Failing to Act

If you are like me, sometimes you will receive a spiritual prompting from the Lord on the changes that you need to make in your life. At least, I assume I'm not the only imperfect person out there that God is shaping and improving.

If you are also like me, sometimes the changes you need to make are something you have struggled with off and on for a while. Such as, daily scripture study and personal prayer. Nothing "huge" necessarily, but something important that sometimes is forgotten about for a day or two, and then it slips out of habit again and you forget about it entirely for a while.

Recently, I asked God how I could improve and what He needed me to do in my own life. Between Stake Conference and General Conference, I received my answer. I was given a longer list than I anticipated, but I knew that those were the changes that God needs me to make. I wrote them down and vowed to myself to follow through.

Nearly a month later, I haven't been doing quite as well as I should be. I still forget, I procrastinate, and I put other things first sometimes. God is very loving and patient with us, thank goodness, because I was reminded again today about the things I had committed to changing. However, the reminder came in a different form than the list I had received before: this was a chastisement on the lack of priority I gave to the changes I need to make.

This was the thought that came to me and that I wrote down this time:

"No matter what else my schedule demands of me, I need to prioritize acting on what God has asked me to do. In the eternities, it will be more important for me to have acted on what God asked me to do than getting any degree, taking any test, finishing any paper, or accomplishing any other temporal achievement.

God doesn't want me overburdening myself because He knows that if I do, I will have a hard time keeping the things that He wants me to do in my life. If I don't have time to still do the things God asked of me and add _______________ to my schedule, then I don't have enough time to add _________________ to my schedule. I need to reserve my time for God as I have already covenanted to do.

When God corrects me, I need to act on that correction as if my very soul depends on it, for as far as I know, it may."

Changing isn't always easy, and sometimes acting on the "small" changes God needs us to make gets put on the back burner while we focus on the "more important things". I testify that there is nothing more important than acting on the promptings that we receive from God. I know that this is true. May we all have the courage to "go and do" the things the Lord commands of us.

In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.

A God Who Weeps

One of the most powerful things that I have learned in my life is that my Father in Heaven weeps. He cries for us and with us. And, more important to my learning of this, He weeps with ME! I learned this after an evening spent in tears, begging God to fix my body so that I could have a baby. This could have been any trial, any unrealized blessing... I asked my husband for a blessing, hoping to hear that the trial was over and that the blessing was forthcoming. What I received was much different. I was told that God always keeps His promises, and that someday I would be able to look back and understand why I am going through this trial. I knew that meant that God was not going to take it away just yet, but someday He would make it clear why I had to go through it.

During this blessing, I received a prompting that I felt so strongly that I remember it more than what my husband was saying just then. It was this: "God cries with you." Every time that I had cried to God, weeping, begging, pleading, a loving and merciful Father in Heaven was there, listening to me, seeing my pain, and crying with me. He took no pleasure in causing me pain by withholding blessings and prolonging a trial that I had not brought on myself. I believe that this is true of trails we have brought upon ourselves as well. No matter what brought it on, our Father in Heaven does not like watching His beloved children suffer. He is our God, our Father in Heaven, our Abba (a Hebrew term that, in English, would mean roughly the same as Daddy). No matter how far we have strayed, He is still our Father. He still loves and aches for us when we are hurting.

However, He loves me enough to not give it to me just yet. He knows why I must go through this painful journey, and He knows that someday I will be happier, stronger, and better for having gone through it. This trial is a part of His Plan of Salvation for me.

Until the day that God has foreordained this trial to end and the windows of Heaven to open up and pour out the blessings I have asked Him for, God stands with me, crying when I cry. Even though He already knows when the blessing is coming, even though He knows why we must go through it and can see how much stronger and happier we will be because of it in the long run, He still cries with us during the meantime, listening to us, loving us, and supporting and sustaining us.

Reading The Book of Mormon

At the end of my last semester in school, I was struggling to focus and put my best effort into my papers and finals. I felt like I was in a fog and I couldn't get myself to concentrate. Finally, I asked my husband for a Priesthood Blessing.

However, instead of being given the blessing to focus and concentrate immediately from the blessing, I was chastised in that blessing. I was, essentially, scolded for not doing my personal scripture study. I was promised that I would be able to have the energy, focus, and drive for school that I needed on the condition that I did my personal scripture study first.

The next morning, I got up early, went to the couch, and read my scriptures until Andrew's alarm went off (the one that I used to be getting up to). For the first time in a couple of weeks, I was alert, energetic, and had the ability to concentrate and work on my paper. I knew then and I know now that that was a direct result of my obedience to the chastisement and council that I received in that blessing.

This is just one of the many examples that I have had in my life that confirms to me that not only is The Book of Mormon the word of God, but that God blesses us when we are in them daily and studying from them.

In 1st Nephi 1:8-15, Lehi has a vision where the heavens open and he sees God sitting on His throne, surrounded by angels. Then, One descends from heaven, followed by twelve others, and gives Lehi a book, and asks him to read. As he is reading, he is filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and after he is done reading he exclaims praises unto the Lord, and his soul rejoices and his heart is filled because of the things he has seen.

Now, the important part that I want to get at is in verses 11-12. Lehi is given a book and bade to read. Likewise, we have received The Book of Mormon in our day, and God had communicated to us through His prophets that He wants us to study it. When we read The Book of Mormon, we too can be filled with the Spirit of the Lord. This is just one of the many blessings we have been promised if we study from The Book of Mormon.

President Ezra Taft Benson taught that “There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the straight and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life”, and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance. These promises – increased love in the home, greater respect between parent and child, increased spirituality and righteousness – these are not idle promises, but exactly what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant when he said the Book of Mormon will help us draw nearer to God.”

I testify that these promises are real, and that God keeps His promises to His children. I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that Joseph Smith acted as an instrument in The Lord's hands in helping to bring The Book of Mormon forth to us in these latter-days through his translation of the records. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that President Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet on the earth today. I urge you to read The Book of Mormon, and to receive for yourself the blessings promised to you by God if you will study with a sincere heart, with real intent, and with faith in Christ. I also urge you to take Moroni up on his promise found in Moroni 10:3-5, that after reading The Book of Mormon, that "if ye shall [pray] with a sincere heart, with real intent, and with faith in Christ, [God] will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer. Amen.

Strengthening Our Family (Relations)

My husband and I were asked to speak on family relations, strengthening the family, and teaching the gospel to our family a couple of months ago, and I wanted to share my talk with you.

These topics are especially important to me.  Let me explain why. I am the second of nine children, and we all grew up in a family active in the church. However, despite the impression everyone in the ward I grew up in had about my family being absolutely perfect, my parents divorce was finalized February 2011. I have seen glimpses of the wonderful blessings that come from being obedient to the doctrine of the family, but I have seen much more of the horrible nightmares that come when you fall astray from them.

I know without a doubt that the family is absolutely sacred and essential to the gospel. It is no surprise to me that Satan is constantly redoubling his efforts on his attacks towards the family during this dispensation when our strongest spirits are coming forth, having been saved for these last days. Sister Julie B. Beck has said, “This generation will be called upon to defend the doctrine of the family as never before in the history of the world. If they don't know it, they can't defend it.” If we wish to be able to withstand the attacks of the adversary on our family units, we must know what it is that we are defending, how we can best strengthen our families against these attacks, and how we can teach this doctrine to our children so that they can also defend it.

So what are we defending? A family is built up of individual people, and our relationships with each of them are entirely unique. Before we can strengthen the whole, we must strive to be strengthening our family relations individually.

In our “Building an Eternal Marriage” Institute class, we were taught that, in the order of things, we should first take care of our own spiritual health and well-being. We cannot fully take care of our other responsibilities if we ourselves are deprived of that important relationship with our Father in Heaven. Second is our spouses; not the children yet. Note how in the temple, the parents are sealed first and then the children are brought in and are sealed to their parents. The marriage relationship comes first. Third, then, come our children, and fourth our profession.

First : Our Relationship Between Yourself & God

This means that the first relationship we should be focusing on strengthening is the one between ourselves and God. This relationship blesses us in so many ways. As the Spirit is present in our lives, we are blessed with a more cheerful disposition, more energy and strength to bear the stresses and worries in life, and we are more in tune with the promptings of God that will help us dictate our relationship with others.

Second : Our Relationship With Our Spouse

The second relationship we need to focus on is the one we have with our spouses. It was always difficult for me watching my parents fight growing up. Sometimes it was over finances, other times it was over miscommunications, and other times it was over pretty much nothing at all. 

President Thomas S. Monson has advised us to “never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.” I desperately wish that my own parents had heeded that council, for that slip up in priorities was a large factor in their divorce, although there were definitely many others.

Our spouses are to be cherished. Brethren, your wives are daughters of God, and deserve your love and respect. It always bothered me when my father would make snide remarks about my mother, devaluing her as a daughter of God and mocking her beautiful gift of motherhood. Sisters, support and encourage and love your husbands. They need to feel appreciated, accepted, loved, and not like they’re only receiving criticism. In this lifetime, our marriage is a probationary marriage. We have to work to qualify for a celestial and everlasting marriage like unto the marriage God Himself enjoys. You’re not going to have your spouse eternally unless at the end of the probation they decide they want to have you.

Third : Our Relationship With Our Children

The third prioritized relationship is with our children. When I was very small, my father used to take me out on Daddy-Daughter dates. I loved this special one-on-one time with him where I could have his undivided attention on just me so I could talk to him about whatever I wanted. It made me feel connected to him. Children need these connections, although they may not always be expressive in showing these needs or outgoing in their efforts to reach out for them. Parents need to be a part of their children’s lives and know what’s happening.

So how do we strengthen our families? Elder M. Russell Ballard voiced the same question in his talk “What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest”, and then offered these three simple suggestions to help answer the question he posed:

1.       “Be consistent in holding daily family prayer and weekly family home evenings. Both of these invite the Lord’s Spirit, which provides the help and power we need as parents and family leaders…

2.       Teach the gospel and basic values in your home. Establish a love for reading the scriptures together… Be wise and do not involve children or yourselves in so many activities out of the home that you are so busy that the Spirit of the Lord cannot be recognized or felt in giving you the promised guidance for yourself and your family. Create meaningful family bonds that will give your children an identity stronger than what they can find with their peer group or at school or anyplace else..."

My family was also strengthened by doing things together. They never had to be big things. Working on our family garden, flying kites together, going camping, or washing the dishes together as we told ridiculous stories and laughed over them are just a few of many examples of things that have strengthened our family bonds.

We can also strengthen our families by bringing the Spirit of the Lord into our home through the teaching of the gospel.

“(Our children) could be led away if they don't understand their part in the plan... Teach them so they don't misunderstand.” Make sure “that every doctrine, every principle, everything you're teaching leads them to the fullness of the gospel.” - Sister Julie B. Beck

This may sound more difficult than it really is. It can be achieved through small things, such as setting aside time to have Family Home Evening together. When I was growing up, we hardly ever held Family Home Evening, and when we did it seemed more like a family lecture time than anything else. Make sure that when you reserve the time for Family Home Evening, you are reserving it to teach the gospel to your family. Elder M. Russell Ballard said that “Too many of our parents are abdicating this responsibility to the church. While seminary, auxiliaries, and priesthood quorums are important as a supplement to parental gospel instruction, the main responsibility rests in the home. You might want to choose one gospel subject or a family value and then watch for opportunities to teach it.” He also added “The church curriculum and magazines have many good ideas for family home evening. Also consider holding a family testimony meeting where parents and children can express their beliefs and feelings to each other in a private and personal setting.”

While I was receiving knowledge of the gospel in seminary throughout high school, there was an absence of that Spirit in our own home due to the negligence on our part in making Family Home Evening, scripture study, family prayer, or any other activity that invited the Spirit into our home a priority. After my parent’s divorce, however, my family started doing them more together, and the Spirit began to dwell in our home.

When striving to teach the gospel in their home, families should also take the time to study the scriptures together regularly so that they can learn and follow the teachings of the Lord.

“I feel certain that if, in our homes parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase, mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to that counsel. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity – the pure love of Christ – will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness.” - Elder Marion G. Romney

President Ezra Taft Benson also taught that “There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the straight and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life”, and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance. These promises – increased love in the home, greater respect between parent and child, increased spirituality and righteousness – these are not idle promises, but exactly what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant when he said the Book of Mormon will help us draw nearer to God.”

After the divorce, I was able to see the blessings that came into our home through having family scripture study and I was able to receive my own testimony to know that our efforts to bring the Spirit into our own home are greatly blessed by our getting up each morning to study the scriptures together, especially when we are consistent at it.

I testify that the family is absolutely sacred and essential to the gospel, and that as we grow to understand what it is that we are defending, establish our family relations as a priority in our lives, continually strive to strengthen our families, and invite the Spirit into our home through the teaching of the gospel to our children, we and our families will be able to withstand the attacks of the adversary on our family and be richly blessed by the Lord. In the name of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.

What Do We Believe? The Thirteen Articles of Faith

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
   
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
   
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
   
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
   
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
   
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
   
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
   
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
   
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
   
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
    
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
    
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
    
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Joseph Smith

Special Witnesses of Christ

I know that my Redeemer lives, and I know that we live in a time of living prophets on this earth. In this last dispensation, we have the blessing of having the fullness of the gospel restored to this earth. I know that if we listen to their teachings, that the Lord will speak to us individually through them (D&C 1:37-38) and He will not allow them to lead us astray. I pray that as you watch this video the Spirit of their testifying witnesses will touch you.

I bear testimony of these things in the name of my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Gifts & Talents

"For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby," (D&C 46:11-12)

"Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost." -Elder Marvin J. Ashton

Even on top of these characteristic gifts, there are spiritual gifts that we may have, as described in D&C 46.

In this life, so many people get caught up in what they can or cannot do. As a Mia Maid, we were sitting in class learning about talents. The instructor, my Mia Maid adviser, had each of us go around and list what we are talented at before we would go on to learn about the lesson on Talents. The girls went around and listed a few. When it got to me, I was able to prattle off several without having to think about it too hard. My Mia Maid adviser went last, and she hesitated. "I can't really think of anything I am talented at, I've never been particularly good at anything, unless walking to go visit people counts." As the lesson wore on, the Spirit touched us, and my teacher cried and smiled, and we left feeling strengthened. However, one thing bugged me. That my instructor, now a grandmother and a righteous, faithful member of the church, could even think she had no talents. I went home with a self-made homework assignment. The next week, I came up to her and handed her a piece of paper. On it was a list of talents I saw in her, as well as using the help of the quote by Marvin J. Ashton.

Four years later, I was discussing with a friend my seemingly endless list of talents and abilities. "List them for me," he requested, "even the ones I already know." As I began listing, I quickly reached 20 different talents. Satisfied that that must be all, I talked to my mom about it. She gave me a strange look, and said, "Just twenty? You have more than that. Let’s see, did you include..." The list was lengthened, and I went to the Relief Society General Broadcast trying to create my own list of talents. As I began writing, I hesitated on some of the talents my mom had listed for me. "Kindness is a characteristic trait, Mom." I pointed out. "Is that even considered a talent?" My mom looked at me. "Where do you think your characteristics come from?" A feeling of peace came over me as I acknowledged my Heavenly Father's hand in my own traits and qualities. After all, He is the Father of my Spirit, where all of my attributes really lie.
We sat down and were listening to the broadcast, when suddenly a thought struck me, and I began writing.

"Heavenly Father would not have blessed me with all of my talents if He didn't know I would use them to help others, and enlighten and lift them, and they have all been given me for specific reasons and purposes throughout my life as I serve and stay receptive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. These talents, attributes, and my temperament are amplified best as I allow myself to be an instrument in his hands."

I believe this to be true. We all have been blessed with divine gifts and talents, even going down to so simple as just attributes and characteristics that are divine and from God, our Father. Some have other gifts and talents, like the ability to listen, to cry, and spiritual gifts such as bearing a testimony or having the gift of tongues. Others have physical talents, such as athletics, musical abilities, or home keeping skills such as sewing or cooking. But all of these talents will best be amplified, in a manner that we can use them to bless the lives of others, as we live in accordance to the will of our Heavenly Father.

This isn’t to say that some gifts can’t be given to us with the sole purpose of blessing ourselves. One person mentioned having a gift that seemed negligible whether it actually blessed people other than just himself. He said that having it helped him feel Heavenly Father’s love for him. In D&C 18, it talks about the worth of souls being great in the sight of God. And that if we even bring one soul unto him, how great shall be our joy in His kingdom. I had a seminary teacher point out that the first soul we must bring unto him is ourselves. I think that is easily connected to service, and the point this person brought up. Sometimes we do need to, in ways, serve ourselves, and our Heavenly Father blesses us that we may have joy. I do not doubt that would include talents that we are blessed with on an individual basis.

Another friend of mine had this thought to add:
Dave Ramsey, the most well-known financial person in America, said that everything on this earth is given to us by God to manage, but none of it belongs to us. He was referring to the more physical things, such as money or possessions, but this same principle is extended to our gifts and talents. Each of us have been given individual talents, but they don't necessarily belong to us. We are just given them to manage for Him. In other words, God gave us these gifts so that we may use them for Him. He trusted us with each and every ability we have so that we can manage them in a righteous way and hopefully help others see the beauty of God through the gifts and talents He has bestowed upon us.

Connect this thought, then with the Parable of the Talents, found in ST Matthew 25, starting in verse 14. When all of the servants return to their master, he asks for his talents, and in turn blesses them with so much more when they return having used them well for his purposes. Now, I cannot say how that meeting in Heaven will go as far as talents are concerned, but I believe that the way we use our talents and amplify them, whether for our own use or for the use of others, will be of importance in both our mortal existence and throughout the eternities.

“Amen! (An Interrupted Prayer)” by Ted Gibbons.

“My dear Father in Heaven . . .

                Yes?

Could we have a little quiet around here? I’m praying.

                But you called me.

Called who? I didn’t call anybody. I’m praying. My Dear Father in Heaven . . .

                There. You did it again.

Did what?

                Called me. You said, “My dear Father in Heaven.”
                Here I am. What’s on your mind?

But I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just, you know, saying my prayers for the night. I always say my prayers. I don’t feel good about going to sleep if I don’t.

                Oh. All right. Go on.

Are you kidding?

                You did want to talk to me, didn’t you?

Well . . . yes.

                Here I am. Talk.

I’m thankful for my many blessings . . .

                Excuse me again! How thankful?

What?

                How thankful are you for your ‘many blessings’?

I’m . . . well . . . I don’t know. It’s just a part of the prayer. Mom always told me I should always express my thanks when I pray.

                Oh. Well . . . you’re certainly welcome. Go ahead.

Go ahead?

                With the prayer.

Oh. Yeah. Let’s see . . . bless the poor and the downtrodden, the unfortunate and the afflicted . . .

                Do you really mean that?

Sure I mean it.

                What are you doing about it?

Doing? What am I doing about it? Well . . . I’m praying about it. I just think that it would be nice if you got control of things down here. I don’t like to see people suffer.

                Do I have control over you?

Sure. I go to church. I make donations sometimes. I even read the scriptures once in a while. I don’t . . .

That isn’t what I asked you. What about your temper? You don’t even have control of that, and your friends and family suffer. And then there’s the way you spend your money. And how about the kind of books you read? And the movies you see?

Well, Father, I think I’m as good as most of the people I see every Sunday at church.

And you are, but I thought you were praying for me to bless the afflicted. If that is going to happen, I’ll have to have help from the ones who are praying for it. Like you.

I understand. I guess I have a few hangups. Since you brought it up, I could probably mention some others.

                So could I. Should we visit about them?

Oh . . . Let me get back to you on that. I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than usual. Bless the honest in heart to come to thy Son and receive His blessings.

                You mean people like Ralph?

Ralph?

Yes. The one you’ve taught your little brother, Joey, to call ‘Beer-belly Ralph.’ The man around the corner.

That Ralph? Ralph Swenson? You’ve got to be kidding. He hasn’t been sober since he was sixteen. And he hates organized religion.

                Why?

I don’t know.

                It couldn’t have anything to do with the names the neighborhood kids call him, could it?

OK. I get the message. I’ll tell Joey to cut it out.

                By the way, have you had a look at his heart lately?

His heart?

                I have. I’ve looked. And it’s one of those honest hearts you were just praying about.

Well, then, do something about it. Do you think I like having an atheist for a neighbor?

                Aren’t you supposed to share the gospel? I thought I’d made that pretty clear.

That’s scary. I wouldn’t have any idea how to approach him.

Try a little tolerance and friendship. Try a little service. If you get desperate, try asking me for help.

Father, wait a minute. I know I’m not perfect. But I am here, doing my duty, keeping your commandment to pray, and all of a sudden, you’re here, reminding me of all my problems.

Child, you called me. Remember? Keep on praying. I’m interested in the next part. You haven’t changed the order around, have you?

I don’t want to go on.

                Why not?

I know what you’ll say.

                Try me and see.

Please forgive me of all my sins, and help me to forgive others.

                What about David?

See! I knew it! I knew you’d bring him up. Listen, Lord. He told lies about me and I lost my job – the best job I ever had. Everyone in that office thinks I crawled out from under a rock, and I didn’t do anything except choose other friends! Am I supposed to let him get away with that?

                But your prayers. What about your prayers?

I didn’t mean that part about forgiving.

                Well, at least you’re honest. I guess you enjoy carrying that load of bitterness around, don’t you?

No, I don’t. But I’ll feel better as soon as I get even.

                Do you want to know a secret?

What secret?

                You won’t feel better. You’ll feel worse. Listen to me. You forgive David, and I’ll forgive you.

Forgive me? For what?

                For what? How much time do you have?

All right. Never mind. But, Lord . . . I don’t think I can forgive David.

                Then I can’t forgive you.

Why not?

                Because I hate to encourage hypocrisy.

Oh. All right. Please help me to control my actions and not yield to temptation.

Good. I’ll do just that. But you stop putting yourself in all those places where you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?

Quit hanging around the magazine racks and spending so much time in front of the tube. That stuff is going to get to you sooner or later and you’ll find yourself involved in something terrible. When you do, don’t expect me to rescue you, either.

Rescue me? I don’t understand.

Think about it. You’ve done it lots of times. You put very little effort into our relationship until you find yourself in a crisis; then you come running. I know just how your dad feels.

My dad?

Your dad. The only time you talk to him is when you need something. As a matter of fact, it’s amazing how quickly the intensity of your prayers improves when you are in trouble. Do you remember some of those bargains you wanted to make with me?

Bargains? No . . . well, I don’t think . . . Oh yeah, like thet time I went to that show and met Mom’s friend on the street when I came out . . . Oh, brother!

Do you remember your prayer? I do. You said, “Oh, God, don’t let her tell my mother where I’ve been. I promise I’ll go to nothing but ‘G’-rated movies from now on.” She didn’t tell your mother, but you didn’t keep your promise, did you?

No, Father, I didn’t. I’m sorry.

                So am I. Go on and finish your prayer.

No, wait. I want to ask you a question. Do you always listen to my prayers?

                Every word. Every time.

Why haven’t you ever answered me before?

How many chances have you given me? There’s not enough time between your “Amen” and your head hitting the pillow for me to take a breath. How am I supposed to give you an answer?

You could, if you really wanted to.

                No, I could if you really wanted me to. Child, I always want to.

Father, I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?

I already have. And thanks for letting me interrupt. I get lonely to talk to you sometimes. Good night. I love you.

Good night. And I love you, too.”

Adversity

"Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days." - D&C 24:8

It seems no matter where we go in life, we can never escape the bumpy roads ahead. Just when things seem like everything is going perfectly and we let down our guard, we come across another storm. While caught in the storm, it is easy to let yourself become confused, to feel like you're not good enough, not strong enough, and that no one is there for you. Some even lose their grip on the iron rod during these trials, and let themselves be swept away by the mists of darkness (1Ne8:23, 1Ne12:17). Some, once off the straight and narrow path, feel like there is no way back, that they are lost, and that there is no hope for them anymore. This is not so.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has Atoned for our sins and and loves us. He has already paid the price; it is NEVER too late to return if we have lost the way. His arms are outstretched to us, and your price to him is beyond measure. He will never give up on you, He will never leave you alone, and He will always be there for you.

We are promised that we will not be given burdens heavier than we are capable of bearing. That doesn't mean we are incapable of losing our way. It just means that we have power over Satan, and that we have the ability to choose to give into the storm or hold on no matter what. Satan cannot MAKE us do anything. We are beloved children of God; we have the strength and power to overcome all things, great and small.

Trials, though hard, are able to be overcome and/or endured, and even if they seem to be too difficult for us to bear, it is because we must continually be strengthening ourselves. The way back to our Heavenly Father requires more than a passive endurance. There will be times that we will struggle, we will have to fight to continually work towards our end goal, the Celestial Kingdom. Trials are for our benefit and growth (D&C 122:5-7), for they strengthen us.

Many times, in the meantime, we cannot see the purpose that having trials gives us, and it can make going through them extremely difficult and frustrating for us as individuals. However, God is over all, and He knows what we are going through, and there is a purpose in all things. "For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and know that I am..." (D&C 84:119)

Many people mistake the message that we have the strength to get through all our burdens, and try to carry all of the hardship on their own shoulders. Heavenly Father has never intended for us to walk these roads alone, and it is His yolk, which when taken upon us, will make our burdens light and easier to bear. Angels attend us, on both sides of the veil.

"I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But 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. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. 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.
... My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.”(Moroni 7:36) On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal."
-Elder Jeffery R. Holland, The Ministry of Angels



"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." (D&C 121:7-9)

Remember Your Worth

Everyone goes through rocky periods of times in their life that makes them doubt their self worth, that makes them question their value. Question, even, their own Divinity.

In D&C 18:10, it states "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." In many instances, it is easy to brush it aside and say, "Yes, but I have no value." If that were true, it would say, "Remember that the worth of everyone's soul except yours is great in the sight of God." For direct revelation from God is not wrong, and as that verse is direct revelation, it is a Truth. Your soul is of great worth.

Too often we forget that we are not human beings having spiritual experiences, but Spiritual Beings having a human experience.

Feeling worthless is not a feeling given to us by our Heavenly Father. He is Perfect, and all He makes is perfect, and He made you. Therefore, you are of great value. If you are having feelings of inadequacy or feeling worthless, remember that feeling does not come from God.
Rather, it comes from Satan. If he can convince you that you are of no value, then he'll be taking out one of his biggest opponents: a righteous, chosen Child of God.

Do not forget of your own divine nature and individual worth. You have more power than you accredit yourself to. After all,

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
-Marianne Williamson

A Thought On Friendship

This life is built around friendship.
As children, our family becomes our best friends. We grow older, branch out and make new friends, and eventually marry our best friend. And why shouldn't it be built around friendship? The Savior Himself has often called Himself our friend, and it is usually through others that our prayers are answered and our needs are met. And yet we demean the value of friendship, not serving when we ought, not giving when we can, not using talents for others as we should. Often, we even become friends with those who may try to break down our standards. They are not "friends." To call someone a friend is to give them a title that the Savior has given us to even use for Himself. A true friend will honor your standards, answer prayers, and guide, direct, and comfort you. While we can help others and be friends with those who do not share the same standards as us, we must not allow ourselves to be pulled down by those that call us friend. A friend is an angel, on either side of the veil, that cares for you and respects and honors you. Never take such a friend for granted, and continually strive to be such a friend yourself.

Our Savior’s Love

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” (Robert Browning)

If we applied that quote to our Savior, and tried counting His love for us, I think that mathematically the number of ways He loves us would look something like this: (-∞,∞). However, something about infinite love is ungraspable to us. Everything in this life that we know of has a beginning and an end. How, then, can we even begin to comprehend a truly infinite love? I don’t know that we fully can in this life.

Our Savior has done more for us than any person has ever done for us. He prays for us, heals us, strengthens us, guides us, and He even Atoned for us. He will stand with us at the Judgment Seat, pleading to the Father for us. However, He doesn’t give us everything that we want because He loves us. He gives us trials, tests us, and reprimands us so that we are most benefitted in this life by His love. He knows what is best for us and because He wants us to be happy He makes us learn. That is true love.

In the book of John, I discovered a chapter while studying that I refer to as “The Prayer of the Savior.” As I was reading the chapter, in which Jesus begins praying, I realized that many of the verses are of Him praying for US! For YOU and ME!

“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine . . . I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” – (John 17:9, 15-19)

It was for us individually that He suffered in the Garden and then hung on the cross as they crucified Him. It was for us that He rose again and conquered death three days after He had given up His spirit. He gave us the gift of The Atonement so that we could be able to be resurrected and so that mercy and justice could both be mollified at the judgment seat. The Atonement allows us to be elevated from the Fall, so that we can return again to our Father in Heaven someday. We could not pay that price alone.

It also amazes me to see how He sees us. Here is this great and powerful man, God’s Only Begotten Son, our Redeemer, a God, and He sees us not as below Him, but as His brothers, sisters, children, and as His friends.

 “And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I shall call you friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this commandment that ye become even as my friends in days when I was with them traveling to preach the gospel in my power;” – (Doctrine and Covenants 84:77)

Short of romantic interest, our Savior’s love covers every form of love possible. He truly loves us with the most pure form of love that has ever existed.

“But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever, and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
Wherefore, my beloved bretheren, 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, that ye may become the sons of God that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.”
 – (Moroni 7:47-48)

I remember once, as a young child, kneeling in prayer before I got into my bed so that I could sleep. To this day, I do not remember any of the words spoken that night. I do, however, remember what came after. Before climbing into my bed that night, I waited. Suddenly a warmth that I have never felt before filled me. Heaven had never felt closer than it did at that moment. A love too great to fill my small frame filled the room, and I knew without a single doubt that my Father in Heaven and my Savior both loved me, were proud of me and the path I was headed down, and that They stood by me. I am sure that the love I felt was just a fraction of Their love for me, for if I had felt any more, I would have had to change states, or be transfigured, so that I would not be consumed by the warmth I felt. I knelt there for longer than I had ever before after a prayer, basking in the love and warmth my Savior proffered me.

We, as Children of God, are of infinite worth to our Savior (D&C 18:10) and I know that He loves us. He stands with His arms outstretched to us, waiting to receive us if we but will open our hearts to Him and turn to Him.

I testify of these things in the name of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, amen.

My Testimony

I would like to start this blog by sharing my own testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on this earth. I hope that as I continue working on this blog, it will be strengthened, grow, and that I will gain a testimony of areas of the gospel that I may not know of yet.

I bear witness that this church is true. I know this because I have felt my own personal witness of its truth. I am grateful that I live in a gospel where I can ask and find out for myself through the power of the Holy Ghost. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to restore the true church to this earth at that time. I have been blessed with the opportunity to come into this world at a time where temples are abundant on the earth, the gospel is restored and going forth full force, and freedoms are available to me in this wonderful choice land.
I know that the Savior loves me and hears my prayers. I know that He answers our prayers, and that He will help you if you ask for it with a sincere heart, fully believing that He will help and guide you. I know that He lives and that He will come again. I know that the trials with which we are faced are blessings that help us to grow if we will let them, and that the Savior will never give us a burden too difficult for us to carry alone. Support, love, and help are available to us from both sides of the veil to help us get through anything that we may face.
I know that the Savior is our Redeemer. He atoned for us that we may return to our Father in Heaven, be resurrected, and have eternal families, something we could not have done on our own. He loves and knows us personally, and it is for us personally that He atoned for us. I know that families are forever, and that the sealing ordinances of the temple allow for us to be married forever so that we will not be separated at death. I have felt a witness of these things and bear testimony of them in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Introduction

“O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. But behold, I am a (wo)man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.” – (Alma 29:1-3)

“Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.” – (3 Nephi 5:13)

Who am I?

I am a daughter of God, who loves me, and I love him. I am striving to be a witness of Him in all things, in all places, at all times. I have taken His name upon me through baptism, and because of this I am striving to become more like Him. Goodness knows I am far from perfect. I have a lot of spiritual growth to do, and a lot of areas of my life that I need to work on. However, a testimony grows through the sharing of it. So I have decided that I would share thoughts from my studies of the Gospel, in hopes that I can reach those that need to hear what I have learned.

I hope to touch a variety of topics, as well as address stories in the scriptures (inclusive of the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, as well as words from the living prophet) so that I may learn and grow and gain a greater understanding of not just doctrinal topics, but have a better knowledge of the stories contained within these pages.

I would like to extend the invitation to you to learn with me. I hope that I may address a topic of interest to you, that we may both be edified by it. I hope that my words may answer prayers, so that I can help lead others to Him. This is my prayer and purpose, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.