My thoughts on Elder Lund's talk "Opening Our Hearts"
I testify that you “feel” the Holy Ghost more than you “hear” him. Although on occasions I have heard him.
“The heart is a tender place. “
“It can be softened by love”
Elder Lund then talks about the fences we build around them. As someone who has studied a lot of defenses fences (notice the word fence in defenses—yes spelled a bit different), it pains me to see people put up stone walls 10 feet high around their heart. Because of abuse, life happenings, pains, or rebellion and sin they become higher and thicker, harder for the love to find them, but try we must.
“We must, of our own free will, open our hearts to the Spirit, for He will not force Himself upon us.”
I think we have to remember this when dealing with our children as well—especially our teens. You can lead a horse to water…
But where is my heart? What kind of fence or wall does it have surrounding it? “Purity of heart is certainly one of the most important qualifications for receiving inspiration from God.” (What am I going to be working on this month, year, decade, life-time?) I can either have this blessing “O, all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love.”
OR
“The Lord noted there natural consequences of having one’s heart set on the things of the world: First, we seek to hid our sins instead of repenting of them. Next, we seek to gratify our pride and vain ambitions rather than seeking the things of God. Finally, we begin to exercise unrighteous dominion over others.”
Gut check time! Where is my heart? Where are my thoughts, my actions, my words? And how do I teach this to my children without pointing fingers (even the three pointing back at me)?
“Pride quickly desensitizes our hearts to spiritual promptings.” We see this in almost every civilization on earth that fell or is falling. What about our country, our state, our county, our city, our school, our home, our family, ourselves? Are we desensitized? Are we so proud that we can not receive the promptings and comforting of the Spirit?
“I say again, the condition of our hearts directly affects our sensitivity to spiritual things.” “We choose what we let in or hold out.”
And as the scripture says, “As for me and my house, we will choose the Lord.” I just pray that my children are doing the same thing. That their fence is short, approachable, with a welcome sign on it and that they eagerly allow the Spirit in.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Gaining a Testimony
My thoughts on Elder Hales "Gaining a Testimony of God the Father; His Son, Jesus Chris; and the Holy Ghost."
A testimony of God the Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost. Why do you think it needs to be a testimony of these three beings? Is this different than having a testimony of the Gospel? Or Baptism? Or Tithing? I believe it is.
I have a friend whose husband pays on honest tithe because he has a testimony of it, but is not a baptized member of our church. He sees the blessing that come to his family through his obedience. But he doesn’t have a testimony of the Father, The Son or the Holy Ghost—at least not yet.
I truly didn’t mark but one line from the whole talk because I just agreed with everything Elder Hale said. So what I’m going to say has NOTHING to do with the talk but about my testimony of the God Head.
When I was a young girl and trying desperately to find direction for my life, I was praying like nothing else to feel the Savior’s love and to become a changed person. (not sure I changed all that much ~smile~) I was on an overnight water skiing activity with my Laurel class. We spent the night under the stars at some state park. For some reason when I choose my spot I didn’t realize that when the sun came up it would hit me straight in the face. Everyone else must have placed their heads better than I for at 4:30 AM (we are up way north) the sun woke me up. Of course there wasn’t much for me to do. We air was a bit chilly so I just snuggled into my bag and watched the sun rise. Eventually the sunrays hit a spider web. This as a unique spider web as it was like a ladder between two trees which must have been about 10 feet apart. The dew and the sunlight made this invisible ladder some to life. As my eyes traced up the ladder I noticed that it led to heaven. It was then that my heart burned and I knew Heavenly Father truly loved me as much as anyone else. Not that the spider web was special, but that my heart and mind were open at that moment to feel the love.
Of course I crawled as best as I could onto my knees and spent some time in prayer and then opened my scriptures (the only books we were allowed to bring) and the testimony that had begun to burn that morning was etched into my mind and heart.
When the scriptures say that they can not write the words they heard, I know what it is like. I didn’t hear words, but the feelings I had don’t have an English (or any spoken language) word for them. There is NOTHING to describe the way I felt. I knew then as I do today that the Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost are three different beings each with a similar but different task.
Another time, about 10 years ago, I was asked to speak on Father’s Day, but my topic was our Heavenly Father. You can search all you want, but the scriptures talk very, very little about our Heavenly Father. Our latter-day prophets have spoken more about him than any ancient prophet has. But the one thing I did learn is that if you want to know the Father, know the Son. As you study the Son, his mission, his life and his teachings you will come to know the Father. After all he is about his father’s business.”
A testimony of God the Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost. Why do you think it needs to be a testimony of these three beings? Is this different than having a testimony of the Gospel? Or Baptism? Or Tithing? I believe it is.
I have a friend whose husband pays on honest tithe because he has a testimony of it, but is not a baptized member of our church. He sees the blessing that come to his family through his obedience. But he doesn’t have a testimony of the Father, The Son or the Holy Ghost—at least not yet.
I truly didn’t mark but one line from the whole talk because I just agreed with everything Elder Hale said. So what I’m going to say has NOTHING to do with the talk but about my testimony of the God Head.
When I was a young girl and trying desperately to find direction for my life, I was praying like nothing else to feel the Savior’s love and to become a changed person. (not sure I changed all that much ~smile~) I was on an overnight water skiing activity with my Laurel class. We spent the night under the stars at some state park. For some reason when I choose my spot I didn’t realize that when the sun came up it would hit me straight in the face. Everyone else must have placed their heads better than I for at 4:30 AM (we are up way north) the sun woke me up. Of course there wasn’t much for me to do. We air was a bit chilly so I just snuggled into my bag and watched the sun rise. Eventually the sunrays hit a spider web. This as a unique spider web as it was like a ladder between two trees which must have been about 10 feet apart. The dew and the sunlight made this invisible ladder some to life. As my eyes traced up the ladder I noticed that it led to heaven. It was then that my heart burned and I knew Heavenly Father truly loved me as much as anyone else. Not that the spider web was special, but that my heart and mind were open at that moment to feel the love.
Of course I crawled as best as I could onto my knees and spent some time in prayer and then opened my scriptures (the only books we were allowed to bring) and the testimony that had begun to burn that morning was etched into my mind and heart.
When the scriptures say that they can not write the words they heard, I know what it is like. I didn’t hear words, but the feelings I had don’t have an English (or any spoken language) word for them. There is NOTHING to describe the way I felt. I knew then as I do today that the Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost are three different beings each with a similar but different task.
Another time, about 10 years ago, I was asked to speak on Father’s Day, but my topic was our Heavenly Father. You can search all you want, but the scriptures talk very, very little about our Heavenly Father. Our latter-day prophets have spoken more about him than any ancient prophet has. But the one thing I did learn is that if you want to know the Father, know the Son. As you study the Son, his mission, his life and his teachings you will come to know the Father. After all he is about his father’s business.”
Monday, June 16, 2008
Testimony
My thoughts on Elder Oaks talk "Testimony"
Elder Oaks hold nothing back when he says, “A Testimony is not a travelogue, a health log, or an expression of love for family members. It is not a sermon. President Kimball taught that the moment we begin preaching to other, our testimony is ended.”
How many of us sit through fast and testimony meeting without hear a testimony. I know there are times we want to share our experiences of travel, or an event, but unless there is a testifying of why we know the gospel to be true, or who the Holy Ghost has worked in our lives, we realy shouldn’t stand up. I don’t begrudge anyone their time at the microphone, but I truly only want to hear testimony. If I want to know about their travels, stories or their sermon I will ask.
Knowledge: “…three different kinds of knowledge, each learned in a different way.” Scientific proof. As homeschooler we should understand this knowledge as we try to teach it every day. Personal and subjective can’t be proven scientifically but it is “still important.” Then there is spiritual knowledge. This truly can’t be explained, it has to be felt deep inside. Science can’t explain it and will not yield it.
I have a friend who loves to find facts that the Book of Mormon is true and can’t be a made up story from the mind of Joseph Smith. One day he taught a class on the first 13 chapters of Nephi. In the class he was going to attempt to prove that what Lehi and his family did was totally possible and even show us the route. But before he began he told us that what he was going to show us should NOT be the basis for our testimony and if it is, we should leave and come back when we knew the Book of Mormon was true because science and physical evidence does NOT make a testimony as evident in many of the witnesses to the Gold Plates. He had a long pause before he began his class. I’ve thought about that as I get travel brochures for Central America to tour the Book of Mormon ruins, etc. Those will only enhance my testimony but they are NOT the foundation of my testimony. My testimony of the Gospel comes through the Holy Spirit; one of the Godhead. It is only then that these extra stuff can help cement my testimony in the gospel.
I can liken this to have of the gospel because the Bishop is a good man or you like the youth program. What happens when the bishop is released or something goes wrong at YM/YW? Feelings get hurt and then we leave and have to come back ask Elder Bednar talked about in a conference address.
Elder Oaks then tells us how to get it. This shouldn’t be a secret to those who read the scriptures because it is all over. Nephi tells us how to get it just before he has the same vision as his father. Joseph Smith tells us in his history. The first thing you need is DESIRE! You can add fasting to your prayers to help in declaring your desire and to prepare the soul to receive the personal revelation the Lord has waiting for you. “As we desire and seek, we should remember that acquiring a testimony is not a passive thing but a process in which we are expected to do something.” DARN! I have to work? I wanted it free! Nothing worthwhile is free—especially a testimony of the Gospel.
Elder Oaks also tells us that we can strengthen our testimony by bearing it. “Someone even suggested that some testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them.”
But my favorite part of this is the scripture Elder Oaks quotes: “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, … To others it is given to believe on their words,” I ask you where are you? Are you a bearer or a believer? We need to remember this with our children as well. They might not be a bearer but a believer and if that is the case who are they listening to? As Elder Oaks said, “Our children should also hear us bear our testimonies frequently.”
The last bit of this talk is about the relationship between obedience and knowledge. “…knowledge encourages obedience and obedience enhances knowledge.” DARN more work! “Obedience is not blind when we act upon knowledge suited for the subject of our action.”
I’m not blind!
Elder Oaks hold nothing back when he says, “A Testimony is not a travelogue, a health log, or an expression of love for family members. It is not a sermon. President Kimball taught that the moment we begin preaching to other, our testimony is ended.”
How many of us sit through fast and testimony meeting without hear a testimony. I know there are times we want to share our experiences of travel, or an event, but unless there is a testifying of why we know the gospel to be true, or who the Holy Ghost has worked in our lives, we realy shouldn’t stand up. I don’t begrudge anyone their time at the microphone, but I truly only want to hear testimony. If I want to know about their travels, stories or their sermon I will ask.
Knowledge: “…three different kinds of knowledge, each learned in a different way.” Scientific proof. As homeschooler we should understand this knowledge as we try to teach it every day. Personal and subjective can’t be proven scientifically but it is “still important.” Then there is spiritual knowledge. This truly can’t be explained, it has to be felt deep inside. Science can’t explain it and will not yield it.
I have a friend who loves to find facts that the Book of Mormon is true and can’t be a made up story from the mind of Joseph Smith. One day he taught a class on the first 13 chapters of Nephi. In the class he was going to attempt to prove that what Lehi and his family did was totally possible and even show us the route. But before he began he told us that what he was going to show us should NOT be the basis for our testimony and if it is, we should leave and come back when we knew the Book of Mormon was true because science and physical evidence does NOT make a testimony as evident in many of the witnesses to the Gold Plates. He had a long pause before he began his class. I’ve thought about that as I get travel brochures for Central America to tour the Book of Mormon ruins, etc. Those will only enhance my testimony but they are NOT the foundation of my testimony. My testimony of the Gospel comes through the Holy Spirit; one of the Godhead. It is only then that these extra stuff can help cement my testimony in the gospel.
I can liken this to have of the gospel because the Bishop is a good man or you like the youth program. What happens when the bishop is released or something goes wrong at YM/YW? Feelings get hurt and then we leave and have to come back ask Elder Bednar talked about in a conference address.
Elder Oaks then tells us how to get it. This shouldn’t be a secret to those who read the scriptures because it is all over. Nephi tells us how to get it just before he has the same vision as his father. Joseph Smith tells us in his history. The first thing you need is DESIRE! You can add fasting to your prayers to help in declaring your desire and to prepare the soul to receive the personal revelation the Lord has waiting for you. “As we desire and seek, we should remember that acquiring a testimony is not a passive thing but a process in which we are expected to do something.” DARN! I have to work? I wanted it free! Nothing worthwhile is free—especially a testimony of the Gospel.
Elder Oaks also tells us that we can strengthen our testimony by bearing it. “Someone even suggested that some testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them.”
But my favorite part of this is the scripture Elder Oaks quotes: “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, … To others it is given to believe on their words,” I ask you where are you? Are you a bearer or a believer? We need to remember this with our children as well. They might not be a bearer but a believer and if that is the case who are they listening to? As Elder Oaks said, “Our children should also hear us bear our testimonies frequently.”
The last bit of this talk is about the relationship between obedience and knowledge. “…knowledge encourages obedience and obedience enhances knowledge.” DARN more work! “Obedience is not blind when we act upon knowledge suited for the subject of our action.”
I’m not blind!
The True and Living Church
My thoughts on President Eyring "The True and Living Church"
“Now our obligation is to remain worthy of the faith necessary for us to fulfill our promise to sustain those how have been called.”
I had never thought of my faith being part of my promise to sustain the Prophet and other general authorities or even local leaders. WOW what an earth shattering thought for me.
“For us to sustain those who have been called today, we must examine our lives, repent as necessary, pledge to keep the Lord’s commandment and follow His servants. The Lord warns us that if we do not do those things, the Holy Ghost will be withdrawn, we will lose the light which we have received, and we will not be able to keep the pledge we have made today to sustain the Lord’s servants in His true Church.”
My thoughts go back to early in the Church’s history; those who didn’t keep the commandments, fell away and their support and faith of the chosen leaders was deeply felt. I wonder what my little bitty pieces of faith does to the chosen leaders today.
Elder Eyring asks us to evaluate ourselves (oh, don’t we just love to look at the huge old beam in our own eye!). “First, we need to measure the depth of our gratitude for membership in the true Church of Jesus Christ. Second, we need to know by the power of the Holy Ghost in what ways we can do better in keeping the commandments.”
This last sentence is the one I’m praying for daily. I’m not feeling the Spirit too often in my home so I know there is something missing and so I’m praying to find out what it is that I’m not doing so I can do it better. I pray for help each day trying to figure out why the Spirit of Contention is rampant in our home and how to get him out. I’m sure most of it is lain at my feet, so I pray harder each day to fix one more thing. (Ok, I pray for the whole week or even the month to fix that one thing before I move on to the next.) and then he adds this: “Our lives will be transformed for the better as we exercise faith unto repentance, always remember the Savior, and try ever harder to keep His commandments.” I’m hoping for the transformation—I NEED IT!
I love service. To me that is the ultimate in expressing love. When President Eyring said, “Every member will have opportunities to sustain through service given in the name of God, “ my heart jumped. That is how I can best show my love for the Prophet and other leaders. That is how I can express love to my Relief Society President by doing my visiting teaching. This to me is the best example of our church—by their fruits they will know them.
“Now our obligation is to remain worthy of the faith necessary for us to fulfill our promise to sustain those how have been called.”
I had never thought of my faith being part of my promise to sustain the Prophet and other general authorities or even local leaders. WOW what an earth shattering thought for me.
“For us to sustain those who have been called today, we must examine our lives, repent as necessary, pledge to keep the Lord’s commandment and follow His servants. The Lord warns us that if we do not do those things, the Holy Ghost will be withdrawn, we will lose the light which we have received, and we will not be able to keep the pledge we have made today to sustain the Lord’s servants in His true Church.”
My thoughts go back to early in the Church’s history; those who didn’t keep the commandments, fell away and their support and faith of the chosen leaders was deeply felt. I wonder what my little bitty pieces of faith does to the chosen leaders today.
Elder Eyring asks us to evaluate ourselves (oh, don’t we just love to look at the huge old beam in our own eye!). “First, we need to measure the depth of our gratitude for membership in the true Church of Jesus Christ. Second, we need to know by the power of the Holy Ghost in what ways we can do better in keeping the commandments.”
This last sentence is the one I’m praying for daily. I’m not feeling the Spirit too often in my home so I know there is something missing and so I’m praying to find out what it is that I’m not doing so I can do it better. I pray for help each day trying to figure out why the Spirit of Contention is rampant in our home and how to get him out. I’m sure most of it is lain at my feet, so I pray harder each day to fix one more thing. (Ok, I pray for the whole week or even the month to fix that one thing before I move on to the next.) and then he adds this: “Our lives will be transformed for the better as we exercise faith unto repentance, always remember the Savior, and try ever harder to keep His commandments.” I’m hoping for the transformation—I NEED IT!
I love service. To me that is the ultimate in expressing love. When President Eyring said, “Every member will have opportunities to sustain through service given in the name of God, “ my heart jumped. That is how I can best show my love for the Prophet and other leaders. That is how I can express love to my Relief Society President by doing my visiting teaching. This to me is the best example of our church—by their fruits they will know them.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Concern for the One
My thoughts on Elder Wirthlin’s talk “Concern for the One”
“Some are lost….” This was a different talk for me. I’m not sure what it was, but there was something different about it as it was one that spoke to the heart without words just feelings and I can’t put those feeling into words. I know that makes sense to someone out there.
Elder Writhlin points out that Jesus was always concerned about the one. He spoke to multitudes and blessed multitudes but his concer was always for the one. The lost sheep, the prodigal son, the leaper, the blind, the dead, the little child and on and one. I think the greatest example if in the Book of Mormon when Christ visit the Americas. “And he took their children and blessed them one by one.” If ever there was a time and place I would want to go back in time to this would be the place. When I was a child I desperately wanted to go back then and now that I’m an adult I would still love to go back to that day if only to observe how he treated the children.
Some are lost because they are different. I know what “different” Elder Writhlin is talking about, but I too am different. I’m a stay at home mom who homeschools her children. In my ward the stay at home isn’t too different, but the homeschool is. Because of that the sisters who are my peers and I don’t share too much in common. It is hard to strike up conversations with them. In fact when people bring up the socialization issue with homeschooling, I think they have the wrong humans in mind. It isn’t the children who are sheltered, it is us moms!
Some are lost because they are weary. I think this is me. I’m so very weary. I feel very overwhelmed right now. There are days that my plate is so full that I’m scared to even sit down to look at it. I’ve been known to just call it a veg day and “give up.” I know it is wrong to do that, but there are some days I can’t face that long to-do list. Nothing will get marked off, but the projects and obligations on it are just too much. I truly need to lessen my plate, but when I go to the Lord and ask what to remove, he never lets me remove the hard stuff and reminds me of all the time wasters that I put on that plate making it harder to do the important ones. Thankfully I don’t feel very lost—just sometimes forgotten.
Some are lost because they have strayed. “Except for the Lord, we have all made mistakes. The question is not whether we will trip and fall but, rather, how will we respond?” I hope I’m never in this category. I hope that my testimony is always strong enough to withstand the onslaught of Satan telling me I’m not worthy because I’m not perfect. “To those who have strayed because of doctrinal concerns, we cannot apologize for the truth. We cannot deny doctrine given to us by the lord Himself. On this principle we cannot compromise.” I think we need to internalize this so that when we make mistakes we understand that the standard of conduct and testimony are set and they are not moving. The kids and I just had a discussion about the standards of the church. One of my kids said that I had it easier in my day because the standards were so low. I told them that the commandments have not changed! They are truly the same. The bar may seem higher but only because the world has dug the dirt out from under it and sunk to new levels. We couldn’t commit sexual sins when I was a kid. We couldn’t murder. We couldn’t lie, steal, or cheat. We paid 10% tithing. We paid a generous fast offering. We had to read our scriptures (family and personal), hold family home evening, attend our meetings, say our prayers (family and personal), attend seminary, be good citizens, etc. etc. The only place the bar was raised was in qualifying for a mission. The same bar is there for a temple recommend. The Lord’s doctrine hasn’t changed, see Article of Faith #4 and then 3 Nephi 22:32-35 “And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; … And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; … for he will bisit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.” Hebrew 6:1-2 “Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, … Of the doctrine of baptism, and of laying on of hands, …” and I could go on (do your own search). Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end is what will save us and the Church will never apologize for this doctrine for it truly is the doctrine of Christ.
I know that the Lord is always concerned for the one and I have to remember that I am that ONE!
“Some are lost….” This was a different talk for me. I’m not sure what it was, but there was something different about it as it was one that spoke to the heart without words just feelings and I can’t put those feeling into words. I know that makes sense to someone out there.
Elder Writhlin points out that Jesus was always concerned about the one. He spoke to multitudes and blessed multitudes but his concer was always for the one. The lost sheep, the prodigal son, the leaper, the blind, the dead, the little child and on and one. I think the greatest example if in the Book of Mormon when Christ visit the Americas. “And he took their children and blessed them one by one.” If ever there was a time and place I would want to go back in time to this would be the place. When I was a child I desperately wanted to go back then and now that I’m an adult I would still love to go back to that day if only to observe how he treated the children.
Some are lost because they are different. I know what “different” Elder Writhlin is talking about, but I too am different. I’m a stay at home mom who homeschools her children. In my ward the stay at home isn’t too different, but the homeschool is. Because of that the sisters who are my peers and I don’t share too much in common. It is hard to strike up conversations with them. In fact when people bring up the socialization issue with homeschooling, I think they have the wrong humans in mind. It isn’t the children who are sheltered, it is us moms!
Some are lost because they are weary. I think this is me. I’m so very weary. I feel very overwhelmed right now. There are days that my plate is so full that I’m scared to even sit down to look at it. I’ve been known to just call it a veg day and “give up.” I know it is wrong to do that, but there are some days I can’t face that long to-do list. Nothing will get marked off, but the projects and obligations on it are just too much. I truly need to lessen my plate, but when I go to the Lord and ask what to remove, he never lets me remove the hard stuff and reminds me of all the time wasters that I put on that plate making it harder to do the important ones. Thankfully I don’t feel very lost—just sometimes forgotten.
Some are lost because they have strayed. “Except for the Lord, we have all made mistakes. The question is not whether we will trip and fall but, rather, how will we respond?” I hope I’m never in this category. I hope that my testimony is always strong enough to withstand the onslaught of Satan telling me I’m not worthy because I’m not perfect. “To those who have strayed because of doctrinal concerns, we cannot apologize for the truth. We cannot deny doctrine given to us by the lord Himself. On this principle we cannot compromise.” I think we need to internalize this so that when we make mistakes we understand that the standard of conduct and testimony are set and they are not moving. The kids and I just had a discussion about the standards of the church. One of my kids said that I had it easier in my day because the standards were so low. I told them that the commandments have not changed! They are truly the same. The bar may seem higher but only because the world has dug the dirt out from under it and sunk to new levels. We couldn’t commit sexual sins when I was a kid. We couldn’t murder. We couldn’t lie, steal, or cheat. We paid 10% tithing. We paid a generous fast offering. We had to read our scriptures (family and personal), hold family home evening, attend our meetings, say our prayers (family and personal), attend seminary, be good citizens, etc. etc. The only place the bar was raised was in qualifying for a mission. The same bar is there for a temple recommend. The Lord’s doctrine hasn’t changed, see Article of Faith #4 and then 3 Nephi 22:32-35 “And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; … And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; … for he will bisit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.” Hebrew 6:1-2 “Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, … Of the doctrine of baptism, and of laying on of hands, …” and I could go on (do your own search). Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end is what will save us and the Church will never apologize for this doctrine for it truly is the doctrine of Christ.
I know that the Lord is always concerned for the one and I have to remember that I am that ONE!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Special Experiences
My thoughts on Elder Rasband’s talk “Special Experiences”
I read this talk right after Elder Holland addressed our stake in the adult session of our conference and it was profound. I do not know how to adequately express my thoughts on this topic, but I will try. My heart is very heavy as I’m dealing with a lot of emotions during this season in my life. There is much that I want to change and most of that is not in my control. I can only pray that the bumpy will get smoother, or that I won’t notice so much, because the bumps tend to make my eyes water ~smile~.
“Some experiences will come as serious challenges and heavy trials that test our ability to cope with them.”
I’ve heard all the saying again and again. “He won’t test you more than you can bear.” And my favorite comes from Mother Teresa, my hero, “I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.” But when you are in the middle of it all, it sure gives little comfort, well at least to me.
“As experiences accumulate in our live, they add strength and support to each other. Just as the building blocks of our homes support the rest of the structure, so too do our personal life experiences become building blocks for our testimonies and add to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
But this statement is only true if we recognize it. Otherwise we will see the trials and experiences as a wrecking ball and we will sit back and watch the wrecking ball ruin our testimony. The only thing is we didn’t see who was controlling that ball—ourselves!
I’m glad Elder Rasband added this line, “…think of the special experiences you have been blessed with in your life that have given you conviction and joy in your heart.” After reading the tradition talk by Sister Lant (I read them in reverse order) most of these experiences have happened while participating in a family or ward tradition.
He later says, “…a new building block has been added to my house of faith.” How many times do we look backwards and say that very thing, but while we are in the midst of the experience can’t see that building going on.”
As I’m struggling dealing with life right now, I must have faith that right now the Master Builder and Architect and I are building an amazing house of faith because it sure feels lonely walking through the refiners fire as the building is being built.
I read this talk right after Elder Holland addressed our stake in the adult session of our conference and it was profound. I do not know how to adequately express my thoughts on this topic, but I will try. My heart is very heavy as I’m dealing with a lot of emotions during this season in my life. There is much that I want to change and most of that is not in my control. I can only pray that the bumpy will get smoother, or that I won’t notice so much, because the bumps tend to make my eyes water ~smile~.
“Some experiences will come as serious challenges and heavy trials that test our ability to cope with them.”
I’ve heard all the saying again and again. “He won’t test you more than you can bear.” And my favorite comes from Mother Teresa, my hero, “I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.” But when you are in the middle of it all, it sure gives little comfort, well at least to me.
“As experiences accumulate in our live, they add strength and support to each other. Just as the building blocks of our homes support the rest of the structure, so too do our personal life experiences become building blocks for our testimonies and add to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
But this statement is only true if we recognize it. Otherwise we will see the trials and experiences as a wrecking ball and we will sit back and watch the wrecking ball ruin our testimony. The only thing is we didn’t see who was controlling that ball—ourselves!
I’m glad Elder Rasband added this line, “…think of the special experiences you have been blessed with in your life that have given you conviction and joy in your heart.” After reading the tradition talk by Sister Lant (I read them in reverse order) most of these experiences have happened while participating in a family or ward tradition.
He later says, “…a new building block has been added to my house of faith.” How many times do we look backwards and say that very thing, but while we are in the midst of the experience can’t see that building going on.”
As I’m struggling dealing with life right now, I must have faith that right now the Master Builder and Architect and I are building an amazing house of faith because it sure feels lonely walking through the refiners fire as the building is being built.
Righteous Traditions
My thoughts on Sister Lant’s talk “Righteous Traditions”
Sister Lant asks some very thought provoking questions, “What kinds of traditions do we have?” and “Are we consciously creating righteous traditions, or is life just happening to us?”
I know the rest of the talk is important, but want to discuss traditions we have, both good and bad.
Fortunately or not, I not only brought my traditions but those of my husband to my family. I brought some good ones and some bad ones and he did too. Some even clashed and we had to work out a compromise.
I think of all the huge holiday traditions we have. I was so poor we only celebrated the big ones and most of the time the traditions were dictated by the amount of money we didn’t have. Christmas was hard, but we celebrated even if we had a small Christmas. Somehow the Lord provided for us. Steve, on the other hand, wasn’t so poor (at least when he can remember) so they had a bounteous Christmas. I didn’t have stocking; he did and now we do. He always got a book from his mother; I didn’t and that was one tradition I continued. I always got underwear for Christmas; he didn’t and now my children get a pack of underwear for Christmas. My family always got a puzzle or game for Christmas; his family was hit and miss, now we get a puzzle or game every year. I always put up my Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving just like my mom; but we have two trees—mine and the family. We always acted out the Nativity; so did he and we still do it (thankfully I finally had a girl to take over the part of Mary). We always read the story in Luke and so did he and we still do today. But we have started our own traditions. Steve ALWAYS reads “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and we watch a Christmas movie (usually on Christmas Adam—that is the day before Christmas Eve). I always sing in our stake’s Christmas devotional and my children attend. We always go caroling on Christmas Adam.
What about the other holidays? We truly don’t have many traditions around holidays but we did start one of our own and this one comes from when my husband was courting me. We were dating at BYU and I had a night volleyball class the night of Valentine’s Day in 1989. During that class a glass trophy case fell on my head and shattered. Because I was in class I had to go to the ER to be checked out. That put me clear across campus and without transportation home. My cousin always walked me to my scooter after class, but he wasn’t able to come to the ER with me—he had to finish the class. Needless to say I was a bit upset that all my warm clothes were back at the PE building and so my by scooter. I only had my PE uniform on and it was February in Provo! I knew one of my roommates had a car, but the likelihood of her being home was slim to none, but I didn’t know who else to call. My best friend, who had a car was in the hospital and so I was between a rock and a hard place. Then the ER guy told me that because I was hit on the head, I couldn’t walk home but had to have someone come get me. I decided to call my apartment and see if someone could go find a car to come get me. It so happened that Steve was at my apartment and he came to get me. I didn’t know who was coming for me as my roommate just said that they would find someone. He got me and took me to the PE building where I changed clothes. He then told me to leave the scooter and that he would help me the next day get it. He took me home and then wouldn’t leave but insisted on coming in with me. “I need to make sure you make it up the three flights of stairs.” (YEAH RIGHT!) When I got in the apartment I told Steve that I needed to take a shower to get all the glass out of my hair. He still just stood there! I truly didn’t want to see anyone that day because it was a HORRIBLE day. The library didn’t have any of the books I needed for a report, the trophy case fell on my head, I have lost a ton of homework time by sitting in the health center and now this guy wouldn’t leave my apartment!
Well, I walked back to my room and taped on my door there was a construction paper heart. I opened my door and over my bed was hanging probably 75 construction paper hearts!!! On a few of them were words and I had to put them in order. Steve had spent the better part of the afternoon cutting and taping hearts all over my bedroom asking me out the next day. The next day’s date was truly the first of many that won my heart.
To this day, we spend February 13th cutting out hearts only to tape them to the bedroom door (our first apartment had popcorn ceiling and then our second had vaulted ceilings). We call it a Heart Attack. When the kids came along the Valentine Fairy started showing up and leaving a helium balloon with a deck of cards or something small holding it down. To this day we continue that tradition! It is now trickling down to my children. Sometimes I find my door heart attacked when I’ve had a bad day. Sometimes I will find something yummy outside my bedroom door with a note that has creative spelling!
We also have the tradition of going camping. This comes from my house. We were so poor that is about all we could afford. Of course my husband would rather rough it in a Hotel 6, but he is kind and lets me continue this tradition. I love to camp! I’m just hoping that this year we can afford to go camping and can find the weekend to do it in.
Other traditions our family has:
Family council
Family Home Evening
Family Scriptures
Family Prayer
Yard work together
Saturday clean up!
July 4th (we all wear red, white and blue)
I’m not sure many of these are “righteous” traditions but my hope and prayer is that they will build wonderful memories and that some will even be used in their future homes. And I fervently pray that the bad traditions will be tossed by the way side.
Sister Lant asks some very thought provoking questions, “What kinds of traditions do we have?” and “Are we consciously creating righteous traditions, or is life just happening to us?”
I know the rest of the talk is important, but want to discuss traditions we have, both good and bad.
Fortunately or not, I not only brought my traditions but those of my husband to my family. I brought some good ones and some bad ones and he did too. Some even clashed and we had to work out a compromise.
I think of all the huge holiday traditions we have. I was so poor we only celebrated the big ones and most of the time the traditions were dictated by the amount of money we didn’t have. Christmas was hard, but we celebrated even if we had a small Christmas. Somehow the Lord provided for us. Steve, on the other hand, wasn’t so poor (at least when he can remember) so they had a bounteous Christmas. I didn’t have stocking; he did and now we do. He always got a book from his mother; I didn’t and that was one tradition I continued. I always got underwear for Christmas; he didn’t and now my children get a pack of underwear for Christmas. My family always got a puzzle or game for Christmas; his family was hit and miss, now we get a puzzle or game every year. I always put up my Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving just like my mom; but we have two trees—mine and the family. We always acted out the Nativity; so did he and we still do it (thankfully I finally had a girl to take over the part of Mary). We always read the story in Luke and so did he and we still do today. But we have started our own traditions. Steve ALWAYS reads “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and we watch a Christmas movie (usually on Christmas Adam—that is the day before Christmas Eve). I always sing in our stake’s Christmas devotional and my children attend. We always go caroling on Christmas Adam.
What about the other holidays? We truly don’t have many traditions around holidays but we did start one of our own and this one comes from when my husband was courting me. We were dating at BYU and I had a night volleyball class the night of Valentine’s Day in 1989. During that class a glass trophy case fell on my head and shattered. Because I was in class I had to go to the ER to be checked out. That put me clear across campus and without transportation home. My cousin always walked me to my scooter after class, but he wasn’t able to come to the ER with me—he had to finish the class. Needless to say I was a bit upset that all my warm clothes were back at the PE building and so my by scooter. I only had my PE uniform on and it was February in Provo! I knew one of my roommates had a car, but the likelihood of her being home was slim to none, but I didn’t know who else to call. My best friend, who had a car was in the hospital and so I was between a rock and a hard place. Then the ER guy told me that because I was hit on the head, I couldn’t walk home but had to have someone come get me. I decided to call my apartment and see if someone could go find a car to come get me. It so happened that Steve was at my apartment and he came to get me. I didn’t know who was coming for me as my roommate just said that they would find someone. He got me and took me to the PE building where I changed clothes. He then told me to leave the scooter and that he would help me the next day get it. He took me home and then wouldn’t leave but insisted on coming in with me. “I need to make sure you make it up the three flights of stairs.” (YEAH RIGHT!) When I got in the apartment I told Steve that I needed to take a shower to get all the glass out of my hair. He still just stood there! I truly didn’t want to see anyone that day because it was a HORRIBLE day. The library didn’t have any of the books I needed for a report, the trophy case fell on my head, I have lost a ton of homework time by sitting in the health center and now this guy wouldn’t leave my apartment!
Well, I walked back to my room and taped on my door there was a construction paper heart. I opened my door and over my bed was hanging probably 75 construction paper hearts!!! On a few of them were words and I had to put them in order. Steve had spent the better part of the afternoon cutting and taping hearts all over my bedroom asking me out the next day. The next day’s date was truly the first of many that won my heart.
To this day, we spend February 13th cutting out hearts only to tape them to the bedroom door (our first apartment had popcorn ceiling and then our second had vaulted ceilings). We call it a Heart Attack. When the kids came along the Valentine Fairy started showing up and leaving a helium balloon with a deck of cards or something small holding it down. To this day we continue that tradition! It is now trickling down to my children. Sometimes I find my door heart attacked when I’ve had a bad day. Sometimes I will find something yummy outside my bedroom door with a note that has creative spelling!
We also have the tradition of going camping. This comes from my house. We were so poor that is about all we could afford. Of course my husband would rather rough it in a Hotel 6, but he is kind and lets me continue this tradition. I love to camp! I’m just hoping that this year we can afford to go camping and can find the weekend to do it in.
Other traditions our family has:
Family council
Family Home Evening
Family Scriptures
Family Prayer
Yard work together
Saturday clean up!
July 4th (we all wear red, white and blue)
I’m not sure many of these are “righteous” traditions but my hope and prayer is that they will build wonderful memories and that some will even be used in their future homes. And I fervently pray that the bad traditions will be tossed by the way side.
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