Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now the hard part comes—internalizing it!

Celestial Marriage

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Satan has sure mixed that truth up!



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



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



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



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

And I'm so thankful for that!



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



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



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

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



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



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



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

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



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



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

Pray Always follow up

I have been remiss in not sharing this experience.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Test

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finding Joy in the Journey

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Truth of God Shall Go Forth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Return to Virtue

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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