"For now we see through a glass darkly"

The last few months a phrase from 1 Corinthians 13:12 has taken on new meaning for me.  "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." This verse is surrounded by faith, hope, and charity; characteristics of the Savior. 

This verse is descriptive in a way that I can relate to well.  I've never had wonderful eyesight, but with glasses since I was three and dependable contacts since I was fourteen, I've almost forgotten how blurry things can get.  The last couple of months, probably to celebrate my 40th birthday, I've been seeing more as this scripture describes.  Our eyes really are amazing things!  It's remarkable that there are glasses and contacts and eye drops and surgeries that can help so well, but there's not always a solution and sometimes we either have to trust and/or get used to the new normal.  What I love about this verse most is the reminder that ultimately our Heavenly Father is the one that can truly see things as they are and it's important to try to know Him. ;)  He can help us see clearly.  I wonder if sometimes blurred physical vision might actually be a blessing that helps us to remember to trust in and rely on Him and His goodness and miracles and purposes and really look for Him!!  Maybe we can see Him better if we aren't distracted by things of this world, as beautiful as they might be. 

As frustrating as it is to "see through a glass darkly," I think He's asking us to truly seek Him, see Him, know Him. This year, one of the things that has brought me the most joy has been studying the New Testament. My heart has changed and grown nearly three sizes, I think.  I've always loved the scriptures.  I have great memories of reading and learning with family and friends growing up.  This year I found added light and love and purpose.  I've learned to love our Savior, Jesus Christ, even more.  I feel like I know Him a little bit better.  He is kind, loving, merciful, and just.  He is real and He is present.  He is the Good Shepherd, the Light and Life and Hope of the world, the Prince of Peace, our Advocate, Savior, Deliverer, and Redeemer.

Some of my favorite stories about Him this year include His interactions with the children, the blind man on His path (and Elder Holland's timely reference to this same man in general conference in October made me cry), the widow who gave her two mites, the rich young ruler, the woman at the well, Mary and Martha, Peter, Paul, and each of the disciples.  But I think I loved most of all how He constantly teaches us about our Heavenly Father and His great love and plan and purpose and will (see John 5:17, 30).

A few other verses and phrases I've loved include the following:

• What seek ye? (John 1:38; Matthew 6:19-21, 33; 1 Nephi 10:17-19)
• Ask, God gives good gifts (Matthew 6:8; Luke 11:9-13)
• Go to a solitary place (Mark 1:35)
• Know Him (Matthew 7:22-23; Mosiah 26:22-30)
• Who hath ears to hear, let Him hear... walk by faith not sight... see as He sees (Mark 10:21)
• He is risen! Rejoice!  Come and see, go and tell (Matthew 28:5-10, Philippians 4:4)
• Be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15)
• What is eternal life? How do we obtain it? What lack I yet? (D&C 14:7; John 17:3; Luke 18:18)
• Be as children (Mark 10:13-16)
• Love the Lord, give all (Luke 21:1-4)
• What would you have me do? (Acts 9:6–8)
• A minister and a witness (Acts 22:15a and 26:16b)
• Be of good cheer, believe God! (Acts 27:25)
• If God be for us, who can be against us? Nothing separates us from love of God (Romans 8:31, 35-37)
• Put the law in your hearts (Hebrews 10:16)
• Cast not away your confidence, receive promises; see them far off (Hebrews 10:35-36; 11:13)
• Run with patience the race set before us, look to Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2)
• Overcome by blood of the Lamb and word of testimonies (JST Revelations 12:11)
• Do the Lord's will, fulfill mission (Rev. 10:9-10)
• He stands at the door and knocks (Revelations 3:20)
• Blessing, honour, glory, power to the Lamb for ever and ever! (Revelations 5:12-13)

A few other words and ideas I feel like I heard over and over... unity, peace, humility, revelation, courage, loyalty, abundance, gentle, dear to us, holy, walk with God, love, continue, abide.... and the reminder to see and hear and know... Matthew 11:7-11, 15 is beautiful. "And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he... He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."  Later in Matthew 13:13-16 where the Savior is teaching the Parable of the Sower, He says more about why He speaks in parables and how we need to open our eyes and ears and hearts in order to be converted and healed by Him.

I want to see, I want to hear, I want to understand, I want to know.  My prayers lately have been, "Dear Father, please help me to be able to see what I need to see."  He answers those prayers. :)

There's a Christmas song that seems to go along with this message...
“Do you see what I see… Do you hear what I hear…”

I don't see and know a lot, but what I do see and hear and understand brings me great joy and makes me want to shout... "Hark, now hear the angels sing!  A new King's born today, and we will live forever more because of Christmas day."

“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).

“Break forth into joy, sing together…for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God” (Mosiah 15:30-31).

“Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel” (Alma 26:16).

"Jesus, our only joy be thou, As thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be thou our glory now, And thru eternity."

"Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light."

Although we can't see everything now, we can have faith and rejoice in Jesus who will help us to see, and bring us goodness and light in the meantime. ;)

True Colors

I have been thinking A LOT lately about being true, real, authentic, genuine, present (yep, still working on it) and I was so grateful to recently catch this song from Trolls - "True Colors."  It depicts the importance of being ourselves and letting people see us, our true colors.  "I see your true colors.  That's why I love you, so don't be afraid to let them show.  Your true colors are beautiful!"

I want to do that better - both in showing my true colors and in seeing others and their true colors.

I was also reminded recently of a sweet children's book called "The Boy Who Spoke to the Earth."  The boy is looking for happiness, but not quite seeing it.  He has to stop and stand still for a moment in all the beautiful places to find that happiness has been around him all along.  Is there happiness around us that we're missing?  Is there happiness we're not sharing?  President Nelson has talked a little bit about this recently.  We choose happiness and the Savior offers us eternal joy.

I think that some of the most beautiful and happy things around us are our relationships - other people (that we know and that we don't know).  Do we see them?  Do we give them our time and love (putting away distractions and focusing on what's most important - our Heavenly Father, our family, our neighbors)?  Elder Renlund taught beautifully that we need to see others through God's eyes.  I love that!  Forget ourselves, be ourselves, and really see others...as He does.  I think that must be a beautiful, colorful, happy world!

Bubbles

I really like this article!  There are lots of good things to think about....

1. TRAVEL.  See the world.  Get outside your bubble.  Go places.  Experience life and people and things that are different than you.  That's a great thing and we should do it whether near or far.  We should learn about others and be open and also share about ourselves in the process.

2. BE YOU.  We can't let the world change us.  Before and as we go and after we return we need to truly know and remember who we are and be that.  Obviously we learn and grow as we go, and must be humble, but we should be firm in our core beliefs and identity and not let the world determine that for us or make us afraid to share who we truly are.

I think that too often when we think of bubbles or sharing the gospel it sounds self-righteous.  It shouldn't be.  A humble learner and traveler will learn and share freely out of love and care and desire to learn and grow.  (I heard a neat thing this week.  Meekness is recognizing that others need you.  Humility is recognizing that you need others.)

While we humbly learn and share we need to not be distracted!  The world is loud and persuasive, so we need to be sure to stay focused on the most important thing - building Zion, truly becoming a disciple of Christ, making Christ the center of our lives.

I really like these two quotes from the article:

Joseph Smith said, “We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object. … The time is soon coming, when no man will have any peace but in Zion and her stakes” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith,  160–61).

We need to be Zion people – A Zion Person. Pure in heart, and of one heart and mind. How do we do this? Be clean, and follow the Savior and His prophets: “We will become of one heart and one mind as we individually place the Savior at the center of our lives and follow those He has commissioned to lead us.” (Elder D. Todd Christofferson)

While reading this article I thought of salt and leaven.  Here are a couple of really good related references:

Salt and Light by Matthew Richardson

• Elder Ballard teaches that "we should not try to take ourselves or our children out of the world.  The Lord does not need a society that hides and isolates itself from the world. Rather, he needs stalwart individuals and families who live exemplary lives in the world and demonstrate that joy and fulfillment that come not of the world but through the spirit and doctrine of Jesus Christ."

Matthew 5:13

• Salt preserves and saves.
• We can't lose our savor or we're good for nothing!  ;)

We can't hide ourselves (like a bubble implies), but we must preserve the purity of our salt and light and leaven and create our 'bubble' so that it makes a difference in the world and grows in influence (like the original article says.... start with ourselves, families, then communities, etc.).  I think the world discounts bubbles.  I think that those who are interested in creating a haven of peace and goodness in their lives and homes and families are sometimes judged unfairly and seen as self-righteousness or selfish.  Those who choose to focus on and build and share the good should be valued and be able to share.

I'm reading Evicted right now.  I don't recommend it, but it's eye-opening in some ways showing the cycle of the hard, sad life when there's no leaven, or haven, or peace.  In some ways I believe these articles and thoughts are what comes after peace - peace and Zion means striving for oneness with God.  That's what we work for and share.️

Reflections and Inspiration

I'm grateful for some experiences this week that have made me think and want to be better:

1.  I love Trax, not only to avoid the traffic and weather, but because it gives me so much time to read!  I probably get too tied to my books or Gospel Library though and want to be more aware of those around me.  A sweet girl sat by me this week.  I was glued to my phone and she sat quietly on her phone, too, I think, for most of the morning ride.  As I started to pack up and to get ready to get off at my stop she turned to me and said, "What were you reading in the Gospel Library today?  What did you learn?  What did you like?  I'm asking you to teach me!"  WOW!  It was so wonderful!  It was an unexpected, but welcome conversation.  I wish we could have meaningful and thoughtful conversations with strangers (and friends) all the time!  I was so surprised by her question that I didn't really know what to say, but I was grateful!  Ever since then I have tried to not only notice those I'm sitting by and be a little less book-ish, but also be sure that when I close my book or phone I have something that I could share or teach someone else.

2.  I love the song, "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go."  I've sung it many times and in many settings, but for some reason today when we sang it at work it had increased meaning.  I'll go where You want me to go.  Truly, what does He want me to say?  Not, what do I think, but what does He think and want expressed?  Where does He want me to work?  What does He want me to do while I'm there?  I'll go.  I'll be loyal to Him (like Elizabeth Ann Claridge McCune's father)!

3.  We don't need to wait for trials to make us better, we can and should proactively each day be working to overcome the natural man.  "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father" (Mosiah 3:19).  That's the goal and our purpose here - to learn and to grow and to become more like Him.  Sometimes trials or opportunities come our way to help us along that path, but I'm grateful for the reminder that we don't need to wait.  Striving to be better should already be our focus and desire and then hopefully we don't have to be compelled as often to be humble.  ;)

4.  What's he doing?  Can we give him some money?  Do you have some money?  Let's go back and give him our orange.  ;)

Let Your Light Shine!

I’m grateful for LIGHT! A few things I think of when I think of light…

• Gratefully, the days are getting longer again….and someday there will be light after work with time to go hiking! ;) 
• Some of the greatest blessings in life are sunrises and sunsets. It’s fun to find a good place to enjoy them. In fact, I know of a few places and cultures where climbing to the top of the highest mountain to see the first sunrise of the new year is more important than staying up until midnight to celebrate. I’ve enjoyed that a couple of times, but was more traditional this year. ;) 
• This morning I was listening to Music and the Spoken Word and heard Lloyd Newell talking about sunflowers and how they are constantly tracking and following the sun, the light! What a great reminder for us. 
• Light reminds me of some happy and bright children in Ghana that I got to visit for a few days during a study abroad project with my graduate program. We were working with them and a nonprofit that builds playgrounds that generate electricity that is stored in batteries and lights the children can take home to read by. They truly appreciated light. 
• I remember a lot of light on my mission in South Korea. On the day I flew through Seoul I wondered what I had gotten myself into. Coming from a tiny town in Hawaii I was now living in the second largest city in Korea - with lights and people everywhere. A few months into my mission our mission president came to visit our tiny apartment in a large apartment building complex that was just one of many in Pusan. He reminded us how the light shined brightly from our little home out to the loud, busy, crowded world around. I felt small with a limited vocabulary at that time, but was grateful for the reminder that the light of the gospel was consistent, pure, and true. The world around us has become more confused, loud, busy, and dark since then, but the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, His love and Atonement is truly the only thing that will heal and save and bless all of our Heavenly Father’s children. 
• I remember a beautiful morning several years ago in the Mt Timpanogos Temple. I was sitting in the celestial room just as the sun came up and it FILLED the whole room and my heart with hope and peace and joy. 
• Light is truth, joy, happiness, direction, peace, goodness. 
• Joseph Smith saw a pillar of light exactly over his head. That light has changed the world forever. 
• There was a new star and a day and a night and a day that were light for the Nephites announcing the Savior’s birth. 
• After three days of darkness/destruction the Nephites saw a wonderful light coming down from heaven - the Savior! 
• The brother of Jared asked for light and received much more than he imagined. 
• Alma the Younger and King Lamoni and his father described the joy and the “marvelous light” they found when they were converted, when they remembered and turned to Christ and their hearts were changed. 
• Jesus Christ truly is the light of the world! His light is what gives life and purpose and meaning to all the rest!! 
• The scriptures, the words of the prophets are full of LIGHT! Just the examples I found take up many pages. ;) 
• We can share the light of Christ with others. I loved participating in the Church’s #LIGHTtheWORLD campaign. So many of the things we were asked to do pointed us directly to the Savior and his selfless example of goodness. They were small, but meaningful and intentional acts that helped us be more like Him. A few of my favorites (and some I still need to do): visit a caregiver, carry someone’s backpack, call your mom, learn about mental illness or giving sight or mobility to someone, text someone a scripture, invite a neighbor to dinner, sit by someone new, stop and listen when a child talks, ask for advice, sing, buy hand warmers to distribute, leave encouraging notes, cheer someone on, offer a prayer of pure gratitude, say nice things about someone behind their back, don’t complain, make note of people’s birthdays, be aware of someone you haven’t noticed before - get to know them. 
• I was uplifted by the examples of family, friends, and strangers around me: 
• I loved hearing my nieces and nephews tell me about the things they did - bringing dinner to a man who couldn’t hear or get up to make his own food, taking flowers to their primary teacher, making and distributing hygiene kits to homeless people, collecting food and toys to take to the families without much; 
• I was inspired by someone in the car in front of me who had a ready-made lunch to hand to the man at the side of the freeway exit asking for money; 
• I was grateful for the sweet Muslim woman who recently came from Iraq and is in an English class I teach for refugees who (on the day we were supposed to express gratitude) lifted me up with her kind expression of thanks and a hearty “MERRY CHRISTMAS!” 

I lived a couple of blocks from Temple Square for a few years and enjoyed spending time there. I’m sure many of you have been there at some point right as they turn on the Christmas lights and heard the combined audible expression of gratitude, wonder, and joy. Maybe some of you have also been there when they turn the lights off around 10:30 pm. This time the combined audible expression is a gasp of disappointment. The lights are gone for another day. Maybe you feel this sometimes. Although the physical lights might be gone for a season, we can keep His light shining brightly in our lives and share it with others every day of the year.

In Matthew 5:14-16 (from the Sermon on the Mount), Jesus teaches:
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
I love these verses, and the related verse in 3 Nephi 18:24 where the Savior teaches the Nephites:
Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do.

A few things I take from these verses:

1. He is the Light. 
2. We must share His light with the world (not hide it or forget to share it). It is needed more than ever! 
3. We should remember that our purpose in sharing the light is to glorify God. 

So…how do we do it?  How do we practically and actually be a light and let it shine?

In 2014 Sister Neill F. Marriott quoted President Monson who said, “If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself.”  So, the first step….we have to glow!  How do we glow, shine, fill our own lives with light?


1. We must KNOW HIM! REMEMBER HIM ALWAYS, keep our covenants.  
- President James E. Faust said, “A sacred light comes to our eyes and countenances when we have a personal bond with our loving Heavenly Father and His Son.”

Some ways we can know Him and find that bond….
- study, know truth (read the scriptures and words of the prophets)
- live, love truth (live the doctrine and keep the commandments)
- have faith, repent, follow the Spirit…
- spend time praying, fasting, serving in the temple, appreciating nature and good music, serving others, doing what He would do….
- learn, obey, be humble, follow Jesus (like the sunflowers!)
- be pure, virtuous (have clean hands, pure hearts)
- truly love, serve (pray for and practice charity)
- be true to who you are as a child of God!
- be happy, grateful, anxiously engaged in good!
- SMILE
- Elder Robert D. Hales tells the story of riding his bike home from basketball practice at night when he was a boy. He said, "I would connect a small pear-shaped generator to my bicycle tire. Then as I pedaled, the tire would turn a tiny rotor, which produced electricity and emitted a single, welcome beam of light. It was a simple but effective mechanism. But I had to pedal to make it work! I learned quickly that if I stopped pedaling my bicycle, the light would go out. I also learned that when I was 'anxiously engaged' in pedaling, the light would become brighter and the darkness in front of me would be dispelled. The generation of spiritual light comes from daily spiritual pedaling. It comes from praying, studying the scriptures, fasting, and serving—from living the gospel and obeying the commandments. 'He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light,” said the Lord, “and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.'"
- Sister Elaine Dalton (YW General President at the time) taught in April 2012, “Your beauty—your “shine”—does not lie in makeup, gooey cream, or the latest clothing or hairstyles. It lies in your personal purity. When you live the standards and qualify for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, you can have a powerful impact in the world. Your example, even the light in your eyes, will influence others who see your “shine,” and they will want to be like you…. If you desire to make a difference in the world, you must be different from the world.”
- President Henry B. Eyring said: “Each time you choose to try to live more like the Savior, you will have your testimony strengthened. You will come in time to know for yourself that He is the Light of the World. … You will reflect to others the Light of Christ in your life.”

A few things that have brought light to my life this year:

• Reading the Book of Mormon. This year I studied JOY! There is much! The greatest joy seems to come from gratitude, faithfulness, obedience, righteousness, food, family, work, worship, covenants, service, the temple, freedom, truth, scriptures, prophets, repentance, Christ, conversion, missionary work, the Spirit 
• Visiting the Priesthood Restoration Site in Harmony, Pennsylvania and thinking about the truth and light that came to earth and that we enjoy in even greater measure now. 
• Attending the temple regularly. 
• Time spent in the mountains! :D 
• Chances to serve. 

2. Once we are glowing we need to share His light, not hide it or keep it to ourselves….
When we are filled with the light and joy of the gospel, like Lehi our first desire should be to call for our family and friends to partake of the fruit!

Peter taught in 1 Peter 3:15, “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

Alma taught in Mosiah 18:8-10, “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all 

places that ye may be in.” 

President Monson has given two talks on this exact subject that you might enjoy for further study:

In the October 2015 General Conference he gave a talk called “Be an Example and a Light.” He highlights two scriptures - Matthew 5:14-16 and then he reads 1 Timothy 4:12 where Paul teaches:
“Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
President Monson says, “I believe the second scripture explains, in great part, how we can accomplish the first. We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see. 

The other talk was a Nov. 2011 BYU Devotional called “Be A Light to the World.” President Monson says: "Each of you is one of a kind. Each has had experiences unique to you and you alone. You come from varied backgrounds. And yet there is much that we have in common one with another. We know where we came from, why we are here, and where we will go when we leave this life. We know that we are children of our Heavenly Father and that He loves us. We know we want to return to Him after we leave this earthly existence. We know that what we do—and don’t do—here in mortality is of utmost importance. We also know that, should we fall short, our Savior has provided us with the precious gift of the Atonement and that, if we change our lives and our hearts and take advantage of the power of the Atonement, our sins and shortcomings will be forgiven and forgotten.
"We have in common the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we know it is our responsibility to share the truths of the gospel with others. One of the chief ways in which we can share the gospel is to be a righteous example. The Apostle Paul admonished, “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” He also wrote that the followers of Christ should be “as lights in the world.”
"Just as turning on a light switch in a dark room will bathe the room in light, so providing an example of righteousness—and therefore being a light—can help to illuminate an increasingly dark world. Our opportunities to shine are limitless. They surround us each day, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. As we follow the example of the Savior, ours will be the opportunity to be a light, as it were, in the lives of those around us—whether they be our own family members, our coworkers, mere acquaintances, or total strangers."

Essentially he tells us that we must be an example of the believers. In small, but meaningful ways we can share our testimonies and the hope that is in us….
- be aware, observe and serve!
- be a friend
- forget yourself and go to work!
- Maybe some of you have read the book, The Orphan Keeper by Camron Wright. A quote that has been discussed in our family since some of us read it was by a character who lost a family member and suffered a lot. She says, “‘My only journey of concern was to be like the sun, to make it through the day offering as much light and warmth and consistency for others as I could--one single day. Each day. That was all... So from that day on, I have continued to get up in the morning and offer that light, as much as I am able, in my own small way.'"
- I LOVE President Monson mentioning our uniqueness. We have different backgrounds, experiences, talents, personalities, opportunities. I think that’s on purpose. The Lord needs our uniqueness to help reflect the Savior’s light to touch different people in different places and in different ways. If we are willing and ready He will use us to bless others and bring them home to Him! He loves us. He loves each of His children! (This gives me hope. Sometimes, to those of us that may tend to be more introverted, it can be overwhelming to be seen, to shine, to not hide… but our unique talents and testimonies are needed. We truly can share and give of ourselves...in small ways that make a big difference.)
- President Faust tells the story of a 13-year-old girl waiting for the bus. A man driving by noticed that she was always smiling every day, rain or shine. Sometime later this same girl invited his daughter to a church activity...and eventually the missionaries taught the family and they were baptized. The father didn’t realize the connection at first, but is ever grateful for the girl at the bus stop who shared her smile….and more. :D

3. My last take away from the scripture in Matthew has to do with motives and why we share His light - to glorify Him!
- The world is kind of a showy place these days. Everyone is looking for the spotlight and to be their own light. In 2 Nephi 26, Nephi teaches that “priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.”
- I think it’s important that we remember that the Lord is asking us to reflect His light. Do what He would do in order to accomplish His work and His glory - “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”’
- In D&C 4, we’re reminded that “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, quality [us] for the work.”
- In D&C 82, the Lord tells us to “seek...the interest of [our] neighbor, and do..all things with an eye single to the glory of God.”
- Matthew 6:22 teaches, “if...thine eye be single to the glory of God, thy whole body shall be full of light.”
- I love the metaphor in John 15 where the Lord says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing…. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
- We need to share goodness. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” But remember why we do. A pure heart will help us to accomplish God’s work and His will.
- There’s a lot more I need to learn and study about light and God’s glory in D&C 88 and 93, if you’re interested.


In closing….just a few thoughts as a reminder that there are people around us that need light.  We learn in the Doctrine and Covenants 123 that “there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations… who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing [it] to light.”  There are some who once had light, but are searching again.

Elder Bednar said to a group of BYU-Idaho students in 2002: “In a world increasingly filled with darkness, the image of Christ in [your] countenances...will radiate a light that will literally…‘chase darkness from among you.’”

Mosiah 16:9: “He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened.”

D&C 50:24: “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”

A couple of years ago an observant friend saw that I needed a new light bulb and brought one by a few days later.  This might sound like a light bulb joke, but it got me thinking - How many light bulbs does it take to light the world? ;) ALL of them/each one of us!

Seriously, I hope that as we think about who we want to become in 2017 we will think about someone that might need some light and put the Savior’s light on a candlestick, on a hill, for them and others to see. We can smile, open our mouths, point others to Christ. Let’s not bury our talents, our testimonies, our light, our hope, our joy. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ, His Atonement, His love are the answers that will heal the world. I hope we will choose light, be light, follow Him, glow, shine, seek to glorify God! He will lead and guide us as we seek Him and desire to share.

The words in Matthew 5:14-16 are an invitation, a call to action. As we proactively look for ways to increase the light in our lives and share it with others I know that we will be blessed. We will find greater happiness and joy, we will help our Heavenly Father do His work, and we will bring joy to those around us.

Sister Camilla Kimball taught that we should "never suppress a generous thought."

Mother Teresa said, “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

President Hinckley said, “Wear on your countenance the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ — the good news that He came into the world.”

I’m grateful for so many people - my parents, my family, my friends, many of you - who have shared your light with me, uplifted and helped lead me to Him.  I'm grateful for an opportunity to share my testimony of these things. I love the Lord and His gospel. It’s truth, it’s light, it’s joy! I know this is His true church and that He is the Light and Life of the world. There’s a plan and purpose to our lives here and eternally!

Broken

I read a sweet blog post recently - The Gift of Being Broken.  It made me think about a lot of things.  I could relate.  Sometimes I feel broken and I'm grateful for the reminder to turn to the Savior and let Him heal.  We each have different challenges, but I think that may be one of the main reasons we have trials in this life - we need to learn to rely on Him.

I recently listened to a sweet story Sister Patricia Holland told at a BYU devotional in February 1982 - The Inconvenient Messiah:

"I’ve come to you today in kind of a motherly way, if you’ll indulge me, to speak to those of you who feel a little bit disappointed at this point, and thus, a little bit discouraged. May I just share with you a personal disappointment we’ve had in our home recently. A few months ago our daughter, Mary, decided to run for president of her seventh-grade class. She was encouraged by a teacher who felt she could win, and so she began to campaign with lots of enthusiasm and a great deal of confidence. Both her parents and her brothers rallied behind and gave her all the support and help we could.

"Well, she lost. Now I was told this earlier in the day before Mary got home from school, and you know mothers. I was totally devastated for her, and I just churned with emotions all day and most of the day hoped for something that I could say that might comfort her. When I heard her footsteps at the door, my heart and my feet leaped to the rescue, and all the words of comfort I could think of came tumbling out. 

"And you know, she just looked at me for a few minutes and then with sad little brown eyes she said, “Mother, will you just pray with me?” 

"As we knelt in prayer, she said, “Heavenly Father, I promised you I’d do anything if I could win, and now I know I must show how to be a good loser.” And then she said, “I don’t want you to be my servant anymore. I just want to be yours.” 

"You see, it was because of her pain and disappointment that she was given to say in a twelve-year-old way, “Maybe what I wanted would not be the best thing to serve you at all.” 

"I guess what I’ve come to you today to say is that God uses broken things—and I quote: 

"It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. . . . it is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever. [“Broken Things,” an excerpt from Vance Havner, The Still Water (Old Tappan, NJ: Flemming H. Revell, 1934). Quoted in Guideposts, October 1981, p. 5] 

"Our Father in Heaven sometimes uses our pain as a megaphone for very significant instruction."

The example of her daughter is so sweet and teaches powerfully the importance of turning to and relying on the the Savior.  Sister Holland's last quote reminded me of a song by Kenneth Cope - Broken:

Broken clouds give rain
Broken soil grows grain
Broken bread feeds man for one more day
Broken storms yield light
The break of day heals night
Broken pride turns blindness into sight

Broken souls that need His mending
Broken hearts for offering
Could it be that God loves broken things?

Broken chains set free
Broken swords bring peace
Broken walls make friends of you and me
To break the ranks of sin
To break the news of Him
To put on Christ till His name feels broken in

Broken souls that need His mending
Broken hearts for offering
I believe that God loves broken things

And yet our broken faith, our broken promises
Sent love to the cross
And still, that broken flesh, that broken heart of His
Offers us such grace and mercy
Covers us with love undeserving

This broken soul that cries for mending
This broken heart for offering
I'm convinced that God loves broken me

Praise His name, my God loves broken things.

:)  There is hope.  He can heal....and make us more than we can be on our own.

Selfishness

I loved and really needed to hear the talks today in sacrament meeting, particularly the reference to this talk by Elder Neal A. Maxwell - "Repent of [Our] Selfishness":

"Selfishness is really self-destruction in slow motion....Each spasm of selfishness narrows one’s universe that much more by reducing his awareness of or concern with others.  Some selfish moderns need a Copernican reminder that they are not the center of the universe either!.... 

"Selfishness...causes us to be discourteous, disdainful, and self-centered while withholding from others needed goods, praise, and recognition as we selfishly pass them by and notice them not (see Morm. 8:39)..... 

"In contrast to the path of selfishness, there is no room for road rage on the straight and narrow way....Unselfishness is best grown in the family garden, and, likewise, diligently performing seemingly ordinary Church duties can further help us to overcome selfishness. The unselfish are also more free. As G. K. Chesterton said, if we can be interested in others, even if they are not interested in us, we will find ourselves “under a freer sky, [and] in a street full of splendid strangers." 

"Meekness is the real cure, for it does not merely mask selfishness but dissolves it! Smaller steps could include asking ourselves inwardly before undertaking an important action, Whose needs am I really trying to meet?....  

"Individual selfishness is finally acculturated. Then societies can eventually become without order, without mercy, without love, perverted, and past feeling (see Moro. 9)..... 

"Selfishness is actually the detonator of all the cardinal sins. It is the hammer for the breaking of the Ten Commandments, whether by neglecting parents, the Sabbath, or by inducing false witness, murder, and envy....Some of the selfish wrongly believe that there is no divine law anyway, so there is no sin (see 2 Ne. 2:13). Situational ethics are thus made to order for the selfish..... 

"Of unselfish George Washington it has been written: “In all history few men who possessed unassailable power have used that power so gently and self-effacingly for what their best instincts told them was the welfare of their neighbors and all mankind.”  Power is most safe with those, like Washington, who are not in love with it! A narcissist society, in which each person is busy looking out for number one, can build neither brotherhood nor community..... 

"In contrast, as I close, consider unselfish Melissa Howes, whose comparatively young father died of cancer several months ago. Just before, Melissa, who was then nine, was voice in family prayer, pleading, “Heavenly Father, bless my daddy, and if you need him more than us, you can have him. We want him, but Thy will be done. And please help us not to be mad at you.”"

Selfishness and pride truly are universal sins, but that makes it so much more important to be vigilant and humble enough to desire to change and work on doing it, with the Lord's help.  I think the reason this talk stood out to me so much was because lately I've been thinking about different forms of selfishness and Elder Maxwell's words are so clear and direct and a great reminder.

So, what do you do to focus on being selfless?

Joy

Today I'm grateful for a meaningful FHE discussion about JOY:

• What has brought you an increase of joy this last week? (I think this is a great question to consider every week!)  :D
• Is there a hymn or scripture that has brought you an increase of joy?

I'm grateful for the joy I found in the week....

• spending time with family in fun (biking) and work (cleaning the garage)
• managing my priorities and tasks and expectations list better this week - not getting so caught up in all that I wanted to do that I wasn't happy with what I was able to accomplish
• visiting temples
• studying the scriptures....the scriptures were full of JOY this week!
• reading....lots of good things, but particularly this GREAT book and quote about JOY:

That We Might Have Joy by President Howard W. Hunter:
"And what of the meek? In a world too preoccupied with winning through intimidation and seeking to be number one, no large crowd is standing in line to buy books that call for mere meekness. But the meek shall inherit the earth, a pretty impressive corporate takeover--and done without intimidation! Sooner or later, and we pray sooner than later, everyone will acknowledge that Christ's way is not only the right way, but ultimately the only way to hope and joy. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that gentleness is better than brutality, that kindness is greater than coercion, that the soft voice turneth away wrath. In the end, and sooner than that whenever possible we must be more like him. 'To those who fall, how kind thou! How good to those who seek (p. 9)!'"

• listening to music....it struck me at Church yesterday that Christ lives to bless us....everything listed in this song is something completely wonderful and selfless that He blesses us with (I can't think of anything more that we could need or want)....he wants us to be happy....and He is the one that brings joy!!...I also believe it is a pattern for us to learn from....we can have joy when we love and give and bless others as selflessly....  :D

I Know That My Redeemer Lives 
I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead. He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love. He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed. He lives to bless in time of need.
He lives to grant me rich supply. He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint. He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears. He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart. He lives all blessings to impart.
He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend. He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing. He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath. He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare. He lives to bring me safely there.
He lives! All glory to his name! He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: "I know that my Redeemer lives!"
He lives! All glory to his name! He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: "I know that my Redeemer lives!"

One last serendipitous note....as I'm typing up this post about JOY, what should come on Mormon Music Channel 24/7, but this delightful gem by Janice Kapp Perry:

Surround Yourself with Joy
Life holds much of sorrow, that we cannot avoid.
So when you have the chance, when you have the choice,
Surround yourself with joy.
Surround yourself with children, so innocent and sweet
For life can seem so simple if you can make believe.
Surround yourself with music, and you'll find solace there,
For when your heart is tender, your song becomes a prayer.

Surround yourself with friendship, when you feel all alone.
For in the love of others the sweetest joys are known.
Surround yourself with beauty, enjoy God's handiwork.
In sights and sounds of nature, the voice of God is heard.

Surround yourself with silence, for when you are alone
the whisperings of the spirit are quietly made known.
Surround yourself with heaven, in every waking thought,
For there is peace and safety, within the love of God.
Life holds much of sorrow, that we cannot avoid,
So when you have the chance, when you have the choice,
Surround yourself with Joy.

So, what are you doing today to surround yourself with JOY and increase joy in your life?  :)

To Be Known

I have been thinking a lot lately about the importance of being known! I have a lot of thoughts about this and still much to learn and understand, but this is my attempt at trying to organize some current thoughts somehow. ;)

The last few months have been a bit of a transition for me....from some things that were set and comfortable and known to much that is new and starting over. I haven't changed everything, so there are still some things that are known, but I have new neighbors, a new ward, a new commute, a new routine, and hopefully new friends. ;) I enjoy new and change and chances to grow and learn, so I'm grateful for this opportunity, but that doesn't make it easy (especially at the beginning).

I have come to understand that probably the hardest, but most exciting part of change is starting over and not being known - having to prove yourself again. It's an opportunity to decide who you want to be and change some things pretty easily since people don't know the old you, but because they don't know the old you, you have to tell them or show them (or sometimes even remind yourself) who that is. That can be hard.

Starting over the number of times that I have is exciting, but exhausting and overwhelming!  Maybe part of what makes it overwhelming is trying to live up to some kind of expectation that I set for the new.  When seeking change, I'm hoping the new is better than the old, so when I feel like I'm moving backwards at all that can be frustrating. Part of the "backward" can be just getting back to the place I was before - comfortable, known. :) Building reputation, trust, and getting to know people can be exhausting!

One thing I appreciate very much in such a transition is someone who is genuinely interested in wanting to know who I am...not just my name and my job title and where I'm from, but about what really makes me who I am and who I hope to be. Some people are so good at this and they are such a blessing!  I realize even more the importance of being that kind of person myself - getting past the superficial and wanting to learn and really "know" someone....being open, being vulnerable, being there.

There's really no place like home - where you're known. ;) It's a blessing to have people in your life that KNOW you, really know you!  You don't have to explain, they know your background, where you've been, where you hope to go, how you think you might want to get there, and everything in between.  These people are also good at letting you grow and change and become better.

What I'm thinking about doesn't have anything to do with fame or showiness or pride. To me, "being known" is a very quiet, personal thing. I see it very related to the invitation 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."  This is something we do on our own quietly.  

While it's a quiet and personal relationship, it's also very important to spend the time!  In Matthew 7:21-23 the Savior says, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven....And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." There is also Matthew 25:12 where Jesus tells the five foolish virgins, "I know you not" when they come late "saying, Lord, Lord open to us."  The Joseph Smith Translation corrects each of these slightly to "Ye never knew me" and "Ye know me not."  So, I guess what I'm saying is, the ball is in our court - to be known we must know someone else - spend the time, make the effort, love, care, sacrifice.  As we focus on relationships I believe we will be blessed and happy!

I recently read a neat book by Robert L. Millet - Coming to Know Christ.  It touches on some of these same topics and is where some of these thoughts originated.  As much as I would like to be understood and loved, I realize that it is in loving that we are loved and find love....and in knowing that we are known.  ;)  I think that part of this is having the confidence to be yourself (even in new situations) and assume that others want to know you.  ;)

A couple of other interesting thoughts on this subject:

• Mosiah 26:24
• "It Is Not Good That...Man Should Be Alone" - talk by President Kevin J. Worthen

...and I think this is the perfect spot to start the 14-day challenge - #LoveOneAnother! <3

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")

Elder Richard G. Scott

Elder Richard G. Scott was a gentle leader who taught tenderly of the power of Jesus Christ to heal us and help us find joy.  I loved his book, "Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy."  I will also always remember his teachings about revelation and treasuring inspiration from the Lord.  Here is a list of all of his General Conference talks that I know I will continue to learn from.

While I didn't know Elder Scott well I have been greatly blessed by example and leadership and testimony.  Here are a few sweet articles and remembrances of his life:

• Elder Richard G. Scott dies
• Elder Richard G. Scott dies at 86
• Elder Richard G. Scott, a gifted man who loved family, faith above all, dies at 86
• Elder Scott welcomed one last visit from President Monson, apostles, and his family
• 23 encouraging quotes from Elder Richard G. Scott
• Senator Lee pays tribute to Elder Scott on Senate floor
• Remembering Elder Richard G. Scott
• Elder Richard G. Scott's Funeral Service

Be a Light

I happened to get up right in time today to hear Lloyd Newell's message from Music and the Spoken Word and I was inspired and grateful for the light it brought into my life and the reminder to be a light to others:

"Moonlight, with its soft, silver tones and the enchanting mood it casts, has captured our fancy for centuries. It has been the subject of countless poems, songs, serenades, and evening walks. We marvel at how bright a full moon can seem sometimes, even though we know it is merely reflecting the light it receives from the sun. In fact, our full moon, at its very brightest, only reflects about 12 percent of the light that reaches it.

All around us, objects reflect or absorb light. Snow reflects almost all the light that reaches it, while black asphalt absorbs it, which explains why roads get so hot on sunny days. And what about us? How much light do we reflect? Do we brighten the world for others and share the hope and cheer of a sunny outlook? Or do we only take, pulling in energy but never giving any back?

There are countless ways to share light with others. When we extend a helping hand, when we take time to listen, when we give a sincere compliment, when we teach a child, we are reflecting light. Mother Theresa said, “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” Yes, even something as simple as a smile bounces light and love back into the world.

We are drawn to people who reflect joy and optimism. They seem to have a luster, a light, a glow about them. We find ourselves not only wanting to share their company but also striving to emulate their example, to shine with similar brilliance. Unlike the moon, snow, or asphalt, we can choose how much light we give. We can decide to reflect the good around us and help others see “the bright side.” Very often, when our goal is to provide as much light as we can, we inspire others to do the same. If everyone made this simple choice, perhaps our collective radiance would be enough to light up the entire world."

The weekly broadcast also included one of my favorite (and related) songs - Give, Said the Little Stream.

I also love this month's First Presidency message by President Monson - Stand as a Light.

"I would like all of the youth of the Church to know that they are children of light. As such, they have a responsibility to be “as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). They have a duty to share the truths of the gospel. They have a calling to stand as a temple beacon, reflecting gospel light to an increasingly dark world. They have a charge to keep their light aflame and burning brightly....

With a strong testimony of the Savior and His restored gospel, you have limitless opportunities to shine. They surround you each day, in whatever circumstances you find yourselves. As you follow the example of the Savior, yours will be the opportunity to be a light, as it were, in the lives of those around you—whether they be members of your own family, classmates, co-workers, mere acquaintances, or total strangers.

When you are a light to the world, people around you will feel a special spirit that will make them want to associate with you and follow your example."

Never a Bad Day

I remember being impacted by a book I read as a teenager - Living with Enthusiasm by Elder L. Tom Perry.  I read it again a few years ago and just pulled it out again a couple of weeks ago.  I love this book!  It is full of joy and I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to personally be touched and inspired and uplifted by Elder Perry's influence in my life.

I love something that he said just a couple of years ago, “I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad day because I’ve learned something from every experience I have had. I’ve never had a day that I didn’t feel like getting out of bed and having an opportunity to accomplish something.”  In learning more about his life, he definitely had trials, but he chose to make a positive difference everyday and he blessed many in large and small ways.

For example, after his first wife and daughter died he said, "The Lord is very kind. Even though some experiences are hard, He floods your mind with memories and gives you other opportunities. Life doesn’t end just because you have a tragedy—there’s a new mountain to climb. Don’t spend a lot of time sulking over what you’ve lost. Get on with climbing the next mountain.”  I love that and his wonderful example of going forward, and always with great joy.

I love these tributes to him:

• 9 lessons from Elder Perry
• Remembering Elder L. Tom Perry
• 5 heart-warming stories about Elder Perry shared at his memorial
• President Monson, other LDS leaders and family honor Elder L. Tom Perry at funeral
• Elder L. Tom Perry's funeral service
• Senator Mike Lee - Elder L. Tom Perry - booming through the world
• People share memories of L. Tom Perry

...and some of his final words of counsel to us:

• Go Forward with Zeal
• Elder Perry's last advice to Church members

A few things that I will always remember and miss about Elder Perry:

• his cheery smile and warm greeting
• his special way of making everyone feel comfortable
• his consistent reminder and personal example of hard work and complete dedication (including a quick jog to be right where he was needed)
• his confident booming voice and testimony wherever he went
• his constant smile and love for everyone
• his integrity and dedication to the Lord and His truths

What's the point?

My heart has been heavy and hurting a bit the last week or so - for a variety of reasons.  I've thought about the fragileness of life and relationships and it made me think for a few minutes, "What's the point....of life, of trying, etc?"  And the answer came to me:  "The point is.....live today, serve today, make a difference right now where you are."  That's all we have - today!  So, if we do something right now instead of worry about something in the past or waiting for something coming up or stressing about something more we need to do tomorrow, we will be happy and we will make a difference.  :)

A few related thoughts and inspiration I've found the past couple of days:

1. Life is eternal.  It is all one and the same before the Lord.  We can turn to Him and feel His love now and daily and always.  I saw this Carl Bloch painting in the Salt Lake Temple today.  For some reason it really touched me and the eternalness of life really struck me.  The Lord is here for us now.

Elder Maxwell taught, "The Lord said comfortingly, 'I am in your midst' (D&C 38:7). 'And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours' (D&C 78:18).

Enoch rejoiced, and so can you over the grand, consoling reality regarding God: 'And yet thou art there' (Moses 7:30).

God, who lives in 'eternal now,' is relentlessly and lovingly accomplishing His work, using His unique foreknowledge to ensure that all His purposes will prevail—not just some of them."

2. Live today.  So these verses may have been spoken to the Quorum of the Twelve, but I think they give each of us insights into what we should (and should not) worry about and focus on:

   "Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.

   "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
   "For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
   "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
   "Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof." (3 Nephi 13:30-34)

3. Love and serve.  Sharon Eubank, Director of LDS Charities, gave a wonderful lecture on May 14 entitled "That They Might Not Suffer."  She said that the real work of LDS Charities is to build character and emphasized that we don't have to travel around the world to make a difference and help others.  We can serve right in our communities; in fact, serving close to home actually requires giving more of ourselves, more deeply and continually and meaningfully.  I was grateful for her invitation to be a pioneer by "braving the frontiers of your own love."  :)

We are taught in Alma 1:30, "And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need."

4. Find joy and climb the next mountain.  Two quotes that I love and help put things in perspective:

"We can't predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond a shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come." - Elder L. Tom Perry

"The Lord is very kind. Even though some experiences are hard, he floods your mind with memories and gives you other opportunities. Life doesn't end just because you have a tragedy—there's a new mountain to climb. Don't spend a lot of time sulking over what you've lost. Get on with climbing the next mountain." - Elder L. Tom Perry

Relatedly, I love this BYU Devotional from September 2012 by T. Jeffery Wilks - Optimism in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Brother Wilks reminds us that the world is good.  We can look forward with hope (even if it is the end of the semester or when expectations have not been met).  He shares a few insights into being positive:

* Righteousness does not mean perfection

* Keep trying anyway

* Focus on Heavenly Father

* Heavenly Father's approval matters most

* Look for and remember the joy in our lives

* Keep a journal

So, the point is..."men are, that they might have joy"!!  Choose joy, share joy, be happy today!  ;) 

Become acquainted with the One who understands

I love this talk by Sister Carole M. Stephens - The Family Is of God.  We studied it today in Relief Society.  I know that families are so important, today and eternally.  They truly help us become more what we need to be, to become like God and prepare us to return to Him.  I'm grateful for this reminder.

Today I was particularly touched and inspired by the idea that although we may not understand personally the trials others go through our Savior does and it is our job to reach out in love to bless and support.

"In the premortal life, we learned that we would need a period of mortality. We 'accepted [Heavenly Father’s] plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize [our] divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.'  

"Elder Richard G. Scott explained that 'we were taught in the premortal world that our purpose in coming here is to be tested, tried, and stretched.' That stretching comes in as many forms as there are individuals experiencing it. I’ve never had to live through divorce, the pain and insecurity that comes from abandonment, or the responsibility associated with being a single mother. I haven’t experienced the death of a child, infertility, or same-gender attraction. I haven’t had to endure abuse, chronic illness, or addiction. These have not been my stretching opportunities.

"So right now some of you are thinking, 'Well then, Sister Stephens, you just don’t understand!' And I answer that you may be right. I don’t completely understand your challenges. But through my personal tests and trials—the ones that have brought me to my knees—I have become well acquainted with the One who does understand, He who was 'acquainted with grief,' who experienced all and understands all. And in addition, I have experienced all of the mortal tests that I just mentioned through the lens of a daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

"Our opportunity as covenant-keeping daughters of God is not just to learn from our own challenges; it is to unite in empathy and compassion as we support other members of the family of God in their struggles, as we have covenanted to do.

"When we do so, we also come to understand and trust that the Savior knows the difficulties of the way and can guide us through whatever sorrows and disappointments may come. He is true charity, and His love 'endureth forever'—in part through us as we follow Him.

"As daughters of God and disciples of Jesus Christ, we then 'act according to those sympathies which God has planted' in our hearts. Our sphere of influence isn’t limited to our own family members."

Studying this talk in a singles ward brought up the expected comments about how this lesson on family applies a little bit differently to us currently.  It was still mostly positive, but focusing on this specific section of the talk helped me remember that everyone has trials - we all face different things that are hard.  Although I don't think we need to compare, I think it is so important to give others the benefit of the doubt and remember that we don't know their struggles.  Hopefully our trials, as Sister Stephens mentions, make us humble and help us turn to the Lord for help...and also help us think of others and how we might be able to reach out to those around us.  

This article from the April 2011 Ensign, Trust, Patience and Endurance:  My Lessons from Infertility, helped me think about that - we may have different trials, but everyone has something they are dealing with.  We can turn to the Lord.  He understands.  Because of our trials and coming to know Him and His power to bless we can then also seek to strengthen and uplift and bless others.  I'm grateful for our Father's plan and for His perfect  love and understanding.