Walking with Prophets

Of Things that Matter Most

2011-02-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on President Uchtdorf's talk "Of Things that Matter Most"

The more this man talks, the more I love him. I see why the Lord trusts him to be one of His Apostles, Prophets and Seers. We truly need to listen and study his words.

"Therefore, it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions."

Slow down? HOW?

"This is a simple but critical lesson to learn. It may seem logical when put in terms of trees or turbulence, but it’s surprising how easy it is to ignore this lesson when it comes to applying these principles in our own daily lives. When stress levels rise, when distress appears, when tragedy strikes, too often we attempt to keep up the same frantic pace or even accelerate, thinking somehow that the more rushed our pace, the better off we will be."

I have been made to slow down. It truly was counter to all I thought I knew. I've learned to stop, take a breath and then begin again.

I think this next paragraph can sum up my life:
"Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives."

Am I of worth if I'm not doing something? What about the saying, "Idle hands are the devil's playground"? If I'm not scheduled then I won't know what to do.

When I started chemotherapy, I had to cancel almost EVERYTHING. It was interesting to see what happened to my life and how it turned out. I like the down time. It was nice to think for myself for once.

"There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions."

WOW! That makes you pause and think. Pens don't work in space, but pencils do. My kids don't need a three course dinner, but they need a healthy dinner. The Plan of Happiness is truly the path--we don't need to come up with a new plan. Stop wasting time figuring it all out.

President Uchtdorf then talks about fundamentals and basics. I know that while I was in treatment (and even today) I go back to the basics. Sometimes a successful day is a day you just make it through. Not the day you make five wedding cakes, decorate the cultural hall and plan the next four YW lessons. It is the day you stop and enjoy the blessings of the scriptures, the Prophets' words, the smile of a child and the delight of a PB&J. That's what a successful day looks like.

"My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach us to do “all these things … in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby … win the prize.”"

Here are the basics:
1. our relationship with our Savior.
What do we do to cultivate this? Very simple answers: scriptures and prayers.

2. our relationship with our families.
What do we do to make these relationships stronger? Do we spend time? Do we look for the positive? Do we hold FHE? Do we study the scriptures together? Do we have wholesome recreational activities together? I have an easy time with the people who live in my house, but those who don't--boy it is hard.

3. our relationship with our fellowmen.
"We build this relationship one person at a time—by being sensitive to the needs of others, serving them, and giving of our time and talents."

4. our relationship with ourselves.
"It may seem odd to think of having a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can’t get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves. May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. Walk in nature, watch a sunrise, enjoy God’s creations, ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you—as His precious daughter or son with divine potential."

He ends with these two helps for us:
"Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most."

"Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace."

May we all strive to simplify our lives so that we can have a life of meaning, gladness and peace.

Reflections on a Consecrated Life

2011-02-05T15:20:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Christofferson's talk "Reflections on a Consecrated Life"

"...our life on earth is a stewardship of time and choices granted by our Creator."

Gut check time! The five elements of a consecrated life: purity, work, respect for one's physical body, service and integrity. This equals a "pure life." So I ask myself, "Am I living a pure life?"

Purity:
It may not be perfectly pure, but I'm striving each day to make myself just a little better than the day before. I'm trying! The natural man is so easy to wear. He is comfortable and he fits so nicely!

Work:
"A consecrated life is a life of labor." I can only think of my mom. "Jesus as about His Father's business". So what have I been asked to do by the Father? Am I doing it? What am I doing with my "spare time"? I know I've had a LOT of down time trying to get my strength up. I wish that chemo brain hadn't happened to me as I could have learned a lot during those hours in bed. But alas, I was so whacked out on drugs I don't even remember the TV I watched. I can't say I wasted that time, but I sure wish I could have been more productive. I do know that I've created some bad habits that I need to shake. I enjoyed the napping and the programs I watched and it is hard not to just go climb in my bed and fall back on doing something easy with my afternoons.

Respect for one's body:
Eighteen months ago I would have answered this one totally different. I don't even know where to begin with this one. I'll leave most of this to another day, but if it wasn't for the physical body and its death we would be like the children of Satan--stuck! We need to do all that we can to keep it as clean as possible and along with it will go our spiritual body and mind.

Service:
Are we just checking off the hours or are we doing true service? How do we serve the Lord? Are we truly His hands here are earth?

Integrity:
"We see it in the father and mother whose demonstrated first priority is to nourish their marriage and ensure the physical and spiritual welfare of their children. We see it in those who are honest."

Am I honest?

"Hypocrisy is terribly destructive, not only to the hypocrite but also to those who observe or know of his or her conduct, especially children. It is faith destroying, whereas honor is the rich soil in which the seed of faith thrives."

I have a child who throws around this word like it was air. I often wonder how he can look himself in the mirror and then I stop short and ask myself, how I can look myself in the mirror and claim to be a member of Christ's church.

How thankful that this life is about proving and perfecting not being perfect. I have much to learn and much to prefect.

Gospel Learning and Teaching

2011-02-05T15:02:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Brother McConkie's talk "Gospel Learning and Teaching"

"A successful teacher and author said: “What matters most in learning is attitude. The attitude of the teacher.” "

As I'm not a "teacher" in church (I play piano in primary) I have taken this to my homeschooling. What is my attitude in teaching my children. Do I just want to get it done to check off a box, or do I really want my kids to know what I'm teaching? Do I want them to learn something that will help them? I have to ask this same questions when the teens start acting up when I'm trying to do family home evening or scripture study. Is this just another check on my "to do" list? What is MY attitude?

"Successful gospel teachers love the gospel. They are excited about it. And because they love their students, they want them to feel as they feel and to experience what they have experienced. To teach the gospel is to share your love of the gospel."

Amen to this statement! I know often I get excited about what I've learned and yet, I don't share it because I know it will not be received well. As a learner, I wonder if the teacher is holding back because of my attitude towards her? Is she sharing everything?

Brother McConkie talks a little bit about "reading the handbook". How often do I not read the handbook. But then I also think, "But I am reading the handbook, I just don't know where to read to find the answer. Please guide me." So first immerse yourself in the scriptures.

Second, "apply in your life the things you learn." I think of a son who constantly calls us hypocrites. Do I truly apply the things I have learned? Is there room for a sinner to repent and change her ways?

Third, "seek heaven's help." Don't forget he loves those we teach as more than we do. Do we seek for His guidance?

Fourth, "exercise our agency and act... with the spiritual promptings we receive." I often fall short here.

How good of a teacher am I? How good of a learner am I? Do I seek the Lord's help in both areas?

Obedience to the Prophets

2011-02-05T14:29:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Costa's talk "Obedience to the Prophets"

We are so blessed to live in a time when prophets walk the earth. How sweet it is!

"We are told that “surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). We learn from this scripture that the Lord will reveal to His prophets absolutely anything that He feels is necessary to communicate to us. He will reveal His will to us, and He will instruct us through His prophets."

This was a scripture mastery when I was in 10th grade. I've taken this to heart in two ways. One: when the prophets speaks as a prophet, he is speaking God's will to us. Two: the prophets know a heck of a lot more than I do and I should listen to them.

I remember when the prophet asked us to wear only one pair of earrings. I don't recall who it was or when it was, but I had two sets in my ears. The first was my right of passage to womanhood (at age 14) and the second set had a significance to me. At 16 my mom and I got my left ear pierce and the jewel was a pearl. As I was dating and thinking about leaving my father's home (left ear--hint, hint) I was to remember that I was a "Pearl of Great Price". When I was engaged I got my right ear pierced (after finding the Right man) and put a diamond in that ear symbolizing our marriage. I wore mismatched earrings for a few years and then the prophet asked us to wear only one pair of modest earrings.

I was crushed. I still cry about it. My second set of holes is still there. They haven't closed up and I think it has been close to 20 years ago, because it was just after I got married (22 years ago). I never was over the top in my choice of jewelry, even today with very short hair (remember I lost it all during chemo) with ears that stick out, I still go very simple--posts most of the time. But I obeyed. I don't know that blessings that will come from this, but I sure hope there is a blessing sometime because my heart broke the day I pulled my pearl and diamond out.

One of my favorite scriptures is D&C 1:38 "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; ...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."

Elder Costa has some great reasons to obey the prophets. Fourteen in fact. I testify that we live a better life when obeying than when we think we know what is best. Sometimes we don't know why, but the blessings of obedience are sometimes better than the blessing of law.

Stay on the Path

2011-02-05T14:17:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Sister Wixom's talk "Stay on the Path"

I've spent 90% of my adult life serving in primary and all but about three months of that was in primary music. I've always had a soft spot in my life for primary children. I love the energy of the Sunbeams, even when they won't sit still or they run around the room. I love their off the wall remarks and I love when they hit the nail on the head when asked a "difficult" question and come up with a very simple answer (usually "love one another"). I know my husband loves teaching the primary kids. There is something very special about the under 12 set of kids that rings true about love and happiness. Some Sundays you wonder if you were just a glorified babysitter and then on others you think "I was able to reach Bobby today," and you do it with a fist pump in the air, a humble heart and a smile on your face.

"Parents, grandparents, neighbors, friends, Primary leaders—each of us can reach out to hold on to the children."
"No child needs to walk the path alone so long as we speak freely to our children of the plan of salvation."

As I have a child whose grasp on the Iron Rod is a bit weak, I have to thank all the leaders who have shared their testimony with him. It truly does take a village, I'm just glad I get to pick the people in my village ~smile~, to raise a child. And my constant prayer is that out there there is a grandparent, a parent, a child who will help my child grasp FIRMLY the Iron Rod once again. I'm doing my part as best I can and I just hope there is someone out there who will "reach out" and grab hold of my son.

Because of Your Faith

2011-02-05T14:04:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Holland's talk "Because of your Faith"

I remember hearing this back in October and having a tear roll down my cheek as I remembered the love I had for the sisters of my ward back when I was called as their RS president. Before I was sustained I thought, "How could the Relief Society President love me? She doesn't even know me." Well, the good Lord taught me a lesson. When you start praying for someone and they become your responsibility, you learn to love them, even when they don't want that love or think they need it. Truly when you serve someone you do love them--and I wouldn't even say, "learn to love them," you just love them.

I don't know if President Monson and the 12 know me but they do pray for the Saints everywhere. They care about us. That is why they keep changing programs: they are trying to find the perfect one for us. I find that comforting.

I also know that they kneel around the altars of the temple and that my name rests upon many of those altars and they pray for those names. Somehow that gives me great comfort as I face the nasty medical/health battles I face. I also know that they are truly praying for our youth--my five boys and "little" girl.

I also know that I've failed to express gratitude to many of those who have served and loved me and my family. I won't do it here, but there are many out there who should get a note from me. Maybe that will be my resolution.

As Elder Holland said, "seeing your example, I pledge anew my determination to be better, to be more faithful—more kind and devoted, more charitable and true as our Father in Heaven is and as so many of you already are."

That is my pledge as well.

Helping Hands, Saving Hands

2010-10-10T17:11:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Aoyagi's talk "Helping Hands, Saving Hands"

I could only cry when I read this talk. My prayer is that their is a saving hand in the life of my children. I've always hated the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child," because I thought it was promoting the giving away of responsibility of raising your own children to others, but I've come to look upon it differently. It isn't that it takes a village, it takes their support and their help especially when they are older. My honest and fervent prayer is that there is someone out there who will be the saving hands to my family. They will follow this council:

"They follow the counsel of the prophet—not out of duty or responsibility but of their own free will, anonymously and joyfully.
"Sometimes we feel that we are weak and lack the strength to rescue others, but the Lord reminds us, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40)."

I need someone to come save my family. I've done (and am doing) all I can. I too plead like President Monson:
“My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.”

The Blessing of Scripture

2010-09-20T06:22:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Christofferson's talk "The Blessing of Scripture"

I love these history talks. It reminds me of how much the Lord is in charge of things. They don't give much to discuss, but it does give me lots of food for thought in looking back at my own life and pondering on how much the Lord has been in charge.

I am thankful to those who worked hard and even lost their life so that we could have the scriptures. I know my life would be very different if it wasn't for the scriptures.

"The scriptures enlarge our memory by helping us always to remember the Lord and our relationship to Him and the Father. They remind us of what we knew in our premortal life. And they expand our memory in another sense by teaching us about epochs, people, and events that we did not experience personally."

"The scriptures also enlarge our memory by helping us not forget what we and earlier generations have learned."

I think this life is all about remembering. Remembering what we once knew in heaven and remembering all that we learned in Sunday School and Primary. We also can learn from those who have gone before and recorded it.

It is truly sad that a world who once hungered for the truth is now illiterate.

"God uses scripture to unmask erroneous thinking, false traditions, and sin with its devastating effects. He is a tender parent who would spare us needless suffering and grief and at the same time help us realize our divine potential."

If only we read and heeded.

"They have imagined a Jesus who wants people to work for social justice but who makes no demands upon their personal life and behavior. But a God of love does not leave us to learn by sad experience that “wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10; see also Helaman 13:38). His commandments are the voice of reality and our protection against self-inflicted pain. The scriptures are the touchstone for measuring correctness and truth, and they are clear that real happiness lies not in denying the justice of God or trying to circumvent the consequences of sin but in repentance and forgiveness through the atoning grace of the Son of God (see Alma 42)."

But we have to have read them to know this. We MUST read them and if we don't...

"Where scriptural truths are ignored or abandoned, the essential moral core of society disintegrates and decay is close behind. In time, nothing is left to sustain the institutions that sustain society."

We see this over and over. Are we seeing it in our families? Do we see this in individuals?

"In the end, the central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ—faith that They exist; faith in the Father’s plan for our immortality and eternal life; faith in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which animates this plan of happiness; faith to make the gospel of Jesus Christ our way of life; and faith to come to know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He has] sent”."

I could just repost the rest of his talk. I love the introduction to the Book of Mormon, because it states clearly why Mormon did all that he did. Of course the Bible is also central to the purpose of bringing souls to Christ.

"Scriptural accounts of the faith of others serve to strengthen our own."

AMEN! and that is why so many have shed blood over them, so that we can shed tears of faith, joy and of the spirit as we read and study.

I just hope my children love the scriptures as much as I do.

Mothers Teaching Children in the Home

2010-09-14T06:23:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Perry's talk "Mothers Teaching Children in the Home"

I feel like a hypocrite commenting on this talk when my child has chosen a different path and didn't listen and heed a word I said.

My mom was just like his. Papers and books all over the kitchen table. I remember setting the table by putting the table cloth OVER her books and papers so they wouldn't get dirty.

"Times are very different today, but while times may change, a parent’s teaching must never be devalued. Many activities link the values of one generation to the next, but perhaps the most central of these activities is parents teaching children in the home. This is especially true when we consider the teaching of values, moral and ethical standards, and faith."

"Teaching in the home is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, where the influence of the adversary is so widespread and he is attacking, attempting to erode and destroy the very foundation of our society, even the family."

I see this every day at my house. The adversary has one of my kids and he is eroding and destroying our family. It is so sad.

"Parents must resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important responsibility. While other institutions, such as church and school, can assist parents to “train up a child in the way he [or she] should go” (Proverbs 22:6), ultimately this responsibility rests with parents. According to the great plan of happiness, it is parents who are entrusted with the care and development of our Heavenly Father’s children. Our families are an integral part of His work and glory—“to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). On God’s eternal stage, it is usually intended that parents act as the central cast members in their children’s lives. Fortunately, there are understudies involved in the production who may step in when parents can’t. It, however, is parents who have been commanded by the Lord to bring up their children in light and truth (see D&C 93:40)."

Oh, how I wish there were understudies who would have (and probably should have) stepped in. I know those who have tried, but there is a few who I know knew and didn't. I'm so heartbroken now that so much damage has happened. (But maybe I just move on and put this one behind.)

"Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. They know that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home."

I try so hard to do this. One moment at a time. I know my children can have no question about my faith and I can only hope my influence is for the best and was right.

"It is my belief that one of the most effective things we can do to improve teaching in the Church is to improve teaching in our homes. Our teaching in the home prepares us to teach more effectively at church, and our teaching at church helps us to teach more effectively at home. Throughout the Church there are dining room tables covered with reference materials and notebooks filled with ideas for lessons to be taught. There is no such thing as overpreparing to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, for gospel insights, whether or not they are used during class time, can always be taught in the home."

I sometimes wish I had a calling to teach in church (I play the piano in primary) because I do miss that "forced" reading/studying. Although I have spent most of my adult calling behind the piano in primary. I sometimes envy seminary teachers. I know I learn so much more when I'm the teacher. I do love my time preparing for Family Home Evening and I relish the time I read and study the conference talks.

I am so thankful for this blog and email group that have forced me to read conference talks and then expound and discuss them with like minded individuals. I'm just sad I'm so far behind. I've read them all, but because I have been so sick I haven't had the time to write about them. I learn so much more from them when I write or teach about them.

Help Them on Their Way Home

2010-09-13T06:07:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on President Eyring's talk "Help Them on Their Way Home"

"But the only way out was for her to exercise faith in Jesus Christ, to have a broken heart, to repent, and so be cleansed, changed, and strengthened through the Lord’s Atonement. I bore my testimony to her that it was still possible. And it was, but so much harder than it would have been to exercise faith early in her life on the journey home to God and when she first began to wander."

I had a friend tell me once about her sister who had wander and while in her journey back said this to her, "It is possible to come back, but the road is so very hard and long, that I wish I would have listened and not strayed. This is so very hard, but so worth it."

"So we help God’s children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel when they are young. And then we must help rekindle that faith quickly before it dims as they wander off the path."

I can only hope that I have helped my children build the faith necessary to sustain them when doubt sets in and they wander. And I hope they will allow me to help rekindle that fire. (Consistency)

"Foreseeing the needs of His children, a loving Heavenly Father placed directions and rescuers along their way. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to make safe passage possible and visible. He called as His prophet in these times President Thomas S. Monson. Since his youth President Monson has taught not only how to stay on the path but also how to rescue those who have been led away into sorrow."

And I pray for these "rescuers" daily, especially the local rescuers that influence my children in such personal ways. I pray not only for the prophet but for my bishop and the youth leaders and teachers. I pray that they will have the words that touch my sons' hearts and helps build their faith.

I also pray that there will be in the path of my children, great people who can touch their lives as well. I wish to high heavens that my brothers lived closer and could have had an influence on my sons lives. The longer I'm a parent and see what they have done in each other families, the more I wish they would have taken a bigger part in my sons' lives. I just now pray that someone here in Redmond can influence my sons for good. I know that my influence, though taught and repeated in my home, sounds like a broken record to my children. They know where I stand and how I feel. They need someone outside to influence them now and I just pray it will be to go on missions, go through the temple and grasp the Iron Rod with both hands.

"And we need to exemplify in our own lives the steady and prolonged faithfulness that the Lord expects of them. As we do, we will help them feel from the Spirit an assurance that if they will persist, they will hear the words from a loving Savior and Heavenly Father: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” And we who help them along the way will hear those words with joy."

I can only pray that is what I do.

Mothers and Daughters

2010-09-09T06:16:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Ballard's talk "Mothers and Daughters"

"Sisters, we, your brethren, cannot do what you were divinely designated to do from before the foundation of the world. We may try, but we cannot ever hope to replicate your unique gifts. There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman."

I wish the world would recognize this.

My daughter is only 10, so young. My boys are 18-11, still so young, but the choices they are making now are life long ones and I see so many bad choices, but I also see good ones. I only hope....

"Mothers, your example is extremely important to your daughters—even if they don’t acknowledge it."

"Throughout the history of the world, women have always been teachers of moral values. That instruction begins in the cradle and continues throughout the lives of their children. Today our society is bombarded with messages about womanhood and motherhood that are dangerously and wickedly wrong. Following these messages can put your daughters on the path to sin and self-destruction. Your daughters may not understand that unless you tell them or, better, unless you show them how to make good choices. As mothers in Israel, you are your daughters’ first line of defense against the wiles of the world."

Scares me to death--it truly does.

What he says next scares me even more...
"Let me assure you that even when you think your daughter is not listening to a thing you say, she is still learning from you as she watches you to see if your actions match your words."

"Teach your daughter to find joy in nurturing children."
My poor daughter is the youngest one and hasn't seen me nurturing little children. She told me a little while ago that she has never held a baby. How sad is that. But worst is I don't think she has ever seen me. My friends haven't asked me to hold their babies--but most of my friends don't have babies.

"Mothers, teach your daughter that a faithful daughter of God avoids the temptation to gossip or judge one another."
I think I fail there. I try not to spread gossipy stories, but I do tend to judge way to quickly. I need to fix that.

"A mother-daughter relationship is where a daughter learns how to nurture by being nurtured. She is loved. She is taught and experiences firsthand what it feels like to have someone care about her enough to correct her while continuing to encourage and believe in her at the same time."
I only hope I am doing this. I'm not the mom type of a woman. I don't cook, and I hate housework. My poor daughter does not have a good example in me.

"Your daughters as well as your sons are coming of age in a world that openly embraces early, casual, and thoughtless promiscuity. Immodest, unchaste women are glamorized and all too often celebrated and emulated. While there are steps that we can take in our homes and families to minimize our exposure to these unsavory elements of contemporary living, your daughters cannot entirely avoid the blatant sexual messages and enticements that surround them. You need to have frequent, open discussions during which you teach your daughters the truth about these issues."
I truly hope that I have taught this message. I know my husband has tried to express it to my boys and as my daughter is just in those pre-teen years, we have talked and talked about clothing and lady like behavior. Good for her this summer when she brought me some clothing that was just too tight.

"All youth will be more likely to make and keep covenants if they learn how to recognize the presence and the voice of the Spirit. Teach your daughters about things of the Spirit. Point them to the scriptures. Give them experiences that will help them cherish the blessing of priesthood power in their lives. Through keeping covenants they will learn to hear the voice of the Lord and receive personal revelation. God will truly hear and answer their prayers."
This has been taught over the past year countless times in our Family Home Evenings. I sure hope my kids have gotten the message.

"Make sure they know that keeping covenants is the safest road to eternal happiness. And if needed, teach them how to repent and how to remain pure and worthy."
Oh, please, oh, please, oh, please!

"I conclude my counsel with this prophetic summary from President Joseph F. Smith: “Our [family] associations are not exclusively intended for this life, for time, as we distinguish it from eternity. We live for time and for eternity. We form associations and relations for time and all eternity. . . . Who are there besides the Latter-day Saints who contemplate the thought that beyond the grave we will continue in the family organization? the father, the mother, the children recognizing each other . . . ? this family organization being a unit in the great and perfect organization of God’s work, and all destined to continue throughout time and eternity?” "

That is my hope and my wish. I hope that the covenant my husband and I made will NEVER be broken and that we can all experience the love and happiness that comes from obedience and faithfulness.

The Rock of Our Redeemer

2010-09-09T06:05:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Andersen's talk "The Rock of Our Redeemer"

I love this talk. I used it in a talk I gave in Sacrament meeting not to long ago.

I had family (both sides) come across the plains. I've read their stories and it would have been so much easier to just not come, but they couldn't deny their faith and their conviction.

"They had learned a profound and important lesson. They had learned that hope, with its attendant blessings of peace and joy, does not depend upon circumstance. They had discovered that the true source of hope is faith—faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His infinite Atonement, the one sure foundation upon which to build our lives."

I hope I have a 10th of their faith. But it is where their faith is placed. I love that it isn't just faith, but "faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." And it is this faith that leads us to hope.

"wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope."

I know for the past year I have had to have faith in the Lord that the Priesthood blessings I received would work and that I could have hope for a day when the doctors would say, "remission". I also have hope in the words of this Elder...
"I speak to all who suffer, to all who mourn, to all who now face or who will yet face trials and challenges in this life. My message is to all who are worried or afraid or discouraged. My message is but an echo, a reminder of the constant comforting counsel from a loving Father to His children since the world began.

"'Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.'

"I testify of Him, that He has overcome the world, that He will never forget or abandon us, for He has graven us upon the palms of His hands.8 I testify that those who keep His commandments will grow in faith and hope. They will be given strength to overcome all of life’s trials. They will experience peace that passes all understanding."

I must have faith unto hope; I must.

Our Path of Duty

2010-06-14T13:49:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Bishop's McMullin's talk "Our Path of Duty"

I love hearing "the rest of the story" and am thankful for his telling about Corrie ten Boom. We read her book a few years ago and it was neat to hear how she can forgive. I have had a chance to forgive someone who was a stranger for a wrong done to me. He didn't ask, but I couldn't go on living holding that anger in my heart. I had to forgive him--it was part of my healing.

What is Duty?

"Duty does not require perfection, but it does require diligence."
WHEW!

"..our path of duty is keeping our covenants in daily life."

"First, our path of duty is to God, our Eternal Father."
When my husband presented my engagement ring to me it had three diamonds. The large one represented our Heavenly Father and the two on the side (smaller one) were us. We have strived to put him first in our marriage and our life.

"...do their duty to God, they feel impelled to do their duty to one another, to their family, to their church and nation, to all things entrusted to their care."

It is amazing how when we put God first, other things just fall into place.

"How do we know our path of duty in the midst of crisis?"
I want to know as I sometimes feel blank in finding the path I need to take right now.

"For prayers to be efficacious, they must be in harmony with the plan of heaven."

Am I asking for something that is not the Will of the Father?
Am I asking for something that is contrary to blessing given?
Am I living righteous enough for him to bless me?

My duty is to seek his will and do it.

Handmaids...

2010-06-14T13:35:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on Sister Beck's talk "And Upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit."

"I have felt that there has never been a greater need for increased faith and personal righteousness. There has never been a greater need for strong families and homes. There has never been more that could be done to help others who are in need."

Am I a good woman?
"A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence."

So am I a good woman? How do I know how to make a balance?

Sister Beck answers:
"But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently."

"Insight found in scripture accumulates over time, so it is important to spend some time in the scriptures every day."

I need to spend more time there and by myself. I sometimes just count my reading of conference talks and/or family scripture time as my study time and that isn't enough. I need to spend more personal time in them.

"Revelation can come hour by hour and moment by moment as we do the right things."
but only if we listen are we guided by it.

"Personal revelation gives us the understand of what to do every day to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes and see those who need our help."

"We are also told that this Spirit will enlighten our minds, fill our souls with joy, and help us know all things we should do."
but only if we are righteous enough to listen.

But like President Uchtdorf said in the Happily Ever After talk, Sister Beck echoes those same thought, "When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves."

Sisters we can have hope when we do what is right. I need to put first things first and do what we know is right.

The Power of the Priesthood

2010-06-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on President Packer's talk "The Power of the Priesthood"

I have had many dealings with the priesthood as of late. I've prepared four sons and am preparing a fifth son to hold the priesthood. I've had countless blessings as of late and have called on it a few times in the last year.

President Packer brings to mind these things and my roll in the priesthood. It is through the priesthood that the world was made and my sons hold that power. It has been 180 years since that power was restored to the earth. COOL! But what is my part?

" Unless we enlist the attention of the mothers and daughters and sisters—who have influence on their husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers—we cannot progress. The priesthood will lose great power if the sisters are neglected."

It is my part to help my sons understand that power they hold. I need to call upon it when I need it. (hard to do, easy to type.)

"When priesthood authority is exercised properly, priesthood bearers do what He would do if He were present."

WOW!
"The priesthood does not have the strength that it should have and will not have until the power of the priesthood is firmly fixed in the families as it should be."
"President Harold B. Lee stated: “It seems clear to me that the Church has no choice—and never has had—but to do more to assist the family in carrying out its divine mission, not only because that is the order of heaven, but also because that is the most practical contribution we can make to our youth—to help improve the quality of life in the Latter-day Saint homes. As important as our many programs and organizational efforts are, these should not supplant the home; they should support the home.”"

As I read over the next part of his talk about the role of father, I'm so very thankful that I married a man who will and DOES take his role as father and presiding authority in our family seriously. I'm so very thankful! My father was physically absent during my youth and so I didn't get to see this and I'm so thankful my children get to see their father lead, provide and protect them.

Your Happily Ever After

2010-06-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on President Uchtdorf's talk "Your Happily Ever After"

I read this long ago and thought I had marked up my copy, but I didn't so I have had to reread it. Darn! ~smile~

"Trial is part of the journey"
If there wasn't more truthful words written!
I remember listening to a documentary on how they made steel and he said something like this. "Steel is a mixture of elements and molecules that don't show their true character and strength until put under pressure. You don't know how strong they are until they are put to work." I've always thought about that in relationship to me and my character.

Another thought that comes from reading about Cinderella, etc all having trials is that any story needs to have a conflict that the hero (or heroine) needs to go through and come out the other end. Of course fairy tales all have it wrapped up in a pretty pink bow at the end, but EACH STORY has some sort of trial. We are NOT going to get through this life without a trial--NO WAY!

"In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy."

My life lately has been an example of just this. I know joy because I have known sorrow. I have learned so much as I have walked through the trials of the last few years.

"My dear young sisters, you need to know that you will experience your own adversity. None is exempt. You will suffer, be tempted, and make mistakes. You will learn for yourself what every heroine has learned: through overcoming challenges come growth and strength."

As parents we wish to make a smooth path for our children, but they won't learn if we do. But that doesn't prevent us from coaching, guiding and helping from the "sidelines".

"It is our reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how our life's story will develop."

My mom use to say, "it is what it is." We can't change it, but we can change our reaction to it.

"Let me repeat: how you react to adversity and temptation is a critical factor in whether or not you arrive at your own 'happily ever after.'"

No life is free from adversity!!

"Stay true to what you know is right"
"God knows how to get there! And He has created a map for you; He knows the way."

I hope my children read, hear and live this. I know that some are not listening to us (we don't know anything and today is SOOOOO DIFFERENT than when we were teens) so I can only hope they are listening to the Spirit and listening to Heavenly Father.

But President Uchtdorf understand some of our plight:
"Nevertheless, not all will follow the map. They may look at it. They may think it is reasonable, perhaps even true. But they do not follow the divine directions. Many believe that any road will take them to a “happily ever after.” Some may even become angry when others who know the way try to help and tell them. They suppose that such advice is outdated, irrelevant, out of touch with modern life. "

and gives us hope:
"I promise you that future generations will be grateful for you and praise your name for your courage and faithfulness during this crucial time of your life."

Remember Who You Are!

2010-06-14T11:58:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Sister Dalton's talk "Remember Who You Are!"

"You are young women of great faith. You brought your faith with you when you came to the earth."

I have lived my life by faith. I didn't question where it came from, but what Sister Dalton says make me question if my faith didn't have its start in heaven. I also think that knowing this makes us even stronger. If I knew that I would go through this and STILL WANTED to come then the reward must be wonderful and that alone gives me the courage to continue moving forward--pressing forward.

I know that as I have faced some rather challenging trials I have relied on faith to get up each day and face the spiritual challenges as well as the physical ones. I don't know what tomorrow will bring--none of us do--but I get up and move forward. I have to know that no matter what it will work out.

I love the story about McKay introducing his Queen to those young women. We are queens and we need to remember that and act as such. Today I think I will try to remember who my children are too--they are Kings and a Queen. I wonder how today will end with that type of an attitude.

I also wonder what will happen when they remember they had faith enough to take the Lord's side long ago and how that might change what they do or say today. (I have the FHE lesson tonight.) They "know enough" and have faith enough.

Never, Never, Never Give Up!

2010-05-28T23:08:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Sister Cook's talk "Never, Never, Never Give Up!".

A plan! A simple plan to make it through this rough and tumble life.

"First, gain a strong testimony, step by step. Second, seek the help of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, your family, and others who will support you in your decision to follow the plan. And finally, live to be worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost."

1. Gaining a strong testimony. How very important this has been for me as I have faced the challenges that have been thrown at me. First infertility, then a broken body, then the passing of three great member of my family and now cancer. I know for sure I would have succumb to depression and been a very angry person had I not had a testimony of the the Plan!

Sister Cook says, "Your testimony is strengthened “gradually through your experiences. No one receives a complete testimony all at once” (True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference [2004], 179). You’ll recall that in order to climb the steepest part of the mountain, we approached it one step at a time. To gain a testimony, you must nourish it step by step. “[Your testimony] will increase as you make decisions to keep the commandments. As you lift and strengthen others, you will see your testimony continue to develop.” As you establish personal habits of prayer, scripture study, obedience to the commandments, and service to others, “you will be blessed with moments of inspiration that will [strengthen] your testimony”.

As I prepared to run my marathon, I didn't go out the first week and run two hours. NO! I ran 30 minutes a day for weeks and slowly built up to running 120 minutes and then eventually I ran my race. My testimony is always being worked on and strengthened through the experiences I am having--but only if I allow the Spirit to touch my heart and mind and testify.

2. "Second, seek the help of others to give you added strength and support. Look first to your Heavenly Father through prayer. You are His daughter. He knows you and loves you. He hears and answers your prayers. We are taught countless times in the scriptures to “pray always” (see, for example, D&C 90:24). As you pray, the Lord will be with you just as the Lord was with Joshua."

I know this and I just need to be reminded of it when I don't feel it.

We also need to seek help from our family and friends. We are put into family units and need to go to them first. I know how hard it is to tell your family your problems. You always want to look good in their eyes. You want to be a success. It hurts when you have to go to them for help. It is much easier to go to a stranger. I think the same idea holds true when we turn to the Lord. Yet, the Lord doesn't want well people to come to him, he wants those that are sick and need him. I know as a parent I want my children to come to me when they have problems so we can work them out together. Guess I need to take my own advice.

Be of Good Courage

2010-05-28T22:49:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on Sister Ann M. Dibb's talk "Be of Good Courage" .

Courage! I've had to deal with courage for the past few months. I've had to find it, use it and sometimes pretend until I felt I had enough courage to continue to press forward. I've feel like I've fallen short on some days.

I have taken courage in Sister Dibb's talk.

"... the Lord promises Joshua, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” We can find courage and strength in this promise that the Lord will always be there for us and will never leave us alone. We are taught that Heavenly Father knows and loves each of His children. As one of His precious daughters, you have access to His assurance and guidance through the power of prayer. In the Doctrine and Covenants we read, “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers”."

I often think of the poem about the footprints in the sand. How I want to believe that but often feel like I'm the only one walking. Like the person in the poem we have to turn around to notice that we aren't alone. That is called "remembering" and if you want an interesting study, look how often the prophets of old (and new) are asking us to REMEMBER! "Remember, remember..."

Believe it or not, I've been struggling a bit with prayer as of late. My prayers seem all the same and they seem almost unanswered. This is so perplexing. I would have sworn on a stack of Bibles that my testimony of prayer was unshakable, but right now, I just don't know what is going on. My children's prayers lack faith and so do mine. Something is wacky at my house. How befuddling.

"... when the Lord tells Joshua, “Observe to do according to all the law . . . : turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.” The Lord is instructing Joshua to be strictly obedient to the commandments and not to deviate from the Lord’s path. President Howard W. Hunter taught: “Joshua knew that his obedience would bring success, and although he did not know exactly how he would succeed, he now had confidence in the result. . . . Surely the experiences of the great prophets [found in the scriptures] have been recorded [and preserved] to help us understand the importance of choosing the path of strict obedience”."

I've learned a little about obedience now that I'm a mom. Funny how when you are a parent you learn a little bit about our Father in Heaven. He knows a bit more than I do and maybe I should just trust him and obey even when it is hard and the other way look more appealing. I never really have questioned commandments, I've just done it.

"Here the Lord refers to a “book of the law” and tells Joshua to “meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: . . . and then thou shalt have good success.” The Lord is instructing Joshua and all of us to read the scriptures. Daily scripture study—especially reading the Book of Mormon—establishes a firm foundation for your developing testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. It invites the Spirit into your life. President Harold B. Lee counseled, “If we’re not reading the scriptures daily, our testimonies are growing thinner [and] our spirituality isn’t increasing in depth”."

I will say I've been very consistent with my scripture reading, but not studying. I need to get better at that. I need to cut something out of my life and add personal scripture study. I just have to be better at it. I know I think of the scriptures often, but I'm not studying them. I wonder how better my life would be if I did personal study?

"Heavenly Father knows our individual journeys are not easy. We are faced every day with situations that require courage and strength."

and he will give us the courage if we pray for it. (Now read that again Doreen and believe it and live it.)

Oh the Wish Of My Heart

2010-04-22T20:33:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday I was asked to give a talk on two of my favorite conference talks from April 2010. I haven't heard or read them all so I'm not sure these are my favorite, but this is the talk I gave. I hope you enjoy.

Recently in my personal scripture study I read the well known plea of Alma, "Oh that I were an angel and could have the wish of my heart…" His wish was to cry repentance unto all nations. It made me think about what my wish--my ONE wish--of my heart is.

As I have thought about it and the things I wish I could have, I made a list.
A slim body
A stuffed bank account
My mom
My sister
My father-in-law
Cured from cancer

All of those are great things to wish for, but it isn't the one wish I have. Even with me facing surgery in 24 hours and the start of chemotherapy in 36, my wish is the same as Lehi's. That all of my children will cling to the iron rod and that there will be no "empty chairs" (as president Eyring said) around the dinner table in heaven. As I have pondered on this and struggled with the idea that if the Lord was granting wishes this weekend--one to every one who asked--my wish would not be for healing but for a surety that all of my children will never let go of the iron rod and that it would lead them to the Holy Temple where they too will make one of the most beautiful and sacred covenants that assures them to be at our family's table in Heaven. That is the wish of my heart.

As many of you know I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma late last summer. We were hoping that a round of radiation would knock it out. But that didn’t happen. The second round didn't do it either and now we are staring the last treatment option available: chemotherapy. As I face this treatment I have to have hope. Hope in my doctors and nurses. Hope in the researchers. Hope in the treatment. I have studied what I will go through. I've learned more about cancer than I ever wanted to know. Cancer books, pamphlets and literature have filled my waking moments. I know a lot about what is about to happen to me. Because of that I have hope.

I have studied the scriptures and the Plan of Salvation and I know what is going to happen. Because of that I have hope.

In Elder Andersen's talk " The Rock of Our Redeemer" he talks about hope. He talks about how the saints in 1846 were forced in February to cross a frozen Mississippi to escape the persecution of the Illinois mobs. My family was in those companies that crossed the river and then proceeded to walk to Salt Lake. I have read their journals. It is true they were full of hope. Hope for a place to live in peace. Hope for a place where they could worship Heavenly Father and Jesus their Savior without having one eye and ear open to spot trouble lurking outside. They were full of hope. They had hope because they have built up their faith. But it wasn't faith in Joseph Smith or Brigham Young or even themselves. It was faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They had faith that led them to hope.

"Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope."

I quote Elder Andersen:

"Hope comes from faith in Jesus Christ. He has already overcome the world and has promised that He will wipe away our tears if we will only turn to Him and believe and follow.
Some who at this very moment feel desperate or discouraged may wonder how they can possibly regain hope. If you are one of those, remember that hope comes as a result of faith. If we would build our hope, we must build our faith.
Faith in the Savior requires more than mere belief. The Apostle James taught that even the devils believe and tremble. But true faith requires work. The difference between the devils and the faithful members of this Church is not belief but work. Faith grows by keeping the commandments. We must work at keeping the commandments. From the Bible Dictionary we read that “miracles do not produce faith but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness.”

"When we strive to keep the commandments of God, repenting of our sins and promising our best efforts to follow the Savior, we begin to grow in confidence that through the Atonement everything will be all right. Those feelings are confirmed by the Holy Ghost, who drives from us what our pioneer mothers and fathers called “our useless cares.” In spite of our trials, we are filled with a sense of well-being and feel to sing with them that indeed “all is well.""

And those who are righteous do indeed reap the blessings of miracles. I have witnessed and been part of many miracles.

As I have been reading the Book of Mormon recently I came upon Alma's words to the people of Gideon found in Alma 7. He testifies of the Savior and in it says this:

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Our Savior didn't just suffer in the Garden for those who had sin. The drops of blood weren't just for those who stole or murdered, no they were for you and me--those who live a relatively righteous and good life. They were for the physical pains of illness of heart ache. He did so because he who would comfort us, needed to know what it felt like to have that physical pain, that physical heart ache. Those drops were so he could "know according to the flesh how to succor" me.

Elder Andersen said:

"I speak to all who suffer, to all who mourn, to all who now face or who will yet face trials and challenges in this life. My message is to all who are worried or afraid or discouraged. My message is but an echo, a reminder of the constant comforting counsel from a loving Father to His children since the world began.

“Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”
It is now for me to use my faith and hope in my Savior to ask for that succor and those miracles and blessings that our family so needs at this time. It is through our faith that our family has hope.

Elder Oaks talked about priesthood blessings for the sick. Many of us didn't not get to hear this talk since he gave it in the Priesthood session, but I urge you to read it, it is powerful.

He talks about five parts of blessings of the sick, but I will only talk about two: Faith & The will of the Lord.
"Faith is essential for healing by the powers of heaven. The Book of Mormon even teaches that “if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them”. In a notable talk on administering to the sick, President Spencer W. Kimball said: “The need of faith is often underestimated. The ill one and the family often seem to depend wholly on the power of the priesthood and the gift of healing that they hope the administering brethren may have, whereas the greater responsibility is with him who is blessed. . . . The major element is the faith of the individual when that person is conscious and accountable. ‘Thy faith hath made thee whole’ was repeated so often by the Master that it almost became a chorus.”

As Elder Andersen taught us, it is through obedience and our righteousness that we build up our faith in Jesus Christ. And it is through that faith that we gain hope. I do not think I could walk this path that the Lord has asked me to walk without hope. It is too much to ask of anyone. There has been too much sadness and trials in my life to continue, or so the world tells me, but like Job I have faith enough to hope for better things. And if not in this life in the next. I do not want to miss it.

Aligning my will with the Lord's is one of the most difficult things I have ever done. I don't know why for over 40 plus years I have fought him over this--I always lose, but I continue to question his time table. Our natural man asks the "why?" questions and our spiritual man asks the "what now?" questions of the Lord. Or better yet, they reply, "Here am I, send me." or as Nephi said, "I will go and do…"

Elder Oaks said, "As children of God, knowing of His great love and His ultimate knowledge of what is best for our eternal welfare, we trust in Him. The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and faith means trust."

I have faith. I have faith that he truly did suffer the pains of cancer, the heart break of motherhood and the heart break of losing those you love.
I have trust. I can trust that his will is the will that I need to align myself with but I must first ask to know his will.
I have hope. Hope that no matter where this journey takes me here on earth, I know where it will end in heaven. I know that I will be sitting in one of those chairs with the others in my family who have held to the Iron Rod and lived righteously and joyously here on earth. My one wish is that those whom I love so dearly, my husband and my children will be there too. I know that my sister, my mother and my father-in-law are there waiting for us to finish our earthly mission and to take our seats at the table. My one wish is that my children will hold to the Rod, taste the fruit and have their feet firmly planted on the Rock of their Redeemer.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Moral Discipline

2010-04-11T20:25:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Christofferson's talk "Moral Discipline"

Elder Faust story in front of a military board, "I do not believe there is a double standard of morality."
"This was one of the critical crossroads of my life."

Elder Christofferson says, "He also understood and demonstrated that, for positive outcomes, moral agency must be accompanied by moral discipline."
and continues with:
"By “moral discipline,” I mean self-discipline based on moral standards. Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard. It rejects the self-absorbed life in favor of developing character worthy of respect and true greatness through Christlike service (see Mark 10:42–45). The root of the word discipline is shared by the word disciple, suggesting to the mind the fact that conformity to the example and teachings of Jesus Christ is the ideal discipline that, coupled with His grace, forms a virtuous and morally excellent person."

He then talks about how self-discipline has "eroded and societies are left to try to maintain order and civility by compulsion." Satan is winning the battle and we are giving more and more of our agency away. We are being governed to death because we as a society can not self-govern. How sad. I think of the verse that says, "men's hearts will wax cold."

"...major causes was widespread dishonest and unethical conduct..."
"...but other will simply get more creative in their circumvention."

I was reading an opinion piece in a national magazine that echoed the same lament that society must have everything they can't do written down or they will do it even if it isn't a good thing. I remember the title to be something like "Ten wasn't good enough so now we have 10 (raised to the 10) commandments".

"We would not accept the yoke of Christ, so now we must tremble at the yoke of Caesar."

"In the end, it is only an internal moral compass in each individual that can effectively deal with the root causes as well as the symptoms of societal decay. Societies will struggle in vain to establish the common good until sin is denounced as sin and moral discipline takes its place in the pantheon of civic virtues."

I often long for the Second Coming. I long for a time when men will do good because it is the right thing to do not because there is a reward at the end. I long for the time when I don't have to explain how we need to be honest when the example around them is of all those who dishonestly came into to wealth. I long for a day when love is the guiding force behind the few laws that govern man-kind.

"Moral discipline is learned at home."
Society is NOT learning it at school or at work. In fact those two institutions are teaching just the opposite and until we wake up and see that we will have to continue to battle the outside world.

A long time ago our family chose the name "Helaman's Academy" for our school because "“Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them” (Alma 56:47).
"Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually” (Alma 57:27)."

Elder Christofferon says:
"Here we find a standard for what should happen in our homes and in the Church. Our teaching should draw upon our own faith and focus first and foremost on instilling faith in God in the rising generation. We must declare the essential need to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before Him in soberness, or in other words, with reverence. Each must be persuaded that service and sacrifice for the well-being and happiness of others are far superior to making one’s own comfort and possessions the highest priority.
"This requires more than an occasional reference to one or another gospel principle. There must be constant teaching, mostly by example."

We can not let our children make up their own minds about what they will believe without letting them first know and learn. We must remember that it is the "intelligent use of agency requires knowledge of the truth, of things as they really are." How can they make up their minds about things so important without fully understanding them.

It is our duty to instill in our children a will and a desire to do good because it is what is right and good. We will have to comfort them when doing so gets them ridicules and laughed at. We will have to bare that burden ourselves as we become less and less. We will have to stand as witnesses of goodness and right, of moral and decency until He comes again to reign. It is a hard thing, but it must be worth it or he wouldn't have asked it of us.

Blessings of the Gospel Available to All

2010-04-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Sitati's talk "Blessings of the Gospel Available to All"

First off, how wonderful it is to see our General Authorities from far off lands stand at the pulpit and speak to us in a language that is obviously not their first language. You can feel the spirit as the accent they speak with make it difficult to understand their words and yet you do understand them perfectly. It is truly the Spirit that teaches. (If sending 19 year old boys to foreign counties wasn't enough proof of that.)

He gives us a great history lesson. Very well summarized. We see how the Lord keeps his promises and allows all men the agency we fought so hard to win in Heaven. The Lord is great to us.

What beautiful words he says:
"A new celestial culture is developing in homes, nurtured by the ready hearkening to the counsel of the living prophet to have daily prayer and scripture study and to meet once a week as a family in home evening. As a result, many are able to break free from the shackles of traditions that restrict the exercise of their agency."

"Celestial culture is developing in homes" Do we have a celestial culture in our home?

An Easiness and Willingness to Believe

2010-04-11T19:57:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Ringwood's talk "An Easiness and Willingness to Believe"

The last talk was about keeping the change of heart and this one is about getting that change in heart.

"As I pondered what caused this mighty change in the hearts of these Lamanites, I came to realize this easiness and willingness to believe in the word of God comes from a softness of heart. It comes from having a heart that is sensitive to the Holy Ghost. It comes from having a heart that can love. It comes from having a heart that will make and keep sacred covenants. It comes from a soft heart that can feel the power of the Atonement of Christ."

We are to sacrifice a broken heart and contrite spirit. That is what is required today for our sacrifice. That is what is required for us to become true believers.

How do we become like those who have an easiness and are willing to believe?

Elder Ringwood tells us:
"If you are like me, you will find what really brought an easiness and willingness to believe were not the circumstances but the commitment to live the gospel during these periods of life. You were found more often on your knees and immersed in the scriptures during these periods. You found it easier to gather for family home evening and family prayer. You found it easy to be in church and to worship in the temple. You found it easy to pay tithes and offerings. Indeed, the daily living of the gospel brings a softness of heart needed to have an easiness and willingness to believe the word of God."

I had a conversation with a friend about this but we didn't know it. She said it was really hard for her family to have regular family home evening. They had never made it a priority and because they homeschool it was like an extension of school only with dad (if he was home from work). But she had a friend who never missed family home evening. But when it came to tithing the two are just the opposite. My friend doesn't see it as a burden and doesn't give it a second thought as she writes out the monthly check. Her faithfully holding FHE friend on the other hand, has the most difficult of time writing out that check. And I have no problem doing either of those.

I can only hope that I have passed on the ease and willingness to believe to my children, much like my mother did to me.

Preserving the Heart's Mighty Change

2010-04-11T19:33:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Renlund's talk, "Preserving the Heart's Mighty Change"

I really loved this talk. I have been reading/studying the Book of Mormon this year along with my seminary kids and the "mighty change of heart" chapters in Alma have taken on another layer. (Oh, I love when that happens.) Then to reread this talk has brought yet another layer to my discovery.

"Through the Atonement of Christ and by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel, we undergo this ultimate operation, this spiritual change of heart. As a result of our transgressions, our spiritual hearts have become diseased and hardened, making us subject to spiritual death and separation from our Heavenly Father. The Lord explained the operation that we all need: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”"

(an aside: Think about the parable of the sower and the grounds which he threw the seed and the stony way side and now the stony heart that is removed by Savior himself. Just something to think about.)

I am becoming all to knowledgeable with medical stuff and I know how we can become complacent and lax in taking our medication and then one day: BAM! We realize why we had been taking said drug or doing said thing. It was to maintain what we have (or had). It is for our own good.

The fourth Article of Faith misses I think the most important part of the gospel and that is the fifth and hardest step: Enduring to the end. This is the maintenance part. This is where we prove ourselves worth of that heart given to us. This is were we earn our spot in heaven.

Can we be like the people of Ammon "were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away." How can we? It is simple and yet hard. It is doing what you did to be converted in the first place. Faith, Repentance, Baptism (renewal of covenants during the sacrament) and obeying, listening and petition for the Holy Ghost. This is the enduring to the end--repeating it all over again and again and progressing to the next level of understanding what those four steps are all about.

We can not have a casual relationship with those five steps. We must have a constant and purposeful relationship with them if we want to improve.

I have been training for a marathon (well a half marathon) and I will tell you that in September when I first started I ran/walked for 30 minutes each day (well I didn't run on Sunday or Friday--you need rest days). In October I stopped walking and just ran. In November I added time to two of the five days. In December we added yet more time to one of the days of the week. In January we added time to yet another day of the week.(So now I'm running 30 min on Monday, 40 on Tuesday, 50 on Thursday and on Saturday I'm pushing it up and over an hour, some weeks even going 80 minutes.) Then we add hill training on Tuesday and Thursday. Then we trade the hills for tempo training and up the Saturday training to a total of 120 minutes. All so I can run 13.1 miles four weeks later (May 2, 2010). This is a well designed plan for those who have never ran before. It is amazing what I can do now. But I can't just get up on May 2 and run 13.1 miles without putting in those 500 plus miles over the past six months. There is NO WAY! I couldn't take December off just because it was below freezing. I can't take February off because it was raining every day. No! I had to put in my training every day. (I won't even get into the diet and other stuff.)

I have now decided to run a full marathon in November. In talking with my coaches (listen to this and see if you don't see the parallels) they said that I must continue to MAINTAIN what I have already started. I should take a week break after my half marathon to allow the body to heal but then I should get back out there and keep putting miles on my feet. I will have yet another program to follow--30 minutes and build up. (Actually mine will be a bit more because I already am in "shape".) But they said, I can't take months off; just a week. I must lace up my shoes and get back out on the pavement if I'm going to cross the finish line 26.2 miles from the finish line.

Once we have made that change in our hearts, we can't sit back and let everything go--we have to put in the time on our feet! We have to MAINTAIN what we gained so that when called upon to do harder and greater things we can.

A Call to the Rising Generation

2010-04-11T19:24:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Nielson's talk "A Call to the Rising Generation"

"Who are the laborers in the vineyard who have assisted in bringing to pass this marvelous work and a wonder? They are certainly the prophets and apostles seated before us today. They are also the wonderful stake presidents and bishops who have served so faithfully. But they are also your parents—the mothers and fathers—aunts and uncles, and brothers and sisters who sit beside you, the rising generation today. Most critical, however, is the fact that as we strive to take the gospel to all nations, we have just begun to scratch the surface."

Instead of going on a mission I got married. Though I don't regret the decision to marry Steve, I do feel a twinge of regret of not serving a mission. I'm my mother's only child not to serve (six siblings served faithfully). I have always hoped that my children will serve a mission. I know the bar has been raised and rightly so. No longer is it "every worthy young man". I so hope that I have prepared my young sons and more importantly put in them the desire to serve. I'm not sure I have. That is what scares me the most is I don't know if I have help them desire to serve.

Stewardship--a Sacred Trust

2010-04-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Cook's talk "Stewardship--a Sacred Trust"

"He cited concepts from Jewish thinkers rooted in the Talmud and pointed out that there are two very different reasons people engage in acts of kindness and generosity. Some people visit the sick, assist the poor, and serve their fellowmen because they believe it is the right thing to do and others will reciprocate and do the same for them when they are in need. He explained that while this is good, builds caring communities, and should be considered a noble reason, a higher motive is when we serve our fellowmen because that is what we believe God wants us to do."

I personally believe that most of us start serving because of the first reason and you can say that it is a selfish reason, but most of us grow up and learn that serving others just feels good and is the right thing to do and of course it would be the thing that God wants us to do because he is a God of happiness. "Men are that they might have joy."

I know I serve because that is how I show love. Sometimes I do serve out of a sense of duty or a reward (other serve me or praise of man) and sometimes I serve because I do want it to be repaid, but often I find that is how I start but it is not how I end my service. I know that on the occasions that I don't have it turn my heart that the service kind of left an aftertaste in my soul. It is when it turns to doing it because I love those I serve or because it what God wants that is when the aftertaste is sweeter.

"As servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is our sacred responsibility to teach His standard of morality, which is the same for all of His children."

I know that because I love those I serve (my children) I take this stewardship and command to teach to heart. It is my responsibility not only to teach but to protect my family from the pollutants of the world. As my oldest is now out and about in the world, I am more scared than ever that my teaching fell among thorns. I know he has access to unfiltered computers at school and I worry. I know he is surrounded by those whose standards are sub par and I worry. I ask myself, "Did I do everything I could?" Of course we fought a battle so that he could exercise his agency, but still....

Can I pass the test?
"With respect to our stewardship for our families, some have taught that when we report to the Savior and He asks us to give an account of our earthly responsibilities, two important inquiries will relate to our families. The first will be our relationship with our spouse, and the second will be about each of our children."

As the family proclamation warns: "who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God."

Have I provided for them? Have I taught them? Have I helped them discover and develop their talents? What can I do today to change the parts that I'm delinquent in?

The first stewardship was about us and our family and the second is about the sick and needy. What do we do to help? I know that my family spends two hours each week working for a food bank. We go to a bakery outlet and get all the stuff that didn't sale and take it to a food bank. We have to count and log all the bread, pastries, etc each week. I'm so thankful that we get to do this every week.

The other day I was going through my kids clothes and decided that they had way too much and that we needed to declutter our closets. My kids were hesitant to part with beloved shirts or shirts that they might wear one day until I said, "But we will be helping those kids who don't have clothes. We will give our clothes to the church and they will give them to kids who need clothes." It was amazing how many bags of clothes we took to the DI truck.

I know when the Bishop calls for strong arms to help move a family, my family provides four "men" as well as a large van and trailer.

We don't serve because we have to, but because we want to and love those we serve. We understand fully that it is only through our hands that the Lord can physically help those around us and we are happy to head the call to serve. I just hope that when the call comes it isn't busy or that we miss it.

Safety for the Soul

2010-04-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Holland's talk "Safety for the Soul"

"The Savior warned that in the last days even those of the covenant, the very elect, could be deceived by the enemy of truth."

"Think of the heart as the figurative center of our faith, the poetic location of our loyalties and our values; then consider Jesus’s declaration that in the last days “men’s hearts [shall fail] them.”"

"Love. Healing. Help. Hope. The power of Christ to counter all troubles in all times—including the end of times. That is the safe harbor God wants for us in personal or public days of despair."

The Book of Mormon helps us from being deceived, helps us keep our spiritual heart in shape and provides ways for love, healing, help and hope. It truly is our safety line in these days of despair and ugliness.

I find it kind of soothing that like I Joseph and Hyrum turned to the Book of Mormon in their time of hopelessness to find that hope. I have never found so much solace and comfort in the Book of Mormon--even through the warring chapters--as I have had since being diagnosed with cancer. I find such great hope in reading about other who have struggled in worse conditions than I (I have my family surrounding me) and as they have held true to the truth and fast to the Iron Rod their families were blessed. I think of the Book of Mormon promise: that as long as you are faithful you will prosper in the land and how that applies to me today. Prosper isn't just about what is in our bank account but more. Am I righteous and faithful enough to call upon the blessings of the Book of Mormon? He said those who possess the land will be blessed if they are righteous. I know I need those blessings now. I know I need the hope of the plan of salvation. I need to know that I'm loved, listened to and watched out for. I need to know or my heart might fail me. Therefore I continue to read. I continue to ponder and search the words of truth and happiness.

I have an old friend who has since given up her membership in the church. She said that she has "found" Jesus. My heart ache for her. I see the words she writes daily in her blogs and emails but there is a lack of conviction and sincerity behind them. There is just something lacking. On the other side, the communication I have with another faithful sister isn't lacking that happiness. That hope that comes from knowing that Chris lives, and that the plan of salvation is about family and the sealing of that family.

I was once challenged to read the Book of Mormon and color everything with the word family. How my heart broke for those in families who gave up that bond and rejoiced when I saw others in the book give up wickedness for family. The gospel is all about family.

The Book of Mormon is that safety line that if used and followed will keep us tight with the Rod of Iron and safe from "heart attacks".

What Have I Done for Someone Today?

2010-04-11T18:21:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on President Monson's talk "What Have I Done for Someone Today?"

I loved this talk. I felt like a grandfather was talking to me. He wasn't lecturing me, but telling me how to live my life so that I could be happy.

I'm a strong believer in service. I know that is how I best show those I love that I love them. If my children want to say "I love you" I would rather they clean up the kitchen or their bathroom or their bedroom without being asked than say it or write it. I would much rather they put in a few hours of yard work than walking the mall trying to come up with the perfect Mother's Day gift for me. My saying is "If ye love me serve me."

I thought it was a hollow statement when the Bishop or High Councilor or the Relief Society President would get up and say, "We pray for you and love you." I thought how ridiculous. Well, I was put in my place about 10 years ago when I was asked to serve as the Relief Society President. I learned really fast that those you serve and pray for you soon love. Even those you may never have met. I found that those names on the rolls who would NEVER let me in their door were the ones that I learned to love the most. I will never think those words are hollow any more because they aren't.

As my ability to serve has diminished and my need to serve has grown, it has been really hard for me to accept it. But as I have learned recently that I need to allow others to hold us their baptismal covenant to and be served. I have to strip away my pride and let people see me at my worst: dishes piled high, laundry not done, piles of paper work, school work and "stuff" all over. I have learned that others need to bare my burdens. This is truly how the Lord shows his love for us.

"We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes."

"My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us."

I remember thinking as a child that if the Lord wanted something to be done he could just do it. After all didn't he part the Red Sea? But that isn't how the Lord works. He needs us to bare each other up. He needs us to fill the warm fuzzy jar. He needs us to feel the love and warmth of serving others. He needs us to feel connected to Him through serving His.

So what did you do today?

Ask, Seek, Knock

2010-04-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Nelson's talk, "Ask, See, Knock"

As my husband buys yet another toy to "communicate" I have to think about what Elder Nelson said about our "opportunity to access information directly from heaven, without hardware, software, or monthly service fees. It is one of the most marvelous gifts the Lord has offered to mortals."

Yet, how often do we not use it. I remember thinking about 10 years ago giving my mom a cell phone. The problem was she didn't know how to use it. I remember it took us about a year for her to use email and with her mind going even faster I knew a cell phone was going to be left at home, never charged and subsequently never used. I wonder if Heavenly Father's heart feels as heavy as mine did when we fail to use the latest and greatest of all technology: personal revelation.

But like that cell phone I was going to give my mom there has to be a few things that have to be done for it to work.
"To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to “ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in [Jesus] Christ.” “Real intent” means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given."

"The next requirement is to study the matter diligently. This concept was taught to leaders of this restored Church when they were first learning how to gain personal revelation. The Lord instructed them, “I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.”"

I love that scripture. I love how we must put in our time for the Lord to put in his time. I know it is hard when we want the answers right now and yet, we haven't put our time in and therefore no answer is forth coming. I remember one time trying desperately to get an answer from the Lord and I knew I hadn't studied it out long enough and yet my back was against the wall. I asked that he direct my study to help me. Wouldn't you know it in the next day the answer was spread out in front of me.

I also love that we have a way to know if what we have received it true and right. I remember one time getting an answer that I didn't like--it didn't "sit right" with me, but I had a burning in my bosom and knew it was right. I knew what I needed to do even though it was painful and broke my heart to do it. There was no stupor of thought and the burning was there.

I am so grateful for that witness.

"Part of being prepared is to know and obey the relevant teachings of the Lord"

I don't want to toot our own horn but I know I have felt more perceptive to the promptings and more deserving of personal revelation now that I have made a concerted effort to study his word--especially the LATEST word of the Lord.

"His children through prophets assures us that He will bless each prophet and that He will bless those who heed prophetic counsel."

"To discern means to sift, to separate, or to distinguish. The gift of spiritual discernment is a supernal gift. It allows members of the Church to see things not visible and to feel things not tangible."

We need to remember that not all are given the same gift and there are some gifts that we must work to get and even ask. I know I have asked for discernment when faced with some agonizingly important decisions to make. I don't believe I have it all the time, but I do believe he gives it to me at certain times. I know when I was RS president I had that gift. I do miss having it with me 24/7.

"For each of you to receive revelation unique to your own needs and responsibilities, certain guidelines prevail. The Lord asks you to develop “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God.” Then with your firm “faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and] diligence,” you may ask, and you will receive; you may knock, and it will be opened unto you."

"Revelation need not all come at once....Patience and perseverance are part of our eternal progression."

But we are commanded in each set of scriptures to "ask, seek and knock" and it is always accompanied by the promise that he will answer. Now the answer may not be the one we want--we are parents know all too often we tell our own children no--but he will answer. I think the most frustrating answer is the "not yet my child." But if we have faith, hope, charity and love and keep our eye single to the Glory of God and say, "thy will be done" our desires will be granted. I can't wait to hear him tell me, "You can have whatever you wish for I know you will never wish anything contrary to my will." I will then know that my faith is complete.

Hold On

2010-04-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Sister Dibb's talk "Hold On"

First, I didn't know she was Pres. Monson's daughter. How cool!

I think our trials come when we are sitting back thinking we sailed through another day in our life and then WHAM! we are blindsided by something that forces us to "hold on!" I think it is important to know that everyone of us faces challenges that force us to "hold on". Most of the time we don't see those families "holding on" we see the smile on their face, the pressed clothes and the prefect life they are living and don't see the inward one-inch-finger-tip-grip that they have on life.

I have lost a ton of weight (45 plus pounds) and someone who I had seen for about a year and didn't know I had cancer made a comment at how perfect my life was. I didn't know if I should shatter her perception of me or tell her. I didn't know if I should tell her, "It is pretty scary, I tell you." My son is making life altering decisions that scare me and I'm battling cancer. It may look like my life is great, but the turmoil inside has made for one scary-white-knuckle-ride.

"It is important to note, however, that in the scriptures there are very few stories of individuals who lived in blissful happiness and experienced no opposition. We learn and grow by overcoming challenges with faith, persistence, and personal righteousness."

I think of the great men and women in the scriptures and of the "refining fire" that the Lord puts them through. I wonder how many people started out bound for greatness, but in the "refiner's fire" they gave up and let go. I just pray that I don't give up while in this furnace.

" I’ve been strengthened by President Thomas S. Monson’s endless confidence in our Heavenly Father and in us. He has said: “Remember that you are entitled to our [Heavenly] Father’s blessings in this work. He did not call you to your privileged post to walk alone, without guidance, trusting to luck. On the contrary, He knows your skill, He realizes your devotion, and He will convert your supposed inadequacies to recognized strengths. He has promised: ‘I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up’ ”"

These words sound very familiar to me as they are in my Patriarchal Blessing. He does know us and we have to trust in him that he will be true to his promises. When we remember and follow him, he will protect and bless us. It may not be the way we want protection or blessings to be, and seldom are when WE want them, but he does not forget those promises.

I don't like the trial I'm going through right now. I don't like it one bit. But right now it is my trial to go through. It is my refiner's fire. It is my proving ground. He has given me many safety equipment and the most important two of on the list are FAITH and PRAYER and right after that is PRIESTHOOD BLESSINGS. Those are the equipment that I must use everyday to make it through some of the most difficult trials I have ever faced. Oh, how I wish I wan't going through them right now. I wish I had more knowledge and faith to handle these trials, but I don't have that time so I must use what little preperations I have and move forward and "Hold on!"

Bishop Burton "Let Virtue Garnish Your Thoughts"

2010-04-11T16:48:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Bishop Burton's talk, "Let Virtue Garnish Your Thoughts"

I remember listening to this talk and it still brings a smile to my face as I reread it.

Because of the pain of cancer I have spent a good part of each day flat in bed. The pain is too much to let me sleep and my mind is too loopy to really concentrate on much so I have taken to watching a lot of TV. Because I'm not a good cook, I have been watching a lot of cooking shows. In fact I've ordered many from the library and netflix. One thing I have noticed is how they show the end product. All those messy pots are forgotten in the kitchen, but what shows up on the plate is totally different. (Of course I have a very hard time dirtying yet another dish that I have to wash just to present a pretty dinner--but that's me and maybe Bishop Burton's talk will change my mind.) They "plate" their dinner and add GARNISH. It is what makes it pretty and appealing to the eye.

I have kept that in mind as I have reread this talk again yet today. Do the things we say truly tell what is on the inside of us? I know a garnish on the plate will not make somethings taste better, but it sure will make them look better. I will still not like fish, but boy will it make it look good. Likewise do the words we speak tell what we truly are on the inside or are the a mask?

"Today I wish to speak about personal traits we call virtues. Virtuous traits form the foundation of a Christian life and are the outward manifestation of the inner man. ...I refer to the virtues ending in ity as the “ity” virtues. “Ity” is a suffix that means quality, state, or degree of being."

"We need only look around us to see what is taking place in our communities to realize that personal traits of virtue are in a steep decline."

"Brothers and sisters, we need not be a part of the virtue malaise that is penetrating and infecting society. If we follow the world in abandoning Christian-centered virtues, the consequences may be disastrous. Individual faith and fidelity, which have eternal consequences, will diminish. Family solidarity and spirituality will be adversely impacted. Religious influence in society will be lessened, and the rule of law will be challenged and perhaps even set aside. The seedbed for all that plagues the natural man will have been planted, to the sheer delight of Satan. "

Men are that they might have joy, and Satan love misery (paraphrased from Alma).
Are we so miserable? Is our society so miserably that we have taken to following Satan?

We need to start at home to teach the "ity" virtues. "A hypocritical example destroys credibility."

I am guilty of this. I am so guilty of this that it is time for me to stand up, admit I'm wrong and change! I will be a more virtuous person. I will walk the talk as well as talk the talk to my children. I will be honest. I will be full of integrity. I will. (The only lie I will tell is when someone who doesn't know or when I don't have time to explain asks how I am. Oh how hypocritical of me, but it is going to have to be my "cancer card" play for the day. Sometimes it is just too much to deal with and a lie will have to suffice. I'm sure my children will understand.)

Quoting Pres. Faust:
"'It is difficult for a person to display virtuous traits if he or she lacks integrity. Without integrity, honesty is often forgotten. If integrity is absent, civility is impaired. If integrity is not important, spirituality is difficult to maintain. In Old Testament times, Moses counseled the children of Israel that “if a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth” "

"If virtues are lost, families will be measurably weakened, individual faith in the Lord Jesus Chris will soften, and important eternal relationships may be jeopardized." I have seen the fulfillment of such prophecies and I do not want them to be fulfilled in my family. I will fight to the end to be virtuous.

The Pas Way of Facing the Future

2010-04-11T16:30:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder L. Tom Perry's talk "The Past Way of Facing the Future."

I have a friend who asked these questions of her facebook friends,
"How many of you sought out advice from the 50 plus crowd when you were in school?"
"How many of you sought out advice from the 50 plus crowd in your 20's?
"How many of you sought out advice from the 60 plus crowd in your 30's?
"How many of you seek out advice from your older friends now that you are in your 40's?

It was interesting to read the comments from all sorts of walks of life. I know I have missed the council of my mother these past few years. I know that I was foolish and didn't listen when I was younger. I truly wish I could learn from the past. But my mother is gone and I must learn a lot on my own now.

"In this case they used lessons from their past experience—the principles of shipbuilding—to help them meet the challenge."

What do we use when faced with challenges? I know that I recall many long-into-the-night lectures from my mom. I know that I call upon my failing memory to help guide myself as I walk the mine-field of friends as an adult. I also call upon the principles and doctrine I have been taught for years to help me as I face unthinkable challenges.

"Embedded in the gospel of Jesus Christ there are eternal principles and truths that will last far longer than the principles of building ships and roofs. You and I, as members of the Lord’s true Church, have special access and insight into these eternal principles and truths, especially when we listen to the Spirit for individual guidance and hear the prophet’s voice as he declares the will of God to the members of the Church. You and I both know how important these eternal principles and truths are in our lives. I’m not sure those early pioneers could have faced the perils and uncertainties of the future without them, and neither can we. They are the only true and eternal way to face the future, especially in these increasingly perilous and uncertain times in which we now live."

I love the word "embedded". It means it is solidly in there. I have a very rocky back yard and trying to get the rocks out has been a five year long process (and we aren't close to being done). These rocks are embedded. in fact we unearthed one last year that we promptly put back when we found it to be some four feet in diameter. It wasn't going to budge. So are the gospel principles that we are taught and find inside the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm thankful that we have the power of personal revelation.

I love his words of council:
"First is the lesson of using the principles and truths of the past to help us face the future. Second, we learn from their desire to share what they knew with others to help build the kingdom of God."

Study and prayer then open our mouths.

Our Perfect Example

2010-03-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

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.

School thy Feelings, O My Brother

2010-03-13T21:42:00.000-08:00

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.

Be Ready

2010-03-13T17:23:00.000-08:00

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.

Two Principles for Any Economy

2010-03-13T16:53:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on President Uchtdorf's talk "Two Principles for Any Economy"

I really love this talk. Lots of truths.

I love how he starts out:

Brethren, we do feel very close to you. We love you, and we pray always for you. I have seen enough ups and downs throughout my life to know that winter will surely give way to the warmth and hope of a new spring. I am optimistic about the future. Brethren, for our part, we must remain steadfast in hope, work with all our strength, and trust in God."

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

2010-03-13T16:27:00.000-08:00

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.

Becoming More Powerful Priesthood Holders

2010-01-18T15:03:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Gonzalez's talk "Becoming More Powerful Priesthood Holders"

His steps for becoming a more powerful priesthood holder also work for those who want a deeper testimony.

1. Feast upon the word.
There is no better way to know of the truthfulness than to read about it and study it. Not just nibble on Sunday, but to truly feast on the words of the Book of Mormon. We are reading it this year as a family and I truly have missed reading it.

2. Apply what we learn to our lives.
I have read countless book on how to lose weight, but until I get up and do it won't do me a bit of good. Likewise I have read countless book on how to be a better person, but until I put it in action it is just good thoughts and words.

3. Teach
This reminds me of a math curriculum we use. The teacher has the kids learn it, practice it and eventually they are to teach me. It truly is when we teach that we learn it in our hearts and it becomes a part of us.

Great things to remember to becoming more like Christ and for our young men to become more powerful and steady in their commitment to the gospel.

Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable Relationship

2010-01-18T14:34:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Ballard's talk "Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable Relationship"

This should be required reading for every father and son! WOW!

"Fathers and sons can play a critical role in helping each other become the best that they can be."

He mentions that the family and the priesthood are the two most powerful elements of our theology. "The priesthood is the divine power through which families are sealed together forever. Everything in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, including the ordinances of the holy temple, is focused on the possibilities of families becoming part of the eternal family of God."

As I have lost family members over the past few years and as I watch my young men grow and get ready to leave the nest, I can only say, "AMEN!" to the above statement. I knew that the family and the priesthood were the foundation to our faith. If not then why did the prophets of old fight so hard to have families and to keep them in the gospel. Why didn't they just "cut their loses?" Because family is it! And the only way to keep family "it" is through the sealing power of the priesthood. Now if only your young ones understood this.

"You see, we’re all on a journey. Dads are a little further down the road, but none of us has yet arrived at our final destination. We are all in the process of becoming who we will one day be. Fathers and sons can play a critical role in helping each other become the best that they can be."

How do you let know-it-all teens understand this. "I want to find out for myself." "I don't want anyone to show me the way." "I don't need no stickin' road map." And yet they are foolish not to listen and to learn. Breaks a mom's heart.

(I think if I keep quoting his talk, I'll have almost every other paragraph. It is that good!)

"Young men, you are your father’s pride and joy. In you they see a promising future and their hope for a better, improved version of themselves. Your accomplishments are a joy to them. Your worries and problems are their worries and problems."

This is true if you insert the word "mother" in as well.

"Fathers, you are the primary model of manhood for your sons. You are their most meaningful mentor, and believe it or not, you are their hero in countless ways. Your words and your example are a great influence on them."

Amen! I just hope my husband remembers this and acts on it.

To the boys he says:
1. Trust your father
2. Take interest in your father's life.
3. Ask for advice.

Now how do I get my boys to read this? And how do I do it without sounding preachy?

To the fathers he says:
(and can't we moms learn from this too?)
1. Listen to your sons
2. Pray with and for your sons
3. Dare to have the "big talks" with them.

I have taken to "listening" to my sons. I listen even when what they are saying is not worth anything (like when they start talking video games). I think I'm only making inches with one son because I'm listening, but I'm going the right way. I'm trying really hard to just listen and bite my tongue. I can only pray it is working.

I'm praying for them all the time! I don't think I've ever stopped. I know they won't let me pray with them but when we have family prayer and I'm speaking I let them know that way that I am praying for them.

I have had plenty of "big talks" but I have let my husband have THE big talk with the boys. I think he has done a great job as my boys know.

What great advice from a prophet to us. What a great reminder of how to build relationships. I do pause to wonder why a prophet would use his time to speak to us on this matter. I don't wonder if they (the prophets and likewise the Lord) are seeing something in the distance that would cause one of the 12 to spend his time talking about family relationships in this much detail.

I guess this is kind of like when Pres. Hinckley told us to get our finances in order. He was prompted and look at us now. I guess we better wise up, listen, learn and do.

Prayer and Prompting

2010-01-17T21:33:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Pres. Packer's talk "Prayer and Promptings"

Oh, I just love his raspy voice. There is something so grandfatherly about it. I even hear it as I read these words. I was sorry to see him sitting as he gave this talk, but so glad he did give it even if he was sitting down.

This is another multi-colored very well highlighted address. Such doctrine and power contained in these words.

"No Father would send His children off to a distant, dangerous land for a lifetime of testing where Lucifer was known to roam free without first providing them with a personal power of protection. He would also supply them with means to communicate with Him from Father to child and from child to Father. Every child of our Father sent to earth is provided with the Spirit of Christ, or the Light of Christ. We are, none of us, left here alone without hope of guidance and redemption."

AMEN! But we need to remember this and not pull the "whoa is me! God has forsaken me." (hard to do and I'm so guilty of it!)

"We were given our agency. We must use it wisely and remain close to the Spirit; otherwise, we foolishly find ourselves yielding to the enticements of the adversary."

As a teen I loved to use the line, "But I have been given agency." Now that I'm a mom of teens, I just want to rip agency from my kids. But I know better. Thankfully he even gave the teens the Spirit to help them use their agency.

"“For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God” (Moroni 7:16).

"There is a perfect manner of communication through the Spirit, “for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

I love that last scripture from Corinthians--PERFECT MANNER OF COMMUNICATION! WOW!

"That sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does as a sound. Pure intelligence can be spoken into the mind. The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than through the physical senses. This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings through promptings and impressions. We may feel the words of spiritual communication more than hear them and see with spiritual rather than with mortal eyes."

How often do we want the burning bush when it is our heart that is burning? How often do we want the mountain to move when it is our feet the Lord wants us to move? We don't need those things to feel or participate in spiritual things. We need a broken heart--one that is ready to feel the promptings.

"That same Spirit can prompt you and protect you."

I have been protected more often from the spirit than my seat belt. But we have to have a worthy spirit to hear it.

Since I feel like I've quoted most of his talk, I'll try to not quote but just give my thoughts.

The Lord tells is in our mind and heart but the Holy Ghost shall swell in your hearts. WHAT A GREAT AND AWESOME PROMISE! I want that!

Ok, I just have to quote this one--too good not to use his words.
"You can know the things you need to know. Pray that you will learn to receive that inspiration and remain worthy to receive it. Keep that channel—your mind—clean and free from the clutter of the world."

I fear my mind is cluttered. I have to do a "dump run." I have to get myself away from the adversaries trap--the one he says that I'm not worthy to pray so why bother.
I think he is working overtime on a son who could and will do so much great work, but he is believing a lie.

"Pray even if you are young and wayward like the prophet Alma or have a closed mind like Amulek, who “knew concerning these things, yet . . . would not know” (Alma 10:6).

"Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil. And I have learned to conclude all my prayers with “Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10; see also Luke 11:2; 3 Nephi 13:10).

"Do not expect to be free entirely from trouble and disappointment and pain and discouragement, for these are the things that we were sent to earth to endure."

If a prophet of our Lord is telling us this then maybe I need to listen. Maybe I need to pray more often. I need to draw nearer to Him so He can draw nearer to me.

This talk was timely when it was spoken, when I first read it and now when I'm writing my thoughts about it. It will be timely the next time I read it. I needed to be reminded that praying is the way we draw near, get inspiration, stay worthy and are protected.

Repent...That I May Heal You"

2010-01-17T21:14:00.001-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Andersen's talk "Repent...That I May Heal You"

This talk is a rainbow of highlighter color.

I had the opportunity to talk in our Visiting Teaching Breakfast yesterday and about the Lord touching each of us through others. I have felt his loving arms around me because of acts of service that others have given to me (us). That love is real.

"We have each felt to some extent these spiritual arms around us. We have felt His forgiveness, His love and comfort. The Lord has said, “I am he [who] comforteth you.”

"When we sin, we turn away from God. When we repent, we turn back toward God."

I had a teacher put a line on the chalk board once and at one end wrote "Satan" and at the other wrote "Christ". She then took a little person and put him on the line near the end by Satan but facing Christ. She took another person and put him on the line almost on top of Christ but facing Satan. She then told us that it doesn't matter where you on on the line of righteousness, it matters what way you are facing. I've continued to think about that line often. Not where am I but what way am I facing.

"The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to “re-turn” toward God. It is the beckoning of a loving Father and His Only Begotten Son to be more than we are, to reach up to a higher way of life, to change, and to feel the happiness of keeping the commandments."

And I think until we see it as a voice of love and a call to return we will not be humbled enough to repent, or our repentance will not be a true and complete repentance.

We often think that we have to be whole before we can return. That is as crazy as me thinking I have to be cancer free before I go back and visit my doctor.

"Jesus declares, “Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?”"

"How do we decide where our repentance should be focused? When a loved one or friend suggests things we need to change, the natural man in us sometimes pops up his head and responds, “Oh, you think I should change? Well, let me tell you about some of your problems.” A better approach is to humbly petition the Lord: “Father, what wouldst Thou have me do?” The answers come. We feel the changes we need to make. The Lord tells us in our mind and in our heart."

But how to humbly bend our knee and say those words. And more importantly how do I let my children know? I know pray that they can find their own way to humbly petition the Lord.

I've struggled with knowing if I'm truly moving forward and these words are great words of comfort:
"Sometimes in our repentance, in our daily efforts to become more Christlike, we find ourselves repeatedly struggling with the same difficulties. As if we were climbing a tree-covered mountain, at times we don’t see our progress until we get closer to the top and look back from the high ridges. Don’t be discouraged. If you are striving and working to repent, you are in the process of repenting."

Remember it is the way you are facing not where on the road.

Then there is this bit of hope:
"Repentance not only changes us, but it also blesses our families and those we love. With our righteous repentance, in the timetable of the Lord, the lengthened-out arms of the Savior will not only encircle us but will also extend into the lives of our children and posterity. Repentance always means that there is greater happiness ahead."

My prayer is that somewhere along the line my children are reaping the benefit of those members of my family who have turned to the Savior and who have repented. I also hope that I can call upon those blessings for myself and for my children. We need all we can get right now.

The Lord has called us to repent and we need to head that call. As Lucy from Peanuts fame says, "The Doctor is in." We just need to set up and appointment (tonight would be just fine) and let him exam our heart and heal us. It may take some time, but it will be worth it.

Being Temperate in All Things

2010-01-17T20:59:00.001-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Watson's talk "Being Temperate in All Things"

"In a spiritual sense, temperance is a divine attribute of Jesus Christ. He desires for each of us to develop this attribute. Learning to be temperate in all things is a spiritual gift available through the Holy Ghost."

This statement makes me think of the song, "I'm trying to be like Jesus."

"Being temperate is to use moderation in all things or to exercise self-control."

Nothing in excess is good--not even temple attendance. We need to make sure that we are living a balanced life. I believe that is why we have the line "wholesome family recreation" in the Proclamation to the World. (My kids love that line.) I often think of the Prophet Joseph Smith playing with the kids--pulling sticks, arm wrestling etc. when he had so much to do. We need to tend to the needful things when the needful things need to be attended to, but we also need to remember to recharge our batteries.

I know many people talk about the Mary and Martha story. I truly believe that Christ was trying to teach us that sometimes we need to stop the business and have instructions. And likewise we need to remember that each thing has a time and place in our life. Moderation in all things.

But what about "temperance"

"Tempered glass, like tempered steel, undergoes a well-controlled heating process which increases strength. Thus, when tempered glass is under stress, it will not easily break into jagged shards that can injure.

"Likewise, a temperate soul—one who is humble and full of love—is also a person of increased spiritual strength. With increased spiritual strength, we are able to develop self-mastery and to live with moderation. We learn to control, or temper, our anger, vanity, and pride. With increased spiritual strength, we can protect ourselves from the dangerous excesses and destructive addictions of today’s world."

I have been in a car when the glass breaks. It breaks in to millions of tiny pieces. Trying to put that together would take near on to three or four life-times. But it saved my life. In fact the little pieces kept me from severing vital arteries. Yes, it meant a ton of glass had to be picked out of my hair, clothes and even from my skin, but the damage would have been greater had it not be tempered. The windshield actually held together and therefore saved my life.

I wonder if I'm tempered? I wonder who badly I'll break? Am I able to bend with the trials and tribulation the Lord is giving me? I know I could do better as Elder Watson calls me to repent with this statement:

"When our hearts are stirred to anger by disputation and contention, the Savior taught that we should “repent, and become as a little child.” We should be reconciled with our brother and come to the Savior with full purpose of heart.

"When others are unkind, Jesus taught that “my kindness shall not depart from thee.”

"When we are confronted with affliction, He said: “Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast.”

"When we are oppressed, we can be comforted in knowing “he was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.”12 “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.”

"When Jesus Christ, the greatest of all, suffered for us to the extent that He bled from every pore, He did not express anger or revile in suffering. With unsurpassed self-restraint, or temperance, His thoughts were not of Himself but of you and of me. And then, in humility and full of love, He said, “Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.”

Boy do I have a lot more to learn and teaching this to my children is so difficult.

Joseph Smith--Prophet of the Restoration

2010-01-17T20:45:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Callister's talk "Joseph Smith--Prophet of the Restoration"

It was shortly before I read this talk that a son of mine told me that he didn't believe in Joseph Smith, so with that eyes I read this talk. I truly wish he would read this or at least listen to those who are leading the FHE lesson.

In the light of the religious conversations that are happening all over the world today--especially those in my community--I think it is very important for us to realize the things that Elder Callister spoke of in this talk.

1. Joseph Smith learned that God the Father and His Son are two separate beings. Not many Christians in the world today believe that. We are one of the few. The Prophet is yet another witness of this.

2. They have bodies of flesh and bones. This means that what happened in 3 Nephi could and is true. It also means that the resurrection is real. For me that is huge for it gives me hope and faith for my loved ones who have passed before me.

3. That God speaks to man today. To mean this is the biggest and the most huge thing around. I have a friend who went searching for the true church after she read that Moses spoke face to face--as a man does--with God and so there had to be a church around that believe that he still does. Likewise I have another friend who believes that God had closed the heavens. I can't believe in a loving God and Father who wouldn't communicate to his children. I believe he speaks to Pres. Monson as he did with Moses, Jacob, Abraham, Adam, Nephi, Benjamin, etc. I also believe that he speaks to me through the Holy Ghost.

If he is truly the same today, yesterday and forever then there is little doubt that he doesn't speak to his prophets today and likewise me too.

I also believe that angels still appear, we just don't hear about them. I've always wanted to see one, but it may never happen for many reasons mostly because I don't need one to visit me.

We are unique in these ideas (at least having all three of them) and it is important to remember that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and therefore the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that God is the same today, yesterday and forever.

Attempting the Impossible

2010-01-17T20:31:00.000-08:00

My thought son Elder Zeballos' talk "Attempting the Impossible"

We are all attempting the impossible: PERFECTION! But thankfully the being who commanded us to be perfect not only provided the way, but also is merciful. But he does require us to be working towards it.

"The Lord does not expect that we do what we cannot achieve. The command to become perfect, as He is, encourages us to achieve the best of ourselves, to discover and develop the talents and attributes with which we are blessed by a loving Eternal Father, who invites us to realize our potential as children of God. He knows us; He knows of our capacities and our limitations. The invitation and challenge to become perfect, to achieve eternal life is for all mankind."

This whole talk was about hope.

"As we do so, we will be fulfilling the requirements defined by our Father in Heaven to bless us more than ever before, in this life as much as in life in the eternities. He yearns to give us all that He has, even make us participants of His greatest gift, which is eternal life."

What a Father. Even though all of us will fall short of perfection and we will disappoint Him time and time again, He will bless us. He will bless us for our obedience, our diligence and sometimes because someone else is praying for us.

I think those fact are so beautiful.

Seeking to Know God, Our Heantly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ

2009-12-30T17:33:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Hales' talk "Seeking to Know God, Our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ".

A long time ago I was asked to give a talk in church on our Heavenly Father. It was fathers day and I got this assignment whereas my friend go our earthly father. I don't know if you have ever studied "Heavenly Father" in the scriptures, but there are very few times he is mentioned. He only appears when he is introducing His Son. But as you study you will begin to know Him because you know His Son. They are like one. What the Son did, he did because his father did it. Very mind boggling at first and hard to type (at least right now) but it is beautiful and simple. I felt that Elder Hales just put a period at the end of what I learned all those years ago.

I don't need to see either man to know of them, about them or who they are. I feel them in my heart and I see them in the hearts of others who are doing good. I seek to know them through my own study and prayer. I don't need a burning bush, a visit from heaven to know. I just need to study and pray and I have my testimony.

Logically it makes sense as well, but I don't need logic to tell me that there are three being that are unique and yet the same. I have felt the confirmation when I asked. Moroni told us to ask and I did. But the sticking point is with a "sincere heart" not a weak one, but with one that really wants to know. We all have to find that spot in our heart one day and do the asking. Then we need to listen to the answer.

Elder Hales said it best:
"However, we must be careful not to constrain His influence. When we do not do what is right or when our outlook is dominated by skepticism, cynicism, criticism, and irreverence toward others and their beliefs, the Spirit cannot be with us. We then act in a way that the prophets describe as the natural man.

"“The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” This “natural man is an enemy to God, . . . and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, . . . and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, [and] full of love.”

"If we do not yield to the gentle influence of the Holy Ghost, we stand in jeopardy of becoming like Korihor, an anti-Christ in the Book of Mormon. Not only did Korihor disbelieve in God, but he also ridiculed the Savior, the Atonement, and the spirit of prophecy, falsely teaching that there is no God and no Christ."

Amen!

"Brothers and sisters, you may already know, deep in your soul, that God lives. You may not know all about Him yet and do not understand all His ways, but the light of belief is within you, waiting to be awakened and intensified by the Spirit of God and the Light of Christ, which you are born with."

Love and Law

2009-12-30T16:58:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Oaks' talk "Love and Law"

I love how in the Ensign (or online) this follows Pres. Uchtdorf's talk on love. (That is if you skip the sustaining and business messages.) I can also hear his lawyer voice in this talk. When he gave it I swore I was in a court room or school room being given one of the best lectures around. I love this talk as well (is there one I don't love?). I'm going to remember this one. In the family I live in this helps me live and love them more fully and if I ever get the chance someday I will show this to them and maybe they will at least understand why.

"My message is that God’s universal and perfect love is shown in all the blessings of His gospel plan, including the fact that His choicest blessings are reserved for those who obey His laws. These are eternal principles that should guide parents in their love and teaching of their children."

His choicest blessings! I will obey to get those blessings. I now just need to use them as my guide to teaching my children.

I love how he spells it out--no holding anything back (that must be the lawyer in him).

(paraphrase) Parental love should not override the commandments of divine law and the teachings of parents.
WOW! I'm so glad I can put that in my vocabulary.

"The love of God does not supersede His laws and His commands, and the effect of God's laws and commandments does not diminish the purpose and effect of His love."
Chew on that for a while. Then he adds, "The same should be true of parental love and rules."

Now that my head is swimming.

More to chew on and throw your brain in the deeper end of this pool.
"God’s love for His children is an eternal reality, but why does He love us so much, and why do we desire that love? The answer is found in the relationship between God’s love and His laws.

"Some seem to value God’s love because of their hope that His love is so great and so unconditional that it will mercifully excuse them from obeying His laws. In contrast, those who understand God’s plan for His children know that God’s laws are invariable, which is another great evidence of His love for His children. Mercy cannot rob justice, and those who obtain mercy are “they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment”.

"God’s love is so perfect that He lovingly requires us to obey His commandments because He knows that only through obedience to His laws can we become perfect, as He is. For this reason, God’s anger and His wrath are not a contradiction of His love but an evidence of His love. Every parent knows that you can love a child totally and completely while still being creatively angry and disappointed at that child’s self-defeating behavior."

(How do I get a hard hearted child to read this? And/or how do I tell him this?)

Now that we are in the deep end, let's go deeper with Elder Oaks.
Gifts:
Mortality--gift one.
Resurrection--gift two.
And these two gifts EVERYONE gets. No matter what. Just because he loves us and we are is children.
But the rest are tied to our personal obedience. (D&C 130:20-21) This is true for most of our parental laws as well.
"God’s choicest blessings are clearly contingent upon obedience to God’s laws and commandments."

Now here is the one principle that I want to have but revoke from my children ~grin~
AGENCY!
"Agency—our power to choose—is fundamental to the gospel plan that brings us to earth. God does not intervene to forestall the consequences of some persons’ choices in order to protect the well-being of other persons—even when they kill, injure, or oppress one another—for this would destroy His plan for our eternal progress.8 He will bless us to endure the consequences of others’ choices, but He will not prevent those choices."

In my last post I talked about this as our one and only true thing we can give Him in return for everything He has given us. Because he doesn't choose for us, we must choose Him.

Can this next quote be spoken in every town, city, village, country side, home, and heart? Please?
"The effect of God’s commandments and laws is not changed to accommodate popular behavior or desires. If anyone thinks that godly or parental love for an individual grants the loved one license to disobey the law, he or she does not understand either love or law. The Lord declared: “That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still”.

(Part IV of this talk was one huge highlighted mess in my Ensign. ~smile~ I should just copy and paste the whole thing.)
"In teaching and reacting to their children, parents have many opportunities to apply these principles. One such opportunity has to do with the gifts parents bestow on their children. Just as God has bestowed some gifts on all of His mortal children without requiring their personal obedience to His laws, parents provide many benefits like housing and food even if their children are not in total harmony with all parental requirements. But, following the example of an all-wise and loving Heavenly Father who has given laws and commandments for the benefit of His children, wise parents condition some parental gifts on obedience."

(I'm glad I got to reread this just after an argument with my child. I just might be a better parent next time around.)

"Where does a parent draw the line?"
I love his answer. "That is a matter for parental wisdom, guided by the inspiration of the Lord."

"As parents grapple with these problems, they should remember the Lord’s teaching that we leave the ninety and nine and go out into the wilderness to rescue the lost sheep."

Now I have a serious question here. When do you say, "I love that one who has walked away, but the 99 I left behind need me"? Seriously I need to know because I feel like I'm leaving the 99 to wonder and become lost themselves.

"Parents should also remember the Lord’s frequent teaching that “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth” (Hebrews 12:6). In his conference talk on tolerance and love, Elder Russell M. Nelson taught that “real love for the sinner may compel courageous confrontation—not acquiescence! Real love does not support self-destructing behavior.”"

I have felt His chastening. I hope never to feel it so severely again. I just hope that those in my family who have felt it will move towards correcting the behavior.

And here is the biggest reminder of them all:
"In the midst of such stress, we must endure the reality that the straying of our loved ones will detract from our happiness, but it should not detract from our love for one another or our patient efforts to be united in understanding God’s love and God’s laws."

I will not let a wondering child--no matter who it be--distract me from my path to happiness. I will not let them mix up the love and law in my mind. We have laws so that we can love--love as Christ did. I will love the sinner, not the sin, even if that sinner is me.

As an aside: I stumble every time I say his name. He was President Oaks while I was at BYU and it is so hard not to call him President Oaks. I even worked in the administration building and got to meet him once.

The Love of God

2009-12-30T16:17:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Pres. Uchtdorf's talk "The Love of God"

"Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk."

How do you get this in your heart when a child's actions are breaking it? (Maybe I shouldn't type this right after a huge argument with that child and a rotten day period, but then again maybe it is like when you say, "I don't feel like praying," that when you need to do it the most.)

I do love this child. I have to or I would have kicked him out by now. I have these arguments with him now because later they will cost one of us a lot more (money, time, energy and love).

Back to the talk...

Why Should I Love God?
Good question. And the other one is "Do I?"

"For what we love determines what we seek."
"What we seek determines what we think and do."
"What we think and do determines who we are--and who we will become."

AMEN! I couldn't say it any better. I think I'm going to print that out and put it up somewhere in my home.

"Since the beginning of time, love has been the source of both the highest bliss and the heaviest burdens. At the heart of misery from the days of Adam until today, you will find the love of wrong things. And at the heart of joy, you will find the love of good things."

That is a true statement because of the fall. We can't know love unless we know a broken heart. We can't know peace unless we know strife. I just wish we knew/had more positive and loving times inside my home.

Why does Heavenly Father Love Me?
I wonder that all the time. Why does he love a sinner and good-for-nothing daughter. I know I would have kicked me out long ago. But now that I have children I know why. Breaks my heart thinking about how much hurt I have caused him and how that doesn't matter to him as long as I recognize the pain and sin and change my ways.
I guess that is what hurts my mother heart so much right now. There is no change and only hatred and bitterness toward us. We are ruining his life.
I guess I better hold out that hope that our Heavenly Father has for me for my son.

Love this quote: "Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely."

How Can I Increase my Love of God?
"However, seeking God with all our hearts implies much more than simply offering a prayer or pronouncing a few words inviting God into our lives. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” We can make a great production of saying that we know God. We can proclaim publicly that we love Him. Nevertheless, if we don’t obey Him, all is in vain, for “he that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”"

This goes with the walking and the talking that Elder Bednar talked about. We can't be hypocrites.

As you know I'm running a half marathon in May. There is NO WAY I could run this without putting in all the months of training. There is no way to gain a testimony or keep the commandment but just saying it, you have to put in the months of preparations and training. It is about being consistent with the little things that great things will happen. (I know there is a scripture along those lines, but if I go hunting for it I will get distracted and never get back here.)
My little voice of comfort and hope:
"My dear brothers and sisters, don’t get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don’t feel downcast or despair if you don’t feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible—and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you."

You know I never thought I could run for 30 minutes, and now I'm running for 40 and next week I ramp it up to 60 minutes. Soon I will run 120 minutes (maybe more--don't know how fast I can run 13.1 miles). Little by little I've been able to do it and little by little I will feel his love again and regain that wonderful testimony.

How Can I Hear the Father's Voice?
"As you reach out to your Heavenly Father, as you pray to Him in the name of Christ, He will answer you. He speaks to us everywhere."

I see him everywhere and now I have to pay attention to his voice. I have heard it a few time (well felt it more than "heard") and I need to do that again. And this is why:
"If you listen for the voice of the Father, He will lead you on a course that will allow you to experience the pure love of Christ."
I need to feel that pure love again. I need to feel uplifted. I need to love so I can feel love.

Why is Love the Great Commandment?
"Love is the guiding light that illuminates the disciple’s path and fills our daily walk with life, meaning, and wonder.
Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true altitude of our discipleship.
Love is the way of the disciple."

As I ponder that question my answer is because it is about the only thing that we have that wasn't given to us. Our will, our emotions and our actions are the only thing that our Father in Heaven didn't give us. He gives us everything else--even the air we breath, but the only thing we can give him (or others) is our emotions--our love (or hatred), empathy, kindness, etc. It is the greatest commandment because it is the only proof we are truly given our self to Him.

More Diligent and Concerned at Home--Part 3

2009-12-30T12:50:00.000-08:00

Part 3

Be Consistent

I think this was my favorite part of the entire conference because it gives me such hope. I'm struggling with a young son and have to hold to the promise of being consistent.

When I was a little girl and watched the movies (remember the film strips?) the Church produced for us, I was in awe at the little children in their best dress and so reverent at FHE. I just couldn't wait until I had a family just like that. I knew my kids would fold their arms, all read along and be so good.

Reality check! WOW was that picture so wrong. It is so nice to read that Elder Bednar's family is much like mine. I can only hope that my boys and girl will be as faithful and turn out so well.

I have heard all those excuses. I have heard all the tattling. I have had the constant distractions and it has driven me to questions why we do this. So many mornings while I'm begging and dragging my kids out of bed for family scripture study I stop and think, "I really don't need the fight." But then the words of my mom and Elder Bednar start to echo through my mind. "They need it."

I remember my mother holding FHE for just one of us (there was seven kids at one time). I thought what a waste of time and energy (so teenager of me), but now I'm so thankful for that example. I remember waking up at 5 am for scriptures (and my non-seminary kids wake up at 7--cry me a river). I remember trying desperately not to fall asleep (you had to read extra if you fell asleep). I also remember that when I went away to school I had a good habit and missed the "family" part of scripture study.

I, like Elder Bednar's children can't tell you one scripture study or FHE or prayer that stands out in my mind--not even the fun activity driven FHE. But I do remember that my mom held it every week.

Think about all the things we do as members of the church and how being consistent is the key. Sunday meetings, tithes, fast offerings, FHE, scripture study, etc. It is said that it only take 28 days to make a habit. Why not try now to make a new habit of family scripture study? (and maybe I need to make a more concerted effort for personal scripture study).

"Being consistent in our homes is important for another reason. Many of the Savior’s harshest rebukes were directed to hypocrites. Jesus warned His disciples concerning the scribes and Pharisees: “Do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not” (Matthew 23:3). This strong admonition is sobering given the counsel to “express love—and show it,” to “bear testimony—and live it,” and to “be consistent.”"

I will NOT be a hypocrite! I will not!

More Diligent and Concerned at Home--Part 2

2009-12-29T18:06:00.000-08:00

Past 2

Bear Testimony and Live it

"Brethren and sisters, when was the last time you bore testimony to your eternal companion?"

I don't think I ever have in the private of our own home. I know he has heard me during Sunday meetings, during FHE, and scripture time, but in private? I'm not sure I have ever told him. I know he knows I have a testimony.

"Parents, when was the last time you declared your witness to your children about the things you know to be true?"

Just the other month in Sacrament meeting and the other week in FHE. I took the time to personally tell them my personal conversion to the gospel. I don't think anyone else knows it (unless they have read my journals).

"And children, when was the last time you shared your testimony with your parents and family?"

I can't answer for them.

"A testimony is what we know to be true in our minds and in our hearts by the witness of the Holy Ghost (see D&C 8:2). As we profess truth rather than admonish, exhort, or simply share interesting experiences, we invite the Holy Ghost to confirm the verity of our words. The power of pure testimony (see Alma 4:19) does not come from sophisticated language or effective presentation; rather, it is the result of revelation conveyed by the third member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost."

As I deal with teens who are just growing their testimonies and making life changing events, I need to remember not to admonish but bare truth. It is so hard when you see them make mistakes that you know will really hurt them in the long run. It is like watching a car accident and not being able to do anything.

As we have read the Book of Mormon this year I have noticed how the prophets of old have wisely admonished their "young" sons. I too hope that my words and my testimony will ring true in my young sons' (and daughter's) heart and mind. I'm very fearful, but I have to hold true to the promises given to me in blessings received and covenants I have made.

More Diligent and Concerned at Home--Love

2009-12-29T15:07:00.001-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Bednar's talk "More Diligent and Concerned at Home."

I think this is my favorite talk from this General Conference. When I heard it the first time it was like getting that pat on the back. I also felt like I was listening to my mom telling me that I am doing alright and to keep on going. As I read it now with the news one of our sons gave us, I can only look at it with great hope in a promise. I hear my mom telling me that as long as I'm going what I'm supposed to I will be OK.

I have reread this several times and each time I read it I mark something else. It is beginning to look a lot like Alma 5 ~smile~.

I think I will break this up into a three part post.

Express Love and Show It!

"We simple should sincerely and frequently express love."

How often do we tell our spouse or our children we love them? Probably not enough especially when we are going through a very troubling time with one of them. I need to do better.

Love is expressed in so many ways. I like to be told "I love you" through service. One of the best ways for my children to show me they love me is to do their jobs and then just a bit extra. I know that is how I showed my mom I loved her. That's how I show my husband and my kids.

The second way would be to say it. I write that and then know how easy it is to through the "I love you" words out there and not mean them. There has to be some meaning behind them.

Another way is through time spent together. I think as a homeschooling family that sometimes get lost and we need to make an effort to set aside "love time" (I just came up with that phrase). It is so hard. I know now that my kids are older they are here, there and everywhere and I'm not sure when I will have the time to be with them next. And the teens don't want to be with me. I'm not cool and being with your mom isn't cool. Oh, well.

Hugs are another way and hard to get from my teens. Everyone has a different tolerance to touchy feely love. I don't have a great tolerance, but I don't mind hugs.

Another way is through gifts. I don't like this way at all. Maybe it is because I grew up so poor, but I'm not keen on giving or getting gifts, but when I do give a gift it must really mean I'm thinking of you because it is the last thing on my mind and I must have reach long and hard to come to that conclusion.

(yes, it this is from the five love language theory).

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.

Respect and Reverence

2009-04-25T07:57:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on Sister Lifferth's talk "Respect and Reverence".

We have a problem in our primary, just like primaries across the globe and that is REVERENCE!

I was asked to give a sharing time to the older children about this topic. I know it wasn't me that was giving the lesson because it turned out wonderful. I used this talk as the base of my thoughts. I also looked up President Packer's talk. WONDERFUL--give it a read.

We are parents and leaders do need to set the example of what a reverent person should be not just in church but everywhere. If reverence is "profound respect mingled with love" shouldn't we be showing reverence everywhere? Reverence at sporting events. Reverence while driving. Reverence while shopping. Reverence when dealing with our children.

"Elder L. Tom Perry taught that 'reverence flows from our admiration and respect for Deity.'"

"Love one another," the Lord taught.

"Only in an attitude of reverence can the Spirit confirm the truths of the gospel through the word of God, music, testimony and prayer."

We all know this. We know when we personally are reverent (not just quietly sitting) that the Spirit touches our hearts. I hate it when you are ready to be fed and the person next to you is irreverent. It is so hard to have the spiritual experience your heart so needs.

She then tells us how to get reverence in our classrooms. We have discussed this often. The recipe is the same.
Love those you teach.
Be prepared.
Very simple!

But I can't leave this without talking about Elder Packer's talk "Reverence Invites Revelation"

This is an EXCELLENT talk.

Back in 1991 he said, "The world grows increasingly noisy." Fast forward almost 20 years and it is a screaming world!

"The first order issued by a commander mounting a military invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer."

Who is the invading army? Are we on his side? Are we the cause of some one's jammed communications? Or are we on the Lord's side and doing what is necessary so that all in the army hear the words of the commander?

Music! One of my favorite subjects.
"Music is of enormous importance in our worship service."
"Music can set an atmosphere..."
The Strength of Youth book talks about the effects it can have on us. It is a blessing that my children are recognizing the good and bad of music. My 17 year old admitted that a few months ago (when he was impossible to live with) he was listening to some very dark music. I was so glad HE found that out.

Lastly Pres. Packer says this, "The Lord will pour out his Spirit upon us more abundantly. We will be less troubled, less confused. We will find revealed answers to personal and family problems without all the counseling with we seem now to need."

Becoming Provident Provides Temporally and Spiritually

2009-04-25T07:56:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Hales' talk "Becoming Provident Provides Temporally and Spiritually"

I think this is going to be a very long post. There is so much in this talk that really spoke to me. Elder Hales departs some great wisdom for all of us. I won't even do justice to his talk, but here are the points I thought needed my attention or the attention of my children (if they ever listen to me or read my blog).

"Of course some debt incurred for education, a modest home, or a basic automobile may be necessary to provide for a family."

Only three things we need to go in dept for and two of those with adjectives. I wonder how different our economy would be right now if we had all lived that way? I wonder what our/my personal economy would be if I lived that way. I can not tell you the blessing it was to get out of college without a dime of dept. WOW! I know that is unheard of and we have parents to thank for that, but neither Steve or I would be where we are if we would have started with a major load of dept. Modest--we have a very modest home. Basic--our cars meet our needs and thankfully are all paid for. Just wish we wouldn't have bought the red one--it is a money hole, but we learned a lesson.

"Additional dept is incurred when we cannot control our wants and addictive impulses."

AMEN! I know that is so very hard---control, but it is necessary.

"We must want more than anything else to change our lives so that we can break the cycle of dept and our uncontrolled wants."

I use to have a saying on my fridge that said, "One wants what one wants." I put it there to help me control my appetite. I either want to be skinny or I want the food I'm going to stuff down my throat. If you want out of debt then you will get yourself out of debt and you will do what is necessary to get yourself there.

"Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions,"

OUCH! I wonder how many of my challenges are of my own making. I wonder how much more of a person I would be if I let the Lord give me the challenges instead of coming up with my own. I wonder how much more I would learn if I just let the Master give me the tests.

"Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. The Lord will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can endure."

"Our success is never measured by how strongly we are tempted but by how faithfully we respond."

I love that promise. I live by that promise.

"To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy day emergencies."

I love the word he slips in here: JOYFULLY! I can live within my means, but I'm not always joyful about it. Therein lies the challenge I've given myself. Guess I better change my ways.

I won't quote the next paragraph (it is kind of long) but he speaks about how when we want things (covet) we find ourselves in debt for those things and then we are working hard to pay them and become depressed. Our relationships suffer (how many marriages are broken because of money issues) and most importantly our relationship with the Lord suffers. "We do not have the time, energy or interest to seek spiritual things."

"We can't afford it, even though we want it!"
"We can afford it, but we don't need it."

Harsh words in today's world, but so necessary.

TITHING: I could write articles on the blessing of tithing, because the promise of Malachi is true. I testify of it. I lived it! I hope my children see it. I hope we have explained it to them even though it is hard to see in our life now.

BUDGETS: I have a love-hate relationship with them. I love them when they work for my wants and I hate them went they don't. It is so hard sometimes, ok, lots of times, but I know it is for the best. I think my husband and I do a pretty good job at keeping within our budget. Of course there is always room for improvement.

"This will teach our children to recognize the difference between wants and needs and to plan ahead for meaningful use of family resources."

We try to teach this very carefully and it seems as if two of our three teens has this down, but there is another that I just pray his wife will be great with money because as soon has he has it it is gone!

Elder Hales' last two promises:

"...ask ourselves, 'Is the benefit temporary or will it have eternal value and significance?'" Truthfully answering these questions may help us avoid excessive debt and other addictive behavior."

"I testify that the appetite to possess worldly things can only be overcome by turning to the Lord. The hunger of addiction can only be replaced by our love for Him. He stands ready to help each one of us."

Welcome to the Conference

2009-04-25T07:54:00.002-07:00

My thoughts on President Monson's opening remarks "Welcome to the Conference"

I usually don't comment on the opening and closing remarks because they usually are just a "thank you for coming" and a "go and do" type of speech, but since a new apostle was called....

Good choice, Elder Andersen will be a great addition to the other Apostles. I loved his last talk in conference and I'm sure he will impart great words of wisdom to us over the years. I'm just amazed at the change in the 12 over the past few years. It seems like a changing of the guard has taken place after a long time of status quo. Not that I'm complaining---no not at all--just a interesting thing that has happened over the past few years.

The status of the Church is good--WOW! Great to see the report. I just hope that my little contribution to the work is for good too.

May You Have Courage

2009-04-25T07:54:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on President Monson's talk "May You Have Courage"

I wonder what advances in technology are in store for us. I remember thinking as a young woman at the huge computer that sat on my desk--took most of the room on my desk--now I have a computer that is just a bit smaller than my 3-ring binder and it is more powerful than that huge one that sat on my desk. My son's I-Touch (or whatever you call it) is just as powerful and about the size of a card deck. WOW!

My heart was warmed while reading this talk, but I was called to repentance. Since I'm pretty good at being chaste and virtuous and I'm standing firm for truth and righteousness, it was his first point of courage that brought me back home to reality--refrain from judging others.

There is a difference between being judgmental and discerning good from evil when it comes to "judging" others. I think we all need to use judgement when picking friends but we don't need to be critical or belittle others. I think I do belittle others and I need to stop!

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." said Mother Teresa, one of my heroes. That needs to be my new internal motto. I need to stop judging the sisters in my ward. Even though I'm lonely and feel friendless, I have not walked the mile in their shoes that knowledge requires and therefore I need to stop judging them or belittling them. Of course I need to pick my friends wisely, by judging them properly--as the Savior would see them--but I'm not doing that. I need to repent.

I will only briefly comment on the other two points Pres. Monson makes because it was a shock to me.

The quote from Ted Koppel was just shocking to me. "What Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai were not Ten Suggestions, they are Commandments. Are, now were." I will have to use that one.

"....but no, because it's wrong." You don't here that over our airwaves very often. I thought the prevailing theory was all about protection and here someone who isn't a religious leaders (although that doesn't stop them nowadays) says it is wrong to engage in "dangerous" behavior. Very interesting.

Come Let Us Go Up to the Mountin of the Lord

2009-04-25T07:53:00.002-07:00

My thoughts on Sister Dalton's talk "Come Let Us Go Up to the Mountain of the Lord".

I laugh and chuckle. Sister Dalton and I are the same: five boys one girl! I too know most of the boys' secrets. I also have five brothers!

This talk touched my funny bone because I was just talking to my oldest son about this very thing. You need to be what you want your spouse to be. If you want a virtuous gal then you must be a virtuous guy. I know it didn't sink in, but maybe, just maybe he will remember those words as the years go by.

Sister Dalton says, "Never before has there been a greater need for virtue and purity in the world." AMEN and AMEN!

"What does it mean to return to virtue? We are calling for a return to moral purity and chastity. Virtue is purity. Virtue is chastity. The word virtue has also been defined as “integrity and moral excellence, power and strength”. The core of a virtuous life is sexual purity, and yet this definition has almost been erased by the world. The prophet Mormon taught that chastity and virtue are “most dear and precious above all things”. They go together. You cannot have one without the other, and “we believe in being . . . virtuous”."

Am I living a "virtuous" life?

"In order to be virtuous and remain virtuous, you must be true to your divine identity and establish patterns of thought and behavior based on high moral standards (see Preach My Gospel [2004], 118–19). These standards are eternal, and they do not change. They have been taught by prophets of God. In a world filled with relative truth, the Lord’s standards are absolute. They are given to each of us to keep us on the path leading back to the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ."

I love how the core gospel principles are the same today, yesterday and will be tomorrow. Whereas the world principles (I use the word loosely) change minute by minute and always for the worse. What did happen to the virtuous women (or man)?

"My question to each of you is, If we don’t stand for virtue, who will?"

I WILL!!!!!

"I encourage each of you to ponder what your personal banner would be if you could give one message to the world."

I thought I knew, but I have to think about this one. What would my personal banner look like.

Now I like this promise: "As you live a virtuous life, you will have the confidence, power, and strength necessary to climb. You will also be blessed with the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost."

I may not be a "young" woman, but the blessings of living virtuous are mine even as a mother, wife and daughter. I can call on the powers of Heaven to help me live a virtuous life, and I MUST!.

A Virtuous Life--Step by Step

2009-04-25T07:53:00.001-07:00

My thoughts on Sister Cook's talk "A Virtuous Life--Step by Step".

I cried from the first line on. (I'm going to start now.) It took us six babies to finally get a baby girl placed in my arms. Now I love the newness that comes from any baby. You know they are "fresh from heaven" but there is something special about having a baby girl gently laid in your arms. I don't know what it is but there is something special about a mother-daughter relationship.

Then of course by the second paragraph I'm a blubbering idiot! I miss my mom so much it hurts. I want to hear her voice, glean from her wisdom and know that she loves me. I miss her so very much.

I was given my mother's first name as my first name, but I go by my middle name. That makes doing things of a legal nature a bit confusing. I don't know how many times I've heard "Nellie" and not realize they are talking to me. I only hope that one or my children will name their daughters after my mother (and me). She was a very virtuous lady.

How do we make it to the Tree of Life?

1. Make good choices.
2. Go to the temple often.
3. Do not be deceived. "[Satan] has made motherhood seem less important. He has been successful in confusing women about their roles in the Lord's divine plan."
4. Read the words of the prophets.
5. Stand strong in your convictions and "stand in holy places".
6. Press forward. The path doesn't have rest stops along the way. You are either moving forward or backward. You must press forward.
7. Partake of the Atonement. You can not do this without his help. To do so is mocking him. His Atonement is for you--YOU!
8. Do the "simple" things--read the scriptures, pray and attend weekly church services. You can not save your food up for one day a week eating, neither can you save your spiritual food up for one day of "eating". You must constantly nourish your soul.
9. You are not alone in the journey. There are many on the path who would love to help you along the way. Hold your hand, smile at you and be your friend. Lift up your eyes, reach out your hand and you will be surrounded by those who love you. And never forget: YOU HAVE THE HOLY GHOST as a constant companion--if you live worthy of him.
10. Be an example!
11. Be obedient in all things.

Now if only I can remember all of these things.

Be Thou an Example of the Believers

2009-04-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Sister Dibb's talk "Be Thou an Example of the Believers".

Sister Dibb made me go back and think about the things I did in my life that made me a believer. I'm not sure how my testimony started but it started out small probably around the kitchen table with my family reading scriptures. I remember a few primary lessons, more Sunday school and young women lessons, but mostly I remember the example of my siblings and especially that of my mom. There example spoke more of the truth than anything I read as a young woman.

I truly believe it is by the "small and simple things" that testimonies are gained. I don't think it will be angel visits that turn the hearts of man (particularly my children) to be believers, but the small and simple things we do as a family and individually that will turn their hearts.

There is a saying that goes something like "Smile until you believe it." I remember thinking "I'm not sure the gospel is true, but I will act like it is and see who my life turns out. I can't really ruin it by living the principles." Amazingly along the way I became a believer, developed a strong testimony and all because I was willing to do the small and simple things. They helped me become a believer.

Testimony as a Process

2009-04-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Godoy's talk "Testimony as a Process"

Here it is months after I gave this talk as a lesson in our Family Home Evening and now I'm beating myself up because it was a darn good lesson. I had some great points I touched on. Oh, well. I guess I have to start over and refresh my mind.

"President Packer continues: 'The spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. it caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all...'"

AMEN!

We have to sit and ponder on our testimony. We have to have quiet moments every now and then so that we can hear those whipserings. So hard to do when you are in the midst of raising a family. We must seek those times out and desire to have those moments, for sometimes they are just moments.

"Great events are not a guarantee that our testimony will be strong. Laman and Lemuel are good examples of this."

Oh, how I wish that something "dramatic" would happen to one of my sons. I want him to be humbled and have something compel him to repent and behave. But I'm offen reminded that it is drip by drip that our spiritual testimony bucket is filled. It is easier to carry that way--one drop at a time as we build up our endurance to lift it and use it. I have to remember this, i have to.

Returning Home

2009-04-25T07:43:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Gavarret's talk "Returning Home"

This talk was a good talk about missionary work and a reminder at what our job is as member missionaries.

Nothing really stuck out at me except this line:
"Let us remember that love and service are like twins who seek each other's companionship."

You can not help but love those who you serve. I just wish my teens would realize that and do better.

Gospel Teaching--Our Most Important Calling

2009-04-25T07:21:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Bro. Oswald's talk "Gospel Teaching--Our Most Important Calling"

I couldn't agree more with the title. I've learned over the years that the best way to learn something is to teach it.

I'm sorry to say that I believe that teaching has become a lost art. We don't have great teachers anymore and it is evident in the lack of knowledge our youth have of the gospel principles. It floors me to have conversations with the youth today and their lack of knowledge of the scriptures and the basic gospel principles contained. I will point the finger squarely at the parents and somewhat at their teachers. Maybe it is the fact that the teachers don't know themselves.

I love the story he starts out with--jumping rope. I can't jump rope to save my life so I can relate to the story. I guess I better learn the basic principles again. "It was a simple thing that all of them could do after learning a few basic principles and being shown how."

Our teens are lacking the "basic principles" and "being shown how." Our teachers today do not know how to teach. I watch it weekly in church and hear comments from my own children. How sad!

"Every position in the Church requires an effective teacher."

AMEN!

Brother Oswald talks about how to be an effective teacher.

"First, we need to understand these basic principles, and second we need to be shown how they are used by successful teachers."

I guess we need to students before we can become teachers. We must study the scriptures own our own (or with our Sunday School class--not just on Sunday) and learn what is found inside the covers. Pick up extra help from commentaries, scour the church's website, etc. to help us understand the doctrine. (D&C 88:77-80)

Then we need to seek out great teachers and learn to be a teacher ourselves. I love the book "Teaching, No Greater Call." Is is perfect for learning how to teach. (Note to self--reread the book.)

And of course our perfect teaching example is the Savior. He taught in so many ways and so effectively. We should look to him and learn.

"Notice the personal preparation of the sons of Mosiah as they prepared to teach the gospel:"
(Oh, I love this list!)
1. Waxed strong in knowledge of truth.
2. Were of a sound understanding
3. Searched the scriptures diligently
4. Knew the word of God.
5. Given themselves to much prayer and fasting
6. Had the spirit of prophesy & revelation
7. Taught by power and authority of God

Just sends chills up your spine when you think what kind of army our Father could have if we all did these things. What kind of teachers would be sitting and instructing our children if they all did this? WOW!

Brother Oswald gives us 3 principles of teaching.
1. Show love to those you teach and call them by name.
2. Teach from the scriptures.
3. Encourage the pondering of gospel truths.

I want to say duh to each of these but sometimes we get caught up in the program that we forget these are the basic principles of successful teaching--secular as well as gospel.

As I write this I'm teaching a lesson in Primary tomorrow on reverence. The primary president is so caught up in making sure that we follow the book that if I were to follow her ideas I would be scripted and not be able to teach from the scriptures the doctrine these children need to learn most of all--That reverence invites the spirit of revelation to enter the room and testify to them the truthfulness of the gospel. These children who are so precious to our Heavenly Father are very irreverent (and I know the causes--I can tell which teachers come prepared and ready). They need the lesson behind the reason we are reverent in church. Somehow I need to be prepared to teach it. Pray for me!

Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time

2009-03-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Elder Cook’s talk “Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time.”

“We know he care for us in our time of need.”
What comfort. I need to remember this more often.

“There must be opposition in all thing for righteousness to be brought to pass.”
You cannot know joy without sorrow. You cannot know happiness without sadness. You cannot know sweetness without bitterness.

“It is a time of testing and proving.”
Now if I can only pass it! I think this is important to remember that we are in a test, but it is open book and we can even talk to the professor ANYTIME we want to. He has made it easy to pass this test, but it is all about enduring to the end (at least for those of us already well on the way). This is harder and harder every day, but with talks like these it is do able!

“The challenges we face today are in their own way comparable to challenges of the past.”
As I have read my mom’s thought and the history of my ancestors I know the challenges they have faced were hard and unbearable. Traveling across the plains in stocking feet. Leaving homes and everything in countries across the ocean or in the deep south for only pennies and with only pennies. Leaving family and friends. Being spit at, being shot at, being in mortal danger. Having nothing when you “land” in Utah and still doing what the Lord asks of them. It was physically and spiritually hard. I’m not shot at, have to leave a home or walk across the continent. I just have to stand up for right, hold FHE, hold family prayer and do what I’ve been doing even when it gets harder and harder!

“We know from the scriptures that some trials are for our good and are suited for our own personal development. We also know that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. It is also true that every cloud we see doesn’t result in rain. Regardless of the challenges, trials, and hardship we endure, the reassuring doctrine of the Atonement wrought by Jesus Christ includes Alma’s teaching that the Savior would take upon Him our infirmities and ‘succor his people according to their infirmities.’”
{tears} This trial I’m going through is for my good! I need to repeat that three times every hour! It is for my own good that he is interested in my own personal development. If not then why give someone as insignificant as me these trials. He must love me, he just has too.

“Clearly, having the blessings of the Spirit—the ministration of the Holy Ghost—is an essential element to truly prosper in the land and to be prepared.”
Let’s all sing, “Count your blessings name them one by one….”

Yes, it is a hard time my friends. We’ve all had a hard time. Not one of us is immune to the “hard times.” And each hard time is unique to each of us. The Lord knows this, he designed it that way. It is our responsibility to recognize it and move through it. Hard, but those who finish the race are the winners—it doesn’t matter in what place.

Now the hard part comes—internalizing it!

Celestial Marriage

2009-02-20T16:26:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Nelson's talk "Celestial Marriage"

I don't think it is a accident that this year's primary theme is on Eternal Families, and that our prophets have increased their mention of family and celestial marriage in their talks. Just like I don't think it was an accident that for years they talked about getting out of debt and look at us now. (Not that the downturn/recession will change their call to financial stability, getting out of debt and preparedness.) Elder Nelson tells us, remind us, preaches to us the importance of celestial marriages.

I love the messages of JOY scattered through the conference this time around. It truly made me stop and think "Am I happy? Am I filled with JOY?"

"That joy comes when we choose to live in harmony with God's eternal plan."

Joy comes when we choose the right. Plain and simple! The other day a child made a mistake, tried to cover it up, was unrepentant when caught and the day went downhill from there. If he had just repented when caught, the subject would have been dropped. BUT NO! How many times am I caught being unhappy because I was unrepentant?

I've always loved this thought, "While salvation is an individual matter, exaltation is a family matter." I remember my mom telling me that as a teen and I've thought about it often. I will be saved through my OWN actions and my own acceptance of the atonement, but I won't get to the highest without a celestial marriage.

"To obtain the highest, a husband and wife must be sealed for time and all eternity and keep their covenants made in a holy temple." The task is not complete until you have KEPT the covenants. It is one of those "endure to the end" things that we constantly run into.

"The noblest yearning of the human heart is for a marriage..."

Satan has sure mixed that truth up!

"...that can endure beyond death." Fidelity to a temple marriage does that. It allows families to be together forever."

Of course there are days I don't want to be together forever (just joking)!

It would truly be a lonely place without our families. I was recently in the Salt Lake area on a business trip and was in a hotel with a very, very good friend, but not with a single member of my family. I wasn't ALONE and I truly wasn't LONELY, but I did miss my family. I loved the solitude and the ability I had to read 100 plus pages in my book, but I did miss them. I missed their noise, chaos and their hugs. I can't imagine not having them with me forever.

"The earth was created and this church was restored so that families could be formed, sealed and exalted eternally."

And I'm so thankful for that!

"To qualify for eternal life, we must make an eternal and everlasting covenant with our Heavenly Father. This means that a temple marriage is not only between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God."

Of course when I was younger and getting married I was naive in my knowledge of this concept, but I embraces it with my heart and wished, hoped and dreamt it was true. In fact I told my future husband (he was "just a friend" at that time in our dating) one evening that my wedding ring needed to have three stones: one representing him, one me and the big one Heavenly Father. I had been taught that it was a three way covenant and I wanted my wedding right to represent that. Little did I know that he was listening and proposed to me with a ring with three diamonds in it.

"When a family is sealed in the temple, that family may become as eternal as the kingdom of God itself."

COOL!!!!! This talk is just filled with gems and thoughts I had thought but didn't have the words for or never attempted to vocalize.

Ok, I just love this next quote: "In fact, each marriage starts with two built in handicaps. It involves two imperfect people."

One of those people is ME! My goal is to change that and not be a handicap to our marriage (but I feel I'm failing miserable)!

He goes on...."That effort will succeed if each partner will minimize personal demands and maximize actions of loving selflessness."

That is why I fail! I'm one of the most selfish persons on the planet. My feeling are wounded quickly and I hold on to those feelings and nurse them for all it is worth! I have a closet full of hurts that need tending regularly and when I'm down, I go to my closet, open it up and visit with them all. One day I will clean them all out, but for now they are like my old pair of jeans that fit so nicely--I can't toss them out.

And the last quote: "Harmony in marriage comes only when one esteems the welfare of his or her spouse among the highest of priorities. When that really happens a celestial marriage becomes a reality, bringing great joy in this life and in the life to come."

I guess I have a lot of work to do. But I'm sure it will be worth it!

Pray Always follow up

2009-02-20T15:56:00.001-08:00

I have been remiss in not sharing this experience.

Not long after I posted about Elder Bednar's talk "Pray Always" we had an experience that testifies of the necessity to always be praying. We had taken our big van to my in-laws' for the holiday and driven it on the bumpy roads layered with ice and snow. So when I drove it the next couple of weeks I noticed the car kind of shimmying but didn't think much of it because of the disrepair of the road. I made a mental note to myself that I needed to talk to Steve about it, but I thought since he just drove it, it must not be that big of a deal.

I don't drive the van every day and just kept forgetting about it. Then one day, Jason, Mike and I were running and errand. As we drove to the store we notice the shimmy and a lack of guts when I stepped on the gas. I chalked it up to rotten roads and a cold engine. Then on the way home, it started doing it again. We happened to stop at a light that was on a hill. We were going UP the hill and as soon as the light turned green I stepped on the gas only we went BACKWARDS. Talk about frightening. I immediately knew that I had to call Steve and let him know the transmission was shot. Why I knew it was the transmission is beyond me. I just know the inside of the car (barely), where to put the gas in and where the nearest Ford service lot is. As we continued on our way, and while on the phone with Steve, I made the decision that we had to take it in then and there. No dropping the boys off and then going to Ford. I had to do it then!

I had quite a few more turns and lights to go through as well as a couple of hills to climb--with light on them. I told Jason and Mike to start praying and praying fast! Every single light we came to was RED! EVERY ONE! But as soon as my car was just about to have to stop the car in front was moving because the light had turned GREEN! EVERY SINGLE ONE! I have since counted the light between when I told Jason and Mike to start praying and the Ford place and there are SEVEN and four of those are on hills. But the clincher is that to turn into Ford you have to cross traffic and it is a very, very busy road. I have NEVER had a "free" left turn and have always had to stop before entering their lot. Not this time and not in the very middle of the day when there should have been cars driving up and down this road looking for a place for lunch or doing other business. I turned right into the lot, drove UP their driveway and was able to stop right in front of my mechanic's desk! THAT NEVER HAPPENS! I never once came to a complete stop.

I told Jim (yes, we know him on a first name basis) that I thought it was the transmission. A phone call later that afternoon confirmed it.

I still am in awe that I knew it was the transmission--I shouldn't know that stuff, I barely know the word and what it does in a car. And I wish I could say I'm in awe that our prayers were answered, but I know better. The Lord answers prayers and that day He knew our little trip needed some help with SEVEN green lights.

I just hope that those two young men in my car will remember the day they prayed the van through seven lights and right into the garage.

The Test

2009-02-20T14:44:00.000-08:00

My thought on President Packer's talk "The Test"

I love the history lesson/reviews that every once in awhile our beloved General Authorities give us. Knowing where we have been helps us keep our eye on where we want to go. How often do the ancient prophets in our scriptures remind the people he is speaking to about their past? How often do the prophets bring up Moses and the Israelites 40 year walk in the desert? How often do the prophets remind the people of the parting of the Red Sea? OFTEN! and WHY? because we need to remember the mercies of the Lord, the consequences of our actions and that the Lord NEVER FORGETS HIS PEOPLE!

There are also lessons to be learned from the individuals that go through the trials. I have learned a lot studying Joseph Smith. I've learned a lot from studying those of my family who stood shoulder to shoulder with him and Brigham Young. I've learned a lot from Alma, Nephi, John Taylor, John Daniel Holladay, Christian Olsen and many, many more.

President Packer said, "Rather than being consumed with revenge, they were anchored to revelation." Ever one of the people I have named followed this council (plus those in the talk). It isn't hard for me to follow that same example WHEN I remember the lessons from my history.

President Packer said this "the same Lucifer who was cast out of our Father's presence is still at work. He, with the angels who follow him, will trouble the world of the Lord and destroy it if he can."

and only the righteous can stop him. We can stop him from destroying the means of our future lives by being righteous and bring up a righteous generation. I know it is hard. I know I want to give up some times (OK--a LOT OF TIMES) but it is knowing my history that makes me want to not give up and stick with it and push forward with a steadfast faith.

Finding Joy in the Journey

2009-01-26T13:43:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Pres. Monson's talk "Finding Joy in the Journey"

I've always had a hard time with the changing of Presidents in the Church. Not that it has happened all that much in my life time, but it just seems it takes me a good two or three years before I truly love the new president as much as I did the last one. I'm not sure if it is because I have heard President Monson my entire life, love his down home stories, because I'm more mature (that is up for debate) or if this constant study of his words has made that transition smoother, faster or whatever. Nevertheless, I've grown to love this man faster than I thought and definitely fast than the last transition between Presidents. I just find that curious.

This talk was for me. I'm glad the rest of you enjoyed it, but he was speaking to me and me alone. When I heard it I cried. When I read it I cried. When I reread it I cry again. In the past eight years there has been a lot in my life that just hasn't gone right--no that's not the correct phrase. It is more honest to say, "the way I wanted it to go and had planned for it to go." Those of you who know me well, know most of the reasons why I might say something like that, but long ago my mom taught me that despite all the reasons why you could reasonably be justified in being angry, depressed or upset at the world--you have no ground to stand on if you have food, shelter, water and love.

I haven't lost any of those things--in fact they have only gotten better, so I shouldn't feel down. But life happens as we lose perspective. We just need an "eye exam" to set us straight. This was my "eye exam".

"Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes."

This is the one principle of science I understand all to well every morning when my alarm goes off and the bags are still under my eyes and the wrinkles are just a bit deeper. DANG is all i have to say. ~smile~

"I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."
I could quit typing now and just say, "AMEN!"

You do collect yesterdays waiting for tomorrow.
"My brothers and sisters, there is no tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today."

I guess I will stop saying, "Leave me alone, we can do that tomorrow." I need to stop and do it today. I have to remember that story about Arthur Gordon and his father. "But childhood doesn't [keep coming back]."

"Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future."
YEP!

"Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us."

This statement reminds me of Elder Oaks' talk "Good, Better, Best". We need to remember what is best in our life--our family and the memories we are building today. We can't change the memory we gave them for yesterday, but we can made a new memory for today. I hate to bring up my business in this forum, but that is why I named my business what I did: Sunshine Memories. We need to catch the memories while the sun is shining in our lives. While we are alive and vibrant. We need to make memories today because one thing that will happen to us all is we will leave this world. If we don't make memories now....

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." My new motto as I deal with my teens. Now if only it will get embedded in my thoughts. Maybe I need to repeat that every morning (where are my post-it notes?).

If you had just 25 words, what would they be?
I have to think about that one and get back to you.

Here is my big epiphany for the day: "Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings."
You can tell exactly what is important to a child by listening to their prayers. Their "blesses" and "thank you's" can tell you a lot about what is important to them. I will have to listen closely tonight to my own prayer.

"Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed."

As a homeschooling mom I do fill my life with that which matters the most to me: my children. I never pray (except in public) without thanking my Father in Heaven for my children. They were not easy to get, hard to get out and sometimes a pain to raise, but I wouldn't do it any other way. I love them and am so thankful they are mine. I'm sure someday when they are older and wiser they will thank their Father in Heaven for letting me be their mother. I know it took me way too long to figure that one out. I knew it, but I don't think I ever said it out loud until I was older--much to old.

Now I need to go find my "joy" they are around here somewhere--probably making a mess and I'm going to find joy in cleaning it up. It would be sad if I didn't have a mess to clean up ~smile~.

The Truth of God Shall Go Forth

2009-01-26T13:31:00.001-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Ballard's talk "The Truth of God Shall Go Forth"

The older I get the more I love hearing these history lessons from our General Authorities. I didn't highlight much of the talk, but it brought a lot of thoughts to my mind.

My family was persecuted when they first joined the Church back in Norway. As my mom's books tell the story, My great-great-great-grandfather was a good mason and very well respected until they joined the church. Work then dried up. I don't know if they ever went to bed thinking "Is this worth it" or not, but I can testify that 170 years later there is a grand-daughter who says, "Yes, grandfather! It is worth it."

That same family had hardship after hardship as they tried desperately to get everyone to the Salt Lake Valley. In fact it took some 20 years for them to all meet up again in the Valley. I don't know what that reunion was like, but I know what the reunion will be like when I greet them. I will wrap my arms around them and say, "Thank you!"

As Elder Ballard says, "Despite all the persecution, the truth of God was indeed going forth boldly and nobly." And it continues to go forth boldly and nobly.

"This is God's work, and God's work will not be frustrated. But there is still much to be done before the Great Jehovah can announce that the work is done."
Are we going to be part of that or are we going to be a hindrance?

"We need to believe as they believed. We need to work as they worked. We need to serve as they served. And we need to overcome as they overcame."

I can only pray that my service, my work, my belief is half that of those who found the gospel in Norway in the 1840's, England in the 1870's, Georgia in the 1830's and California in the 1970's.

The hymn "Let us all Press On" is making its way through the radio in my head. Let's all hum....

A Return to Virtue

2009-01-26T13:10:00.001-08:00

My thoughts on Sister Dalton's talk "A Return to Virtue".

What a powerful talk. I'm so glad this was saved for EVERYONE and not just the young women.

I'm sorry we have to "return" to virtue. I'm sorry that we ever left. I had hoped we as a people would have stayed there, but I guess we all need to be called to repentance.

Virtue:
is a prerequisite for entrance into the temple.
is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards (I like that one)
encompasses chasity
encompasses moral purity
begins in the heart & mind
is nurtured at home
is the accumulation of 1000's of small decisions and actions.
is STRENGTH!

"Virtuous women and men possess a quiet dignity and inner strength. They are confident because they are worthy to receive and be guided by the Holy Ghost."

WOW what powerful words. I could say AMEN and sit down.

She quotes Pres. Monson: "“You be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow. There is no friendship more valuable than your own clear conscience, your own moral cleanliness—and what a glorious feeling it is to know that you stand in your appointed place clean and with the confidence that you are worthy to do so.”"

I hope I get to feel "glorious" as I stand clean and with confidence at the gates of Heaven. I hope that I feel that way today and tomorrow as well. And I pray that my children will feel that way always because they live that way.

I love the story about being poisoned by degrees. We as a culture are poisoned by degrees. My husband and I love watching movies--especially old time movies. We notice that the camera stops before the clothing come off. The camera stops at the bedroom door. The actors and actresses don't show too much skin. In fact very few belly buttons are shown, if any at all. What a different world we live in. And it was by "degrees" that we got here. We as a people allowed it. But, we as a family can stop it--at least from coming into our home.

"Could it be that first we tolerate, then accept, and eventually embrace the vice that surrounds us?"

Let's not even tolerate it one bit. Never accept it and NEVER embrace it. I vow that my family will not be poisoned by degrees as long as I'm able to fight the fight and stand with my other 7 warriors against the evil that wants inside my home. And we will do that by...

"The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare." Just as the marathon winner said. To win this fight we must practice daily. No one ever ran 20 minutes on the treadmill and was 20 pounds lighter. No they did 20 months on the treadmill and then were 20 pounds lighter. It takes daily practice and daily vigilance to fight the foe.

"The course and the training program will be unique to each of us."
This means we have to be worthy to receive the instructions on how to run the course and how to train. That comes through personal revelation and recognition of the Spirit in our lives. It requires that we actively seek for guidance. Activity seek for the Spirit to dwell with us. To get that it will mean, prayer, scripture study, temple attendance and church attendance. Those aren't hard, but like my dentist brother tells me--brushing your teeth just once a week will not prevent cavities--you have to do it daily. Nor will brushing afterwards get rid of the decay once it has started--you have to be brushing BEFORE you get them. You have to attend weekly and then do the daily stuff to win the war.

We must all return to virtue. I'm going to get into training so I can win the fight, not get poisoned and be ready to stand with confidence when I meet my Savior.

God Loves and Helps all of His Children

2009-01-16T17:13:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Elder McMullin's talk "God Loves and Helps all of His Children"

As a primary worker I know that the statement is true! God does love his Children and helps them more than we can even imagine. We just have to look to see it.

"The Church welfare plan embodies this divine pattern, and faithful Church members follow it. Their offerings provide succor to the widow, care to the orphan, and refuge to the suffering."

When I was a little girl our family had to use the Bishop's Storehouse more than once, actually for a few years. It was a blessing for our family. Not only did we use it, but my mother was the manager for quite a few years. It gave her the opportunity to work (money coming in) to serve (she never put down every hour she worked), know connections (how many times were there donations that were passed along to those who were truly in need by those who could help out by just having my mom say, "Brother/Sister Brown you need to talk to Brother/Sister Black and they will be able to help you with your need.) and of course we were able to benefit from her service in both our bank account as well as our tummies. Us kids even went down there and put in our own service hours. It was from there that I learned all about service. The job hours were such that she could work school hours and if she didn't, we could go to work with her. It was a great example of serve and the Lord's true love for his children. I learned a lot.

The world could learn a lot from the Church's system as well. It is interesting to see how many times our local newspaper runs a spot on the Church's welfare system and says something like, "The Mormons sure know how to take care of their own and the rest of us as well." We do, and they should learn from us.

"Welfare principles . . . do not change. They will not change. They are revealed truths."

Joseph of Egypt knew it. The Saints of the 1800's knew it and we should know it and practice it as well. In times of plenty you stock up for the lean years. These truths are universal and eternal. The Lord looks after the physical as well as the spiritual welfare of his people.

That leads right into the spiritual welfare of His children.

"Another essential way to receive God’s help is through prayer. We are commanded to pray to God, our Father, in the name of Jesus Christ. The admonition is, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened.”Heavenly Father answers all sincere prayers."

He answers our prayers and "He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face."

As the storms have hit the Blanding home we have felt his comfort and his leading both physically as well as spiritually. He truly loves us.

The power of a priesthood blessing.
I didn't receive many priesthood blessings growing up as my father was gone a lot. To this day I forget to ask for them. I have been trying to remember more and more, but it seems as if the Lord has answered my prayers and so the need for priesthood blessings haven't been needed. BUT, when they are needed, I feel the power behind them. I feel the Lord's arms wrapped around me.

In my auto accident I received a concussion and about six weeks of my life are completely blank. I don't recall much of what happened from the time the car hit me to the time I "woke up" six weeks later. I was taken to the hospital but released a few hours later. I know i went to numerous doctor appointments, drove the car, taught school, played the piano in church, made Thanksgiving dinner, etc, but I don't recall any of it. But I do remember the blessing I received upon arriving home from the hospital. I was sitting in my husband's office chair because it had a tall enough back that I could rest my head against it (my neck and head hurt so bad). I remember that the brother who came worked from home and only live a few blocks away. I remember he was in a shirt and tie (guess he had enough time to change before we got home). I remember that Steve told me he didn't know who would be coming to help give me a blessing, my visiting teacher arranged it. I remember it as short and to the point and it told me "that in due time I would no longer feel the effects of the accident." I remember thinking "due time? Honey you were to bless me to heal now."

After I woke up from my six weeks of concussion I reflected back on that blessing. I couldn't wrap my mind around why my husband said that and why he would want me to go through all this pain and torture. I still don't know all the reasons, but I have a better grasp of what the Lord wanted me to learn and the only way I could learn it was through that trial. I'm not thankful I was in the accident as the negative effects to our family will last forever, but I am thankful for the lessons I have learned, am learning and will continue to learn. I just hope that the promise my husband spoke will one day come true and that I will live righteously enough to receive the blessing of not feeling the effects of the accident.

Our Hearts Knit as One

2009-01-16T16:55:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on President Eyring's talk: "Our Hearts Knit as One"

"My message is that we are doing better. Fathers and mothers are pleading for unity in their homes, and those prayers are being answered. Families are praying together night and morning."

I'm one of those mothers. I pray for my children to be united in love and peace. With the dynamics I have in my house it sometimes feels like I'm just the judge and jury and no verdic I hand down satisfies no one. It seems like I'm losing the war. I just hope that my efforts bring about the promises they are supposed to.

"He cannot grant it to us as individuals. The joy of unity He wants so much to give us is not solitary. We must seek it and qualify for it with others. It is not surprising then that God urges us to gather so that He can bless us. He wants us to gather into families. He has established classes, wards, and branches and commanded us to meet together often. In those gatherings, which God has designed for us, lies our great opportunity. We can pray and work for the unity that will bring us joy and multiply our power to serve."

It takes two to want it to have it. Unity is a plural word in this case. Our family needs to be united in our desires, our hopes, our jobs, our religion and our happiness. He wants to much to bless us, but we first have to ask and then be worthy of it. My prayer is that our family is worthy and that we partake of it.

I love this part about revelation. "Revelation is the only way we can know how to follow the will of the Lord together. It requires light from above."

As a community that is often without power I know what it is like to be in total darkness--physical that is. It isn't fun. You feel like you can't move. You have to take some time to get use to the darkness and even then you feel like you have lost your way, even in your own familiar home. And along with this darkness comes a coldness. Our power outages usually happen during the shorten day but very cold winter. It gets darn cold. That is what I think my life would be like without personal revelation from our Father. It would be dark and cold. Now if only I can empress upon my children the necessity of keeping themselves worthy to receive that personal revelation and then use it. If only.....

Speaking well of others:

Boy does my family need this part and desperately. It starts with me and trickles on down. We need to stop murmuring and muttering. We are a very sarcastic family, but sometimes we carry it too far and feelings get hurt and that leads to a lot of contention.

"Realizing that you see others in an imperfect light will make you likely to be a little more generous in what you say. In addition to that scripture, you might remember your mother saying—mine did—”If you can’t say anything good about a person, don’t say anything at all.”"

I need to read this part again and again until it is sunk deep in my heart and my behavior changes.

"I can promise you a feeling of peace and joy when you speak generously of others in the Light of Christ."

And I wonder why we don't have peace and joy in my home....

Guess I have my next FHE lesson! Do you think they will listen? Do you think we will change?

Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship

2009-01-16T16:36:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Elder Hales' talk "Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship"

This was such a timely talk. Of course hind sight is 20-20. But having this come out a month before the fall out of the passing of Prop8 in California was miraculous--of course this is the LORD'S church after all.

Here are some comments I want to remember and comment on:

"Some people mistakenly think responses such as silence, meekness, forgiveness, and bearing humble testimony are passive or weak. But, to “love [our] enemies, bless them that curse [us], do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us], and persecute [us]” takes faith, strength, and, most of all, Christian courage."

When I was a little girl I was picked on in my neighborhood for my beliefs. My mom told me that it didn't matter what they said or thought of me, I was a bigger person because I walked way. Any person can strike back with words or fists, but it take a man (or woman) to walk away and not say anything. "Remember no one was converted because they got a bloody nose."

Elder hales said: "... we must never become contentious when we are discussing our faith." I wholeheartedly agree as well as think that we should always seek to rid our discussions of contention no matter the topic. You can disagree without contention and I need to learn that one better. My opinion is easily offended (maybe I need to read Elder Bednar's talk from a few years ago over).

"But true disciples of Christ see opportunity in the midst of opposition."

There is no such thing as bad press. I don't know about you, but I had the opportunity to talk about our belief in family and marriage in November with not only my family, but a non-member friend. She was aghast that some of her friends had picked on the Mormons because they stood up for what they believed. She came to me to get the skinny and I was able to tell her what I believe and what the church really believed. Thankfully we have the Proclamation on the family! I love that thing! Saves me in so many ways!

"We should never confuse boldness with Satan’s counterfeit: overbearance. True disciples speak with quiet confidence, not boastful pride."

I need to remember this even when I'm not confronted with doctrinal questions.

"We are always better staying on the higher ground of mutual respect and love."
Enough said!

"To be guileless is to have a childlike innocence, to be slow to take offense and quick to forgive.
"these qualities are first learned in the home and family and can be practiced in all our relationships."

I think I've fallen down in teaching my children these attributes. I think my example was/is poor and I need to repent. One of my goals is to not be easily offended at home and to forgive quickly and let it pass. Now to put it in practice.

To Learn, to Do, to Be

2009-01-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Pres. Monson's talk "To Learn, to Do, to Be"

"How might we merit this promise?" he asks after quoting Ezekiel 36:26-28
How do we get a new heart? Of course President Monson tell us.
1. Learn!
Learn what we should learn.
I love the verses in D&C 88 (start with 70) as they tell us what our curriculum should be and in what order. The gospel should always come first (is that why we have scriptures first?) and then all the rest.
But President Monson doesn't talk about curriculum and such. No, he talks about learning our duty.

"He should think of his calling as though he were on the Lord's errand." he quotes President Lee.
"...when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it."

2. Do!
Do what we should do.
I think this is where Nephi's famous quote comes into play, "I will go and do the thing which the Lord commands..."
"Each priesthood holder attending this session tonight has a calling to serve, to put forth his best efforts in the work assigned to him."
Of course he is speaking to the brethren, but he also speaks to us. What callings has He asked of us?
I'm a mom.
I'm a teacher.
I'm a wife.
I'm a daughter.
I'm a pianist.
I'm a visiting teacher.
I'm a child of God.
I'm a member of the church.
I'm a member missionary.
I'm a leader.
I'm a citizen of the USA.
I'm even a soccer coach.
I have a lot of jobs, callings, and places where I have work to do.

"The old adage is ever true: “Do your duty, that is best; leave unto the Lord the rest.”"
There isn't much left to leave ~smile~.

3. Be!
Be what we should be.
I am a child of God. That is what I should be. I have taken upon myself the name of my Savior. I have a lot to be.

"Paul counseled his beloved friend and associate Timothy, “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”"
Am I that example? How do I drive. Try driving around a non-Utah town with a licence plate holder that reads BYU or some sticker in the window or on the bumper that has some Mormon type saying. It makes you think about how you drive. ~smile~.

I know I have to check my frustrated words during a soccer match. I am an emotional and passionate soccer coach and I have to think and check my words when I'm walking the sidelines. What words escape my lips tells buckets about my character. What kind of an example am I?

President Monson says this:
"I would urge all of us to pray concerning our assignments and to seek divine help, that we might be successful in accomplishing that which we are called to do. Someone has said that “the recognition of power higher than man himself does not in any sense debase him.” He must seek, believe in, pray, and hope that he will find. No such sincere, prayerful effort will go unanswered: that is the very constitution of the philosophy of faith. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it."

Do we seek for guidance in our callings? I sure hope so. But what about those mundane callings? Like pianist, Doreen, or Visiting Teacher? Who do we talk to about our callings? Our husbands, our neighbors, our friends, our Bishop, our Lord? Who is first on that list?

It is only through learning, doing and being that we get the blessings that wait in store for us.

To Learn, to Do, to Be

2009-01-05T16:52:00.000-08:00

My thoughts from Pres. Monson's talk "To Learn, to Do, to Be"

This was a long, long talk, so I'm going to break it up.

I got my yearly theme for my family from this. It will be introduced tonight in Family Home Evening:

"Let us make our homes sanctuaries of righteousness, places of prayer, and abodes of love that we might merit the blessings that can come only from our Heavenly Father. We need His guidance in our daily lives."

Not sure exactly what how I'm going to present it, but we are going to march through “For the Strength of Youth" with this statement being our guide. Not all in one night, but over the year we are going to study SOY, as we like to call it at our home.

Any ideas are greatly welcomed!

O Ye That Embark

2009-01-05T16:27:00.000-08:00

My thought on Pres. Eyring's talk "O Ye That Embark"

I know he was speaking to Priesthood leaders but I took this to my womanly heart as well. In the first sentence he said:

"[T]onight I wish to encourage priesthood holders who at times feel overwhelmed with their responsibilities. That is a challenge I have spoken of before. I return to it because it returns so often in the lives of those I love and serve."

My heart feels overwhelmed most of the time because of my responsibilities placed at my feet. And lately I've needed my mother's advice and of course there is no one at the other end of the line to answer my call. Oh, how I miss her! (times infinity, as my kids would way.)

What is true for the goose is also true for the gander:
"Those of you further down the road are smiling because you know something about priesthood service. It is this: the more faithful service you give, the more the Lord asks of you. Your smile is a happy one because you know that He increases our power to carry the heavier load.
The tough part of that reality, however, is that for Him to give you that increased power you must go in service and faith to your outer limits."

I do feel tested to the outer limits. On days like today, I feel like the next phone call, next email, next request will push me over the edge. But then I remember his next line:
"It is like building muscle strength. You must break down your muscles to build them up. You push muscles to the point of exhaustion. Then they repair themselves, and they develop greater strength. Increased spiritual strength is a gift from God which He can give when we push in His service to our limits. Through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our natures can be changed. Then our power to carry burdens can be increased more than enough to compensate for the increased service we will be asked to give."
(Which reminds me, I need to get back to the gym now that my surgeon has cleared me.)

As the visiting teaching coordinator I love this statement because everyone can do their part to lift the burden on the RS presidency if only they practice the "Life Where you Stand" principle talked about by Pres. Uchtdorf.
"That helps me understand when I see someone else who makes priesthood service look easy. I know that they have either passed hard tests or that the tests lie ahead. So rather than envying them, I stand ready to help when the going gets harder for them, because it surely will."

"That testing of our limits in priesthood service is made necessary by God’s plan to qualify His children to live with Him again forever. Heavenly Father loves His children. He offered us eternal life, to live with Him again in families and in glory forever."

We have to remember that Satan tempts and the Savior tests. Our response to the testing lets Satan, our Heavenly Father and other know where we stand. Of this I have a very strong testimony. When we don't remember this:
"It is not surprising that we feel from time to time nearly overwhelmed. Your thought that “I’m not sure I can do this” is evidence that you are understanding what it means to hold the priesthood of God. The fact is that you can’t do it by yourself. The responsibility is too difficult and too important for your mortal powers and for mine. Recognizing that is at the foundation of great priesthood service.
When those feelings of inadequacy strike us, it is the time to remember the Savior. He assures us that we don’t do this work alone. There are scriptures to put on your mirror and to remember in the moments when you are doubting your capacity."
We past the test. This is an open book, call on the professor kind of test. He may not give you the answers, but he will point you in the right direction and sooner or later those who are patient, faithful and obedient find the answers to His tests.

I love that our leaders recognize that we feel overwhelmed. They address it. They ask us to change it. They ask us to pick the best, not just the good or better. They ask the wards to cut back on activities so that we as families can come together. They are keenly aware of our troubles, and our feelings. For that I'm grateful.

And because they know they give us these promises from on high:
"I know that the promise of angels to bear us up is real."

I feel those angels in my life. We've discussed them before.
"[T]here are more with you than those you can see opposed to you. Some who are with you will be invisible to your mortal eyes. The Lord will bear you up and will at times do it by calling others to stand with you."

President Eyring then tells a few things that will help us in our callings.
1. Recognize and welcome those who the Lord sends to help us.
2. See in every assignment the opportunity to strengthen another.
Notice he didn't say "one another" but strengthen another--service. How many times have we heard that when we are in the depths of woe to find someone to service and we will feel better. When we feel overwhelmed, look for help and help others.

I love what he wrote about Pres. Faust and the advice he gave to him and thus to us all.
"I said that doubt had come to me, as if I had hit a wall. I expected that he was going to reassure me. I told him that I appreciated his being aware of my doubts and asked for his help. But I was surprised by his kind, firm reply. He said, “Don’t ask me. Go to Him.” Then he pointed up to heaven. Now years later I sit in that same office. When I walk into it I look up and remember him and how he taught me by example how to help those who are feeling overwhelmed in the Lord’s service. Find a way to send them with confidence to Him. If they will follow your counsel, they will gain the strength they need and to spare."
How often do I try to tell my children the answers when the Lord has them. I need to direct my children to the Lord more often. I will start this week to do that. They will learn to trust in His answers.

Lift Where you Stand

2009-01-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Pres. Uchtdorf's "Lift Where You Stand"

I don't know how many times I had to retype the title. I kept typing "Life" not "Lift". I think Living where we stand is also a valuable lesson.

My Ensign is getting more and more highlighted the longer I read. I keep going back to other addresses and marking them all up again.

I love the subtitle:
"Every priesthood holder stands at a unique place and has an important task that only he can perform."

I think applies to every person who has been baptized!

"Some Want to Lead, Other want to Hide."

This statement makes me think about how different some people are wired. My husband would much rather take orders and do his job. I on the other hand can't stand to sit back and watch, I not only need to be involved but most of the time I like to lead. BUT I know how to follow and because I like to lead (and am often doing it) know what makes a good follower so I try to be that follower. Neither of us want to hide and neither of us seek leadership. When called to lead, we will lead and likewise when called to follow, we follow.

I do know of those who will throw tantrums when they can't lead or the leadership position is taken from them. They not only make horrible leaders (even if they have the talent for such), but they make worse followers because they have a chip on their shoulder and think they could do a better job. They may be right, but it isn't their job, calling, position or whatever you want to call it.

"President Benson went on to say, “The Lord expects each of us to have a calling in His Church so that others may be blessed by our talents and influence.”"

I think the sin comes in play when we do it for the applause and accolades that come our way.

Pres. Uchtdorf said it best "Oddly enough, often the root cause of both of these tendencies—seeking to lead or seeking to hide—may be the same: selfishness."

A Better Way:

"When we seek to serve others, we are motivated not by selfishness but by charity."

Those who truly want to magnify their calling will do a bang up job in whatever calling they have, leadership or followship (not a typo). I just hope my children will learn this concept and be strong in whatever calling they are given.

"... we too easily and too often get caught up in seeking the honors of men rather than serving the Lord with all our might, mind and strength."

This is a trap that many a great leader has fallen in. I see biblical heroes fall in this trap, great men in history fall into this trap and Pres. Uchtdorf gave it a name: SELFISHNESS. That is one of the deadliest traps and leads us to lots of sins. Think about it. Almost every sin is about the self--pleasure to oneself without regards to those who you might hurt. I'm not going to list the sins because my net nanny might not let me see this post if I do, but think about the sins that get you in grave trouble--the kind you have to see the Bishop about. All of them are about selfishness.

This is the trap that Satan wants us to fall into and ensnare ourselves. Once there he then lies to us and tells us the Lord doesn't want someone this dirty in his presents. That is a true statement, but Satan forgets to tell us that there is a way to clean ourselves and it is at our Savior's feet. As in the address by Elder Jensen, our Savior has his arms out stretched ready for his lost and dirty sheep to come home. He will wash our scarlet sins away and we can become white.

I see Satan working on a young man in my family. I see him say things like the Lord doesn't love me because I lied to you. I'm no good. This family sucks. No one loves me. Satan is hard at work at this young man.

But I digress off the topic... sort of.

"When we stand close together and lift where we stand, when we care more for the glory of the kingdom of God than for our own prestige or pleasure, we can accomplish so much more."

I think my son doesn't realize the good he does do. I don't think he realized the great man he is becoming and will become if he only stays the course and continues down the path of righteousness.

An opportunity to serve and grow---that is what even the mundane of callings is.
"No calling is beneath us. Every calling provides an opportunity to serve and to grow. The Lord organized the Church in a way that offers each member an opportunity for service, which, in turn, leads to personal spiritual growth. Whatever your calling, I urge you to see it as an opportunity not only to strengthen and bless others but also to become what Heavenly Father wants you to become."

I truly have to remember this when I'm in what I call the no-brainer callings. I have the honor (I truly have to think of it that way) of knowing how to play the piano. In a ward with few who can play the piano that puts me in music most of the time. In fact in my adult life (even when I was a youth) I don't think two years go by without me in a calling that has to do with music. I often have two callings--one in music. Right now I'm primary pianist and as much as I love being in the primary and as much as I think I need a calling that will stretch me and make me grow spiritually, this is where I need to be. I need to help teach these beautiful children to have faith in their Savior. They need to know these songs so that when temptations arise in their life a song will pop into their head and they will pick the right path. "Choose the right way, and be happy." "I am a child of God." "I know my Father lives, and loves me too." "Whenever I touch a velvet rose.... I know Heavenly Father loves me." These song testify of Christ. They help these young tender hearts develop testimonies and very few know how to help them develop it through song. I'm just one of those humble servants who sits behind the piano, making music and helping bare my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel through song.

I have to remember this quote:
"It took some time before the Holy Spirit gave me understanding. I believe that the Lord has a certain calling for every man. Sometimes He grants spiritual promptings telling us that we are worthy to receive certain callings. This is a spiritual blessing, a tender mercy from God.
But sometimes we do not hear the rest of what the Lord is telling us. “Although you are worthy to serve in this position,” He may say, “this is not my calling for you. It is my desire instead that you lift where you stand.” God knows what is best for us."

"Our Heavenly Father asks that we represent Him in the noble work of reaching out and blessing the lives of His children. He asks us to stand firm with the power of the priesthood in our hearts and souls and give the calling we have at this moment our best efforts."

I only hope that I'm a better follower as I fulfill my calling.