In Mathew Chapter 25 we find the story of The Ten Virgins.
Five were wise
Five were foolish
Each had received an invitation to the wedding and had accepted that invitation.
Each was patiently waiting, anxious for the wedding feast, thinking they were prepared.
We know the Savior is coming again, we don’t know when but we do know we are living in the last days. We have been warned to watch, to prepare and to be ready for this wonderful event.
“And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins, For they that are wise and have received the truth,… and have not been deceived – verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day” . (D&C 45:56-57)
Like the ten virgins some are wise and will be ready but others will not know Him when He comes. Are we among the five that are wise, are we prepared to face Him? Do we have His image in our countenance? He will know us when He comes again, will we know Him, and will our oil lamp be full?
The oil in the parable represents our faith and testimony, our purity and dedication, our good works, and our keeping of covenants – all of the ways in which we have “taken the Holy Spirit for our guide” (D&C 45:57)
The wise virgins could not share their oil with the foolish virgins because “the oil of spiritual preparedness, cannot be shared” (Marvin J. Ashton, “A Time of Urgency,” Ensign, May 1974,36)
Our oil is collected drop by drop.
•As we accept the Holy Ghost as our constant companion.
•As we accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior and follow His example of obedience to the Father, in all things, in all places and at all times.
•As we attend Sacrament meeting each week and renew our Baptismal Covenants.
•As we humble ourselves each day in prayer for guidance knowing we cannot do it ourselves.
•As we read and ponder the sacred words of Prophets both old and new, gaining the knowledge and understanding we need, to become, through the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ worthy of exaltation.
•As we learn to cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another, understand one another and accept one another as the Savior does.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
What a great message from our Prophet Thomas S. Monson, for November, the month we remember to give thanks!’ (October Conference 2010)
Gratitude is a divine principle.
A grateful heart comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives.
This requires conscious effort—at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude. Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it. Someone has said that “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
Do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel Gods love.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives
Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”
How can we cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude? President Joseph F. Smith said
“The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him
the good outweighs the evil.
Love overpowers jealousy, and
light drives darkness out of his life.”
He continued: “Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!”
Gratitude is a divine principle.
A grateful heart comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives.
This requires conscious effort—at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude. Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it. Someone has said that “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
Do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel Gods love.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives
Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”
How can we cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude? President Joseph F. Smith said
“The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him
the good outweighs the evil.
Love overpowers jealousy, and
light drives darkness out of his life.”
He continued: “Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!”
Friday, October 1, 2010
Journal Keeping
What a beautiful day we are having today here in Minnesota on the first day of October. I went for a walk and didn't even need a sweater. It was wonderful.
On my walk I listened to 1st Nephi (The Book of Mormon) and there were so many things that were going through my mind as I listened to all that happened to Lehi in those first 8 chapters. I wish that we had all of Lehi’s writings but I am so grateful for Nephi and the chapters that he did share with us.
Applying this to my own life I thought how sad that I have not kept a journal to share with my posterity. I have failed them in one more area and I am so sorry. I always thought that my life was not that important. Things that were happening were just every day experiences only pertaining to me. Then, there are things that I didn’t think I would ever forget and now my memory has faded and those times will be gone. I have forgotten so many things that are dear to me, so many experiences with family and friends. Maybe they wouldn’t mean anything to anyone else but again maybe they would touch someone’s life and help them in a time of need, I will never know.
I have notebooks filled with notes from talks and my thoughts about them and I have written down a few experience but they are scattered everywhere. I have this blog where I share things that are important to me. But maybe, after this experience today I will do better; maybe as I live the last years of my life I will remember and keep a journal and try to remember those things that are most important to me to leave for my family. I hope that I will make the time to do this and maybe someone that reads this will realize how important a journal is and will start their own.
On my walk I listened to 1st Nephi (The Book of Mormon) and there were so many things that were going through my mind as I listened to all that happened to Lehi in those first 8 chapters. I wish that we had all of Lehi’s writings but I am so grateful for Nephi and the chapters that he did share with us.
Applying this to my own life I thought how sad that I have not kept a journal to share with my posterity. I have failed them in one more area and I am so sorry. I always thought that my life was not that important. Things that were happening were just every day experiences only pertaining to me. Then, there are things that I didn’t think I would ever forget and now my memory has faded and those times will be gone. I have forgotten so many things that are dear to me, so many experiences with family and friends. Maybe they wouldn’t mean anything to anyone else but again maybe they would touch someone’s life and help them in a time of need, I will never know.
I have notebooks filled with notes from talks and my thoughts about them and I have written down a few experience but they are scattered everywhere. I have this blog where I share things that are important to me. But maybe, after this experience today I will do better; maybe as I live the last years of my life I will remember and keep a journal and try to remember those things that are most important to me to leave for my family. I hope that I will make the time to do this and maybe someone that reads this will realize how important a journal is and will start their own.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Relief Society Woman's Broadcast
It was a wonderful evening watching the Woman's Broadcast Saturday evening. There were so many things said that touched my heart and opened my eyes to sacred truths. I always love hearing Sister Julie Beck and her inspiring messages and what a wonderful blessing to hear from our beloved Prophet Thomas S. Monson. You can review their talks here.
Sister Beck said this meeting is a gift, and as I have thought about this I realize how true that statement is. We are not asked to do anything that does not bless our lives eternally. The meetings that we attend strength us to do better, teach us ways to become better, why then is it so hard to cast of the things of the world (TV-Fun to do things-Reading a Novel, to name a few) and do the things of the Lord like attending our Relief Society Meetings, spending time getting to know and serving our neighbors and actually going to Sunday School Class rather than visiting in the hall. We need to take the time to look at our lives as a gift, this world we live in as a gift, our families, our jobs, all that we have are gifts from a loving Heavenly Father and the greatest gift of all our Lord and Savior and His great atonement. Thank you Sister Beck for opening up my eyes once again to the blessings that I have and enjoy each day of my life and giving me a greater desire to serve and love with a heart like his.
Sister Beck said this meeting is a gift, and as I have thought about this I realize how true that statement is. We are not asked to do anything that does not bless our lives eternally. The meetings that we attend strength us to do better, teach us ways to become better, why then is it so hard to cast of the things of the world (TV-Fun to do things-Reading a Novel, to name a few) and do the things of the Lord like attending our Relief Society Meetings, spending time getting to know and serving our neighbors and actually going to Sunday School Class rather than visiting in the hall. We need to take the time to look at our lives as a gift, this world we live in as a gift, our families, our jobs, all that we have are gifts from a loving Heavenly Father and the greatest gift of all our Lord and Savior and His great atonement. Thank you Sister Beck for opening up my eyes once again to the blessings that I have and enjoy each day of my life and giving me a greater desire to serve and love with a heart like his.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Modesty
Modesty
By Elder Robert D. Hales
Modesty is at the center of being pure and chaste, both in thought and deed. Thus, because it guides and influences our thoughts, behavior, and decisions, modesty is at the core of our character. Our clothing is more than just covering for our bodies; it reflects who we are and what we want to be, both here in mortality and in the eternities that will follow.
If you want to read the rest of the talk go here.
By Elder Robert D. Hales
Modesty is at the center of being pure and chaste, both in thought and deed. Thus, because it guides and influences our thoughts, behavior, and decisions, modesty is at the core of our character. Our clothing is more than just covering for our bodies; it reflects who we are and what we want to be, both here in mortality and in the eternities that will follow.
If you want to read the rest of the talk go here.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Who are we and what are our responsibilities
I just read an amazing talk by Julie B. Beck that she gave at BYU Womans's Conference this year. Here is a quote from that amazing talk. You can find the whole talk here
“ I feel a great urgency for the daughters of God to do all they need to do to strengthen and lift not only themselves, their families, sisters who are in their wards, but also the world. I feel that the sisters in this Church who know and understand their covenants will be a significant force in helping this world, which seems to have lost its moral moorings.”
If you want to know what needs to be done to acomplish your mission as a Daughter of Israel read the rest of her talk.
“ I feel a great urgency for the daughters of God to do all they need to do to strengthen and lift not only themselves, their families, sisters who are in their wards, but also the world. I feel that the sisters in this Church who know and understand their covenants will be a significant force in helping this world, which seems to have lost its moral moorings.”
If you want to know what needs to be done to acomplish your mission as a Daughter of Israel read the rest of her talk.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Sabbath Day Observence
Exodus 20:8
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
This is a commandment from God.
God created the Sabbath Day.
From his example we are taught the importance of the Sabbath day.
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
“And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” (Gen. 2:1–3.)
To sanctify is to make holy, an act of becoming purified; the act of consecrating, or of setting apart for a sacred purpose and the only way we can do that is to remove our self from the wickedness and sins of the world. Thus, the purpose of the Sabbath Day.
“In our society many sacred values have been eroded in the name of freedom of expression. The vulgar and the obscene are protected in the name of freedom of speech. The mainstream of society has become more tolerant, even accepting, of conduct that Jesus, Moses, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and other prophets have warned against since the beginning of human history.
In a world where we and our families are threatened by evil on every side, let us remember President Hinckley’s counsel: “If our people could only learn to keep the sabbath day holy, everything else would take care of itself.”( James E. Faust, “‘Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart’)
Observance of the Sabbath is not a restriction but a source of strength and protection.
Why do we need the Sabbath day? Here are four reasons we need the Sabbath.
1. Physical rest
The Lord knew and understood our need to be rejuvenated from the stress of daily pressures
2. Rest from worldly influences
We need a day each week to be separated from all influences of the world, a day we can focus on our spiritual needs, a day of renewal, a day where we have the opportunity to listen to and feel the Spirit.
3. Rest – from the scriptural meaning – rest in God
Time to know God to learn of Him
Time to serve God
Time to become like Him
4. Show our obedience and love to God the Father and the Son.
How you observe the Sabbath Day is between you and the Lord. But, it is important that we teach those we love the importance of setting one day a week apart from the rest of the week and spend time getting to know Our Lord and Savior and trying to become like Him. What a blessing this can be to each of us as we put the Lord first in all we do and in all we say even if it is just for one day a week.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
This is a commandment from God.
God created the Sabbath Day.
From his example we are taught the importance of the Sabbath day.
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
“And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” (Gen. 2:1–3.)
To sanctify is to make holy, an act of becoming purified; the act of consecrating, or of setting apart for a sacred purpose and the only way we can do that is to remove our self from the wickedness and sins of the world. Thus, the purpose of the Sabbath Day.
“In our society many sacred values have been eroded in the name of freedom of expression. The vulgar and the obscene are protected in the name of freedom of speech. The mainstream of society has become more tolerant, even accepting, of conduct that Jesus, Moses, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and other prophets have warned against since the beginning of human history.
In a world where we and our families are threatened by evil on every side, let us remember President Hinckley’s counsel: “If our people could only learn to keep the sabbath day holy, everything else would take care of itself.”( James E. Faust, “‘Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart’)
Observance of the Sabbath is not a restriction but a source of strength and protection.
Why do we need the Sabbath day? Here are four reasons we need the Sabbath.
1. Physical rest
The Lord knew and understood our need to be rejuvenated from the stress of daily pressures
2. Rest from worldly influences
We need a day each week to be separated from all influences of the world, a day we can focus on our spiritual needs, a day of renewal, a day where we have the opportunity to listen to and feel the Spirit.
3. Rest – from the scriptural meaning – rest in God
Time to know God to learn of Him
Time to serve God
Time to become like Him
4. Show our obedience and love to God the Father and the Son.
How you observe the Sabbath Day is between you and the Lord. But, it is important that we teach those we love the importance of setting one day a week apart from the rest of the week and spend time getting to know Our Lord and Savior and trying to become like Him. What a blessing this can be to each of us as we put the Lord first in all we do and in all we say even if it is just for one day a week.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Forever Families
“President Brigham Young explained that our families are not yet ours. The Lord has committed them to us to see how we will treat them. Only if we are faithful will they be given to us forever. What we do on earth determines whether or not we will be worthy to become heavenly parents.”
Cheryl C Lent released Primary General President (That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior
It is our sacred responsibility as parents and leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Savior so that they might see His face and the face of our Father in Heaven as well. As we do so, we also bring ourselves.
Elder L. Tom Perry
We see so many challenges today from distracting and destructive influences intended to mislead God’s children. We are seeing many young people who lack the deep spiritual roots necessary to remain standing in faith as storms of unbelief and despair swirl around them. Too many of our Father in Heaven’s children are being overcome by worldly desires. The onslaught of wickedness against our children is at once more subtle and more brazen than it has ever been. Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the home adds another layer of insulation to protect our children from worldly influences. ( Mothers Teaching Children in the Home)
What do you see that is the most distracting and destructive influences that are pulling our children away?
What can we do to stop the onslaught of wickedness today?
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith taught: “It is the duty of parents to teach their children these saving principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that they will know why they are to be baptized and that they may be impressed in their hearts with a desire to continue to keep the commandments of God after they are baptized, that they may come back into his presence. Do you, my good brethren and sisters, want your families, your children; do you want to be sealed to your fathers and your mothers before you . . . ? If so, then you must begin by teaching at the cradle-side. You are to teach by example as well as precept” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1948, 153).
Our focus must always be on the temple …….
President Henry B Eyring (Help Them on Their Way)
“Our most important and powerful assignments are in the family. They are important because the family has the opportunity at the start of a child’s life to put feet firmly on the path home. Parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles are made more powerful guides and rescuers by the bonds of love that are the very nature of a family.
The family has an advantage in the first eight years of a child’s life. In those protected years, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Satan’s use of the mists of darkness to hide the path to return home is blocked.
If the children are strengthened with faith and testimony, they will be less likely to need rescue as teenagers. They realize that a strong spiritual foundation can make the difference for a lifetime.
So we have been told how important it is that we start when our children are young.
What happens if our children are pre teens, teens, YA, married with a family of their own and they are being overcome by worldly desires?
Is it too late for them? What can we do to help?
If we are wise, we will encourage, praise, and exemplify everything which invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost. When they share with us what they are doing and feeling, we must ourselves have qualified for the Spirit. Then they will feel in our praise and our smiles the approval of God. And should we feel the need to give corrective counsel, they will feel our love and the love of God in it, not rebuke and rejection, which can permit Satan to lead them further away.” ( President Henry B. Eyring)
We dear sister must have a broken heart and a desire to change not only for yourself but to make a difference in our homes. From the Family: A Proclamation to the World ( The inspired document “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” states:
“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. . . .
“ . . . By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children
We must be humble in order to make the changes needed for us and for our families
Then we will be strengthened by the Atonement –
we will receive the comfort, encouragement of the Holy Ghost, and we will be taught and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Elder Russell M. Nelson
Etched in sacred scripture is a commandment to “set in order thy house.” Once we as parents understand the importance and meaning of that commandment, we then need to learn how to do it.
How do we set in order our homes?
What do we do to bring light and truth into our homes?
“We need to exemplify in our own lives the steady and prolonged faithfulness that the Lord expects of them. As we do, we will help them feel from the Spirit an assurance that if they will persist, they will hear the words from a loving Savior and Heavenly Father: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”4 And we who help them along the way will hear those words with joy” .( President Henry B Eyring)
We must do what we want our children to do
We must be what we want our children to be
So we can become what we need to become
Worthy to return to Him as an eternal family.
"I promise each of you, as you follow inspired direction in this, the true Church of Jesus Christ, that our youth and we who help and love them can be delivered safely to our home with Heavenly Father and the Savior to live in families and in joy forever". .( President Henry B Eyring)
Cheryl C Lent released Primary General President (That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior
It is our sacred responsibility as parents and leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Savior so that they might see His face and the face of our Father in Heaven as well. As we do so, we also bring ourselves.
Elder L. Tom Perry
We see so many challenges today from distracting and destructive influences intended to mislead God’s children. We are seeing many young people who lack the deep spiritual roots necessary to remain standing in faith as storms of unbelief and despair swirl around them. Too many of our Father in Heaven’s children are being overcome by worldly desires. The onslaught of wickedness against our children is at once more subtle and more brazen than it has ever been. Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the home adds another layer of insulation to protect our children from worldly influences. ( Mothers Teaching Children in the Home)
What do you see that is the most distracting and destructive influences that are pulling our children away?
What can we do to stop the onslaught of wickedness today?
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith taught: “It is the duty of parents to teach their children these saving principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that they will know why they are to be baptized and that they may be impressed in their hearts with a desire to continue to keep the commandments of God after they are baptized, that they may come back into his presence. Do you, my good brethren and sisters, want your families, your children; do you want to be sealed to your fathers and your mothers before you . . . ? If so, then you must begin by teaching at the cradle-side. You are to teach by example as well as precept” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1948, 153).
Our focus must always be on the temple …….
President Henry B Eyring (Help Them on Their Way)
“Our most important and powerful assignments are in the family. They are important because the family has the opportunity at the start of a child’s life to put feet firmly on the path home. Parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles are made more powerful guides and rescuers by the bonds of love that are the very nature of a family.
The family has an advantage in the first eight years of a child’s life. In those protected years, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Satan’s use of the mists of darkness to hide the path to return home is blocked.
If the children are strengthened with faith and testimony, they will be less likely to need rescue as teenagers. They realize that a strong spiritual foundation can make the difference for a lifetime.
So we have been told how important it is that we start when our children are young.
What happens if our children are pre teens, teens, YA, married with a family of their own and they are being overcome by worldly desires?
Is it too late for them? What can we do to help?
If we are wise, we will encourage, praise, and exemplify everything which invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost. When they share with us what they are doing and feeling, we must ourselves have qualified for the Spirit. Then they will feel in our praise and our smiles the approval of God. And should we feel the need to give corrective counsel, they will feel our love and the love of God in it, not rebuke and rejection, which can permit Satan to lead them further away.” ( President Henry B. Eyring)
We dear sister must have a broken heart and a desire to change not only for yourself but to make a difference in our homes. From the Family: A Proclamation to the World ( The inspired document “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” states:
“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. . . .
“ . . . By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children
We must be humble in order to make the changes needed for us and for our families
Then we will be strengthened by the Atonement –
we will receive the comfort, encouragement of the Holy Ghost, and we will be taught and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Elder Russell M. Nelson
Etched in sacred scripture is a commandment to “set in order thy house.” Once we as parents understand the importance and meaning of that commandment, we then need to learn how to do it.
How do we set in order our homes?
What do we do to bring light and truth into our homes?
“We need to exemplify in our own lives the steady and prolonged faithfulness that the Lord expects of them. As we do, we will help them feel from the Spirit an assurance that if they will persist, they will hear the words from a loving Savior and Heavenly Father: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”4 And we who help them along the way will hear those words with joy” .( President Henry B Eyring)
We must do what we want our children to do
We must be what we want our children to be
So we can become what we need to become
Worthy to return to Him as an eternal family.
"I promise each of you, as you follow inspired direction in this, the true Church of Jesus Christ, that our youth and we who help and love them can be delivered safely to our home with Heavenly Father and the Savior to live in families and in joy forever". .( President Henry B Eyring)
Monday, June 14, 2010
What Should I Eat
My daughter in law has published her first book. She has used this method of teaching in her classroom and it has worked very well for them. It is a way to entices children to make healthier food choices. Check out that cute chef, he is my grandson, so adorable don't you think.
Check it out! Hope you like it and will buy it for your classroom or home, spread the word and help this become a number one best seller She has many more she has written and would love to get them out there for people to enjoy.
Check it out! Hope you like it and will buy it for your classroom or home, spread the word and help this become a number one best seller She has many more she has written and would love to get them out there for people to enjoy.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
"Where Art Thou"?
“When Adam left Eden, the Lord clothed his body with a garment and his soul with a question. Adam, where art thou?” (More Holiness Give Me, Robert L. Millet)
Adam and Eve lived in this beautiful garden where they were in the presence of God the Father and His Son. I cannot begin to imagine the peace and comfort that was surrounding them and yet Eve knew that there was something missing. Something they needed to do, something they needed to become in order to be complete. Willingly she gave up this beautiful paradise to become a mother.
As Adam and Eve left the garden into the low and dreary world there was a fall. A fall from paradise where life was beautiful, comfortable and peaceful; a fall where the spirit now had to speak with spirit, they no longer were in the presence of the Lord.
We live in this world where Adam and Eve were placed, a world of turmoil and frustration. A world where we are free to choose and knowing the choices we make have consequences. The Lord asks us “Where Art Thou?” Does He not know? Of course He does. He knows us by name He knows us better than we know ourselves; He knows where we are and where we are going. He understands how important it is for us to know where we are. Therefore He asks, “Where Art Thou”?
Aren’t these thoughts on our mind often? Where am I in the eternal scheme of things? What have I done of any good today? What of worth am I going to leave for my children as I leave this mortal existence? “Where Art Thou”, a question that we need to ask ourselves daily. Am I doing what I need to be doing? Am I living the way I need to be living? Am I moving forward or falling behind.
Iwant to know where the Lord knows I am. I want to know what the Lord knows I need to do, to change, to become so I will know where I am.
I want to be His daughter. I want to live as His daughter. I want to return as His daughter worthy to stand in His presence and live with Him someday. Therefore, I am going to ponder this question “Where Art Thou” for a long time to come.
Adam and Eve lived in this beautiful garden where they were in the presence of God the Father and His Son. I cannot begin to imagine the peace and comfort that was surrounding them and yet Eve knew that there was something missing. Something they needed to do, something they needed to become in order to be complete. Willingly she gave up this beautiful paradise to become a mother.
As Adam and Eve left the garden into the low and dreary world there was a fall. A fall from paradise where life was beautiful, comfortable and peaceful; a fall where the spirit now had to speak with spirit, they no longer were in the presence of the Lord.
We live in this world where Adam and Eve were placed, a world of turmoil and frustration. A world where we are free to choose and knowing the choices we make have consequences. The Lord asks us “Where Art Thou?” Does He not know? Of course He does. He knows us by name He knows us better than we know ourselves; He knows where we are and where we are going. He understands how important it is for us to know where we are. Therefore He asks, “Where Art Thou”?
Aren’t these thoughts on our mind often? Where am I in the eternal scheme of things? What have I done of any good today? What of worth am I going to leave for my children as I leave this mortal existence? “Where Art Thou”, a question that we need to ask ourselves daily. Am I doing what I need to be doing? Am I living the way I need to be living? Am I moving forward or falling behind.
Iwant to know where the Lord knows I am. I want to know what the Lord knows I need to do, to change, to become so I will know where I am.
I want to be His daughter. I want to live as His daughter. I want to return as His daughter worthy to stand in His presence and live with Him someday. Therefore, I am going to ponder this question “Where Art Thou” for a long time to come.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Feast of the Passover Symbolism
Did you know that Jesus's birth, the beginning of His ministry and His death and resurection all took place during the Feast of the Passover?
Read the full article here Was It Symbolic of His Coming? by
John P. Pratt, “Passover—Was It Symbolic of His Coming?,” Ensign, Jan 1994, 38
Not only was Passover a prophetic symbol of the Lord’s sacrifice, its timing foreshadowed the coming of the Savior in the meridian of time
Passover Feast:
The day of the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt. (See Num. 33:3.) The Lord declared it to be an annual holy day in order to remind Israel of its liberation from the bondage of Egypt. (See Ex. 12:17, 42; Ex. 13:3.) It was a day of rejoicing, and even today Passover is practically synonymous with “liberation.”
The Israelites began a one-week celebration called the feast of unleavened bread. (See Lev. 23:6.) The first day was the feast of the Passover, at which the Passover lamb was eaten. It was a special sabbath day of rest.
The Exodus as a Type of His Birth
First: “Israel is my son, even my firstborn.” (Ex. 4:22.) Thus, Israel represented Christ, the firstborn of God. (See Col. 1:15; D&C 93:21.)
Second, the Lord related the day that Israel was delivered to the birth of Jesus
Third, Israel symbolized Christ, and Egypt the womb, Moreover, there is a Jewish tradition that the Messiah would come on the night of the Passover feast.
Finally, the Exodus was indeed the birth of the nation of Israel; that is, after a long gestation period in Egypt, the nation was literally born on the day it was delivered.
His Coming to Minister at Passover
Following the baptism and temptation of Jesus:
Apparently it was not until the Passover, which followed “not many days” later, that Jesus began to perform miracles openly, marking the beginning of his public ministry..
Levites typified Christ. The Lord told Moses, “I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn.” (Num. 3:12; see also Num. 8:18.) Because the Levites were thus a symbol of Christ as the Firstborn, perhaps we can also expect to learn part of the pattern of the Savior’s life from the laws given to the Levites. The law of Moses stated that Levites “thirty years old and upward” should enter into the service of the Lord. (Num. 4:3, 23, 30.) Consequently, if the law was symbolic of Him, we might expect that Jesus would also begin his ministry at age thirty.
Cleansing the Temple
The Savior cleansed the temple just before Passover both at the beginning of his ministry (see John 2:13–16) and at the end (see Matt. 21:12–3). That is, part of the prescribed actions at Passover include searching the house for any leaven and putting it entirely outside the house. (See Ex. 12:15.) It would seem that leaven could symbolize false teachings (see Matt. 16:12), hypocrisy (see Luke 12:1), or wickedness (see 1 Cor. 5:7–8), which the Savior put out of his Father’s house, the temple, by “cleansing” it of those who defiled it.
His Coming to the Spirit Prison
His coming to the spirit world was at the beginning of the Passover feast day, the day symbolic of deliverance from the house of bondage. (See D&C 138:50.) This coming fulfilled one Jewish tradition which insisted that the Redemption could take place only on 15 Nisan, as foreshadowed by the Exodus. The tradition is: “God said, ‘Let this sign be in your hands: on the day when I wrought salvation for you, and on that very night know that I will redeem you; but if it is not this night, then do not believe.’ ” A footnote clarifies: “This apparently means: Should a pretended redeemer come at any other time, do not believe him, for the redemption will take place on that day and on no other.”
The Passover Time Pattern
Birth: Thursday, 6 April 1 b.c. Since the organization of the Church on 6 April 1830 members have been informed that Jesus was born on 6 April 1 b.c.
Beginning the Public Ministry: Saturday, 6 April a.d. 30. The most likely date for the feast day (15 Nisan) on which the Savior began his ministry on his thirtieth birthday is Saturday, 6 April a.d. 30.
The Spirit World: Saturday, 2 April a.d. 33. Similarly, the most likely date for the Passover feast day on the Judean calendar three years later, at the end of Christ’s ministry, appears to be Saturday, 2 April a.d. 33. It would have begun after sunset following the death of the Savior on Friday. Thus, if this view is correct, both the Savior’s ministry in life and in the spirit world would have begun on Saturday, the Sabbath at that time, these particular Sabbaths being doubly sacred by also being the Passover feast day.
Read the full article here Was It Symbolic of His Coming? by
John P. Pratt, “Passover—Was It Symbolic of His Coming?,” Ensign, Jan 1994, 38
Not only was Passover a prophetic symbol of the Lord’s sacrifice, its timing foreshadowed the coming of the Savior in the meridian of time
Passover Feast:
The day of the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt. (See Num. 33:3.) The Lord declared it to be an annual holy day in order to remind Israel of its liberation from the bondage of Egypt. (See Ex. 12:17, 42; Ex. 13:3.) It was a day of rejoicing, and even today Passover is practically synonymous with “liberation.”
The Israelites began a one-week celebration called the feast of unleavened bread. (See Lev. 23:6.) The first day was the feast of the Passover, at which the Passover lamb was eaten. It was a special sabbath day of rest.
The Exodus as a Type of His Birth
First: “Israel is my son, even my firstborn.” (Ex. 4:22.) Thus, Israel represented Christ, the firstborn of God. (See Col. 1:15; D&C 93:21.)
Second, the Lord related the day that Israel was delivered to the birth of Jesus
Third, Israel symbolized Christ, and Egypt the womb, Moreover, there is a Jewish tradition that the Messiah would come on the night of the Passover feast.
Finally, the Exodus was indeed the birth of the nation of Israel; that is, after a long gestation period in Egypt, the nation was literally born on the day it was delivered.
His Coming to Minister at Passover
Following the baptism and temptation of Jesus:
Apparently it was not until the Passover, which followed “not many days” later, that Jesus began to perform miracles openly, marking the beginning of his public ministry..
Levites typified Christ. The Lord told Moses, “I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn.” (Num. 3:12; see also Num. 8:18.) Because the Levites were thus a symbol of Christ as the Firstborn, perhaps we can also expect to learn part of the pattern of the Savior’s life from the laws given to the Levites. The law of Moses stated that Levites “thirty years old and upward” should enter into the service of the Lord. (Num. 4:3, 23, 30.) Consequently, if the law was symbolic of Him, we might expect that Jesus would also begin his ministry at age thirty.
Cleansing the Temple
The Savior cleansed the temple just before Passover both at the beginning of his ministry (see John 2:13–16) and at the end (see Matt. 21:12–3). That is, part of the prescribed actions at Passover include searching the house for any leaven and putting it entirely outside the house. (See Ex. 12:15.) It would seem that leaven could symbolize false teachings (see Matt. 16:12), hypocrisy (see Luke 12:1), or wickedness (see 1 Cor. 5:7–8), which the Savior put out of his Father’s house, the temple, by “cleansing” it of those who defiled it.
His Coming to the Spirit Prison
His coming to the spirit world was at the beginning of the Passover feast day, the day symbolic of deliverance from the house of bondage. (See D&C 138:50.) This coming fulfilled one Jewish tradition which insisted that the Redemption could take place only on 15 Nisan, as foreshadowed by the Exodus. The tradition is: “God said, ‘Let this sign be in your hands: on the day when I wrought salvation for you, and on that very night know that I will redeem you; but if it is not this night, then do not believe.’ ” A footnote clarifies: “This apparently means: Should a pretended redeemer come at any other time, do not believe him, for the redemption will take place on that day and on no other.”
The Passover Time Pattern
Birth: Thursday, 6 April 1 b.c. Since the organization of the Church on 6 April 1830 members have been informed that Jesus was born on 6 April 1 b.c.
Beginning the Public Ministry: Saturday, 6 April a.d. 30. The most likely date for the feast day (15 Nisan) on which the Savior began his ministry on his thirtieth birthday is Saturday, 6 April a.d. 30.
The Spirit World: Saturday, 2 April a.d. 33. Similarly, the most likely date for the Passover feast day on the Judean calendar three years later, at the end of Christ’s ministry, appears to be Saturday, 2 April a.d. 33. It would have begun after sunset following the death of the Savior on Friday. Thus, if this view is correct, both the Savior’s ministry in life and in the spirit world would have begun on Saturday, the Sabbath at that time, these particular Sabbaths being doubly sacred by also being the Passover feast day.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
On March17 Relief Society celebrated it's 168th birthday. Relief Society is a world wide woman's organizting for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Watch the video and you will know what this wonderful organization is and what wonderful things happen by being a member of this great organization.
http://www.lds.org/pa/rs/home/rsvideo.html?xml=rsvideo_8911.xml
http://www.lds.org/pa/rs/home/rsvideo.html?xml=rsvideo_8911.xml
Monday, March 8, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
My thoughts for RS Leadership Training
Relief Society is the worldwide woman’s organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The Relief Society Motto is “Charity Never Faileth” Charity is the pure love of Christ.
“The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each and all of us. It is a love which is full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering, and above all, forgiving.” President James E. Faust
As woman of God, by our divine nature, we are nurturers!
As daughters of God our greatest responsibility is to HAVE the desire for the ABILITY to LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY!
We must always remember that we are not the judge we are the guardian, the protector, the hands, voice and actions of HEAVENLY ANGEL.
“… when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. ..Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.”
(The Ministry of Angels; Elder Jeffrey R. Holland).
We must always remember as taught in Moroni 7:48 “Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.”
Our prayers will be answered and we will receive guidance from the Spirit to be able to minister to those we have a watch care over; our love for them will only mangnify as we serve and teach. We will have the divine gift of seeing them as the Saviour does. We will be blessed with the ability of knowing them and understanding their needs. We will be blessed with all we need to strengthen, teach, comfort, encourage and assist in helping them to qualify for exaltation.
In all that we do our ULTAMATE GOAL is to become one with the Savior, not only spiritually but temporally as well. We must strive to become one with Him as we minister to those He has intrusted us with.
Everything that we Do, every ounce of energy that we USE needs to be in the direction of the Temple which will ultimately lead us to our Savior Jesus Christ and the blessing of exaltation.
We need to pray to BECOME a ZIONS PEOPLE
Moses 7:18
And the Lord called his people Zion because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.
We as a Relief Society Presidency not only need to know and understand these things but we also need to help our Visiting Teachers know and understand them. The Visiting Teaching program is the key, or as I often say, the heart and soul of Relief Society. IF the VT program is functioning properly we will always be aware of the need of the sister in our care. As the VT COMMUNICATES OFTEN, as she BECOMES a friend, as she ENTERS into the home with a prayer and ability to receive guidance from the Spirit, always with an open heart, she will know the needs of HER sisters. The VT will have a desire, because of her love for this sister, to assists, help,and comfort her friend; then reports to the RS President who in return takes the information that needs more extensive help and reports to the Bishop.
As a RS President we must pray for guidance, and insights into the needs of our sisters. LISTEN to the SPIRIT. These promptings most often come when it is quiet. It is usually most quiet, in the wee hours of the morning. Have a notebook and pencil by the side of your bed so you can write down what you hear. Believe me if you don’t you may and probably will forget.
Take the concerns that can be shared with your counselors to your Presidency meetings. Pray about them, talk about them and come up with a plan. The things that are shared in this meeting are confidential, they should never be share with others. The sacred trust that you have been given is to help this sister not cause more pain. Then and only then are you ready to meet with the Bishop. Listen to him, share with him you thoughts and concerns. Then through the guidance of the Spirit the needed action and assistence can be taken.
The effort of lifting another brings an increase of charity in our own lives. As each sister in our RS opens up her heart in serving and teaching one another charity will grow we will become a Zion’s people united in all things, we will be of one heart, one mind and there will be no poor among us.
The Relief Society Motto is “Charity Never Faileth” Charity is the pure love of Christ.
“The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each and all of us. It is a love which is full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering, and above all, forgiving.” President James E. Faust
As woman of God, by our divine nature, we are nurturers!
As daughters of God our greatest responsibility is to HAVE the desire for the ABILITY to LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY!
We must always remember that we are not the judge we are the guardian, the protector, the hands, voice and actions of HEAVENLY ANGEL.
“… when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. ..Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.”
(The Ministry of Angels; Elder Jeffrey R. Holland).
We must always remember as taught in Moroni 7:48 “Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.”
Our prayers will be answered and we will receive guidance from the Spirit to be able to minister to those we have a watch care over; our love for them will only mangnify as we serve and teach. We will have the divine gift of seeing them as the Saviour does. We will be blessed with the ability of knowing them and understanding their needs. We will be blessed with all we need to strengthen, teach, comfort, encourage and assist in helping them to qualify for exaltation.
In all that we do our ULTAMATE GOAL is to become one with the Savior, not only spiritually but temporally as well. We must strive to become one with Him as we minister to those He has intrusted us with.
Everything that we Do, every ounce of energy that we USE needs to be in the direction of the Temple which will ultimately lead us to our Savior Jesus Christ and the blessing of exaltation.
We need to pray to BECOME a ZIONS PEOPLE
Moses 7:18
And the Lord called his people Zion because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.
We as a Relief Society Presidency not only need to know and understand these things but we also need to help our Visiting Teachers know and understand them. The Visiting Teaching program is the key, or as I often say, the heart and soul of Relief Society. IF the VT program is functioning properly we will always be aware of the need of the sister in our care. As the VT COMMUNICATES OFTEN, as she BECOMES a friend, as she ENTERS into the home with a prayer and ability to receive guidance from the Spirit, always with an open heart, she will know the needs of HER sisters. The VT will have a desire, because of her love for this sister, to assists, help,and comfort her friend; then reports to the RS President who in return takes the information that needs more extensive help and reports to the Bishop.
As a RS President we must pray for guidance, and insights into the needs of our sisters. LISTEN to the SPIRIT. These promptings most often come when it is quiet. It is usually most quiet, in the wee hours of the morning. Have a notebook and pencil by the side of your bed so you can write down what you hear. Believe me if you don’t you may and probably will forget.
Take the concerns that can be shared with your counselors to your Presidency meetings. Pray about them, talk about them and come up with a plan. The things that are shared in this meeting are confidential, they should never be share with others. The sacred trust that you have been given is to help this sister not cause more pain. Then and only then are you ready to meet with the Bishop. Listen to him, share with him you thoughts and concerns. Then through the guidance of the Spirit the needed action and assistence can be taken.
The effort of lifting another brings an increase of charity in our own lives. As each sister in our RS opens up her heart in serving and teaching one another charity will grow we will become a Zion’s people united in all things, we will be of one heart, one mind and there will be no poor among us.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Earthquake in Chili
I just read this wonderful story in Spiritually Speaking.
An amazing story from President Larry Laycock and his wife, Sister Lisa Laycock head the Santiago Chile East Mission and how they listened to the quiet promptings of the Spirit and prepared their missionaries for the devastating earthquake in Chili. You can read the complete article here.
An amazing story from President Larry Laycock and his wife, Sister Lisa Laycock head the Santiago Chile East Mission and how they listened to the quiet promptings of the Spirit and prepared their missionaries for the devastating earthquake in Chili. You can read the complete article here.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Charity, pure love of God
As daughters of God we have an innate ability to feel, to understand and to love. We need these abilities in order to love and assist those in need, whatever their circumstance. In our homes, with our neighbors, work place, and in all or our sacred stewardships.
As we "Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ. (Moroni 7:48)" we will be filled with His Love
“When filled with God’s love, we can do and see and understand things that we could not otherwise do or see or understand. Filled with His love, we can endure pain, quell fear, forgive freely, avoid contention, renew strength, and bless and help others in ways surprising even to us.”
(Elder John H. Groberg)
“The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each and all of us. It is a love which is full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering, and above all, forgiving.”
(President James E. Faust)
Be not faithless, but believing.” Believe in yourselves. Believe in your capacity to do some good in this world. God sent us here for a purpose, and that was to improve the world in which we live. The wonderful thing is that we can do it.” (President Gordon B Hinckley)
As we "Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ. (Moroni 7:48)" we will be filled with His Love
“When filled with God’s love, we can do and see and understand things that we could not otherwise do or see or understand. Filled with His love, we can endure pain, quell fear, forgive freely, avoid contention, renew strength, and bless and help others in ways surprising even to us.”
(Elder John H. Groberg)
“The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each and all of us. It is a love which is full of mercy, patience, grace, equity, long-suffering, and above all, forgiving.”
(President James E. Faust)
Be not faithless, but believing.” Believe in yourselves. Believe in your capacity to do some good in this world. God sent us here for a purpose, and that was to improve the world in which we live. The wonderful thing is that we can do it.” (President Gordon B Hinckley)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
House of Order
The Great Symbol of Our Membership
Howard W. Hunter
This counsel is still applicable: “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God” (D&C 88:119). No wonder He has said that in His holy house, “I will manifest myself to my people in mercy” (D&C 110:7).
Gospel Library > Magazines > Ensign > October 1994
As we take a minute and look at our own lives and homes what do we need to change to make our homes a house of order? We can have pictures of the Savior and the temples throughout our homes; we can display our scriptures and church magazines in prominent places in our homes. We can even have clean and beautiful homes but is that what makes our home a house of order?
Our first and foremost responsibility in our home is to bring our children back to God. If there is not a spirit of love and compassion for each other in our home it is not a house of order. We need to help our family members feel, know and understand the divine within us. All that we do in the home should allow the Spirit to dwell within its walls.
Do we allow too much of the world to enter into our homes? We have to go out into the world but we do not have to be of the world and we must do everything we can to keep the negative influences out of our homes. Our family needs a safe haven they can come into where love is expressed and the Spirit felt. They need a place where they can grow in knowledge and wisdom so they will have the strength, courage and power to stand firm at all times and in all places.
What can we do to make our homes a house of order?
Howard W. Hunter
This counsel is still applicable: “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God” (D&C 88:119). No wonder He has said that in His holy house, “I will manifest myself to my people in mercy” (D&C 110:7).
Gospel Library > Magazines > Ensign > October 1994
As we take a minute and look at our own lives and homes what do we need to change to make our homes a house of order? We can have pictures of the Savior and the temples throughout our homes; we can display our scriptures and church magazines in prominent places in our homes. We can even have clean and beautiful homes but is that what makes our home a house of order?
Our first and foremost responsibility in our home is to bring our children back to God. If there is not a spirit of love and compassion for each other in our home it is not a house of order. We need to help our family members feel, know and understand the divine within us. All that we do in the home should allow the Spirit to dwell within its walls.
Do we allow too much of the world to enter into our homes? We have to go out into the world but we do not have to be of the world and we must do everything we can to keep the negative influences out of our homes. Our family needs a safe haven they can come into where love is expressed and the Spirit felt. They need a place where they can grow in knowledge and wisdom so they will have the strength, courage and power to stand firm at all times and in all places.
What can we do to make our homes a house of order?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Help of angles
Now Let Us Rejoice
“Sisters, now more than ever, we need women to step up and be strong. We need women who declare the truth with strength, faith, and boldness. We need women to set an example of righteousness. We need women to be ‘anxiously engaged in a good cause" (Eliza R Snow (D&C 58:27). We need to live so that our lives bear witness that we love our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ and that we will do what They have asked us to do. We need to rescue ‘all that is finest down deep inside of [us]’ so that as daughters of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God. We will have help to do this. As Joseph declared, ‘If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.’(J Reuben Clark)”
Are there any of us that don't need the help of angles in our lives? Could we ever get through a day without their guidance, I would hate to try. Our angles come in all sizes and shapes, from all aspects of life. They could be our neighbor next door that just says hello and knowing that they are there if we ever need them. They are usually found in that circle of friends and family that are always surrounding us. We as woman need to depend upon and rely upon the help and guidance that they can give. Sometimes we are just too stubborn to ask for help. If we want to succeed in this life and receive exaltation we must rely upon the angles around us.
President Boyd K. Packer,
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has called each ward Relief Society a “circle of sisters.” He said:
“Each sister, no matter where in that circle she stands, can look to either side and feel the spirit of inspiration coming back as she extends the gentle hand of charity to those on either side. …
“…Your every need shall be fulfilled, now, and in the eternities; every neglect will be erased; every abuse will be corrected. All of this can come to you, and come quickly, when you devote yourself to Relief Society.”
Being members of this great worldwide organization, Relief Society, will strengthen us, teach us and help us to step up and be strong. It will help us be the righteous example we need to be, and give us the ability to do our part in building up the kingdom of God, preparing this world for His return.
“Sisters, now more than ever, we need women to step up and be strong. We need women who declare the truth with strength, faith, and boldness. We need women to set an example of righteousness. We need women to be ‘anxiously engaged in a good cause" (Eliza R Snow (D&C 58:27). We need to live so that our lives bear witness that we love our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ and that we will do what They have asked us to do. We need to rescue ‘all that is finest down deep inside of [us]’ so that as daughters of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God. We will have help to do this. As Joseph declared, ‘If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.’(J Reuben Clark)”
Are there any of us that don't need the help of angles in our lives? Could we ever get through a day without their guidance, I would hate to try. Our angles come in all sizes and shapes, from all aspects of life. They could be our neighbor next door that just says hello and knowing that they are there if we ever need them. They are usually found in that circle of friends and family that are always surrounding us. We as woman need to depend upon and rely upon the help and guidance that they can give. Sometimes we are just too stubborn to ask for help. If we want to succeed in this life and receive exaltation we must rely upon the angles around us.
President Boyd K. Packer,
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has called each ward Relief Society a “circle of sisters.” He said:
“Each sister, no matter where in that circle she stands, can look to either side and feel the spirit of inspiration coming back as she extends the gentle hand of charity to those on either side. …
“…Your every need shall be fulfilled, now, and in the eternities; every neglect will be erased; every abuse will be corrected. All of this can come to you, and come quickly, when you devote yourself to Relief Society.”
Being members of this great worldwide organization, Relief Society, will strengthen us, teach us and help us to step up and be strong. It will help us be the righteous example we need to be, and give us the ability to do our part in building up the kingdom of God, preparing this world for His return.
Monday, January 18, 2010
We are never alone!
In our darkest hours as we face our trials, heartache, and pain we almost always feel like we are in it alone. Even just everyday living, trying to get through the day is more than we can handle. Often times there are not enough hours in the day to do all that needs to be done or enough money to get us through to the next pay check. Our burdens and responsibilities seem harder than we can bear.
I have been struggling for a few months, neglecting the spiritual things that I should be doing because I have felt heavy burdens of everyday living and have not used my time wisely. I have started reading my scriptures again and studying the conference talks. In my studies I came across this talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland from April 2009 conference. It made a huge impact on me. It is a review of the last days of our Saviors life and well worth the review.
None Were With Him
I now realize once again that I am never alone. That in Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary the Lord felt everything that I feel. He knows through experience every sin and weakness that I have, he knows it and has paid the price to ransom me. He felt abandoned and alone as The Father withdrew, crying in ultimate loneliness, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” After all was fulfilled and with complete faith in The Father and complete obedience He finally said, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
Jesus was completely alone at that point, he felt the withdrawal of His Father, and he felt it and knows it. But, we will never have to be alone for we are blessed with the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us, lift us, teach us, and comfort us in all things and at all times. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ and all who are called as leaders in this great organization. We have sisters and brothers both, in our family and in our ward family, to stand literally by our side as we need them. No, we are never alone; we are loved more than we can comprehend. All we have to do is ask.
I have been struggling for a few months, neglecting the spiritual things that I should be doing because I have felt heavy burdens of everyday living and have not used my time wisely. I have started reading my scriptures again and studying the conference talks. In my studies I came across this talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland from April 2009 conference. It made a huge impact on me. It is a review of the last days of our Saviors life and well worth the review.
None Were With Him
I now realize once again that I am never alone. That in Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary the Lord felt everything that I feel. He knows through experience every sin and weakness that I have, he knows it and has paid the price to ransom me. He felt abandoned and alone as The Father withdrew, crying in ultimate loneliness, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” After all was fulfilled and with complete faith in The Father and complete obedience He finally said, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
Jesus was completely alone at that point, he felt the withdrawal of His Father, and he felt it and knows it. But, we will never have to be alone for we are blessed with the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us, lift us, teach us, and comfort us in all things and at all times. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ and all who are called as leaders in this great organization. We have sisters and brothers both, in our family and in our ward family, to stand literally by our side as we need them. No, we are never alone; we are loved more than we can comprehend. All we have to do is ask.
Stand a Little Taller
As we move along in our lives each day there are two directions we can go. We can stay on the path we are on, making no changes in our lives and becoming a little stagnant, or we can take the harder path that has an incline. That incline can be as slight or as steep as we want to make it. Always that path is made easier if we have encouragement or help from someone else. Life is easier if we have someone to share it with. We are never alone! There is one who is aware of all that we are and all that we feel. There is one who knows us by name. There is one who loves us unconditionally. There is one who wants us to grow, to become greater than we are today.
President Hinckley in a conference talk said :
"I want to invite us all to walk a higher road of excellence. There is need for a little more self-discipline, a little more consecrated effort in the direction of excellence in our lives.
Let us all try to stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better. Make the extra effort. You will be happier. You will know a new satisfaction, a new gladness in your heart."
Decide today what changes you want to make in your life to become a little better. My choice today is to keep the TV off and use my time pondering upon the things of the Lord. Thinking of Him who made it possible for me to made changes in my life so that I can become more like Him. Knowing that because of Him and His great sacrifice through the atonement I can receive eternal life. My time is valuable I want to use it wisely.
President Hinckley in a conference talk said :
"I want to invite us all to walk a higher road of excellence. There is need for a little more self-discipline, a little more consecrated effort in the direction of excellence in our lives.
Let us all try to stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better. Make the extra effort. You will be happier. You will know a new satisfaction, a new gladness in your heart."
Decide today what changes you want to make in your life to become a little better. My choice today is to keep the TV off and use my time pondering upon the things of the Lord. Thinking of Him who made it possible for me to made changes in my life so that I can become more like Him. Knowing that because of Him and His great sacrifice through the atonement I can receive eternal life. My time is valuable I want to use it wisely.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Tender Mercies of the Lord
Neal A Maxwell
“The Lord teaches us much about Himself through His ‘tender mercies.’ He also teaches us much about that which we may become, as we confront, on our scale, the individual curricula of our lives. His most apt pupils, of course, are the men and women of God. In those instances of record, the Lord has displayed much gentleness and tenderness in His tutoring of such individuals. The pattern usually involves His disclosing more about Himself and about His work, thus expanding the horizons of the person being tutored. He is likewise reassuring and assigns that favored individual a portion of His work, including declaring the gospel, while making special promises. The pattern, though mercifully scaled, is there in the lives of all true disciples.” (Meek and Lowly, p.115.)
Confront, on our scale, the individual curricula of our lives. Where am I on this scale? What does it take to be an apt pupil?
• Man or woman of God
o Willing to take upon us His name and His work
o Willing to be like Him
Giving of our time, talents and all that we have to the work of the Lord.
• Knowing that we cannot do it without the guidance of the Spirit.
What and how will I be taught?
• He will teach with much gentleness and tenderness
• Disclosing more about Himself
• Disclosing more about His work
• He will be reassuring and give a portion of His work to you
• There is always a special promise
The wonderful thing about the tender mercies of the Lord is that we do not have to be perfect; we must be willing, having a desire, and striving to do the things of the Lord. He has given us through His example here on earth what we must do. He has taught us and given us every needful thing for success. Through His tender mercy we can overcome all and become as He is.
“The Lord teaches us much about Himself through His ‘tender mercies.’ He also teaches us much about that which we may become, as we confront, on our scale, the individual curricula of our lives. His most apt pupils, of course, are the men and women of God. In those instances of record, the Lord has displayed much gentleness and tenderness in His tutoring of such individuals. The pattern usually involves His disclosing more about Himself and about His work, thus expanding the horizons of the person being tutored. He is likewise reassuring and assigns that favored individual a portion of His work, including declaring the gospel, while making special promises. The pattern, though mercifully scaled, is there in the lives of all true disciples.” (Meek and Lowly, p.115.)
Confront, on our scale, the individual curricula of our lives. Where am I on this scale? What does it take to be an apt pupil?
• Man or woman of God
o Willing to take upon us His name and His work
o Willing to be like Him
Giving of our time, talents and all that we have to the work of the Lord.
• Knowing that we cannot do it without the guidance of the Spirit.
What and how will I be taught?
• He will teach with much gentleness and tenderness
• Disclosing more about Himself
• Disclosing more about His work
• He will be reassuring and give a portion of His work to you
• There is always a special promise
The wonderful thing about the tender mercies of the Lord is that we do not have to be perfect; we must be willing, having a desire, and striving to do the things of the Lord. He has given us through His example here on earth what we must do. He has taught us and given us every needful thing for success. Through His tender mercy we can overcome all and become as He is.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Tender mercies continued
"The Weightier Matters of the Law: Judgment, Mercy, and Faith"
James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov. 1997, 53–59
Those who extend judgment, mercy, faith, and forgiveness exhibit a greatness of soul and mind consistent with the spirit of the Lord's teachings and example.
James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov. 1997, 53–59
Those who extend judgment, mercy, faith, and forgiveness exhibit a greatness of soul and mind consistent with the spirit of the Lord's teachings and example.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Tender Mercies continued
"The Tender Mercies of the Lord"
David A. Bednar, Liahona, May 2005, 99–102; or Ensign, May 2005, 99–102
The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
The gift of faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence.
Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience.
The persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties.
Faithfulness and obedience enable us to receive these important gifts.
Fortify and protect us in the troubled times.
Made mighty even unto the power of deliverance
The Tender Mercies Of The Lord
1Nephi 1:20
“I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.
Mercy is the compassionate treatment of a person greater than what is deserved, and it is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father knows our weaknesses and sins. He shows mercy when He forgives us of our sins and helps us return to dwell in His presence.
The Savior stood in our place and suffered the penalty for our sins. Because of this selfless act, the Father can mercifully withhold punishment from us and welcome us into His presence.
Mercies that come from God through the Atonement
- Forgiveness, as we sincerely repent of our sins.
- Blessings we receive is an act of mercy
- Answers to prayers
- Guidance from the Holy Ghost
The Savior commanded: "Be ye . . . merciful, as your Father also is merciful" (Luke 6:36).
We can strive to rid our life of arrogance, pride, and conceit.
We can seek ways to be compassionate, respectful, forgiving, gentle, and patient, even when we are aware of others' shortcomings.
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