tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77476907156152026202024-03-05T04:05:58.255-08:00Quotes from my ponderings of the Prophetslehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-5559773484282974882017-09-06T15:32:00.001-07:002017-09-06T15:32:58.582-07:007/29/17 Elder Holland FB post<p dir="ltr"><i>I've </i><i>been </i>thinkin<i>g </i><i>about this for 2 months. I forgot who shared it so when I wondered what apostle to search first I picked Holland, because </i><i>he is one who understands the exhaustive plight of depression. </i></p>
<p dir="ltr">On July 29, 2017 o<i>n Facebook Jeffrey R. Holland shared this: </i></p>
<p dir="ltr">For those of you who earnestly seek to bear another’s burdens, it is important that you refortify yourself and build yourself back up when others expect so much of you and indeed take so much out of you. No one is so strong that he or she does not ever feel fatigued or frustrated or recognize the need to care for themselves.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Jesus certainly experienced that fatigue, felt the drain on His strength. He gave and gave, but there was a cost attached to that, and He felt the effects of so many relying on Him. When the woman with an issue of blood touched Him in the crowd, He healed her, but He also noted that “virtue had gone out of him.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">I have always been amazed that He could sleep through a storm on the Sea of Galilee so serious and severe that His experienced fishermen disciples thought the ship was going down. How tired is that? How many sermons can you give and blessings can you administer without being absolutely exhausted? The caregivers have to have care too. You have to have something in the tank before you can give it to others.</p>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-70645672612885425592017-08-29T05:34:00.001-07:002017-08-29T05:34:23.577-07:00Doctrine and Covenants 59<p dir="ltr"> Doctrine and <u>Covenants</u> <u>59</u><br>
13 And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full.<br>
14 Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.</p>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-35391028147677331662017-08-29T05:31:00.001-07:002017-08-29T05:31:27.195-07:00Ezekiel 47<p dir="ltr">1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.<br>
			2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.<br>
			3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.<br>
			4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.<br>
			5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.<br>
			6 ¶ And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.<br>
			7 Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.<br>
			8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.<br>
			9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.</p>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-15181521945526898192017-08-29T05:28:00.001-07:002017-08-29T05:28:15.030-07:00 Luke 22<p dir="ltr">Luke 22<br>
31 ¶ And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:<br>
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>I thankfully came across this in the temple. That's the goal to go more often with all my kids in school. </i><br>
</p>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-46643221454741920632016-10-13T21:05:00.000-07:002016-10-13T21:05:53.257-07:00“If Ye Had Known Me” Elder Bednar<div class="tr_bq" data-aid="129955641" id="p36" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 26px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-transform: uppercase; transition: color 0.3s; white-space: nowrap;">OCTOBER 2016</span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: nowrap;"> | </span><span class="sticky-banner__current" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap;">“If Ye Had Known Me”</span></div>
<div data-aid="129955641" id="p36" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 26px;">
<span class="sticky-banner__current" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s; white-space: normal;">By Elder David A. Bednar</span></span></div>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 26px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He declared: “For I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We come to know the Savior as we do our best to go where He wants us to go, as we strive to say what He wants us to say, and as we become what He wants us to become.<span style="box-sizing: border-box; transition: color 0.3s;"> </span>As we submissively acknowledge our total dependence upon Him, He enlarges our capacity to serve ever more effectively. Gradually, our desires align more completely with His desires, and His purposes become our purposes, such that we would “not ask that which is contrary to [His] will.”</span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">"...that we would “not ask that which is contrary to [His] will." </span><i>I was listening to this talk the other night and that phrase stood out to me. A few minutes later I got an email and little did I know I would have to exercise faith in this principle.</i><br />
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-53765589922439641152016-10-05T05:30:00.003-07:002016-10-05T05:30:59.191-07:00Alma 32<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.9">
<span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>I've been reflecting on this passage, and my reflections aren't done yet.</i></span></div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.9">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="9" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">9 </span>Behold thy brother hath said, What shall we do?—for we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our God.</div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.10">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">10 </span>Behold I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?</div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.11">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="11" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">11 </span>And moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in a week?</div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.12">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="12" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">12 </span>I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble.</div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.13">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="13" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">13 </span>And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.</div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.14">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">14 </span>And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?</div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.15">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="15" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">15 </span>Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.</div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.16">
<b><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="16" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">16 </span>Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe.</b></div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.17">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="17" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">17 </span>Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe.</div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.18">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="18" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">18 </span>Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it.</div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.19">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="19" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">19 </span>And now, how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not, than he that only believeth, or only hath cause to believe, and falleth into transgression?</div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.20">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="20" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">20 </span>Now of this thing ye must judge. Behold, I say unto you, that it is on the one hand even as it is on the other; and it shall be unto every man according to his work.</div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.21">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="21" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">21 </span>And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.</div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Pahoran, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/alma/32.22">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="22" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">22 </span>And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye should remember, that God is merciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his word.</div>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-73919521034300153442016-08-16T14:12:00.004-07:002016-08-16T14:12:49.060-07:00A Shining Beacon on A Hill<i>Obviously I'm reading about temples today. This is a really awesome article. I love the stories of the people who attended the dedicatory services for both the Salt Lake Temple and the Jordan River Temple.</i><div>
<i><br /></i>JANUARY 1982<br />“A SHINING BEACON ON A HILL”: JORDAN RIVER TEMPLE IS DEDICATED<br />“A Shining Beacon on a Hill”: Jordan River Temple Is Dedicated<br /><br /><br />By JoAnn Jolley<br />Assistant Editor</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/1982/01/news-of-the-church/a-shining-beacon-on-a-hill-jordan-river-temple-is-dedicated?lang=eng">https://www.lds.org/ensign/1982/01/news-of-the-church/a-shining-beacon-on-a-hill-jordan-river-temple-is-dedicated?lang=eng</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br /><br />A chilly wind buffeted guests arriving for dedicatory services at the new Jordan River Temple on Monday morning, November 16. But the chill soon faded with the warmth of President Marion G. Romney’s greeting: “My dear brothers and sisters, we welcome you to the House of the Lord.” The welcome was extended to some 160,000 Saints seated in the temple and the Tabernacle during fifteen dedicatory sessions November 16–20.<br /><br />It was the second time in less than ninety years that a temple had been erected in the Salt Lake Valley; the Salt Lake Temple, begun in 1853, was dedicated in April 1893. “Never did most of us dream of such a thing happening,” reflected Donovan H. Van Dam, president of the new Jordan River Temple, in remarks at the opening session. He noted that the Church has already built six temples in Utah, and another so close to Salt Lake’s historical temple was not seriously anticipated. However, he added, “The Lord had plans for further spiritual development nearby.” Construction of the new temple began in June of 1979.<br /><br />Short hours before the initial service was to begin, news media announcers had predicted that President Spencer W. Kimball would likely remain confined to his room at the Hotel Utah, where he was convalescing following surgery and a lengthy hospitalization. So it was with tears and joy that dedication participants welcomed the president as he entered the Celestial Room just before the service commenced. Following the session he visited each of the temple’s ordinance rooms in a wheelchair, accompanied by President N. Eldon Tanner (also in a wheelchair), President Marion G. Romney, President Gordon B. Hinckley, and other Church and temple administrators.<br /><br />President Romney, who conducted the session, made brief introductory remarks which reminded the congregation of the sacredness of this occasion. In holy temples, he said, “there have occurred some of the greatest spiritual manifestations recorded in ecclesiastical history. We hope and pray that all who participate in this meeting this day will be spiritually attuned so that you may receive the enlightenment and understanding that can come through the Spirit.”<br /><br />President Tanner addressed the congregation, pointing out that “This temple has a little different history than others.” He noted that the land upon which the temple was built was given to the Church; also that the entire cost of construction (and maintenance for many years to come) had been donated by Saints in some 134 stakes of the temple district. “We asked the people if they would pay for this edifice—and they said yes.”<br /><br />“How fortunate we are,” he continued, “as members of the Church, to have a temple in our midst, where we can see it every day.” President Tanner’s counsel to parents was to discuss the temple often with their children and to “teach them to walk uprightly before the Lord.”<br /><br />Elder Mark E. Petersen called upon us as members of the Church to “dedicate ourselves, as well as this building, to the work of the Lord.” Speaking of our relationship to God, he emphasized that “It is a most natural thing for us to become like our Heavenly Father, because we are his children. We have a spark of divinity which allows us to become his heirs.” Obedience, he said, is the gateway to salvation. “Covenants remind us constantly that indeed we are the children of God. Dare we forget them or disregard them? God has introduced a great new dispensation in these latter days, and we are the custodians of that dispensation.”<br /><br />The dedicatory prayer, prepared by President Spencer W. Kimball, was read at the first session by President Romney. The prayer was one of <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/gratitude/">gratitude</a>, thanksgiving, and allegiance to a loving Father in Heaven: “We are grateful for the knowledge thou hast given us that thou art our Father. Let us come before thee in sincerity of heart and purity of life. We thank thee for the infinite love manifested in the atoning sacrifice of thy Son.” Fervent pleas were made in behalf of Church leaders, missionaries, and members of the Church who will make the temple “ready to receive thy beloved Son at his second coming. We pray that thou wilt accept this holy edifice, that an atmosphere of holiness will prevail in this, thy house. May all that is done herein be done with an eye single to thy glory and to the building of thy kingdom here on earth.” The edifice, its fixtures, and its exterior surroundings were dedicated to the Lord and his work.<br /><br />Then came a flurry of white handkerchiefs and the “Hosannah Shout.” The choir performed the “Hosannah Anthem,” and as the congregation stood to join them with “The Spirit of God Like A Fire is Burning,” the Spirit did indeed burn brightly in the hearts of those who had come to the House of the Lord.<br /><br />Some of those who came shared a unique fellowship. In attendance through the week were more than thirty elderly brethren and sisters who, as youngsters, had participated in the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple nearly nine decades earlier. Most prominent among them was Elder LeGrand Richards of the Quorum of the Twelve. Elder Richards, 96 next month (February), was seven years old when he attended the Salt Lake Temple dedication. “I remember the experience vividly,” he said. “My mother brought us children to the ceremony. I remember the Hosannah shout and President Woodruff offering the dedicatory prayer. Mother had told us so much about the dedication of the Kirtland Temple and the spiritual manifestations at that time, that I was looking for angels all the time. I didn’t see any.”<br /><br />Albert (“Bert”) Crane was also seven years old in 1893. His <a href="http://www.mormon.org/values/family">family</a>lived in Harriman, Utah—a four-hour buggy ride from Salt Lake City. Seated in the Celestial Room of the Jordan River Temple prior to the first dedicatory session, he recalled that the family arose “very, very early” to make the ride in a white-topped buggy that April morning so long ago. “I remember my mother kept a special crystal dish on her dresser; that was where we children dropped our nickels and dimes, our contributions to the temple. We also gave our Sunday eggs as temple contributions.”<br /><br />Bert’s mother carried his younger sister Lily, then three months old, to the dedication. Little sister, now Lily Haycock, is in her late eighties. “I don’t remember very much about that dedication,” she chuckled.<br /><br />Sister Ivy Blood Hill, 94, recalled that her mother shepherded twelve Primary children to the dedication services. “Afterwards, we went to visit Brigham Young’s grave.” Her most vivid memories centered around an incident prior to the temple’s completion. “My father held my hand, and we climbed the scaffolding around the temple towers. He held me up to put a dime into the ball where the Angel Moroni would stand.”<br /><br />“I remember,” reflected Natalie Thomas Parsons, nearly 94, “how excited I was to sing with a group of Primary children for the dedication. We climbed a very long flight of stairs, way up to the top of the room; that’s where we sang.”<br /><br />A cousin to President Kimball, Helen Kimball Orgill, 96, now lives in Huntington Beach, California, but traveled from her retirement home there to attend the Jordan River services. She remembered walking, hand-in-hand with members of her Sunday School class, five blocks to the Salt Lake Temple. “Where our seats had been reserved, off to one side, I could look across a very crowded room. I remember looking out over a sea of white handkerchiefs waving; it was quite exciting. But the greatest part was when President Woodruff gave the dedicatory prayer. It was so spiritual.”<br /><br />Some of the elderly guests had attended the Jordan River open house and toured the temple; others saw it for the first time as they came to the dedication from various parts of the United States. Their collective reaction to this temple of a new generation? “It’s very beautiful.” “Of course,” whispered Sister Haycock with a contagious grin, “there will never be another Salt Lake Temple.”<br /><br />The Jordan River Temple, despite its proximity to the famous and historical edifice in downtown Salt Lake City, is, said Elder A. Theodore Tuttle of the First Quorum of the Seventy, “destined to become the busiest temple in the Church.” Indeed, if pre-dedication activity is any indication, the Saints will make extensive use of the new temple. Well over half a million people toured the building during a public open house in October; an estimated 15,000 volunteers have participated in all phases of the temple’s preparation; and some 1,500 workers have been called and set apart to serve as the temple begins official operations on January 4.<br /><br />Already, said President Van Dam, this temple has become “a shining beacon on a hill,” a “jewel in the night. It has become a warm, inviting, throbbing part of mortality—and of <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/immortality?lang=eng">immortality</a>. The Lord has caused blessings to flow in so many ways.”<br /><br />Early in the week, Elder <a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/thomas-s-monson?lang=eng">Thomas S. Monson</a> of the Quorum of the Twelve suggested deep spiritual meaning in the physical presence of the temple. He recounted the late Elder Matthew Cowley’s story about a grandfather who took his small granddaughter on a birthday visit to the Salt Lake Temple grounds. With permission of the groundskeeper, they walled to the large doors of the temple. He suggested that she place her hand on the temple wall and then on the door, saying tenderly to her, “Remember that this day you touched the temple. One day you will enter this door.” His special gift to his granddaughter was an appreciation for the House of the Lord. Likewise, counseled Elder Monson, “As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us.”lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-91815803976934261532016-08-16T14:05:00.000-07:002016-08-16T14:05:02.766-07:00Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples<div>
April 2009 Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples</div>
<div>
by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the First Quorum of the Seventy</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Recently, in a stake conference, all present were invited by the visiting authority, Elder Glen Jenson, an Area Seventy, to take a virtual tour of their homes using their spiritual eyes. I would like to invite each of you to do this also. Wherever your home may be and whatever its configuration, the application of eternal gospel principles within its walls is universal. Let’s begin. Imagine that you are opening your front door and walking inside your home. What do you see, and how do you feel? Is it a place of love, peace, and refuge from the world, as is the temple? Is it clean and orderly? As you walk through the rooms of your home, do you see uplifting images which include appropriate pictures of the temple and the Savior? Is your bedroom or sleeping area a place for personal prayer? Is your gathering area or kitchen a place where food is prepared and enjoyed together, allowing uplifting conversation and family time? Are scriptures found in a room where the family can study, pray, and learn together? Can you find your personal gospel study space? Does the music you hear or the entertainment you see, online or otherwise, offend the Spirit? Is the conversation uplifting and without contention? That concludes our tour. Perhaps you, as I, found a few spots that need some “home improvement”—hopefully not an “extreme home makeover.”<div>
<br /></div>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-20634717432848289432016-08-16T12:40:00.002-07:002016-08-16T12:40:39.939-07:00C S Lewis<div>
<i>I have not read the Four Loves but I loved this quote. I don't think I've ever picked a place to live out of mere coincidence. The friends I've found, were put in my life for a reason.</i></div>
"But in Friendship... we think we have chosen our peers. In reality, a few years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another, posting to different regiments, the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting – any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret Master of Ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,' can truly say 'You have not chosen one another, but I have chosen you for one another.' The Friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others."<br />-C.S. Lewis, The Four Loveslehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-38546853457789567122016-06-16T11:07:00.001-07:002016-06-16T11:07:17.689-07:00Eternal Families<p dir="ltr"><br>
Elder Eyring, Eternal families <br>
April 2016</p>
<p dir="ltr">As we are faithful in our service to help Heavenly Father’s children to go home to Him, we will qualify for the greeting we all so much want to hear when we finish our earthly ministry. These are the words: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21).<br>
Among those “many things” is the promise of an endless posterity. My prayer is that we may all qualify and help others to qualify for that supernal blessing in the home of our Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>The </i>pro<i>mise of an </i>endle<i>ss </i>poster<i>ity </i>sou<i>nds </i><i>so </i>comfort<i>ing. </i>The<i>re </i><i>are </i>times i<i>t</i>probably<i> </i>wou<i>ld </i><i>have</i><i> </i>overwhe<i>lm me, </i><i>but </i><i>now it is a </i>qu<i>iet </i>r<i>easurement </i><i>that </i>post<i>partum </i><i>depression </i>isn<i>'t </i><i>an </i>ete<i>rnal </i><i>thing. </i></p>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-38766556861309737752016-06-12T14:34:00.001-07:002016-06-12T14:34:23.326-07:00Alma 13: 28-29<p dir="ltr">Alma 13<br>
28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;<br>
29 Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest.</p>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-85640397563785138672016-04-17T10:26:00.001-07:002016-04-17T10:29:14.664-07:00Sunday Best<p dir="ltr">Elder Holland<br>
Tomorrow The Lord Will Do Wonders Among You<br>
April 2016</p>
<p dir="ltr">Brothers and sisters, do you have any idea—do you have any notion or inkling whatsoever—of how much we love you? For 10 hours you watch, fixed on one face at this pulpit sequentially, but for those same 10 hours, we seated behind this pulpit watch, fixed on you. You thrill us to the center of our soul, whether that be the 21,000 here in the Conference Center, or multitudes in meetinghouses and chapels, or finally millions in homes around the globe, perhaps huddled around a family computer screen. <b>Here you are, there you are, hour after hour, in your Sunday best, being your best. </b>You sing and you pray. You listen and you believe. You are the miracle of this Church. And we love you.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>I've been contemplating this for 2 weeks. "in your Sunday best, being your best." </i></p>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-17900860421902471252016-04-08T13:14:00.001-07:002016-04-08T13:14:13.536-07:00I am a Child of God By Elder Donald L. Hallstrom<p dir="ltr">I am a Child of God<br>
By Elder Donald L. Hallstrom<br>
Of the Presidency of the Seventy</p>
<p dir="ltr">Elder Holland said, “You can have what you want, or you can have something better.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><i>We </i><i>are </i>mov<i>ing, </i>and though physica<i>lly </i>I've work<i>ed </i><i>so </i>ha<i>rd to </i><i>get </i>hou<i>se on </i><i>the </i>mark<i>et, </i>emotional<i>ly </i>I'<i>ve </i><i>been </i>kick<i>ing my </i><i>feet. I </i>don<i>'t </i>rea<i>lly </i>wa<i>nt to </i>mo<i>ve, I </i>li<i>ke my </i>ho<i>use </i><i>and </i><i>at </i>lea<i>st 16 </i>potential<i> </i>buye<i>rs </i><i>do </i><i>not, </i><i>at </i>lea<i>st </i><i>not </i>eno<i>ugh to </i><i>buy it. I </i>gu<i>ess 10 </i>liked it <i>but </i>we<i>nt </i>oth<i>er </i><i>ways. </i>While probably 6<i> </i><i>did </i><i>not </i>li<i>ke it. </i><i>So I </i>li<i>ke my </i>ho<i>use, I </i>li<i>ke </i>wh<i>ere I </i>li<i>ve. I </i>li<i>ke </i><i>the </i>mounta<i>ins. Etc etc</i><br>
<i>This </i>wou<i>ld </i>be<i> </i>wh<i>at I </i><i>want.</i><br>
<i>But I </i>gu<i>ess </i>si<i>nce </i><i>the </i>ans<i>wers to </i>pra<i>yer </i><i>and </i>fast<i>ing </i><i>have been to </i><i>move at </i>so<i>me </i>po<i>int </i><i>the </i><i>Lord </i><i>has </i>some<i>thing </i>bett<i>er </i><i>for me.</i></p>
<p dir="ltr">President Thomas S. Monson testified: “We are sons and daughters of a living God. … We cannot sincerely hold this conviction without experiencing a profound new sense of strength and power.”<br>
This doctrine is so basic, so oft stated, and so instinctively simple that it can seem to be ordinary, when in reality it is among the most extraordinary knowledge we can obtain. A correct understanding of our heavenly heritage is essential to exaltation. It is foundational to comprehending the glorious plan of salvation and to nurturing faith in the Firstborn of the Father, Jesus the Christ, and in His merciful Atonement. Further, it provides continual motivation for us to make and keep our indispensable eternal covenants.<br>
</p>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-7100740657813887232016-03-06T19:29:00.001-08:002016-03-06T19:29:32.771-08:00Two Weeks ago<div dir="ltr">
<i>On Sunday the High Counselor spoke. I was very grateful to hear his talk. It was about the </i><i>importance of when to speak up and when to remain silent. The scriptures are full of examples when individuals remained silent in the present of opposition and examples of times when the spirit constrained someone to speak up. </i><br />
<i>It was a really great talk and I hope I remember it. I had been thinking about this topic lately. So I felt like to topic was especially timely. </i></div>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-86276828920111920682016-03-06T19:27:00.004-08:002016-03-06T19:27:49.683-08:00Yielding Our Hearts to God<i>Have you read/listened to </i>Neill F. Marriott's conference talk: <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/yielding-our-hearts-to-god?lang=eng">Yielding Our Hearts to God</a><i>? Its amazing, and I've wanted to blog about it for weeks, but posting the whole talk didn't quite seem fitting. So here is one tidbit:</i><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
When we open ourselves to the Spirit, we learn God’s way and feel His will. During the <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/sacrament?lang=eng">sacrament</a>, which I call the heart of the Sabbath, I have found that after I pray for <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/forgiveness?lang=eng">forgiveness</a> of sins, it is instructive for me to ask Heavenly Father, “Father, is there more?” When we are yielded and still, our minds can be directed to something more we may need to change—something that is limiting our capacity to receive spiritual guidance or even healing and help.</blockquote>
<i>So I thought ok, I'm going to do this. </i><br />
<i>Then on Sunday and I'm sitting in the sacrament, and I think I should ask is there more? I thought I can't do that, I can't handle MORE. Eventually I took some deep breaths and started my silent prayer, I said, Father in Heaven, I can't ask if there is more, I have too much, I can have MORE. But I do want to be obedient, I'm not ready for the answer, but I should I be???</i><br />
<i>The Lord is wise and usually will not tell me an answer when I specifically ask him not to. But if I've found if I am praying about it part of me does want to know the answer so he eventually answers. A few minutes later, I was told to try and read my scriptures <b>daily</b>. I'm always <b>trying</b> to read my scriptures daily, but my previous week had been more than spotty. I love his response. I didn't want MORE, so instead I got simplicity. Studying your scriptures usually requires you to cut something out of your time, not add something into it. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The conference talk right after Sister Marriott's was perfect. He continues on the same though. It was </i>Larry R. Lawrence, <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/what-lack-i-yet?lang=eng">What Lack I Yet</a><i>?</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The journey of discipleship is not an easy one. It has been called a “course of steady improvement.”<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/what-lack-i-yet?lang=eng#2-13768_000_25lawrence">2</a> As we travel along that strait and narrow path, the Spirit continually challenges us to be better and to climb higher. The <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/holy-ghost?lang=eng">Holy Ghost</a> makes an ideal traveling companion. If we are humble and teachable, He will take us by the hand and lead us home.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
However, we need to ask the Lord for directions along the way. We have to ask some difficult questions, like “What do I need to change?” “How can I improve?” “What weakness needs strengthening?”</blockquote>
...<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
President Harold B. Lee taught, “Every one of us, if we would reach perfection, must [at] one time ask ourselves this question, ‘What lack I yet?’”</blockquote>
<i>He then gives examples of people who were inspired to fix little things, like not complaining, not using crude phrases, to stop interrupting people, keeping the Sabbath day holy, cleaning our room. <br /><br />The next part of the talk is what I needed as a follow up to "Is there more?"</i><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Holy Ghost doesn’t tell us to improve everything at once. If He did, we would become discouraged and give up. The Spirit works with us at our own speed, one step at a time, or as the Lord has taught, “line upon line, precept upon precept, … and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, … for unto him that receiveth I will give more.”<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/what-lack-i-yet?lang=eng#6-13768_000_25lawrence">6</a> For example, if the Holy Ghost has been prompting you to say “thank you” more often, and you respond to that prompting, then He may feel it’s time for you to move on to something more challenging—like learning to say, “I’m sorry; that was my fault.”</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A perfect time to ask, “What lack I yet?” is when we take the <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/sacrament?lang=eng">sacrament</a>. </blockquote>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-44077881208558247582016-02-25T12:10:00.001-08:002016-02-25T12:10:46.417-08:00Richard G Scott- Making the Right Choices<div>
<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1994/10/making-the-right-choices?lang=eng">Richard G Scott -- Making the Right Choices</a></div>
You can’t please God without upsetting Satan, so you will get pressure from those he tempts to do wrong.lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-54345814324344324532016-02-20T21:16:00.002-08:002016-02-20T21:16:56.314-08:00Went about doing good<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 21px;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">For book group this month, we read <b>Finding Inner Peace: Lessons Learned from Trying Too Hard</b>, by Brent L Top and Wendy C Top. I was really glad I read page 54:</span></i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The New Testament does not tell us that Christ did every possible good thing but simply that he "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38)</b>. Being good and doing the best we can--whatever that may be--is doing "all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23) that will lead to our salvation and ultimate perfection. President Brigham Young declared: "Those who do right, and seek the glory of the Father in heaven...whether they can do little or much, if they do the very best they know how, they are perfect... (Desert News Weekly, 8/31/1854)</span></span></blockquote>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-46064470274361672012016-02-17T12:51:00.001-08:002016-02-17T12:51:11.688-08:00Ether 12:26-27<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/ether/12.26">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">26 </span>And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;</span></div>
<div class="highlight" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(254, 251, 191); border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/ether/12.27">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="27" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">27 </span>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.</span></div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/ether/12.28">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="28" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">28 </span>Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness.</span></div>
<div class="" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25.2px; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/scriptures/bofm/ether/12.29">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="29" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">29 </span>And I, Moroni, having heard these words, was comforted, and said: O Lord, thy righteous will be done, for I know that thou workest unto the children of men according to their faith;</span></div>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-51594951955229180862016-02-17T11:58:00.001-08:002016-02-17T11:58:13.947-08:00My Mission Is to Bless by President Eyring<i>Last summer there was a talk titled, "My Mission is to Bless," given by <a href="https://www.lds.org/church/news/my-mission-is-to-bless-president-eyring-tells-mission-presidents-wives?lang=eng">President Henry B. Eyring at Mission President training</a>. It floated around the internet for a while. I really like what he said it the beginning and it has really stuck with me. I keep wondering how I can better integrate his words into my family life.</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Zoram, 'noto sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
“It is faith in the Lord that brings people to true repentance. </div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Zoram, 'noto sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
It is faith in Jesus Christ that leads them to be baptized. </div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Zoram, 'noto sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
It is faith in the Savior that leads them and all of us to always remember Him and thus have the Holy Ghost as our companion. </div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Zoram, 'noto sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
And it is faith that will motivate us to pray always to the Father that we will not be overcome.</div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', Zoram, 'noto sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Our greatest opportunity and our greatest challenge is to bear witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that He gave His life for the sins of each of us.”</div>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-39397734572225618532016-02-16T13:08:00.004-08:002016-02-16T13:08:49.471-08:00Howard W. Hunter Lesson 3<a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-howard-w-hunter/chapter-3-adversity-part-of-gods-plan-for-our-eternal-progress?lang=eng">Adversity Part of Gods Plan for our Eternal Progress</a><div>
The scriptures … indicate that there will be seasons of time when the whole world will have some difficulty. We know that in our dispensation unrighteousness will, unfortunately, be quite evident, and it will bring its inevitable difficulties and pain and punishment. God will cut short that unrighteousness in his own due time, but <b>our task is to live fully and faithfully and not worry ourselves sick about the woes of the world </b>or when it will end.<b> Our task is to have the gospel in our lives and to be a bright light, a city set on the hill, which reflects the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the joy and happiness that will always come to every people in every age who keep the commandments.</b></div>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-62485693456990952632016-02-08T14:06:00.001-08:002016-02-08T14:06:10.270-08:00Mary or Martha?<div class="tr_bq">
<i>Yesterday at church a friend pointed to a picture of Mary and Martha on the wall. (That is a requirement for LDS Relief Society Rooms right? To have a picture of Mary and Martha) said, based on our actions I think most of think we came to earth to be Marthas. We act like our divine purpose is to clean our houses, be busy and do laundry. </i></div>
<i>#mindblown</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1jAN1roErub9gijNrlcBmjCfc0gJUHLu6tm3pNQbLq0IrhQXlxWd_nqWqLVj7B5Me3pa5BdLJ5j951b0EDa6Nfw6LWR3RpSgkaaLG-wrV71GsdozMVN-a4cwBYU3hMbu86QpJsKdVv0/s1600/christ-with-mary-and-martha-0001219xl-full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1jAN1roErub9gijNrlcBmjCfc0gJUHLu6tm3pNQbLq0IrhQXlxWd_nqWqLVj7B5Me3pa5BdLJ5j951b0EDa6Nfw6LWR3RpSgkaaLG-wrV71GsdozMVN-a4cwBYU3hMbu86QpJsKdVv0/s320/christ-with-mary-and-martha-0001219xl-full.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>I know that isn't true, but that is definitely what my actions imply. I get mad at my children from preventing me from getting my house work done, preventing me from baking when I want to, preventing me from having a spotless house.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Why am I not choosing the better part?</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0mn4Igs4Rjd-KEHBYt2bA9LdEnxFWb2aDq2K4LcZr6Gt7ZW-Uhs1nsqPC9SC1ujeh61Berc4YT4RQCE64n6k1hrOi08yFQ0X5urpO7frOlpv855x6-dcnoA9l-NlrEtJGyEfa8VQFlI/s1600/Mary-and-Martha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0mn4Igs4Rjd-KEHBYt2bA9LdEnxFWb2aDq2K4LcZr6Gt7ZW-Uhs1nsqPC9SC1ujeh61Berc4YT4RQCE64n6k1hrOi08yFQ0X5urpO7frOlpv855x6-dcnoA9l-NlrEtJGyEfa8VQFlI/s320/Mary-and-Martha.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
Luke 10<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.<br /> 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.<br /> 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.<br /> 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:<br /> 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.</blockquote>
<i> I love this commentary of the story:</i><br />
<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
“What he did say is difficult to bear, but perhaps somewhat less difficult if we examine its context. In the same way that the father in the parable of the prodigal son acknowledges his elder son’s faithfulness, the Lord acknowledges Martha’s care: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things’ (v. 41). Then he delivers the gentle but clear rebuke. But the rebuke would not have come had Martha not prompted it. The Lord did not go into the kitchen and tell Martha to stop cooking and come listen. Apparently he was content to let her serve him however she cared to, until she judged another person’s service: “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me’ (v. 40). Martha’s self-importance, expressed through her judgment of her sister, occasioned the Lord’s rebuke, not her busyness with the meal.”<br />(Catherine Corman Parry, Associate Professor of English, Brigham Young University, BYU Devotional Talk, 7 May 1991 Wilkinson Center Ballroom) <a href="http://ldsmag.com/article-1-9340/">reference</a> http://ldsmag.com/article-1-9340/</blockquote>
<i>Which I agree with that. Honestly when I think about my testimony, and I think about the Savior, I don't think he loved Mary more than Martha. I don't think Mary was better, I think they were just different and that is ok and good too. I think the Lord loves us as we are and hopes we find the path that leads us to the better part. As I've contemplated how to keep the Sabbath day holy as a family, I decided cleaning our living room was utmost importance. I literally can not feel the spirit during family time if I'm laying in crumbs. But obviously there is reason and balance in everything, and if you don't feel worthy to feel the spirit because your to do list isn't finished then maybe your life needs a different order. I'll be honest, its hard to sit down and read the scriptures when my house hasn't been cleaned. At this stage of life, the crumbs will always be among us, so I should study the scripture first. Not to mention its far easier to sweep when the house is loud, so if there is quiet, I should probably pick up my Book of Mormon first. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzG9iD0Eyh9akJ70xlfVi6czUufO_AGIDtbMMvua5hJUvT2gvENK6aPWInxK4QlpxchmI67IS_bcq_tUF5ynmX-sqjsLgSvRvZvG5RzPMKTWxgi3K16WTGDKTcHHtbA7hCn73T4HzJ5K0/s1600/mary-and-martha+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzG9iD0Eyh9akJ70xlfVi6czUufO_AGIDtbMMvua5hJUvT2gvENK6aPWInxK4QlpxchmI67IS_bcq_tUF5ynmX-sqjsLgSvRvZvG5RzPMKTWxgi3K16WTGDKTcHHtbA7hCn73T4HzJ5K0/s1600/mary-and-martha+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i><br /></i>
<br /><a href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/1987/01?lang=eng">JANUARY 1987</a><br />Mary and Martha—Faithful Sisters, Devoted Disciples<br />By <a href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/1987/01/mary-and-martha-faithful-sisters-devoted-disciples?lang=eng#pop_001-03209_000_011">Evelyn T. Marshall</a><blockquote class="tr_bq">
For years I have mistakenly assumed that Mary sat at Jesus’ feet while Martha worked in the kitchen. Not so. In verse 39 Luke carefully explains that Martha “had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/10.39?lang=eng#38">Luke 10:39</a>; italics added.) They bothsat there to hear the words of eternal life from their Lord. It is appropriate, therefore, that these three appear on the 1987 Relief Society study guide cover which entreats sisters everywhere to “learn of me.” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/11.29?lang=eng#28">Matt. 11:29</a>.) Mary and Martha were doing just that, learning of the Savior—together.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But then, that which comes to all of us must have occurred to this trio of friends—they became hungry. It was Martha, the caring hostess, who provided repast for her remarkable visitor. In addition, Martha felt she needed assistance and asked Jesus to ask Mary to help her. Which woman among us, when faced with similar circumstances, has not made a similar plea?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Luke records that “Martha was cumbered about much serving.” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/10.40?lang=eng#39">Luke 10:40</a>; italics added.) Obviously these two sisters did not have prior notice of Jesus’ arrival at their home, so they had no chance to prepare a meal. We cannot indict Martha for wanting to serve the best to her Lord. Women throughout the Church are serving the best they have to General Authorities and other visitors who similarly travel to teach the eternal truths of this same Jesus.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The question here is one of priorities. Even special meals can become too complicated if we spend hours frosting the petit fours instead of planning more simply-prepared food. Do we spend more time planning and executing a lavish Sunday dinner for<a href="http://www.mormon.org/values/family">family</a> members than we do studying the scriptures that day? Do we value a perfectly clean home over spending time teaching and loving our children? The story of Mary and Martha, observes Elder <a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/dallin-h-oaks?lang=eng">Dallin H. Oaks</a>, “reminds every Martha, male and female, that we should not be so occupied with what is routine and temporal that we fail to cherish the opportunities that are unique and spiritual.” (Ensign, Nov. 1985, p. 61.)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Jesus’ gentle reproval to Martha is much the same as any loving parent would speak to an upset child: “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/10.41?lang=eng#40">Luke 10:41</a>.) The footnote clarifies thatcareful means worried. Martha was indeed concerned about what to serve and how to entertain the Son of God. Perhaps Martha is “Everywoman” in her desire to be hospitable and caring in this situation.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
How are we “cumbered” today? Are household tasks a hindrance and burdensome? Are we disorganized, frustrated, overstressed? Are we victims of crises, reacting to pressures of time and circumstance rather than acting to control them?</blockquote>
...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Just as Mary and Martha had distinct personalities, so are each of us individuals with our own strengths, weaknesses, and talents. As with Mary and Martha, it is often easy for us to judge others, and even ourselves, in unfair light. We need to learn the lesson these two sisters teach us: we need balance in our lives. While we are to perform the necessary tasks, we need also to seek the “good part” and learn the truths of the gospel.</blockquote>
<br />
<i>I'm positive if you know me, or you've read my blogs, you've heard this story. When I had a new baby, and an under 2 year old boy. I thought all that mattered was I cooked a healthy dinner for my family. I got in my head, a healthy dinner was the end all be all of my creation. And, secondly I needed to bath my children at least three times a week. Now mind you I had a infant who couldn't hold himself up, a one year old, and a barely 5 year old. That meant I was bathing three children three times a week, and the infant was not able to bathe with the older kids, I was loosing my mind. Although I often thought if I was a better mother I'd be bathing my infant daily. (I won't get into that bizarre thought, and they don't even recommend that anymore, but still my thoughts.) Then <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/protection-from-pornography-a-christ-focused-home?lang=eng">General Conference (April 2014) came around and Sister Reeves</a> said this:</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Some of you have heard me tell how overwhelmed my husband, Mel, and I felt as the parents of four young children. As we faced the challenges of parenting and keeping up with the demands of life, we were desperate for help. We prayed and pleaded to know what to do. The answer that came was clear: “It is OK if the house is a mess and the children are still in their pajamas and some responsibilities are left undone. The only things that really need to be accomplished in the home are daily scripture study and prayer and weekly family home evening.”<br />We were trying to do these things, but they were not always the priority and, amidst the chaos, were sometimes neglected. We changed our focus and tried not to worry about the less-important things. Our focus became to talk, rejoice, preach, and testify of Christ by striving to daily pray and study the scriptures and have weekly family home evening.</blockquote>
<i>I didn't quite know how to change at first. I didn't know how to have scripture study after I was so tired from cooking. The spirit told me, feed them cold cereal. I had the inspiration that said, cold cereal with a family prayer is more important the the healthiest meal. We were only have scripture study a few times a week, because I couldn't figure out how to scripture study and bathe so many kids. I came to terms that two baths a week is better if we are reading scriptures daily. We often have prayer and scripture study in the hallway while the two little boys are in the bath. I mentioned something about this in Relief Society, and another lady said, well bathing is important too. I quickly responded not as important as prayer.</i><br />
<i>I also love what <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/choosing-charity-that-good-part?lang=eng">Bonnie D. Parkin's said in October 2003</a></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Mary and Martha are you and me; they are every sister in Relief Society. These two loved the Lord and wanted to show that love. On this occasion, it seems to me that Mary expressed her love by hearing His word, while Martha expressed hers by serving Him.</blockquote>
<i>I do not think Martha or Mary was better a person. They were both different. I just really needed to hear, I am not better than my children because I choose to clean the house.</i><br />
<ul class="filed-under" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 35px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; zoom: 1;">
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; float: left; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px 3px; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(144, 137, 114); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039) 2px 2px 6px; left: -999em; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px; position: absolute; top: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 185px; z-index: 2;">
<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; display: block; margin: 0px; padding: 5px 18px 6px 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; zoom: 1;">LDS.ORG</a></li>
<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; display: block; margin: 0px; padding: 5px 18px 6px 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; zoom: 1;">GENERAL CONFERENCE</a></li>
<li style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/conferences?lang=eng" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: dimgrey; display: block; margin: 0px; padding: 5px 18px 6px 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; zoom: 1;">CONFERENCES</a></li>
<li class="dropdown-triangle" style="background: url("../../images/common/breadcrumb-dropdown-triangle.png") 10px 0% no-repeat; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; font-size: 12px; left: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: -12px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 185px;"><br /></li>
</ul>
</li>
<i><ul class="filed-under" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 35px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; zoom: 1;"><br /></ul>
</i></ul>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-47019051184127255992016-01-30T19:43:00.001-08:002016-01-30T19:43:45.603-08:00The Challenge to Become by Elder Oaks<p dir="ltr">Our needed conversions are often achieved more readily by suffering and adversity than by comfort and tranquillity, as Elder Hales taught us so beautifully this morning. Father Lehi promised his son Jacob that God would “consecrate [his] afflictions for [his] gain” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2.2?lang=eng#1">2 Ne. 2:2</a>). The Prophet Joseph was promised that “thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/121.7-8?lang=eng#6">D&C 121:7–8</a>).</p>
<p dir="ltr">Most of us experience some measure of what the scriptures call “the furnace of affliction” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/48.10?lang=eng#9">Isa. 48:10</a>; <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/20.10?lang=eng#9">1 Ne. 20:10</a>). Some are submerged in service to a disadvantaged family member. Others suffer the death of a loved one or the loss or postponement of a righteous goal like marriage or childbearing. Still others struggle with personal impairments or with feelings of rejection, inadequacy, or depression. Through the justice and mercy of a loving Father in Heaven, the refinement and sanctification possible through such experiences can help us achieve what God desires us to become.</p>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-74670615935176568082016-01-30T19:18:00.002-08:002016-01-30T19:18:59.052-08:00Fathers, Mothers, MarriageThe influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
First Presidency Message by President James E. Faust "<a href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/2004/08/fathers-mothers-marriage?lang=eng">Fathers, Mothers, Marriage</a>."</blockquote>
August 2004<br />
<br /></div>
lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-69745640950767561152016-01-30T19:01:00.003-08:002016-01-30T19:01:35.717-08:00Focus of the Strengths“Your influence will be unending as you focus on the strengths of others rather than their weaknesses and mistakes. Our hearts and our eyes should concentrate on the positive things in life and in our fellowman. . . . As you share your kind, loving, tolerant, and positive attitude towards life, you will bless your spouses and children and grandchildren, your nieces and nephews and friends, and countless others who feel the radiance of your optimism and testimony” (Harriet Uchtdorf, <a href="http://deseretbook.com/Light-We-Share-Harriet-R-Uchtdorf/i/5119035?s_cid=bl150214&utm_source=ldsliving&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=ldsliving&utm_content=bl150214-77942">The Light We Share</a>)lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7747690715615202620.post-18740709169805743362016-01-26T09:30:00.000-08:002016-01-26T09:30:00.385-08:00Post Dated Quotes<i>I was printing off quotes and scriptures for the past few months. I'm ready to declutter my fridge so here they are:</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Alma 5:26<br />
And now Behold, I say unto you, my brethren if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, <span style="background-color: yellow;">I would ask, can ye feel so now</span>?<br />
<br />
1 Nephi 1:20<br />
But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FAITH</span>, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.<br />
<br />
1 Corinthians 3:16-17<br />
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is Holy, which temple ye are.<br />
<br />
Moroni 10:32<br />
Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.<br />
<br />
Luke 2:10<br />
...Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.lehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419901586327437257noreply@blogger.com0