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!  ;) 

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

God does move in a mysterious way :) ...and today He knew I was searching for direction and peace.  I found it.  In music!  I was particularly touched and inspired by these hymns today:

God Moves in a Mysterious Way - I don't remember ever singing this song before; I'm sure I have at some point, but today it was a perfect reminder and blessing.  There is so much in life that can seem confusing and counterproductive even, but our Heavenly Father has a plan, a great purpose and He is constantly working to bring it to pass, in large and small ways, and for each of us individually.  We must trust Him.

"God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the sea 

And rides upon the storm. 

Ye fearful Saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy and shall break 

In blessings on your head. 

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding ev'ry hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste, 

But sweet will be the flower. 

Blind unbelief is sure to err

And scan his works in vain;

God is his own interpreter, 

And he will make it plain."

The scriptures referenced in the hymnbook are also sweet and instructive: Psalms 107:23-31 and Romans 8:28.

O Love that Glorifies the Son - We can and must pray for God's love to fill us...today.  :)  It is that love that makes our lives complete.

"O love that glorifies the Son,

O love that says, "Thy will be done!"

Pure love whose spirit makes us one-- 

(Chorus) 

Come, fill my soul today; 

Come, fill my soul today. 

O love that binds our family,

O love that brings my heart to thee,

Pure love that lasts eternally-- 

O love that overcomes defeat,

O love that turns the bitter sweet,

Pure love that makes our lives complete-- 

O Lord, give me the will to mend;

O Lord, change me from foe to friend;

Dear Lord, sustain me to the end--"

As I Search the Holy Scriptures - The scriptures are such an important place to find direction.  I know that life's mysteries are unfolded, my heart is blessed with wisdom, my unseen wounds are healed, and His life shows me the way as I study day by day.  :)

"As I search the holy scriptures,

Loving Father of mankind,

May my heart be blessed with wisdom, 

And may knowledge fill my mind. 

As I search the holy scriptures,

Touch my spirit, Lord, I pray.

May life's myst'ries be unfolded 

As I study day by day. 

As I search the holy scriptures,

May thy mercy be revealed.

Soothe my troubled heart and spirit; 

May my unseen wounds be healed. 

As I search the holy scriptures,

Help me ponder and obey.

In thy word is life eternal; 

May thy light show me the way."

How Great the Wisdom and the Love - I love this song!  I love our Savior!  I'm so grateful for His love, His life, and His sacrifice that make it possible for us to return to Him and our Heavenly Father.  How great, how glorious, how divine!!

"How great the wisdom and the love

That filled the courts on high

And sent the Savior from above 

To suffer, bleed, and die! 

His precious blood he freely spilt;

His life he freely gave,

A sinless sacrifice for guilt, 

A dying world to save. 

By strict obedience Jesus won

The prize with glory rife:

"Thy will, O God, not mine be done," 

Adorned his mortal life. 

He marked the path and led the way,

And ev'ry point defines

To light and life and endless day 

Where God's full presence shines. 

In mem'ry of the broken flesh

We eat the broken bread

And witness with the cup, afresh, 

Our faith in Christ, our Head. 

How great, how glorious, how complete

Redemption's grand design,

Where justice, love, and mercy meet

In harmony divine!"

For added meaning this song and the next one can be studied with two wonderful talks from the recent April 2015 General Conference - Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and The Gift of Grace by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

How Gentle God's Commands - This song has brought me peace many times, quite profoundly, and again today!  I know that we are under His watchful care.  He guards us and guides us and offers relief when we come to Him with our loads.

"How gentle God's commands!

How kind his precepts are! 

Come, cast your burdens on the Lord 

And trust his constant care. 

Beneath his watchful eye,

His Saints securely dwell;

That hand which bears all nature up 

Shall guard his children well. 

Why should this anxious load

Press down your weary mind?

Haste to your Heav'nly Father's throne 

And sweet refreshment find. 

His goodness stands approved,

Unchanged from day to day;

I'll drop my burden at his feet 

And bear a song away."

Israel, Israel, God is Calling - I love this call from the Lord to us to come to Him and help build Zion, today.  What an exciting and wonderful time to be alive and great blessing to know of the Lord and to rejoice with His walls!  I love how in this version of the song it begins as a quite voice calling us to Him and grows to something powerful.  There is no greater call or purpose than to listen for and come to Him!

"Israel, Israel, God is calling,

Calling thee from lands of woe. 

Babylon the great is falling; 

God shall all her tow'rs o'erthrow. 

Come to Zion, come to Zion 

Ere his floods of anger flow. 

Come to Zion, come to Zion 

Ere his floods of anger flow. 

Israel, Israel, God is speaking.

Hear your great Deliv'rer's voice!

Now a glorious morn is breaking 

For the people of his choice. 

Come to Zion, come to Zion, 

And within her walls rejoice. 

Come to Zion, come to Zion, 

And within her walls rejoice. 

Israel, angels are descending

From celestial worlds on high,

And to man their pow'r extending, 

That the Saints may homeward fly. 

Come to Zion, come to Zion, 

For your coming Lord is nigh. 

Come to Zion, come to Zion, 

For your coming Lord is nigh. 

Israel! Israel! Canst thou linger

Still in error's gloomy ways?

Mark how judgment's pointing finger 

Justifies no vain delays. 

Come to Zion, come to Zion! 

Zion's walls shall ring with praise. 

Come to Zion, come to Zion! 

Zion's walls shall ring with praise."

This song can be studied with Elder Holland's September 2012 CES Devotional - Israel, Israel, God is Calling and with the Gospel Principles lesson #42 - The Gathering of the House of Israel.

America the Beautiful - I have loved this song since I was about six or seven when I could see Pike's Peak out my living room window (the "purple mountain majesty" that inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write this song).  Around that same age I remember my dad was putting together a slide show for the 4th of July set to this song.  I felt then the importance and blessing of our country, but I don't know that I've heard a more beautiful and timely rendition of this song than I did today in sacrament meeting:

"Oh, beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved,

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine,

Till all success be nobleness,

And ev'ry gain divine.

Oh, beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam,

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea."

Manufactured Marathons

I learned early in my life about manufactured marathons.  :)  Thanks, Dad!

At the beginning of the year I signed up for a marathon.  It's good to have a goal.  It kept me going when I didn't want to run.  The mild winter actually made it pretty good for training, but then all the snow came on race day in May.  ;)  So, I picked up my packet the night before and started almost as early, but ran my own race - instead of Ogden Canyon it was a half marathon loop around the upper Avenues of Salt Lake and City Creek Canyon and then another half marathon around the indoor Olympic Oval track in Kearns.  I'd never been to the track before - it was actually a great alternative, but I'm very grateful for cheerleaders and another runner to helping me finish my 48 laps.  ;)

Today

Today...I'm grateful for my mother...and all she's taught me.  She taught me to go to church.  I'm grateful for church.  The past week or so I've been lacking a bit of direction and sense of purpose in life.  I'm still searching for a calling and purpose, but I'm grateful for opportunities to re-focus.  Here are a few thoughts that inspired me today (all very related to things my mother taught me and this day where we honor mothers):

The Book of Mormon

Temple Work and Family History

   "Motherhood...it's not something you do if you can squeeze the time in, it is what God gave you time for." 

- Rachel Jankovic, quoted by Neil L. Anderson

  "A mother exerts an unequaled influence. By the power of her example and teaching, her sons learn to respect womanhood and to incorporate discipline and high moral standards in their own lives. Her daughters learn to cultivate their own virtue and to stand up for what is right, again and again, however unpopular.

   "A mother’s love and high expectations lead her children to act responsibly without excuses, to be serious about education and personal development, and to make ongoing contributions to the well-being of all around them.
   "Elder Neal A. Maxwell once asked: 'When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?'
   "I also wish to express gratitude for the influence of all good women—whether they are mothers or not. Women bring with them into the world a certain virtue, a divine gift that makes them adept at instilling such qualities as faith, courage, empathy, and refinement in relationships and in cultures. I have been remarkably blessed by the moral influence of women, in particular my mother and my wife."

- Elder D. Todd Christofferson

   "May each of us treasure this truth; one cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God. Why? Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one." 

- President Thomas S. Monson

   "Individually, are we moving forward as is our rapidly growing church?
   "Or would we have drowned in Noah’s day or been caught polishing the golden calf with Aaron’s people?
   "Our lack of individual progress can impede the Savior’s work.
   "I don’t want to seem simplistic, sisters, but we need to move!
   "Like our brethren, we too have a mighty errand of our own. It requires our growth, our preparation, our constant reaching out to learn from the lessons of life, from our leaders, from the Lord.
   "There is so much to do.
   "There are many who don’t have what we have, who don’t know what we know. So may we be gentle and affectionately desirous of others as we impart, not only the gospel of Jesus Christ, but our own souls to those who have need of us.
   "It is, after all, the only cause grand enough for woman’s precious energies." 

- Elaine Cannon ("Our Mighty Errand," General Conference, Oct 1979)

Dearest Children, God is Near You

Dearest children, God is near you,
Watching o'er you day and night,
And delights to own and bless you,
If you strive to do what's right.
He will bless you, He will bless you,
If you put your trust in him.

Dearest children, holy angels
Watch your actions night and day,
And they keep a faithful record
Of the good and bad you say.
Cherish virtue! Cherish virtue!
God will bless the pure in heart.

For the Beauty of the Earth

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
(Chorus)
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flow'r,
Sun and moon, and stars of light,

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild,

Prayer

Today I'm grateful for prayer and answers and direction and peace.  Although answers don't always make sense, He knows what's best and I'm grateful.

A few other helpful insights:

• Elder Christofferson Answers 4 Questions about Prayer
• The Art of Authentic Prayer
• Elder Bednar said:  "I have found that the most spiritual part of prayer often comes when I say "amen” and I begin laboring on the thing about which I was praying.  Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them.  After we say “amen,” we should press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father. We have a responsibility to not merely ask—but to “ask in faith” (James 1:6)..... We should remember that most typically revelations are “conclusions” and not “explanations.” When we receive revelation for ourselves, we discover what God would have us do. He rarely provides a reason for why we should do what was revealed. Rather, He trusts us to be obedient to the revelation He has given us."
• I love this lesson from the Gospel Principles manual - Praying to our Heavenly Father - and all that I learned studying it (what is prayer; when, why, and how do we pray; and how are we answered).  What a blessing to be able to speak with our Heavenly Father.  He listens, He cares.  We can receive answers, but we must work, ask, move!  As we do what He directs we will be guided further.  What a blessing!

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.

Abide With Me

Lately I've been reminded of how fragile life is....and these have brought peace and inspiration...



The temple - and specifically the new Payson Temple

Master, the Tempest is Raging

Therefore They Hushed Their Fears - Elder David A. Bednar

An example from the Book of Mormon highlights the power of the knowledge of the Lord (see 2 Peter 1:2–8; Alma 23:5–6) to dispel fear and provide peace even as we confront great adversity.

In the land of Helam, Alma’s people were frightened by an advancing Lamanite army.

“But Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them that they should not be frightened, but … should remember the Lord their God and he would deliver them.

“Therefore they hushed their fears” (Mosiah 23:27–28).

Notice Alma did not hush the people’s fears. Rather, Alma counseled the believers to remember the Lord and the deliverance only He could bestow (see 2 Nephi 2:8). And knowledge of the Savior’s protecting watchcare enabled the people to hush their own fears.

Correct knowledge of and faith in the Lord empower us to hush our fears because Jesus Christ is the only source of enduring peace. He declared, “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me” (D&C 19:23).

Conversion

Tonight I was grateful to be reminded of the importance of conversion and stories of how people came to believe and know and trust the Lord and His plan and His gospel.  I particularly loved hearing the simple story of a devoted sister who grew up in the Church and said that she has been converted as she has lived the principles of the gospel.  As it says in John 7:17, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."  She is a good person and neat example of doing just that.  It helped me reflect on my conversion and reminded me of how I must do that in my life.  If we want to learn something we need to do it!  :)  Also, conversion doesn't need to be and shouldn't be a dramatic one-time event, but a continuous process of growth and refinement,.

I love hearing people's conversion stories!  It was my favorite thing to ask people about on my mission and since then really (when applicable).  People light up and are so excited to share their joy in finding truth and light and peace and the Savior!  It's good to be reminded of the examples of sacrifice and faith and commitment of those that choose to follow the Lord and His teachings.  It's wonderful to hear of the miracles and tender mercies that lead to these opportunities.

For me, I'm grateful to have been born to parents who taught me the gospel when I was young.  I felt of  and continue to observe their love for the gospel.  Growing up, I remember tiny experiences here and there of feeling the happiness of the gospel in my life as a child, while reading the scriptures together, going to temple grounds, or listening to prophets.  Then when I was thirteen years old I read the Book of Mormon for the first time on my own.  It became very real to me then and I found the promise in Moroni 10:3-5 to be real and true.  It wasn't one event, but the peace and joy and clarity I felt while reading consistently and completely that helped me to know it was good, it was true, it was the word of God.  Knowing the Book of Mormon was true was key in believing and knowing for myself that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true - the same Church Jesus Christ had established when He was here on the earth had been restored through Joseph Smith with priesthood power and authority and continuing revelation to living prophets.  I am grateful for this testimony that gives me strength and peace.

In this discussion of conversion I am reminded of a quote by President Harold B. Lee: “Your testimony is something that you have today but you may not have it always. Testimony is as elusive as a moonbeam; it’s as fragile as an orchid; you have to recapture it every morning of your life. You have to hold on by study, and by faith, and by prayer.”

While striving to hold on to and protect and strengthen that fragile moonbeam I am reminded of one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon - Mosiah 18.  Here Alma is teaching the words of Abinadi to the people who have fled from King Noah's rule.  They are desirous to learn the word of God and have been converted and wish to be baptized.  They are gathered at the waters of Mormon - which is actually where the Book of Mormon got its name.  The prophet Mormon, who compiled most of the Book of Mormon, was named after this place where so many came to know of their Redeemer (see 3 Nephi 5:12 and Mosiah 18:30).  "...how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever."  :)

Truth

What was the theme of General Conference?  :)

For me, one of the themes was TRUTH - seek truth, find truth, defend truth, and just as importantly be true, be real.  As Sister Esplin said at the beginning of the General Women's Session, "The answers to our prayers may not come dramatically, but we must find quiet moments to seek greater light and truth. And when we receive it, it is our responsibility to live it, to share it, and to defend it."

Here are a few quotes I loved along this theme...

Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson:  "I would like to issue a challenge for all of us as women of the Church to be defenders of 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World.' Just as Marie Madeline Cardon courageously defended the missionaries and her newly found beliefs, we need to boldly defend the Lord’s revealed doctrines describing marriage, families, the divine roles of men and women, and the importance of homes as sacred places—even when the world is shouting in our ears that these principles are outdated, limiting, or no longer relevant. Everyone, no matter what their marital circumstance or number of children, can be defenders of the Lord’s plan described in the family proclamation. If it is the Lord’s plan, it should also be our plan!" 

Elder Dallin H. Oaks quoting Archbishop Charles J. Chaput:  “I want to stress again the importance of really living what we claim to believe. That needs to be a priority—not just in our personal and family lives but in our churches, our political choices, our business dealings, our treatment of the poor; in other words, in everything we do.”

Elder Wilford W. Andersen:  "If our children learn the dance steps without learning to hear and to feel the beautiful music of the gospel, they will over time become uncomfortable with the dance and will either quit dancing or, almost as bad, keep dancing only because of the pressure they feel from others who are dancing around them."

Elder Quentin L. Cook:  "It is important for members to understand the gospel in the language of their heart so they can pray and act in accordance with gospel principles."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:  "If Jesus Christ were to sit down with us and ask for an accounting of our stewardship, I am not sure He would focus much on programs and statistics. What the Savior would want to know is the condition of our heart. He would want to know how we love and minister to those in our care, how we show our love to our spouse and family, and how we lighten their daily load.  And the Savior would want to know how you and I grow closer to Him and to our Heavenly Father....I am here because I love my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ....Become humble, genuine disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Bishop Gerald Causse:  "On this special day, I bear witness that the wonders and marvels of the gospel are anchored in the greatest of all of God’s gifts—the Savior’s Atonement. This is the perfect gift of love that the Father and the Son, united in purpose, have offered to each one of us. With you, 'I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. … Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!'  That we may always have eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that perceive the wonders of this marvelous gospel is my prayer."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:  "Are we like Simon? Are we confident and comfortable in our good deeds, trusting in our own righteousness? Are we perhaps a little impatient with those who are not living up to our standards? Are we on autopilot, going through the motions, attending our meetings, yawning through Gospel Doctrine class, and perhaps checking our cell phones during sacrament service?  Or are we like this woman, who thought she was completely and hopelessly lost because of sin?  Do we love much?  Do we understand our indebtedness to Heavenly Father and plead with all our souls for the grace of God?  When we kneel to pray, is it to replay the greatest hits of our own righteousness, or is it to confess our faults, plead for God’s mercy, and shed tears of gratitude for the amazing plan of redemption?  Salvation cannot be bought with the currency of obedience; it is purchased by the blood of the Son of God.  Thinking that we can trade our good works for salvation is like buying a plane ticket and then supposing we own the airline. Or thinking that after paying rent for our home, we now hold title to the entire planet earth."

Elder Robert D. Hales quoted the Prophet Joseph Smith: “I am bold to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination [as for a Mormon]; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves." 

Elder Kevin W. Pearson:  "To 'hang in there' is not a principle of the gospel. Enduring to the end means constantly coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him."


The other theme that I loved and heard loud and clear was the importance of family - The Family is of God!  :)

Hopefully with all of this truth and family.....it's all filled with LOVE!  :)  (That's what else I heard.)  :)

I'm grateful for a living Prophet, for Apostles and leaders who teach us how to follow Jesus Christ, who teach us to follow the promptings of the Spirit and to turn to the Lord!  I know He lives, He loves us, He wants us to be happy....and we will be as we follow Him!  :)

Good Friday #BecauseHeLives

It has been a good Friday, a good week. #BecauseHeLives

My fondest memory of Good Friday is when as a youth group we spent the entire day reading the four Gospels of the New Testament, learning about Christ and focusing on Him and His life and then the next morning taking time on our own, in our own personal study and special place on the beach, to reflect on what we had learned and then to share our testimonies of Him.  It was wonderful and I learned the importance of seeking to know Him better!  That is still my quest.  I know that He lives.  He is here and we must find Him and seek Him in all that we do!

Sunday Inspiration

It was an inspirational Sabbath!  I'm grateful for the Lord, His teachings, His Church, His plan, His love!  Here are a few insights from the day from speakers, scriptures, lessons, music, discussions, nature.

Build Zion
We might live in a wicked world, but we can be as Enoch.  We don't need to move to a desert island, but we can have faith and build Zion, be one, dwell in righteousness (see Moses 7:13-21).  I love how it points out in these verses that the Lord came to dwell with them and Zion was taken up to heaven in the process of time.  I don't know exactly what that looked like, but I know that we will also be blessed as we are steadfast in our devotion to the Lord.

Study the Atonement

A really important part of that is understanding His Atonement.  We need to figure it out!!  It might be somewhat hard to comprehend, but that doesn't mean that we don't study and seek and try to understand and learn all that we can.  That should be our quest!  To know Him, to know His love, to know His sacrifice.  President James E. Faust gave a beautiful talk in October 2001, The Atonement:  Our Greatest Hope.  He explained that "Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement.  Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more fully. The Atonement advances our mortal course of learning by making it possible for our natures to become perfect."  There is much that I don't know or understand, but have a new desire and urgency to try!

Find Rest
I love Matthew 11:28-30, but it has taken on new meaning and importance today.
"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."

There is much to learn from these verses.  Today I learned about how we take His yoke upon us and how that has much to do with finding rest.  I love these cross references:

• 1 John 2:6, "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
• Alma 37:34, "Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls."
• D&C 84:19-22, "And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.  Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.  And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;  For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live."

It's all about understanding the Atonement, knowing Him, and then receiving priesthood ordinances and keeping covenants.  That is how we take His yoke upon us, bind ourselves to Him, and find rest....and much of that is found in the temple!  I love the temple!  I loved singing this song today:

We Love Thy House, O God

We love thy house, O God,

Wherein thine honor dwells.

The joy of thine abode

All earthly joy excels.

It is the house of prayer,

Wherein thy servants meet,

And thou, O Lord, art there,

Thy chosen flock to greet.

We love the word of life,

The word that tells of peace,

Of comfort in the strife,

Of joys that never cease.

Be Obedient

There is so much to learn and study and understand and do when talking about and practicing obedience, and it was a blessing to learn and discuss a little bit today.  Obedience is the first law of heaven.  We are here on earth to be tested and proved to see if we will do all things the Lord commands (see Abraham 3:25).  We are blessed when we obey, particularly when we obey willingly and because we love the Lord (see Matthew 22:36-40 and John 14:21).  Obedience has much to do with faith and trust.  :)

The scriptures are full of faithful and obedient examples:  Adam (see Moses 5:5-6), Abraham (see Genesis 22:1-13), Nephi (see 1 Nephi 3:7, 1 Nephi 4:6-7, 1 Nephi 9:5-6, 2 Nephi 33:15), and many other examples (see Alma 57:20).  Joseph Smith said, "I made this my rule:When the Lord commands, do it."  The greatest example of obedience is our Savior, Jesus Christ who always did the Father's will (see John 6:38, 2 Nephi 31:7, Matthew 26:39, Luke 22:41-46).

President Monson quoted Doctrine and Covenants 93 when he taught, "In a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, in May of 1833, the Lord declared:  “Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come. …The Spirit of truth is of God. …And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments.  He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”  What a glorious promise! “He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.”  There is no need for you or for me, in this enlightened age when the fulness of the gospel has been restored, to sail uncharted seas or to travel unmarked roads in search of truth.  A loving Heavenly Father has plotted our course and provided an unfailing guide—even obedience.  A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God."

...this sacrament song seemed particularly applicable today.  :)

How Great the Wisdom and the Love
By strict obedience Jesus won
The prize with glory rife:
"Thy will, O God, not mine be done,"
Adorned his mortal life.

Go for a Walk :)

And the best way to end a Sabbath day is with a peaceful, inspirational, and uplifting sunset walk around Temple Square.  :)

Simplify. Endure. Defend.

I've been thinking a lot lately about who I am and who I need to be.  A few thoughts have come to me as I have participated in a personal develop program at work, attended ward conference, and attended the General Women's Session of General Conference.

Here are a few of my thoughts:
Simplify.  Focus.  Serve.  Act.  Build.  Share.  Feed.  Endure.  Comfort.  Stand.  Defend.

Personal Development
I'm still working on creating a personal mission statement and development plan, but have really enjoyed the opportunity to focus on the importance of having a vision for life.  Someone shared an experience with trying to shoot a bull's eye.  In order to aim correctly he actually couldn't see the target with his eye.  In order to actually hit the target we can't focus so much on the future and end goal (eternal life).  We must be aware of what's right in front of us (living correctly and doing the things that we need to today).  We must live in the present, forget ourselves, and be a servant leader.  We should identify and prioritize what we want to work on and be sure to consult with our Advisor, submitting to His will.  We must work and act in faith, record our progress, re-evaluate, but not compare ourselves to others.  We should avoid pride and only work to please the Lord.  I believe that means that we simply keep the commandments, have faith in Him, and remember Him.  We work to be filled with His love and then share it as a pure vessel.  Maybe I'll share a more finalized version of my mission statement later, but these are some of the things that have been shaping my thoughts lately.

Ward Conference
Relatedly, our ward conference focused on counsel given to David Whitmer in 1829, from Doctrine and Covenants 14:7, "And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God."  We must endure well.  Some ideas on what that means:  get up and get moving, do something now, get involved, be in tune with the Holy Ghost and obey promptings, don't focus on the things of the world, don't let riches or the cares of the world get in your way (see Matthew 13:22), lose your life for His sake to find it, don't get in the Lord's way, think of and serve others, serve Him, renew and keep our covenants.

Enduring is the fifth principles of the gospel, after faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost (see 2 Nephi 31:20).  Stress and discomfort is involved when trying to become like God, but we must keep on.  Elder Bednar teaches of Elder Neal A. Maxwell's example of enduring with authenticity.  Here are a few of Elder Maxwell's talks on the subject of enduring:
* December 1984 - "If Thou Endure it Well"
* April 1990 - "Endure it Well"
* October 1997 - "Applying the Atoning Blood of Christ"

I also think that Elder Hales is a neat example of what it means to endure to the end.  I found many wonderful insights from him on this topic from his book, Return: Four Phases of our Mortal Journey Home.

One other thought I was grateful to consider about the subject in our ward conference meetings was the fact that sometimes the hardest part of enduring is knowing how to use our time and finding out the Lord's plan for us and finding meaning in life.  In 1995, Elder Scott taught us to Trust in the Lord and to ask ourselves "What am I to do?  What am I to learn from this experience?  What am I to change?"  I think these are important questions as we consider what we must do to endure well.

We must WEARY NOT! :)  There awaits a brighter day to all who do not weary by the way.  :)  I'm reminded that the gospel is simple.  We must keep our covenants, be true and faithful, be valiant in our testimonies, become what He wants us to be, and let the gospel consume us with joy!

I'm just finishing two really neat books about pioneers crossing the plains (Fresh Courage Take and The Undaunted) and am reminded of their faithful examples.  I think life today requires just as much faith (and maybe more).  Some of our challenges may not be as physically apparent, but can be every bit as dangerous.  It is so important that we trust in the Lord and keep going!!!

General Women's Session
The General Women's Meeting was another powerful reminder for me of who I am.  I am built on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, part of God's family, and must be a true disciple of Jesus Christ by....
not burying my testimony in the ground, but by seeking and holding on to light and truth, supporting others, loving, doing good, nurturing, defending the family, being one, teaching truth, ministering with power, confronting the mob, having courage and conviction, sanctifying and building a righteous home, faithfully keep my covenants, having faith in the Lord's timing, building the kingdom, defending the Lord's doctrines and His plan, being brave, being steadfast and immovable, comforting those in need of comfort, bearing one another's burdens, lightening others' loads, and bringing peace to others.

I am grateful for our Savior's love.  I know He loves us, knows us, and wants to succor us....and that we are bound to Him by loving ties.  In Him my heart rejoices!  :)

Spring!

Oh how lovely was the morning and afternoon and evening....  :)

I'm grateful for Spring....and it's been beautiful this year!!  It is a wonderful reminder of new beginnings, new life, and lots of HOPE!!!  I really liked this article in the Deseret News recently about The Victory of Spring.  The warm weather, the beautiful flowers, the longer days, the birds singing make me happy and grateful, I'm most especially grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and His life and resurrection and the restoration of the gospel that began with Joseph Smith's vision on a spring day just 195 years ago.

Make Me Whole

It was a special day.  It was a special week.  I've had the opportunity the past couple of months and weeks to be a part of a choir performing "Lamb of God" by Rob Gardner - a beautiful presentation with orchestra, soloists, and narrators telling the story of Christ's life, particularly the last week of his life and then His glorious resurrection.  The main message - "Here is Hope...Hope did not die here, but here was given."  :)  I've felt that multiple times while practicing and hearing this music.  I've been touched, uplifted, inspired and had the chance to watch others be touched as well.  I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know that He lives!  "This is He!  Our Hope, Our Deliverer, Our All!  Our comfort by day and our song in the night.  The Resurrection and the Life.  He who shall reign.  In whom we will ever rejoice."

Tonight, at our last performance, I was feeling tired, inspired, but mostly.... searching.... wanting to know the Lord's will and wanting to be healed.  :)  With these thoughts in my mind and while reverently sitting on the stage for the few minutes before the concert was to begin I saw people walking in to take their seats.  I noticed towards the back of the audience someone carrying an individual from a wheelchair, someone with obvious physical limitations, someone that I picture being brought to the Savior when He was here on the earth to be healed.  I was touched by the desire of these people to be in this place to feel of His love and His healing.  I realized again that in some way or another we are all seeking His help and healing.  Our faith and belief brought us together tonight to feel and find that for a few minutes.

A few minutes later Martha was singing.  Jesus had come when he heard of Lazarus' death.  Martha testified of His power to heal, but didn't seem to have any idea that healing and life could come so immediately....

"Lord, if Thou hadst been here, If Thou wouldst have heard us, My brother then would not have died.  No.  If Thou hadst been here.  Thou couldst have saved him.  I know that thou couldst have healed him.  But, even now, I know that if thou wilt ask of God, What Thou wouldst, God will give thee.  What thou asketh, He'll give thee.  I know that he shall rise again Lord.  I know he shall rise again in the resurrection At the last day."  When Jesus testifies to her that He is the resurrection and the life she says, "Yea, Lord; I believe that Thou art the Christ, which should come, The Son of God, But I do not understand..."

This interchange was particularly poignant to me.  I think I have not understood.  I know that Jesus makes it possible for us to live again....eventually, as Martha said, "at the last day."  He can heal us, but He is saying that He is here now, He WILL heal us now, today.  :)

Martha continues, "Touch my eyes and bid them see That my gaze might pierce the veil, And behold the wondrous scene That, in dreams, I've long beheld, Oh, touch my heart and bid it know That ev'ry sorrow is but a moment's tear, And Thou wilt make me whole again.  Touch my ears and bid them hear All the glory of Thy truth, That my hope might come of faith And no more require proof.  oh touch my heart and bid it know That, while in darkness here, The Light is ever near, And Thou wilt make me whole again.  Then touch my lips and bid them sing Songs of everlasting praise, That my soul might then believe And give thanks through all my days!  Oh, touch my heart and bid it know That ev'ry breath I take is by Thy tender grace, And Thou wilt make me whole, again."

She asked to see as He does, to have Him touch her heart and make her whole.  I realize that He can make us, he can make me, whole TODAY.  We don't need to wait.  He is here to heal and bless and lift and strengthen and change us NOW, but we must believe, we must come to Him and let Him change us, let Him make us whole.  I am grateful for His power, His life, His healing, His love!!

Relax

In the middle of a full and busy week I am very grateful for the temple!  It is a place of peace and joy and renewal and learning and focus, but tonight I was seeking peace and particularly time to relax.  I had literally thought of that word several times throughout the day while preparing to go.  I was excited to and needed to relax!  :)  That's not a word I would generally use for the temple - generally there's more focus and learning, but tonight I needed to just be there and relax - be still, have peace, find rest.  I was pleasantly surprised and grateful when that is the exact word the member of the temple presidency used to welcome our ward to the temple.  :)  I am grateful for the rest that is there - and there's much more I need to learn about that!  :)