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.
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