My thoughts on President Eyring's talk "Our Perfect Example"
"That is because the greatest joys and the greatest sorrows we experience are in family relationships. The joys come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is. And the sorrow comes primarily from selfishness, which is the absence of love. The ideal God holds for us is to form families in the way most likely to lead to happiness and away from sorrow. A man and a woman are to make sacred covenants that they will put the welfare and happiness of the other at the center of their lives. Children are to be born into a family where the parents hold the needs of children equal to their own in importance. And children are to love parents and each other."
No truly word we ever spoken. When Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden they were told they would experience the highest of high and the lowest of lows. Eve knew this and took a bite. There must be a reason she did it. She must have wanted a family that bad. My greatest joys are come with my family and so have my greatest sorrows. I know when I have good news I want to call my husband and children first and when it is bad news I know they will put their arms around me and love me no matter what.
"Love is the motivating principle by which the Lord leads us along the way towards becoming like Him,"
"First, I give counsel to husbands and wives. Pray for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion. Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small. Pray for the love to make your companion’s joy your own. Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion."
I remember when I was going through a rocky patch in my life. I was praying that my husband would change. I wanted so bad for him to change. I don't recall what I was reading or if I was reading anything at all but the thought came to me that I was praying for the wrong thing. I needed to be praying that my heart would change and that I would be the one who would either learn to accept him as he was ("his" faults and all) or that...well there was no "or that". I needed to change my hearts. To this day I can't recall what he was doing that was bugging me, but it shortly was forgotten and I was able to move on.
Of course I could just post the rest of his talk here as it so touches my heart, still does. I have a wondering child. I have a child who is letting go of the Iron Rod and who is making my life bitter sweet. I need to learn to love as the Lord does. I need to learn to keep myself open to loving him no matter what. It is so hard when hate and anger spew from his mouth. It truly is hard. I will have to hold on to Elder Orson F. Whitney's promise. (I'd tattoo it on my forehead if I believed in tattoos ~smile~)
" “Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold.”
"Then he goes on to say: “Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.” You can pray for your children, love them, and reach out to them with confidence that Jesus reaches for them with you. When you keep trying, you are doing what Jesus does."
Though I am dealing with challenges that are sometimes beyond me and often times I want to just forget them, I know that I must continually pray for my son's return. I must pray that the Savior constantly remember him and put small tender mercies in his way so that he may see the Lord's love for him.
I need to learn to love as perfectly as the Savior.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
School thy Feelings, O My Brother
My thoughts on President Monson's talk "School thy Feelings, Oh, My Brother"
I know this talk was given in Priesthood session but I swear he was talking to me personally.
Anger has been my constant companion these many years. I don't like it. I really don't, but he seems to follow me around all the time. He will come out at the wrong times and I hate it. Hence I need this talk. I need to reread it over and over every day.
"If we desire to have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain from becoming angry."
I love the uses the word "choose". It is a choice. I choose to be angry or I choose NOT to be angry. It is up to me.
He quotes: "Anger doesn't solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything."
So true a statement. I know that when I'm angry everything goes a whole lot worse. I've had so much to deal with as of late that I tend to get angry at the drop of a hate. I need to learn to let things go that aren't important and hold on to that which is important.
"We’ve all felt anger. It can come when things don’t turn out the way we want. It might be a reaction to something which is said of us or to us. We may experience it when people don’t behave the way we want them to behave. Perhaps it comes when we have to wait for something longer than we expected. We might feel angry when others can’t see things from our perspective. There seem to be countless possible reasons for anger."
I love how admits we are human--we've all felt anger. We are human.
I think most of the time my anger is because I take offence when none is intended. As President Monson quoted, "a Man's a fool who takes an insult that isn't intended." I think I'm a fool a lot of the time. I take offense way to often. I will have to work on that one--a LOT!
Funny how he quotes one of my favorite scripture found in 3 Nephi.
"“There shall be no disputations among you. . . .
“For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.”
I often quote this scripture when my children start to get angry. Maybe this mom needs to take her own medicine. Physician heal thyself.
I think he really hit the nail on the head when he said,
"To be angry is to yield to the influence of Satan. No one can make us angry. It is our choice. If we desire to have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain from becoming angry. I testify that such is possible."
Here I am trying to distance myself from Satan and yet I'm inviting him when I get angry. I am the one who is opening the door to my soul to the Master of Mahan himself when I CHOOSE to get angry.
"May we make a conscious decision, each time such a decision must be made, to refrain from anger and to leave unsaid the harsh and hurtful things we may be tempted to say."
When I was a young girl I practiced what words I would say when someone asked me if I wanted drugs or a drink. Why not rehearse what my reaction should be when things aren't going well.
Getting angry is a choice that I'm going to try so hard this week (and forever) to NOT make. Wish me luck.
I know this talk was given in Priesthood session but I swear he was talking to me personally.
Anger has been my constant companion these many years. I don't like it. I really don't, but he seems to follow me around all the time. He will come out at the wrong times and I hate it. Hence I need this talk. I need to reread it over and over every day.
"If we desire to have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain from becoming angry."
I love the uses the word "choose". It is a choice. I choose to be angry or I choose NOT to be angry. It is up to me.
He quotes: "Anger doesn't solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything."
So true a statement. I know that when I'm angry everything goes a whole lot worse. I've had so much to deal with as of late that I tend to get angry at the drop of a hate. I need to learn to let things go that aren't important and hold on to that which is important.
"We’ve all felt anger. It can come when things don’t turn out the way we want. It might be a reaction to something which is said of us or to us. We may experience it when people don’t behave the way we want them to behave. Perhaps it comes when we have to wait for something longer than we expected. We might feel angry when others can’t see things from our perspective. There seem to be countless possible reasons for anger."
I love how admits we are human--we've all felt anger. We are human.
I think most of the time my anger is because I take offence when none is intended. As President Monson quoted, "a Man's a fool who takes an insult that isn't intended." I think I'm a fool a lot of the time. I take offense way to often. I will have to work on that one--a LOT!
Funny how he quotes one of my favorite scripture found in 3 Nephi.
"“There shall be no disputations among you. . . .
“For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.”
I often quote this scripture when my children start to get angry. Maybe this mom needs to take her own medicine. Physician heal thyself.
I think he really hit the nail on the head when he said,
"To be angry is to yield to the influence of Satan. No one can make us angry. It is our choice. If we desire to have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain from becoming angry. I testify that such is possible."
Here I am trying to distance myself from Satan and yet I'm inviting him when I get angry. I am the one who is opening the door to my soul to the Master of Mahan himself when I CHOOSE to get angry.
"May we make a conscious decision, each time such a decision must be made, to refrain from anger and to leave unsaid the harsh and hurtful things we may be tempted to say."
When I was a young girl I practiced what words I would say when someone asked me if I wanted drugs or a drink. Why not rehearse what my reaction should be when things aren't going well.
Getting angry is a choice that I'm going to try so hard this week (and forever) to NOT make. Wish me luck.
Be Ready
My thoughts on President Eyring's talk "Be Ready"
Being ready for whatever, whenever is so important. Are we ready? Are we ready when the disaster arises, when faith is challenged, when Christ calls are we ready.
"When the call came I was ready."
Are we?
"The preparation came long before the crisis..."
"Those who are prepared will be ready to answer."
"The preparation begins in families, in Aaronic Priesthood quorums, and mostly in the private lives of young men. The quorums and the families must help, but the preparation that counts will be made by the young men making choices to rise to their great destiny as priesthood servants for God."
But how do we get ready?
Simply, right? yes and no (but isn't that always the answer?)
"The first is to have faith."
Funny how that first principle pops up as the answer to so many questions.
We have to have faith in the power that we are using. We can not use it if we don't have faith in it.
"That faith did not come in the moment when Nephi needed it, nor did God’s trust in Nephi. He earned that great faith and God’s confidence by courageous and sustained labor in the Lord’s service. You young men are building that faith now for the days ahead when you will need it."
But like most things we need to work on it daily. Faith is a fragile thing that needs daily attendance and we must see to it that it is fed and cared for.
But what about our children who don't prepare or who don't build on a solid foundation?
"That choice must be their own," President Eyring says. It rips a mother's heart apart when they do choose and choose wrong, but all we can do is pray and fast for them. We just have to make sure that we did our part.
"Those of us who can help will be held accountable by the Lord. A father who neglects or interferes with a son’s development of faith or his ability to follow inspiration will someday know sorrow. That will be true for anyone placed in a position to help these young men choose wisely and well in their days in the preparatory priesthood."
I want to make sure that there is no possible way that it is my fault if any of my children (or those I am a Steward for) let go of the Iron Rod.
Once we have faith then we need to have confidence.
"confidence that they can live up to the blessings and the trust which God has offered them. Most of the influences around them drag them down to doubt the existence of God, of His love for them, and of the reality of the sometimes quiet messages they receive through the Holy Ghost and the Spirit of Christ. Their peers may urge them to choose sin. If young men choose sin, those messages from God will become more faint."
I know that I lack a lot of confidence. I am going through a huge trial and I can feel my confidence wane. I hope that my lack of confidence doesn't hinder the blessings that may flow for my facing this trial head first. I know that my faith waivers every now and then and there are moments. I just have to remember something that Mother Teresa said, "I know the Lord won't give me anything I can't handle, I just wish he wouldn't trust me so much."
I just know that I'm not choosing "sin" but I am not choosing confidence. I need to build my confidence. I just hope that my lack of confidence isn't hindering my children's own confidence.
Being ready for whatever, whenever is so important. Are we ready? Are we ready when the disaster arises, when faith is challenged, when Christ calls are we ready.
"When the call came I was ready."
Are we?
"The preparation came long before the crisis..."
"Those who are prepared will be ready to answer."
"The preparation begins in families, in Aaronic Priesthood quorums, and mostly in the private lives of young men. The quorums and the families must help, but the preparation that counts will be made by the young men making choices to rise to their great destiny as priesthood servants for God."
But how do we get ready?
Simply, right? yes and no (but isn't that always the answer?)
"The first is to have faith."
Funny how that first principle pops up as the answer to so many questions.
We have to have faith in the power that we are using. We can not use it if we don't have faith in it.
"That faith did not come in the moment when Nephi needed it, nor did God’s trust in Nephi. He earned that great faith and God’s confidence by courageous and sustained labor in the Lord’s service. You young men are building that faith now for the days ahead when you will need it."
But like most things we need to work on it daily. Faith is a fragile thing that needs daily attendance and we must see to it that it is fed and cared for.
But what about our children who don't prepare or who don't build on a solid foundation?
"That choice must be their own," President Eyring says. It rips a mother's heart apart when they do choose and choose wrong, but all we can do is pray and fast for them. We just have to make sure that we did our part.
"Those of us who can help will be held accountable by the Lord. A father who neglects or interferes with a son’s development of faith or his ability to follow inspiration will someday know sorrow. That will be true for anyone placed in a position to help these young men choose wisely and well in their days in the preparatory priesthood."
I want to make sure that there is no possible way that it is my fault if any of my children (or those I am a Steward for) let go of the Iron Rod.
Once we have faith then we need to have confidence.
"confidence that they can live up to the blessings and the trust which God has offered them. Most of the influences around them drag them down to doubt the existence of God, of His love for them, and of the reality of the sometimes quiet messages they receive through the Holy Ghost and the Spirit of Christ. Their peers may urge them to choose sin. If young men choose sin, those messages from God will become more faint."
I know that I lack a lot of confidence. I am going through a huge trial and I can feel my confidence wane. I hope that my lack of confidence doesn't hinder the blessings that may flow for my facing this trial head first. I know that my faith waivers every now and then and there are moments. I just have to remember something that Mother Teresa said, "I know the Lord won't give me anything I can't handle, I just wish he wouldn't trust me so much."
I just know that I'm not choosing "sin" but I am not choosing confidence. I need to build my confidence. I just hope that my lack of confidence isn't hindering my children's own confidence.
Two Principles for Any Economy
My thoughts on President Uchtdorf's talk "Two Principles for Any Economy"
I know I pray for them, but to be reminded that they pray for us takes me think for a moment.
WORK
My kids swear it is the worst of the four letter words out there. We all need to learn how to work, and I think this next generation is not being trained to do hard work. I learned how to work hard as a child and to this day I try very hard to teach my children how to work, but it is very hard. Today's lifestyles especially in our area, screams EASE!
"It wasn’t easy, but the work kept us from dwelling too much on the difficulties of our circumstances. Although our situation didn’t change overnight, it did change. That’s the thing about work. If we simply keep at it—steady and constant—things certainly will improve."
I know when I physically work, I forget a lot about my problems. I also notice that it does me physically and emotionally a great deal of good. I even sometimes get a spiritual lift. Today I spent a few minutes raking in my yard. I sure did feel good. No, my yard isn't the prettiest on the block, but it sure did make me feel better.
"Those who are unafraid to roll up their sleeves and lose themselves in the pursuit of worthwhile goals are a blessing to their families, communities, nations, and to the Church."
We see this all the time. In the last few months we have seen true heroes who risk everything and got dirty to help those in Haiti and Chile. We also see many at home do the same thing. Our scouts are out collecting food, planting trees and doing service. It is truly awe inspiring to see them working.
"Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility. Whatever our circumstances in life, my dear brethren, let us do the best we can and cultivate a reputation for excellence in all that we do. Let us set our minds and bodies to the glorious opportunity for work that each new day presents."
Amen! No one made their life better by sitting down and doing nothing. The statement "lose yourself in the work" is true. You can lose yourself while putting your shoulder to the wheel.
And of course:
"The righteous work we do within the walls of our homes is most sacred; its benefits are eternal in nature. It cannot be delegated. It is the foundation of our work as priesthood holders."
LEARN:
One of my favorite saying is "Education is not so much the filling of a bucket as the lighting of a fire."
I think as a homeschooler I know that all so well. We cannot make the horse drink, only lead him to water. We cannot force our children to learn, only give them opportunities to do so. Likewise it is our responsibility to learn as well.
I say AMEN to this statement:
"For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea—it’s a commandment. We are to learn “of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad.”" (I love D&C 88)
"Brethren you have a DUTY to learn as much as you can." Is that strong enough for all of us?
"In our learning, let us not neglect the fountain of revelation."
This reminds me of the scripture to put the Lord first and all will be added.
Let us all put our shoulder to the wheel. There is much to be done in Zion and inside our homes. We must never stop learning--NEVER! or so President Brigham Young once said.
I really love this talk. Lots of truths.
I love how he starts out:
"
I know I pray for them, but to be reminded that they pray for us takes me think for a moment.
WORK
My kids swear it is the worst of the four letter words out there. We all need to learn how to work, and I think this next generation is not being trained to do hard work. I learned how to work hard as a child and to this day I try very hard to teach my children how to work, but it is very hard. Today's lifestyles especially in our area, screams EASE!
"It wasn’t easy, but the work kept us from dwelling too much on the difficulties of our circumstances. Although our situation didn’t change overnight, it did change. That’s the thing about work. If we simply keep at it—steady and constant—things certainly will improve."
I know when I physically work, I forget a lot about my problems. I also notice that it does me physically and emotionally a great deal of good. I even sometimes get a spiritual lift. Today I spent a few minutes raking in my yard. I sure did feel good. No, my yard isn't the prettiest on the block, but it sure did make me feel better.
"Those who are unafraid to roll up their sleeves and lose themselves in the pursuit of worthwhile goals are a blessing to their families, communities, nations, and to the Church."
We see this all the time. In the last few months we have seen true heroes who risk everything and got dirty to help those in Haiti and Chile. We also see many at home do the same thing. Our scouts are out collecting food, planting trees and doing service. It is truly awe inspiring to see them working.
"Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility. Whatever our circumstances in life, my dear brethren, let us do the best we can and cultivate a reputation for excellence in all that we do. Let us set our minds and bodies to the glorious opportunity for work that each new day presents."
Amen! No one made their life better by sitting down and doing nothing. The statement "lose yourself in the work" is true. You can lose yourself while putting your shoulder to the wheel.
And of course:
"The righteous work we do within the walls of our homes is most sacred; its benefits are eternal in nature. It cannot be delegated. It is the foundation of our work as priesthood holders."
LEARN:
One of my favorite saying is "Education is not so much the filling of a bucket as the lighting of a fire."
I think as a homeschooler I know that all so well. We cannot make the horse drink, only lead him to water. We cannot force our children to learn, only give them opportunities to do so. Likewise it is our responsibility to learn as well.
I say AMEN to this statement:
"For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea—it’s a commandment. We are to learn “of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad.”" (I love D&C 88)
"Brethren you have a DUTY to learn as much as you can." Is that strong enough for all of us?
"In our learning, let us not neglect the fountain of revelation."
This reminds me of the scripture to put the Lord first and all will be added.
Let us all put our shoulder to the wheel. There is much to be done in Zion and inside our homes. We must never stop learning--NEVER! or so President Brigham Young once said.
I Love Loud Boys
My thoughts on Elder Choi's talk "I Love Loud Boys"
Elder Choi tells a wonderful story about the power of love, forgiveness and example. I hope that all my boys will learn this lesson--you will be blessed when you listen to the Church leaders even though you don't always understand why. I believe that is a principle of faith.
"They also learned that attending their church meetings was important."
"As they attended their Church meetings regularly, the boys felt the great love of the Lord and learned how to apply the doctrines and principles of the Church in their own daily lives. They also learned how to participate in meetings with great joy and happiness."
My mother in her later years came to the conclusion that it was the many hours of her sitting in meetings (mostly priesthood meetings) that she gained the foundation of her testimony. She was often the only one in the ward (or branch) who could play the piano so she often went to all the church meetings (priesthood as well) to play. She gained a testimony from listening and feeling during those meetings.
I love his last words:
"Dear brethren, let us love our boys—although some of them are loud boys. Let us teach them to change their lives. Modern sons of Helaman come not only from our precious families within the Church but also from new and young converts who do not have parents in the gospel. You and your wives are to be their “goodly parents” until they become like the sons of Helaman."
He give us these ways to be "loud boys"
1. obey our leaders
2. faithfully attending our meetings
and we will be blessed with:
1. prepared for the future
2. be wonderful missionaries
3. righteous fathers
4. happy families
5. eternal joy
I have FIVE LOUD BOYS! May they be like Elder Choi's "Loud Boys" and grow up to be wonderful and faithful priesthood holders, missionaries, husbands and fathers.
Elder Choi tells a wonderful story about the power of love, forgiveness and example. I hope that all my boys will learn this lesson--you will be blessed when you listen to the Church leaders even though you don't always understand why. I believe that is a principle of faith.
"They also learned that attending their church meetings was important."
"As they attended their Church meetings regularly, the boys felt the great love of the Lord and learned how to apply the doctrines and principles of the Church in their own daily lives. They also learned how to participate in meetings with great joy and happiness."
My mother in her later years came to the conclusion that it was the many hours of her sitting in meetings (mostly priesthood meetings) that she gained the foundation of her testimony. She was often the only one in the ward (or branch) who could play the piano so she often went to all the church meetings (priesthood as well) to play. She gained a testimony from listening and feeling during those meetings.
I love his last words:
"Dear brethren, let us love our boys—although some of them are loud boys. Let us teach them to change their lives. Modern sons of Helaman come not only from our precious families within the Church but also from new and young converts who do not have parents in the gospel. You and your wives are to be their “goodly parents” until they become like the sons of Helaman."
He give us these ways to be "loud boys"
1. obey our leaders
2. faithfully attending our meetings
and we will be blessed with:
1. prepared for the future
2. be wonderful missionaries
3. righteous fathers
4. happy families
5. eternal joy
I have FIVE LOUD BOYS! May they be like Elder Choi's "Loud Boys" and grow up to be wonderful and faithful priesthood holders, missionaries, husbands and fathers.
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