I will make weak things become strong unto you

How does your appearance make you feel?

Does it make you feel good when you look nice?

I think we all can feel a little better when we look nice. I do. But then a series of events caused a medical condition that over the course of several months left me with large ugly scars on both my shins.

They aren't pretty. But they do look better now than they did 3 years ago, that's for sure.

But even still, I choose not to let it stop me. I don't hide because something about me is different. I don't let the flaws on my legs stop me from living my life.

I shouldn't let any of my flaws stop me or create a negative view of myself. Scars don't mean someone is a bad person. It means we are living life and learning.

I have lots of other flaws too, ones that I recognize and am trying to work through, but might not be as easily seen. We all have things we struggle with. Part of learning compassion is learning that everyone has something that isn't quite strong yet.

"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." (Ether 12:27)

I don’t understand fully how a weakness could be made into a strength. But the Lord says it can be done, so I believe Him, and I'm working on understanding how that works.

I heard on a podcast recently weaknesses being described in a way I hadn't thought about before:

"Our weaknesses are only our strengths overused." (Jody Moore)

Isn't that eye opening? I also love the work of Carol Tuttle and I believe her when she talks about how our weaknesses are actually our strengths. I am a perfectionist. No, I am thorough! I am lazy. No, I have a relaxed nature! I always put my foot in my mouth. No, I am capable of speaking up.

When we view ourselves in a positive light, it is beautiful and freeing.

I believe growth comes from love. Love yourself and allow yourself to grow. God loves us and gently encourages us to be better, not the opposite.

I'm grateful for my hope in Christ and the reality of His resurrection, which opened the way for the rest of us to gain this same resurrection, the unifying and perfecting of our body and spirit for the rest of eternity, flawless and good.

Our flaws, imperfections, weaknesses don't have to define us. We can still dance with ugly scars on our legs. We can still do our work on the earth though we may stumble and sometimes fall. Life is learning how to get back up again and keep trying. With Christ we can, and heal in the process.

The Pull of the World vs. The Pull of Christ

Do you ever get the feeling that the world is constantly trying to convince you that you need more of this or that?

There are so many products and services and opportunities in our faces every day. How do we deal with it? How can we get over the feeling that we never have enough?

"[E]very day we see allurements of one kind or another that tell us what we have is not enough. Someone or something is forever telling us we need to be more handsome or more wealthy, more applauded or more admired than we see ourselves as being. We are told we haven’t collected enough possessions or gone to enough fun places. We are bombarded with the message that on the world’s scale of things we have been weighed in the balance and found wanting." 

- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (The Other Prodigal)

Well, enough is enough.

"You may want to conduct what I’ll call a “personal council.” After praying, spend some time alone. Think about what is ahead. Ask yourself: “What areas of my life do I want to strengthen so that I can strengthen others? Where do I want to be a year from now? two years from now? What choices do I need to make to get there?” Just remember, you are a pilot, and you are in charge. I testify that as you come to yourself, your Heavenly Father will come to you. By the comforting hand of His Holy Spirit, He will help you along." 

- Elder Robert D. Hales (Meeting the Challenges of Today's World)

I'm choosing to look past the constant ads and plugs and compelling arguments that I need this thing or to do this to be happy. I can be happy right now. I can choose to be content with the way my life is and not need to give in to the constant push that I need more. Because I don't.

"Recently, a young filmmaker said he felt he was part of a “generation of prodigals”—a generation “looking for hope and joy and fulfillment, but looking in all the wrong places and in the wrong ways." 

- Elder Robert D. Hales (Meeting the Challenges of Today's World)

Sometimes I think I'll be more happy if I can take more dance classes or be in more choirs or revisit various things I loved to do in college, or take a lot of time to learn a new skill. But for me, the time is not now for most of those things. Right now my time is more importantly spent building up and loving my husband and kids, fulfilling my calling at church and as a visiting teacher, and becoming a better version of myself.

"The world is incessantly pulled by a flood of enticing and seductive voices.

"Overcoming the world is trusting in the one voice that warns, comforts, enlightens, and brings peace “not as the world giveth.” 

- Elder Neil L. Andersen (Overcoming the World)

Maybe there are things I want to do or need to do, and those can be good and worthy goals and things to do. But what I don't want is something distracting me from what is most important:

My faith in God.

My family.

My well-being.

"If the love we feel for the Savior and what He did for us is greater than the energy we give to weaknesses, self-doubts, or bad habits, then He will help us overcome the things which cause suffering in our lives. He saves us from ourselves. 

"Let me reemphasize: if the pull of the world is stronger than the faith and trust we have in the Savior, then the pull of the world will prevail every time. If we choose to focus on our negative thoughts and doubt our worth instead of clinging to the Savior, it becomes more difficult to feel the impressions of the Holy Ghost."

 - Sister Joy D. Jones (Value Beyond Measure)

It's definitely not easy to push out the constant voices that say I need or need to do more more more. Doing new things or revisiting old things are fun ideas for me. But I'm also leaning what my limits are and what things can be big distractions if I'm not careful.

"What Is Hard? Each of us may have a different opinion about what is hard. ...

"There are those who find it hard “to be content with [what] the Lord hath allotted unto [them]” (Alma 29:3). ...

"Regardless of the issue, hard can be good for those who will move forward with faith and trust the Lord and His plan. ...

"His example truly is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Only by following that example can we find “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23)." 

- Elder Stanley G. Ellis (Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good)

I'm so grateful for my relationship with our Father in Heaven who created us and desires for us to return to live with Him and receive all that He hath, who knows me personally and answers the pleadings of my soul. Christ is our abundance and with Him we have all we need.

“Come unto me all ye ends of the earth,” He pleads, and buy milk without money and honey without price. All are privileged, the one like unto the other. Walk peacefully. Walk confidently. Walk without fear and without envy. Be reassured of Heavenly Father’s abundance to you always." 

- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (The Other Prodigal)

My Conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Both my parents were baptized and became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their adult years.  They were married and sealed in the Manti Utah temple.  My younger brother and sister and I were all baptized at age 8.  Despite this, our family didn’t attend church very regularly, nor did we spend time together in Gospel instruction that I remember with family scripture study, prayer, home evening, etc.  I attended girl’s camp and seminary, even EFY, and also stake dances, though I didn’t participate very much in the spiritual side of things.  As a result I was spiritually wayward, and felt like I was always grasping at straws trying to find real happiness.  I had blue coloring in my hair at the ends and a strip through my bangs at one time and hot pink highlights at another; I stayed out way too late and never had a curfew; didn't have the greatest influences as friends; I didn’t always dress modestly; I played in soccer tournament games on Sundays; I stayed up till morning and slept till the afternoon.  Searching for peace in all the wrong places, I didn’t know there was a better way of living.

The summer before my junior year of high school my 16th birthday fell on a Sunday.  For some unknown reason I decided I would spend my birthday going to church.  I have a few memories of Primary and Achievement Days, and one thing I do remember is getting a pencil for my birthday in Primary.  This small thought played a part in my going to church that day.  I didn’t know which class I was in or where they met, I hadn’t previously talked much to the other youth in my ward.  I don’t remember who I sat with or how I got there.  But I went and I was happy to be there!  I decided in the middle of Young Women’s that from that day forward I wouldn’t stop coming to church.

The same summer in the next month was girl’s camp, and my first year as a YCL (youth camp leader).  I almost didn’t go because I didn’t really feel like I knew anyone I would be there with.  But I ended up going and I’m really glad I did.  The Spirit pierced my heart that week.  During the Thursday night devotional and testimony meeting with my ward, I stood up to bear my testimony, something I never had previously done.  “I don’t know what I know; I just know that I know,” was the only way I could describe the feelings I had.  It gave me hope and a sense of purpose.  Girl’s camp and the events leading up to it sealed the deal for me, and I’ve never looked back!

It was tough though, to start over.  I was halfway through high school, established like everyone else, I had finally made friends I felt accepted with, and here I was, abandoning everything I previously “knew” for some glimmer of hope of the unknown future.  I tried to run with a different crowd where people were on the same page spiritually as me, though I never really completely felt like I belonged through the rest of high school.  It wasn’t an easy transition, but I was solid in my determination to stay true to what I knew.  Seminary was my rock through the rest of high school and a daily source of spiritual strength and rejuvenation.

Since then it’s gotten much easier and has become a joy to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  I’ve had a great time learning and growing through college, married life, and motherhood.  The Gospel is everything to me, and though part of me wishes I would have had a more spiritual childhood, I’m grateful for the experiences in my life because they have helped make me strong in my faith of Jesus Christ and brought me to where I am today.

My life is not free of challenges, nor is it free of mistakes.  I constantly have to be on guard and make sure I try my hardest to choose the higher ground and the better part.  I'm continually gaining testimony of the Gospel as I show my commitment to Him by living the eternal principles taught by prophets of old in the scriptures and modern prophets in our day.  My conversion is a process as I am converted to choosing daily to follow Christ.

We all face trials, and we all experience heartache.  I know what it’s like to be lost, and I also know what it’s like to be found.  Nothing else in this life can bring greater and truer and more lasting happiness and peace than following Jesus Christ and living His Gospel.  I am eternally grateful and feel hugely blessed to have the Gospel in my life!

Elder Bednar -- Converted unto the Lord

P.S. -- I feel like I need to mention that there have been countless good people throughout every part of my life so far who have had positive influences on me no matter how long or short our association has been.  It would be impossible for me to list the people or the instances but know that if you have come across my path, you have put a drop or two or many in my testimony & conversion lamp.  Even still today!  Keep being good people in the lives of others, I know you are blessing many with your goodness by simply being you!  THANK YOU from me and everyone else's life you have touched!

Primary Music Leader

 I was just called to be the new Primary Music Leader.  (Primary is the children's Sunday School, ages 3-11)  I've had a crazy mix of emotions about this new adventure, but after having a week to process it and let go of my previous calling as a youth Sunday School teacher I'm feeling excited!  Children are so forgiving, way more than adults (but not that adults aren't).  The last music leader moved out of the ward, but thankfully stuck around to finish out the Primary Program.  I'm glad I get to start with a clean slate!

I rarely attended Primary growing up, but our first calling after Adam and I got married was to teach a Primary class.  We did that for a year, and I had an awesome music leader model!  She was called into that calling right after we moved in, and she did a GREAT job, so I can too, right?  Even with my lack of Primary attendance I still know a bunch of the Primary songs, but I'll definitely be learning more!

I'm taking solace in the fact that I have an extra week to prepare because General Conference is this next weekend, and I also got to sit in during Primary last Sunday and observed.  We have an awesome Primary Presidency, I'm looking forward to learning from them!  And out stake is having their annual auxiliary training this month.  I couldn't have been called to this new position at a better time!

I'm looking forward to all the fun things I'm going to get to do with the children in our ward.  I hope I can learn all their names quickly!  We've only been in the ward for a year and we're still trying to learn who everyone is.  But I hope they will be able to learn through the music about how Heavenly Father loves them, that Jesus Christ is their Savior, that we need to be good so we can be worthy to have the Holy Ghost with us, and that we can be happy by living the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I hope I will be able to inspire them and invite the Spirit so they can feel the love our Father in Heaven has for them and learn by the Spirit, so they can feel real happiness!

I'm humbled by this call to serve, and I'm grateful for this opportunity.  I know I will grow right along with these amazing children.

Adam pointed out how fun it will be for Eli when he gets to Primary for his mom to be the music leader.  That's only in about 2 years, so it's possible!  In my married life I have yet to have a calling for over a year.  But we're not going anywhere for a while so maybe this will be the one to set the new record!


P.S. (10:45pm)

I got set apart tonight.  Bishop Alexander talked to us for a few minutes before.  It's his opinion that the music in Primary is one of the most important things.  He started to get choked up when he told me they (the bishopric) are grateful that I am in the ward (we just moved in last year).  And he said they felt strongly that I should be the one to take this place.  I don't know how deep this planning has been on Heavenly Father's part, if this is one reason why we were drawn to buy a house in this location (the past music leader just bought a house out of the ward), or maybe every good choice we've made has just led to more blessings...

The main points in Bishop's blessing tonight were:

• put family first
• be organized
• you've been blessed with talents to bless others

I definitely received some simple yet profound answers to recent prayers and some needed guidance.  I'm grateful for the priesthood and for those who serve under it's direction, and under the direction of Jesus Christ, who is the head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He lives!

She's Leavin' on a Jet Plane

My sister Holly left home this morning for the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She'll be serving in the Salt Lake City, Utah, Temple Square Mission!  She is such a beautiful person, inside and out, and I'm so proud of her for being worthy and willing to put her life on hold to serve the Lord with all she's got for a whole 18 months!  She's going to bless so many people's lives in such a short amount of time.  

"Wherefore, whithersoever they shall send you, go ye, and I will be with you; and in whatsoever place ye shall proclaim my name an effectual door shall be opened unto you, that they may receive my word."

- Doctrine & Covenants 112:19

 (That's the scripture she chose to go on her missionary plaque.)

We are all missionaries for the good cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Some are blessed with the opportunity to dedicate a small portion of their lives to full-time service, but all have the opportunity to be a missionary wherever they are.  God is good.  He is the Father of our spirits.  He loves us and wants so much for us to have true joy in our lives and to live eternally with Him and our families.  True happiness is possible!  Real hope is possible!  Salvation and exaltation are possible.  We can overcome anything.  Through Jesus Christ.  His Atonement has made these possible.  I know that's true!  He lives!

"The Atonement was made. Ever and always it offers amnesty from transgression and from death if we will but repent. Repentance is the escape clause in it all. Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from inside. We hold that key within our hands, and agency is ours to use it." 

— Boyd K. Packer, "Who Is Jesus Christ?", Ensign and Liahona, March 2008

"[Jesus Christ] made salvation available to every repentant soul."

— Richard G. Scott, "The Joy of Redeeming the Dead", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012

"Wherever our members and missionaries may go, our message is one of faith and hope in the Savior Jesus Christ." 

— Boyd K. Packer, "The Atonement", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012

To Be a Humble Follower of Christ

I was reading in the scriptures this morning about how there will be many people who will have gone astray from the Lord's way because of pride and wickedness, etc, and came across this short phrase:

"...because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ..."

I was humbled by this statement.  Just last night I was thinking about how I wish I could have and could still spend more time in the musical theatre scene, and was getting a little consumed in the thought.  "I chose a different life -- that of a wife and mother."  I told myself, "My choice was the one I was supposed to make...  And I'm happy about it...  Right?"  I wasn't completely convinced last night, though I knew I was right.  But coming across this verse in my scripture study confirmed to me again that I was on the right path.

The family is central to God's great Plan of Happiness.  And it's called that because it's our road map to happiness in this life and in the next.  The world tells us to put ourselves first, and do whatever we want.  I've put Jesus Christ at the center of my life instead, and have found the greatest happiness in having and being a part of a family.  I love my family!  I love my husband and my son.  I love being a wife.  I love being a mother.  I knew there would be sacrifices I would have to make.  But I knew they would be worth it.  I may not have a ton of extra time on my hands to explore interests like participating in musical theatre, becoming a professional photographer, or website and graphic designer, learning to be a seamstress or expert crafter, or even having my house completely organized.  But my family is happy and healthy, my house is functional, and we're on the Lord's path to eternal life and exaltation.  What more could I need or even want?

Isn't it amazing how you seem to always hear what you need to when you're letting the Lord speak to you through the scriptures?

Becoming Mobile (Baby Eli)

Eli has been mobile for a while now.  For the past 2 months or more (at around 6 months old) he's been rolling EVERYWHERE!  It's so cute and fun to watch him roll and roll to get something he wants.

On Tuesday (5 days ago) I spied Eli inch forward while on his tummy once.  A couple days later I saw him do it again!  That's really good considering he doesn't crawl, just kick-kick-kicks his little legs!  I think he might finally be starting to get the hang of crawling, maybe.  A start, anyway.

I've been half-joking, half-seriously saying that he will probably just skip crawling and learn to walk.  Well he's been walking with us for the past couple days.  And he's gotten pretty good at it!

And he's really pulling himself up now.  He'll grab onto our hands and pull up to a sitting position or all the way up to standing.  He's already been standing on his own with something to lean on or hold onto pretty well for a while now.  He's learning so fast!  He's such a smart kid!  It's so incredible how babies just learn how to do things.  There is definitely Divine influence there!

[8 1/2 months old]

Bees!

And when I say bees, I mean LOTS of bees!

We found out Sunday morning that we had a HUGE cluster of bees living on one of our trees in our front yard.  Yes, on.  This specific tree is a young fellow, which broke and fell over after one of the stakes snapped (not sure how that happened either), but has since come back to life with many trunks.  We still have yet to get around to pruning it.......

But back to the bees!

Do you see them all clustered on top of each other?  This was only a small section of them.  This was the bottom, and it was a lot longer, maybe 3 times as long, and even wider than this in the middle.  I can't even begin to guess how many bees there were in our tree.  Thankfully none were flying around, that we could see.  But ICK!  I do not want millions of bees living in my front yard.  No thank you.

Mind you, this was a Sunday.  And the next day was Labor Day, a holiday.  So I left a message for our normal pest control people, in case they had an someone on call or something.  And then I Googled bee removal people in our area and found one that seemed like they knew what they were doing, and they had emergency removal, as in during nights and weekends.  So I gave them a call and talked to a guy, and my first question was how much do you charge for removal.  And his answer was... long.  He began to tell me what they would do to get rid of the bees and to take extra care in making sure they don't come back, and about all these different [apparently safe] chemicals and procedures to extinguish them.  After his long explanation he said it would cost about $500.  WHAT?!  Well, no.  We told him we'd call him back.  We wanted a second opinion, and one we could trust!

Well I called my dad and he told me some things, including that sometimes bees will live in a temporary cluster around the queen when they are in the process of moving from one place to another, and also that they usually will find residence in somewhere protected, like an abandoned couch or an exterior house wall, not likely in a young tree with flimsy limbs.  So we included this situation about the bees in our prayers that night, that they might just be a temporary cluster and go away on their own, or that we would know what to do to get rid of them at a reasonable cost, and how to handle it in the right time frame.  And we went to bed.

And when we got up in the morning, the bees were still there.  :(  I called a guy my parents know who does exterminating and left a message for him.  But then we left for Phoenix for a baseball game and didn't think about it.  And when we got home and pulled up to our house, we peered deep into the contents of the tree to try to see if we could see any bees in it (it's a very leafy and un-pruned tree) and to our surprise, disbelief, and GREAT JOY...  

They had gone!  No more bees!  Not a single one!  None!  Not a trace!!!

Hallelujah!  I was just about jumping for joy in my seat!

Of course we thanked our Father in Heaven that night, for our safety in this situation and that we didn't have to spend anymore money and that the whole thing just resolved itself, and without any incident (that we know of).  I know it's kind of a small thing, but we really were blessed.  Maybe it's a little silly, but it's just another thing that adds to my testimony that God lives and He knows me and my family and loves us and helps us through this journey of our life on Earth.  This circumstance may have been insignificant compared to a lot of other things, but it mattered to us, and so it mattered to Him.  And that's the best part.  I know I matter to Him.  And that makes me love Him even more!  It's like any relationship, when you show someone that they matter to you, it makes them appreciate you and then they return the favor and from there it's just an upward spiral and a positive chain of actions.

We matter.  Our prayers are heard.  Our prayers are answered, not always in the way or time that we want or expect, but they are answered.  We are loved, beyond any measure we can imagine!

"My dear brothers and sisters, it may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him! ... 

"Brothers and sisters, the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love. 

"God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him."

- Dieter F Uchtdorf

Celebrating 3 Years

I'm playing a little catch up...  (Aren't we all??)  At the beginning of June, Adam and I celebrated 3 years of marriage.  I can't believe it's been 3 years, and I also can't believe it's only been 3 years!  It's been a fun and awesome journey and adventure so far.  Some things that have happened in the last year include:

- Adam completed his 3rd year at the School of Architecture at the UofA
- We bought a house
- We had our first child (son)
- I started dancing again (ballet) 
- My grandfather passed away, and I got to sing with my cousin at his memorial service
- My brother got married
- We learned our son would need major surgery (Craniosynostosis)
- My other brother got married
- Eli started swim lessons
- Eli went to his first D-Backs game

And lots of other good and fun things!  We celebrated with a nice dinner at home after Eli went to bed.  I love my husband, and I love my family.  I'm so happy we were able to be married not only for time but also sealed for eternity in the temple.  What a wonderful place the temple is, and what great blessings it brings to our home and to our family.  Jesus Christ is the foundation of our love, our happiness, our joy and hope and everything!

"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Update on Eli: It's Almost Time

Well, the waiting is just about over.  Eli goes in for his surgery Monday morning.  All this time we've just been putting it off in our minds, feeling like June 10 was always so far away.  But now it's right around the corner.  We're still trying not to think about it, but it's becoming even more inevitable.  The nerves are starting to sink in.  And if I'm being honest, it makes me sad and want to cry.  His cute little perfect peach-fuzz head won't ever be the same.  Or at least not for a little while.  He'll have a nice long scar from ear to ear, and probably a shaved head.  He's worked so hard at growing the little hair he has now!  We're still not exactly sure what recovery and care will be like after we come home after our hospital stay.  I just know we're going to have to be extra careful with our cuddles and probably cut back on them for a while.

Our situation really isn't bad.  Eli's condition isn't life-threatening, and neither is the surgery.  It's just reconstructive, really.  And the plastic surgeon and neurosurgeon are highly trained and skilled.  I'm definitely grateful for that.  I know everything will be "OK."  You just never want to see your child go through any kind of surgery.  Especially not your baby, your infant.

Thank you to those who have given us your love and support, through words and thoughts and prayers.

I'm grateful to know that our bodies will be perfected after this life when we're resurrected, made possible by Jesus Christ, because He broke the bands of death and rose again.  I'm also grateful to know that because He conquered death, we will too, and in addition to that, the laws and ordinances in His gospel allow our family relationships to extend beyond the grave.

Eli will always be ours.

I love this little guy to pieces!

Book of Mormon 6-Month Reading Challenge (and Chart)

We had stake conference this last weekend (for church) and our stake president challenged us to read the entire Book of Mormon before the next stake conference, in 6 months.  Adam and I decided to act on this challenge and made it our personal goals to read it again in this time-frame.  Adam chose to read by verses, so he's reading 36 verses a day.  I don't like being left hanging in the middle of a chapter so I decided to do my study by chapter, which is about 1.5 chapters a day.  But like I said I don't want to be reading half chapters, and I know there are some REALLY short chapters and a couple REALLY long chapters... and I wanted to track my progress to help keep me on track, so I made a reading chart.  I spent a couple hours on it total.  I go kinda crazy planning things sometimes.  But I'm pretty happy with the result (so far...)!  It's only been 3 days.  Hopefully this will help me stay on track and keep up with it!  I also wanted to know how many verses were in each chapter, and I couldn't find anything online, so I did it by going through every chapter...  So there's that.  But then I was able to break up the reading schedule better.  Man, I'm crazy sometimes!

I'm grateful for this challenge to read the Book of Mormon within the next 6 months.  This true book strengthens my relationship with God and helps me feel the Spirit more throughout my day and grows my spiritual knowledge and helps me be more in line with the Savior's teachings, so I can be a better person and strengthen my family.  And I'm finding already that this challenge is helping me be a better study-er.  I've been struggling with being consistent with my scripture study.  I know I need to be better, and I want to be better, but the implementation is always the hard part for some reason.  I know my spirituality can be better improved if I took the time to study more often, and I really need it (don't we all?).  I know this challenge and goal is going to help me develop better and more consistent habits when it comes to scripture study.  I can feel it already!  The Book of Mormon really is true, compliments the Bible, and was written way back then for us, now.  How awesome is that?  Why wouldn't we want to read and study it??  I know I do!

Want to join me?  Only 3 days to catch up on.  That's not too bad!

Download Reading Chart

Losing Someone (Come unto Him)

There’s lots of room for regret in life, isn’t there. It seems that no matter what we do it will never be enough. And the truth is that it isn’t. But that is why the Atonement of Jesus Christ is so beautiful. But I feel guilty that I need it. I feel like I should be better. I know I can be better, there are plenty of things I can improve -- but I know although I may be my best self I will still fall short. And that is when Christ buoys us up, if we let Him.

It’s important to realize the important things in life, the way to spend our time -- with people and not with things. It wouldn’t be possible to spend all our time visiting the people we love, although we would jump at the opportunity to do so. But we have other responsibilities in life too. We can spend as many short amounts of time with the people we love and we will still look back and wish we could have done more. And still we look back and think, “Was it enough? Could I have done more? Should I have done more? Did they wish I would have done more?” We learn our lessons the hard way in life, and it’s tough, some times are tougher than others. But even though this is the case, I find there is a ray of sunshine through all the gloom. We cannot forget Christ, even in our darkest moments. It is because of Him that we truly can and will live again, and will be able to live with those we love forever. This life is only a test, a time for us to learn lessons the hard way, the way we wanted and needed it to be, so we could truly learn so we could become like God and receive everything He has. I guess part of this lesson learning is learning about hope, which comes because of Christ, that we can prevail through anything together with Him, and also learning that we really need Him. We can’t progress without Him, in this life or the next. His Atonement allows us to repent, to break the chains of sin and guilt and any affliction, and also the chains and sting of death. Because death does sting, it hurts when someone you love passes away from this life, but because of Christ’s Atonement, which includes His death and Resurrection, this life that we know on earth is not the end. It is a beautiful thing to think about the next life. We don’t know much about it, but we do know some things -- especially we know that it exists, that we will continue to exist, but in a different way. And eventually we will all be resurrected and we will live in the way we were meant to live. On Earth, our mortal bodies, our earthly homes for our spirits, become frail. But our spirits remain active and alive, wishing to do all that we want to do, but can’t because our mortal bodies limit us. Death seems to be a free-ing of self -- no more restrictions, no more pain, no more sorrow. It is a good thing, it is a happy thing. Yet we mourn because we are stuck in this life, on earth, without those we love who have passed on. But I believe they don’t mourn, but are awaiting us to join them once again.

How do you deal with death? I think that’s a question everyone asks themselves. I’m sure everyone has their own way. I guess this is part of mine.

How do I let the Atonement work in my life in dealing with this regret and guilt? I don’t know how it works, but I do know that it does work. The trick I guess is figuring out how to use it, how to give it all to Him. Christ has suffered all things for us already, so we won’t be tied down in all our pain and suffering and shortcomings, but that we can be free. Not so everything negative is taken away from us, but so we can know that everything will be okay, that this isn’t the end and we should and can keep trying to do better. Christ’s Atonement allows us to move forward, even though things in life sometimes get us down, and sometimes hold us back. It doesn’t take all the pain away, and it doesn’t remove our memories, but it is the door we can pass through to the next chapter or phase in our lives -- We can look back and remember and learn from our past without having to be held captive by it, and also we are able to look forward with a ‘brightness of hope.’ It is because of this we are able to feel real joy in our lives. I think this is at least part of the reason why people often comment about how people who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or the nickname for our religion - Mormons) are “always happy,” or something to that effect. It’s because of the knowledge of the Atonement. Anyone can have the same hope and joy. It’s in one’s belief and use of Christ’s Atonement that it is made possible.

It's OK to cry. It's OK to feel sad. We just shouldn't let it hold us back.

The Atonement of Christ and faith in Christ are directly and inseparably related. When we have faith in Him, we are having faith and believing in everything He did for us -- in His Atonement. Let Christ work in your life. Let Him in. He stands at the door and knocks, His arms are stretched out, He is waiting for you. Come unto Him.

Jesus Speaks Today -- Through His Authorized Servants

What an incredible morning so far.  Messages have been shared from some of the Lord's appointed and authorized servants, the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  What a wonderful opportunity.

Some announcements were made this morning, one of which was that a Temple will be built in Tucson, Arizona!  I have been wishing for some time to be able to just live in the same city as a temple.  I can't wait for it's construction and to be able to attend the temple and feel of the amazing Spirit there much more often.

So far from the messages shared this morning I am feeling a renewed dedication to Jesus Christ and to more fully living His Gospel.  What a wonderful feeling.

Christ's Gospel brings me the most real happiness and peace in my life I have ever felt, no matter the circumstances and situations that surround me.  Nothing compares to the happiness and peace Christ offers if we receive it.

All are invited to come and feel of it's goodness.

You can watch General Conference live or afterward online:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference

Some of the topics talked about in this morning's session:

• "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, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" -- Book of Mormon, Alma 5:26
  
• How to feel the Spirit, or Holy Ghost, more fully
  
• Being an example of Christ by the way we live
  
• Gain more knowledge -- of secular and spiritual things
  
• Obedience and submission to God
  
• The Temple should be the focal point in our lives
  
• Holy Ghost and acting on his promptings
  
• Little children do not need baptism
  
• Life after death
  
• Missionary service and efforts
  
• Christ's original organization of His church, the Great Apostasy, and the Restoration of Christ's original church
  
• Purpose of life
  
• "You have seen our missionaries, you may have ignored them, you should listen to them, they will help you"
  
• Spend time doing what matters most -- spending time with those we love, dedicating ourselves to God and His Gospel
  
• Find joy in the journey
  
• "Good intentions are not enough, we must do"
  
• Be more happy now -- We determine our happiness
  
• "Look less with your eyes and more with your heart"
  
• "I pray we will not wait until we are ready to die before we truly learn to live."

Watch and learn -- Your life will be blessed -- You will feel uplifted --
Christ speaks today, through His authorized servants.  This is who they are:
Jesus leads us through His Prophet

God is the Same - We Can Still Know

We are all trying to do the best we can in this life.  We are ever trying to understand God and how we can best follow Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world whom He has sent.

With so many opinions out there, it can be difficult to figure out what we should believe.  Some believe the notion that we as mere humans can't and won't ever know in this life exactly how God wants us to follow Him.

I believe with all my heart, might, mind, and strength that God DOES speak to His children on the earth (all of us) and that we CAN know what He wants us to do.

The Holy Ghost, or Spirit, is how we can know.  He is the third member of the Godhead.  It is His role to be a witness of truth.

"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." - Acts 5:32 

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth" - John 16:13 

"But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." - 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 

"...the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls." - Jacob 4:13

An ancient prophet named Moroni in approx. A.D. 421 declared that if we pray to God to know of truth, He will reveal that it is true by the power of the Holy Ghost:

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. 

"And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.

"And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost" 

(Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:4-7)

Another ancient prophet, Nephi, around 600 B.C. also testified of this:

"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round." 

(Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 10:19)

"For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do." 

(Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 32:5)

Interesting that he says that this principle, which was true in ancient times, will continue to apply and be true in times to come.  Today is included in that "times to come."  How fortunate are we that God is unchanging and continues to reveal truth to us, through His prophets and through the Holy Ghost, so we don't have to wander this life in confusion!

In a revelation given through a modern day prophet, Joseph Smith, in 1831 the Lord also affirmed:

"And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth: I the Lord am willing to make these things known unto all flesh... 

"...For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever." 

(Doctrine & Covenants 1:34, 39)

I also believe that God is the same today, yesterday, and forever, which is to say that He does not change.

• "But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." - Psalms 102:27
  
• "For I am the Lord, I change not" - Malachi 3:6
  
• "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." - Hebrews 13:8
  
• "For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him." - 1 Nephi 10:18
  
• "For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?" - Mormon 9:9
  
• "...for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever." - Moroni 10:7
  
• "And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men." - Moroni 10:19
  
• "Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old;
  "Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever." - Doctrine & Covenants 20:11-12
  
• "Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever." - Doctrine & Covenants 35:1
  
• "From eternity to eternity he is the same, and his years never fail." - Doctrine & Covenants 76:4
  
• "And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless?
  "And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands, but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease." - Moses 1:3-4

In a world where everything seems to be constantly changing, I am grateful that God has a hold on things.  I know that He will guide us to truth and will reveal His way to us through the Spirit if we truly want to know, will act on the answer He gives, and ask Him.  I'm grateful to know that He will always give us guidance if we seek it, be solid and stable and unchanging, and can provide safety and security and stability in our lives if we put our trust in Him.

Mormons Believe in Jesus Christ

Yes, it's true!  I believe the same Jesus Christ as you, the very Jesus Christ of the New Testament.  I believe He atoned for our sins and afflictions and died on the cross and rose the third day as a resurrected and glorified being.  He is the center of my testimony, my belief, my marriage, my actions, my life, my very being and existence.

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." -- 2 Nephi 25:26

He has not left us alone.  He has not left us to confusion or to fend for ourselves.  He has re-established the fullness of His gospel in these latter-days.  He speaks today through His chosen prophet.  President Thomas S. Monson is His mouthpiece for the world at this time today.

The whole purpose of His life was to save ours.  I am so full of gratitude for all He has done for all of us, and for me.  I could not be who I am without Him.  I would not know happiness without Him, or without the knowledge of the purpose of life.  He makes everything possible.  "Oh sweet, the joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!"

The Heavens are Not Closed

Henry B Eyring, President Thomas S Monson, Dieter  F Uchtdorf

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." - Amos 3:7

The Heavens are not closed, but are open!  God is available to each of us and directs His people through prophets in these latter days just as He always has in the past.  We are considered God's people when we choose to obey Him and follow His way.  Just as God has called prophets to lead His people in the days of Adam, Moses, John the Baptist, Nephi, Joseph Smith and others, He does so now.  He directs and speaks to His people on earth through His prophets.

"As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:" - Luke 1:70

A prophet:

-is a man called by God to be His representative on earth
-speaks for God, is His mouthpiece, and when he does it is as if God is speaking
-is a special witness of Christ and testifies of His divinity
-teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ
-teaches truth
-interprets the word of God
-calls the unrighteous to repentance
-receives revelations and directions from the Lord for our benefit
-may see into the future and foretell coming events so the world may be warned
-is always chosen by God
-is called through proper priesthood authority

"We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." - Articles of Faith 1:15

"Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion." - Doctrine and Covenants 132:8

There is a prophet living on the earth today.  He is the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This chosen prophet has the right to receive revelation for the entire Church, and is the only person on earth who can.  The Lord said, "There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred" (Doctrine and Covenants 132:7).  The prophet also holds the "keys of the kingdom" which means he has the authority to direct the entire Church and kingdom of God on earth, including the administration of priesthood ordinances.

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 16:19

Twice a year the Church has a General Conference where the prophet of God and the counselors of the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve, who are also prophets, seers, and revelators, and other general authorities of the Church speak to the entire membership of the Church worldwide to give counsel relevant to our lives today.  In addition to all Church members, all people of all ages all around the world are invited to watch and listen.

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." - Doctrine and Covenants 1:38

The Lord speaks through His prophets to His people.  It was this way in Bible times, it was this way in Book of Mormon times, and it is this way now.  I invite all who are willing to listen to the voice of the Lord through His prophet, Thomas S. Monson, His mouthpiece for the world at this time, to watch and listen to the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this coming weekend.  The messages given and music shared are inspiring and uplifting and help us feel the Holy Spirit and be directed by Him in our lives.  I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's mouthpiece for the earth today, and that he speaks for Him.  I know that as we listen to and follow the counsel he gives us we will be immensely blessed in our lives and we will know the way to true and lasting happiness.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Conference website

An invitation to "Come listen" this weekend - Mormon Messages

References:
mentioned scriptures
Gospel Principles manual Chapter 9

13 True Things About Mormons

1.  Mormons are Christians.

2.  We believe in and worship Jesus the Christ spoken of in the Holy Bible and that He is the Son of God.

3.  The name "Mormon" is a nickname because of our belief in the Book of Mormon as additional scripture.

4.  The name of the church Mormons belong to is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

5.  We absolutely believe the Bible to be true and the word of God, as long as it is translated correctly.

6.  We believe that the Book of Mormon is also the word of God and is additional scripture written by Christ's people in the Americas and is a second witness of Jesus that He is the Christ.

7.  Joseph Smith was the first prophet of God in this last dispensation, or these latter-days, or this time when the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will not ever again be taken away from the earth.

8.  God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith as he was praying in a grove of trees about which church he should join.  They instructed him to join none of them and told him that the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be restored through him.

9.  We revere and respect and look up to Joseph Smith because of everything he has done and endured for the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

10.  We make sacred covenants in holy temples, and we perform these ordinances by proxy for those who have died without receiving them -- and they then have the opportunity to accept them or decline.

11.  We believe life does not end at the grave but that because of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection we are able to be resurrected (spirit and body reunited in a perfected form) and to live eternally.

12.  We believe that Jesus Christ suffered and atoned for our sins and that because of this we have the ability to repent and to come closer to God and to be able to be granted into His presence after this life.

13.  We believe families can be together forever, but only by being sealed together by someone who has God's authority on earth (the priesthood) in His holy temples.

Learn more here.

Does God have time for me?

I hear this certain commercial on the radio every once in a while and it just kills me every time I hear it.  The girl is asking things like, "Doesn't God have more important things to worry about my life and my worries?"  I really wish people wouldn't think this way, but there are so many who do.  The thing that makes me the most sad is that if someone has to ask that question, they don't understand what the whole point of life is.  God is the Father of our spirits, and His work and glory is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  His whole purpose is to help us make it back to Him to live with him and our loved ones forever.  He isn't up in the sky somewhere making the tides roll in and the wind blow and just watching us live our lives for entertainment.  He is listening to us and trying to prod us in the right directions and answering our pleadings.  We are His first priority!  And He provided a Savior for us, His Only Begotten Son in the flesh, even Jesus Christ, to come to the earth and show us the way to be able to return to our Father in heaven, and He suffered on our behalf so we would be able to do so.  Because if He did not, we would have no way to repent and be washed clean of and turn away from our sins, and since no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God we would be cast out forever, for eternity.  But He DID suffer and die and was resurrected for US, so we could have a way to overcome the natural man or evil in us and become saints and be able to be permitted into God's presence after this life.

God hears our prayers.  And He answers them.  Most often He answers in ways we don't expect.  He knows us, and He loves us.  He has provided this beautiful and resourceful earth to live on.  He has created these magnificent bodies of flesh and blood for our spirits to be housed in while we live our earthly lives.  He wants us all to make ourselves worthy so we can return to live with Him after this life on earth.  He has provided the way -- Jesus Christ.  We have to give the only thing we have to give, since everything we have been given has been by the hand of God -- and that is our will.  He has given us the ability to choose; and to be the most happy and to gain the most blessings and to be closest to God, we must choose Him and live His way.

So, does God have time for you?  The answer is yes.  His hand is always extended to you; He is just waiting for you to reach back to Him. 

Learn more.

Immortality

I read earlier today that a scientist in the UK predicts that in about 20 years we will be able to make ourselves immortal.  He says that technology and our knowledge of the human body is accelerating at a rate that if it stays steady, we will be able to stop ageing and even reverse it.

I understand the desire for humans to live forever.  But I don't want to live forever in these conditions.  I want to die eventually, when I've finished everything I've come here to do and learn.  There is so much more, and better things waiting for us on the other side.  Death is a part of life.  And after death we will be resurrected (the reuniting of the body and spirit) and live in a much better way!  This wanting to live forever suspectedly comes from not understanding what happens after we die.  I'm grateful that I have that knowledge and that I don't have to wonder or be scared or nervous about it.  I know my purpose in life because I know my purpose after this life.  The ability that I have to be with God and my family forever through sealings (not just "'til death do us part") in God's holy temple brings me so much joy!  I know that we will live forever, and not only that but live forever in such great happiness and peace and joy if we do the things that are required of us by God.  There is a way, and Jesus Christ is that Way.  He has restored His church, the same as in the days when he walked the earth.  We don't have to live in confusion.  Our Heavenly Father (we are His spirit children!) is not a God of confusion, but clarity.  He has laid out for us what we should and need to do, and as long as we do those things we can achieve the highest degree of glory and happiness and live there with God and our families forever.  Because He died and was resurrected, Jesus Christ has opened the reality that we will all be resurrected also and have immortality - everyone who ever has come or will come to the earth.  But only those who obey His commandments (all of them, including the commandments He gives to us through His prophets in these modern days) will be granted everlasting life; salvation (a personal matter), and exaltation (a family matter).  We have so much potential!  His arms are ever extended to each of us.  I hope and pray that we will rise up to the call and take up our cross and follow Him, our Savior who has done so very much for us, to whom I am forever indebted and grateful.

Daughter of a King

Disney castle

Doesn't pretty much every little girl wish she was a princess and live in a castle with a handsome prince happily ever after?

Well I've got some news for you aspiring princesses out there --

You ARE a princess!

God is our King and our Heavenly Father, and we are His daughters, His princesses.  We have the opportunity to inherit all He has!  If we live faithful to the commandments our Savior Jesus Christ has given us to live by, and make and keep sacred covenants (or promises, or contracts with God) through sacred ordinances such as baptism by immersion into Christ's church, and receiving our endowment in the temple, and being sealed to our families for time AND eternity in the holy temple of God, we will be counted worthy before our Heavenly Father at the last day and we will be granted glorious blessings!  There are mansions awaiting us in our Heavenly Father's great kingdom where we can live for eternity in peace and joy with Him and the Savior and our families.

Salt Lake City temple

Such marvelous and wonderful blessings await us.  Heavenly Father has offered us so much.  But we must do our part.  Our "happily ever after" doesn't come all at once, and it doesn't happen by our own standards.  We must learn truth and stick to it, and live by it each day.  We must enter into the holy temple of God and make sacred covenants with Him, so we are better equipped to fight off the adversary in our lives and rise triumphant through our trials.  Though it doesn't end there.  It takes hard work every day to keep doing the right thing and to stay on the right, the straight and narrow, path.  But even though our Father in Heaven meant for us to be tried on the earth to test our faithfulness, He also had and has the intention of us to have joy!  Our "happily ever after" can being now.  And following the Savior and making covenants or promises with God that we will try to live up to our divine potential is how we can make that happen for ourselves.  Life is such a wonderful and beautiful thing!  This earth is so glorious and beautiful.  It was created for our benefit and also our enjoyment, that we might have joy!  We never would have been able to learn and know what joy feels like had we not come to earth to experience sorrow.  There must be an opposite in all things so we may know the difference between each and so we may know what joy and happiness is and feels like.

We have divine potential.  Potential to inherit mansions and glory and kingdoms.  Potential to live in happiness and joy throughout all eternity.  I am grateful for this knowledge I have of my divine potential and the purpose of this life on Earth.  I'm grateful for the Savior, Jesus Christ who has made it all possible.  I believe in Him, and I know He lives and visits the earth and leads His church on the earth today, which is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This happiness and joy and understanding we all seek for in life comes by obeying all of His commandments and making sacred covenants with Him.

You ARE a princess, a daughter of a King.  And you CAN live in a castle with your handsome prince,

happily ever after.

Learn more.