Mind Over Matter

Recently I have trying to focus on letting go of my will and doing what God wants me to do. However, I have recognized that I can't just sit back and wait for Heavenly Father to drop answers in my lap.  I need to be anxiously engaged in good things that will allow Him opportunities to use to bless me.  

The first thing that I have been doing is getting up before my family in the morning and reading my scriptures or talks by the Apostles.  It is amazing how quiet the morning is and it allows for meditation and pondering on the things that I have read and problems that I am seeking answers to.   I just finished reading the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbran (actually I listed to it--Yeah for audio books from the library!!!).   I was amazed at how many life lessons I learned in this book. One of which, that our minds have a great capacity that is often under-utilized and barrage of information.   I learned that I need to provide myself quiet time (Early morning after I am rested is best for me.) to allow all the constant thoughts in my head to quiet down and begin examining my questions with a clear mind that is open to receive answers from God.  

Unbroken made me consider for the first time, that maybe, just maybe I had the brain capacity to do more and think more than I currently see myself.  I know I'm not dumb, I did graduate from college, but I am blond and wasn't born with street smarts like some people are, and I have a horrible memory.  I am realizing that I have limited myself by placing an imaginary "glass ceiling" on what I thought I was capable of doing with my mind.  I realized in reading this book that I had allowed my mind to be filled with too many distractions.  I have renewed my effort to read and study in the early quiet hours, but also provide myself time to ponder and think on the things I have been reading.  I have stopped watching tv for the most part, try to be effective when I'm on the internet, and have been trying to fill my mind with good books in addition to scriptures.   Now I think I might be able to do things that I never thought I would be able to do.  It's exciting to open yourself up to new potentials.  I can't wait to see where this mind is going to go.

Including my Savior in this mental makeover has also been a concentrated effort. I have sought the power of the Atonement in prayer to help me grow.  In my morning study, I came across this quote by Todd Christofferson.

It is God’s will that we be free men and women enabled to rise to our full potential both temporally and spiritually, that we be free from the humiliating limitations of poverty and the bondage of sin, that we enjoy self-respect and independence, that we be prepared in all things to join Him in His celestial kingdom.

I am under no illusion that this can be achieved by our own efforts alone without His very substantial and constant help. “We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”24 And we do not need to achieve some minimum level of capacity or goodness before God will help—divine aid can be ours every hour of every day, no matter where we are in the path of obedience. But I know that beyond desiring His help, we must exert ourselves, repent, and choose God for Him to be able to act in our lives consistent with justice and moral agency. My plea is simply to take responsibility and go to work so that there is something for God to help us with.

I bear witness that God the Father lives, that His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Redeemer, and that the Holy Spirit is present with us. Their desire to help us is undoubted, and Their capacity to do so is infinite. Let us “awake, and arise from the dust, … that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto [us] may be fulfilled.”25 In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.    (For full text click here)

I hope that I will be able to grow in ways I've never before imagined and I'm grateful for the possibilities that are available through the Atonement.  I hope that I will be able to pass on to my children and others that God sees more in us than we see in ourselves.

Hope

Mosiah 27:14
14 And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heardthe prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to theknowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.  

This scripture is filled with hope.   

"Will this make you a better person?”

Im so thankful for the recent counsel regarding the use of the internet and use of electronic devices.

A wonderful example of the need for moderation, balance, and wisdom is the use of the Internet. It can be used to do missionary outreach, to assist with priesthood responsibilities, to find precious ancestors for sacred temple ordinances, and much more. The potential for good is enormous. We also know that it can transmit much that is evil, including pornography, digital cruelty,⁸ and anonymous yakking. It can also perpetuate foolishness. As Brother Randall L. Ridd poignantly taught at the last general conference, speaking of the Internet, “You can get caught up in endless loops of triviality that waste your time and degrade your potential.”⁹

Distractions and opposition to righteousness are not just on the Internet; they are everywhere. They affect not just the youth but all of us. We live in a world that is literally in commotion.¹⁰ We are surrounded by obsessive portrayals of “fun and games” and immoral and dysfunctional lives. These are presented as normal conduct in much of the media.

Elder David A. Bednar recently cautioned members to be authentic in the use of social media.¹¹ A prominent thought leader, Arthur C. Brooks, has emphasized this point. He observes that when using social media, we tend to broadcast the smiling details of our lives but not the hard times at school or work. We portray an incomplete life—sometimes in a self-aggrandizing or fake way. We share this life, and then we consume the “almost exclusively … fake lives of [our] social media ‘friends.’” Brooks asserts, “How could it not make you feel worse to spend part of your time pretending to be happier than you are, and the other part of your time seeing how much happier others seem to be than you?”¹²

Sometimes it feels like we are drowning in frivolous foolishness, nonsensical noise, and continuous contention. When we turn down the volume and examine the substance, there is very little that will assist us in our eternal quest toward righteous goals. One father wisely responds to his children with their numerous requests to participate in these distractions. He simply asks them, “Will this make you a better person?”

Elder Quentin L Cook

Picket Fences

Growing up there was a white picket fence along the walkway to the front door of my childhood home similar to this one pictured.  I loved that little white fence and always wished that when I grew up my house would have a white picket fence too.

Society too has placed value on the white picket fence surrounding the beautiful yard and perfect home inside.

The white picket fence has become a symbol of the idyllic life.  Representing the perfect home, perfect family, and an excess of all you could want.  So many of us buy into to this dream, taking it on as our own goal, and feeling less-than if we can't achieve it.  After being married now for 10 years and experiencing the ups and downs of life. I have come to recognize that we are not all on the linear upward path of graduate from college, find the spouse of your dreams, get the best job, buy the perfect house (with the white picket fence of course) and then have the two or three perfect darling children. This is how we are taught life should be right.

The funny thing that I realized recently is that I wasn't actually wrong in wanting the picket fence it's self. It's just I didn't understand what a picket fence really is and what it really stands for.

Society has washed all of the effectiveness of the picket fence out of it and all that is left is the beautifully white washed facade of something that appears to have value but offers nothing of the real protection that is needed.

In Alma chapter 53 we see why picket fences were originally useful:

1 And now it came to pass that Moroni did not stop making preparations for war, or to defend his people against the Lamanites; for he caused that his armies should commence ... in digging up heaps of earth round about all the cities, throughout all the land which was possessed by the Nephites.

 2 And upon the top of these ridges of earth he caused that there should be timbers, yea, works of timbers built up to the height of a man, round about the cities.

 3 And he caused that upon those works of timbers there should be a frame of pickets built upon the timbers round about; and they were strong and high.

 4 And he caused towers to be erected that overlooked those works of pickets, and he caused places of security to be built upon those towers, that the stones and the arrows of the Lamanites could not hurt them.

 5 And they were prepared that they could cast stones from the top thereof, according to their pleasure and their strength, and slay him who should attempt to approach near the walls of the city.

6 Thus Moroni did prepare strongholds against the coming of their enemies, round about every city in all the land.

The picket fence was originally used to strengthen weak areas around a city.  They weren't painted white and decorative at the top, they were sharp and indicated injury to anyone that tried to cross them to attack. Pickets were effectively used to defend against the enemy that was trying to destroy them.   Have we placed a picket fence around our home and family and if so is it just for looks and status symbol or is it the kind that will actually be defensive and protective of the people we love the most.

In October 2013 conference Elder Scott spoke about defending our selves spiritually when he shared the example of the Ammonite father's in the Book of Mormon:

"The people of Ammon were at a critical moment of their spiritual lives. They had been true to their covenant never to take up arms. But they understood that fathers are responsible to provide protection to their families.6 That need seemed great enough to merit consideration of breaking their covenant.7.....Their past choices had exposed these Ammonite fathers to a carnal appetite that could again become a point of vulnerability that Satan would attempt to exploit.

Satan will try to use our memory of any previous guilt to lure us back into his influence. We must be ever vigilant to avoid his enticements. Such was the case of the faithful Ammonite fathers. Even after their years of faithful living, it was imperative for them to protect themselves spiritually from any attraction to the memory of past sins.

In between the many battles, Captain Moroni directed fortification of the weakest cities. “He caused that they should build a breastwork of timbers upon the inner bank of the ditch; and they cast up dirt out of the ditch against the breastwork of timbers … until they had encircled the city … with a strong wall of timbers and earth, to an exceeding height.”14 Captain Moroni understood the importance of fortifying the weak areas to create strength.15

These Ammonite fathers were much the same. They needed taller and wider fortifications between their faithful lives and the unrighteous behavior of their past. Their sons, who were blessed with righteous traditions, were not as vulnerable to the same temptations. They were able to defend their families faithfully without compromising their spiritual well-being.

The joyful news for anyone who desires to be rid of the consequences of past poor choices is that the Lord sees weaknesses differently than He does rebellion. Whereas the Lord warns that unrepented rebellion will bring punishment,16 when the Lord speaks of weaknesses, it is always with mercy.17"

"Each of us has had times in our lives when we have made poor choices. We are all in desperate need of the redemptive power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Each of us must repent of any rebellion. “For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.”22 He cannot because He knows what it takes to become like Him.

Many of us have allowed weakness to develop in our character. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we, like the Ammonites, can build spiritual fortifications between ourselves and any past mistakes that Satan attempts to exploit. The spiritual protections built around the Ammonite fathers blessed and strengthened themselves, their families, their country, and future generations. The same can be true with us."

You Never Know

That He May Succor Us

Recently I read a quote by Jonathan G. Sandberg from his devotional address entitled Healing = Courage + Action + Grace, "Even the greatest among us, Jesus Christ, experienced betrayal, mocking, abandonment, loss of loved ones, and physical pain as part of His mortal experience."  When reading this the phrase of "loss of loved ones" caught my attention and caused me to remember the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead.  As we studied this story in my religion class last year I wrote some of my thoughts here.  I found many new insights into the experiences of Lazarus, Mary, Martha and Christ, but when I read this quote I recognized an aspect of the story that I hadn't recognized before. When Jesus wept I knew that he was showing compassion on Mary and Martha, however, I had forgotten that He, Himself had just lost a loved one.  Christ was also weeping for His loss of a dear friend as well.

Early Bird Catches the Worm

"I'll seek the Lord early and He will be found." I woke at 4am this morning with this phrase from the primary song in my head and so I am up reading scriptures and writing.   There is something about the quiet hours of the morning that enhance communication with the Lord.  There are no interruptions.

Weakness into Strength

Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

I have always read this verse understanding that God can help our weaknesses become strengths.  However, tonight as I was studying this verse I noticed that the word "weaknesses" isn't used, it is singular "weakness".    I've always had my list in my head that would pop up everytime I read this verse that had all the things that I have struggled with or could improve on.  But tonight I see another meaning in the verse.  "Men" is used to speak of all human kind collectively and "weakness" refers to the fallen state of all mankind.  We all are weak in that we cannot overcome sin and death without the power of our Savior.  The infinite atonement  is sufficent to provide grace to all people that humble themselves before God and have faith that Jesus does have the power to save and heal.  After we recognize our truly fallen state in relation to our eternal lives and truly believe that God, through his Son can and will help us, then we change our hearts from sinful to obedient and our death is overcome by resurrection.  And that is where the strength lies-- in the Atonement of Christ. 

Fear and Feeble Knees

While researching my talk for this Sunday, I ended up reading Elder Marvin J. Ashton's talk from 1991 about "Strengthening the Feeble Knees." I remember talking about this talk in my seminary class when I was in high school and it seems to apply more even now than it did then.  Here are some excerpts from the talk that go right along with a conversation I had with a friend yesterday.

There is a phrase used four times in the standard works which has always intrigued me. It is the expression “feeble knees.”

By definition, feeble means weak, not strong, without force, easily broken, frail.

When Frederick G. Williams was called to be a counselor to Joseph Smith, he was given this charge: “Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” (D&C 81:5.)

Coupled with the word strengthen, which is to make or become stronger, the phrase led me to contemplate the meaning of these words.

Early on, I assumed “feeble knees” meant weak or exhausted. However, the context of its use in Isaiah (see Isa. 35:3–4) suggests that it may have a somewhat richer meaning, something more like fearful. I actually favor this latter interpretation. Today we often hear such expressions as “weak in the knees” or “knocking knees” to denote fear.

It would seem that no one escapes some uncertainty, insecurity, doubt, and even fear. This mortal existence is invariably challenging and unpredictable. An honest person who is acquainted with the characteristics of life cannot ever be completely confident that his circumstances will not change unexpectedly.

How do we deal with the inevitable moments of fear or “feeble knees”? It is vital that we not face them alone. Always it is helpful and comforting to be able to confide in a loving and trusted friend or relative who empathetically listens to our uncertainties. We often find that our confidant has experienced similar fears, and we may even share in his wise counsel.

Life is never easy, and we cannot escape our own case of feeble knees from time to time. It is thus essential that we love and support one another.

Favorite Quotes from the talk:

•  Anger is a poor substitute for self-mastery and compassionate service.
• Sabbath days can be lost an hour at a time.
• A "coach told his players, “Life isn’t always fair, but we can still expect excellence from ourselves.”

Discipleship

The blessings of discipleship are readily available to all who are willing to pay the price. Discipleship brings purpose to our lives so that rather than wandering aimlessly, we walk steadily on that strait and narrow way that leads us back to our Heavenly Father. Discipleship brings us comfort in times of sorrow, peace of conscience, and joy in service—all of which help us to be more like Jesus.  James E Faust

Move Forward in Faith

Moving Forward in Faith
Shortly after President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was called as a General Authority, he went to Elder Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) for counsel. President Packer recalled:

“He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay [1873–1970]. President McKay counseled me as to the direction I should go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do.

“I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, ‘The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.’ I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: ‘You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you.’”2

As children of our Heavenly Father, we sometimes want to understand in detail the things that we must accept or accomplish in faith. However, we don’t need to understand all things. We just need to step forward as the Lord has asked us to do and as the priests of the Israelites did in entering the overflowing River Jordan. Although we cannot see or understand all things, the Lord will help us walk on dry ground if we are “strong and of a good courage.”

We will have the power to stand strong as we live by His words—seeking and following His guidance in the scriptures and from His servants. Yes, we live “in enemy territory,”3 but the enemy cannot conquer the Lord, our Savior, who was sent to help us and to save us.

Faith

Bear Up Their Burdens With Ease

While reading Elder Bednar's recent address, "Bear Up Their Burdens With Ease" this part caught my attention.

Recall the Savior’s statement “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30) as we consider the next verse in the account of Alma and his people.

“And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs” (Mosiah 24:14).

Many of us may assume this scripture is suggesting that a burden suddenly and permanently will be taken away. The next verse, however, describes how the burden was eased.

“And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord” (Mosiah 24:15; emphasis added).

The challenges and difficulties were not immediately removed from the people. But Alma and his followers were strengthened, and their increased capacity made the burdens lighter. These good people were empowered through the Atonement to act as agents (see D&C 58:26–29) and impact their circumstances. And “in the strength of the Lord” (Words of Mormon 1:14; Mosiah 9:17; 10:10; Alma 20:4), Alma and his people were directed to safety in the land of Zarahemla.

I read these verses differently this time as I had been dealing with a particularly difficult episode of anxiety. The verse that says, “And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs.”  I recognized that this is what life would feel like for me with out anxiety.  I would still have my trials but I wouldn't have the pressure and weight of the anxiety about them pressing down on me. The burden (or life experience) isn't lifted or taken away, but instead it is still present without the crushing weight.

Some of anxiety is a genetic thing, pretty evident in my extended family for generations.  However, some of it is learned and through learning different healthy coping mechanisms there can be some healing.  In addition to eating healthy, getting regular cardio exercise, staying well rested, and for some adding medication to help.  There is one key element of treating anxiety that is overlooked-- the Power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

We will all experience burdens in our lives. The test is how well will we endure them? With Hope and Faith in Jesus Christ or will we allow them to hinder and halt our progression?  Dealing with anxiety seems to magnify the problem to be much larger than it really is.  With strong anxiety the stress and worrying can paralyze our decision making ability, tempt us to decide rashly out of sometimes unrealistic fears, and almost always make the situation worse than it was to begin with.  This is the part of the burden that I would like eased in my life.  I understand that the original problem is just part of life sometimes--bad things can, do, and will happen to good people.   But I desire to be strengthened so the crushing weight of the anxiety and it's companion, depression, is made lighter, so that I can bear up my burdens with ease, mentally, and submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord in my life.

The Power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is truly is amazing.   As Elder Bednar says, "We are not and never need be alone. We can press forward in our daily lives with heavenly help."  The hope of this life is Jesus Christ.  His Atonement can heal all things.

Repentance and Covenants

Teachings of the Presidents: Joseph Fielding Smith, Chapter 5: Faith and Repentance

"Early in his service as an Apostle, he said: “I have considered that it has been my mission, having been so impressed, I think, by the Spirit of the Lord in my travels in the stakes of Zion, to say unto the people that now is the day of repentance and to call upon the Latter-day Saints to remember their covenants, the promises they have made with the Lord, to keep his commandments, and follow the teachings and the instructions of the elders of Israel—the prophets of God—as they have been recorded in these holy scriptures."

Tonight while studying, two things impressed me from this quote.

First--Repentance

I find myself regularly pleading with the Lord for guidance and direction and help and miracles and everything else my family and I need.  However, I'm not nearly as quick to remember to repent. Which, in reality, I need repentance more than the rest of the things on my list.

Second--Remember their Covenants

Call upon the Saints to remember their covenants, the promises they have made with the Lord.   

Sacrament: Now that I am attending church in English again.  Hearing the sacrament prayers has been special.  I know what the sacrament prayers words are and what they mean since I've been listening to them my whole life.  But I developed an appreciation and amazement for the simple power in words.  Hearing the sacrament prayer in Spanish for 5 years, I am definitely familiar with the key words and am able to connect the meanings.  But hearing the words in your fluent language again has had a comforting, familiar feeling of coming home. And as I listen and understand each and every one of those words, I am thankful for the layers of meaning that continue to open up to me.   One key element of the ordinance of the Sacrament in renewing our covenants that we made at baptism through Repentance and recommitting ourselves to follow the Savior.  Preparation to partake of the Sacrament is best done through repentance. 

Temple:  There have been so many very big changes in my life over the last 6 months that I haven't been to the temple in a couple months.  I know I need to go and I really want to go, but finding time and a sitter, and just getting there has been my excuse for not going.  I recognize the areas within myself that need the peace and patience that comes through the temple.  By attending the temple, we are able to remember all the promises we have made to the Lord.  A covenant is a two way promise and we are not only reminded of our responsibilities in the promises we have made, but we are also reminded of the blessings that are Promised to us through our obedience to the covenant. 

Unseen Blessings

Last week I got in the car to take my kids to school to find I had a dead battery.  After a few failed jumps, it was clear it was either the battery or the alternator.  Both of which were going to cost money and neither of which were good timing financially.  After some serious stewing about the situation, which wasn't productive.  I had my mechanic check the battery to see what the problem was.  It was definitely a dead battery and the new was was going to definitely be cheaper than an alternator, though still an unexpected expense.  However, he informed me that my dead battery was the factory installed battery meaning it was 13 years old.

It was very inconvenient for my battery to die, however, I realized at that moment how the Lord had blessed me all these years to keep that battery going well beyond when it should have died.  The Lord is sometimes blessing us in ways that we won't see until years down the road.  It humbles me to think of all the other ways that my Heavenly Father may be blessing me and my family in ways that I can not see.

By Small and Simple Means

I have been trying to seek answers to my prayers through getting up early in the morning and studying the scriptures and General Conference talks.  I was having a hard time though because my 3 year old usually ends up next to me in bed sometime in the early morning (between 2 am and 6 am).  So I went to my Heavenly Father explaining my situation and that I really did want to be diligent about getting up and studying.  So as I was sitting in my car at a stop light I causally asked him, "Ok, but how early do you want me to get up?"  After asking the question I focused my eyes on the road in front of me to turn my attention back to driving and I saw the first few letters of the license plate in front of me.

5AM......

There was my answer.  

3 Ways to Find Truth

Tonight I am studying the talk "If Ye Lack Wisdom" by BY ELDER MARCOS A. AIDUKAITIS from LDS General Conference.  I noticed a list that he shared in his talk.

We Can Find Truth in Three ways:

1. Observing it's fruits, "By their Fruits ye shall know them."
2. "We can find truth by experimenting on the word ourselves."
3. Revelation.  "Doctrine and Covenants section 8 teaches that revelation is knowledge--"knowledge of whatsoever things [we] ask in faith, with and honest heart, believing that [we] shall receive."

Tonight

A couple of months ago I moved and began attending a new ward.  It has been a bigger adjustment than I expected because I had been in my previous stake for over 13 years.   Tonight was the first Stake Relief Society Activity since I had moved.  I arrived and walked in a couple of minutes late to find everyone seated at tables and the Stake Relief Society President opening the meeting. I stood in the doorway for a minute as I looked around the room realizing I don't know anyone and because I didn't know anyone the few open seats didn't seem available to me because I didn't know anyone at the table.  Quickly as I assessed the situation I found my self wanting to just turn around and leave, and was about to act on my thought when I saw a hand waving at me pointing to the seat next to her.  It was a lady I had met twice before at church and I welcomed the familiar face and went and sat down.  The speaker at the meeting delivered a great message that was very filling for me spiritually and I was grateful that I had stayed.   I am grateful for a sister that showed me friendship tonight.

Favorite Excerpts from "Daughters in the Covenant"

By Henry B Eyring. I hope this speaks to you like it did to me:

You were tutored by Him before you came into this life. He helped you understand and accept that you would have trials, tests, and opportunities perfectly chosen just for you. You learned that our Father had a plan of happiness to get you safely through those trials and that you would help bring others safely through theirs. This plan is marked by covenants with God.

It is our free choice whether we make and keep those covenants. Only a few of His daughters have the opportunity in this life to even learn of those covenants. You are one of the favored few. You dear sisters, each of you is a daughter in the covenant.

Heavenly Father taught you before you were born about the experiences you would have as you left Him and came to earth. You were taught that the way back home to Him would not be easy. He knew that it would be too hard for you to make the journey without help.

You have been blessed not only to find the way to make those covenants in this life but also to be surrounded by others who will help—who, like you, are covenant daughters of Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father smiles on you as well whenever He sees you help a daughter of His move along the covenant path toward eternal life. And He is pleased every time you try to choose the right. He sees not only what you are but also what you may become.

You may have had an earthly parent who thought that you could be better than you thought you could be. I had such a mother.

What I didn’t know when I was young was that my Heavenly Father, your Heavenly Father, sees greater potential in His children than we or even our earthly mothers see in us. And whenever you move upward on that path toward your potential, it brings Him happiness. And you can feel His approval.

He sees that glorious potential in all of His daughters, wherever they are. Now, that puts a great responsibility on each of you. He expects you to treat every person you meet as a child of God. That is the reason He commands us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves and to forgive them. Your feelings of kindness and forgiveness toward others come as your divine inheritance from Him as His daughter. Each person you meet is His loved spiritual child.

Little children are being inspired to say great and marvelous things, as they did when the Savior loosed their tongues when He taught them after He was resurrected.3

While Satan may be attacking sisters at earlier ages, the Lord is lifting sisters to higher and higher levels of spirituality.

By revelation, Eve recognized the way home to God. She knew that the Atonement of Jesus Christ made eternal life possible in families. She was sure, as you can be, that as she kept her covenants with her Heavenly Father, the Redeemer and the Holy Ghost would see her and her family through whatever sorrows and disappointments would come. She knew she could trust in Them.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”7

I know that Eve faced sorrows and disappointments, but I also know that she found joy in the knowledge that she and her family could return to live with God. I know that many of you who are here face sorrows and disappointments. I leave you my blessing that, like Eve, you may feel the same joy that she felt as you journey back home.

I have a sure witness that God the Father watches over you in love. He loves each of you. You are His daughters in the covenant. Because He loves you, He will provide the help that you need to move yourself and others upward along the way back to His presence.

I know that the Savior paid the price of all of our sins and that the Holy Ghost testifies of truth. You have felt that comfort in this meeting. I have a testimony that all the keys which bind sacred covenants have been restored. They are held and exercised today by our living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I leave these words of comfort and hope with you, His beloved covenant daughters, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

To hear or read the full talk go here.

Because of Him

Paul's Counsel to Me

This morning I woke up early and was able to read my scriptures for a few minutes before the kids came and climbed in my bed.  I read in 2nd Timothy, as that was the reading for my New Testament class that I have been attending.  These verses in particular spoke to me :

2 Timothy 3:12, 14-15

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;"

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

It's hard enough facing our challenges and trials, but somehow hearing Paul tell us that everyone that is trying to follow Jesus will suffer persecution, makes it a little easier to bear.  Maybe it's reassuring because it confirms to me that I really am on the right path, even though frequently, it feels like so many things are going so wrong.  It also gives me hope because it helps me to see that I'm not alone.  There are others that are trying to endure persecution or trials while striving to follow Jesus as well.

I love how Paul encourages us to continue on!  He counsels  us to continue in the things which we have learned.   The way Paul phrases this makes me think of two ways that I have learned things:

1. I have learned doctrine by studying it and praying about it.
2. But I have also learned personal direction or revelation pertaining specifically to my life through the Holy Ghost.  This has come to me through promptings. 

Paul directs us to remember the things that we have learned but also points out to remember that these are things that have been confirmed in our hearts and minds by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost.  And then he reminds us to have confidence in that testimony and spiritual guidance because it has come from our loving Heavenly Father.
The last verse, 15, again seemed like he was speaking just to me.  I have be taught and studied the scriptures since I was a little kid.  Paul gently reminded me of this blessing in my life and encouraged me to continue building upon that foundation.  And that I should not take it for granted but continue to search and study the scriptures for wisdom to guide me through the trials in my life.

Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation

I love Elder Bednar's analogy of walking in the fog, only being able to see just a few steps in front of you, just enough to keep you going.  Some times instead of praying for the fog to dissipate and to see clearly, we need to just pray to see one or two steps ahead.  Like manna, we can pray for what we will need to make it through that day.   Taking life one day at a time, trusting in the Lord's divine timeline in our life, knowing that He can see the end from the beginning.

Life's Not Fair

I can't tell you how many times my oldest has told me lately "That's not fair".  It's really starting to get old but I really had no better explanation or come back than "Life's not fair".

Then today in my New Testament class that I have been attending, a woman stood up and shared that "Life's not fair, It's better than fair."  My ears perked up, thinking of my oldest daughter.  She then went on to explain that it's better than fair, because through Jesus Christ all of our pains and infirmities can be succored in this life and in the resurrection be restored.  And because all the wrongs and injustices can be healed through His Atoning power.

Another point was made that Christ has invited us to be joint heirs with Him.  And how can we expect to become joint heirs with Him, thus being like Him, if we have not had to experience suffering ourselves.  It was through the suffering that Jesus became the Savior and Redeemer.  Only He could overcome suffering and only through Him can we overcome our suffering.  Thus all the crazy, random things that happen to us that cause us much suffering and many infirmities are to help us to become like Christ. Or maybe to understand Christ better.  To cause us to seek out Christ in our own lives. Christ knows our weaknesses and sufferings and still wants us to be joint-heirs with Him.

From the Life of Christ

A friend of mine posted a quote on facebook that was very timely for me.

"Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light."-- Raymond Edman

Now I haven't tried to verify the authenticity of this quote, but I'm trying really hard to embrace the meaning.

In my New Testament class that I went to a couple of weeks ago something things really stuck out to me as we read and discussed when Christ raised Lazarus from the dead.  See John Chapter 11 (also posted at the bottom of the page.

Jesus has the power to heal us

• Jesus is close enough to Bethany that he could have gotten to Bethany in time to heal Lazarus before he died, but he did not.  Likewise in our lives, we pray that our trials will be lifted, eased, healed and yet they are not.  
• Christ tells the apostles what is going to happen in vs 4: "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." The apostles hear that the sickness is not unto death and so they assume that it's not life threatening, but miss the purpose that is stated after.  The apostles didn't have the same eternal perspective that Christ has and neither do we.  But we, like the apostles are gently taught to see things with eternal eyes. 

Are we Mary or are we Martha?
Maybe we are both.

• Mary and Martha sought out the Lord (vs 3) when Lazarus was ill.  In our own lives we turn to the Lord when we are in need of help.  Martha went out of her house and went to meet Christ when she heard that He was coming.  Mary stayed in the house. Do we wait for Christ to come help us while we sit in our "house" mourning our trials and suffering? Or do we seek him out?
• Both Mary and Martha said, "If thou had been here my brother would not had died."  However, in reading this story this time, I couldn't help but feel like the intonations in their voices may have implied something more than was being said.  Both believed that the Savior could have healed Lazarus before he died.  And since the Savior was only fifteen furlongs (1.875 miles) away he could have most likely made it to Lazarus before he died.   Martha says it with belief in the Savior and Martha appears to be comforting herself in her testimony of the resurrection.  However, this time when I read Mary's part I could hear the disappointment and grief that Christ could have saved Lazarus and didn't as she falls at his feet.  

Jesus Wept

When we are in the deepest, darkest moments--even questioning why Christ hasn't helped us in our moment of need. Christ is there, mourning with us.  Our suffering can never come close to that which the Savior experienced.   But if we are commanded to be like our Savior, how can we not then expect that our life include times of suffering as well.   

Jesus took the time with Mary and her followers to weep with her, even though he knows that the next thing he will do is raise Lazarus from the dead.  

• I realized that I am Mary and Martha, Christ knows my circumstances, and though he does not answer my problems like I wished he would sometimes, he waits, he has a purpose. And I must figuratively experience Lazarus' death.  Just like with Mary and Martha Christ will succor me and mourn with me.  And then I gain hope, because Christ has the power to restore ALL things.  If we remain faithful we can emerge from our trials whole through Him. 
• My life:  From this scripture I understand what is meant when we are commanded to be patient in our suffering.   In the eternal perspective Lazarus needed to die so that Christ could show forth His power over death, also foreshadowing his own death and resurrection.   Mary and Martha probably didn't understand in their moment of grief that their experience was going to be recorded and spread throughout the entire world for centuries to inspire, comfort, and give understanding to those of us struggling to find answers in our own trials in addition to providing a powerful testimony of Christ's power of resurrection.   But the Lord knew of this eternal purpose.  This gives me hope that something good will come of this trial, and I've even had to consider that maybe not even in my generation.  It also helps me to hang on like in the quote "Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light."
• I have to endure the pain and suffering of my "Lazarus's death".  But Christ is there, crying with me and has the power to heal and make all things right.  

Chapter 11
Jesus testifies that He is the Resurrection and the Life—Mary and Martha testify of Him—He raises Lazarus from the dead—Caiaphas speaks prophetically of the death of Jesus.

 1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

 6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

 7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judæa again.

 8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

 11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

 12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall ado well.

 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

 16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

 17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

 18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs (1.875 miles) off:

 19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

 21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

 28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.

 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

 30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

 32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

 35 Jesus wept.

 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

 37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

 38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

 45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.