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!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Welcome to the Conference
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 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
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.
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.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Mind the Gap
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?
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
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.
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.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Relief Society: A Sacred Work
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!
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!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Be Your Best Self
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!
"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!
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