Living Well on Next To Nothing

Rise

2011-12-16T22:05:00.003-06:00

This is a fantastic song by Shawn McDonald. You can hear it on k-love or you tube.

Rise

(Chorus)
Yes I will rise
Out of these ashes, rise
From this trouble I have found
And this rubble on the ground
I will rise(X2)

Cause He who is in me
Is greater than I will ever be
And I will rise
(X2)

Sometimes my heart is on the ground
And hope is nowhere to be found
Love is a figment I once knew
And yet I hold on to what I know is true

Chorus

Well I keep on coming to this place
That I don't know quite how to face
So I lay down my life in hopes to die
That somehow I might rise

Chorus

Healing Begins

2011-12-16T21:50:00.002-06:00

This is a great song by Tenth Avenue North. You can hear it on K-love or you tube.

Healing Begins

So you thought you had to keep this up
All the work that you doSo we think that you're good
And you can't believe it's not enough
All the walls you built upAre just glass on the outside

So let 'em fall down
There's freedom waiting in the sound
When you let your walls fall to the ground
We're here now

This is where the healing begins
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark

Afraid to let your secrets out
Everything that you hide
Can come crashing through the door now
But too scared to face all your fear
So you hide but you find
That the shame won't disappear

So let it fall down
There's freedom waiting in the sound
When you let your walls fall to the ground
We're here now
We're here now

Oh This is where the healing begins
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark

Sparks will fly as grace collides
With the dark inside of us
So please don't fight
This coming light
Let this blood come cover us
His blood can cover us

This is where the healing begins
This is where the healing starts
Come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark

Stake Conference Saturday Adult Session November 5, 2011

2011-11-06T04:38:00.003-06:00

Opening hymn: 59 "Come, O Thou King of Kings"

Opening prayer

1st speaker: "Blessings of the Temple"

* We should be the happiest people on the earth. We have so much. We should have faith now and in the future.

*The temple is a safe harbor, a beacon of light, a house of peace, a house of learning, a house of prayer.

* We leave the temple feeling stronger and with a sense of relief.

* We feel joy for gifts that are overflowing.

* The temple is the object of every activity that we do.

* The temple ordinances are crucial to us because we can't return to God's glory without them.

* The temple helps us to get our bearings and gives us a safe way to get through our struggles.

* It helps us to put on the whole armor of God and gives us spiritual nourishment.

* The temple is a place where God can come.

* The temple is a place of sanctification, thanksgiving, unifying ordinances, and charity.

D&C 124: God commanded Joseph Smith to build a temple.

*The primary purpose of the temple is to provide the necessary ordinances to exaltation.

* It is a place of knowledge and wisdom. We are taught in the Lord's way - His way not ours. It is a place of solemn promising.

* It enables us to walk back to our Father.

* It is so important that we understand the purpose of our lives so we can focus on doing those things that have real meaning.

*Covenants are protective.

* The temple elevates us past our own perspective.

* Families can be together forever.

D&C 132: 46 - Whatever is bound on earth, is bound in heaven.

* The temple is an unyielding witness that goodness will prevail. Each temple lessen the power of evil and increases the power of good. It is where we get our true blessings. It helps us to be in the world and not of the world.

It is where we get guidance, revelation, and answers.

Our concern should be to perform ordinances for the dead so they won't be held back.

* The temple stands as a symbol of our membership in the church. It is a stepping stone. It brings us peace and spiritual strength. It keeps us on course.

* Everyone who goes to the temple comes out a better person than when they went in.

Go often! Bless the lives of others!

* The temple refuels our lamps. lightens our way, and prepares us for the second coming.

2nd speaker: "Temple Worship"

* D&C 97: my glory shall rest upon it, my presence shall rest upon it, pure in heart will see Me, Zion is the pure in heart

*The primary purpose of the temple is to gain the necessary ordinances for exaltation.

* We are taught special things we can only learn in the temple.

* One of our greatest responsibilities is to seek after our dead. Start by seeking the easy to find ancestors. Begin where you are.

* There is a spirit of peace that the temple brings.

* One of the benefits of the temple is that we can maintain our spiritual strength dail. Hasten to the temple as often as is possible. It is a place of beauty and peace.

3rd Speaker:

God loves us and wants us to be happy so He gives us rules and consequences.

* October 2001 Visiting Teaching Message: He is fully aware of our weaknesses and so He gave us covenants.

* We are more able to bear trials by keeping covenants. Covenants provide us protection, peae, and true joy.

* Going to the temple and listening to the promises gives us a feeling of hope, love, peace, and comfort.

* Everyone has struggles and needs the help of the Lord. Do we feel the blessings of our covenants?

How can we feel the blessings of our covenants?

1. Remember covenants.

2. Be grateful for covenants.

3. Seek the blessings of covenants.

4. Keep your covenants.

What might this look like? It can be things like:

*Putting up another picture of the temple
* Putting up post-it notes to remind yourself to be grateful for covenants
* Calendaring temple attendance
* Really thinking of covenants during sacrament
* Looking at garments in a different way and respecting them

Attending the temple and remembering our covenants increases our opportunities, expands our vision, and gives us strength in our challenges.

The greatest compliment we can receive is to be known as a covenant keeper.

As we turn to our covenants, we will feel their strength.

4th Speaker: President Foley "Qualifying For and Holding a Temple Recommend"

We should establish the temple as the symbol of our membership.

Matthew 22: 1-14 - Parable of the Marriage of the King's Son

1. We have to accept the invitation to go to the temple and get a temple recommend. The standards are His and are not open to interpretation.

2. We need to prepare to receive our temple recommends. This is an interview with God - our priesthood holders are facilitators for Him.

How do we prepare for an interview with the Lord? How do we dress and plan? How rushed are we? Do we take time to really ponder?

We are in a world beset by shifting values.

1 Nephi 8:19 - Rod of iron leads to the tree of life via the straight and narrow path

When we drift we can always reach back to grab hold of the iron rod. A temple recommend interview is our way of reseeking to take hold of the iron rod. Listen carefully to the spirit as you prepare.

The temple recommend process is an inspired process - a tender mercy to recommit to the gospel.

Special Musical Number: Be Still My Soul

5th Speaker: President Ames "Overcoming Adversity"

There is a God in Heaven.

The temple is the central theme of the family. It is our shadow by day and our pillar by night. Ordinances and truth await us in the temple.

Why Adversity?

1. Sin and rebellion against God.
2. Mistakes because of weaknesses
3. Actions of others

All of these have their own consequences.

Gene R. Cook "Overcoming Adversity: Suffering Tribulation in the Redeemer's Name"

* Our trials can either harden our hearts or they can humble us. Misery is of our own making. What we do with adversity makes all the difference in the world and in the eternities.

* We can deal with adversity the way Nephi did or the way Laman and Lemuel did. They were all in the same wilderness but responded differently.

Laman and Lemuel said "We cannot understand." Nephi asked them if they had inquired of the Lord. They responded that the Lord would make no such thing known to them.

Nephi prayed his heart would be softened so that he would understand.

The gospel will bring us through and change who we are.

D&C 109: 72-74

We have the opportunity to fulfill a heritage - to worship in this (Kansas City) temple. We are connected to those who have gone before us. Don't let adversity keep us from being the people of God.

6th speaker: President Morgan

Isaiah 52:1 Awake, Awake put on thy strength

We must awake and arie - put on beautiful garments - arouse ourselves to a greater devotion to the Lord.

We are not living up to our privileges. We need to put on righteousness, strength, and covenants. We put on strength by obedience.

D&C 109:73 May come forth out of the darkness

We live in a spiritual wilderness but we can put on the armor of God.

All things will be in commotion. Going to the temple will help our hearts not to fail.

D&C 101: Parable of the olive tree

Our tower is the temple. It keeps the enemy from coming in and destroying our families. The temple is a refuge for our families. If we do things to point our children to the temple, they will be able to go forward and serve with power.

We need to make the temple the central theme of our lives.

***Geographic proximity does not necessarily increase temple worship.***

We need to make the temple the symbol of our membership, devotion, and worship. Let us prepare against a drop off in attendance.

Spend time in families talking about the temple and who we can invite.

How can we make the temple a central part of our family? Make the temple part of your goals!

Closing hymn: 247 We Love Thy House O God
Closing prayer

Someone Worth Dying For

2011-11-03T03:36:00.003-05:00

This is a beautiful song by Mikeschair. You can hear it on klove.

Someone Worth Dying For

You might be the wife,
Waiting up at night
You might be the man,
Struggling to provide
Feeling like it's hopeless

Maybe you're the son,
Who chose a broken road
Maybe you're the girl,
Thinking you'll end up alone
Praying God can you hear me?
Oh God are you listening?

Chorus)
Am I more than flesh and bone?
Am I really something beautiful?
Yeah, I wanna believe,
I wanna believe that
I'm not just some wandering soul
That you don't see and you don't know
Yeah I wanna believe,
Jesus help me believe that
I Am someone worth dying for

I know you've heard the truth
that God has set you free
But you think you're the one
that grace could never reach
So you just keep asking,
what everybody's asking

Chorus

You're worth it, you can't earn it
Yeah the Cross has proven
That you're sacred and blameless
Your life has purpose

And you are more than flesh and bone
Can't you see you're something beautiful
Yeah you gotta believe, you gotta believe
He wants you to see, He wants you to see
That you're not just some wandering soul
That can't be seen and can't be known
Yeah you gotta believe, you gotta believe that you
Are someone worth dying for

You're someone worth dying for
You're someone worth dying for

Hold On To Me

2011-11-01T04:29:00.002-05:00

Hold On To Me is a song by King and Country. You can hear it on Klove. I am so grateful for the One who never lets go!

Hold On To Me

Winter has come back again
Feels like the season won't end
My faith is dying tonight
And I won't try to pretend

I've got it all figured out
I don't have any doubts
I've got a busted heart
I need You now
Yeah, I need You now

(Chorus)
Hold on to me, hold on to me
Don't let me lose my way
Hold on to me

I am the wandering son
Your love is never enough
I keep chasing the wind
Instead of chasing Your love
I'm screaming out Your name
Don't let me fall on my face
I've got a busted heart
I'm in need of a change
I'm desperate for grace

Hold on to me, take all of me
Don't let me lose my way
Hold on to me

Broke Your heart a thousand times
But You've never left my side
You have always been here for me

You never let me go
You never let me go
Don't ever let me go

Hold on to me, hold on to me
Don't let me lose my way
Hold on to me

Hold on to me, take all of me
Don't let me lose my way
Hold on to me

Until it comes to an end
Soon this season will end
I'll surrender tonight
You meet me right where I am

There's Peace and Then There's Peace

2011-05-17T10:18:00.003-05:00

This is the title of a section in a book I'm currently reading called "He Did Deliver Me From Bondage" by Colleen Harrison. I think it's absolutely amazing for those of us who are seeking to heal and restore our relationships with one another.

There's Peace and Then There's Peace

"As we pursue this process of seeking peace through amends, we must beware of Satan's counterfeit peace. Believe me, he has a counterfeit, and he does a good job of passing it off as sufficient. It's the peace that seems easy, that seems cheap, and that's really a lie. It's the kind of peace where you cover up, pretend, and "act as if" indefinitely. It's the outward peace that we're willing to purchase at the price of Christ's true inner peace. Satan's brand of peace is the kind that has a veneer of "fineness," which covers up a lifetime of pain and regret with obsession and compulsion.

Many of us have lived our lives, either consciously or unconsciously, by the philosophy that we need to maintain "peace at any price," The only problem is that when that outward peace has been purchased by denying and avoiding our real feelings, we have paid far too high a price. As we have discussed before, the suppression of feelings is an across-the-board phenomenon. If we turn down the volume on some feelings, then all are affected; those that are the stillest and smallest, the most refined, are often lost entirely. And since feelings are the channel through which we receive the words or whisperings of the Spirit, Satan has us right where he wants us - hiding feelings of shame, anger, pain, and resentment, and thus tuning ourselves out from the personal experience of God's love and guidance.

We should always beware of any voice, whether internal or external, that counsels us to deny our true feelings, that would advise us to be dishonest in the name of keeping peace, of caring what others might think, that twists the meaning of "avoiding the appearance of evil" to suppress honesty and truth.

We each need to ask ourselves honestly, if in the attempt to avoid the appearance of evil, we have settled for only the appearance of peace.

The voice of the Lord will always admonish you to be gentle, but never, never dishonest. The spirit of lying and the Spirit of Christ are never compatible."

In Humility, Our Savior

2011-05-14T04:27:00.003-05:00

In humility, our Savior, Grant thy Spirit here, we pray,
As we bless the bread and water In thy name this holy day.
Let me not forget, O Savior, Thou didst bleed and die for me
When thy heart was stilled and broken On the cross at Calvary.

Fill our hearts with sweet forgiving; Teach us tolerance and love.
Let our prayers find access to thee In thy holy courts above.
Then, when we have proven worthy Of thy sacrifice divine,
Lord, let us regain thy presence; Let thy glory round us shine.

So Long Self

2011-05-12T12:47:00.000-05:00

"So Long Self" is a great song by MercyMe. You can hear it on k-love or you tube.

So Long Self

Well if I come across a little bit distant
It's just because I am
Things just seem to feel a little bit different
You understand

Believe it or not but life is not apparently
About me anyways
But I have met the One who really is worthy
So let me say

So long self
Well it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me farewell
Oh well, Goodbye, don't cry
So Long Self

Stop right there because I know what your thinking
But no we can't be friends
And even though I know your heart is breaking
This has to end

And come to think of it the blame for all of this
Simply falls on me
For wanting something more in life than all of this
Oh, can't you see

So long self
Well it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me farewell
Oh well, Goodbye, don't cry
So Long Self

Farewell, Goodbye
Oh so long self

Pathways To Perfection

2011-05-04T07:44:00.002-05:00

President Thomas S. Monson

“Happiness,” the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote, “is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.”

But how does one find that pathway, and what’s more, how does one stay on that pathway which leads to perfection?

In Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice finds herself coming to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire Cat, of whom she asks, “Which path shall I take?”

The cat answers: “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t really matter which path you take!”

Unlike Alice, each of you knows where you want to go. It does matter which way you go, for the path you follow in this life leads to the path you will follow in the next. (emphasis mine)

President George Albert Smith, eighth President of the Church, urged: “Let us plant our feet upon the highway that leads to happiness and the celestial kingdom, not just occasionally, but every day, and every hour, because if we will stay on the Lord’s side of the line, if we will remain under the influence of our Heavenly Father, the adversary cannot even tempt us. But if we go into the devil’s territory … we will be unhappy and that unhappiness will increase as the years go by, unless we repent of our sins and turn to the Lord.” (emphasis mine)

I have always felt that if we speak in generalities, we rarely have success; but if we speak in specifics, we will rarely have a failure. Therefore, I urge that you exemplify in your lives four tested, specific virtues. They are:

1. An attitude of gratitude,

2. A longing for learning,

3. A devotion to discipline, and

4. A willingness to work.

First, an attitude of gratitude. In the book of Luke, chapter 17, we read the account of the 10 lepers. The Savior, in traveling toward Jerusalem, passed through Galilee and Samaria and entered a certain village where He was met on the outskirts by 10 lepers who were forced, because of their condition, to live apart from others. They stood “afar off” and cried, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”

The Savior, full of sympathy and love for them, said, “Go shew yourselves unto the priests,” and as they went they discovered that they were healed. The scriptures tell us, “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at [the Master’s] feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.”
The Savior responded, “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

Like the leprosy of yesteryear are the plagues of today. They linger; they debilitate; they destroy. They are to be found everywhere. Their pervasiveness knows no boundaries. We know them as selfishness, greed, indulgence, cruelty, and crime—to identify but a few.

At a regional conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley declared: “We live in a world of so much filth. It is everywhere. It is on the streets. It is on television. It is in books and magazines. … It is like a great flood, ugly and dirty and mean, engulfing the world. We have got to stand above it. … The world is slipping in its moral standards. That can only bring misery. The way to happiness lies in a return to strong family life and the observance of moral standards, the value of which has been proven through centuries of time.” (emphasis mine)

By following President Hinckley’s counsel, we can make this a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. There are so many things right—such as teachers who teach, friends who help, marriages that make it, and parents who sacrifice.

Through divine intervention, those who were lepers were spared from a cruel, lingering death and given a new lease on life. The gratitude expressed by one merited the Master’s blessing, the ingratitude by the nine His disappointment.

Second, a longing for learning.

President Stephen L Richards, who was a counselor in the First Presidency many years ago, was a profound thinker. He said, “Faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other.” My advice is to seek faith and dispel doubt. (emphasis mine)

The Lord counseled, “Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”

We can find truth in the scriptures, the teachings of the prophets, the instructions from our parents, and the inspiration that comes to us as we bend our knees and seek the help of God.

We must be true to our ideals, for ideals are like the stars: you can’t touch them with your hands, but by following them you reach your destination. (emphasis mine)

Third, may we discuss a devotion to discipline.

Our Heavenly Father has given to each of us the power to think and reason and decide. With such power, self-discipline becomes a necessity. (emphasis mine)

Each of us has the responsibility to choose. You may ask, “Are decisions really that important?” I say to you, decisions determine destiny. You can’t make eternal decisions without eternal consequences. (emphasis mine)

May I provide a simple formula by which you can measure the choices which confront you. It’s easy to remember: “You can’t be right by doing wrong; you can’t be wrong by doing right.” Your personal conscience always warns you as a friend before it punishes you as a judge. (emphasis mine)

The Lord, in a revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, counseled: “That which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness. That which is of God is light.” (emphasis mine)

Some foolish persons turn their backs on the wisdom of God and follow the allurement of fickle fashion, the attraction of false popularity, and the thrill of the moment. Courage is required to think right, choose right, and do right, for such a course will rarely, if ever, be the easiest to follow. (emphasis mine)

The battle for self-discipline may leave you a bit bruised and battered but always a better person. Self-discipline is a rigorous process at best; too many of us want it to be effortless and painless. Should temporary setbacks afflict us, a very significant part of our struggle for self-discipline is the determination and the courage to try again. (emphasis mine)

Eternal life in the kingdom of our Father is your goal, and self-discipline will surely be required if you are to achieve it.

Finally, let each of us cultivate a willingness to work. President J. Reuben Clark, many years ago a counselor in the First Presidency, said: “I believe that we are here to work, and I believe there is no escape from it. I think that we cannot get that thought into our souls and into our beings too soon. Work we must, if we shall succeed or if we shall advance. There is no other way.”

Procrastination is truly a thief of time—especially when it comes to downright hard work.

There will come into every life moments of despair and the need for direction from a divine source—even an unspoken plea for help. With all my heart and soul I testify to you that our Heavenly Father loves you, is mindful of you, and will not abandon you. (emphasis mine)

...may our thoughts turn to Him who atoned for our sins, who showed us the way to live, how to pray, and who demonstrated by His own actions how we might do so. Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, this Son of God—even Jesus Christ the Lord—beckons to each of us to follow Him. “Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’”

That We Might Know Thee

2011-05-02T21:31:00.002-05:00

James E. Faust, Ensign, Jan, 1999

Some time ago in South America, a seasoned group of outstanding missionaries was asked, “What is the greatest need in the world?” One wisely responded, “Is not the greatest need in all of the world for every person to have a personal, ongoing, daily, continuing relationship with Deity?” Having such a relationship can unchain the divinity within us, and nothing can make a greater difference in our lives as we come to know and understand our divine relationship with God and His Beloved Son, our Master. As Jesus said in the great Intercessory Prayer, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

We should earnestly seek not just to know about the Master, but to strive, as He invited, to be one with Him (see John 17:21), to “be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Eph. 3:16). We may not feel a closeness with Him because we think of Him as being far away, or our relationship may not be sanctifying because we do not think of Him as a real person.

May I suggest five beginning, essential measures that will greatly clear the channel for a daily flow of “living water” from the very source of the spring (see John 4:7–15).

First, a daily communion involving prayer. A fervent, sincere prayer is a two-way communication that will do much to bring the Spirit flowing like healing water to help with the trials, hardships, aches, and pains we all face. What is the quality of our secret prayers? As we pray, we should think of our Heavenly Father as being close by; full of knowledge, understanding, love, and compassion; the essence of power; and having great expectations of each of us.

Second, a daily selfless service to another. The followers of the divine Christ have to be weighed on the scales of what their actions are rather than on solemn professions of belief. The true measure is found in Matthew: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these … , ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:40). A wise man observed, “The man who lives by himself and for himself is apt to be corrupted by the company he keeps” (Charles Henry Parkhurst, quoted in The International Dictionary of Thoughts [1969], 659).

Third, a daily striving for an increased obedience and perfection in our lives. “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am,” said the Savior (3 Ne. 27:27). Because of the perfect Atonement of Jesus, we may be made perfect (see D&C 76:69).

Fourth, a daily acknowledgment of His divinity. To have a daily, personal relationship with the Master, we must be His disciples. “For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?” (Mosiah 5:13).

Fifth, a daily study of the scriptures. President Spencer W. Kimball said: “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 135).

For those who have honest doubts, let us hear what eyewitnesses had to say about Jesus of Nazareth. The ancient Apostles were there. They saw it all. They participated. No one is more worthy of belief than they. Said Peter, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Pet. 1:16). John recorded the Samaritans at Sychar as saying, “For we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world” (John 4:42). Modern-day witnesses Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon declared, “For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father” (D&C 76:23).

Peter counsels us to be “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4). The influence and teaching of the Messiah should have a transcendence over all other interests and concerns in our lives. We must constantly be reaching upward for the riches of eternity, for the kingdom of God is within us (see Luke 17:21).

By sanctifying ourselves, the day will come when “he will unveil his face unto” us (D&C 88:68). “If your eye be single to [his] glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things” (D&C 88:67).

In the many trials of life, when we feel abandoned and when sorrow, sin, disappointment, failure, and weakness make us less than we should ever be, there can come the healing salve of the unreserved love in the grace of God. It is a love that forgives and forgets, a love that lifts and blesses. It is a love that sustains a new beginning on a higher level and thereby continues “from grace to grace” (D&C 93:13).

During the years of my life, I have gone to my knees with a humble spirit to the only place I could for help. I often went in agony of spirit, earnestly pleading with God to sustain me in the work I have come to appreciate more than life itself. I have, on occasion, felt the terrible aloneness of the wounds of the heart, of the sweet agony, the buffetings of Satan, and the encircling warm comfort of the Spirit of the Master.

I have also felt the crushing burden, the self-doubts of inadequacy and unworthiness, the fleeting feeling of being forsaken, then of being reinforced an hundredfold. I have climbed a spiritual Mount Sinai dozens of times seeking to communicate and to receive instructions. It has been as though I have struggled up an almost real Mount of Transfiguration and upon occasion felt great strength and power in the presence of the Divine. A special, sacred feeling has been a sustaining influence and often a close companion.

It is my testimony that we are facing difficult times. We must be courageously obedient. My witness is that we will be called upon to prove our spiritual stamina, for the days ahead will be filled with affliction and difficulty. But with the assuring comfort of a personal relationship with God, we will be given a calming courage. From the Divine so near we will receive the quiet assurance:

“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes” (D&C 121:7–8).

I have a certain knowledge that Jesus of Nazareth is our divine Savior. I know that He lives. From my earliest recollection I have had a sure perception of this. As long as I have lived, I have had a simple faith that has never doubted. I have not always understood, yet I have known through a knowledge that is so sacred to me that I cannot give utterance to it. I know and I testify with an absolute awareness in every fiber and innermost recess of my being that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Divine Redeemer, and the Son of God. May we ever be obedient to His wish, “Come unto me thy Savior” (D&C 19:41).

Before the Morning

2011-05-02T12:20:00.002-05:00

Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you
If there's a God who loves you
Where is He now

Maybe there are things you can't see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Someday somehow you'll see you'll see

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning

My friend you know how this all ends
And You know where you’re going
You just don’t know how you’ll get there
So say a prayer

And hold on cause there’s good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time but you’ll see the bigger picture

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning

Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory
Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory, memory, memory

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still got a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still got a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming

Come on you've gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the hurt before the healing

Oh the pain that you’ve been feelingI
t’s just the dark before the morning
Before the morning

The Call For Courage

2011-05-02T04:43:00.002-05:00

Thomas S. Monson

Long ago, the renowned author Charles Dickens wrote of opportunities that await. In his classic volume entitled Great Expectations, Dickens described a boy by the name of Philip Pirrip, more commonly known as Pip. Pip was born in unusual circumstances. He was an orphan. He wished with all his heart that he were a scholar and a gentleman. Yet all of his ambitions and all of his hopes seemed doomed to failure.

Then one day a London lawyer by the name of Jaggers approached little Pip and told him that an unknown benefactor had bequeathed to him a fortune. The lawyer put his arm around the shoulder of Pip and said to him, “My boy, you have great expectations.”

...I declare, “You have great expectations”—not as the result of an unknown benefactor, but as the result of a known benefactor, even our Heavenly Father, and great things are expected of you.

Life’s journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed: the courage to say, “No,” the courage to say, “Yes.” Decisions do determine destiny. (emphasis mine)

The call for courage comes constantly to each of us. It has ever been so, and so shall it ever be.

At an earlier time, and in a land far distant, another leader issued the same plea: “Follow me.” He was not a general of war. Rather, He was the Prince of Peace, the Son of God. Those who followed Him then and those who follow Him now win a far more significant victory, with consequences that are everlasting. The need for courage is constant.

In our day, a father applied this example of courage to the lives of his children by declaring, “If you ever find yourself where you shouldn’t be—get out!” (emphasis mine)

All were fortified by the words of Moses: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid … : for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” He did not fail them. He will not fail us. He did not forsake them. He will not forsake us.

It is this sweet assurance that can guide you and me—in our time, in our day, in our lives. Of course, we will face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well. (emphasis mine)

Someone has said that courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery of it. At times, courage is needed to rise from failure, to strive again.

When we qualify for the help of the Lord, we can build boys, we can mend men, we can accomplish miracles in His holy service. Our opportunities are without limit.

Though the task seems large, we are strengthened by the truth: “The greatest force in this world today is the power of God as it works through man.” If we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. That divine help, however, is predicated upon our worthiness. To sail safely the seas of mortality, to perform a human rescue mission, we need the guidance of that eternal mariner—even the great Jehovah. We look up, we reach out to obtain heavenly help. (emphasis mine)

...as we learn our duty and magnify the callings which have come to us, the Lord will guide our efforts and touch the hearts of those whom we serve.

Time marches on. Duty keeps cadence with that march. Duty does not dim nor diminish. Catastrophic conflicts come and go, but the war waged for the souls of men continues without abatement. Like a clarion call comes the word of the Lord to you, to me, and to priesthood holders everywhere: “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.”

Face the Future With Faith

2011-05-02T04:21:00.002-05:00

By Elder Russell M. Nelson
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

It is true. We live to die, and we die to live again. From an eternal perspective, the only death that is truly premature is the death of one who is not prepared to meet God.

All that the future holds in store for each sacred child of God will be shaped by his or her parents, family, friends, and teachers. Thus, our faith now becomes part of our posterity’s faith later.

Each individual will make his or her way in a constantly changing world—a world of competing ideologies. The forces of evil will ever be in opposition to the forces of good. Satan constantly strives to influence us to follow his ways and make us miserable, even as he is. 1 And the normal risks of life, such as illness, injury, and accident, will ever be present.

We live in a time of turmoil. Earthquakes and tsunamis wreak devastation, governments collapse, economic stresses are severe, the family is under attack, and divorce rates are rising. We have great cause for concern. But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith. (emphasis mine)

Start with your children. You parents bear the primary responsibility to strengthen their faith. Let them feel your faith, even when sore trials come upon you. Let your faith be focused on our loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach that faith with deep conviction. Teach each precious boy or girl that he or she is a child of God, created in His image, with a sacred purpose and potential. Each is born with challenges to overcome and faith to be developed. (emphasis mine)

Teach of faith in God’s plan of salvation. Teach that our sojourn in mortality is a period of probation, a time of trial and testing to see if we will do whatever the Lord commands us to do. (emphasis mine)

Teach of faith to keep all the commandments of God, knowing that they are given to bless His children and bring them joy. 4 Warn them that they will encounter people who pick which commandments they will keep and ignore others that they choose to break. I call this the cafeteria approach to obedience. This practice of picking and choosing will not work. It will lead to misery. To prepare to meet God, one keeps all of His commandments. It takes faith to obey them, and keeping His commandments will strengthen that faith. (emphasis mine)

Obedience allows God’s blessings to flow without constraint. He will bless His obedient children with freedom from bondage and misery. And He will bless them with more light.

Teach of faith to know that obedience to the commandments of God will provide physical and spiritual protection. And remember, God’s holy angels are ever on call to help us. The Lord so declared: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” What a promise! When we are faithful, He and His angels will help us. (emphasis mine)

Unfailing faith is fortified through prayer. Your heartfelt pleadings are important to Him. Think of the intense and impassioned prayers of the Prophet Joseph Smith during his dreadful days of incarceration in Liberty Jail. The Lord responded by changing the Prophet’s perspective. He said, “Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.”

If we pray with an eternal perspective, we need not wonder if our most tearful and heartfelt pleadings are heard. This promise from the Lord is recorded in section 98 of the Doctrine and Covenants:

“Your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord … and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.

“Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.” (emphasis mine)

The Lord chose His strongest words to reassure us! Seal! Testament! Sworn! Decreed! Immutable covenant! Brothers and sisters, believe Him! God will heed your sincere and heartfelt prayers, and your faith will be strengthened. (emphasis mine)

Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord “shall suffer persecution.” 12 That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives. (emphasis mine)

How you deal with life’s trials is part of the development of your faith. Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. The Lord has reminded you, your children, and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord’s path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people.

Available to each of you brethren and sisters are blessings obtained through the power of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood. These blessings can change the circumstances of your lives, in matters such as health, companionship of the Holy Ghost, personal relationships, and opportunities for the future. The power and authority of this priesthood holds the keys to all spiritual blessings of the Church. And most remarkably, the Lord has declared that He will sustain those blessings, according to His will.

The greatest of all the blessings of the priesthood are bestowed in holy temples of the Lord. Fidelity to covenants made there will qualify you and your family for the blessings of eternal life.

Your rewards come not only hereafter. Many blessings will be yours in this life, among your children and grandchildren. You faithful Saints do not have to fight life’s battles alone. Think of that! The Lord declared, “I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” Later came this promise to His faithful people: “I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their children’s battles, and their children’s children’s, … to the third and fourth generation.” (emphasis mine)

Our beloved President Thomas S. Monson has given us his prophetic witness. He said: “I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments.”

President Monson continued: “My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.” (emphasis mine)

His truth, covenants, and ordinances enable us to overcome fear and face the future with faith!

The Voice of the Spirit

2011-05-01T22:09:00.002-05:00

BY ELDER JAMES E. FAUST

of the Quorum of the Twelve

For Latter-day Saints, there is an important scriptural text found in the Doctrine and Covenants: “Give ear to the voice of the living God” (D&C 50:1). The voice of the Spirit is universally available to all. The Lord said, “The Spirit enlighteneth every man [and every woman] … that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit” (D&C 84:46). He further says that “every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father” (D&C 84:47).

Some people are seeking to find the abundant life. Paul made it clear that it is “the Spirit that giveth life” (2 Cor. 3:6). Indeed, the Savior said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63)

What are the fruits of the Spirit? Paul answered this question by saying they are “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Gal. 5:22–23). The joy we seek is not a temporary emotional high but a habitual inner joy learned from long experience and trust in God. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Rectitude is a perpetual victory, celebrated not by cries of joy, but by serenity, which is joy fixed or habitual” (“Character,” Ralph Waldo Emerson: Complete Writings, New York: Wm. H. Wise & Co., 1929, p. 268). (emphasis mine)

Lehi, teaching his son Jacob, declared: “Men are, that they might have joy” (2 Ne. 2:25). To achieve this great objective, we must “give ear to the voice of the living God” (D&C 50:1).

I wish to testify as a living witness that joy does come through listening to the Spirit, for I have experienced it. Those who live the gospel learn to live “after the manner of happiness” (2 Ne. 5:27), as did the Nephites.

But we hear other voices. Paul said, “There are … so many kinds of voices in the world” (1 Cor. 14:10) that compete with the voice of the Spirit. Such is the situation in the world. The Spirit’s voice is ever present, but it is calm. Said Isaiah, “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” (Isa. 32:17).

The adversary tries to smother this voice with a multitude of loud, persistent, persuasive, and appealing voices: murmuring voices that conjure up perceived injustices, whining voices that abhor challenge and work, seductive voices offering sensual enticements, soothing voices that lull us into carnal security, intellectual voices that profess sophistication and superiority, proud voices that rely on the arm of the flesh, flattering voices that puff us up with pride, cynical voices that destroy hope, entertaining voices that promote pleasure seeking, commercial voices that tempt us to “spend money for that which is of no worth” and our “labor for that which cannot satisfy” (2 Ne. 9:51), and delirious voices that spawn the desire for a “high.”

Many of the rising generation have been conditioned by the world to want it all and to want it now. Many do not want to save or work. Such self-centered, impatient desires make us susceptible to temptation. The Book of Mormon identifies four categories of enticements that Satan uses: gain, power of the flesh, popularity, and seeking the lusts of the flesh and things of the world (see 1 Ne. 22:23). (emphasis mine)

Satan’s tactic is to “turn their hearts away from the truth, that they become blinded and understand not the things which are prepared for them” (D&C 78:10). He creates a smoke screen that obscures our vision and diverts our attention. (emphasis mine)

President Heber J. Grant stated: “If we are faithful in keeping the commandments of God His promises will be fulfilled to the very letter. … The trouble is, the adversary of men’s souls blinds their minds. He throws dust, so to speak, in their eyes, and they are blinded with the things of this world” (Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards, Salt Lake City: The Improvement Era, 1942, pp. 44–45). (emphasis mine)

How are we as Latter-day Saints possibly going to select what voices we will listen to and believe? The implications for us as individuals are staggering.

First, if we are to survive, we must exercise our moral agency wisely. Amaleki tells us how we can select the proper channels: “There is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord: and that which is evil cometh from the devil” (Omni 1:25). Every moment demands that we choose, over and over again, between that which comes from the Lord and that which comes from the devil. As tiny drops of water shape a landscape, so our minute-by-minute choices shape our character. Living the eternal gospel every day may be harder than dying for the Church and the Lord. (emphasis mine)

Moroni also compares those things that “inviteth and enticeth to sin” (Moro. 7:12) and those that “inviteth and enticeth to do good continually” (Moro. 7:12–13). He then gives the key for judging:

“Seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; …

“Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ” (Moro. 7:18–19).

We will not be able to travel through life on borrowed light. The light of life must be part of our very being. The voice we must learn to heed is the voice of the Spirit. (emphasis mine)

Second, we must have a purpose. Everyone in life needs to have a purpose.

The Lord has said, “If your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you” (D&C 88:67). The Apostle James warned that “a double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). And Orson Hyde said, “Let the mind be concentrated, and it possesses almighty power. It is the agent of the Almighty clothed with mortal tabernacles, and we must learn to discipline it, and bring it to bear on one point” (in Journal of Discourses, 7:153).

Third, we must strengthen our testimonies. Everyone in life needs to have spiritual goals.

As we acquire knowledge of the plan of salvation and learn why we are here and where we are going, our testimonies will be strengthened. In addition, as we walk by faith we will have confirmed in our hearts spiritual experiences that will strengthen our faith and testimonies.

Those comprising this generation are a chosen generation. Our women have a great destiny. President Spencer W. Kimball has written: “It is a great blessing to be a woman in the Church today. The opposition against righteousness has never been greater, but the opportunities for fulfilling our highest potential have also never been greater” (Woman, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1979, p. 2).

Women are so richly endowed with the spiritual gifts about which Paul spoke: faith, hope, and charity (see 1 Cor. 13:13). Thus, part of their destiny is to exemplify the sublime womanly virtues as the nurturers, teachers, and the refining influence so important for our families and the Church. Women are the enriching adornment of the race.

We must learn and gain a testimony of the plan of salvation. “God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil” (Alma 12:32). We must learn of our relationship to God. As we walk by faith, we will have confirmed in our hearts spiritual experiences that will strengthen our faith and testimony.

Fourth, we must search the scriptures, which are the “voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation” (D&C 68:4). The Lord also said of his words, “For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; … Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words” (D&C 18:35–36).

Fifth, we must gain a conviction of the divine calling of the Brethren and be willing to follow their counsel.

I have suggested a simple solution for selecting the channel to which we must attune ourselves: Listen to and follow the voice of the Spirit. This is an ancient, even eternal solution, and may not be popular in a society that is always looking for something new.

Furthermore, this solution requires patience in a world that demands instant gratification. It is quiet, peaceful, and subtle in a world enamored by that which is loud, incessant, fast-paced, garish, and crude. It requires us to be contemplative while our peers seek physical titillation. It requires the prophets to “put [us] always in remembrance of these things, though [we] know them,” that we may “be established in the present truth” (2 Pet. 1:12). This may seem foolish in a time when it is not worth remembering much of the trivial tripe to which we are exposed. (emphasis mine)

This solution of listening to and following the Spirit is one unified, consistent, age-old message in a world that quickly becomes bored in the absence of intensity, variety, and novelty. It requires us to walk by faith in a world governed by sight (see 2 Cor. 4:18; 2 Cor. 5:7). We must see with the eye of eternal faith unseen, spiritual verities, while the masses of mankind depend solely on temporal things, which can be known only through the physical senses. (emphasis mine)

In short, this solution of listening to and following the Spirit may not be popular; it may not get us gain or worldly power. But “our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17).

We must learn to ponder the things of the Spirit and to respond to its promptings. We must filter out the static generated by Satan. As we become attuned to the Spirit, “thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isa. 30:21).

Hearkening to the “voice of the living God” (D&C 50:1) will give us “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23). These are the greatest of all the gifts of God (see D&C 14:7).

I pray with Paul “unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ … that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may … know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph. 3:14, 16–19).

I believe and testify that our spirits are special spirits and were reserved until this generation to stand strong against the evil winds that blow, and to stand straight and upright with the heavy burdens that will be placed on us. I am confident we will be faithful and true to the great trust that is ahead of us.

Being Grateful for Weakness

2011-04-13T22:35:00.003-05:00

I have learned many lessons recently as a result of a number of weaknesses that I have. I want to say just how deeply grateful I am to have weaknesses - not just because they have helped me to become more humble, but because they have helped me to learn how to prioritize. There's nothing like being brought down into the depths of humility to make a person realize what is truly the most important thing in life. If you've read my blog at all, you know that one of the weaknesses with which I struggle is emotional neediness. This weakness basically boils down to a lack of faith and a lack of self-confidence. Essentially I feel inadequate and that I lack sufficient strength on my own and so I "need" others to fill the gap. The great thing about neediness is that it is a learned or acquired behavior which means that it can be both unlearned and overcome. But it takes courage and considerable effort to overcome. I think one of the biggest keys to overcoming any weakness is to overcome the fear of admitting that we have a weakness. Everyone has weaknesses but some of us feel that we are defective as a result of that weakness. But once we are able to admit that we have a problem, that problem begins to lose it's power over us. I won't pretend that this is an easy process or that there won't be setbacks. There likely will be. But I do truly know that once a person decides to overcome something and they keep trying to overcome it, they will eventually overcome it. I think that one of the biggest factors in overcoming any weakness is learning that you can't do it alone. No person lives in a vacuum. By the very nature of who we are and from where we came, we all need the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When we are afraid to admit our weakness, we are in effect apologizing for needing the Atonement. No one needs to apologize for needing the Atonement. We all need it - to varying extents - but none of us can return to our Father in Heaven without it. The simple fact is that none of us are enough on our own. None of us are wise enough or strong enough by ourselves. Even if we served the Lord all our days, we would prove to be unprofitable servants. But when we begin to admit that we have weakness, we give ourselves permission to seek help with those weaknesses. There is no greater source of power than that which comes from our Father in Heaven and through the power of the Atonement. It makes everything whole. It gives us confidence. It gives us faith. And it gives us hope for better days. It also gives us the strength and the courage to keep trying when days are rough and when we make mistakes or relapse. We live in a very crazy, uncertain, and sometimes outrageous world. This is difficult for anyone but especially for the emotionally needy person who craves certainty. I have learned that the only certainty we can truly have - the only real thing on which we can depend - is the promises made to us by our Heavenly Father. When others "let us down" or "hurt us" or "break their promises," we can have absolute assurance that our Father in Heaven will always keep His promises. This is the only absolute trust, absolute certainty, absolute anything that we can have in this world. It's the only source of true self-worth, true self-respect, and true self-confidence which we can have. Doing what is right is the only way to gain those things and the promised blessings attached to them. We shouldn't be afraid of weakness. That doesn't mean we should ignore them or overlook them. It just means that we can admit them and then start working through the process of overcoming them by gaining help from the only source of power that can blot out, shore up, and strengthen that which is weak - the tender mercy of a loving Heavenly Father and the blessings of the Atonement of Christ. Let us all be grateful for the results of weakness and let us all strive to overcome them.

Sacrament Meeting Notes April 10, 2011

2011-04-13T22:27:00.003-05:00

Opening hymn: 86 How Great Thou Art Opening prayer Sacrament hymn: 195 How Great The Wisdom and the Love This sacrament meeting was centered on favorite conference talks. Youth Speaker: Succor the weak, lift up the hands that hang down - We need to serve His children - When you are filled with charity, you obey God’s commandments and serve others - Mosiah 2:17 Youth Speaker: - Challenges help us gain experience - Through sorrow and pain we grow spiritually - At the summit of our challenge, the final exertion is more than worth the effort - Never back down from a challenge - Darkest times proceed tremendous growth Special Musical Number: “Rock of Ages” Adult Speaker: - Teachings of Jesus Christ leads us to happiness and give us the opportunity to return to live in His presence - Prophets teach us what we should know and do - “An Ensign to the Nations” Holland - Isaiah said that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be in the tops of the mountains - Reflect on general conference – apostles/prophets testify that God lives and speaks - We should consecrate our callings and preach our Father’s word not our own - Say nothing but repentance - Words to the weak bind the wounds of the suffering and afflicts the comfortable - Jesus gave us many blessings in the Sermon on the Mount - Loyalty is demanding at the summit of discipleship - We should teach and listen by the Spirit - We can’t have it our way - When we teach and listen by the Spirit we can gain our own personal epistle - God will have His voice heard - D&C 43:25 Adult speaker: President Monson’s talk on marriage - D&c 131 – 3 heavens/degrees – highest can only be obtained by entering the new and everlasting covenant of marriage - Duty of priesthood is to be married - Marry in His house - Happy and successful marriage isn’t so much about marrying the right person as it is about being the right person - Don’t put off things that need to be done Closing hymn: 6 Redeemer of Israel

You Are God Alone

2011-03-24T04:43:00.003-05:00

This is a song by Phillips, Craig, and Dean. You can hear it on k-love.

You Are God Alone

You are not a god
Created by human hands
You are not a god
Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is

Chorus:
You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone

You’re the only God
Whose power none can contend
You’re the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God
Who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And that’s just the way it is

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:
Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That’s what You are

Repeat Bridge
Repeat Chorus
Repeat Bridge Out

Woman - Of Infinite Worth

2011-03-20T14:58:00.004-05:00

Russell M. Nelson, “Woman – Of Infinite Worth” Ensign November 1989

I replied that perhaps the Church does more to enlighten understanding about and to lift the cause of women than any other institution on earth. It provides the path to her eternal destiny.

A worthy woman personifies the truly noble and worthwhile attributes of life. A faithful woman can become a devoted daughter of God—more concerned with being righteous than with being selfish, more anxious to exercise compassion than to exercise dominion, more committed to integrity than to notoriety. And she knows of her own infinite worth.

Each daughter of God is of infinite worth because of her divine mission.

Loving parent. What a noble title! There are no greater roles in life for a man than those of husband and father. Likewise, there are no greater roles for a woman than those of wife and mother.

A woman is a master communicator. And she communicates best in humble prayer. How many of us first learned to pray beside the bended knees of our mothers? Surely she knows that her children can walk alone only when they have found their pathway to Father in Heaven through prayer.

Certainly, a woman is a teacher. Someone said, “When you teach a boy, you teach an individual, but when you teach a girl, you teach a whole generation.”

J. Edgar Hoover said that “the cure of crime is not the electric chair but the high chair” (in Emerson Roy West, comp., Vital Quotations, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968, p. 78.)

A wise woman renews herself. In proper season, she develops her talents and continues her education. She musters the discipline to reach her goals. She dispels darkness and opens windows of truth to light her way.

A woman teaches priorities by precept and example. She knows that as she rises to meet responsibilities, rights will take care of themselves.

A righteous woman is a student of the scriptures. Many apply uniquely to her life. (See Gen. 27:46; Ps. 113:9; Prov. 31:10–31; Eph. 5:22–33; Col. 3:18; Titus 2:3–5; Jacob 3:7; Mosiah 4:14—16; D&C 25.) In the scriptures she finds “great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.” (D&C 89:19.)

She need not have majored in physics to know divine truths, as “there is no such thing as immaterial matter.” (D&C 131:7.) She need not have graduated in astronomy to learn lessons taught by God to Abraham—the relation of the earth to the sun, the sun to the planets, the planets to the center of the universe, and more. (See Abr. 3.) When she sings “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are,” she knows scriptural answers.

Of course, there are times when a woman’s ability to endure is taxed to the limit. A teacher may have had enough of childish pranks, or a mother might be heard to say she’s “ready to resign.” She could become discouraged, especially if comparing herself unrealistically to others or focusing on what she is to do instead of on what she is to be.

Her self-esteem cannot be based on physical features, possession or lack of a particular talent, or comparative quantities of anything. Her self-esteem is earned by individual righteousness and a close relationship with God. Her outward glow is generated by goodness within. And her patience is much more apparent than any imperfection. (See D&C 67:13.)

Sweet serenity is found in fervent prayer. Then, we forget ourselves and remember the reaching hands of the Savior, who said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28.)
As our burdens are shared with Him, they do become lighter.

Feelings of worth come when a woman follows the example of the Master.

Her sense of infinite worth comes from her own Christlike yearning to reach out with love, as He does.

When her husband, children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews return from a day marred by the world’s rude realities, a loving woman can say, “Come unto me. I will give you rest.” Wherever she is can become a sanctified place, safe from the storms of life. Refuge is there because of her ability to nurture and to love unconditionally.

Her saintly calling is opposed by Satan. He would shatter the family unit and demean the worth of woman. He would triumph if one man would offend or fail to honor her, or if one woman would deny her infinite worth and behave beneath her dignity.

The gospel has been restored in these latter days so that the light of the Lord can prevail over efforts of the adversary. This day has long been prophesied. The Lord has promised worthy Saints of our time: “Upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” (Joel 2:29.)

A woman’s richest rewards will come as she rises to fulfill her destiny as a devoted daughter of God. To all faithful Saints He has promised thrones, kingdoms, principalities, glory, immortality, and eternal lives. (See Rom. 2:7; D&C 75:5; D&C 128:12, 23; D&C 132:19.) That is the potential for women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is exalting, everlasting, and divine.

Nurturing Through Compassion

2011-03-20T14:46:00.001-05:00

"Nurture through Compassionate Service", Ensign, Dec. 2009, 62

How Can I Develop and Increase in Compassion?

Moroni 7:48: “Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency:

“Disciples of Christ throughout all ages of the world have been distinguished by their compassion. … In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers” (“Happiness, Your Heritage,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 119, 120).

Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: “We need to rescue ‘all that is finest down deep inside of [us]’ so that as daughters of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God. We will have help to do this. As Joseph declared, ‘If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.’

“Let us bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and thus keep the covenants we have made [see Mosiah 18:8–10]” (“Now Let Us Rejoice,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 116).

How Can I Nurture through Compassionate Service?

D&C 81:5: “Succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “The Good Shepherd said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ (John 21:15.) So a woman feeds her loved ones, providing succor and sustenance just as the Savior would do. Her divine gift is to nurture, to help the young, to care for the poor, to lift the brokenhearted.

“The Lord said, ‘My work and my glory [is] to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.’ (Moses 1:39.) So His devoted daughter-disciple may truly say, ‘My work and my glory is to help my loved ones reach that heavenly goal.’

“To help another human being reach one’s celestial potential is part of the divine mission of woman. As mother, teacher, or nurturing saint, she molds living clay to the shape of her hopes. In partnership with God, her divine mission is to help spirits live and souls be lifted. This is the measure of her creation. It is ennobling, edifying, and exalting” (“Woman—Of Infinite Worth,” Ensign, Nov. 1989, 22).

Sacrament Meeting Notes Sunday, March 20, 2011

2011-03-20T14:43:00.002-05:00

Opening hymn: 239 Choose the Right
Opening Prayer

Sacrament hymn: 146 Gently Raise the Sacred Strain

Youth Speaker: “Testimony”

Testimony is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost

It helps us to know who Jesus Christ is and that He is the Son of God.

It helps us to know that the church is led by a living prophet.

Harold B. Lee – Real strength of the church is measured in the individual testimonies of its members.

LDS people have the opportunity and responsibility to obtain our own testimonies and nurture them throughout our lives.

We need to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ. This starts with a righteous sincere desire. Let this desire work within you. Alma 32:27

Obtain the quiet guidance of the Holy Ghost. We can get a quiet assurance without spectacular displays of God’s power.

Testimony grows with experience and as we show a willingness to serve and to study.

It grows as it is shared. We should share it often. A testimony needs to be fed and tended.

Believe in Christ and deny Him not.

Prophet remind us to bear our testimonies and share them. We should live as we know.

Ezra Taft Bensen reminded us that our testimonies are one of the few things that we can take with us when we leave this life.

Adult Speaker: “Gaining and Building a Testimony”

2 Nephi 28:30 – gained line upon line and precept upon precept – hearken to counsel – learn wisdom – and then gain more

Learn to listen and take heed

Don’t just ask but listen as well

Listening leads to gaining testimony and further knowledge

By the Spirit we will know because it persuades us to do good.

Holy Spirit speaks and tells the truth

Rest hymn: 4 Truth Eternal

Adult Speaker: High Councilor “Gaining and Building a Testimony”

*He told a story about how when he was in the mission field that he just knew that he was going to be made a district leader and that he was surprised when he was sent back out into the mission field to be a senior companion instead. He said that he poured his heart out to God. Heavenly Father spoke to him through the Spirit saying “peace be unto you – I am the Master here.” He said that this answer to his prayer gave him diminishing thoughts of everything except the love of the Father. He said that the Spirit visits us in our anguished and unqualified state. He shows us that we have His love in spite of ourselves. We need to grow where we are planted.

*We should be grateful for the companionship of the Holy Ghost – listening to Him changes our environment.

*Another function of the Holy Ghost is to seek safety. We can gain prayerful guidance from the Holy Ghost. It’s like our own personal gps system. It helps us to know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

*It can become a witness and clarifier when we read the scriptures.

*Jesus Christ is a healer.

*When Joseph Smith was in Liberty Jail, he prayed to know where God was. “Where art thou?” “My son, peace be unto thy soul.” The Savior knows of our sufferings and give us peace and comfort when we think we can no longer grow or go on.

How could an uneducated boy set up the church which has lasted 200 years with 14 million members? He had no expertise in setting up a nonprofit organization. But he founded a religion based on a solid ground of truth.

The Doctrine and Covenants are the best guide on earth about governance, stewardship, lines of authority, learning and development, vision statements, accountability, planning, etc.

The key is found in D&C 43:1 – tutored by the power and prayer of faith – received law that ye may know how.

Closing hymn: 134 I Believe in Christ
Closing prayer:

Focus and Priorities

2011-03-14T22:32:00.004-05:00

Dallin H. Oaks, "Focus and Priorities", Ensign, May 2001, 82

...it is timely to ask ourselves what we are going to strive to become because of what we have heard from the Lord’s servants.

We are accountable and will be judged for how we use what we have received. This eternal principle applies to all we have been given. In the parable of the talents (see Matt. 25:14–30), the Savior taught this principle with reference to the use of property. The principle of accountability also applies to the spiritual resources conferred in the teachings we have been given and to the precious hours and days allotted to each of us during our time in mortality.

I wish to examine how this principle of accountability applies to our use of the enlarged time and information we have been given in our day.

Because of increased life expectancies and modern timesaving devices, most of us have far more discretionary time than our predecessors. We are accountable for how we use that time. “Thou shalt not idle away thy time” (D&C 60:13), and “Cease to be idle” (D&C 88:124), the Lord commanded the early missionaries and members.

The significance of our increased discretionary time has been magnified many times by modern data-retrieval technology. For good or for evil, devices like the Internet and the compact disc have put at our fingertips an incredible inventory of information, insights, and images. Along with fast food, we have fast communications and fast facts. The effect of these resources on some of us seems to fulfill the prophet Daniel’s prophecy that in the last days “knowledge shall be increased” and “many shall run to and fro” (Dan. 12:4).

With greatly increased free time and vastly more alternatives for its use, it is prudent to review the fundamental principles that should guide us. Temporal circumstances change, but the eternal laws and principles that should guide our choices never change. (emphasis mine)

...our biggest need is a clearer focus on how we should value and use what we already have. (emphasis mine)

Because of modern technology, the contents of huge libraries and other data resources are at the fingertips of many of us. Some choose to spend countless hours in unfocused surfing the Internet, watching trivial television, or scanning other avalanches of information. But to what purpose? Those who engage in such activities are like the two partners in my story, hurrying to and fro, hauling more and more but failing to grasp the essential truth that we cannot make a profit from our efforts until we understand the true value of what is already within our grasp. (emphasis mine)

Faced with an excess of information in the marvelous resources we have been given, we must begin with focus or we are likely to become like those in the well-known prophecy about people in the last days—“ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). We also need quiet time and prayerful pondering as we seek to develop information into knowledge and mature knowledge into wisdom.

We also need focus to avoid what is harmful. The abundant information and images accessible on the Internet call for sharp focus and control...

Nephi taught, “Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Ne. 32:3). That is focus. Nephi also said that as he taught from the scriptures, “I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Ne. 19:23). That is personal application.

Overarching all of this is the importance of what the Spirit whispered to us last night or this morning about our own specific needs. Each of us should be careful that the current flood of information does not occupy our time so completely that we cannot focus on and hear and heed the still, small voice that is available to guide each of us with our own challenges today. (emphasis mine)

We also need priorities. Our priorities determine what we seek in life. Most of what has been taught in this conference concerns priorities. I hope we will heed these teachings.

Jesus taught about priorities when He said, “Seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (JST, Matt. 6:38, in Matt. 6:33, footnote a). “Seek … first to build up the kingdom of God” means to assign first priority to God and to His work. The work of God is to bring to pass the eternal life of His children (see Moses 1:39), and all that this entails in the birth, nurturing, teaching, and sealing of our Heavenly Father’s children. Everything else is lower in priority. Think about that reality as we consider some teachings and some examples on priorities. As someone has said, if we do not choose the kingdom of God first, it will make little difference in the long run what we have chosen instead of it. (emphasis mine)

As regards knowledge, the highest priority religious knowledge is what we receive in the temple. That knowledge is obtained from the explicit and symbolic teachings of the endowment, and from the whisperings of the Spirit that come as we are desirous to seek and receptive to hear the revelation available to us in that sacred place.

As regards property, Jesus taught that “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). Consequently, we should not lay up for ourselves “treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal” (Matt. 6:19). In other words, the treasures of our hearts—our priorities—should not be what the scriptures call “riches [and] the vain things of this world” (Alma 39:14). The “vain things of [the] world” include every combination of that worldly quartet of property, pride, prominence, and power. As to all of these, the scriptures remind us that “you cannot carry them with you” (Alma 39:14). We should be seeking the kind of treasures the scriptures promise the faithful: “great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures” (D&C 89:19).

Our priorities are most visible in how we use our time. Someone has said, “Three things never come back—the spent arrow, the spoken word, and the lost opportunity.” We cannot recycle or save the time allotted to us each day. With time, we have only one opportunity for choice, and then it is gone forever. (emphasis mine)

Good choices are especially important in our family life. For example, how do family members spend their free time together? Time together is necessary but not sufficient. Priorities should govern us in the precious time we give to our family relationships. Compare the impact of time spent merely in the same room as spectators for television viewing with the significance of time spent communicating with one another individually and as a family.

To cite another example, how much time does a family allocate to learning the gospel by scripture study and parental teachings, in contrast to the time family members spend viewing sports contests, talk shows, or soap operas? I believe many of us are overnourished on entertainment junk food and undernourished on the bread of life.

In terms of priorities for each major decision (such as education, occupation, place of residence, marriage, or childbearing), we should ask ourselves, what will be the eternal impact of this decision? Some decisions that seem desirable for mortality have unacceptable risks for eternity. In all such choices we need to have inspired priorities and apply them in ways that will bring eternal blessings to us and to our family members.

Then, after we have done all that we can, we should remember the wise counsel and comforting assurance of King Benjamin, who taught, “And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength” (Mosiah 4:27).

The ultimate Latter-day Saint priorities are twofold: First, we seek to understand our relationship to God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and to secure that relationship by obtaining their saving ordinances and by keeping our personal covenants. Second, we seek to understand our relationship to our family members and to secure those relationships by the ordinances of the temple and by keeping the covenants we make in that holy place. These relationships, secured in the way I have explained, provide eternal blessings available in no other way. No combination of science, success, property, pride, prominence, or power can provide these eternal blessings!

Prepare Every Needful Thing

2011-03-14T22:22:00.002-05:00

"Prepare Every Needful Thing", Ensign, Feb. 2003, 74

How do we determine what is “needful,” or of highest priority, as we prepare ourselves and our families?

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Jesus taught about priorities when He said, ‘Seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you’ (JST, Matt. 6:38, in Matt. 6:33, footnote a). ‘Seek … first to build up the kingdom of God’ means to assign first priority to God and to His work. The work of God is to bring to pass the eternal life of His children (see Moses 1:39), and all that this entails in the birth, nurturing, teaching, and sealing of our Heavenly Father’s children. Everything else is lower in priority” (“Focus and Priorities,” Ensign, May 2001, 83–84).

Patricia T. Holland, former first counselor in the Young Women general presidency: “On a pristinely clear and beautifully bright day, I sat overlooking the Sea of Galilee and reread the tenth chapter of Luke. But instead of the words on the page, I thought I saw with my mind and heard with my heart these words: ‘[Pat, Pat, Pat], thou art careful and troubled about many things.’ Then the power of pure and personal revelation seized me as I read, ‘But one thing [only one thing] is [truly] needful’ [Luke 10:41–42]. …

“Our loving Father in Heaven seemed to be whispering to me, ‘You don’t have to worry over so many things. The one thing that is needful—the only thing that is truly needful—is to keep your eyes toward … my Son.’ … All I needed to do was to renew my faith, and get a firm grasp on his hand” (“‘One Thing Needful’: Becoming Women of Greater Faith in Christ,” Ensign, Oct. 1987, 26).

How can we avoid distractions as we prepare ourselves and our families?

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Some places are sacred and holy where it seems easier to discern the direction of the Holy Spirit. The temple is such a place. Find a retreat of peace and quiet where periodically you can ponder and let the Lord establish the direction of your life. Each of us needs to periodically check our bearings and confirm that we are on course. Sometime soon you may benefit from taking this personal inventory:

“What are my highest priorities to be accomplished while on earth?

“How do I use my discretionary time? Is some of it consistently applied to my highest priorities?

“Is there anything I know I should not be doing? If so, I will repent and stop it now.

“In a quiet moment write down your responses. Analyze them. Make any necessary adjustments.

“Put first things first” (“First Things First,” Ensign, May 2001, 9).

3 Nephi 13:33 [3 Ne. 13:33]: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Undo

2011-03-14T16:27:00.002-05:00

Undo is a song by a group called Rush of Fools. You can hear it on k-love.

Undo

I've been here before, now here I am again
Standing at the door, praying You'll let me back in
To label me a prodigal would be
Only scratching the surface of who I've been known to be

Chorus
Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can't do this myself
You’re the only one who can undo
What I've become

I focused on the score, but I could never win
Trying to ignore, a life of hiding my sin
To label me a hypocrite would be
Only scratching the surface of who I've been known to be

Chorus

Make every step lead me back to
The sovereign way that You

Chorus

Before The Morning

2011-03-14T10:35:00.001-05:00

This is a great song by Josh Wilson. It's one of my favorites! :-)

Before the Morning

Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you
If there's a God who loves you
Where is He now

Maybe there are things you can't see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Someday somehow you'll see you'll see

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning

My friend you know how this all ends
And You know where you’re going
You just don’t know how you’ll get there
So say a prayer
And hold on cause there’s good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time but you’ll see the bigger picture

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning

Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory
Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory, memory, memory

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still got a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still got a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
Come on you've gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the hurt before the healing

Oh the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning
Before the morning

How We Started Family Scripture Study (And Stopped Feeling So Guilty)

2011-03-13T18:58:00.002-05:00

Brent D. Cooper, "How We Started Family Scripture Study (And Stopped Feeling Guilty)", Ensign, Jan. 1980, 58

I’ll have to admit it. That scripture where James exhorts us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only” was making me squirm (James 1:22). I knew that it applied to many areas of gospel living, but I found especially pointed any associations made with family scripture study. And James, in exhorting us that “hearers only” were “deceiving your ownselves” had put his finger squarely on the process I’d been following. Knowing that our family should study the scriptures but doing nothing about it made me feel guilty; the guilt made me rationalize. And that was leading to the ugly result James describes:

“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

“For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was” (James 1:23–24). I knew that repeated experiences of hearing the word but doing nothing would eventually change me until I could look at myself in a mirror and forget the kind of person I used to be—and that years of paying my tithing, living the Word of Wisdom, doing my home teaching, and working hard at being bishop wouldn’t erase the fact that we hadn’t had family scripture study.

So I took the first step. It’s taken a lot of spiritual sweat, mental struggle, and numerous failures, but family scripture study has finally become an institution in our home. Each family needs to work out its own best solution, but here’s what worked for us.

1. We decided. I explained my decision to the family and told them I was so determined that I would start even if I had to do it alone. Surprisingly, once I told my family and our Heavenly Father about the decision, it became much easier to go ahead. Some who have feared their shaky resolution have asked a home teacher or friend to check on them daily until the habit solidifies.

2. We decided on a time. For us, early morning worked best, even though for two years we had been afraid to ask the children to meet my early schedule. When we finally decided to do it, we asked our children to help us decide when.

3. We worked hard to make the sessions happy times. Realistically, we knew we couldn’t expect small children to always be cheerful about getting up that early to read. We handled this in a couple of ways. First, my wife and I get up early enough to shower, dress, and pray, then help the children do their own chores, get dressed, and clean their bedrooms. Some of them are old enough to do it alone, but the harmony that comes when we help is really worth it. It also shows that we aren’t asking the children to do what we aren’t willing to do.

4. We try to involve everyone.

We have prayer either before or after our readings so that our children will grow up associating the two.

We recognized that there would be discipline problems and tried not to be discouraged when they inevitably materialized. Our enthusiasm played a big role. Many of our sessions would have failed had I not called out “marching orders,” started a race downstairs, or carried someone piggyback, just to get things started.

We decided that attendance should be a privilege and have never dragged an unwilling youngster into the group if a little tickling or hugging didn’t change his mood. Instead, we’ve concentrated on making the sessions so good that they’ll want to be there. Sometimes, when dissension has arisen during our reading, we get back on the track by talking about why Satan doesn’t want us to study the scriptures and have prayer immediately. At other times, we’ve simply sent the disruptive one away for a while.

5. We try to be creative during the session. We’ve always felt that ten minutes with the Spirit is better than thirty without it. Here are some of the ways we try to keep the sessions flexible and interesting:

—We concentrate on storytelling. It’s the best way to teach young children and relate the scriptures to their own experiences.

—We use retold scripture stories so that even the beginning readers can follow along. By mixing storytelling and reading, we can tell most of the story and then have an older child read the heart of the matter.

—We use pictures as often as possible, both from illustrated children’s stories of the scriptures and from our own family library. Many times the little ones can tell a story from the picture.

—We start with the most interesting stories and more understandable doctrinal passages—Lehi leaving Jerusalem rather than the parable of the tame and wild olive trees. We know that over the years we’ll be able to cover everything several times, each time in greater detail.

—We have the children tell the stories that they’re familiar with. It began as a way of involving them but it’s turned out to be excellent preparation for talks in church and family home evening.

—We make it fun by singing relevant songs, by using filmstrips from the ward library, and by role playing the story we did the day before.

—We relate the stories and messages to our children by asking them questions like: Why do you think our Heavenly Father wanted this story in the book? Have you ever had this happen to you? What would you do if something like this happened to you? How do you think they felt when this happened? How would you feel?

Sometimes we relate personal experiences that link us with the scriptures to solve their everyday problems.

6. We follow up outside the sessions. A popular game in the car or after family home evening or at the dinner table is “Guess Who I Am.”

We let the children see us reading the scriptures at other times. Some of my most exciting experiences have been when I invited a passing child to cuddle up and read with me. When I’ve seen one of our children reading the scriptures or looking at the pictures, if I can, I’ve dropped everything to ask if I could join in.

Our own personal study and prayer have been vital. I listen to the scriptures driving to and from work and pray often about how to teach my children effectively. I may have begun this experience motivated by guilt and determination, but now I hope my actions communicate how deeply I love being with my family in a spiritual activity. My wife and I both take opportunities to bear our testimonies about specific things, to let the family know how much we love the Savior and want to do his will.
In family prayers, we frequently feel prompted to thank the Lord for our scripture study program. We look for growth in our children because of these sessions and praise them for specific things that please us.

As a husband and wife, we select spiritual goals for our family periodically, write them down, and put them in a place where we’ll see them often. It helps us structure questions and emphasize certain points as we go through the scriptures, and also helps us evaluate how well we’re teaching.

And James, who had given uncompromising warning that I was deceiving myself, had also, I found, predicted these kinds of experiences: “He being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:25). He was right.

Achieving Spiritual Goals...Why?

2011-03-13T18:41:00.002-05:00

Kenneth L. Higbee, "Achieving Spiritual Goals … Why?", Ensign, Nov. 1971, 18–19

Why do we strive to achieve spiritual goals? Why do we try to live God’s commandments? The behavior of many people suggests that the motive to succeed and the motive to avoid failure have their counterparts in the spiritual realm.

A person with a high spiritual motive to succeed may be characterized by a love of righteousness, a positive force attracting him toward exaltation. He seeks to attain a spiritual standard of excellence. He strives to achieve spiritual goals because he loves the Lord and his commandments.

A person with a high spiritual motive to avoid failure may also have a desire to live the commandments. However, he is motivated more by a negative force repelling him away from the punishments of hell than he is by the positive attraction of the rewards of heaven. If he lives the Lord’s commandments, it is because he feels he ought to rather than because he really wants to.

The apostle Paul wrote, “For the wages of sin is deat;h but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23.) The person with a high motive to avoid failure is motivated primarily by the first part of Paul’s statement, while the person with the high motive to succeed is motivated more by the second part of the statement. Both of these types of people may hate sin and desire to live the Lord’s commandments, but the former hates sin through fear of punishment, whereas the latter hates sin through love of virtue.

Although both kinds of people may desire to live the Lord’s commandments, we might expect that they would be more receptive to different types of commandments. The person with a high motive to succeed would be concerned with knowing the things he should do, so that he can do those things to prepare himself for exaltation. On the other hand, the person with a high motive to avoid failure would be more concerned with knowing the things he should not do, so that he can avoid those things and the resulting punishments.

Most people probably have a little of each kind of motive and thus are motivated by both kinds of commandments, those telling us what to do and those telling us what not to do. But which kind is easier to obey?

Try a simple experiment on yourself. Count to yourself slowly from one to ten. Do it now, before you read any further. Now try it again, with one modification: this time count to yourself slowly from one to ten without thinking of money. Could you do it? Which of these two “commandments” was easier to obey? The first was probably easier because you were told what to do with no mention of what not to do. Consequently, you did not have to concern yourself with not doing what you were not supposed to do; doing what you were supposed to do took care of that problem.

The person with a high spiritual motive to avoid failure, who is going through life worrying about avoiding all the things he is not supposed to be doing (or thinking about), may find himself in a similar situation. Just as it is easier to count from one to ten than to count from one to ten without thinking of money, so it would be easier to “let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly” than to “cease from your lustful desires.”

If we truly love God, then, we will want to live his commandments. We will do so because it gives us a good feeling to do so, not because we fear the consequences of not doing so. This gives a new meaning to John’s statement, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 Jn. 4:18.)

If the commandments that tell us the things we should do to attain exaltation are easier to obey and also on a higher spiritual level, why would the Lord even give us commandments telling us what not to do? One reason is suggested by Jacob’s exhortation to the people of Nephi: “Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, … it must needs be that I teach you the consequences of sin.” (2 Ne. 9:48.)

In too many people the motive to avoid failure is stronger than the motive to succeed. They are more worried about avoiding sin than they are concerned with developing spirituality, and thus they respond better to commandments telling them what not to do. For example, instead of being satisfied with a commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy, they want to be given a list of specific things that they should not do on the Sabbath.

Each member of the Lord’s church should ask himself why he lives God’s commandments and what motivates him to seek the spiritual goals he has set for himself. Remember that fear of punishment, a spiritual motive to avoid failure, is not bad. It is better to obey the commandments because of fear of punishment than to not obey the commandments at all. We will surely be happier if we obey God’s commandments than if we do not, but that happiness will likely be increased if we are motivated to do so by love of virtue rather than by fear of punishment. We will likely find more joy in the achievement of our spiritual goals if we seek them because we want to rather than because we ought to. (emphasis mine)

Striving for Family Unity

2011-03-13T18:13:00.002-05:00

Donald L. Staheli, "Striving for Family Unity", Ensign, Sept. 2007, 9–13

It has been said that if you think you know a perfect family, you don’t know the family very well!

This suggests that all of us have periodic challenges in establishing and maintaining love and unity within our families. Yet, in large measure, our challenge to teach and nurture our children in a way that will qualify us as eternal families defines our mission here on earth.

Love of families and fellow men was the keystone of the Savior’s ministry. To His disciples, He said, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Less than a year following the organization of the restored Church, the Lord told the Saints in Fayette, New York, “I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27).

The teachings of living prophets and apostles as summarized in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” make clear our responsibilities to our families:

“Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another. … Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”

Amid all the counsel we have been given about nurturing our children in love and unity, as parents we must decide how we can best accomplish this challenging but eternally compelling task. Some of the following principles and ideas may provide help in uniting our families in love and truth.

Unity of Parents

Unity in the family begins with a loving parental relationship that sets an example for the family and extends in a personal way to each child.

President David O. McKay often credited his father and mother for the love and unity experienced in their family. He said: “Most gratefully and humbly I cherish the remembrance that never once as a lad in the home of my youth did I ever see one instance of discord between father and mother, and that goodwill and mutual understanding has been the uniting bond that has held together a fortunate group of brothers and sisters. Unity, harmony, goodwill are virtues to be fostered and cherished in every home.” (emphasis mine)

Loving, Trusting Relationships

President Gordon B. Hinckley has counseled: “I would like to see greater love in our homes. … You parents who are fathers and mothers of children, treasure your children. Look to them with love. Lead them … with love. … They will follow after you if you do that. And I make you a promise that if you do so, the time will come when you will feel so grateful that you have done so, that you will get on your knees and thank the Lord for the precious children who have come to you and grown up under your direction.”

Frequent expressions of love are a key to building trusting and loving relationships, but equally important is the consistent demonstration of that love. How we act often speaks louder than what we say and how we say it. It is important that we consistently and genuinely show our children our love for them as well as tell them of that love.

Children thrive on loving relationships that make them feel special. Encouragement and love are important, especially when things may not be going well.

As children replace selfishness and envy with kindness and service to each other, unity grows within the family. And as the family serves together to assist others, a bond of unity and love becomes the hallmark of the family. Unity in the family will not always free parents from problems and challenges with their children, but it does enable families to cohesively focus on solutions. (emphasis mine)

Personal Spiritual Experiences for Children

One of our key responsibilities as parents is to help our children prepare for and have spiritual experiences in their youth that will develop strong testimonies of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. These experiences come as a result of prayer, study, and living gospel principles. They come from family home evenings and scripture study. They result from personal experiences and feelings from association with Church leaders and spiritually strong friends. Frequently, they come in a very personal way as the Spirit touches and confirms the truth and testimony of the living Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior and Redeemer of the world. (emphasis mine)

Unified Families Minimize Contention

Our challenge as parents is to keep misunderstandings and disagreements to a minimum and to resolve differences quickly and amicably. The more we and our children are committed to living gospel principles, the greater the opportunity for the spirit of unity and love to reside in our homes. A clear understanding of gospel-centered guidelines and expectations in the home will significantly reduce periodic issues that precipitate contention.

Consistent Family and Personal Prayer

Some of the most effective teaching in our homes comes from the family’s kneeling together and feeling the spirit of what is said in daily family prayer. Asking the Lord for forgiveness, while also petitioning His help in unifying the family in love and righteous purposes, can have a lasting influence on our children as they grow together in the family. Sincere prayers soften contentious thoughts. (emphasis mine)

It is absolutely imperative that we teach and encourage our children to be consistent and sincere in offering their personal prayers. As children pray daily, they will feel the Lord’s personal direction in their lives. As they learn to seek His blessings and guidance, the family will find the joy and happiness that come from striving to be a righteous family. (emphasis mine)

In His great Intercessory Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Savior pleaded with the Father five separate times for unity—“that they may be one, even as we are one” and “that they may be made perfect in one” (see John 17:11, 22–23). Unity is the outcome of a family engaging in righteous principles. (emphasis mine)

Sacrament Meeting Notes March 13, 2011

2011-03-13T13:32:00.003-05:00

*Fast and testimony meeting will be held on March 27, 2011 because of General Conference the following weekend.

Opening hymn: 263 Go Forth With Faith
Opening prayer

Sacrament hymn: 180 Father In Heaven We Do Believe

Youth speaker: "Obedience"

* Obedience is the first law of heaven.

* True freedom comes from following Christ.

* John 8: 31-32 - the truth shall make you free

* Obedience to God's laws keeps us safe from dangers of the world.

* Faith and obedience are matters of trust.

* satan wants us to think we are blindly following the Savior when we obey without question. Unquestioning obedience is not blind obedience. We know the truth. Obedience is an expression of our agency.

* Abraham, Nephi, the Brother of Jared were obedient.

* 1 Corinthians 14:8

* God's law give us direction.

Adult Speaker:

*Mosiah 2 - King Benjamin called the people together. He was the king as well as the prophet.

* Hearken unto God that you may hear the mysteries of God unfolded.

* The people came to hear the prophet - they opened their ears, minds, and hearts. They were taught about Christ and service. They learned to serve one another.

* Even if we do a lot of great things, we would still be unprofitable servants. He requires us to keep His commandments, to be obedient. Obedience leads to blessings and prosperity.

* Consider the blessed and happy state of those who keep the commandments.

* Received into heaven if they endure.

* Natural man is an enemy to God.

* Believe in God.

* We must repent, be humble and sincere. We must believe and DO.

* Do not suffer children to trangress the laws - teach them to obey, to love, and to serve.

* Do things in wisdom and order and be diligent. We should do our very best.

* Remember and perish not.

* Covenant to do His will and keep His commandments.

* The people received, heard, and obeyed King Benjamin's instruction.

* The words of the Lord are there for us.

Special musical number : "He Sent His Son"

Adult speaker: High Councilor

* Open our ears, minds, and hearts that we might hear. Strive to listen with ears of the Spirit which brings peace and joy into our lives.

* Counsel of the prophets - year's supply, 72 hour kits, get out of debt, etc..

* President Hinckley warned us to get out of debt, prepare every needful thing because of the portent of stormy weather on the horizon - look at finances and get out of debt.

* Now the voices of the prophets and apostles are largely silent on this issue.

*In the April general conference 16/29 speakers focused on how important it is to hear and hearken to the voice of the Spirit.

* We need to learn how to discern and walk by the Spirit in all matters of life.

* In stake conference, Bishop Burton talked about receiving the living water more abundantly.

*There seems to have been a shift from warning to prepare temporally to preparing spiritually to weather storms that may be on the horizon.

* Temporal preparation time may be drawing to an end.

* What is our course? What is expected?

*A man was verbally badgering Mother Theresa one day about how she couldn't do everything or help everyone. She told this man that Father wants us to be only faithful not perfect.

*He wants us to be wise stewards in physical and spiritual things.

* D&C 51:19 - found faithful, just, wise stewards shall reap rewards and portion of meat in due season.

*D&C 36:27 - diligent in preserving what we have

*Managing what we have is important no matter how much or how little it is.

*Sacrifice and obedience brings blessings - barrel of meal shall not fail, cruse of oil shall not waste. This promise is extended to all who hearken.

*Draw a line in the sand to separate the past from now and the future.

*Bring forth sacrifices - we will not do without.

*We should bind ourselves to the promises of God by bringing sacrifice and obedience.

*We should do all that we are capable of doing.

*We need to evaluate the obstacles that make obedience difficult.

1. Money - sacrifice to bind ourselves to promised blessings. Form a personal plan to obey action plan - anything we can do to place a higher priority on plan/sacrifices.

2. Time - Make sacrifices to raise awareness to higher level. Sacrifice and consecrate our time.

* Hold firm to promises. God consistently honors His promises. Bind yourself to His promises.

*Sacrifice immediate desires for greater needs. Father will bless us for sacrificing now for future needs.

* What happens from this day forward is of paramount importance.

*Postpone immediate gratification for larger, more important blessings - do so with happy hearts.

Luke 12:2 - Faithful and wise steward gets portion of meat in due season.

* All He wants is for us to obey so He can give us what we need.

*Believe - see that ye do.

* Open our hearts, minds, and earts - this work is Divine.

Closing hymn: 97 Lead, Kindly Light
Closing prayer

There Is A Green Hill Far Away

2011-03-10T18:39:00.002-06:00

There is a green hill far away,
Without a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified,
Who Died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell,
What pains he had to bear,
But we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.

There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin.
He only could unlock the gate
Of heav'n and let us in.

Oh, dearly, dearly has he loved!
And we must love him too,
And trust in his redeeming blood,
And try his works to do.

The Importance of the Family

2011-03-10T16:55:00.003-06:00

L. Tom Perry, "The Importance of the Family", Ensign, May 2003, 40–43

In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives and the top of our priorities. Families lie at the center of our Heavenly Father’s plan. This statement from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” declares the responsibilities of parents to their families:

“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”

We need to make our homes a place of refuge from the storm, which is increasing in intensity all about us. Even if the smallest openings are left unattended, negative influences can penetrate the very walls of our homes.

We remind you that parents are to preside over their own families.

From the very beginning the Lord has established the importance of the family organization for us. Soon after Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, the Lord spoke to them:

“The Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, [and] beareth record of the Father and the Son. …

“[Then] in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.

“And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: [If it were] not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.

“And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters.”

“President Brigham Young explained that our families are not yet ours. The Lord has committed them to us to see how we will treat them. Only if we are faithful will they be given to us forever. What we do on earth determines whether or not we will be worthy to become heavenly parents.” (emphasis mine)

The Church has established two special times for families to be together. The first is centered around the proper observance of the Sabbath day. This is the time we are to attend our regular meetings together, study the life and teachings of the Savior and of the prophets. “Other appropriate Sunday activities include (1) writing personal and family journals, (2) holding family councils, (3) establishing and maintaining family organizations for the immediate and extended family, (4) personal interviews between parents and children, (5) writing to relatives and missionaries, (6) genealogy, (7) visiting relatives and those who are ill or lonely, (8) missionary work, (9) reading stories to children, and (10) singing Church hymns.”

The second time is Monday night. We are to teach our children in a well-organized, regular family home evening. No other activities should involve our family members on Monday night. This designated time is to be with our families.

May it be our resolve this year to build a gospel-centered home, a safe harbor from the storms of the adversary. Let us again remember the promises and instructions from the Lord to His children:

“The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.

“Light and truth forsake that evil one. …

“And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers.

“But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth.”

May this be our year for enjoying the light and truth of the gospel in our homes. May our homes truly become places of refuge from the world...

Words From Doctrine and Covenants 121

2011-03-10T16:45:00.003-06:00

1 O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?

2 How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries?

3 Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them?

4 O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol—stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us.

5 Let thine anger be kindled against our enemies; and, in the fury of thine heart, with thy sword avenge us of our wrongs.

6 Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever.

7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

9 Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.

10 Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job.

The Blessings of Ministering

2011-03-10T10:15:00.003-06:00

Our stake conference was a very fruitful experience for me. I learned and felt so much.

One of the things that most intrigued me (besides all the great talks about the temple) was our stake president's focus on ministry. He spoke about ministering in our callings and about developing a personal ministry. This is something about which I am very excited. So I've spent some time this week pondering and reading about developing personal ministry.

I found a great article in the October 2009 Ensign entitled "The Blessings of Ministering." Here are some quotes from that article.

“Today there are hearts to gladden, there are deeds to be done—even precious souls to save,” President Monson has declared. “The sick, the weary, the hungry, the cold, the injured, the lonely, the aged, the wanderer, all cry out for our help.”

"In his personal ministry, President Monson has shown the difference between administering and ministering. Church members administer programs and ordinances, but they minister to individuals, loving them and coming to their relief. In reaching out to others, President Monson has emulated the Savior, who “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister” (Mark 10:45).

The article goes on to give some examples of people who took the opportunity to minister and to receive ministry. As I read through the accounts I noticed that these were simple ministries in which each individual just simply looked for the opportunity to serve when a need arose.

I think that developing a personal ministry begins with being aware of your own special talents and gifts and seeking to use those gifts whenever possible. Maybe our gift is writing. Maybe it's compassion. Maybe it's music. Whatever it is, it can be used to serve the needs of others thereby creating a personal ministry.

These ministries need not be big. They don't have to cost a lot of money, involve lots of people, or even take enormous amounts of time. They can be things that are small and simple. After all, it's through small and simple things that great things are brought to pass.

In a way, this blog is one of my ministries. I became very concerned a few months ago about all of the people who choose or who are not able to attend church. I wondered how I could reach out to them. I wondered how I could help them feel the Spirit even if only briefly. I also realized that sometimes people are unable to attend church because of temporary sickness. How could I help them? It donned on me (I could say I was prompted) that I have a gift from my years in debate of taking great notes. I decided that I could take notes from our sacrament meetings and special meetings and post them here on my blog. That way anyone desiring to know what happened in church can find it here. They don't have to miss out.

It's a very small and simple thing but it is a meaningful thing nonetheless. It doesn't take a great amount of effort or time. It just takes a willingness to recognize and meet a need. It takes a willingness to sacrifice of self for the benefit of others.

One of the most important ministries is that which occurs in our own homes as we serve and teach our families. This is the work that helps develop and strengthen eternal bonds. It requires effort, work, patience, and whole host of other qualities. It is in this important work more than any other that our characters are refined and strengthened. There is no other work that is more important.

In whatever way we choose to minister, we can be blessed and we can bless as we seek to have eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that understand. As we do all that we are inspired to do, we will gain further inspiration and further opportunity. As we pray for opportunities, Heavenly Father will give us those opportunities and He will magnify and bless our efforts. All within our sphere of influence will be richly blessed. How wonderful!

Blessings

2011-03-09T04:21:00.001-06:00

“Blessings” is a song by Laura Story. I love this song so much that I am posting the you tube link to it so that you can listen to it. I think you will like it as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ

We pray for blessings We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

(Chorus)
'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if the thousand sleepless nights are
what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea
As long as we have faith to believe

Chorus

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

Chorus

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Building a Bishop's Storehouse in Your Own Home

2011-03-09T04:15:00.002-06:00

In Sunday’s general session of stake conference, the presiding bishop of the church, H. David Burton, talked about some of the things that our prophets have counseled us to do. One of the things he mentioned is building a bishop’s storehouse in our very own home. Being the resourceful person that I am, I was reminded of a website that is partly dedicated to that very idea only she calls it a general store.

If you don’t know what a general store is then you are probably a younger person. General stores were a necessary part of life in the “good old days” before the advent of supercenters. They were a place where you could buy everything from farm implements to food to garden supplies to animal feed to medicine to trinkets to you name it.

If you ever watched the shows “Little House on the Prairie” or “The Waltons” you have seen a general store. That’s what Oleson’s mercantile and Godsey’s General Store was – general stores where you could buy nearly everything. Some general stores even included mail and catalog service in small, very rural or isolated areas. In the rural part of Arkansas, where I’m from, there are still a couple of these stores around.

Anyway, building our own general store is a very, very good idea. The Totally Ready blog has a plan for what could be included. For the first part of her plan, she focused on food. What I like about her plan is that she doesn’t tell you what to buy. She just gave general categories and amounts. So rather than suggesting that you buy tuna, she would suggest so many pounds of protein. Planning on this level accommodates all dietary needs. So vegetarians can use this plan just as well as standard dieters. Once she finished that plan, she began on household items like toiletries, medicines, cleaners, etc.

I am including a link to the category – this is a series of links to her various suggestions. It’s definitely worth taking a look. Happy store building! :-)

http://blog.totallyready.com/category/our-general-store/

Stake Conference March 6, 2011 General Session Notes

2011-03-06T17:09:00.003-06:00

Opening Hymn: 81 Press Forward Saints

Opening prayer

1. H. David Burton
· Matthew 12:34 – Out of the abundance of heart the mouth speaks

·Luke – heart burns within us

Even though the economy is showing signs of improvement, the moral malaise has been exacerbated especially by technology. It is thriving.

What are some of the things we have learn from the challenges of the last few years?

1. We need to listen more intently and act on advice of living prophet.

2. Get out of debt, become more self-reliant, get as much education as we can, create our own bishop’s storehouse in our own homes.

3. We need each other. We need to show more compassion to each other. The church welfare program was designed to help do away with idleness and enthrone the principles of work.

4. We can help others in distress. The primary commandment is to succor those in need. Failure to keep this commandment brings condemnation of the Savior.

Story of the Savior and the Samaritan woman at the well

Keep the Sabbath Day holy. This strengthens family and individuals and gives encouragement to the weak. It can help us to withstand the buffetings of the adversary.

We should all have a current temple recommend. Young people love to attend the temple. We need to respond and attend the temple.

The best thing we can give youth is spiritually strong parents and families.
We should study the scriptures which persuade us to do good, endure to the end, and receive life eternal. As we do so the abundance of living water will come our way as we do these things.

2. Mary Cook

We believe in being honest and true.

What would the world be like if everyone in the world was perfectly honest?

Alma 27:27 – perfectly honest and upright in all things – firm in the faith of Christ – true in all things at all times and in all place

We should not bear false witness which can include being silent and tell partial truths. Deception is too common.

Apostasy is not anonymous. Deceitful acts are still deceitful even if they are done in private.

It’s never too late to repent and make amends.

To thine own self be true.

Live lives of integrity. It can be challenging especially when our desire to be accepted is placed ahead of being true.

We should live seamless lives. Live the same way every day of the week as we would on Sunday.

Live what you believe. What will you think of yourself?

A life of integrity pays eternal dividends.

The Atonement, sacrament and virtuous activities bring power.

3. Quentin L. Cook

1. Refining process of Zion’s camp – marched to Clay County Missouri to assist those forced from their homes – epidemic of cholera – 14 died – Abrahamic sacrifice – 79/82 men later became members of quorums – gained experiences that couldn’t be gained in any other way

2. Nauvoo – smile at trials and not murmur – temple built by those under heavy stress

3. Western Trail – meticulous efficiency – joy, teamwork, brother and sisterhood

4. MO – Liberty Jail – D&C 121 – Where art thou? My son, peace be unto thy soul, thine afflictions shall be a small moment, triumph over all foes

Arm of Lord Revealed – Prepare for that which is to come.

President Hinckley said that we should prepare for a portent of stormy weather – reduce debt, live within means, store food

We should strengthen our families in the gospel and increase our faith in Christ. Consider the blessed and happy state of those who keep the commandments.

A parent’s love can help to determine a child’s success in later life. Children need a stable family environment and respected autonomy. They need prayer, scriptures, and family home evening.

Each of us determines what kind of parent we will be. We can have confidence of an eternal family. It’s easy to guide children if they are taught correct principles.

President Eyring:

Be Perfect Even As I

The Lord gives us a way to keep His commandments. He shows us the way to move forward with confidence.

Baptism is the gate. The temples are open to those who see their value. They are a symbol of the love of God. We receive knowledge and power and should return. We are sealed to our eternal companion and to our children. Heavenly Father requires everything that is ours to give.

Ezekial’s vision – river of water flows from temple and brings everything to life.

Keeping covenants helps us to be healed. There is a feeling of being cleansed as you return to the temple. This can be extended to our ancestors. God provides the way. We provide the faith. God promises us everything He has.

What is our part?

We don’t have to do everything at once. We move step by step. We must persist and have faith enough to repent and be cleansed.

We should pay our tithing and fast and contribute to fast offerings. We should pray with a grateful heart. We can be changed by the cleansing power of the Holy Ghost. We get steadily better and receive grace for grace.

D&C 58 – do not be compelled in all things.

Raise the bar – aim to get better and rise higher

When we try to do better, God helps us – gives us hope – and helps us to do more.

Closing hymn: 19 We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet

Stake Conference – Saturday March 5, 2011 Adult Session Notes

2011-03-06T16:13:00.001-06:00

Opening hymn: 5 High On A Mountain Top

Opening Prayer

Special Musical Number by the North Kansas City Ward – Come and Walk With Me

First Speaker: “Agency and Influence on Those We Love”
· Many have wandered or drifted. All of us struggle with agency

· How can we help and strengthen those who have wandered?

· Remember that the Lord will not leave us lonely or without comfort.

· Remember that everyone is free to choose – 2 Nephi 2:27 – free according to the flesh – free to choose

· There is opposition in all things. Satan tries to thwart God’s Plan
What are some things we can’t or shouldn’t do?

1. Don’t Judge. We cannot know the thoughts and intents of another person. Only Heavenly Father knows. We can judge their actions in order to protect ourselves from bad influences.

2. Don’t condemn. It is not our place to condemn. While God can choose whom He will forgive, we are required to forgive everyone.

3. Do not despair. The Lord’s timetable isn’t ours. Despair is a condition of wanting something now or in our own way.

What are some things we can do?

1. Study and develop our own testimony. Read the scriptures and listen to the prophets.

2. Love them. Love all people. Remember the story of Joseph Smith and W. W. Phelps.

3. Teach by our example. Remember that we aren’t perfect and will make mistakes. Let them see that we aren’t perfect. Let them see the power of repentance in our lives. Be open and honest about our repentance of our mistakes. Heavenly Father loves sinners but not sin.

4. Trust in the Lord.

Each of us can do something in reaching out to those who have wandered. We can be guided by the Holy Ghost. As we act on promptings, we will receive more promptings and direction.

Second Speaker: “Making and Keeping Sacred Covenants”

What are covenants and why are they important?

Covenants are an agreement between God and man.

We need to stay on the path by keeping covenants.

3 Nephi 27:20 Repent and be baptized. Be sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Christ’s light is our reward for keeping covenants. As we live this light, we can receive more.

When we are baptized we make promises to be humble and truly repent.

It is a way to manifest that we have received Christ and walk in His ways.

Priesthood is an additional covenant with God.

President Eyring said that we are a covenant people.

Heavenly Father always keeps His covenants with us.

The sacrament helps us to renew these covenants. We don’t promise that we take on the name of Christ – only that we are willing to do so.

We need to strive to receive the blessings of the temple. All should strive to be worth of attending the temple. Be as dedicated to the temple as were the early saints.

We shall enjoy the blessings of exaltation. How we conduct ourselves in this life effects how we receive blessings to come.

Covenants supply strength. They require our faith. As we honor our covenants, we expand in light and knowledge.

We are to observe covenants by sacrifice.

Covenants help us to develop divine influence. We gain added responsibility and light. We enjoy a flow of blessings. We are able to act rather than we acted upon.

Third Speaker: “Turning Our Hearts to the Father by Entering the Temple”

The temple is a symbol of our membership.

We are the house of Israel and are Saviors on Mount Zion.

The temple is a place of beauty, revelation, and peace. It is holy.

Temple work must hasten. We seek to be like the Father. We desire righteous blessings and the continuation of our family units forever.

We go to the temple because the Lord commanded it.

Fourth Speaker: “Healing Powers of the Temple”

There is a democracy of the temple. Nothing – race, gender, social status, nationality, etc – matters with the Lord except our broken hearts and contrite spirits.

In the initiatory we are washed to become clean and ready to be anointed to become kings and queens. We are clothed in sacred garments with the promise of protection from evil. They serve as a reminder of our covenants. The remind us of how to treat our bodies.

The endowment is a gift from God with great power. We are put under sacred covenants to protect these covenants and we receive further teaching. This brings us through the veil to the celestial room. These are the things we learn that are necessary to return to the Father.

Sealing rooms – mirrors of eternity. We make covenants that bind us together throughout eternity.

The temple is a safe harbor, a refuge, a beacon of light. Evil cannot come into the temple. It is a house of learning and prayer. We leave stronger, more sure, peaceful. It heals our wounded souls. But the power of the temple is perishable and so we need to return often. Our testimonies are strengthened as we do. We are about His work. We are children of the covenant. We are Saviors on Mount Zion.

Rest hymn: 247

Fifth Speaker: Make the Temple the Center of Our Lives

Choose to put God first. If you want your children to go to the temple, go to the temple. Let them see you go worship in the temple.

How often should we go? We should go to the temple until it becomes a sacrifice – what is a sacrifice for us at our level.

The temple is a place to contemplate the truths of the gospel. It strengthens our marriage. It makes the Atonement more real.

The temple allows us access to Heavenly Father.

Every foundation stone of the temple lessens the power of satan and calls down blessings of the eternal Gods.

What are we doing to prepare for the temple? It isn’t about curiosity or even deep interest. It’s about being worthy to receive the ordinances of the temple.

D&C 97: 15-16 – no unclean thing to come into it.

The pure in heart shall see God.

Sixth Speaker: Stake President

Prepare to go to the temple. Go Again. Go often. Prepare to serve in the house of the Lord.

Run to the temple!

Part of the stake theme for this year is to seek out and administer to those in need.

Look for opportunities for ministry. Story of Abish in Alma 19. She was a Lamanite woman who was a believer because of the vision of her father. She lived in a land without the gospel. Missionaries came and taught the gospel. They taught King Lamoni. He was so converted that he was overcome and fell to the earth. When Abish saw that everyone had fallen to the earth, she knew that it was the power of God and ran forth to share it with others. She saw an opportunity to minister and rain with it. The fallen people arose and testified to the others and thousands joined the church.

The power of ministry can be great in our homes, in our callings, and in our own personal ministry.

1. In our callings
*each person has talents and gifts. There’s a reason you’ve been called.

You have the capacity, talent, and ability to change lives.

*What is the storehouse of the Lord? We are.

*Stand to help your brothers and sisters.

*We can minister to others in a way that others cannot.

2. Personal ministry
· Each has talents and gifts to contribute to ministry.

· Matthew 20:8 – Son of God came to minister

· Elijah and the widow – 1 Kings 17 – Elijah was told that a widow would sustain him. She barely had enough to make one last meal for herself and her son. Elijah asked her to prepare a cake for him first. She did so in faith. As a result of her faith and her service, her oil and her meal did not run out. Then her son died and Elijah raised him from the dead.

· God will magnify and bless and make us full.

The widow’s small and simple ministry changed her life.

· We should pray to know how we can bless others. We should exercise faith and do all that we are inspired to do. The lord will bless us as we do and we will not run out.

Closing hymn: 300 Families Can Be Together Forever

Of Things That Matter Most

2011-03-05T06:23:00.002-06:00

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Things That Matter Most", Ensign, Nov. 2010, 19–22

The Pace of Modern Life

When stress levels rise, when distress appears, when tragedy strikes, too often we attempt to keep up the same frantic pace or even accelerate, thinking somehow that the more rushed our pace, the better off we will be.

Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives.

What Is the Solution?

They follow the advice “There is more to life than increasing its speed.” In short, they focus on the things that matter most.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, in a recent general conference, taught, “We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.”

The search for the best things inevitably leads to the foundational principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ—the simple and beautiful truths revealed to us by a caring, eternal, and all-knowing Father in Heaven. These core doctrines and principles, though simple enough for a child to understand, provide the answers to the most complex questions of life.
There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions.

The Power of Basics

I think most of us intuitively understand how important the fundamentals are.

The holy scriptures and the spoken word of the living prophets give emphasis to the fundamental principles and doctrines of the gospel. The reason we return to these foundational principles, to the pure doctrines, is because they are the gateway to truths of profound meaning. They are the door to experiences of sublime importance that would otherwise be beyond our capacity to comprehend. These simple, basic principles are the key to living in harmony with God and man. They are the keys to opening the windows of heaven. They lead us to the peace, joy, and understanding that Heavenly Father has promised to His children who hear and obey Him.

Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world. That is why “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ … that [we] may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.” In the complexity, confusion, and rush of modern living, this is the “more excellent way.”

So What Are the Basics?

As we turn to our Heavenly Father and seek His wisdom regarding the things that matter most, we learn over and over again the importance of four key relationships: with our God, with our families, with our fellowman, and with ourselves.

First, our relationship with God is most sacred and vital. We are His spirit children. He is our Father. He desires our happiness. As we seek Him, as we learn of His Son, Jesus Christ, as we open our hearts to the influence of the Holy Spirit, our lives become more stable and secure. We experience greater peace, joy, and fulfillment as we give our best to live according to God’s eternal plan and keep His commandments.

We improve our relationship with our Heavenly Father by learning of Him, by communing with Him, by repenting of our sins, and by actively following Jesus Christ, for “no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Christ].” To strengthen our relationship with God, we need some meaningful time alone with Him. Quietly focusing on daily personal prayer and scripture study, always aiming to be worthy of a current temple recommend—these will be some wise investments of our time and efforts to draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Let us heed the invitation in Psalms: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Our second key relationship is with our families. Since “no other success can compensate for failure” here, we must place high priority on our families. We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship.

The third key relationship we have is with our fellowman. We build this relationship one person at a time—by being sensitive to the needs of others, serving them, and giving of our time and talents.

The fourth key relationship is with ourselves. It may seem odd to think of having a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can’t get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves. May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you—as His precious daughter or son with divine potential.

If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.

Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.

Endure and Be Lifted Up

2011-03-04T20:34:00.003-06:00

Russell M. Nelson, "Endure and Be Lifted Up", Ensign, May 1997, 70

“Blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion … , for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb.”

Blessings bestowed by God are always predicated upon obedience to law. 4 Applied to my analogy, we are first to get “on the boat” with Him. Then we are to stay with Him. And if we don’t get “out of the boat” before we should, we shall reach His kingdom, where we will be lifted up to eternal life.

Whatever your work may be, endure at the beginning, endure through opposing forces along the way, and endure to the end. Any job must be completed before you can enjoy the result for which you are working.

This power to endure is critical in those two most important relationships we enter into in life. One is marriage; the other is membership in the Lord’s Church. These are also unique in that they are both covenant—not contractual—relationships.

Marriage—especially temple marriage—and family ties involve covenant relationships. They cannot be regarded casually. With divorce rates escalating throughout the world today, it is apparent that many spouses are failing to endure to the end of their commitments to each other. And some temple marriages fail because a husband forgets that his highest and most important priesthood duty is to honor and sustain his wife. The best thing that a father can do for his children is to “love their mother.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley made a statement recently that each Latter-day Saint husband should heed: “Magnify your [wife],” he said, “and in so doing you will magnify your priesthood.” To his profound advice we might couple the timeless counsel of Paul, who said, “Let every one of you … love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Enduring love provides enduring lift through life’s trials. An enduring marriage results when both husband and wife regard their union as one of the two most important commitments they will ever make. (emphasis mine)

The other commitment of everlasting consequence is to the Lord. Unfortunately, some souls make a covenant with God—signified by the sacred ordinance of baptism—without a heartfelt commitment to endure with Him. Baptism is an extremely important ordinance. But it is only initiatory. The supreme benefits of membership in the Church can only be realized only through the exalting ordinances of the temple. These blessings qualify us for “thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers” in the celestial kingdom. (emphasis mine)

Without a strong commitment to the Lord, an individual is more prone to have a low level of commitment to a spouse. Weak commitments to eternal covenants lead to losses of eternal consequence. Laments later in life are laced with remorse—as expressed in these lines:

For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: “It might have been!” (emphasis mine)

We are speaking of the most important of all blessings. The Lord said, “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.”

Each of you who really wants to endure to the glorious end that our Heavenly Father has foreseen should firmly establish some personal priorities. With many interests competing for your loyalty, you need to be careful first to stay safely “on the boat.” No one can serve two masters. If Satan can get you to love anything—fun, flirtation, fame, or fortune—more than a spouse or the Lord with whom you have made sacred covenants to endure, the adversary begins to triumph. When faced with such temptations, you will find that strength comes from commitments made well in advance. The Lord said, “Settle this in your hearts, that ye will do the things which I shall teach, and command you.” He declared through His prophet Jeremiah, “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

When priorities are proper, the power to endure is increased. And when internalized, those priorities will help keep you from “going overboard.” They will protect you from cheating—in marriage, in the Church, and in life.

If you really want to be like the Lord—more than any thing or anyone else—you will remember that your adoration of Jesus is best shown by your emulation of Him. Then you will not allow any other love to become more important than love for your companion, your family, and your Creator. You will govern yourself not by someone else’s set of rules but by revealed principles of truth.

Your responsibility to endure is uniquely yours. But you are never alone. I testify that the lifting power of the Lord can be yours if you will “come unto Christ” and “be perfected in him.” You will “deny yourselves of all ungodliness.” And you will “love God with all your might, mind and strength.”

The Tongue Can Be A Sharp Sword

2011-03-04T20:15:00.002-06:00

Marvin J. Ashton, "The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword", Ensign, May 1992, 18

When King David was pleading for mercy in the fifty-seventh Psalm, he cried: “My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.” (Ps. 57:4.)

The misuse of our tongues seems to add intrigue and destruction as the media and private persons indulge in this pastime. In the vernacular of the day, this destructive activity is called bashing. The dictionary reports that to bash is to strike with a heavy, crushing blow.

Such a popular behavior is indulged in by far too many who bash a neighbor, a family member, a public servant, a community, a country, a church. It is alarming also how often we find children bashing parents and parents bashing children.

We as members of the Church need to be reminded that the words “Nay, speak no ill” are more than a phrase in a musical context but a recommended way of life. (See Hymns, no. 233.) We need to be reminded more than ever before that “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” (A of F 1:13.) If we follow that admonition, there is no time for the dastardly hobby of bashing instead of building.

We need to get back to basic principles of recognizing the good and the praiseworthy within the family. Home evening needs to be reemphasized and used as a tool or foundation for wholesome communication and teaching, but never as an opportunity to bash other family members, neighbors, teachers, or Church leaders. Family loyalty will emerge when we reinforce the good and the positive and bridle our negative thoughts as we seek after those things that are of good report. (emphasis mine)

So what is the antidote for this bashing that hurts feelings, demeans others, destroys relationships, and harms self-esteem? Bashing should be replaced with charity. Moroni described it this way:

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all. …

“Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever.” (Moro. 7:46–47.)

Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.

Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of being a basher repulsive.

Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.

None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we’re trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses. What ever happened to giving each other the benefit of the doubt? What ever happened to hoping that another person would succeed or achieve? What ever happened to rooting for each other?

Would you consider this idea for a moment—that the way we treat the members of our families, our friends, those with whom we work each day is as important as are some of the more noticeable gospel principles we sometimes emphasize.

Imagine what could happen in today’s world—or in our own wards, or families, or priesthood quorums and auxiliaries—if each of us would vow to cherish, watch over, and comfort one another. Imagine the possibilities!

Be one who nurtures and who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. Be fair with your competitors, whether in business, athletics, or elsewhere. Don’t get drawn into some of the parlance of our day and try to “win” by intimidation or by undermining someone’s character. Lend a hand to those who are frightened, lonely, or burdened.

If the adversary can influence us to pick on each other, to find fault, bash, and undermine, to judge or humiliate or taunt, half his battle is won. Why? Because though this sort of conduct may not equate with succumbing to grievous sin, it nevertheless neutralizes us spiritually. The Spirit of the Lord cannot dwell where there is bickering, judging, contention, or any kind of bashing.

Once again may I emphasize the principle that when we truly become converted to Jesus Christ, committed to Him, an interesting thing happens: our attention turns to the welfare of our fellowman, and the way we treat others becomes increasingly filled with patience, kindness, a gentle acceptance, and a desire to play a positive role in their lives. This is the beginning of true conversion.

Let us open our arms to each other, accept each other for who we are, assume everyone is doing the best he or she can, and look for ways to help leave quiet messages of love and encouragement instead of being destructive with bashing.

Get Back Up

2011-03-04T08:55:00.003-06:00

This is a great song by TobyMac.

Get Back Up

You turned away when I looked you in the eye,
And hesitated when I asked if you were alright,
Seems like you're fighting for your life,
But why? oh why?
Wide awake in the middle of your nightmare,
You saw it comin' but it hit you outta no where,
And theres always scars
When you fall that far

We lose our way, We get back up again
It's never too late to get back up again,
One day you gonna shine again,
You may be knocked down,
But not out forever,
Lose our way, We get back up again,
So get up, get up, You gonna shine again,
Never too late to get back up again,
You may be knocked down,
But not out forever
[May be knocked down but not out forever]

You rolled out at the dawning of the day
Heart racin' as you made you little get away,
It feels like you've been runnin' all your life
But, why? Oh why?

So you've pulled away from the love that wou'd've been there,
You start believin' that your situation's unfair

But there's always scars,
When you fall that far

We lose our way, We get back up again
Never too late to get back up again,
One day, you gonna shine again,
You may be knocked down but not out forever,
Lose our way, we get back up again,
So get up, get up You gonna shine again
It's never too late, to get back up again
You may be knocked down, but not out forever,
May be knocked down, but not out forever!

This is love callin', love callin', out to the broken,
This is love callin'.
This is love callin', love callin', out to the broken
This is love callin'. This is love callin', love callin',
I am so broken
This is love callin' love callin

Lose our way,We get back up,
It's never too late
You may be knocked down but not out forever!

Lose our way, We get back up again,
So get up get up You gonna shine again
Never too late to get back up again
You may be knocked down, But not out forever

The Motions

2011-03-04T05:42:00.003-06:00

This is a song by Matthew West.

The Motions

This might hurt
It’s not safe
But I know that I’ve gotta make a change
I don’t care If I break
At least I’ll be feeling something
‘Cause just ok Is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions

No regrets
Not this time
I’m gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love Make me whole
I think I’m finally feeling something

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions

Take me all the way
Take me all the way
Take me all the way

Free To Be Me

2011-03-03T15:07:00.002-06:00

This is a great song by Francesca Battistelli.

Free To Be Me

At twenty years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war is already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can't always see

I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to put the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
And on my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl I thought I had it figured out
See my life will turn out right
And I'll make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt, 'cause

I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to put the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
And on my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

Sometimes I believe
That I can do anything
Yet other times I think
I've got nothing good to bring

But You look at my heart and tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it's easy to believe, even though...

I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to put the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
And on my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

New Strategies for Overcoming Emotional Neediness: It's OK To Be Real, Part 2

2011-03-03T14:34:00.012-06:00

3. Admit the truth. Yes, I know how hard this can be. Depending on the level and pervasiveness of the dishonesty, it might even require what seems to be superhuman courage to be honest. But that's ok. Just start. Once you start, it gets so much easier and before long, you will find yourself unable to quit telling the truth. It may happen in stages or layers, but that's ok. It needs to happen.

While you should be sensitive to the needs of others, be careful of how you react to their response. Be as open and as honest as you can be. Humbly ask for their forgiveness. Then be patient with that person as they absorb what you've told them. Be more sensitive to how they feel than to your own feelings. It may take them some time to believe that your change of heart is not only real but lasting. Be patient with them and yourself as you learn a new way of being. If trust can be re-established, it may take some time and consistent effort. Do it anyway whether those relationships can be rebuilt or not. True friends are worth the wait. Have faith that they will return to you. Accept the possibility that they may not. Move forward no matter what.

As you live true to yourself and what you believe - as you are honest - you will begin to develop a healthy sense of self-respect and will no longer need to get it from others. You will begin to be able to look outside of yourself, see the needs of others, and lovingly respond to them without expecting anything in return. This will enable you to eventually become selfless. What an amazing thing that will be!

4. Enjoy the stillness. As you tell the truth, you will find something amazing happens. You will suddenly feel more still. At first, it may be disconcerting to the person who has spent enormous amounts of energy in feelings. But it is a beautiful feeling. Being quiet and still brings to bear the very purpose of being real - peace. Being real - being truthful brings a peace that passes the understanding of "normal" people. Can you imagine what this peace does for the person who has spent large amounts of time in frenzied and desperate dishonesty?

I feel to add a caution here. When you begin to tell the truth and recognize that stillness, don't panic. What is happening is that you are creating emotional space. You are creating openness where you've been closed before. Be very careful how you fill that space. The difference in how you choose to fill that space is the difference between successful, real change and fraudulent change. The goal is to be real. To be real you need to create an environment that helps you to be real. It's the only way the change can be lasting.

5. Experience the joy. At some point when you've been able to absorb the reality of stillness, you will begin to cry. But this time, instead of being tears of anger, sadness, and frustration, it will be tears of joy. You will cry amidst laughter and smiles. It will suddenly hit you what you've known all along. You are beautiful. Your soul is precious and valuable beyond price. You know who you are - who you really are! You are a precious child of God - our Heavenly Father who loves you so much that He has given His everything for your eternal welfare.

6. See the possibilities. Once you know who you are and that you are really and truly worth something despite being imperfect, you will have hope that all things are possible. It is truly an amazing feeling. It is worth all of the effort, the tears, the work, the frustration, the doubt, the anything. Knowing who you are and honoring that divine parentage makes anything - no, everything possible.

What a truly blessed state in which to be! If you are struggling with emotional issues, I plead with you to give this a try. Experiment in faith. I promise that as you are real and as you are honest that a whole new, wonderful world will open to you. :-)

New Strategies for Overcoming Emotional Neediness: It's OK To Be Real, Part 1

2011-03-03T13:39:00.009-06:00

When I originally wrote "strategies" I recommended an exercise in physical isolation from others and exploration of feelings. I was wrong. I can happily say that I was very wrong. I recommended the complete opposite of what I should have said and done. I should have added a disclaimer about how I'm not a doctor and I don't even play one on tv. At least now, with great excitement, I can tell you what will work.

Emotional neediness can be cured. Seriously! It really can be cured! Would you like to know how? It's in these simple nine words - know thyself and to thine own self be true.

All emotional neediness stems from being false, being deceptive, being disingenuous. In other very bold words, people who are emotionally needy are liars. (Don't quit reading - it gets more encouraging!) They lie to themselves and this causes them to lie to everyone with whom they have a relationship. Perhaps much of the time the lies aren't malicious but they can be very damaging nonetheless.

This explains why people with neediness issues struggle to obtain and maintain relationships with others. This explains why they struggle so hard to solve problems even though their hearts may very well be in the right place. They are so busy being false to themselves that they cannot but help being false to others. Said in a different way, because they are afraid to be real, they have to make other people unreal. They have to depersonalize other human beings just because they have a fear of being honest with themselves. They have to see other people as incapable of feeling even as they want to be shown goodwill, love, and respect!

So here are some important things to remember when striving to overcome emotional problems.

1. Be real. Be absolutely real. Be as authentic and transparent as you can possibly be. When we can be honest about who we really are, we won't need to spend time creating justifications for our misbehaviors. When we live our truth, we are true. When we don't, we aren't. It's when we misbehave that we run into trouble. We feel guilty and we have to make justifications for why our behavior is ok when we know it isn't.

We can spend an enormous amount of energy trying to do this. But we can't do it on our own because we aren't enough on our own. We are out of line. So we need to bind other people to us. We have to have their approval because we cannot approve of ourselves. And because the justification cycle never ends (until the truth is admitted), the need never goes away. It has to be filled continuously which is exhausting to both parties involved.

2. It's ok to have weaknesses. Everyone has at least one weakness. I know that it can be hard to see weaknesses in other people especially those we love. We sometimes blind ourselves to the weaknesses of others. But the point is that none of us are perfect. And that's ok. It can even be good.

We are given weakness to teach us to be humble and to ask for help! We are not meant to walk on this earth alone. We are relational beings and we all need each other. This is a very good thing. Our friends, our family, our religious leaders can help us to overcome our weaknesses. In fact, they want to help us overcome our weaknesses. We need to learn to trust them and allow them to help us.

I learned something very recently. Our true friends love us and want to help us. When we don't allow them to help, we hurt them more than we can possibly realize. While we don't mean to hurt them, we do. We just can't see it because we are more focused on ourselves and how we feel than on them and how they feel.

We may find this hard to believe right now but our true friends will love us and accept us weaknesses and all. But we have to trust them. We have to let them help. We have to seek them out rather than isolating ourselves from them. We have to trust that they will forgive us for not being perfect.
We have to let go of the illusion - the facade - and trust. Just trust. It will all be ok in the end.

It's when we try to hide our weaknesses that we really begin to run into trouble. We hide behind a mask. We create a fascade. And then we have to create a story to go along with the facade. It's so much easier and better to just be real and admit that we aren't perfect and to ask for help. When we are truly humble and our hearts are open, we will find that people will respond to us in much the same way.

It is also because of our own weaknesses that we begin to doubt the goodwill of others. We doubt their committment to us. We are afraid of how they will respond. Maybe they will cry. Maybe they will laugh. But so what? If they love us, they will accept us weakness and all. They might even be grateful or relieved when we do admit our weaknesses. When we are real, we give others permission to be real. This is very good in a world that seems to want things that are disposable and artificial.

Continued in part 2.

Improving Our Prayers

2011-03-03T10:32:00.003-06:00

Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Improving Our Prayers", Ensign, Mar. 2004, 24–31

Every person on the earth today lived at one time in heavenly realms. We walked with our Heavenly Father. We knew Him. We heard His voice. We loved Him. And although we were eager to enter mortality and continue our progression, we must have regretted the separation that would accompany it. We must have sorrowed that a veil would cover our eyes and the bright memories of our lives would be cloaked in the forgetfulness of mortality. How we must have yearned to stay close to our Father in Heaven. How we must have covenanted to ever reach after Him and commune with Him.

Undoubtedly our separation from our Heavenly Father was softened when He promised that as we sought after Him in prayer, He would reach toward us.

Have you considered the effectiveness of your prayers, your efforts to reach toward Him from this mortal life? How close do you feel to your Heavenly Father? Do you feel that your prayers are answered? Do you feel that the time you spend in prayer enriches and uplifts your soul? Is there room for improvement?

Make Prayers Meaningful

There are many reasons our prayers may lack power. Sometimes they become routine. Our prayers become hollow when we say similar words in similar ways over and over so often that the words become more of a recitation than a communication. This is what the Savior described as “vain repetitions” (see Matt. 6:7). Such prayers, He said, will not be heard

Our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, has observed:
“The trouble with most of our prayers is that we give them as if we were picking up the telephone and ordering groceries—we place our order and hang up. We need to meditate, contemplate, think of what we are praying about and for and then speak to the Lord as one man speaketh to another.”

When you find yourself getting into a routine with your prayers, step back and think. Meditate for a while on the things for which you really are grateful. Look for them. They don’t have to be grand or glorious.

Thinking of things we are grateful for is a healing balm. It helps us get outside ourselves. It changes our focus from our pains and our trials to the abundance of this beautiful world we live in.

Think of those things you truly need. Bring your goals and your hopes and your dreams to the Lord and set them before Him. Heavenly Father wants us to approach Him and ask for His divine aid. Explain to Him the trials you are facing. Set before Him your righteous desires.

Do you want to commune with the Infinite? Then approach Him with reverence and humility. Don’t worry so much about whether your words are polished or not. Worry instead about speaking from your heart.

Pray with Faith

Another reason many prayers have little power is that we lack faith. We approach our Heavenly Father like a child who asks something of his or her parents, knowing they will refuse. Without faith, our prayers are merely words. With faith, our prayers connect with the powers of heaven and can bring upon us increased understanding, hope, and power. If by faith the worlds were created, then by faith we can create and receive the righteous desires of our heart.

What is faith? Faith is absolute confidence in that which is in absolute conformity to the will of heaven. When we combine that confidence with absolute action on our part, we have faith.

The powers of faith are activated by action. We must do our part. We must prepare. We must do all that is in our power, and we will be blessed in our efforts.

Prayer is a private matter between you and Heavenly Father. Both He and you know when you have done what you can. Do not give a thought as to whether or not your best compares with others. In the eyes of Heavenly Father, that doesn’t matter.

The Need for Charity

Another reason our prayers have little power is that we fail to succor those in need around us. The Book of Mormon teaches, “If ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing” (Alma 34:28).

Our willingness to aid those in distress around us has ever been the benchmark of the disciples of Christ. Indeed, the Savior taught that our very salvation depends upon the level of our compassion for others (see Matt. 25:31–46). If we turn our backs upon the poor and the distressed, can we, in turn, suppose that our Heavenly Father will be merciful to us? As we are to those in need, so our Heavenly Father will be to us in our time of need.

A Pattern for Prayer

“Fret not” is the first step (see Ps. 37:1). To fret means to worry or to brood about something. The first thing we must do is stop worrying. Instead of worrying, focus on doing all that you can, and then leave the worrying to your Heavenly Father. If your heart is right with Him, He will take care of the worry and the fear. We must learn to “fret not.”

The second step is to “trust in the Lord” (see Ps. 37:3). Why should we trust in Him? Because He is our loving and all-wise Father in Heaven. Because He is the giver of all good gifts. Because He knows us and wants us to be happy and successful and to return to Him. God is in His heaven. He is perfect. He loves us.

The third step is “do good” (see Ps. 37:3). We do good because we are followers of Christ. We do good because we are members of His church. We do good because we have made solemn covenants to serve as a light unto the world. Our Heavenly Father expects our actions to serve as a living testimony to our words. As we do good, the Lord can bless our efforts.

The fourth step is to “delight thyself also in the Lord” (see Ps. 37:4). What a wonderful doctrine! Instead of worrying or grumbling that our prayers have gone unanswered, we should delight ourselves in the Lord. Be grateful. Be happy. Know that the Lord, in His time, will bring about all your righteous desires—sometimes in ways we predict, sometimes in ways we could not have possibly foreseen. What a wonderful recipe for happiness and peace.

The fifth step is to “commit thy way unto the Lord” (see Ps. 37:5). No matter what your worries are, commit yourself to keeping His commandments. Brethren, honor your priesthood. Sisters, cleave unto the principles of light and truth.

The sixth step is to “rest in the Lord” (see Ps. 37:7). Sometimes the hardest thing we can do is wait. The Lord has His own timetable, and although it may frustrate us, His timing is always perfect. When we rest in the Lord, we allow Him to work His will for us in His own time and in His own way.

Prayer Brings Light

As we commune with our Father in humble prayer, our hearts receive the gentle outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Lord tells us, “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” (D&C 50:24).

My brothers and sisters, spiritual experiences are available to all who come before their Eternal Father with a broken heart and contrite spirit. One of the things we must do in this mortality is chase away the darkness. We must fill our souls with the light of the Holy Spirit.

Blessings Available to All

The rich blessings that can come into our lives through prayer are available to all.

Prayer is the doorway through which we commence our discipleship to things heavenly and eternal. We will never be alone so long as we know how to pray. (emphasis mine)

Only Grace

2011-03-02T22:04:00.002-06:00

This is a beautiful song by Matthew West.

Only Grace

There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday
Has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it’s clear

There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy
And believe me it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

You’re starting over now
Under the sun
You’re stepping forward now
A new life has begun
Your new life has begun

There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy
And believe me it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, Get back up
Get back up again

There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy
And believe me it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy
And believe me it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

Know Thyself, Control Thyself, Give Thyself

2011-03-02T12:59:00.002-06:00

Paul H. Dunn, "Know Thyself, Control Thyself, Give Thyself", Ensign, July 1972, 93

I think if I could give a whole sermon in just six words it would be these: Socrates said many years ago, “Know thyself,” Cicero said, “Control thyself,” and the Savior said, “Give thyself.”

To know thyself is to come to know that you and I as priesthood bearers are literally the offspring of Deity; and that means, young men, that you and I were born to succeed; that in the preexistence you and I earned a right by our faithfulness and by our commitment to worthy principles to come into mortality in order that we might learn through the priesthood how to become like our Father.

That means, if I understand the gospel correctly, that there isn’t one single failure among us. The word can’t is false doctrine in the Mormon Church. When a young man says to me, “I can’t do it,” I become concerned because in a sense he is saying, “I don’t understand the gospel.” He may not be motivated; he may have discouragements; there may be barriers in his life; but you can succeed.

I promise you young priesthood bearers that if you really come to know who you are through the scriptures and through the revealed doctrine of this church, you can accomplish anything you want in this life.

Someone has said that success consists not in never falling, but in rising every time you fall. Get up one more time than you go down, young people, and you will win. Stay down, and you lose.

My father used to say, “Paul, there are dozens of rules for success, but none of them work unless you do.”

Cicero said, “Control thyself.”

It’s one thing to be born with ability to succeed; it’s another thing to harness it and to control it.

My young brethren, this is the purpose of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to control that which we have been born with. That is the purpose of the Church and its programs. We need to learn how to control that which God has given us.

Finally, the Savior said, Take all that I have given you, harness it, discipline it, and then give it to the world. Give thyself.

“Within the oyster shell uncouth, the purest pearl may hide, but oft you’ll find a heart of truth within a rough outside.”

We Have Been There All The Time

2011-03-02T12:34:00.002-06:00

Paul H. Dunn, "We Have Been There All the Time", Ensign, Nov. 1977, 24

As I travel around the Church and see many of the challenges and as I have listened very carefully in this conference and in other meetings, I appreciate more fully the concern of our president to reach out to those who are lost or inactive. He made a very interesting point in an earlier service, a very interesting observation, and I would like to quote it. He said, “Prevention is far better than redemption.” Did you get the difference? Prevention is far better than redemption. Would you young adults, young married couples, young people everywhere, please take note?

My father used to teach us that life is a journey, not a camp, and he indicated that too many people are camping. I’d like to challenge all of us, particularly the young people and young couples that are married, to see life as a whole and to enjoy the marvelous journey.

...we too often let trifles cloud our vision. We get caught up in nonessentials or in a multitude of meetings, both in and out of the Church, that have no particular meaning or purpose. We sometimes nag the people we love the best over little inattentions, small faults, mere nothings in the whole scheme of things. Instead of treasuring the all-too-rare moments we share with our dear ones, we pick at faults, imagined or otherwise. How many of us say to our wives, our husbands, our children: “Why can’t you do this?” “Why don’t you do that?” Or “Someday when I have the time …”

Why do those sudden moments of clarity, when we realize how precious our loved ones are, come so rarely? How do we let ourselves get caught up in faultfinding, digging, or scolding at those who are nearest our hearts? Is it ever worth it? As C. S. Lewis once advised, “Take care. It is so easy to break eggs without making omelettes.” (Cited in Richard L. Evans, Richard Evans’ Quote Book, Salt Lake City: Publisher’s Press, 1971, p. 169.)

Do you remember Julia Ward Howe who told a senator on one occasion, “I am in need of help for a very special person”?

“Julia, I am so busy”, he said, “I can no longer concern myself with individuals.”

She replied, “That’s remarkable. Even God hasn’t reached that stage yet.” (See Richard Evans’ Quote Book, p. 165.) (emphasis mine)

Concern yourself first with individuals, with relationships, with loved ones. What else really matters? Don’t imagine yourself, regardless of who you are, busier than the Lord, who puts souls first above everything else. (emphasis mine)

The other night I was flying home from a distant conference. I had been away only three days, but as the flood lights of the airport loomed up, I welled up with anticipation and excitement. I felt as though I could have been a great hero returning from space—and what caused this excitement? I was going back to my family. Does it have to take flights away from home, a child leaving for college, or the death of a husband who will never again leave his hat in an awkward place to remind us how sweet are the moments with our loved ones and friends? How brief they are in the run of time? Does it take these things to stop us in our picking at trifling faults to realize the beauty of every minute together? (emphasis mine)

For all of us, let it not take a lifetime before we realize that we have been there all along, that life does not offer anything sweeter than the love of dear ones and the sharing of time together. (emphasis mine)

You remember what President Kimball said: “Prevention is far better than redemption.” God grant us the wisdom to know that life is a great journey, and may we have the sense to enjoy it.

Teach the Why

2011-03-02T12:22:00.002-06:00

Paul H. Dunn, "Teach “the Why”", Ensign, Nov. 1981, 71

I suppose it seems all of us are in need of good counsel. Quite often parents and many young people ask the question, “How do you teach the gospel so that it’s meaningful and applicable?” Do you know, my brothers and sisters, that learning any concept or principle or changing any behavior pattern requires five important steps?

First, you have to expose a person. Second is the law of repetition. Third is to give understanding, the why. People of all ages want to know the whys of the gospel, not just the rules. This is the most important aspect of teaching because the fourth step, that of conviction, and the fifth, application, cannot occur until we understand.

Most wrong choices before and after marriage are not made out of rebellion or intentional error but because of misinformation, miscommunication, and lack of understanding. In most cases, if couples truly understood the whats and the whys and the hows of eternal marriage, no one would have to talk them into the right choices. Indeed, no one would be able to talk them out of them!

Let me ask you young people a question: have you ever wondered why God would restrict us from some things, advise us strongly against them, warn us, even command us? Do you think his commandments are just arbitrary whims, artificial tests of some kind, generalities that are important for some people but not for others?

I don’t think so! His commandments are loving counsel from a wise Father. Our understanding and concept of God as a loving and personal Heavenly Father allows us no other definition. He gives us commandments for one reason only—because he loves us and wants us to be happy.

Any love that is to become eternal must include respect, faith, trust, admiration, honor, and have spiritual and mental aspects as well as physical and emotional. No relationship, either temporal or eternal, can exist without these attributes.

Let us remember that understanding “the why” in learning is what develops proper attitudes or changes behavior. God grant us the wisdom to teach wisely and with understanding...

By Hope and Faith, All Things Are Fulfilled

2011-03-02T12:06:00.002-06:00

Paul H. Dunn, "By Faith and Hope, All Things Are Fulfilled", Ensign, May 1987, 73

Dr. JoAnn Larsen, a Salt Lake City family therapist, recently gave some wise and practical counsel on teaching children and building their self-esteem. She reminded us of the tendency most parents have, in their efforts to teach their children responsibility, of so often stressing the negative things the children do—the mistakes and misjudgments they make and the inconveniences and trouble they cause. She made the statement that between birth and twenty years of age the average child hears from parents, teachers, siblings, and peers probably one hundred thousand negative messages, which are rarely balanced with positive messages. With an extremely lucky child, the ratio would probably be ten negatives to one positive, which she claims can be highly damaging, often for life, to a child’s feelings of self-worth.

She encourages us all to develop lenses—vision that sees positives instead of negatives, thus making it possible to perform miracles sometimes and certainly to greatly improve the results of our teaching efforts and our parent-child relationships. The good accomplished toward the making of a better world through upbuilding, trusting approaches to life situations, in contrast to those that tear down, could very possibly never be accurately assessed.

Why is it that as humans we tend to emphasize the negative when there is so much to be positive about? We not only constantly criticize our children and each other, find fault, are very judgmental, and often seek out and build up people’s weaknesses and failings rather than their strengths and successes, but in our own personal life-styles there are those of us who are incessant, chronic worriers. We worry about all the negative things that could happen, but usually don’t, rather than positively trying to face problems with some amount of faith and hope of success.

I often think that for some of these people the joy and excitement have gone out of their lives and that all they look back on are crowded, grim days, often filled with great guilt because of the pressure of trying to accomplish everything they think is necessary and to be perfect right now. Interestingly, negative attitudes seem to affect us in that way.

Now, of course, life is serious. Children must be taught, bills must be paid, we must live righteously—it is the Lord’s counsel to us. We can’t help but worry sometimes; there are and always will be never-ending negatives existing all around us which must be faced, dealt with, and solved. But I wonder if the constant bombardment of dilemmas and challenges and the often seemingly hopeless situations, both personal and nationwide, don’t frustrate, discourage, and depress us sometimes to the point where our minds and attitudes are distracted from the very principles that would allow us to rise above the negative and find the positive answers we need.

In the Book of Mormon, in which we find many answers and so much direction in solving problems, there is a scripture that, to me, sheds great light on the matter of a positive, trusting, hopeful attitude of faith as a substitute for facing life’s problems with discouragement and despair. Listen to the words of the prophet Ether as he exhorts us to know and believe in God as a foundation of hope and faith:

“By faith all things are fulfilled—

“Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God” (Ether 12:3–4).

Throughout the whole of this marvelous chapter we are taught the wonders accomplished by faith, love, and hope. It seems to me that dwelling on negative thoughts and approaches is, in fact, working directly opposite of hope, faith, and trust—in the Lord, ourselves, and others—and causes continual feelings of gloom, while the positive lifts and buoys us up, encourages us to forge ahead, and is an attitude that can be developed, a habit that we can cultivate.

As critical and judgmental as we often must be, as much as we will have to correct, as truly as we must face unpleasant realities all of our days, let us recognize and praise the thousands of beauties of life around us; the many wonderful examples of virtuous living; the strengths and the courage of so many souls; the exceptional talents and achievements of our family members, neighbors, and associates; the countless blessings that we have been given. As has been quoted by so many, but seems to fit well here, “Two men look out through the same bars: One sees the mud, and one the stars” (Frederick Langbridge, A Cluster of Quiet Thoughts, cited in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 2d ed., London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1966, p. 310).

And as the prophet Mormon taught us:
“But charity [in this case, the charity in our thinking of and appreciation of others] is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him” (Moro. 7:47).

Quotes by Paul H. Dunn

2011-03-02T10:26:00.004-06:00

I was never privileged to hear Elder Dunn speak but I imagine he was quite amazing! Here are some quotes attributed to him:

"Quit thinking that tomorrow your problems will go away and life will begin in earnest. The Lord is waiting to help you cope today if you will lay your human-size needs at his divine feet."

"You remember the Duke of Wellington was talking of the Battle of Waterloo when he said that it was not that the British soldiers were braver than the French soldiers. It was just that they were brave five minutes longer. And in our struggles sometimes that's all it takes-to be brave five minutes longer, to try just a little harder, to not give up on ourselves when everything seems to beg for our defeat."

"Call time out when you need help and ask the Coach for help. Don't wait. Do it when you need it."

"To be average is to be as near the bottom as the top."

"Commandments are loving counsel from a wise Father. Our understanding and concept of God as a loving and personal Heavenly Father allows us no other definition. He gives us commandments for one reason only-because he loves us and wants us to be happy."

Never Give Up!

2011-03-02T10:01:00.002-06:00

Paul H. Dunn was a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy ofThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotionaladdress was given at Brigham Young University on 4 October 1978.

I would like to begin with sermonette number one. Could I suggest, regardless of who you are and what you are, that you reach out--not only to those near you, but to the world. We have in this interesting old globe of ours some very lonesome, worrisome people...Wherever you go there are lonely people.

If we Latter-day Saints are not careful, we will have a tendency to be a little cliquish. We do not do that on purpose--that is not part of our scheme--and I would challenge you, of all people, to extend your area of influence. You know what the gospel teaches about your neighbor and about your friends. Reach out to those who are a little less fortunate, who do not fit into the social circle, who sometimes are forgotten. (emphasis mine)

Sermonette number two: In addition to reaching out, will you reach up? That is very important. Stretch your minds, your imagination; learn, seek, knock, find.

Think about this: Put your problems in perspective. The traffic jam--could I be this bold?--the boring class, the argument, the setback that seems so all-important may not really merit your worry and dismay. Your inner harmony and sense of peace is the most important thing in the world. Do not be so willing to give it up.

You are certainly not small, but your problems are. Keep your problems in a proper perspective.

...learn something new. Develop a skill, a hobby. Make a new friend. Reach out, as I suggested earlier. "Curiosity," says editor Frederick Bonfils, "is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous mind. There is no hope for the satisfied man"--or woman (quoted by Wendell Noble, "The Listener's Digest," KABC, August 1956). Has your world become boring because you are just too self-satisfied? Find out that you are not really a know-it-all. Expose your ignorance. Learn something new. I challenge you to do that. (emphasis mine)

I have always liked the wise counsel the magician Merlin gave to King Arthur, remember? When the king was feeling low, he said,
The best thing for being sad . . . is to learn something. That is the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honor trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then--to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the thing for you. Look at what a lot of things there are to learn--pure science, the only purity there is. You can learn astronomy in a lifetime, natural history in three, literature in six. And then, after you have exhausted a milliard lifetimes in biology and medicine and theocriticism and geography and history and economics--why, you can start to make a cartwheel out of the appropriate wood, or spend fifty years learning to begin to learn to beat your adversary at fencing. After that you can start again on mathematics until it is time to learn to plough. [T. H. White, The Sword in the Stone, p. 183] (emphasis mine)

The fourth way to beat the blahs involves some reexamination of your life. Let me illustrate with just a little story. One day a young lady was walking across campus and she bumped into one of her favorite professors. He was a surprising little man who would kneel down with his face next to the grass to see the world from a new point of view, or jump out of grand pianos to greet his new students before class. But this day the professor's interest was on the coed. "What's wrong with you?" he said. His eyes were looking at her very closely. "You're not yourself."

"Oh, nothing really," said the girl. "I've just got the blahs."

"I knew it," said the professor, "and I know why. You've worked hard lately but you have not done one thing all quarter that really matters to you, have you? You haven't done one thing that has made bare your heart. Think about it," he said, and without another word scurried off. (emphasis mine)

Finally, sermonette number three: Reach, young people, a little further. As President Kimball said, "Try a little harder."

I challenge you again to reach out a little further. You and I can do this by developing that positive mental attitude.

And finally, do you remember the story that Bob Richards tells? It is a favorite of mine. He tells of the time when Winston Churchill was being honored in his final days in a meeting with Parliament. Anybody who was anybody in Great Britain was assembled there and they called upon this magnificent statesman to give his final speech. Winston Churchill's final speech was just seven words long, and I commend it to you. With the gallery quiet and tense and leaning forward in their seats, this great, grand old bulldog of the British Empire--cane between his legs, two hands clasped on the top, jaw protruding, looking at that auspicious crowd--said the first three words of his last sermon. "NEVER GIVE UP." Then he paused, looked again, and said the last four words. "NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP." (emphasis mine)

Walk By Faith

2011-03-02T09:51:00.002-06:00

This is a song by Jeremy Camp.

Walk By Faith

Would I believe you when you say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

Help me to win my endless fears
You've been so faithful for all my years
With the one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do

yeah, yeah , yeah, yeah, ya

Well I'm broken- but I still see Your face
Well You've spoken- pouring Your words of grace

Well hallelujah, hallelu
(I will walk by faith)
Well hallelujah, hallelu
(I will walk by faith)

I will walk, I will walk, I will walk by faith
I will, I will, I will walk by faith

Obedience, Consecration, and Sacrifice

2011-03-02T09:39:00.002-06:00

Bruce R. McConkie, "Obedience, Consecration, and Sacrifice", Ensign, May 1975, 50

We are the Lord’s people, his saints, those to whom he has given much and from whom he expects much in return. We know the terms and conditions of the plan of salvation—how Christ died for our sins and what we must do to reap the full blessings of his atoning sacrifice.

Accordingly, I shall now set forth some of the principles of sacrifice and consecration to which the true saints must conform if they are ever to go where God and Christ are and have an inheritance with the faithful saints of ages past. (emphasis mine)

The law of sacrifice is a celestial law; so also is the law of consecration. Thus to gain that celestial reward which we so devoutly desire, we must be able to live these two laws.

Sacrifice and consecration are inseparably intertwined. The law of consecration is that we consecrate our time, our talents, and our money and property to the cause of the Church: such are to be available to the extent they are needed to further the Lord’s interests on earth.

The law of sacrifice is that we are willing to sacrifice all that we have for the truth’s sake—our character and reputation; our honor and applause; our good name among men; our houses, lands, and families: all things, even our very lives if need be.

Joseph Smith said, “A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary [to lead] unto life and salvation.” (Lectures on Faith, p. 58.)

...to gain celestial salvation we must be able to live these laws to the full if we are called upon to do so. Implicit in this is the reality that we must in fact live them to the extent we are called upon so to do. (emphasis mine)

When it costs us but little to give, the treasure laid up in heaven is a small one. The widow’s mite, given in sacrifice, weighs more heavily in the eternal scales than the bulging granaries of the rich man.

We are commanded to live in harmony with the Lord’s laws, to keep all his commandments, to sacrifice all things if need be for his name’s sake, to conform to the terms and conditions of the law of consecration.

We have made covenants so to do—solemn, sacred, holy covenants, pledging ourselves before gods and angels.

We are under covenant to live the law of obedience.

We are under covenant to live the law of sacrifice.

We are under covenant to live the law of consecration.

With this in mind, hear this word from the Lord: “If you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.” (D&C 78:7.)

It is our privilege to consecrate our time, talents, and means to build up his kingdom. We are called upon to sacrifice, in one degree or another, for the furtherance of his work. Obedience is essential to salvation; so, also, is service; and so, also, are consecration and sacrifice. (emphasis mine)

And may I say also—both by way of doctrine and of testimony—that it is his voice which invites us to consecrate of our time, our talents, and our means to carry on his work. It is his voice that calls for service and sacrifice. This is his work. He is at the helm guiding and directing the destiny of his kingdom. (emphasis mine)

And every member of his church has this promise: That if he remains true and faithful—obeying, serving, consecrating, sacrificing, as required by the gospel—he shall be repaid in eternity a thousandfold and shall have eternal life. What more can we ask? (emphasis mine)

The Blessings of Sacrifice

2011-03-02T09:30:00.002-06:00

Octaviano Tenorio, "The Blessings of Sacrifice", Ensign, Sept. 2009, 37–39

From Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, I learned:

“Sacrifice is the crowning test of the gospel. Men are tried and tested in this mortal probation to see if they will put first in their lives the things of the kingdom of God. …

“Joseph Smith taught the law of sacrifice in these words: …

“ ‘A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary [to lead] unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life.’”

Worth the Sacrifice

Thankfully, few Latter-day-Saints today are called upon to make life-and-death sacrifices for the gospel. But sacrifice, nonetheless, remains central to membership in the Church. As God’s children embrace the gospel, many must sacrifice prestige, reputation, tradition, financial security, or, in some cases, family ties.

The Gift of Eternal Life

As I have studied sacrifice, I have noted three things that inspire God’s children to give up temporal blessings in order to obtain the greater gift of eternal life, which comes only through the atoning sacrifice of the Savior:

1. Knowledge of the plan of salvation.
2. Knowledge of the Resurrection.
3. Sacred covenants they have made in the temple.

I came to understand as a young man why Abraham was willing to sacrifice his beloved Isaac, why the people of Ammon willingly sacrificed their lives, how the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum could willingly go to Carthage, and how Latter-day Saint pioneers could lose loved ones on the way to the Salt Lake Valley but still hold firm to their faith to help establish Zion.

We would all benefit from searching and knowing the stories of the local pioneers from the part of the world in which we live. May we be grateful for their sacrifices, and may we willingly follow their example of faith and obedience to the commandments of God.

Sacrifice: An Eternal Investment

2011-03-02T09:15:00.002-06:00

Carol B. Thomas, "Sacrifice: An Eternal Investment", Ensign, May 2001, 63

As a mother, I think one of the most heart-wrenching stories in the Old Testament is that of Abraham, asked by the Lord to offer his young son Isaac as a sacrifice. Sarah must have been at least 100 years old when Isaac was taken to the mountain. Out of kindness to her, I think Abraham might not have told her what he intended to do, and that meant he had to bear this great test of faith alone.

President Lorenzo Snow once said, “No mortal man could have done what Abraham did … except he were inspired and had a divinity within him to receive that inspiration” (The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, ed. Clyde J. Williams [1984], 116).

Sacrifice is integral to the celestial law, pointing us to the most glorious sacrifice of all: our Savior Jesus Christ.

President Gordon B. Hinckley defined sacrifice so beautifully when he said: “Without sacrifice there is no true worship of God. … ‘The Father gave his Son, and the Son gave his life,’ and we do not worship unless we give—give of our substance, … our time, … strength, … talent, … faith, … [and] testimonies” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 565).

Brothers and sisters, the law of sacrifice is one of the things that sets us apart from the rest of the world. We are a covenant people, blessed with opportunities to worship and to give; but are we fully converted to the principle of sacrifice? I’m reminded of the wealthy young man, taught by the Savior, who asked, “What do I still lack in my life?” (see Matt. 19:20). Jesus said to him, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell [all] that thou hast … and come and follow me” (Matt. 19:21). (emphasis mine)

Let’s discuss three ways that sacrifice can help us follow the Savior: teaching our families, giving to the poor and needy, and sharing ourselves in missionary work.

First, how can we teach our families to sacrifice?

As we teach our families to sacrifice, we should also teach them to deny themselves. The story is told of the Civil War general Robert E. Lee, who, when asked by a woman for advice in raising her child, said, “Teach [your child] to deny himself” (see Joseph Packard, Recollections of a Long Life [1902], 158).

We must avoid saturating our children with material things. We may deprive a child of enjoyment when we give him too much. If we never allow him to want something, he will never enjoy the pleasure of receiving it.

Are we encouraging our children to sacrifice by giving their time and resources, such as helping a lonely neighbor or befriending someone who needs it? As they concentrate on the needs of others, their own needs become less important. True joy comes from sacrificing for others. (emphasis mine)

Second, we can give more generously to the poor and needy. As I visit with Church members, I am overwhelmed with the goodness of faithful Latter-day Saints.

What about sharing our food, clothing, and furniture? The Lord commands that we not covet our own property (see D&C 19:26).

Many rewards come from sharing our material possessions. King Benjamin reminds us of this when he says, “For the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God … impart of your substance to the poor, … such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief” (Mosiah 4:26). We can all be searching for the many opportunities in our lives to give—to share.

The third area of sacrifice is missionary work. The missions of the world need you! Pray for that spirit of adventure and a desire to serve a mission.

Sacrifice is an amazing principle. As we willingly give our time and talents and all that we possess, it becomes one of our truest forms of worship. It can develop within us a profound love for each other and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through sacrifice our hearts can be changed; we live closer to the Spirit and have less of an appetite for things of the world. (emphasis mine)

President Hinckley taught a grand truth when he said: “It is not a sacrifice to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is never a sacrifice when you get back more than you give. It is an investment, … a greater investment than any. … Its dividends are eternal and everlasting” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 567–68). (emphasis mine)

To God Alone

2011-03-01T15:47:00.002-06:00

To God Alone is a song by Aaron Shust.

To God Alone

Can you take me by the hand
Can you use me as I am
Break me into who you want me to be
When the time is finally right

You will open up my eyes
Show me everything you want me to see
This life is not my own

To God alone be the glory
To God alone be the praise
Everything I say and do
Let it be all for you

The glory is yours alone Yours alone
Take the offering I bring
You want more than what I sing
Can I give you every part of me

Turn these pennies into gold
Take this life I call my own
Until I'm running after your heart
I'm needing to let go

We will rise and we will fall
But you remain after all
You're glorious and beautiful
You're beautiful

To God alone be the glory
To God alone be the praise
Everything I say and do
Let it be all for you

Forgiven

2011-03-01T09:49:00.002-06:00

This is a fabulous song by Sanctus Real.

Forgiven

Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong That I have said and done
And that devil just wont let me forget

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

My mistakes are running through my mind
And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I wrestle with my pain, struggle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry

When I don't think and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘cause

I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

How He Loves

2011-03-01T08:59:00.001-06:00

This is a great song by the David Crowder band. I am so grateful to know that Heavenly Father and the Savior love all of us! :-)

How He Loves

He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy

When all of a suddenI am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

And oh, how He loves us so
Oh how He loves us
How He loves us all
Yeah, He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves

And we are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking
And Heaven meets Earth like an unforeseen kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about, the way...

And oh, how He loves us so
Oh how He loves us
How He loves us all
Yeah, He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves

Personalizing Discipleship

2011-03-01T08:28:00.004-06:00

During ward conference we were given bookmarks with a plan for developing discipleship. The first part of the plan deals with personal discipleship - what we can do on a personal level to become personal disciples of Jesus Christ. We are encouraged to pray daily, read our scriptures daily, participate in Sabbath Day and temple worship, and to prepare for emergencies.

As I've been thinking about my own personal discipleship, I've found myself wondering not just how to do things on a personal level but how to make my own discipleship personal - to have a deeper meaning.

I found a great talk by President Faust in the November 1976 Ensign entitled "A Personal Relationship with the Savior." In this talk he states,

"There is a great humility and timidity in my soul as I presume to speak about coming to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world and the Son of God."

He also says, "Having such a relationship can unchain the divinity within us, and nothing can make a greater difference in our lives as we come to know and understand our divine relationship with God."

He suggests that if we feel that the Savior is far away from us and that if we do not have a close relationship with Him, it might be because He is not real to us.

So how can we help ourselves to develop that closer relationship with the Savior thereby making our discipleship personal?

He gives us several essential measures that will help us to develop this close relationship with the Savior.

"First, A daily communion involving prayer. A fervent, sincere prayer is a two-way communication which will do much to bring His Spirit flowing like healing water to help with the trials, hardships, aches, and pains we all face. What is the quality of our secret prayers when only He listens? As we pray, we should think of Him as being close by, full of knowledge, understanding, love, and compassion, the essence of power, and as having great expectations of each of us.

Second: A daily selfless service to another. The followers of the divine Christ have to be weighed on the scales of what their actions are rather than on solemn professions of belief. The true measure is found in Matthew: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these … , ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:40.) A wise man observed, “The man who lives by himself and for himself is apt to be corrupted by the company he keeps.” (Charles Henry Parkhurst, quoted in The International Dictionary of Thoughts, Chicago: J. G. Ferguson, 1969, p. 659.) (emphasis mine)

Third: A daily striving for an increased obedience and perfection in our lives. “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am,” said the Savior. (3 Ne. 27:27.) Because of the perfect atonement of Jesus, just men may be made perfect. (See D&C 76:69.)

Fourth: A daily acknowledgment of His divinity. To have a daily, personal relationship with the Master, we must be His disciples. “For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?” (Mosiah 5:13.)

Fifth: A daily study of the scriptures. President Kimball has said: “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures, the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.” (“What I Hope You Will Teach My Grandchildren … ,” address to seminary and institute personnel, July 11, 1966.) (emphasis mine)

Peter counsels us to be “partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Pet. 1:4.) The influence and teaching of the Messiah should have a transcendence over all other interests and concerns in our lives. We must constantly be reaching upward for the riches of eternity, for the kingdom of God is within us. (See Luke 17:21.)

By sanctifying yourselves, the day will come when “he will unveil his face unto you.” (D&C 88:68.) “If your eye be single to [His] glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.” (D&C 88:67.)

In the many trials of life, when we feel abandoned and when sorrow, sin, disappointment, failure, and weakness make us less than we should ever be, there can come the healing salve of the unreserved love in the grace of God. It is a love that forgives and forgets, a love that lifts and blesses. It is a love that sustains a new beginning on a higher level and thereby continues “from grace to grace.” (D&C 93:13.) (emphasis mine)

During the years of my life, and often in my present calling, and especially during a recent Gethsemane, I have gone to my knees with a humble spirit to the only place I could for help. I often went in agony of spirit, earnestly pleading with God to sustain me in the work I have come to appreciate more than life itself. I have, on occasion, felt the terrible aloneness of the wounds of the heart, of the sweet agony, the buffetings of Satan, and the encircling warm comfort of the Spirit of the Master.

I have also felt the crushing burden, the self-doubts of inadequacy and unworthiness, the fleeting feeling of being forsaken, then of being reinforced an hundredfold. I have climbed a spiritual Mount Sinai dozens of times seeking to communicate and to receive instructions. It has been as though I have struggled up an almost real Mount of Transfiguration and upon occasion felt great strength and power in the presence of the Divine. A special sacred feeling has been a sustaining influence and often a close companion. (emphasis mine)

It is my testimony that we are facing difficult times. We must be courageously obedient. My witness is that we will be called upon to prove our spiritual stamina, for the days ahead will be filled with affliction and difficulty. But with the assuring comfort of a personal relationship with the Savior, we will be given a calming courage. From the Divine so near we will receive the quiet assurance:

“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.” (D&C 121:7–8.) (emphasis mine)

It is my hope that all of us will follow this 4x4 plan and become stronger disciples of Christ personally, as a family, and as a larger community. But I also hope that not only will we make personal contributions to our discipleship but that we will also make our discipleship personal. I hope that we will all gain a greater communion with the Savior and receive wisdom, strength, comfort, and guidance from Him. :-)

Come As You Are

2011-02-27T22:57:00.002-06:00

Come As You Are is a great song by the group Pocket Full of Rocks. It's a beautiful song! :-)

He’s not mad at you
And He’s not disappointed
His grace is greater still
Than all of your wrong choices

He is full of mercy
And He is ever kind
Hear His invitation
His arms are open wide

Chorus:
You can come as you are
With all your broken pieces
And all your shameful scars
The pain you hold in your heart
Bring it all to Jesus
You can come as you are

Louder than the voice
That whispers you’re unworthy
Hear the sound of love
That tells a different story

You can come as you are
With all your broken pieces
And all your shameful scars
The pain you hold in your heart
Bring it all to Jesus
You can come as you are

Shattering your darkness
And pushing through the lies
How tenderly He calls you
His arms are open wide

You can come as you are
With all your broken pieces
And all your shameful scars
The pain you hold in your heart
Bring it all to Jesus
You can come as you are

Amazing Grace - My Chains Are Gone

2011-02-27T22:52:00.001-06:00

I love, love, love this song by Chris Tomlin. I think it's amazing! :)

Amazing Grace – My Chains Are Gone by Chris Tomlin

Amazing grace How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You Are Forever Mine

Our God

2011-02-27T22:20:00.002-06:00

This song is by Chris Tomlin.

Water You turned into wine
Open the eyes of the blind
There’s no one like You
None like You
Into the darkness You shining
Out of the ashes we rise
There’s no one like You
None like You

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...

Into the darkness you shining
Out of the ashes we Rise
There’s no One like You
None like You.

Chorus (X2)

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?
What could stand against?

Chorus (X2)

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?
Then what could stand against?
Then what could stand against?

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...

Spoken For

2011-02-27T22:02:00.002-06:00

This is a great song by MercyMe.

Spoken For

Take this world from me
Don't need it anymore
For I am finally free
My heart is spoken for

Oh and I praise You
Oh and I worship You

Chorus:
Covered by a love divine
Child of the risen Lord
To hear You say "This one's mine"
My heart is spoken for.

Now I have a peace
That I've never known before
I find myself complete
My heart is spoken for

Covered by a love divine
Child of the risen Lord
To hear You say "This one's mine"
My heart is spoken for.

You Are

2011-02-27T19:49:00.002-06:00

This song is by Jason Castro.

You Are

Looking for meaning
Looking for Love
Looking for something to
Never give up
You are the one
You are the one

Looking for purpose in all
Of the pain
Looking for someone to
Hold in the rain
You are the one
You are the one

You are life more beautiful
You are love more powerful
You are the light that always shines
You are the one

You came in my darkness
You came in my night
You came without warning
You came to my side
You are the one
You are the one

There’s no before you
There’s no too late
There’s no without you
There’s only today
You are the one
You are the one

You are life more beautiful
You are love more powerful
You are the light that always shines
You are the one
You are the song I want to sing
You are here
You are everything
You are the light that always shines
You are the one

And I will never move on from You
Oh oh
I will never move on from you

You are life more beautiful
You are love more powerful
You are the light that always shines
You are the one

You are the song I gotta sing
You are here
You are everything
You are the light that always shines
You are the one
You are the one
You are the one

You are the light that always shines
You are the one

And I will never move on from You
I will never move on from You

Revelation

2011-02-27T19:40:00.002-06:00

Revelation is a song by Third Day. I love this song!

My life,
Has led me down the road that's so uncertain
And now I am left alone and I am broken,
Trying to find my way,
Trying to find the faith that's gone
This time,I know that you are holding all the answers
I'm tired of losing hope and taking chances,
On roads that never seem,
To be the ones that bring me home.

Chorus:

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

My life,
Has led me down this path that's ever winding
Through every twist and turn I'm always finding,
That I am lost again (I am lost again)
Tell me when this road will ever end

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

I don't know where I can turn
Tell me when will I learn
Won't You show me where I need to go Oh oh
Let me follow Your lead,
I know that it's the only way that I can get back home

Chorus:
Give me a revelation,Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way,I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation

I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

Everything I Need

2011-02-27T02:38:00.004-06:00

This is a song by Kutless.

When every step is so hard to take
And all of my hope is fading away
When life is a mountain that I can not climb
You carry me, Jesus carry me.

You are strength in my weakness
You are the refuge I seek
You are everything in my time of need
You are everything, You are everything I need

When every moment is more than I can take
And all of my strength is slipping away
When every breath gets harder to breathe
You carry me, Jesus carry me

You are strength in my weakness
You are the refuge I seek
You are everything in my time of need
You are everything, You are everything I need

I need You
You are everything I need
I love everything about You

You are strength in my weakness
You are the refuge I seek
You are everything in my time of need
You are everything, You are everything I need

You Know You Live in the Country When...

2011-02-25T21:18:00.000-06:00

You Know You Live in the Country ...
... when a trip to the dump means you might get some new furniture.

... when you know what a chigger is.

... when your next-door neighbor lives a mile down the road.

... when the nearest big aquarium is stocked with bait.

... when you consider duct tape and WD-40 to be among the fundamental components holding the universe together.

... when you can hear the neighbor's truck two miles down the road.

... when you keep a grease jar on the stove.

... when today's dinner was strolling around the yard yesterday morning.

... when the biggest thing you ever won was a 50 pound sack of manure.

The Story of Yam

2011-02-25T21:16:00.000-06:00

This is just too funny not to share! ;-)

Girl Potato and Boy Potato had eyes for each other, and finally they got married and had a little sweet potato, which they called 'Yam.' Of course, they wanted the best for Yam.

When it was time, they told her about the facts of life. They warned her about going out and getting half-baked, so she wouldn't get accidentally mashed, and get a bad name for herself like 'Hot Potato,' and end up with a bunch of Tater Tots

Yam said not to worry, no Spud would get her into the sack and make a rotten potato out of her! But on the other hand she wouldn't stay home and become a Couch Potato either.

She would get plenty of exercise so as not to be skinny like her Shoestring cousins.

When she went off to Europe, Mr and Mrs. Potato told Yam to watch out for the hard-boiled guys from Ireland, and the greasy guys from France called the French Fries.

Yam said she would stay on the straight and narrow and wouldn't associate with those high class Yukon Golds, or the ones from the other side of the tracks who advertise their trade on all the trucks that say, 'Frito Lay.'

Mr. and Mrs. Potato sent Yam to Idaho P.U. (that's Potato University) so that when she graduated she'd really be in the Chips.

Yet, in spite of all they did for her, one-day Yam came home and announced she was going to marry Tom Brokaw. Tom Brokaw! Mr. and Mrs. Potato were very upset. They told Yam she couldn't possibly marry Tom Brokaw because he's just a commentator.

Hope Now

2011-02-24T23:22:00.002-06:00

This song is by Addison Road.

Hope Now

If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of?
When I call out your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm yours

I'm not my own
I've been carried by you
All my life

Chorus:
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I'll be ok
And make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm

I'm not my own
I've been carried by you
All my life

Chorus:
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

You've become my heart's desire
And I will sing your praises higher
Cause your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free

In Better Hands

2011-02-24T19:40:00.003-06:00

This song is by Natalie Grant.

In Better Hands

It’s hard to stand On shifting sand
It’s hard to shine In the shadows of the night
You can’t be free If you don’t reach for help
And you can’t love If you don’t love yourself
But there is hope when my faith runs out…
Cause I’m in better hands now

Chorus:
It’s like the sun is shining
When the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying
Though my feet are on the ground
So take this heart of mine
There’s no doubt
I’m in better hands now

I am strong All because of you
I stand in awe of Every mountain that you move
I am changed Yesterday is gone
I am safe From this moment on…
And there’s no fear when the night comes around
I’m in better hands now

Chorus

It’s like the sun is shining When the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying Though my feet are on the ground
It’s like the world is silent Though I know it isn’t true
It’s like the breath of Jesus Is right here in this room
So take this heart of mine There’s no doubt

You can’t be saved If you’re not reaching out for help

Shine

2011-02-24T19:23:00.002-06:00

I love this song by the David Crowder Band.

Shine

Send me a sign
A hint, a whisper
Throw me a line
'Cause I am listening

Come break the quiet
Breathe Your awakening
Bring me to life
'Cause I am fading

Surround me
The rush of angels' wings

Shine Your light so I can see You
Pull me up, I need to be near You
Hold me, I need to feel love
Can You overcome this heart that's overcome?

You sent a sign
A hint, a whisper
Human divine
Heaven is listening

Death laid love quiet
Yet in the night a stirring

All around
The rush of angels

O the wonder of
The greatest love has come

Shine Your light so all can see it
Lift it up, 'cause the whole world needs it
Love has come, what joy to hear it
He has overcome He has overcome

Project Noah: Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness

2011-02-24T17:47:00.002-06:00

I wish that I could remember from where I got this. It was a website. I'll have to look for it. I actually saved this information to my computer. But if I find it, I will post the source.

Project Noah is a year long food storage and emergency preparedness program. It is designed to help you set and obtain goals in the area of family preparedness. This is a suggested food and emergency kit schedule for one year --- starting with basic supply then emergency and finally expanded basic food supply (as given in Essentials of Home Production and Storage).

If you follow it you will have one month's supply for 1-2 people. If you do not like an item on the list feel free to substitute. You can double, triple, or half the purchases according to your families needs, and your finances. There is also a weekly to do list to remind you of things to check around your home.

Week 1: At least 7 gallons of water.

Hint: Water storage may be in plastic bottles, to which bleach may be added if the purity of the water is in question. (generally l/2 tsp per five gallons if water is clear or 1. tsp. per five gallons if water is cloudy.) In case of emergency, the water in water beds, water heaters, toilet tanks, and cisterns may be purified and used.

Week 2: 15 Pounds of good wheat.

Hint: People who have small homes with limited storage space should prepare the best they can for emergencies. Basic food items often can be stored in rather limited space. Closets, attics, and space under beds can be used to store food. It is wiser to have food storage sufficient for only a few weeks or months than to have no storage at all.

Week 3: 1 large box or ten envelopes of instant milk: Hint: Make sure you have, enough bedding to keep each person warm if there were no other heating supplies.

Week 4: 10 pounds Rice.

Hint: Check that you have sufficient clothing (that fits) for one year (or fabric and necessities for sewing clothing).

Week 5: 4 pounds Sugar.

Hint: Ezra Taft Benson said, "The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah." "We encourage families to have on hand this year's supply; and we say it over and over and over and repeat over and over the scriptures of the Lord where He says, 'Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Spencer W. Kimball, May 1976)

Week 6: 1 large jar of honey.

Hint: Double check flashlight and battery supply.

Week 7: 8 ounces of Salt.

Hint: Evaluate family preparedness, set goals for the coming year and seek to obtain them.

Week 8: One bottle of vegetable oil or one can of shortening.

Hint: Double check emergency supplies for baby, are diapers and clothing going to fit? Formula? (even nursing moms should make sure there is formula available),

Week 9: 5 pounds legumes (beans & peas).

Hint: Have backyard campout to practice emergency skills. (good opportunity to check out warm bedding).

Week 10: Coal, wood, briquettes, propane, matches, candles for cooking and light.

Hint: Make buddy burner. Cut strips of corrugated paper in 1 ½ in widths. Roll each strip tightly and fit in a tuna fish can. Pour melted paraffin wax in the can so that it soaks the paper and fills the remaining space. Each can will burn for 1 ½ to 2 hours!

Week 11: Dish Soap.

Hint: Store extra prescription medication with the words "Emergency use only"

Week 12: 2 bars of body soap per person.

Hint: If you have a fireplace double-check to make sure flue is clear and the fireplace is clean and can be used without danger.

Week 13: 1 gallon bleach.

Hint: Have Family Home Evening from FHE Manual "Protecting your Home against Fire," pp. 332-333.

Week 14: Bandages.

Hint: Make sure you have emergency provisions for pets.

Standard First Aid Supplies: adhesive tape, ammonia, antibiotic ointment, bicarbonate of soda, calamine lotion, diarrhea remedy, elastic bandages, gauze bandages, hot water bottle, hydrogen peroxide, ipecac syrup (induces vomiting), knife, matches, measuring cup, medicine dropper, needles, paper bags, razor blades, rubbing alcohol, safety pins, scissors, soap, thermometer, triangular bandages, tweezers, first aid book, prescription medications, consecrated oil.

First aid kits and supplies should be checked and replenished regularly. All supplies should be labeled and organized for fast use.

Week 15: First aid cream and tape, cotton balls and ace bandage.

Hint: An important emergency precaution is to have tetanus immunizations up to date - at least every 10 years.

Week 16: Year supply of garden seeds rich in Vitamin A&C appropriate for area (no hybrid).

Hint: Every yard has space for a garden. Part of the lawn, play area, or flower garden may be converted to a garden. Vegetables may be grown in window boxes or pots. Plant the garden where it will receive at least 4 - 6 hours of direct sunshine each day. The soil should drain well, and an adequate source of water should be available.

Week 17: Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol.

Hint: Review FHE Manual lesson "Treating Bleeding", pp. 330-332.

Week 18: Obtain bag or duffel for 72 hour kit

Hint: Each family or individual should have portable container(s) with emergency supplies such as the following: water, food requiring no refrigeration or cooking (graham crackers, canned fruits, canned meats), medications and critical medical histories required by family members, change of clothing, including 2 pairs of stockings; sanitary supplies; first aid booklet and equipment; candles; matches; ax; shovel; can opener; and blanket. The container should be placed where it can be picked up at a moment's notice.

Week 19: Buy 3 cans tuna and 3 cans pork and beans for 72 hour kit.

Hint: Put together a first aid kit for the car. See FHE Manual p 323.

Week 20: 1 Ib. Box of crackers sealed in plastic for 72 hour kit.

Hint: Teach family how to treat shock victims, FHE Manual "Treating Shock" pp328-330.

Week 21: 1 Ib. Dried fruit & beef jerky (apples, pineapple, apricots, bananas etc.) for 72 hour kit.

Hint: Try drying the fruit yourself and making jerky by slicing thin and placing-on low heated oven overnight.

Week 22: 48 oz., canned orange or tomato juice for 72 hour kit.

Hint: Post emergency numbers at all phones in the house. Have FHE about emergency contacts. FHE Manual "Emergency Numbers" pp. 323-324.

Week 23: 1 Ib. Peanut butter for 72 hour kit.

Hint: Try to cook for 3 days from your food storage.

Week 24: 1 gallon of water for 72 hour kit.

Hint: Have FHE "Water Safety" FHE Manual pp 339-340.

Week 25: ½ lb. Nonfat dry milk.

Hint: Obtain container for first aid kit for 72 hour kit.

Week 26: Obtain change of clothing that fits for 72-hour kit.

Hint: FHE Manual "Coping with Blackouts" pp 334.

Week 27: Buy peaches & berries from store or U-pick farms.

Hint: Bottle (or learn to bottle) peaches and berries.

Week 28: Matches, candle, battery operated light for 72 hour kit.

Hint: Store cash in $1 bills in various pockets in 72 hour kit for emergencies.

Week 29: Obtain blanket (wool is preferred) for 72 hour kit.

Hint: Make sure you have emergency provisions and plans for pets.

Week 30: Buy corn or other vegetables at U-pick farm or store.

Hint: Bottle or freeze veggies.

Week 31: Can opener, dishpan, dishes, utensils, ax, shovel, bucket, battery-powered radio, paper and pencil for 72 hour kit.

Hint: Locate gas meter and water meter shut offs and attach a wrench near them. children who are old enough should be show how to turn the gas and water off. Along with an explanation of when and why we should have to do this. Review FHE Manual "Earthquake Preparedness" pp. 336-337.

Week 32: Personal toiletries for 72 hour kit. (toothbrush, tooth paste, shampoo, washcloth, towel, brush, feminine hygiene)

Hint: Copies of personal documents: scriptures, genealogy records, patriarchal blessing, passport, driver's license, social security card, immunizations & legal documents (wills, insurance policies, birth certificates, etc.) for 72 hour kit.

Week 33: Plastic knives, forks, spoons, cups for storage.

Hint: PIace first aid kits, personal items and medication in various places--car, home, shed, etc.

Week 34: 1 box baking soda and baking powder.

Hint: FHE Manual "Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation & Treating Choking" pp. 325-328.

Week 35: 4 cans of cream of chicken soup, 4 cans of chicken noodle soup.

Hint: Install or test your smoke detector.

Week 36: Buy chicken to bottle.

Hint: Bottle or learn to bottle chicken or other foods in pressure cooker.

Week 37: 3 cans beef chunks

Hint: Have fire drill with FHE Manual p333.

Week 38: 4 cans vegetable soup.

Hint: Establish an out of state contact to call in case of emergency.

Week 39: 2lbs. Macaroni and 1 Ib. Spaghetti.

Hint: Place a pair of shoes under your bed so they are handy. Encourage children to store shoes under bed at night. You may want to have flashlights under children's beds also.

Week 40: 4 cans vegetables.

Hint: Send copies of favorite photos to friends or family, out of state for safe keeping.

Week 41: Large box of instant mashed potatoes.

Hint: Inventory all your sources of light - paper logs, hurricane lamps, candles etc. and make sure matches are nearby.

Week 42: 8 cans of canned fruit (peaches, pears, apples etc.)

Hint: Store a roll of quarters and dimes for emergency calls.

Week 43: Aluminum foil, plastic garbage bags, ziploc bags.

Hint: Go on a hunt as a family to find the closest pay phone, or make survival kit see FHE Manual pp337-338.

Week 44: 4 boxes macaroni & cheese.

Hint: Take a first aid or CPR course.

Week 45: Plant fruit trees and grapevines.

Hint: Make a plan to check on a ward member or neighbor who may need help in an emergency.

Week 46: Buy large garbage can and make home compost pile. (check in community for other sources)

Hint: Prepare to plant garden

Week 47: 11arge jar of jam or jelly, buy apples to bottle.

Hint: Use apples to bottle, dehydrate, and make into sauce or butter.

Week 48: Buy pears from farm or store.

Hint: Bottle pears.

Week 49: 7 gallons of water.

Hint: Make inventory of all available water.

Week 50: 1 large container of syrup.

Hint: Find out what the ward emergency plans are.

Week 51: Buy ingredients for families favorite recipes.

Hint: Make a list of 14 recipes your family likes and acquire all the needed ingredients. Make copies of them and put them in storage sealed in ziploc bags.

Feel confident in your obedience to the prophet's voices and START OVER AGAIN

Great Quotes About Thrift and Frugality

2011-02-24T17:41:00.000-06:00

“I would rather have my people laugh at my economies than weep for my extravagance.” - King Oscar of Sweden

“To secure the greatest amount of pleasure with the least possible outlay should be the aim of all economic effort.”
- Francois Quesnay

“The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.”
- Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi

“The safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket.”
- Epicurus

“You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.”
- Abraham Lincoln

“Junk is the stuff we throw away. Stuff is the junk we save.”
- Frank Tyger

“Much ingenuity with a little money is vastly more profitable and amusing than much money without ingenuity.”
- Arnold Bennett

“Those who have little, if they are good at managing, must be counted among the rich.”
- Socrates

“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.”
- Benjamin Franklin

“Budgeting is the art of doing that well with one dollar which any bungler can do with two.”
- Arthur Wellington

“Economy is the art of making the most of life.”
- George Bernard Shaw

“Any fool can waste, any fool can muddle, but it takes something of a man to save, and the more he saves, the more of a man does it make of him.”
- Rudyard Kipling

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

2011-02-23T23:58:00.002-06:00

This is a book and a plan written by Dave Ramsey. It essentially is three things: a way to get out of debt, a way to build savings, and a way to create wealth. His plan has seven steps which he calls baby steps. You can read about them in more detail here: http://www.daveramsey.com/new/baby-steps/

Step 1: $1,000 to start an emergency fund.

Step 2: Pay off all debt using the debt snowball.

Step 3: 3-6 months of living expenses in savings

Step 4: Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement.

Step 5: College funding for children

Step 6: Pay off home early.

Step 7: Build wealth and give!

That's the plan in a nutshell. It's definitely worth checking it out. I've listened to his radio show on occassion and he seems to make a lot of sense. There are thousands of people who are very successful using this plan.

Every Penny Counts

2011-02-23T23:48:00.002-06:00

This is a great article from Stretcher. Here's a snippet of the article:

When it comes to debt repayment, a penny can mean a lot. Applying one extra cent to each payment can make a significant difference in how much you repay over time. Let's walk through an example that clearly demonstrates exactly how valuable the penny can be.

The example loan is $10,000 at 18% and you're making monthly payments of $150.

Question: How long does it take to repay this loan?

Answer: You can never repay that loan by making payments of $150 per month. No matter how many payments you make, you will always owe $10,000. Why? The amount of monthly interest is exactly equal to how much you're paying. That monthly interest fee is $150 ($10,000 x 0.18/12). You'll never owe any more than $10,000, but you'll never be able to pay off the loan.

Next question: What happens if you add just one penny to that payment? Just one cent? That's right, now the payment becomes a big $150.01. Now how long will it take to pay back that loan?

Answer: It takes 53 years, 10 months! Okay, that's a lifetime for some people, or at least half a lifetime. Now, because of that one penny, instead of paying $150 for eternity, the loan is eventually paid off.

Okay, so you don't want to be in debt for almost 54 years. What can you do? You guessed it. Add another penny. So here's the next question:

Question: How much do you save by making payments of $150.02?

Answer: It now takes exactly 50 years to pay back the loan! That extra penny knocked almost 4 years off the payback time of the loan. How much money did that extra penny save? Let's see. The out-of-pocket cost of the first loan is $150.01 for 53 years, 10 months. That comes to a total repayment of $96,884.72 (the last payment is less than $150.01).

With the extra penny, payments of $150.02 for 50 years, it costs a total of $89,907.69. That's a savings of $6,977.03! Quite a bit saved just for adding a single penny.

Okay, I hear the arguments mounting. "But Scott, that's a crazy example, who's really going to get a loan for 54 years?"

My answer is that many people are doing it right now! How? By making the minimum payment each month. If you charge $8,000 on a credit card at 19.8% APR (annual percentage rate) and continuously make the minimum payment, it takes 54 years to pay it back!

Remember, the bottom line is the more you can pay back, early on, the more you can save in the end. So the next time you see a penny laying in the road somewhere, you may want to think twice before passing it by.

Miscellaneous Supplies to Store

2011-02-23T23:23:00.003-06:00

These are more suggestions by Jackie Clay. Before I get to the actual list, I want to share a quick story with you. Last year I read the book "One Second After" by William Forschten. It's a book about the aftermath of an EMP which completely shuts down the electrical grid. It's a frightening read but was very informative (if you can get past the liberal use of expletives - sigh). One of the things that really stuck out for me was the importance of having water and soaps of various kinds. Cleanliness is so very important when under distress because infections and disease can be spread so rapidly. So after reading that book I went to the store and bought a LOT of soaps - dishwasher detergent, dishwashing soap, bar soap, hand soap, laundry soap, you name it. If it said "soap" or "detergent" I bought it! We are still using that soap. I haven't purchased any in a year and it's time to replenish the supply. But anyway...here's the list:

Laundry soap
Dish soap
Toilet paper
Bleach
Hand soap
Shampoo
Personal products such as toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
Chainsaw oil and other items to keep things running
Pet foods
Livestock feed
Kerosene or lamp oil for lighting
Batteries for flashlights

It's a very good start to a miscellaneous list. :)