Walking with Prophets

Teaching Helps Save Lives

2009-11-16T10:40:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Brother Osguthorpe's talk "Teaching Helps Saves Lives"

OK, I have to tell this little funny about this talk. I have an iPhone and on it has the scriptures and other Church material. The conference talks are there as well. Yesterday in sacrament I went to read the next talk and it was titled as above. As I was reading it I was thinking, "This is the wrong talk. I don't remember this." Well, come to find out the title is wrong. I was reading Elder Uchtdorf's talk "The Love of God." But in all fairness it only took me about five lines in to catch the mistake. This talk is NOT on my iPhone at all. That's OK, because the Ensign is in my "reading room" and I was able to read it in there.

I am so thankful for men like Brother Osguthorpe's son! They truly save lives--not just physical but emotionally and spiritually. I know!

As a homeschooling mom I'm constantly teaching (as is everyone by their example). My job in the church isn't a "teacher" but I do teach. I teach by setting the tone in primary with my music so that those prepared can teach and the Spirit can pierce the children's souls.

I have thought about his/the three ways:

key doctrine
invitation to action
promised blessings

with Sister Matsumori's talk. They aren't all that different--just different words but the meaning is the same.

I've also printed out his questions and have been thinking about them.

As a teacher, do I view myself as a messenger from God?
Do I prepare and then teach in ways that can help save lives?
Do I focus on a key doctrine of the Restoration?
Can those I teach feel the love I have for them and for my Heavenly Father and the Savior?
When inspiration comes, do I close the manual and open their eyes and their ears and their hearts to the glory of God?
Do I invite them to do the work that God has for them to do?
Do I express so much confidence in them that they find the invitation hard to refuse?
Do I help them recognize promised blessings that come from living the doctrine I am teaching?

I think I fail on a few of the points, but I'm heading in the right directions. Right now I believe I'm in the teach "key doctrine" part of my life with my children with the other two sprinkled in heavily and purposefully.

That Your Burdens May Be Light

2009-11-16T09:59:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Clayton's talk "That Your Burdens May Be Light"

Tears, tears and more tears run down my cheeks every time I hear or read this talk. I know what it feels like to be burdened down with cares. I don't know what it feels like when sin is the burden but I do know what it feels like to have other burdens.

"No matter the burdens we face in life as a consequence of natural conditions, the misconduct of others, or our own mistakes and shortcomings, we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father, who sent us to earth as part of His eternal plan for our growth and progress. Our unique individual experiences can help us prepare to return to Him. The adversity and afflictions that are ours, however difficult to bear, last, from heaven’s perspective, for “but a small moment; and then, if [we] endure it well, God shall exalt [us] on high.” We must do everything we can to bear our burdens “well” for however long our “small moment” carrying them lasts.

I always wonder what I'm to learn from the burdens I'm carrying (or have carried). I'm sure there is always a lesson I'm suppose to learn, but never sure if I did learn the right one.

"Burdens provide opportunities to practice virtues that contribute to eventual perfection."

If I take advantage of all the "opportunities" I should be perfect ~smile~

"Further, bearing up under our own burdens can help us develop a reservoir of empathy for the problems others face."

AMEN!

As Mother Teresa said, "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much."

Now that I have finished discussing his talk I want to add this little insight and let you think about it.

This talk is titled "That Your Burdens May Be LIGHT" (emphasis added). If you want to do a little scripture chase go the the Topical Guide and look up the word "light". It might give a new meaning to why we have burdens. May I pose this thought: If we are to become God then maybe we have burdens to help us become Gods.

Some that I like:
"Whatsoever is truth is light" D&C 84:45
"Christ is the light of truth." D&C 88:6
and my favorites
"I am the law, and the light" 3 Nephi 15:9
"I am the light" 3 Nephi 18:16

What about the opposite of light--darkness. Our burdens can bring us to either darkness or light. We decide where our burdens lead us.

Helping Others Recognize the Whisperings of the Spirit

2009-11-14T17:36:00.001-08:00

My thoughts on Sister Matsumori's talk "Helping Others Recognize the Whisperings of the Spirit."

I find it interesting that this talk follows "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance". So once you have acquired it, you have to help others. ~smile~

She outlines three "easy" steps.
1. Understand the Doctrine
2. Share Personal Testimony
3. Provide an Environment where the Spirit Can Be Felt

I don't think you are ever done with any of these and you are constantly doing them in some fashion. In fact in thinking about our primary, we have to do all three as all the kids are at different levels of recognizing the Spirit.

I don't want to pat myself on the back for fear of breaking my arm, but I do think that I do the first step well. I am constantly studying it and trying to figure it all out. The second one, I'm not to sure--at least to those who might need help. I think I "preach to the choir" way too often. But I'm so afraid of what might happen to my pearls if I put them forth. And the last one. OUCH! I'm not to sure how I fall there. My house if full of teens and sometimes the noise and contention fills it to the second story. I know I try but I often fall short.

To Acquire Spritiual Guidance

2009-11-14T17:24:00.001-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Scott's talk "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance"

I have read (or listened) to this talk a few times and have to look at the title again and again to make sure I'm reading the same talk. New things jump out at me each time I read it. This time these things jumped out at me.

"Father in Heaven knew that you would face challenges and be required to make some decisions that would be beyond your own ability to decide correctly. In His plan of happiness, He included a provision for you to receive help with such challenges and decisions during your mortal life. That assistance will come to you through the Holy Ghost as spiritual guidance. It is a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness."

So glad he knew and has given us a way to make them. I have relied on it many, many times. Just recently I had to know which course of treatment was right for me. Did I need to seek a second opinion or was what I was reading and hearing enough. There is no way I can make those decisions with KNOWLEDGE. I NEVER WENT TO MEDICAL SCHOOL. I had to depend on others to help me and ultimately myself (with inspirations) to come up with the correct decision. Not easy to do.

I also know that sometimes there isn't a right choice or even a better choice. Do I wear the red tennis shoes or the blue? Do I take the right fork or the left fork? Sometimes it does matter and sometimes it doesn't but we need to be in tune enough know when it does matter.

"Spirituality yields two fruits. The first is inspiration to know what to do. The second is power, or the capacity to do it. These two capacities come together. That’s why Nephi could say, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded.” He knew the spiritual laws upon which inspiration and power are based. Yes, God answers prayer and gives us spiritual direction when we live obediently and exercise the required faith in Him."

WOW! I just have to think on that for a few minutes.

His description of the two teachers made me stop and think. How do I teach?

Sort of goes with above:
"Impressions of the Spirit can come in response to urgent prayer or unsolicited when needed. Sometimes the Lord reveals truth to you when you are not actively seeking it, such as when you are in danger and do not know it. However, the Lord will not force you to learn. You must exercise your agency to authorize the Spirit to teach you. As you make this a practice in your life, you will be more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance. Then, when that guidance comes, sometimes when you least expect it, you will recognize it more easily."

I have started running in preparation to run a half marathon and my legs are crying for mercy. They are so excited when it is a rest day. They rejoice. But in reading on how to work through the pain most everyone says that by the time you are ready to give up because it hurts so bad, it starts to feel better because you are use to the pounding and running. I kind of think this is like the spirit. Through practicing working with it, listening for it, we come to recognize it more easily. Eventually those hills will be a breeze for me and I won't even realize I climbed it until at the top looking down. My legs will just do it. When the spirit speaks to me I will just do it. I won't argue with it (like I do with my legs on 133rd St), I will just do it!

Welcome to the Conference

2009-11-14T17:21:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Pres. Monson's talk "Welcome to the Conference"

The numbers just keep on climbing! 130+16+5=151 and to think that 85% of the LDS population is within 200 miles of a temple. CRAZY!

This makes me want to get all the family history stuff done so that those who can go will have something to do.

The Enduring Legacy of Relief Society

2009-11-14T17:00:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Pres. Eyring's talk "Enduring the Legacy of Relief Society"

I love history lessons.
"Now it’s time to talk about what you must do to pass this marvelous and sacred legacy of Relief Society on to those who will follow you. It will take small and simple things. Just remember that the legacy is passed from heart to heart. Charity, the pure love of Christ, is part of the mighty change of heart which the Lord promises to His faithful disciples. So it is not hard to see what simple things you can and must do to pass the legacy along."
But we have to pass the history along. We do it by doing and being and sharing.

As the recipient of some wonderful acts of service I truly want to testify that what King Benjamin said is true. (Mosiah 2:17). Now this will totally be a different take on the scriptures. Most of the time we believe our service to be UNTO our God. "..when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." But let me shed a different light on it. One from someone being served.

I was diagnosed with NHL (cancer) and was able to everything for myself. The only true need I had was when Steve's dad died and I had a bone biopsy scheduled and I couldn't drive myself home (or to the soccer field) because I was doped up. That was the ONLY NEED I HAD! It was the only thing I couldn't do for myself or have a family member do for me. Everything else I could do for myself. I could cook for my kids, I could drive myself to doctor appointments, I could do it all. The Relief Society decided that they needed to drive me to all my radiation appointments and bring dinners in for me.

I felt so GUILTY! This is soccer season and my kids would have been eating sandwiches because I wouldn't get home to make dinner and here the ward is bringing in hot dinners. It just didn't sit right or well with me. But they insisted and would just drop by and load my freezer with food and come by and pick me up for my radiation appointment. I truly felt unworthy of their service because I did NOT need it.

One day as I was preparing for a scripture class I read the verse I quote above and totally have a new way of looking at the line "service of your God." I felt as if God himself was wrapping me in arms of love telling me that I was loved by him. I felt that he knew of my pain and although I was capable of doing everything for myself He wanted me to know that HE LOVED ME! The sisters weren't serving God, it was God serving me through them.

My friends the words Charity is the pure love of Christ is true. Those who serve with love and charity in their hearts are not just serving the Lord and Master, but they are serving as their Lord and Master would want them.

That is the legacy we need to pass on.

Mind the Gap

2009-10-31T22:35:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Sister Thompson's talk "Mind the Gap"

I have to share a funny before I start my thoughts on this talk. A kid on my soccer team has a shirt that says "Mind the Gap London" on it. I have learned you never ask kids what their shirts say because it 1) makes you look like a fool and 2) could mean something you don't want to know EVER! Now I know!

Gap #1:
I remember the day I went from believing to knowing. It was a powerful day and to this day only my journal and I know about that day. It is one that my family is just going to have to take my word for it and discover in my journals someday. I truly don't know even how to put it into words as the vision that opened in my mind doesn't have earthly words. I just pray that each of my children has that kind of an experience. I know it made a huge, huge, huge difference in my life. It was the day that I went from going through the motions because I wanted to believe it and going through the motions because I KNEW it.

OK, I was just going to leave my comments at that, but I have to take on the "If God really loved me" thing. If God really loved us would he send earthquakes? Would he send hunger, famine, sickness? YES! There must be opposition in all things--ALL THINGS! If there wasn't all the bad stuff then we couldn't show we are good and he would stop being a God.

Gap #2:
I remember this gap well. I turned 18 at the beginning of my senior year. I was too old for YW and way to young for RS. I remember my mom telling me that I didn't have to go to RS or to YW, but I had to pick one and attend at least that Sunday meeting and one monthly activity. I picked YW (my YW leader was so awesome!). It was about April that year that the BYU students came back and they started a young adult RS class. There was some 20 of us young girls (I can call us young cuz I'm old now). it was such a great transition period for us. We didn't have a YSA ward in our area at the time so it was a great in-between. My movement over that gap was smooth and wonderful.

I know how hard it can be, but we as the old ones need to embrace the young ones and help our own (both YW and YM) when the time comes. I have one coming up here very soon and the push away from YMs is so strong. He is older and his worries and desires are different. Reminds me of the break from childhood into teenage-hood. They want feet in both camps and it is hard.

Gap #3:
Faith is the action to our belief. I don't recall where I heard that, so I won't put quotes around it. I read and hear so many profess a love and even a belief in Christ but I don't see the proof in their belief. If they truly believed would they do what they do, say what they say and be who they are?

That begs the question, what does my actions tell?

I don't say this to toot my own horn, but on one of my soccer teams a father faithfully video tapes his son's games. Because I'm coaching the offence and the boy is usually on offence I am usually near his parents. Today we played a very hard team and were seldom on offence so I didn't have much to say. The ref blew a call--big time. I could have let my emotions rip with a lot of swear words. I just kicked at the grass, blew my breathe out and refocused. The dad made a comment that went something like this. "You know, I can edit it out." I looked at him confused like. He then said, "You can let it out coach, I can digitally edit out the bad words." My son told him that I don't swear. He just laughed. "Really? Never?" Then Jason said, "NO, check your tapes." I just got an email in my inbox that said, "Your son was right. You don't swear even when you have cause to, but you sure are entertaining when we score."

What I find really, really interesting about this is that his wife is a very inactive member. I was the RS president when they moved into the ward. I helped them get their house put together and introduced them to the schools, churches and neighborhood. Funny how they forget. I do know that her parents are very active.

So do my actions give me away my valiant testimony?

Every Woman Needs Relief Society

2009-10-31T22:09:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Sister Allred's talk "Every Woman Needs Relief Society"

I read this a week or so ago and I can't find the paper I marked up. ~frown~ I remember thinking she had some great points that I wanted to talk about but now I don't know if I will remember them.

As someone who has just had (and still having) medical troubles I have had to call upon the wonderful Relief Society and I am amazed how how many are willing to step up and help out. I'm amazed that as many as those friends who have been asking to help are inside my ward, I would bet that for everyone in my ward there are two outside my ward (even my stake) who have asked to be put on the list of helpers. I even have friend outside the church who want to be on the list. I'm sure there is something inside a woman's heart that makes her step up when something like this happens.

"We have seen your good works."
I wonder how much is not seen--the hearts that want to help someone but doesn't get a chance because it doesn't come about--like those friends and sister who are sitting on my "I wanna help" list that haven't had a chance. (Secretly I hope they never do ~smile~).

She asks the question "How does Relief Society bless families and homes?"

I don't think there is even time enough to come up with all of them. I'm sure there is a story in every LDS (and a few non-LDS) home across the world that has a story of being touched by the Relief Society. And I bet there are more than one a house. I'm sure there are volumes full in heaven of acts of kindness service, love, and devotion given by Relief Society sisters. I'm sure the volumes reach the sky.

I love the list that Sister Allred comes up with. I wonder what my list look likes? I'm not sure I have time to even list them all. I know I don't. I'm just thinking of the physical blessings from Relief Society and the list is long. The list is diverse and wonderful. The list starts when I was a little child. I remember visiting teachers coming to our house when my grandpa died. I remember visiting teaching with my mom a sister with a major health issue and learning compassion as I watched my mom care for her. I can still see my mom helping the woman set her hair for church. She was in her wheel chair and my mom carefully washed it and put rollers in it. We came back later that day to take them out and set it for the night. I didn't see what my mom did the next morning, but the sister had beautiful hair at church that day.

I know a lot of people frown at Relief Society, but they just need to sit down and make a list of all the good things they have received from being a member in that great organization.

Relief Society: A Sacred Work

2009-10-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Sister Beck's talk "Relief Society: A Sacred Work"

I wish I could have been in the stake center when this was spoken, but I was so ill that night I barely made it through the dinner.

There is so much good stuff in here.

"“Members [of Relief Society] should permit neither hostile nor competitive interests of any kind to detract from the duties and obligations, the privileges and honors, the opportunities and achievements of membership in this great Society.”"

How many times do we break this rule in our hearts. How many times do I stop myself from participating in the blessings of the priesthood and membership in the Relief Society because I let competition and even hostile thoughts enter my mind?
I won't answer that for fear of the truth being known.

"We work in partnership with priesthood leaders, who hold keys which give them authority to preside in the name of the Lord. We operate in the manner of the priesthood—which means that we seek, receive, and act on revelation; make decisions in councils; and concern ourselves with caring for individuals one by one. "

Do we realize this? Do I act on this? Do I use this?

Pres. Packer said, "“Attendance at the Sunday meeting is but a small part of your duty. Some of you have not understood this and have set aside much of what Relief Society has meant over the years—the sisterhood, the charitable and practical parts of it.”"

For the past 20 plus years I have only attended RS meetings for about 3 years and 2 of those were as the president. I miss it. I miss the connections of sisterhood that are made there. I miss the Sunday meetings and with children in the stage of life they are in, the weekday meetings are next to impossible to make. Yes, it makes it hard to feel apart.

"One of the most precious commodities we all have is time."
So I ask, what do we do with it? And we all have the same amount of time.

Pres. Uchtdorf said, "“What are the nonessential things that clutter your days and steal your time? What are the habits you may have developed that do not serve a useful purpose? What are the unfinished or unstarted things that could add vigor, meaning, and joy to your life?”

Is facebook gone?
I don't know? I've connected with some wonderful people. My circle of friends has grown so much. I've become a more social person with those that are physically closer to me as well as reconnect with people who matter.
Is Internet gone?
I don't know? I've learned so much.
Is TV gone?
I don't know? I need some down time and I get my crocheting done during that time. It is a service to those who will get my afghans (my children and some orphans). I also enjoy the down time late at night.
What else can I cut from my life to give me more time in pursuing something more worth while?

Those additional meetings! Love 'em, hate 'em.
Love the name change. I was president when the name change first happened and it was so difficult, but it did give us a guideline for our meetings. If it wasn't about the home, family or personal enrichment then we didn't do it.

I love how Sister Beck calls these meeting "valuable supplements to Sunday instruction". They are not to take the place of, but for those who are in primary (me) they are the only Sunday instruction I get.

"These meetings are meant to be instrumental in teaching the skills and responsibilities of womanhood and motherhood in the Lord’s plan. It is here that women learn and apply principles of provident living and spiritual and temporal self-reliance, and they also increase in sisterhood and unity as they teach one another and serve together."

Do the meetings I go to do this? Why am I going to a meeting?

I need to reevaluate my time and energy spent. I need to think if what I'm doing is going to benefit my family in the best way. I will have to use the "Good, Better & Best" test. I need to sit down with my calendar and do that NOW!

Be Your Best Self

2009-10-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on President Monson's talk "Be Your Best Self"

"These stirring declarations from prophets of God help us to understand that each man and each boy who holds the priesthood of God must be worthy of that great privilege and responsibility. Each must strive to learn his duty and then to do it to the best of his ability. As we do so, we provide the means by which our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, can accomplish Their work here upon the earth. It is we who are Their representatives here."

I know he is talking to the Priesthood brethren but what about me? Am I a conduit for the Lord to accomplish His great work here on earth?

How can I be the best Doreen?

President Monson tells me:
1. Study diligently
2. Pray fervently
3. Live righteously

"These suggestions are not new; they Have been taught and repeated again and again."

So then why are they brought out again and again. Maybe because we aren't living them to their fullest. Maybe I need to improve in these areas. Maybe the world needs to hear it again and again until we live it fully.

Study:
What are we to study?
When are we to study?
How are we to study?

"Become acquainted with the lessons the scriptures teach."
"Study them as though they were speaking to you, for such is the truth."
"I promise you, whether you hold the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood, that if you will study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased."

What a promise. I guess I better do better these next few months. I have time. I just need to pull the book out.

Pray:
"With God, all things are possible."

I have always had a strong testimony in prayer and over the past few months it has even grown stronger. Pray can move mountains, dissolve tumors and grant life. It can grant peace and it can calm a troubled heart. It can give strength and it can prick a heart.

Live:
"...He will sustain his servants in righteousness as they avoid the evils of our day and live lives of virtue and purity."

If no unclean thing can enter in to heaven then heaven can't enter into an unclean thing.
I have to ask myself, what am I doing to be unclean, unworthy, undeserving of the Spirit? I hope the answer is nothing and that the Spirit is living inside of me.
I know I'm short with my children. I know I'm not always kind. I know I get frustrated repeatedly as I repeat myself over and over (but isn't that what Pres. Monson is doing for us--repeating over and over?). I know I'm not perfect. I know I need to be more clean.

How am I going to do these three thing?
Are they going to become part of me?
How true are my words, "I will change and be better."?
Will I?
Yes!

"Man Down!"

2009-09-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

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.

We are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down

2009-09-21T08:52:00.001-07:00

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.

Pristhood Responsibilities

2009-09-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

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.

This is Your Phone Call

2009-09-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

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."

Counsel to Young Men

2009-09-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

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.

Temple Worship: The Source of Strength & Power in Times of Needs

2009-09-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

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."

Lessons from the Lord's Prayers

2009-08-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Nelson's talk "Lessons from the Lord's Prayer"

Prayer has been my balm these last few months. I don't think I could have lived through the months of July, August or this much of September if wasn't for prayer.

When I was a little girl the neighbor boy next door would recite this prayer word for word (from Matthew) for his prayers. I remember thinking I should learn it and do the same thing. My wise mom then taught me it was a model, a pattern, a recipe for our own prayers and not something to be recited when we wanted to talk to our Heavenly Father. Since then I have forgotten exactly how it goes--maybe that was on purpose, maybe not, I don't know--but the recipe has always stuck with me.

There is more to learn than the four step recipe of

Addressing the Father
thanking
asking
and closing in the Savior's name

There is language, submission, true repentance and love that can be learned from this simple but heartfelt prayer.

I have always loved the word "amen" since I learned it was my "seal of approval" on a prayer. I love adding my own approval on others' prayers, talks and thoughts. I remember asking my mom what if I don't say "amen" to a prayer, does that mean I'm not finished with it?" I don't recall her answer, but in my heart there are times when I say, "My prayer is finished, but I'm not don't talking with you. Let's keep the line open just in case there is something else either of us want to say."

As I have been on many a table the past few weeks either getting radiated, imaged, poked or whatever, I have said, "My part of the prayer is ended, but I would like to keep the line open, if you don't mind. I'm scared."

I will pause when the test is done or the moment is over and close my prayer (or is it saying another prayer) and thank him for the peace he granted me. Of course I whole heartily seal it with an "amen."

But I'm struggling with this two little words, "thy will". Of course you can imagine why I'm struggling, but it is so hard to say those words right now. Eighteen years ago I said them often in prayer as we struggled with infertility and I thought it was hard then, but never in my imagination did I think it would be this hard to say those words.

I have a HUGE testimony of the power of prayer. I've had it from before I was baptized. My mom was a great part of helping me develop that testimony and I wish she was alive today so I could thank her. I have no idea how many times I prayed for our car, a lost sock, lost money, for a family member and for my father. It must have been millions of times. I remember almost always getting some sort of answer to them. One of the most vivid answers was when I was 17 and wanting to know for a truth if I was loved. WOW! what an answer.

Today, I just hope that my desire and will are the same as the Father's. I hope that our family prayers are answered. "Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name." "As we offer unto the Lord our family and our personal prayers, let us do so with faith and trust in Him."

Those are great quotes and I only hope that our faith is strong enough to deal with the trials and challenges that face our family. I have to place my trust in him, I have to and trust that my will will be his will.

Faith in Adversity

2009-07-11T08:01:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Pino's talk "Faith in Adversity"

I hate these types of opening to talks. My worse nightmare is those types of stories. I don't know how I could go on without one of my children. I would die myself. BUT, I know the plan and therefore I would get up the next morning with faith and move my body that the earthly pain would subside eventually and I can move forward. At least that is my hope of what I would do. I just hope I never see my nightmare come true.

I've had enough adversity in my life to know the truthfulness of this statement: "This faithful family came to understand that when adversity arrives in our lives, the only true source of comfort is God." and this too: "In both of the experiences that these good families endured, pain and sorrow left because of the light of the gospel, which filled them with peace and comfort, providing the assurance that everything would be well."

I have endured my little adversities because I have placed my trust and my faith in the Great Plan. It didn't take the pain away (physical as well as emotionally and spiritually) but it does give peace and comfort to your body, heart, soul and hopefully your family.

I know the children sing the song "The Wise and Foolish Man" often in primary--to get wiggles out etc, but it does teach a great lesson.
"In both of the experiences that these good families endured, pain and sorrow left because of the light of the gospel, which filled them with peace and comfort, providing the assurance that everything would be well."
We will get rained on--that is a given! It will flood, it may even wash away our house, but we sink or swim because of our personal foundation.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

2009-07-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Pearson's talk "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ"

One of my favorite gospel topics to discuss.

Many, many years ago I had some very sick kids and they all received Priesthood blessings. The next morning one of the kids was feeling much better. I was patting myself on the back for my extra faith I had in helping that child get over their sickness after all they were just children, not even baptized, what did they know about faith.

As they sat for breakfast, the one who was feeling better turned to me and said, "I knew it would work." I questioned him not knowing what he was talking about. "I had faith that daddy's words would work and now I'm all better."

I then turned and had a gut check moment. Here I was thinking it was my faith that was going to have to heal that boy (along with his brothers) and it was his faith that was and did it.

I've thought about that scene often. He was only five at the time and he had "faith like a little child." I play it often on my memory DVD player. Never count them out, in fact count on them!

Elder Pearson had some great thoughts and my copy is all marked up. I'll try not to copy the WHOLE talk but it will be difficult as his words just spoke to my heart.

"As parents, we have been commanded to teach our children “to understand the doctrine of . . . faith in Christ the Son of the living God” (D&C 68:25). This requires more than merely recognizing faith as a gospel principle. “To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone” (Bible Dictionary, “Faith,” 669). True faith must be centered in Jesus Christ. “Faith is a principle of action and of power” (Bible Dictionary, 670). It requires us to do, not merely to believe. Faith is a spiritual gift from God that comes through the Holy Ghost. It requires a correct understanding and knowledge of Jesus Christ, His divine attributes and perfect character, His teachings, Atonement, Resurrection, and priesthood power. Obedience to these principles develops complete trust in Him and His ordained servants and assurance of His promised blessings."

I love the Bible Dictionary. Someday just read it for your scripture study! It is such a cool way to study. You learn so much.

"Confidence in something or someone"
Do you have confidence in the Atonement?
Do you have confidence in the Resurrection?
Do you have confidence in the Prophet and his guidance and direction?
Do you have confidence in the power of the Priesthood?
And if you do, how do you pass this along to your children?
Those are all "gospel" things but what about faith in non gospel things?
Do you have confidence in your marriage?
Do you have confidence in your children?
Do you have confidence in your family?
Do you have confidence in __________ ?
Where do we put our faith?
How do we build faith?
How do we build faith in the correct things?
And what happens when we put our faith (and trust) in the wrong things and those things fail us? Or in the right things and they fail us? (I'm thinking of "mortal" things not gospel things that are true and right.)
Is our faith in the gospel, in The Plan, rooted deep enough to withstand the batterings and failures of some of the things we put our confidence in?

(See why I like this topic so much? Great questions pop up.)

"There is no other thing in which we can have absolute assurance. There is no other foundation in life that can bring the same peace, joy, and hope. In uncertain and difficult times, faith is truly a spiritual gift worthy of our utmost efforts. We can give our children education, lessons, athletics, the arts, and material possessions, but if we do not give them faith in Christ, we have given little." (emphasis mine)

What a bold and true statement. And a tasks that is hard to measure or know when you are done. This is my biggest worry in life: that I have failed to teach my children correctly. I worry they will come to a crossroad in life and make the wrong decision because of the information I gave them.

A simple and true statement: "If we desire more faith, we must be more obedient."

I can only hope I'm doing: "When we teach our children by example or precept to be casual or situational in obeying God’s commandments, we prevent them from receiving this vital spiritual gift. Faith requires an attitude of exact obedience, even in the small, simple things."

Now that they are teens (most of them) I'm looking back and asking "Did I? Did I teach them by example? Are they recognizing my faith and obedience? Are they learning? Am I doing good enough? Where did I go wrong?"
I know the power of obedience. I learned that from my mother. I just pray I'm teaching that example.

Here are a few more quotes:
"Desire is a particle of faith that develops within us as we experience divine truth."
"Hope develops as particles of faith become molecules and as simple efforts to live true principles occur."
"As patterns of obedience develop, the specific blessings associated with obedience are realized and belief emerges."
"Personal righteousness is a choice."
AMEN!

I'm not sure I want to talk about the "opposition", but it is necessary as our children need to know (so do we) that the power of evil wants us to be unhappy and will use everything to do so--that is the plan after all.

So what is opposite of faith?
"Faith and fear cannot coexist."
We can not fear!
I love all this "school talk" he uses in his talk--
"Consider it this way: our net usable faith is what we have left to exercise after we subtract our sources of doubt and disbelief. You might ask yourself this question: “Is my own net faith positive or negative?” If your faith exceeds your doubt and disbelief, the answer is likely positive. If you allow doubt and disbelief to control you, the answer might be negative."
Good question. Is my faith net positive or negative?

And then he says this:
"We get what we focus on consistently. Because there is an opposition in all things, there are forces that erode our faith. Some are the result of Satan’s direct influence. But for others, we have no one but ourselves to blame. These stem from personal tendencies, attitudes, and habits we can learn to change."

The six D's he calls them:
Doubt: a negative emotion, lack of confidence (see above)
Discouragement: lower expectations, missed expectations
Distraction: lack of focus (above he says, "we get what we focus on")
lack of Diligence: reduced commitment (if you don't commit to church you won't go)
Disobedience: I've always said that "Obedience is the key to happiness"
Disbelief: past feeling

How do we overcome these?
Have we overcome them?
How do we teach our children to recognize and overcome them?
How do we teach our children to put their faith in true things, things that are good?

Our Father's Plan--Big Enough for All His Children

2009-07-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Cook's talk "Our Father's Plan--Big Enough for All His Children".

I love the story about Dickens trying to find something bad, awful about the Mormons and finding the opposite instead. I don't know how many times I run into someone whose views of the Mormons are so opposite of what the media etc portray us as. "I knew a Mormon family once and they were so kind and loving." I just hope that people are saying that about my family.

"There have been two contrasting reports with respect to the Church. On one hand, righteous members and the way they live their lives have generally been reported on favorably. Those who know Latter-day Saints personally or have the opportunity to observe them up close have the same view that Charles Dickens reported almost 150 years ago."

"Because of the uplifting doctrine of the Restoration, members rejoice in the gospel and find joy and satisfaction in the Church. We are viewed favorably when we live the teachings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. When members don’t live the teachings, it can be a stumbling block to those who do not belong to the Church."

My mom's words "Remember who you are and act that part" rings in my ears.

Elder Cook goes on to talk about those who might have stumbling blocks with our faith.
I love the story about swans. It is good to have an open mind.
I think my family was much like his ancestor. I think when they first heard the message they knew it was true and accepted it, embraced it and as soon as they could forsook all and went to Zion. It is truly gut-check time. Would I know it if I wasn't born into it?

The next section of his talk has hit a chord in my heart. I think this is one reason I love this church so much--we accept everyone, just like our Father. Although we believe that we are the only true church on the earth we don't have a corner market on righteousness and goodness. I have met many people of other faiths who do good works, are righteous people and dare I say a better person than I.

I can think of countless non-members who are "headliners" who have a ticket stamped for heaven when they get there but have never entered the waters of baptism here on earth. I think Heavenly Father wanted them where they were to make the difference in the people's lives they touched without the gospel. Mother Teresa comes to mind in a second. His plan is big enough for us all!

back to the talk:
"It is equally important that we be loving and kind to members of our own faith, regardless of their level of commitment or activity. The Savior has made it clear that we are not to judge each other. This is especially true of members of our own families. Our obligation is to love and teach and never give up. The Lord has made salvation “free for all men” but has “commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.”"

I have many times judged my own family and it was wrong. Lately I've been judged by a family member and what that person thought about me was completely wrong. It is amazing what is happening because of that judgment. A lesson to me. I can only pray that person's heart will see my heart the way it truly is and not as they thought. But I do fear the worse and have already seen some damage that has been done to the family because of that judgment. A very, very good lesson for me about truly NOT JUDGING even if you are there and witness something. You never know the whole story!

And a lesson I'm taking to heart this week. I'm not going to jump to conclusion about something and I will not judge. Instead I will do as Alma Sr. did, pray that a change of heart can happen (maybe it is my own heart that needs to change) and let the Lord judge. It is his plan anyway.

Learning the Lessons of the Past

2009-06-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Ballard's talk "Learning Lessons of the Past"

Elder Ballard's humor is so sweet. The generation gap is sometimes so huge and yet so sweet.

This talk is one I hope my boys and girl read. There is so much wisdom for them in it. I remember when it was given we were struggling with a son and he was rebelling and not willing to listen to the conference talks that Sunday. My heart ached that he wasn't there listening to this wonderful talk. But as Elder Ballard said one must be "willing to listen and learn,". Do you think he will ever? I pray he will. I know I was more like him than I want to admit and it scares me. I just hope he is learning and listening and doing it willingly.

"When you are willing to listen and learn, some of life’s most meaningful teachings come from those who have gone before you. They have walked where you are walking and have experienced many of the things you are experiencing. If you listen and respond to their counsel, they can help guide you toward choices that will be for your benefit and blessing and steer you away from decisions that can destroy you. As you look to your parents and others who have gone before you, you will find examples of faith, commitment, hard work, dedication, and sacrifice that you should strive to duplicate."

"It is my message and testimony to you today, my young friends, that for the most important questions of your eternal lives, there are answers in the scriptures and in the words and testimonies of apostles and prophets. The fact that these words come largely from older men, past and present, doesn’t make them any less relevant. In fact, it makes their words even more valuable to you because they come from those who have learned much through years of devout living."

"There are great lessons to be learned from the past, and you ought to learn them so that you don’t exhaust your spiritual strength repeating past mistakes and bad choices."

I rejoice when my children have something happen to them and they handle it correctly and then say something like, "Well, I remember when we read about (prophets name) in the scriptures and how he handled a similar situation," or something like that. My heart rejoices.

I know trying to tell my kids about my experiences is like talking to a brick wall. They don't care. They don't want to know. Everything that is happening to them is new and never been done before. I have to remind them that it isn't new. Yes, the medium of delivery might be new, but hurt feelings, broken promises, failed classes, broken fenders, broken hearts all happened long before and will continue to happen. Not much is new on the human emotional learning scene.

" Time and again we see the cycle of righteousness followed by wickedness,"
"...spiritual darkness results when His children turn their collective backs on Him."

Do we have this happening in our own little lives? Are we learning from those repeating patterns in the scriptures? Are we turning our backs on the Lord because we think we can do it ourselves? We don't need his help? He is out to punish us? The windows of heaven are closed?

"Does any of this sound familiar, my young brothers and sisters? Do you see the historical pattern emerging again—the pattern of righteousness followed by prosperity, followed by material comforts, followed by greed, followed by pride, followed by wickedness and a collapse of morality—the same pattern we’ve seen again and again within the pages of the Old and New Testaments and the Book of Mormon? More importantly, what impact will the lessons of the past have on the personal choices you make right now and for the rest of your lives?"

Eye opening statement! and his question is profound. What choices am I making? Am I following his council to learn?

"The voice of the Lord is clear and unmistakable. He knows you. He loves you. He wants you to be eternally happy. But according to your God-given agency, the choice is yours. Each one of you has to decide for yourself if you are going to ignore the past and suffer the painful mistakes and tragic pitfalls that have befallen previous generations, experiencing for yourself the devastating consequences of bad choices. How much better your life will be if you will follow the noble example of the faithful followers of Christ such as the sons of Helaman, Moroni, Joseph Smith, and the stalwart pioneers—and choose, as they did, to remain faithful to your Heavenly Father’s commandments."

"Learning the lessons of the past allows you to walk boldly in the light without running the risk of stumbling in the darkness. This is the way it’s supposed to work. This is God’s plan: father and mother, grandfather and grandmother teaching their children; children learning from them and then becoming a more righteous generation through their own personal experiences and opportunities. Learning the lessons of the past allows you to build personal testimony on a solid bedrock of obedience, faith, and the witness of the Spirit."

Let's all sing, "The wise man built his house upon a rock." Where is my house being built?

Now this next statement is a wow for those of us who homeschool. I need to expound on this one some more.
"Of course, it’s not enough to learn these lessons as a matter of history and culture. Learning the names and dates and sequence of events from the printed page won’t help you very much unless the meaning and the message are written in your hearts. Nourished by testimony and watered with faith, the lessons of the past can take root in your hearts and become a vibrant part of who you are."

"And so it returns, as it always does, to your own personal faith and testimony. That is the difference-maker, my young brothers and sisters. That is how you know. That is how you avoid the mistakes of the past and take your spirituality to the next level. If you are open and receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit in your lives, you will understand the lessons of the past, and they will be burned into your souls by the power of your testimonies."

And I add my amen to this statement:
"That you may find joy and happiness and peace in the future by learning the great and eternal lessons of the past is my prayer for each of you—for my grandchildren and all of the youth of the Church, wherever you may be".

Gut check time! What am I learning from history, both church, gospel and family? What am I learning from my own personal history? Am I making the same mistakes? What am I teaching my children? Date? Places? Times? or am I teaching them consequences to actions. Am I teaching them moral lessons? Gospel lessons? Courage in the face of trial? And am I living like I learned them?

Adversity

2009-06-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on President Eyring's talk "Adversity"

A timely talk.

I'm not sure if anyone else was listening because this talk was just for me.

"The anger comes at least in part from a feeling that what is happening is unfair."
Our children use the "unfair" line on us all the time, but how often do we use it on our Lord? I'm guilty of it. Probably have said it way too often as of late. I'm not a perfect person, but I know life isn't fair and bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. But as my mom always said, "It is how your react to those things that put you on the good side or the bad side of heaven."

I know that adversity is part of the Lord's plan. I knew it before and I know it now and will know it after. "Opposition in ALL things." It is also very important for us as Children of God to use that opposition in all things to prove ourselves to the Lord.
Pres Eyring said, "The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of Their infinite love. God gave us the gift of living in mortality so that we could be prepared to receive the greatest of all the gifts of God, which is eternal life. Then our spirits will be changed. We will become able to want what God wants, to think as He thinks, and thus be prepared for the trust of an endless posterity to teach and to lead through tests to be raised up to qualify to live forever in eternal life."
We are here to prove ourselves worthy and it is through these trials that we prove ourselves. I just hope I pass.

Pres. Eyring gives us great words of hope and blessings.
"It is clear that for us to have that gift and to be given that trust, we must be transformed through making righteous choices where that is hard to do. We are prepared for so great a trust by passing through trying and testing experiences in mortality. That education can come only as we are subject to trials while serving God and others for Him."

"In this education we experience misery and happiness, sickness and health, the sadness from sin and the joy of forgiveness. That forgiveness can come only through the infinite Atonement of the Savior, which He worked out through pain we could not bear and which we can only faintly comprehend.

"The Lord will rescue His faithful disciples. And the disciple who accepts a trial as an invitation to grow and therefore qualify for eternal life can find peace in the midst of the struggle."

"He had begun to prepare his heart to be worthy of the Lord’s help which he knew he would in the near future need."

"Tragedy did not erode their faith; it tested it and strengthened it. And the feeling of peace the Lord has promised has already been delivered in the midst of the storm. Other miracles are sure to follow."

"He set a course for each of us that can polish and perfect us to be with Him."

I can only pray and hope that I will finish the work he has asked me to do and do it well. I can only pray and have faith that I will weather every storm, every trial and every illness that befalls me and my family with the hope that President Eyring asks and shows us. Adversity will come. It will! I just pray I will be able to stand up to it, beat it down, deal with it and come out the other end polished.

The Power of Covenants

2009-06-30T07:58:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Christofferson's talk "The Power of Covenants"

I'm sort of glad I'm not putting my thoughts down on this one until today--my anniversary to my wonderful husband. My thoughts are drawn back to the Seattle Temple some 20 years ago when I was befuddled and twitter pated. I also think of how much my knowledge of the power of those covenants has grown since that day. I'm amazed.

I'm still in awe that our Heavenly Father said 8 was the age to make the first covenant with him. I'm in awe that he grants the rights of the priesthood to 12 year old boys. I have my fourth boy turn 12 in a month and two days (just ask him, he'll tell you how long) and I think of the awesome responsibilities these rights and covenants carry with them and stand in awe that our God would allow us humans, full of well humanness! And then to think me at 19 was granted the right to enter the temple to make eternal covenants with another human and the Lord--SHOCKING! My oldest son is 17 and there is no way he is ready. I can't believe I was ready. Probably wasn't but as the Lord has said over and over, "Line upon line." That is exactly what happens in our knowledge of these great covenants and responsibilities.

Elder Christofferson's thought bring me back to what really matters with the covenants I have made through my life.

"We need strong Christians who can persevere against hardship, who can sustain hope through tragedy, who can life others by their example and their compassion, and who can consistently overcome temptations. We need strong Christians who can make important things happen by their faith and who can defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism."

Am I that person? Are my children those Christians? Is my family an example? What have I done to show that I am a Christian lately to those I know and love? Are my words and actions speaking my heart? And if not how can I change? Oh, wait Elder Christofferson give the answer.

"The source is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him. A covenant is an agreement between God and man, an accord whose terms are set by God. In these divine agreements, God binds Himself to sustain, sanctify, and exalt us in return for our commitment to serve Him and keep His commandments."

It amazes me still that it is truly that easy. We obey and he blesses us. We love him, serve him and he blesses us. Making it easier for us to stay on the straight and narrow and continue to do those things worth of his sustaining vote of us and our actions. A cycle that spirals upward! (better that than the one that goes downwards ~smile~). **He comes back to this thought later in his talk**

"It is done individually, by name."

I highlighted this one and it has caused me to pause and think of all the covenants I've entered into and the billions that have been entered in by those who have walked this earth since the beginning of time. We all do it by our own names. The covenants we enter into are done by our OWN NAME. It isn't a blanket, "everyone here" type of thing. We do it in our own name. And he knows us by our name. How wonderful! What a great comfort and thought. I should hold to that thought more often.

Now back to the blessings of covenants.
By gifts and blessings.
Sometimes we don't recognize the blessings of obedience. We take our lives for granted. But there are many blessings to obedience to this words. We are free from addiction. We are free from the bounds of sin. We are blessed with safety and health. We are blessed in "our capacity to deal with these challenges." I can't begin to count how many times I've heard people say, "I don't know how you do it." I do it because I know who to turn to and he blesses me because of my obedience to his laws. He blesses me with insights to problems, concerns and trials. He doesn't bless me that they won't happen (I know that way too well) but I have the ability, the strength and the courage to face them and know where to turn to when I feel alone, confused or in need of advice.

By increased faith.
"...they produce the faith necessary to persevere and to do all things that are expedient in the Lord."
..."but as we honor our covenants, that faith expands. In the first place, the promised fruits of obedience become evident, which confirms our faith. Secondly, the Spirit communicates God's pleasure, and we feel secure in His continued blessing and help. Thirdly, come what may, we can face life with hope and equanimity, knowing that we will succeed in the end because we have God's promise to us individually, by name, and we know He cannot lie. "
This follows closely to what I said in the above paragraph. Obeying and seeing the blessings increases my faith.
"...our faith becomes unbounded, having the assurance that God will in due time turn every affliction to our gain."
The hard part is the "in due time" part. But if we are faithful we can see the blessings of our faith. I think of Job, Abraham, Israel, Joseph Smith Jr., my own mother and many others. Their blessings are there and the faithful can even call on their blessings. Our blessings are there and as we exercise faith we can call upon the blessings too.
"The Apostle Paul understood that one who has entered into a covenant with God is both given the faith to face trials and gains even greater faith through those trials."
That is a promise I hold on to!!

Through the power of Godliness.
The bestowal of divine power.
"Our covenant commitment to Him permits our Heavenly Father to let His divine influence, "the power of godliness", flow into our lives."
WOW!!
"Our participation in those ordinances also demonstrates that we are prepared to accept the additional responsibility that comes with added light and spiritual power."
Double WOW!
I'm thrilled to have this much responsibility and stewardship. I can't believe a Father would do that for his wicked children. But wow!
"When we have entered into divine covenants, the Holy Ghost is our comforter, our guide, and our companion."
I guess that is how we do it. Through the power of the Holy Ghost. A member of the Godhead--our Divine power of Godliness! I can't imagine us doing it any other way. How cool is that?

And in parting he says, "In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact."

If only I can live up to that last statement and teach my children to do so likewise.

Finding Strength in Challenging Times!

2009-04-25T07:58:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Allan Packer's talk "Finding Strength in Challenging Times!"

"We need to be acquainted with the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and we need to practice and apply gospel teachings until they become natural and automatic. These promptings become the foundation of our testimonies. Then our testimonies will keep us happy and safe in troubled times."

What can I add to that statement? Nothing except to say it is true and I hope my children are acquainted with the Holy Ghost. I hope they hear and feel him often. I hope that when in times of trouble they remember what that felt like and can pull those feelings back out of their heart.

"Elder Dallin H. Oaks defined a testimony this way: “A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true.” At another time Elder Oaks said, “Testimony is to know and to feel, conversion is to do and to become."

You can NOT give a testimony to someone else, they have to find it themselves. That is so frustrating as a mother. But it is also a comfort. Their salvation is theirs to gain because I'm sure they will do a better job of it than I will.

"Joseph Smith told us to watch for answers by paying attention to the thoughts and feelings that come into our minds. Over time we will learn to recognize these as promptings."

"...study it out in your mind..."
"...bosom shall burn..."
"...stupor of thought..."

These are necessary for us and our children to know. There is no way to give this to them but for them to find on their own. We can guide them, show them, tell them, but they have to grasp it themselves and then take it to their hearts. That is my greatest with in life.

"Having the capacity to receive personal inspiration will be necessary in the coming days."

A prophetic warning?

Revealed Quorum Principles

2009-04-25T07:57:00.002-07:00

My thoughts on Brother Neider's talk "Revealed Quorum Principles"

Of course this talk is geared to priesthood brethren, but do we not all have some sort of quorum in our own home? Our family, our marriage, and even ourselves?

"I emphasize the principles of study, of obtaining God's word." He then talks about how we all need to be students of the gospel. I want to say DUH, but then remember that we need to have these things repeated over and over until we get them. How good of a student am I? How about my family? Am I doing what is necessary? Am I doing just a bit more? What can I do better? (Lots is the answer!)

"President Stephen L Richards taught that a quorum is a class, a brotherhood, and a service unit: a class where a young man may be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ; a brotherhood where we can strengthen, build, lift, and friendship each other; and a service unit to give service to quorum members and others."

Is that not also important for our own families?

Since I have five boys, I'm so thankful that the words came out again that scouting is the program we use in the USA for our young men. There is great leadership, wisdom and skills that are taught through properly run scout/YM programs. I'm so thankful for such a program.

"As these quorum principles and tools are used with planning and wisdom and in the exercise of faith, miracles will be obtained."

Miracles can happen in our own families.