have felt its power as of late. It is truly amazing that my sons hold it and I can use it.
"You may see others who seem to have been given a more perfect body than yours. do not fall into the trap of feeling poorly about your height or weight or your features or your skin color or race."
I know how hard it was for me growing up around beauty queens and even having brothers who were so good looking. It was so hard. Now it is very hard and just going to get harder as my body falls apart tying to repair itself. I do feel poorly about my body, but thankfully I understand its necessity for my progression. I don't think my boys feel too bad about their bodies. They are all so cute and handsome, but I'm also their mom. I know they wish they were taller, more muscular, but that is the body they were born with and they will make the most of what genes they were given. I hope they understand the necessity of it and treat it with the respect a temple deserves.
"You will be tested as you prepare yourself to return to our Heavenly Father."
Boy is my family feeling the truthfulness of this statement. And our tests aren't done.
"Do not run with friends that worry your parents."
I know that was said for the 12-25 year old crowd, but what about us? Do we run, hang, or esteem a crowd that might make our (heavenly) parents worry? Thankfully I think I'm safe.
"Everywhere present is the influence of Lucifer and his legion of angels. They tempt you to do those things and say those things and think those things that would destroy. Resist every impulse that will trouble your spirit."
I love that phrase, "trouble your spirit." What have I done lately to "trouble my spirit"? What have I not done that might "trouble my spirit?"
I love President Packer's advice about schooling. HERE HERE! I'm so glad the church has placed great emphasis on education. My father-in-law (like my own mother) picked the Perpetual Education Fund as their place to donate instead of sending flowers. I hope my kids do that for me (in 40 years). There is so much good being done for families, communities and for the world when we have educated children. A work force with knowledge can move mountains!
"The certainties of the gospel, the truth, once you understand it, will see you through these difficult times."
AMEN! That is how I'm making it day to day--prayer and holding to the rod. I would drown otherwise.
"The very foundation of human life, of all society, is the family, established by the first commandment to Adam and Eve, our first parents: 'Multiply, and replenish the earth.'"
"Be a responsible member of your family. Take care of your possessions your clothing, your property. Do not be wasteful. Learn to be content."
"Do not be afraid! I do not fear."
I love the emphasis on families!
I love the last like: I DO NOT FEAR! I do not fear! I will not fear! I will hold tight to the promises I have made. I will live with my family again.
As a mom to young men, can I tell you how much I loved this talk. Now if only my young men would read it and ponder it and live it.
"The priesthood is something you cannot see nor hear nor touch, but it is a real authority and a real power."
I have felt its power as of late. It is truly amazing that my sons hold it and I can use it.
"You may see others who seem to have been given a more perfect body than yours. do not fall into the trap of feeling poorly about your height or weight or your features or your skin color or race."
I know how hard it was for me growing up around beauty queens and even having brothers who were so good looking. It was so hard. Now it is very hard and just going to get harder as my body falls apart tying to repair itself. I do feel poorly about my body, but thankfully I understand its necessity for my progression. I don't think my boys feel too bad about their bodies. They are all so cute and handsome, but I'm also their mom. I know they wish they were taller, more muscular, but that is the body they were born with and they will make the most of what genes they were given. I hope they understand the necessity of it and treat it with the respect a temple deserves.
"You will be tested as you prepare yourself to return to our Heavenly Father."
Boy is my family feeling the truthfulness of this statement. And our tests aren't done.
"Do not run with friends that worry your parents."
I know that was said for the 12-25 year old crowd, but what about us? Do we run, hang, or esteem a crowd that might make our (heavenly) parents worry? Thankfully I think I'm safe.
"Everywhere present is the influence of Lucifer and his legion of angels. They tempt you to do those things and say those things and think those things that would destroy. Resist every impulse that will trouble your spirit."
I love that phrase, "trouble your spirit." What have I done lately to "trouble my spirit"? What have I not done that might "trouble my spirit?"
I love President Packer's advice about schooling. HERE HERE! I'm so glad the church has placed great emphasis on education. My father-in-law (like my own mother) picked the Perpetual Education Fund as their place to donate instead of sending flowers. I hope my kids do that for me (in 40 years). There is so much good being done for families, communities and for the world when we have educated children. A work force with knowledge can move mountains!
"The certainties of the gospel, the truth, once you understand it, will see you through these difficult times."
AMEN! That is how I'm making it day to day--prayer and holding to the rod. I would drown otherwise.
"The very foundation of human life, of all society, is the family, established by the first commandment to Adam and Eve, our first parents: 'Multiply, and replenish the earth.'"
"Be a responsible member of your family. Take care of your possessions your clothing, your property. Do not be wasteful. Learn to be content."
"Do not be afraid! I do not fear."
I love the emphasis on families!
I love the last like: I DO NOT FEAR! I do not fear! I will not fear! I will hold tight to the promises I have made. I will live with my family again.
Temple Worship: The Source of Strength & Power in Times of Needs
My thoughts on Elder Scott's talk "Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need"
Confession time. I read this talk many, many months ago, but am just getting around to posting my thoughts, so the thoughts that I had when I read it are totally different than the ones I have now. I have been through so many things since I read this talk last. The biggest of course is being diagnosed with cancer. What a "time of need." Unfortunately, when I needed the temple most, I couldn't go (it was closed and I couldn't sit because of pain) so I had to take solace in knowing the temple was there for me.
I have always felt guilty about the lack of minutes I spend in the temple each week. I know there are "times and seasons" to our lives, but I still can't help but think that there is a temple 30 minutes away (closer if the lights are in my favor) and I don't go there often enough. I want to type "regularly" but what is "regularly"? anyway. When I was pregnant and raising very young children "regularly" was once a year--between nursings. Now that I have older children, what is "regularly"? Trying to find a three to four hour window is hard. I just hope the Lord looks at my heart.
Elder Scott's advice is very good and I have used those "check boxes" if you will as I have gone to my own "temple" to meditate and ponder in my "time of need." Right now making it to the temple on a "regular" schedule will be hard, if not impossible, but I can have a "temple experience" in my own home. I can spend an hour communing, pondering, reading and going through the blessing of the temple on a "regular" schedule here in my home. I know I have thought a lot about the promises, covenants and blessing that are in those ordinances as I have faced my own mortality.
(I truly can't continue this line of thought.)
My one and only hope in my entire life is that my family lives worthy to receive the blessings of the temple sealing that happened June 30, 1989. I will be heart broken if one of my children isn't there with us in the heavens. It will kill me if I don't see seven wonderful, heavenly faces smiling back at me. Of course that means I have to live worthy to be there as well. As my children develop their own thoughts, personalities, testimonies, etc. it is scary to be a parent. As I read in the Book of Mormon and hear the pleading words of Lehi to his sons. I know where that pleading comes from. I know. I'm scared. But I know that if I do all that I can, blessings will be poured out.
I echo Elder Scott's words:
"What a blessing to have once again on the earth the sealing authority, not only for this mortal life but for the eternities. I am grateful that the Lord has restored His gospel in its fulness, including the ordinances that are required for us to be happy in the world and to live everlastingly happy lives in the hereafter."
Confession time. I read this talk many, many months ago, but am just getting around to posting my thoughts, so the thoughts that I had when I read it are totally different than the ones I have now. I have been through so many things since I read this talk last. The biggest of course is being diagnosed with cancer. What a "time of need." Unfortunately, when I needed the temple most, I couldn't go (it was closed and I couldn't sit because of pain) so I had to take solace in knowing the temple was there for me.
I have always felt guilty about the lack of minutes I spend in the temple each week. I know there are "times and seasons" to our lives, but I still can't help but think that there is a temple 30 minutes away (closer if the lights are in my favor) and I don't go there often enough. I want to type "regularly" but what is "regularly"? anyway. When I was pregnant and raising very young children "regularly" was once a year--between nursings. Now that I have older children, what is "regularly"? Trying to find a three to four hour window is hard. I just hope the Lord looks at my heart.
Elder Scott's advice is very good and I have used those "check boxes" if you will as I have gone to my own "temple" to meditate and ponder in my "time of need." Right now making it to the temple on a "regular" schedule will be hard, if not impossible, but I can have a "temple experience" in my own home. I can spend an hour communing, pondering, reading and going through the blessing of the temple on a "regular" schedule here in my home. I know I have thought a lot about the promises, covenants and blessing that are in those ordinances as I have faced my own mortality.
(I truly can't continue this line of thought.)
My one and only hope in my entire life is that my family lives worthy to receive the blessings of the temple sealing that happened June 30, 1989. I will be heart broken if one of my children isn't there with us in the heavens. It will kill me if I don't see seven wonderful, heavenly faces smiling back at me. Of course that means I have to live worthy to be there as well. As my children develop their own thoughts, personalities, testimonies, etc. it is scary to be a parent. As I read in the Book of Mormon and hear the pleading words of Lehi to his sons. I know where that pleading comes from. I know. I'm scared. But I know that if I do all that I can, blessings will be poured out.
I echo Elder Scott's words:
"What a blessing to have once again on the earth the sealing authority, not only for this mortal life but for the eternities. I am grateful that the Lord has restored His gospel in its fulness, including the ordinances that are required for us to be happy in the world and to live everlastingly happy lives in the hereafter."
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