2018 Goals

In reflecting back on 2017 and thinking about some goals I've been trying to work on for a while, this year I want to simplify and focus on relationships!  Jesus taught that the most important commandment is to "love the Lord...with all [our] heart,... soul, and... mind" and then to "love [our] neighbour."  I know this and say it a lot, but this year I want to live it and prioritize it better.

I've been thinking about this the last few days and then when I heard of President Monson's passing early this morning, one of the first quotes I saw someone remember him by was from a 2008 talk where he said, "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."  He talked so much about love and lifting others, "Every day of our lives we are given opportunities to show love and kindness to those around us.... Love is expressed in many recognizable ways: a smile, a wave, a kind comment, a compliment. Other expressions may be more subtle, such as showing interest in another’s activities, teaching a principle with kindness and patience, visiting one who is ill or homebound. These words and actions and many others can communicate love. May we begin now, this very day, to express love to all of God’s children, whether they be our family members, our friends, mere acquaintances, or total strangers. As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way."  And even more than he talked about it, President Monson lived it, and blessed so many individually and all of us by his example.

I want this to be my focus this year - people, relationships, love, kindness, and the Spirit that will help to direct and lead to the best ways to serve and the people that need to be noticed.  It's easy to get caught up in schedules, do-to lists, goals, checklists (even if they have some good things on them), but I think for me some of these have become a distraction from what's most important.

When I say I want to focus on relationships, here are a few specific ways:

• Heavenly Father - Most importantly, I want to strengthen my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  I'm a pretty consistent pray-er in my heart.  I feel like many and most of my thoughts are drawn out to and directed towards Him - expressing gratitude here and there, asking for help and guidance, thinking about His tender mercies - but I know that I need to be more focused in more formal and faith-filled prayers and will make this my highest priority this year.

• Jesus Christ - Knowing the Savior better is related and important.  He is my Advocate with the Father and the perfect example for what I need to become to make it home to Heavenly Father.  I loved and learned a lot last year studying the Book of Mormon specifically looking for the Savior - his words, his names, his mission, and his character.  I hope to continue this study in the Old Testament and other scriptures this year. 

• Holy Ghost - We learn truth and are guided and comforted by the Holy Ghost.  I would like more of that in my life and hope to be more attuned to His direction and ready to act.

• Me - One part of my focus on relationships this year is about me, I hope not selfishly, but I'd like to better know and love myself, be true to myself, worry less about others' expectations, and give myself permission to be me. :)  I want to learn and work on cultivating some talents - music, photography, writing, reading, language, hiking, running, cooking - and of course include some travel time (maybe Australia/New Zealand, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Florida?). 

• Family - I want to be more thoughtful about meaningful time with my family members this year - grandmothers, parents, siblings (and their spouses), niece/nephews, and extended family.

• Friends - Friends add much to the joy of life and I'd like to deepen relationships this year.

• Strangers - I hope to always be aware of those around me and find ways to lift and help.  I hope to find ways to consistently serve.

I realize, even in thinking about and articulating these goals, that relationships are work.  It takes being proactive and selfless, vulnerable and open, thinking more about someone else, listening, giving, being thoughtful, but I know relationships are rewarding and the reason we're here - there are people to love!  I want to do better.  <3

Happy New Year!

Easter Thoughts

I love Easter and the hope and peace its message brings!

Joseph Smith taught, "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it."

We learn from the Bible Dictionary, "One of the most fundamental doctrines taught by the Twelve was that Jesus was risen from the tomb, with His glorified, resurrected body, as in Acts 1:21–22; 2:32; 3:15; 4:33. To obtain a resurrection with a celestial, exalted body is the center point of hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection of Jesus is the most glorious of all messages to mankind."

I love this and believe it!  This year I have had a few thoughts about Easter that have brought more peace and direction:

First and foremost, I love the Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He lives. Because He conquered death and sin He brings hope now and forever! We will be resurrected.  We will live again.  We can change. We can become like Him. That's why we're here on this earth. To learn of Him and walk in His ways. We need His help all along the way. He is there. We can walk with Him. I'm grateful for our Heavenly Father's love in sending Jesus to earth to live for us!

I had a thought about Mary Magdalene recently. Each of the gospel writers record the events of the Resurrection slightly differently, but we know that Mary was the first to see Him. What a special privilege. I started wondering what made that possible. Maybe He would have come to her first wherever she was, but I tend to think that she did some things that made her ready. She had come to the tomb with others and when they saw that it was empty the others left, but she stayed. Maybe she stayed because she was sad, maybe she wanted time alone to process and mourn, maybe she wanted to be close to Him or where he last was? Maybe? Maybe she felt like she should stay for some other reason? I don't know why she stayed, but I believe she was where she was supposed to be. She truly loved the Lord, that's all she could think about, she wanted to be with Him and so she was there when He came.  She was where she was supposed to be. And He came to her. Where should we be? Do we seek Him above everything else? Are we willing to wait? Are we open and vulnerable enough to express our love to Him? I was touched by a beautiful sign in the Mesa Arizona Temple that I visited for this first time this weekend. It was a simple, but powerful scripture from the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." I believe that's what the pure in heart would desire and work for and prepare for and focus on - above all else wanting to be with Him. 

I love the temples and feel like they are one of the greatest symbols of our Heavenly Father's love and  our Savior's triumph over the tomb. We visit temples to make covenants with God and to do work for our ancestors who died without the chance to make their own covenants.  In 1918, President Joseph Fielding Smith received a beautiful vision and understanding of the Spirit World (recorded in D&C 138) and how, during the time between His death and resurrection, the Savior organized His faithful followers in the Spirit World to preach the gospel and that leaves a lot of temple work for us to do.  This weekend I had the chance to spend a lot of time in the temple and I'm grateful for the peace and purpose and hope and direction I find there personally and for the promised blessings to each of our Heavenly Father's children offered there.  

"He is risen. Tell is out with joyful voice."  

"He lives, my one sure rock of faith, The one bright hope of men on earth"  

"What praises can we offer To thank thee, Lord most high?"  

"I believe in Christ; he is my King! With all my heart to him I'll sing;"

"He lives! All glory to His name!"  

"Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!"  

Good News #PrinceofPeace

There is a lot of news and information available today, so we have to choose what we'll listen to and believer and take in.  I think it's important to look for the good and not to get distracted or overwhelmed.  I'm grateful for the reminder that lasting and eternal peace comes from the Prince of Peace, our Savior, Jesus Christ!



A few other thoughts of peace and the Prince of Peace:

• John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
• D&C 19:23-24: "Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me. I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do his will."
• See also Alma 36:14-21 where Alma the Younger finds the joy and peace of Christ!
• Elder M. Russell Ballard taught, "Peace—real peace, whole-souled to the very core of your being—comes only in and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When that precious truth is discovered and gospel principles are understood and applied, great peace can distill in the hearts and souls of our Heavenly Father’s children. Said the Savior through Joseph Smith, “He who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23)."
• Elder Franklin D. Richards taught, "Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace (see Isa. 9:6), and his message is a message of peace to the individual and to the world. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan of life that will restore peace to the world, remove inner tensions and troubles, and bring happiness to the human soul. It is the greatest philosophy of life ever given to man. A mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to establish this peace and happiness in the hearts and homes of the people."

Rest

I walked into church today looking for REST!  Physically I was tired, probably emotionally and spiritually, too.  I was grateful to be there and knew there would be chances for uplift, but I was kind of hoping it could be one of those 'sit quietly in the back and just feel good' kind of days.  I was hoping I wouldn't have to participate much and wanted to hear, "You're doing great.  Thanks!"  Haha!  How's that for a Sunday attitude!?  ;)  I was prepared.  I had read some of the lessons and was very glad to be there, but wasn't feeling particularly enthusiastic.

It's not too far off to think that, though, right?  After all, we have this invitation from the Savior in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  He invites us to come to Him and find rest.  I've felt that rest and joy and peace before and I do think it's a reason we go to church, but for whatever reason, and probably for very good reason, every song and lesson was more of a call to action today:

Let Us All Press On
Let us all press on in the work of the Lord,
That when life is o'er we may gain a reward;
In the fight for right let us wield a sword,
The mighty sword of truth.
Fear not, courage, though the enemy deride;
We must be victorious, for the Lord is on our side.
We'll not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,
But the Lord, our Heav'nly Father, him alone we will obey.
We will not retreat, though our numbers may be few
When compared with the opposite host in view;
But an unseen pow'r will aid me and you
In the glorious cause of truth.If we do what's right we have no need to fear,
For the Lord, our helper, will ever be near;
In the days of trial his Saints he will cheer,
And prosper the cause of truth.

Hope of Israel
Hope of Israel, Zion's army, Children of the promised day,
See, the Chieftain signals onward, And the battle's in array!
Hope of Israel, rise in might With the sword of truth and right;
Sound the war-cry, "Watch and pray!" Vanquish ev'ry foe today.
See the foe in countless numbers, Marshaled in the ranks of sin.
Hope of Israel, on to battle; Now the vict'ry we must win!
Strike for Zion, down with error; Flash the sword above the foe!
Ev'ry stroke disarms a foeman; Ev'ry step we conq'ring go.
Soon the battle will be over; Ev'ry foe of truth be down.
Onward, onward, youth of Zion; Thy reward the victor's crown.

As Zion's Youth in Latter-days
As Zion's youth in latter days, We stand with valiant heart,
With promise shining in our eyes, Resolved to do our part.
Upon a noble past we build; The future fills our view.
We face the challenge of our day And pledge we will be true.
The truths and values we embrace Are mocked on ev'ry hand.
Yet as we listen and obey We know we can withstand
The evils that would weaken us, The sin that would destroy.
With faith, we hold the iron rod And find in this our joy.
Thru test and trial we'll have our fears, But we will not despair.
We're here to serve a righteous cause; Truth gives us strength to dare.
We'll love, and learn, and overcome; We'll sing a joyful song,
As Zion's youth in latter days, Triumphant, pure, and strong

The Restoration of the Priesthood

A Witness of God by Elder Neil L. Andersen

I sang loudly, I made comments in each of my classes, I participated, I talked to people along the way, I was filled, I found some rest, but mostly I was motivated to not stop, to keep going.  We need to go on.  There is important, urgent work we need to do.  We have been blessed with great truths and blessings and responsibilities and we are asked to share.  Others need us and we need them and the chance to learn and grow by forgetting ourselves and serving.  We shouldn't run faster than we have strength, but we should keep going.

Two other scriptures come to mind:

• Doctrine and Covenants 128:22, "Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing."

• Helaman 10:4-5, "Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.  And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever."

A couple of other thoughts about rest:

• Repentance brings rest (see Alma 12:34).
• We should labor diligently that others may find rest in Christ (see Jacob 1:7).

I'm grateful for these reminders and the help that He gives us when we desire rest and when we desire to serve Him.  He will give us the strength we need. 

"And His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful"

"Tell His name, sing His praise in all the world, Till all the world believes, Till every voice is lifted up to praise the Prince of Peace."

My heart is full of gratitude for Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, for His life, His love, and His gospel that brings peace and joy every day and will lead us back to Him!  I know that "the world will be healed by His power." #HisDay #mytestimony #Hehasmyheart #wardchoir #excitedforChristmas

Prayer

I have been thinking a lot lately about prayer and fasting.  I'm grateful for its power and the reminder today by our bishop to learn to pray effectively and fervently.  He told us to:

• Live righteously and don't block the connection to the Spirit in our lives with distractions.
• Pray morning, noon, and night.  Plan, make it a priority, have it be a continuous conversation.
• Pray simply and with gratitude and testimony.
• Ponder carefully what to pray for, prepare ahead of time, organize your thoughts, seek His will.  President Eyring taught: "I have had prayers answered. Those answers were most clear when what I wanted was silenced by an overpowering need to know what God wanted. It is then that the answer from a loving Heavenly Father can be spoken to the mind by the still, small voice and can be written on the heart."
• Pray boldly, out loud, fervently, wrestle, cry unto Him, ASK!  If we want specific answers we need to prepare and ask specific questions.
• Answers come in different ways - sometimes immediately as we ask, sometimes as we fast and pray for a long time, and sometimes the answer is no.  Sometimes the Lord expects us to make our own decision.  We should use the scriptures and our agency.
• Prayer brings us to our Heavenly Father.  What a wonderful blessing to be able to speak to Him!

Here are a few other talks I've enjoyed about prayer:

• Priesthood and Personal Prayer - Henry B. Eyring, April 2015
• Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority - Richard G. Scott, October 2014
• Where Is Thy Pavilion? - Henry B. Eyring, October 2012
• The Spirit of Revelation - David A. Bednar, April 2011
• Prayer and Promptings - Boyd K. Packer, October 2009 
• To Acquire Spiritual Guidance - Richard G. Scott, October 2009
• Lessons from the Lord’s Prayers - Russell M. Nelson, April 2009
• Pray Always - David A. Bednar, October 2008
• Ask in Faith - David A. Bednar, April 2008
• Personal Revelation:The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets - Robert D. Hales, October 2007
• Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer - Richard G. Scott, April 2007
• Sweet Power of Prayer - Russell M. Nelson, April 2003
• The Lifeline of Prayer - James E. Faust, April 2002
• Prayer - Henry B. Eyring, October 2001
• “Write Upon My Heart” - Henry B. Eyring, October 2000
• “Look to God and Live” - Jeffrey R. Holland, October 1993
• The Language of Prayer - Dallin H. Oaks, April 1993
• The Power of Prayer - Thomas S. Monson, April 1991
• Learning to Recognize Answers to Prayers - Richard G. Scott, October 1989
• Patterns of Prayer - Bruce R. McConkie, April 1984
• "Our Father Which Art in Heaven" - L. Tom Perry, October 1983
• The Power of Family Prayer - John H. Groberg, April 1982
• Prayers and Answers - Boyd K. Packer, October 1979
• “We Need a Listening Ear” - Spencer W. Kimball, October 1979
• The Prayer of Faith - Thomas S. Monson, April 1978
• “Hallowed Be Thy Name” - Howard W. Hunter, October 1977
• Prayer - Ezra Taft Benson, April 1977
• The Importance of Prayer - N. Eldon Tanner, April 1974
• The Importance of Prayer - Franklin D. Richards, April 1972

FOMO

Recently I realized that I have a real fear of missing out.  ;)  We probably all have something we don't want to miss.  For me, I have a crazy addiction with the beautiful fall leaves!!!!  Have you seen them?????!!!!!  If not, YOU'VE MISSED OUT!!  :)

I love this time of year, but I don't want to miss one leaf!  ;)  Nights that I'm tied up doing something else and I don't get home before dark I wonder if I'll ever have a chance to see them before they're gone.  This is very real and makes me anxious.  (If you can't tell, the mountains and fall leaves are my happy place, but I know they are temporary.)

The beauty begins in the mountains and then comes to the city.  There are many great places to see them, but so little time.  They disappear at some point and winter comes.  I've found myself very intentionally trying to plan my weeks to maximize my time in the mountains recently....and then wandering home from work the long way to catch all the trees.

Thinking about the leaves and identifying my anxiety with missing them has helped me realize that there are other things that I worry about missing:

• Missing an opportunity....for work, service, relationships....
• Not accomplishing my life's mission, what I was sent here to do (have I already missed it?)
• Eternal life, being with God again....I want to and will do anything I can to get there, but have I missed something?  Will I miss being there?  This is one I really don't want to miss, but how can I be sure that I'll be there?

I realize that many of these "fears" exist because I either get impatient, overwhelmed, or lose faith and focus on the Lord.  I think that FOMO can distract and paralyze us, if we're not careful (regardless of what it is that we're afraid of missing).

I try to squeeze a lot into my days and life.  I think we need to be proactive, use our time well, fill it would good things, but I'm realizing more and more the importance of.... Don't compare.  Don't worry.  Be you.  "Be still and know that [He is] God" (see Psalms 46 and D&C 101).  Be content.  Be happy.  Be patient.  Do good.   Be present.  Choose.  Let go.  Go forward.  Live each day with the Spirit to guide.  Seek to do His will and you'll find happiness and contentment each time!

All of these things I've learned and thought about have made me even more grateful for the leaves :) and the seasons in life, and the beauty our Father has created for us!

We Are All Enlisted

Today was a "we are all enlisted" kind of day.  I'm not a soldier or anything close to it, but felt an urgent, hopeful, purposeful call to action today.  It was quiet, but direct....and I'm grateful.

We are all enlisted till the conflict is o'er; Happy are we! Happy are we!
Soldiers in the army, there's a bright crown in store; We shall win and wear it by and by.
Haste to the battle, quick to the field; Truth is our helmet, buckler, and shield.
Stand by our colors; proudly they wave! We're joyfully, joyfully marching to our home.
We are all enlisted till the conflict is o'er; Happy are we! Happy are we!
Soldiers in the army, there's a bright crown in store; We shall win and wear it by and by.

Hark! the sound of battle sounding loudly and clear; Come join the ranks! Come join the ranks!
We are waiting now for soldiers; who'll volunteer? Rally round the standard of the cross.
Hark! 'tis our Captain calls you today; Lose not a moment, make no delay!
Fight for our Savior; come, come away! We're joyfully, joyfully marching to our home.

Fighting for a kingdom, and the world is our foe; Happy are we! Happy are we!
Glad to join the army, we will sing as we go; We shall gain the vict'ry by and by.
Dangers may gather--why should we fear? Jesus, our Leader, ever is near.
He will protect us, comfort, and cheer. We're joyfully, joyfully marching to our home.

In a world that is more and more confused each day it is so good to know Who we follow and why we do, and why we're even here to begin with.  ;)  This call to battle is not a physical thing, but spiritual and even more important.  It can be easy to be distracted, even by good things, but I'm grateful for the clarity and peace and purpose I found in these words today.

Mosiah 2:41, "Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

Alma 42:15, "And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also."

3 Nephi 11:15, "And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come."

We are or can be the "Hope of Israel":

Hope of Israel, Zion's army, Children of the promised day,
See, the Chieftain signals onward, And the battle's in array!
Hope of Israel, rise in might With the sword of truth and right;
Sound the war-cry, "Watch and pray!" Vanquish ev'ry foe today.

See the foe in countless numbers, Marshaled in the ranks of sin.
Hope of Israel, on to battle; Now the vict'ry we must win!

Hope of Israel, rise in might With the sword of truth and right;
Sound the war-cry, "Watch and pray!" Vanquish ev'ry foe today.

Strike for Zion, down with error; Flash the sword above the foe!
Ev'ry stroke disarms a foeman; Ev'ry step we conq'ring go.
Hope of Israel, rise in might With the sword of truth and right;
Sound the war-cry, "Watch and pray!" Vanquish ev'ry foe today.

Soon the battle will be over; Ev'ry foe of truth be down.
Onward, onward, youth of Zion; Thy reward the victor's crown.

Hope of Israel, rise in might With the sword of truth and right;
Sound the war-cry, "Watch and pray!" Vanquish ev'ry foe today.

I left church today wanting to spend all my time studying and learning the gospel better, but also wanting to spend all my time doing all the missionary work I could and finding all those that are searching for hope, as well as really wanting to learn how to do my family history research and....it can be overwhelming to think about all that there is to do, but it's also so exciting and helpful to know and have a purpose.  I need to work on my specific focus so that I actually do something, but I'm grateful for the inspiration and the HOPE!!!  We can't do everything, but we can do something...and we must do something.  Today.  :)  ....because God lives, we have a Savior, there is a Plan!  He wants us to be happy, to succeed, to come back to Him....and there is work to do.

Hope

I shared some similar thoughts (more eloquently) a year ago, but tonight I was again filled with HOPE while listening to the same music about the Savior and His life and love.  Hope did not die when He was killed, but that's where it was ultimately and eternally given to each of us.  

I have always loved the LDS Bible Dictionary's explanation of Resurrection, particularly this ending:
"To obtain a resurrection with a celestial, exalted body is the center point of hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection of Jesus is the most glorious of all messages to mankind."  I was reminded of these words while listening to the cymbals crash with great joy!....and listening to the words of John 11:25-26 in the beautiful song, I Am the Resurrection:

I am the Resurrection and the Life.He that believeth in me, though he were dead,Yet shall he live.And whosever liveth and believeth in me shall never die!

These words particularly touched me and helped me realize that if we believe in Him and rely on Him and trust in Him we truly will NEVER die spiritually ever!!  He is hope.  He is life!!

But for those moments when we wonder how it's going to work out, Thomas sings.....

Sometime We'll Understand

Not now, but in coming years,
It may not be when we demand
We'll read the meaning of our tears,
And there, sometime, we'll understand

Why what we long for most of all
Eludes our open pleading hand
Why ever silence meets our call,
Somewhere, sometime, we'll understand
So trust in God through all thy days
Fear not, for he doth hold thy hand;
Though dark thy way, still sing and praise,
Sometime, sometime we'll understand.

Sometime, we'll fall on bended knee
And feel there, graven on his hand
Sometime with tear-less eyes we'll see
What here, we could not understand
So trust in God through all the days;
Fear not, for he doth hold thy hand;
Though dark thy way, still sing and praise,
Sometime, sometime we'll understand

Rejoice in Christ!

With lots of crazy things going on in the world and with the simple distractions of life, I am grateful today more than ever for the reminder in Sunday School to REJOICE in Christ!!

I love Nephi's explanation as to why he shares so many of the words of Isaiah....2 Nephi 11:
"Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.
"And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.
"And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.
"For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.
"And now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men. Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all men."

.....after many wonderful insights and Messianic prophecies of Isaiah (that I need to study and understand better) we come back to Nephi and his plainness and clarity and this verse:
2 Nephi 25:26, "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."

I am grateful for Jesus Christ and the hope and peace and meaning that His life brings to my life!

On a related note, one very important way we come to know and rejoice in Christ is through the scriptures (as Nephi taught by example).  I was inspired by a discussion about improving scripture study today:

President Packer taught, "Make scripture reading a part of your regular routine, and the blessings will follow. There is in the scriptures a voice of warning, but there is also great nourishment." How have the scriptures nourished you?

President Benson said, “I am convinced that each of us, at least some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves—and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again." How do you rediscover the scriptures?

Ten ways to improve our scripture study:

1. Look for Jesus Christ.
2. Look for inspiring words and phrases.
3. Look for gospel truths.
4. Listen to the Spirit.
5. Liken scriptures to ourselves.
6. Ask questions as you study.
7. Use scripture study helps.
8. Record your thoughts and feelings.
9. Study words of the latter-day prophets.
10. Share your insights.

President Monson taught, "As we read and ponder the scriptures, we will experience the sweet whisperings of the Spirit to our souls. We can find answers to our questions. We learn of the blessings which come through keeping God’s commandments. We gain a sure testimony of our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of Their love for us."

Like Him

I have been inspired recently by a simple, but profound and important principle that has made me think a lot about what it means to really be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

At our stake conference recently we were reminded very sweetly, but with some urgency:

    "But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
    "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." (Moroni 7:47-48)

Of all the good things we could be doing or focusing on, we must simply remember that all that really matters is that we are becoming more like Him, our Savior Jesus Christ.  We should honestly ask ourselves, "Am I like Him?"  We can ask as we serve in our callings, "How will this draw us to Him and make us like Him?"  We should pray, "How can I be more like Thy Son?"  And then listen and follow.  He will teach us and purify us and make us holy, make us one.

We are taught in John 17:3: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."  We may ask how can we know Him.  It is through the Holy Ghost.  We should do what leads to the Spirit in our lives and then do what the Spirit leads us to do.  Relatedly, we are promised the Spirit in our lives ALWAYS as we worthily partake of the sacrament.  What a blessing each week that we can participate in this sacred and holy ordinance - it is not common, but a wonder!  The Savior sustains, lifts, delivers us, makes us completely clean and new, and promises His Spirit as we repent and promise to remember Him.  Sacrament meeting is memorial service for Jesus.  He invites us to come!

A few other tidbits from stake conference that I think were very instructive:
* The Savior can fix anything!  We need not worry, but come to Him!
* Abide with me; 'tis eventide:  "O Savior, stay this night with me; Behold, 'tis eventide."
* President Howard W. Hunter said, "If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong."
* Mosiah 25:10:  "When they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of the hands of the Lamanites and of bondage, they did raise their voices and give thanks to God."
* Abraham 3:17:  "There is nothing that the Lord thy God shall take in his heart to do but what he will do it."
* Stay with Him.  Go no more out!  Watch with Him one hour.  Don't be offended.  Don't be weary.  Be a "follower of righteousness" (see Abraham 1:2).  Pray always.  Surround ourselves with goodness, so that there's no room for monsters under the bed.  ;)  Seek Jesus (see Ether 12:41).
* Go to the temple.  "Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest." (D&C 84:20)


I also just finished ready a really great book - In His Steps by Charles M.Sheldon (apparently there is also a movie).  In this book a community church decides for a year to live by their answer to the question "What would Jesus do?" in everything that they do.  This commitment changes individual lives and the community.  People get outside themselves and their comfort zones and focus on loving and serving and living like Jesus would in their position.  It is a powerful example of putting beliefs into action, and it is a different application for each one, but a great reminder to ask and to DO it!  <3


While thinking about this topic I also came across a talk given by President Ezra Taft Benson at BYU in March 1979 called "In His Steps."  He encourages us to grow as Jesus did and "increase in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."  President Benson teaches:

"God can reveal to you your talents and your strengths so that you will know upon what you can build. Be assured that in all your righteous endeavors you can say, as Paul said in Philippians, chapter 4, verse 13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” 

We follow a perfect leader—not just one who tells us to do what he thinks we should do, but the only one who can say that we should be as He is in everything. In the Book of Mormon, in 3 Nephi, chapter 27, verse 27, the Lord asked the question, “What manner of men ought ye to be?” And then He answered by saying, “Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”

There is a lot to do, but it's wonderful to be reminded of our purpose and path....to be like Him!

May Christ Lift Thee Up

"My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever." - Moroni 9:25

I love the Book of Mormon!  I know it's the word of God - an important record of ancient prophets written for our day that brings us to Christ!  As I finished reading it again today in a special place I was reminded of this verse.  I love Mormon and Moroni and their examples of faithful service, commitment, and goodness during a time of great wickedness....even when they were alone they focused on what was most important and found HOPE in Christ!  What a necessary example for us today and just the reminder I needed in my life!

It seems somewhat related to this article I read recently - Faith as a mustard seed

Also very related and connected - I love the temple!  It is full of so much peace and clarity and light and truth and blessings and joy and perspective!  I found that again tonight and I'm grateful!  It's good to make the effort to go (even and maybe especially on a cold, snowy night)!  I was also reminded of what a beautiful pattern the temple is for our lives and homes.  It's clean and uncluttered, it's simple, it's beautiful!  There is light and peace.  I think some of this comes from the fact that there are no distractions - the only thing you will find really to pick up or look at are scriptures!  And I don't think there's much else that you need.  ;)  It made me think about my home and how I organize it and make it beautiful and create it as a space to focus on what's most important - a comfortable place to read the scriptures and have my mind opened up to the blessings of heaven!  In the temple it really feels like we can be uncovered from any barriers and the blessings and direction come right down to us!

Just after learning and thinking about these things, someone at Church shared Alma 8:14-15 which gives similar hope:  "And it came to pass that while [Alma] was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto him, saying:
"Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you."

Christ lifts us up!  He sends angels and blessings and comfort and direction and peace....even when we are weighed down with trials and sorrow, and especially when we are working to serve Him and His children.  He is there watching over us.  "With blessings unmeasured my cup runneth o'er." (See "The Lord is My Shepherd")

Guide Me to Thee

The lyrics of this song have been coming to my mind over and over the past few weeks.  I think they are instructive, but also particularly pertinent and important today:

Guide Me to Thee
Jesus, my Savior true, Guide me to thee.
Help me thy will to do. Guide me to thee.
E'en in the darkest night, As in the morning bright,
Be thou my beacon light. Guide me to thee.

Through this dark world of strife, Guide me to thee.
Teach me a better life. Guide me to thee.
Let thy redeeming pow'r Be with me ev'ry hour.
Be thou my safety tow'r. Guide me to thee.

When strife and sin arise, Guide me to thee.
When tears bedim my eyes, Guide me to thee.
When hopes are crushed and dead, When earthly joys are fled,
Thy glory round me shed. Guide me to thee.

When silent death draws near, Guide me to thee.
Calm thou my trembling fear. Guide me to thee.
Let me thy mercy prove. Let thy enduring love
Guide me to heav'n above. Guide me to thee.


The world follows a different path and priorities, but I know we will be happy as we follow Him!!  I loved a thought brought up by our Sunday School teacher today while we were discussing Timothy and Titus and how to finish our course with faith.  She mentioned 1 Timothy 1:6, "some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;"  What a phrase - "vain jangling"!!  ;)  It paints a picture in my mind and turns me back to the words of this song and prayer - "Guide me to Thee"!!

I'm also reminded of a quote I read recently by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin.  He shares an example from the life of President Heber J. Grant:  "A few weeks before President Heber J. Grant passed away, one of the Brethren went to visit him in his home. Before the man left, President Grant prayed, “O God, bless me that I shall not lose my testimony and keep faithful to the end!” Can you imagine President Grant, one of the great prophets of the Restoration, the President of the Church for nearly 27 years, praying that he would keep faithful to the end?  No one is immune from Satan’s influence and temptations. Do not be so proud to think that you are beyond the adversary’s influence. Be watchful that you do not fall prey to his deceptions. Stay close to the Lord through daily scripture study and daily prayer. We cannot afford to sit back and take our salvation for granted. We must be anxiously engaged our whole lives."

Must Go THROUGH!

I remember hearing a song when I was growing up about something being too high that you can't go over it, too low that you can't go under it, too wide that you can't go around it, so you have to go right through!  I don't think I understood the song at the time, but I have been thinking about this concept A LOT lately.

It seems like every other article, blog, scripture, and talk I've read lately says something about the importance and necessity of going THROUGH something.  Each of these experiences is for our learning and progress and ultimate happiness, but they are often the very things that we pray away and just want to be over!

Someone pointed out this blog post.  I love this child's question and the discussion that follows and what it got me thinking about - Why didn't the angel just take him out?

While preparing a Sunday School lesson about agency I was searching through some of Elder Bednar's talks about acting and not being acted upon.  I came upon a few great thoughts:

Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease (April 2014)

The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality (April 2012)
"Nephi is an example of one who knew, understood, and relied upon the enabling power of the Savior. Recall that the sons of Lehi had returned to Jerusalem to enlist Ishmael and his household in their cause. Laman and others in the party traveling with Nephi from Jerusalem back to the wilderness rebelled, and Nephi exhorted his brethren to have faith in the Lord. It was at this point in their journey that Nephi’s brothers bound him with cords and planned his destruction. Please note Nephi’s prayer: “O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bandswith which I am bound” (1 Nephi 7:17; emphasis added).

Do you know what I likely would have prayed for if I had been tied up by my brothers? “Please get me out of this mess NOW!” It is especially interesting to me that Nephi did not pray to have his circumstances changed. Rather, he prayed for the strength to change his circumstances. And I believe he prayed in this manner precisely because he knew, understood, and had experienced the enabling power of the Atonement.

I do not think the bands with which Nephi was bound just magically fell from his hands and wrists. Rather, I suspect he was blessed with both persistence and personal strength beyond his natural capacity, that he then “in the strength of the Lord” (Mosiah 9:17) worked and twisted and tugged on the cords, and ultimately and literally was enabled to break the bands.

The implication of this episode for each of us is straightforward. As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:14)."

Then Elder Bednar discusses Mosiah 24:14-15 and Alma's experience when his people are being persecuted by Amulon.

"What was changed in this episode? It was not the burden that changed; the challenges and difficulties of persecution were not immediately removed from the people. But Alma and his followers were strengthened, and their increased capacity and strength made the burdens they bore lighter. These good people were empowered through the Atonement to act as agents and impact their circumstances. And “in the strength of the Lord” Alma and his people were then directed to safety in the land of Zarahemla."

In the Strength of the Lord (October 2001)

These thoughts remind me that life is all about what we're becoming.  If life were easy and happy all the time we wouldn't grow.  This ties right into the another Sunday School lesson (The Fall of Adam and Eve and the need for opposition).  I also love this quote President Faust shared in October 2004:  "Dr. Arthur Wentworth Hewitt suggested some reasons why the good suffer as well as the wicked: “First: I don’t know. Second: We may not be as innocent as we think. Third: … I believe it is because He loves us so much more than He loves our happiness. How so? Well, if on a basis of strict personal return here and now, all the good were always happy and all the bad suffered disaster (instead of often quite the reverse), this would be the most subtle damnation of character imaginable.”"

Relatedly, Brigham Young taught, "Instead of searching after what the Lord is going to do for us, let us inquire what we can do for ourselves." 

And Elder L. Tom Perry said, "I have sometimes wondered what would have happened if Nephi has asked the Lord for tools instead of a place to find ore to make the tools. I doubt the Lord would have honored Nephi's request. You see, the Lord knew that Nephi could make tools, and it is seldom that the Lord will do something for us that we can do for ourselves."

So, life is kind of all about "going through."  That's where we'll grow and learn what we can and need to become and that is why we're here - to become something more.  Neat!

Truths Worth Knowing

I am grateful for the life and example of President Boyd K. Packer.  He truly was a Watchman on the Tower.  There are many things I learned from him, his example, and his teachings.  He was clear, bold, true, and steady.  I'm grateful for his words and witness of Jesus Christ.  A few of his talks that I love include:

• Truths Most Worth Knowing - November 2011
• The Twelve - April 2008
• The Touch of the Master's Hand - April 2001
• Reverence Invites Revelation - April 1991
• The Library of the Lord - April 1990
• The Mediator - April 1977
• Spiritual Crocodiles - April 1976

As President Monson said, President Packer was a diligent, devoted disciple of Christ.  I will miss the steadiness and goodness he brought to the world, but I will always remember his love for the Lord, his family, and for doing what's right.  I loved this article about his sacred grove and will always remember his family walking in and out of his funeral.  What a beautiful legacy and reminder of what's most important!  They truly are a testament to him and his life!  What an inspiration!

Satan is bound by faithful disciples of Christ

Have I mentioned that I love teaching Gospel Principles?  I don't think there is a better calling in the Church!  :)  This week I loved learning and studying and thinking about the Millennium.  While preparing I was inspired to think again about a song that I love - Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise.  I have always thought of it as a missionary song (and I still think of a Polish friend from years ago that loved to highlight the line about spreading the news from Pole to Pole) :) but this week it taught me much about the Millennium and that's actually exactly what it's about!!



This song was written by Edward Partridge and included in the original hymnbook with a few extra verses.  I love the scripture referenced in this song in Moses where Enoch is given a vision of this glorious time of gathering and peace and righteousness - Moses 7:62-65.

But, my biggest take away from this lesson was found in 1 Nephi 22:26 where Nephi teaches us, "And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth."

I LOVE THIS and I believe it is a call to action TODAY and NOW!  :)  <3

“How, then, will Satan be bound during the Millennium?” asked Elder Bruce R. McConkie. “It will be by the righteousness of the people. … It is not that men cannot sin, for the power is in them to do so—they have their agency—but it is that they do not sin because Satan is subject to them, and they are not enticed by his evil whisperings.”

What are we doing today to prepare for the Millennium?  Are we working to bind Satan in our own lives?  Are we being faithful disciples of Christ who have "no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (see Mosiah 5:2)?  That is peace and that's the plan!

Baptism

I am grateful for the opportunity I had to attend a really sweet baptism this morning.  I need to attend these more often!  Everyone needs to feel and know the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ!  There is a special spirit of peace, purity, and joy at every single one and it gives everyone there a chance to pause and think about covenants, what's really important, and what we can do to live closer to the Lord.

I had this song stuck in my head the rest of the day - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.  It wasn't sung or played today, but it always comes to my mind quickly after a baptism, ever since I memorized it as a little girl to sing with my sister.  I love it!  I'm grateful for the truths it teaches.  It points to one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 31 - that beautifully teaches the doctrine of Christ:  faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

I also love these songs....

• Baptism
• Come, Follow Me
• If the Savior Stood Beside Me
• I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

....and am inspired to strive to live closer to the Lord, His gospel, His Spirit, and my baptismal covenants.

Now, What...?!

May and June were busy.  I had trips to look forward to and goals and new adventures to accomplish.  I was a little overwhelmed and focused on surviving those, so once they were over it was nice to have a little relief and time to reflect, but soon (within about a day) I found myself asking what's next?!  :)  Thinking about what's next I realize how important it is to have goals, to have a purpose and to focus on moving forward.  Without goals for progress we hit a plateau, get comfortable, and maybe even a little bit lazy (at least I do).

At the same time as I'm sitting here thinking about what to do now....I've come across a few ideas in some books I've been reading and in talking to some friends and family that have been insightful about the topic of "now, what?!"  One thought is from a book called More Holiness Give Me.  The author shares the story of a faithful couple, active in the church, raising a righteous family and doing their best to live the commandments. They wonder, "Is this it? Is this all there is? Is this what we prepared all our lives for? Where do we go from here (p. 2)?" I think this is an interesting question that many of us get to at different points in our life, usually when we're on some kind of plateau, but we must see and remember the end goal to become like and return to God. There is much to learn and more progress to be made in coming to know Him.  In another quote from the book:  "Like the brother of Jared we too often fail to 'cry unto the Lord' in the sense of seeking his mind and will, striving to find new ways to accomplish his purposes, and going to work to achieve his ends.  We get comfortable.  We get content.  We even get lazy.  We pause on life's plateau's too long.  We lose our spiritual momentum and eventually our interest in climbing higher (p. 34)."

Another thought is from a great book called Strengthening Our Families, which includes this great tidbit:  "Many forms of wholesome recreation, require thoughtful planning, creativity, and effort--they are intentional, deliberate activities....To Aristotle, the crowning virtue of the good life is leisure. But leisure does not refer to idleness or napping; it refers to activities by which human beings learn and acquire intellectual virtues. The intellectual virtues, such as art, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, are the highest virtues of the good life. For Aristotle, thinking or using our minds is a distinctly human activity and the ultimate purpose of leisure (p. 194)."  So, I need to find a passion, be creative, set another goal to learn something and progress....some of the first things on the list - a Spanish class, family history, a half marathon, and maybe a trip somewhere new.  :)

One thing I learned as a part of my most recent adventures is the importance of enjoying the journey and forgetting yourself.  Looking back on recent experiences I wish I had been less worried about myself and more focused on learning and loving and experiencing the people around me and the moment and being open to how to help and support those around me.  I think I did do this to a certain extent, but in the future I'd like to try to stress less, enjoy the preparations, and help others, in order to enjoy the journey....basically forget yourself!

On a related note(s)....

I was inspired by our lesson in Relief Society today (you'll notice I'm in the habit of posting things a bit behind schedule).  The sister teaching shared the sweet story of how she grew up gardening with her mother and she looked forward to the day when she'd have her own house and could build her own garden.  Her life hasn't progressed the same way she expected and since she doesn't have her own home yet she'd been putting off starting her garden.  She was waiting for something....waiting for a house in order to move on.  Finally, after realizing she'd been living in the same apartment for four years and she had a little bit of garden space she decided she should go ahead and plant something, start a small garden with the area that she had.  Because she had neglected this little spot of ground for the past several years many weeds had grown in.  It took her the whole year just to clear the weeds and she didn't have time left to plant anything that year.  Although she was a little bit discouraged that she hadn't had time to plant, she was glad she had at least made progress and gotten rid of the weeds.  She would have to wait one more year to start her garden.  Then, a beautiful thing happened.  As spring came the next year a full box of tulips came up.  They had been there all along, but the weeds had crowded them out.  She just needed to clear the weeds and the flowers were always there for her.  This story brought tears to my eyes as she shared this blessing in her life.  I feel like this often.  Waiting.  Overwhelmed.  Discouraged.  Wondering.  But then if we get out there and work a little bit, move forward, pull the weeds, make something happen....the flowers come!  :)

Elder Oaks attended our ward today, too.  He shared his testimony at the end of the meeting and said something about how old people talk about and look to the past because they have no future, young people look to the future because they don't have an experienced past yet, but he said that we were somewhere in the middle and have both, which to me means that we should be doing something meaningful now.  We have some experience and lots to look forward to.  He also said that with many decisions to make we need to stay close to the gospel.

And here's another sweet reminder, Fear Not, Little Flock, from President Howard W. Hunter in 1989.

So, all of this is saying (I think) press forward, saints!  :)

The Deliverer

I was inspired by a wonderful, timely, meaningful, and most important of Sunday School lessons this week.  The story of God delivering the children of Israel from Egypt is epic.  So epic in fact I think it's easy to miss the main point and incredible applicability to our lives today.

The Israelites, the Lord's chosen people, had been in bondage to the Egyptians for many years.  They may have wondered if the Lord had forgotten them and His promises to them through Abraham.  The Lord tells Moses He has not forgotten His children.  He has seen their afflictions and heard their cries and He will come to deliver them (see Exodus 3:7-8).  He tells him he will go into Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt.  Moses wonders how he will do this - he doesn't seem to understand at first that it's the Lord that will do this.  He is the Deliverer.  He will be with Moses.  He will save His people.  Moses still worries about His weaknesses, but the Lord again promises and reassures him that He will be his mouth and teach him what he should say and do (see Exodus 4:10-15).

After many trials and plagues the Israelites are delivered out of the hands of Pharaoh and the Egyptians after the Passover when each of the firstborn of the Egyptians die and the Israelites are saved by the blood of the lamb painted on their doorposts.  What a significant memorial and symbol of the Son of God, the Deliverer, and Savior.  They are instructed on how to precisely prepare for and then always remember this feast and how the Lord saved them.  The destroying angel passed by each of them because of the blood of the lamb that was prepared (see Exodus 12 and 13:2-3).

He is the Deliverer, the great and last sacrifice, the Way, the Truth, the Light, the Bread of Life.  We remember Him and the blessing of the Passover every Sunday as we partake of the sacrament that was instituted by the Him at the Last Supper (see Matthew 26:26-28).

Elder Holland taught, "Do we see [the sacrament] as our passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption?  With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is.  It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment.  It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions."

I sit here on Passover and contemplate how the Lord has saved, remembered, rescued, and passed over me....and I am grateful.  #BecauseofHim....the grave has no victory, we can start again and again, no goodbye will last forever, we are free, we have hope and can change and press on in our journey towards the promised land.

We will still have trials.  As soon as the Israelites were delivered from the Egyptians they came to the Red Sea and even after being miraculously saved as they crossed on dry ground they wandered in the wilderness for forty years.  The Lord remembered them and sustained them and led them.  He continued to deliver them and he will deliver and lead and direct us, especially as we recognize and seek for His hand in our lives!

Women

I have been inspired over the past several weeks thinking about the important role of women.  I know that I am (and each woman on the earth is) a beloved spirit daughter of God, with a divine nature and destiny.  Gender is an essential characteristic of our eternal identity (see The Family: A Proclamation to the World).  Men and women are different, but complement each other and as we work together, especially in families.  We can grow and help each other progress and gain our ultimate goal of eternal life.  The eternal perspective helps us understand our roles a little bit better, but even here and now it is good to understand that we need each other and that we have unique roles for a purpose.

In her October 2013 talk, Do We Know What We Have?, Sister Carole M. Stephens taught, "Sons of God need daughters of God, and daughters of God need sons of God."  As daughters of God we have a unique capacity and innate ability to love and nurture, to seek out and help those in need, to serve and to bless, to teach and encourage, and to help save His children.  We can be a powerful influence (regardless of our circumstances) in strengthening families and homes.  We can increase our faith and personal righteousness and teach others to do the same.  As we remember our true noble identity as beloved spirit daughters of God and counsel together in families and as leaders we truly can bless other individuals, our communities, and the world.

In 1842, after organizing the Relief Society, Joseph Smith taught, "You are now placed in a situation where you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms.  If you live up to these principles how great and glorious!--if you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates....If you will be pure, nothing can hinder (See Daughters in My Kingdom)."  What a beautiful blessing and promise and responsibility!

Some confuse and misunderstand equality.  We can't lose sight of who we are - "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love Him" (see the Young Women's Theme and Relief Society Declaration).  This idea was repeated over and over again in the beautiful testimonies and teachings of our leaders at tonight's General Women's Meeting.

Much has been said and discussed recently about women and their roles and worth in society.....and also as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I recently read an article in the New York Times, Missions Signal a Growing Role for Mormon Women.  I felt like the tone and main focus of the article weren't quite accurate and since I fall into both categories of women they were interviewing and trying to represent (women who served LDS missions in South Korea and single LDS women in their 30's) I wanted to share my thoughts.

In October 2012, the age at which missionaries could serve was lowered to 18-years for men and 19-years for women.  This is a wonderful opportunity.  The Lord needs more missionaries now to help hasten His work of salvation to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all the world.  That's what the focus of this article should have been - hastening the work!  As long as I can remember, or as far as I have understood, women have led, taught, served, been respected, been loved, and been given important responsibilities and opportunities to build the kingdom.  Sisters have been serving as full-time missionaries since 1898 (see The First Sister Missionaries and History of Missionary Work in the Church) and performing roles as missionaries since the very early days of the Church (see Women with a Mission).

I loved being a full-time missionary (over ten years ago) and serving in South Korea provided an especially unique opportunity for sister missionaries.  Even back then there were more sisters than in many other countries and areas because, as a part of their culture, Korean women would only listen to other women.  We often had opportunities to get into homes that elders couldn't.  We worked together to help families come to Christ and it was wonderful!  One of the greatest blessings of my life since my mission was teaching and preparing missionaries (elders and sisters) getting ready to serve in Korea.  I don't know of a more meaningful way to make a difference and have an influence than to teach.  But, you don't have to be a full-time missionary to teach and lead.  I have been blessed by the influence and example and leadership of many wonderful people in my life.  I have had opportunities (as a single sister) to sit in council meetings with other leaders and discuss together how to serve and bless the lives of those in our area.  I've felt listened to and heard, particularly by priesthood leaders.  Being a leader means serving!  It's not about power, but about selflessly blessing others' lives and doing good.

As we learn in Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-27, "It is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.  Verily I say, men [and women] should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness."  To me that means we don't need a calling or any other power or authority to do good.  We simply look for ways to bless others in small and meaningful ways.  The Spirit can guide us and we can be an instrument in the Lord's hands to bring about His purposes and will.

Sister Eliza R. Snow taught, "Tell the sisters to go forth and discharge their duties, in humility and faithfulness and the Spirit of God will rest upon them and they will be blest in their labors.  Let them seek for wisdom instead of power and they will have all the power they have wisdom to exercise (Daughters in My Kingdom, p. 45)."

In his October 2013 talk The Moral Force of Women, Elder D. Todd Christofferson quoted Sister Margaret Nadauld who said, “The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard has said, "We believe in and are counting on your goodness and your strength, your propensity for virtue and valor, your kindness and courage, your strength and resilience.....We believe that the Church simply will not accomplish what it must without your faith and faithfulness, your innate tendency to put the well-being of others ahead of your own, and your spiritual strength and tenacity (Daughters in My Kingdom, Chapter 10)."

In September 1979, President Spencer W. Kimball was in the hospital and not able to give his talk at a women's fireside, so his wife, Sister Camilla Kimball read his talk - The Role of Righteous Women.  You have to watch it!  It's beautiful!!

There is so much good we can and must do!  As Sister Kristen Oaks says in her book, A Single Voice, we should not wait one minute to do good.  "There are no perfect circumstances, only perfect faith.  We are all just trying (p. 125)."

There is a unique role for women to play in our Heavenly Father's kingdom.  I think it's remarkable to think of Eve and her role and courageous example in doing His will, even though it would bring heartache and trials.  I love Abish and her quiet, faithful example and being ready to courageously gather others together to learn of Jesus Christ and His message when the time was right.  It's so sweet that the tender Mary Magdalene returning to the tomb was the first to see the risen Lord.  I am inspired by selfless mothers and "guardians of the hearth" that I know and love.

I am grateful for our Heavenly Father's love and our Savior's mission that will bring us back to our Father.  We can't do it alone!  I know that as we focus on Him, keep our covenants, follow the prophet, and trust in the Lord in faith and humility we will be blessed, we will be happy, and we can be used as an instrument in His hands to accomplish good in our own lives and in blessing those around us.