My thoughts on Elder Wirthlin's talk "The Great Commandment"
I read this in sacrament meeting on Sunday and his words have raced through my head and now they are all jumbled up. I hope I can articulate what I’m thinking.
I have a Visiting Teaching breakfast I have to do for my ward in about 30 days. I’ve had this assignment for about 2 months and every suggestion that I was given by my RS president just didn’t sit well with me. I didn’t want to mock the VT program and I didn’t want to play a guilt trip on those sisters who through no fault of their own struggle with the assignments given to them. After reading this talk I know what I’m going to do. Visiting Teaching is about LOVE.
He says:
Brethren and sisters, as you prayerfully consider what you can do to increase harmony, spirituality, and build up the kingdom of God, consider your sacred duty to teach others to love the Lord and their fellowman. This is the central object of our existence. Without charity—or the pure love of Christ—whatever else we accomplish matters little. With it, all else becomes vibrant and alive.
When we inspire and teach others to fill their hearts with love, obedience flows from the inside out in voluntary acts of self-sacrifice and service. Yes, those who go home teaching out of duty, for example, may fulfill their obligation. But those who home teach out of genuine love for the Lord and for their fellowman will likely approach that task with a very different attitude.
(Of course change the word “home” to “visit”)
Now it how do we show that love? I believe it starts at home and becomes a habit. That is what we are going to work on at our house. We are going to work on showing love to our fellow family members. Hopefully that will extend to those we home and visit teach.
That will be hard, but we are going to do it!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Faith, Family, Facts and Fruits
My thoughts on Elder Ballards talk, "Faith, Family, Facts and Fruits"
I really enjoyed this talk. Maybe it was because I read it shortly after Mitt Romney’s speech where he talked just a little about religion and our family followed it up with some huge discussions on religion and what “freedom of religion” means. We have also been doing a mini unit on the Constitution as two of my boys are doing their Citizenship in the Nation merit badge.
I don’t know if you have ever been asked to share your religious beliefs with someone, but once I was. She is a devote Catholic, goes to mass often, had her husband convert and her two boys do the youth thing at their church. Her best friend (our mutual acquaintance) shared a bunch of Mormon stuff with her, but one day after book club she asked the question, “Tell me a little about your church.” I don’t know if she knew she asked us realizing that out of the 6 in the room she was the only non-Mormon there. We did tell her a “little” about the church, but she already knew much of the “little” stuff. Thankfully we had numbers on our side so we could remember it all. But oh, it sure would have been nice to pull this talk out and have her read it!
I think after Christmas FHE are over I will pull this one out and we will go over the four F’s of Mormonism.
As I was reading this talk I was thinking what a great “teaser” it was for the full meal deal. Of course I like the “full meal deal” but not everyone is ready for it. I loved how he separated this into four different areas: Facts, Faith, Family and Fruits.
Just the other day my therapist (who has a partner who does the “dirty” work and is Mormon) asked me about birth control and our faith. I had to laugh as she thought that my husband and I didn’t do it because I stopped having children and it was against my religion to use birth control. I told her that how many children we had was up to us: God, Steve and myself.
As I have been reading many editorials in the newspaper lately about our faith (Mitt sure has brought it to the forefront) I’m amazed at that misinformation that is out there. One author (who was a professor of religion at a local college) said that there were many “strands of Mormonism” out there and was disappointed that Mitt didn’t tell us what one he belonged to. I’m not sure what he was referring to, but I was wondering if he meant ward. As a member who attends weekly (sometimes it seems daily) church services I’m not aware of “strands” of membership. ~chuckle~
Just the other day the boys and I were talking about some of the fruits he listed. One in particular was the longer life. Eventually we got to the discussion on how it takes a few years (decades?) before science and scientist come around to conclusions that Heavenly Father revealed long ago. We talked about how all the social scientist are now talking about how important it is for families to take a night and have dinner and reconnect by having a “council” or family game night. WOW! and to think we have been doing this FOREVER!
Just two days ago there was a letter to the editor in our newspaper from someone who went down to help the flood victims in the Lewis County area of Washington. She was amazed at a bunch of kids who came in with buckets, seemed to be happy and even sang songs while working. She asked them who they were and they said they were “Mormons” (they had on some yellow shirts—the ones the church hands out to the volunteers who help in these types of things). She was so impressed it was going to make her look at Mitt Romney again. If he believes in a “church that young people sing and help then maybe he can help heal our nation.” I thought what an interesting comment. Mitt sure has made the nation sit up and take notice of us. I honestly hope that I’m showing forth the goodness and fruits of the gospel so it can change someone’s life. We are being noticed!!!!
As Elder Ballard says, “…there is no problem with those who are personally acquainted with our members. But there are millions upon millions who are not acquainted with any member of our faith.” Those are the ones we need to “let our lights so shine.”
I really enjoyed this talk. Maybe it was because I read it shortly after Mitt Romney’s speech where he talked just a little about religion and our family followed it up with some huge discussions on religion and what “freedom of religion” means. We have also been doing a mini unit on the Constitution as two of my boys are doing their Citizenship in the Nation merit badge.
I don’t know if you have ever been asked to share your religious beliefs with someone, but once I was. She is a devote Catholic, goes to mass often, had her husband convert and her two boys do the youth thing at their church. Her best friend (our mutual acquaintance) shared a bunch of Mormon stuff with her, but one day after book club she asked the question, “Tell me a little about your church.” I don’t know if she knew she asked us realizing that out of the 6 in the room she was the only non-Mormon there. We did tell her a “little” about the church, but she already knew much of the “little” stuff. Thankfully we had numbers on our side so we could remember it all. But oh, it sure would have been nice to pull this talk out and have her read it!
I think after Christmas FHE are over I will pull this one out and we will go over the four F’s of Mormonism.
As I was reading this talk I was thinking what a great “teaser” it was for the full meal deal. Of course I like the “full meal deal” but not everyone is ready for it. I loved how he separated this into four different areas: Facts, Faith, Family and Fruits.
Just the other day my therapist (who has a partner who does the “dirty” work and is Mormon) asked me about birth control and our faith. I had to laugh as she thought that my husband and I didn’t do it because I stopped having children and it was against my religion to use birth control. I told her that how many children we had was up to us: God, Steve and myself.
As I have been reading many editorials in the newspaper lately about our faith (Mitt sure has brought it to the forefront) I’m amazed at that misinformation that is out there. One author (who was a professor of religion at a local college) said that there were many “strands of Mormonism” out there and was disappointed that Mitt didn’t tell us what one he belonged to. I’m not sure what he was referring to, but I was wondering if he meant ward. As a member who attends weekly (sometimes it seems daily) church services I’m not aware of “strands” of membership. ~chuckle~
Just the other day the boys and I were talking about some of the fruits he listed. One in particular was the longer life. Eventually we got to the discussion on how it takes a few years (decades?) before science and scientist come around to conclusions that Heavenly Father revealed long ago. We talked about how all the social scientist are now talking about how important it is for families to take a night and have dinner and reconnect by having a “council” or family game night. WOW! and to think we have been doing this FOREVER!
Just two days ago there was a letter to the editor in our newspaper from someone who went down to help the flood victims in the Lewis County area of Washington. She was amazed at a bunch of kids who came in with buckets, seemed to be happy and even sang songs while working. She asked them who they were and they said they were “Mormons” (they had on some yellow shirts—the ones the church hands out to the volunteers who help in these types of things). She was so impressed it was going to make her look at Mitt Romney again. If he believes in a “church that young people sing and help then maybe he can help heal our nation.” I thought what an interesting comment. Mitt sure has made the nation sit up and take notice of us. I honestly hope that I’m showing forth the goodness and fruits of the gospel so it can change someone’s life. We are being noticed!!!!
As Elder Ballard says, “…there is no problem with those who are personally acquainted with our members. But there are millions upon millions who are not acquainted with any member of our faith.” Those are the ones we need to “let our lights so shine.”
Friday, December 7, 2007
Mrs. Patton--the Story Continues
My thoughts on President Monson's talk "Mrs. Patton--the Story Continues"
President Monson bears testimony so strongly and so profoundly. I remember listening to this talk and thinking of my sister. She too will live again and I will get to see her.
President Monson bears testimony of the Atonement. I understand it so incompletely, but I have faith and hope in it and its promises. I truly cannot comprehend a love on both the Father’s and the Son’s side that they would do this for me, but being a parent gives some insight into that kind of love. OH, how I wish I could give my children a glimpse of that. How often I say a silent prayer and say, “Father please forgive me for my years as a teen and please give my mother an extra notch on the ladder to Heaven because she raised such an ungrateful soul who knew better than she, or so I thought.”
The best thing about this talk is the warm feeling is gives me. How do I pass that to my children—well, you can’t. You can only bear witness and hopefully the Spirit will touch their hearts.
President Monson bears testimony so strongly and so profoundly. I remember listening to this talk and thinking of my sister. She too will live again and I will get to see her.
President Monson bears testimony of the Atonement. I understand it so incompletely, but I have faith and hope in it and its promises. I truly cannot comprehend a love on both the Father’s and the Son’s side that they would do this for me, but being a parent gives some insight into that kind of love. OH, how I wish I could give my children a glimpse of that. How often I say a silent prayer and say, “Father please forgive me for my years as a teen and please give my mother an extra notch on the ladder to Heaven because she raised such an ungrateful soul who knew better than she, or so I thought.”
The best thing about this talk is the warm feeling is gives me. How do I pass that to my children—well, you can’t. You can only bear witness and hopefully the Spirit will touch their hearts.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?
My thoughts on Elder Uchtdorf's talk "Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?"
I’m sort of glad we saved this for the week. As I have spent the week putting up my Christmas decorations I’ve had reason to rejoice!
Like I said in an earlier email, I’ve had to watch this week’s national evening news and it can be a bit depressing. Along with that I’ve been previewing some Shakespeare tragedies. Boy I’m glad Christmas was going up because I would really be depressed. Too much murder and mayhem for my liking. ~smile~
I’m not going to rehash his talk (you read it instead) but I want to talk about two of his points.
1. Enduring to the end.
As I watched my sister physically endure to the end, it was gut wrenching and heart breaking. As I watch my mom endure to the end, it doubles the wrenching and breaking. But those are a physical endurances, what about their spiritual enduring. These two women have every human right to be angry with a God who allowed a physical aliment to ruin their bodies and mind. (My sister passed away after a 5 year battle with brain cancer and my mother is in the throes of Alzheimer’s.) It reminds me of Job. Contrast this with a friend who was in a horrible auto accident (this isn’t me) who was never healed and therefore has decided that the priesthood and the gospel are false because it didn’t heal her. She forgot to endure to the end.
As humans we live in time that ticks and seams long, but God doesn’t and this truly is “but a moment.”
How many of us have had trials that have swallowed us up and then spit us back out? Or did we allow ourselves to “give up” and become digested? I know that is gross, but I live with five sons and that was the analogy we came up with one evening.
Elder Uchtdorf says is perfectly when he says “Enduring to the end implies ‘patient continuance in well doing’, striving to keep the commandments, and doing the works of righteousness.” I think we sometimes forget to finish the fight and just roll over. I know it is hard, but that brings us to point number 2
2. Jesus Christ wants us to succeed
And why wouldn’t he! As parents we want what is best for our children and we want them to succeed. We love them and want to give them the world. We would do it all for them if there was a possibility of us FOR SURE knowing we would outlive them, but we don’t and we would hinder their progression if we did it all. Therefore, just like Christ, we have lessons to learn and trials to solve as we try to succeed in this mortal world. BUT he truly can give us rest. He truly wants us to “come unto him.” Just like we want to do when our children are struggling with physical, emotional and spiritual troubles.
And for that we have every reason to rejoice!!!!
So my challenge is to be more patient in my trials, to go to my Father in prayer and tell him all, and rejoice because He loves me and wants me to succeed.
I’m sort of glad we saved this for the week. As I have spent the week putting up my Christmas decorations I’ve had reason to rejoice!
Like I said in an earlier email, I’ve had to watch this week’s national evening news and it can be a bit depressing. Along with that I’ve been previewing some Shakespeare tragedies. Boy I’m glad Christmas was going up because I would really be depressed. Too much murder and mayhem for my liking. ~smile~
I’m not going to rehash his talk (you read it instead) but I want to talk about two of his points.
1. Enduring to the end.
As I watched my sister physically endure to the end, it was gut wrenching and heart breaking. As I watch my mom endure to the end, it doubles the wrenching and breaking. But those are a physical endurances, what about their spiritual enduring. These two women have every human right to be angry with a God who allowed a physical aliment to ruin their bodies and mind. (My sister passed away after a 5 year battle with brain cancer and my mother is in the throes of Alzheimer’s.) It reminds me of Job. Contrast this with a friend who was in a horrible auto accident (this isn’t me) who was never healed and therefore has decided that the priesthood and the gospel are false because it didn’t heal her. She forgot to endure to the end.
As humans we live in time that ticks and seams long, but God doesn’t and this truly is “but a moment.”
How many of us have had trials that have swallowed us up and then spit us back out? Or did we allow ourselves to “give up” and become digested? I know that is gross, but I live with five sons and that was the analogy we came up with one evening.
Elder Uchtdorf says is perfectly when he says “Enduring to the end implies ‘patient continuance in well doing’, striving to keep the commandments, and doing the works of righteousness.” I think we sometimes forget to finish the fight and just roll over. I know it is hard, but that brings us to point number 2
2. Jesus Christ wants us to succeed
And why wouldn’t he! As parents we want what is best for our children and we want them to succeed. We love them and want to give them the world. We would do it all for them if there was a possibility of us FOR SURE knowing we would outlive them, but we don’t and we would hinder their progression if we did it all. Therefore, just like Christ, we have lessons to learn and trials to solve as we try to succeed in this mortal world. BUT he truly can give us rest. He truly wants us to “come unto him.” Just like we want to do when our children are struggling with physical, emotional and spiritual troubles.
And for that we have every reason to rejoice!!!!
So my challenge is to be more patient in my trials, to go to my Father in prayer and tell him all, and rejoice because He loves me and wants me to succeed.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Claim the Exceeding Great and Precious Promises
My thoughts on Elder Condie's talk "Claim the Exceeding Great and Precious Promises"
Faith!
I was helping a son prepare FHE last night and he made the off comment that we only have a one more time when we get to do the baptism lesson I prepared a long time ago. My heart sank but my reply to him is that since it was the first principle of the gospel we will review it many times over. I guess until the apostles stop talking about it we will be reviewing it over and over. My mom use to tell me to listen for what the apostles and other GA stop talking about; you will know you have perfected that concept or principle. Guess we as a body of saints haven’t perfected too much ~smile~.
Every notice how the first principle isn’t just “faith” but “faith IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.” Have you pointed this out to your children? There is a lot of ways to approach faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but it all starts with a hope in what happened to Joseph Smith was true. I honestly believe that is the key to my faith.
This is where I start to claim my blessings.
Here is something fun for you to read about claiming blessings. Go to the Bible Dictionary and read the entry for Prayer. Better yet, let me copy over the part I want you to read.
“As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7: 7-11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.”
We have to work for our blessings! But they are earmarked for us, we just have to ask. That is the hard part. Feeling worthy to receive the blessings my heart wants and do I dare say deserve. We have to look at this as a father-daughter (or son) relationship. Think about our own relationships with our children and then with our parents. Yes, they are human and have flaws (we do too), but it does start us to see that relationship as a parent-child relationship. Being a parent sheds new light on this relationship, but we also can’t forget what it feels like to be that child. I think that is why we are asked to have childlike qualities about us. How many 5 year olds pray with unwavering faith for “things.”
Ok, the hardest part I have with this definition is the aligning my will. Nuf said—WORK ON IT! If we go back to Elder Condie’s talk he said it well with these words:
“The Lord also promised that “whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you” (3 Nephi 18:20). We are promised that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion when we “let virtue garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly” (see D&C 121:45–46). We can claim the spiritually liberating promise of fasting, which will “loose the bands of wickedness,” undo our “heavy burdens,” and “break every yoke” (Isaiah 58:6).”
“…which is right…” I think is code words for “aligning your will, my lovely daughter, with mine.” Guess this child has a lot to learn. (When do you stop beating your head against a brick wall? My mom use to say, “When you notice that he replaced the bricks with pillows.”
My hardest part of life right now is “seeing the promises afar off.” When we constantly struggle with family prayer and scripture and other commandment driven habits, I wonder where the blessings are. How can a family who has faithfully read the scriptures now for 18 plus years and added family prayer before and/or after struggle as we do? How can that same family who consistently holds FHE still have the level of contention that we do? HOW? Where are my blessings for giving up so much of my time and effort? Well, my annuity hasn’t fully vested yet. I honestly believe we have to look through celestial eyes to see/reap the blessings of our hard work. That makes it very hard because we live in a here and now society! OH SO HARD! Especially when you deal with it daily. That takes faith. Faith in the promises and blessings. Faith to wake up and face the music again. Faith to deal with a child who doesn’t want to scripture study, “You can’t make me.” Faith to stick to your guns when it would be easier to turn Monday Night Football on and just slip into a hot bath with a good book!
Faith!
I was helping a son prepare FHE last night and he made the off comment that we only have a one more time when we get to do the baptism lesson I prepared a long time ago. My heart sank but my reply to him is that since it was the first principle of the gospel we will review it many times over. I guess until the apostles stop talking about it we will be reviewing it over and over. My mom use to tell me to listen for what the apostles and other GA stop talking about; you will know you have perfected that concept or principle. Guess we as a body of saints haven’t perfected too much ~smile~.
Every notice how the first principle isn’t just “faith” but “faith IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.” Have you pointed this out to your children? There is a lot of ways to approach faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but it all starts with a hope in what happened to Joseph Smith was true. I honestly believe that is the key to my faith.
This is where I start to claim my blessings.
Here is something fun for you to read about claiming blessings. Go to the Bible Dictionary and read the entry for Prayer. Better yet, let me copy over the part I want you to read.
“As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7: 7-11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.”
We have to work for our blessings! But they are earmarked for us, we just have to ask. That is the hard part. Feeling worthy to receive the blessings my heart wants and do I dare say deserve. We have to look at this as a father-daughter (or son) relationship. Think about our own relationships with our children and then with our parents. Yes, they are human and have flaws (we do too), but it does start us to see that relationship as a parent-child relationship. Being a parent sheds new light on this relationship, but we also can’t forget what it feels like to be that child. I think that is why we are asked to have childlike qualities about us. How many 5 year olds pray with unwavering faith for “things.”
Ok, the hardest part I have with this definition is the aligning my will. Nuf said—WORK ON IT! If we go back to Elder Condie’s talk he said it well with these words:
“The Lord also promised that “whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you” (3 Nephi 18:20). We are promised that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion when we “let virtue garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly” (see D&C 121:45–46). We can claim the spiritually liberating promise of fasting, which will “loose the bands of wickedness,” undo our “heavy burdens,” and “break every yoke” (Isaiah 58:6).”
“…which is right…” I think is code words for “aligning your will, my lovely daughter, with mine.” Guess this child has a lot to learn. (When do you stop beating your head against a brick wall? My mom use to say, “When you notice that he replaced the bricks with pillows.”
My hardest part of life right now is “seeing the promises afar off.” When we constantly struggle with family prayer and scripture and other commandment driven habits, I wonder where the blessings are. How can a family who has faithfully read the scriptures now for 18 plus years and added family prayer before and/or after struggle as we do? How can that same family who consistently holds FHE still have the level of contention that we do? HOW? Where are my blessings for giving up so much of my time and effort? Well, my annuity hasn’t fully vested yet. I honestly believe we have to look through celestial eyes to see/reap the blessings of our hard work. That makes it very hard because we live in a here and now society! OH SO HARD! Especially when you deal with it daily. That takes faith. Faith in the promises and blessings. Faith to wake up and face the music again. Faith to deal with a child who doesn’t want to scripture study, “You can’t make me.” Faith to stick to your guns when it would be easier to turn Monday Night Football on and just slip into a hot bath with a good book!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Why Are We Members of the Only True Church?"
My thoughts on Elder Falabella's talk "Why Are We Members of the Only True Church?"
Elder Falabella asks a very important question.
Have you ever sat down and figured out why you are a Mormon? What about your children? Why do you? Why do they?
Have you ever had your children sit down and figure out why they keep going to church? (this is different than being a Mormon)
That might be an interesting FHE.
Here are some of my reasons:
My week goes better when I recharge my spiritual batteries.
Partake of the sacrament because I’m a covenant keeper.
I have a job to fulfill.
I have a need to great my friends and speak to them at least once a week in person.
I need the blessings.
I believe.
Here are some reasons I would skip going to church:
I want to sleep in.
Too much stuff to do at home and I could use those three hours very productively at home.
Hate the fight with kids on the bench.
Don’t want to.
Didn’t do my job and don’t want to face the music.
Why I have a testimony:
(BTW—there won’t be a why I don’t have a testimony)
One day when I asked, I was told it was true. And I’m a person of conviction.
I have a testimony of prayer, fasting, restoration, priesthood power, tithing, Joseph Smith, Pres. Hinckley.
That burning in my bosom really happened.
I have felt His love for me and know that I’m a daughter of God.
Because when I was a little girl my mom took me to church and taught me how to find my own testimony.
Elder Falabella asks a very important question.
Have you ever sat down and figured out why you are a Mormon? What about your children? Why do you? Why do they?
Have you ever had your children sit down and figure out why they keep going to church? (this is different than being a Mormon)
That might be an interesting FHE.
Here are some of my reasons:
My week goes better when I recharge my spiritual batteries.
Partake of the sacrament because I’m a covenant keeper.
I have a job to fulfill.
I have a need to great my friends and speak to them at least once a week in person.
I need the blessings.
I believe.
Here are some reasons I would skip going to church:
I want to sleep in.
Too much stuff to do at home and I could use those three hours very productively at home.
Hate the fight with kids on the bench.
Don’t want to.
Didn’t do my job and don’t want to face the music.
Why I have a testimony:
(BTW—there won’t be a why I don’t have a testimony)
One day when I asked, I was told it was true. And I’m a person of conviction.
I have a testimony of prayer, fasting, restoration, priesthood power, tithing, Joseph Smith, Pres. Hinckley.
That burning in my bosom really happened.
I have felt His love for me and know that I’m a daughter of God.
Because when I was a little girl my mom took me to church and taught me how to find my own testimony.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Strengthen Home and Family
My thoughts on Sister Cook's talk "Strengthen Home and Family"
There is someone out there who is fighting against my home and my family. He does it in such subtle ways that I don’t even know when he is doing it. Other times it is obvious and I still get snuckered!
Sister Cook points out four ways for us all (children included) to combat this bad guy!
1. Pray. I’m going to start asking myself “Who in my family could benefit from my personal prayers?” and I’m going to ask that question before it is my turn to prayer during family prayers. I have a strong testimony of prayer, but it was great to be reminded again.
2. Study! We not only need to study the scriptures (oh, I love the Duty to God stuff) but we also need to study the words of modern Prophets. We also need to be aware of the tools Satan is using today so that we can defend our families. We need to use the tools the world and the spirit has given us. Use the rating systems and then search online to see if movies are appropriate for you and your children. Even PG rated movies are full of filth. Book reviews and other such things help us pick the best of books to read. Knowing the fashion trends helps us pick clothing that will be in fashion today as well as tomorrow AND be modest. Knowing how to use your net nanny to block the ugliness of the internet. Having other electronic safe guards in place on tv’s and computer. Yes, it takes some time, but so does polishing weapons when going to war. And as my mom use to say, “You can either spend the time to do it right the first time or twice the time to clean up and do it right the first time. I have a dear friend who thought she had all the safe guards on but a friend’s son showed her son how to go around them and now her “clean up” time is spent visiting him in a detention home. We either fight now or spend forever trying to fix damage that is very hard to repair. It isn’t impossible, but doing it right the first time is best!
3. Pay your Tithing. AMEN! The Lord’s math sure doesn’t add up and I don’t think any mortal brain has been able to figure out how everything gets paid when you sit down to write the checks and before you figure out what tithing is, every cent is accounted for but there is always just enough to pay it!
4. Attend your meetings. How else can we “endure together” and endure to the end if we don’t have support and love from those around us! This is very important for our children to see. I know Sister Cook was sort of speaking to the youth, so she didn’t say “temple” but we as parents need to set that example. While I was growing up the nearest temple was 800 miles away, but every time we went to Utah, my parents attended a session. Now I live with a temple 15 minutes away and I have a hard time finding 3 hours to go. Maybe I need to fix that!
Yes, one can make the difference—BE THAT ONE TODAY!
There is someone out there who is fighting against my home and my family. He does it in such subtle ways that I don’t even know when he is doing it. Other times it is obvious and I still get snuckered!
Sister Cook points out four ways for us all (children included) to combat this bad guy!
1. Pray. I’m going to start asking myself “Who in my family could benefit from my personal prayers?” and I’m going to ask that question before it is my turn to prayer during family prayers. I have a strong testimony of prayer, but it was great to be reminded again.
2. Study! We not only need to study the scriptures (oh, I love the Duty to God stuff) but we also need to study the words of modern Prophets. We also need to be aware of the tools Satan is using today so that we can defend our families. We need to use the tools the world and the spirit has given us. Use the rating systems and then search online to see if movies are appropriate for you and your children. Even PG rated movies are full of filth. Book reviews and other such things help us pick the best of books to read. Knowing the fashion trends helps us pick clothing that will be in fashion today as well as tomorrow AND be modest. Knowing how to use your net nanny to block the ugliness of the internet. Having other electronic safe guards in place on tv’s and computer. Yes, it takes some time, but so does polishing weapons when going to war. And as my mom use to say, “You can either spend the time to do it right the first time or twice the time to clean up and do it right the first time. I have a dear friend who thought she had all the safe guards on but a friend’s son showed her son how to go around them and now her “clean up” time is spent visiting him in a detention home. We either fight now or spend forever trying to fix damage that is very hard to repair. It isn’t impossible, but doing it right the first time is best!
3. Pay your Tithing. AMEN! The Lord’s math sure doesn’t add up and I don’t think any mortal brain has been able to figure out how everything gets paid when you sit down to write the checks and before you figure out what tithing is, every cent is accounted for but there is always just enough to pay it!
4. Attend your meetings. How else can we “endure together” and endure to the end if we don’t have support and love from those around us! This is very important for our children to see. I know Sister Cook was sort of speaking to the youth, so she didn’t say “temple” but we as parents need to set that example. While I was growing up the nearest temple was 800 miles away, but every time we went to Utah, my parents attended a session. Now I live with a temple 15 minutes away and I have a hard time finding 3 hours to go. Maybe I need to fix that!
Yes, one can make the difference—BE THAT ONE TODAY!
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