Re-Start

I apologize for leaving this blog in the dark for so long. My husband recently returned from a year long deployment and we will be moving to a new assignment this summer.

I will restart this blog in the fall after everyone has settled into new school, new seminary, new house, new work, new routines.

Check back in time for October 2013 General Conference.

The Relief Society

I was sad to see Sis Beck released.  For me, she was a spiritual giant I looked up to.  Do you remember her talk "Mothers Who Know?"  I keep that in my purse and read it often.  This talk, her last as RS General President, was a nice tribute to the Relief Society.

"Just as the Lord’s prophets have continually taught elders and high priests their purposes and duties, they have shared their vision for the sisters of the Relief Society. From their counsel, it is clear that the purposes of Relief Society are to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need. Faith, family,and relief—these three simple words have come to express the vision of prophets for sisters in the Church."

 

The Race of Life

Pres Monson always has something happy to share with the members.  With everything around us becoming more negative and frustrating- with politics, financial situations, and social ills- we can find happiness in knowing who we are, where we came from, and where we are going.

He shared a poem by William Wordsworth-

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:

The soul that rises with us, our life’s Star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting,

And cometh from afar:

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory do we come

From God, who is our home:

Heaven lies about us in our infancy! 

Thanks Be to God

This was a good talk.  It's always a great reminder to give thanks to Heavenly Father for all that we have all the time- our physical gifts, spiritual gifts, and gospel gifts.

"How much better it would be if all could be more aware of God’s providence and love and express that gratitude to Him... Our degree of gratitude is a measure of our love for Him." 

 

Why of Priesthood Service & Willing and Worthy to Serve

These were great talks about Priesthood service.
The first by Pres Uchtdorf. He explains the power of Why and that it's the why that needs to come first and foremost before we can truly magnify the What in our calls to serve.

"We need to be constantly reminded of the eternal reasons behind the things we are commanded to do. The basic gospel principles need to be part of our life’s fabric, even if it means learning them over and over again. That doesn’t mean that this process should be rote or boring. Rather, when we teach the foundational principles in our homes or in church, let the flame of enthusiasm for the gospel and the fire of testimony bring light, warmth, and joy to the hearts of those we teach."

The second talk was given by Pres Monson.

"In one capacity or another, in one setting or another, I have been attending priesthood meetings for the past 72 years—since I was ordained a deacon at the age of 12. Time certainly 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.”...

"When that same call comes to you and to me, what will be our response? Will we murmur, as did Laman and Lemuel, and say, “This is a hard thing required of us”?⁷ Or will we, with Nephi, individually declare, “I will go. I will do”? Will we be willing to serve and to obey?"

How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration For Your Personal Life

I'm a little late in getting this published. Sorry, but I'm sure you can all relate to a busy First Day of School.

This is a great lesson to go over as the new school year begins.  Especially for older kids.  I know Chris found a lot from this lesson when we went over it a few weeks back.  There is so much to learn from this talk that you can apply to studying for tests, getting along with friends, and sharing the gospel with those around you.
I love how he still feels his wife, Jeannene.

Rescue for Real Growth and Lost May Be Found

This was an inspiring talk by a member of the (recently released) Presiding Bishopric, Bishop Edgley. I could probably do more to help reactivate members in our ward.

One of the most meaningful and important ways to establish real growth in the Church is to reach out and rescue those who have been baptized yet are wandering in a less-active state, void of the blessings and saving ordinances."

I loved the story about the WW II rescue of US soldiers and locals who were held captive in a prison camp.

After the volunteers were assembled, the commanding officer instructed them somethinge like this: 'This evening you men meet with your religious leaders, you kneel down, and you swear to God that as long as you have a single breath of life, you will not let one of these men suffer one more moment.'"

I seem to be saying over and over again how each talk was so good, all of them were. I liked Elder Ballard's talk, too. :)

Today we live in a time when so much of this world has lost its way, particularly with regard to values and priorities within our homes...It is our homes and families that need reforming in this increasingly materialistic and secular world... When people make family and religious commitments to gospel principles, they begin to do better spiritually and often temportally as well...when families work and play together, neighborhoods and communities flourish, economies improve, and less government and fewer costly safety nets are required."

In Tune with the Music of Faith

As someone who loves music and has learned over the years the great power music has both physically and spiritually, I loved this talk. Elder Cook is becoming another favorite of mine. The musical imagery in this talk was fabulous! He uses this "music of faith" imagery from a speech given by Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks of England.

"there are those who are in tune with the music of faith. You know who you are. You love the Lord and His gospel and continuously try to live and share His message, especially with your families. You are in harmony with the promptings of the Spirit, have awakened to the power of God's words, have religious observance in your homes, and diligently try to live Christlike lives as His disciples."

Powers of Heaven and the Aaronic Priesthood

Elder Bednar shared this story before, right, about his Dad and the question he asked each week about him being baptized.  This was a good talk and I learned much about it and also thanked my Heavenly Father that I had a good Priesthood Holder in my home, two now.
A lot of times at work gatherings I will be told of how much the agents and staff appreciate Gabriel's example and his counsel.  There have been several times where staff members will tell me they were thankful for the insight and advice they were given by Gabriel.  Gabriel is very different from other Detachment Commanders and it is because he holds the priesthood, even if those who work for him don't know exactly what it is that sets him apart.

"I believe my father was wrong to judge the validity of our Church's claim to divine authority by the shortcomings of the men with whom is associated in our ward. But embedded in his question to me was a correct assumption that men who bear God's holy priesthood should be different from other men. Men who hold the priesthood are not inherently better than other men, but they should act differently."

Chris had an experience in his Teachers Quorum recently. He was the quorum president until about a month ago and while serving in this assignment, one Sunday as he was teaching he felt inspired to challenge the members of his quorum to hand out books of mormon to their friends at school.  One teacher, Foster, was having a hard time finding someone he felt would benefit, so at the last minute he put a couple in his back pack and while in the locker room after gym class asked the guys if anyone wanted a Book of Mormon.  Not the best approach, but there were a couple who took the 2 he had.  There was another boy who wanted one, but Foster was all out and promised to bring one the next day.  He did and this boy took it home.  
After a month or so, Chris and Foster hear about this young man in Seminary one morning where it was announced that this boy was going to be baptized and that everyone was invited to attend. There are about 6 wards that are zoned for the same high school, and this young man was taught in another ward so we hadn't heard what had come of the book of mormon invitation.  Chris and Foster were so excited.  Gabriel and I took Chris, Foster went with his mom, to the baptism of this young man and his mother!!  The spirit was so strong.  This mother, as she entered the water was so overcome with joy that there wasn't a dry eye in the whole room!  You could feel her love for the gospel and her Savior.  Afterward, Chris and Foster went up to present this young man with a scripture quad with his name on it.  Foster was the first to give him a missionary book of mormon and wanted to be the first to give him his real set.  They had gotten one for his mother as well.  (Very cool!)  When this mother found out who Chris and Foster were, and that they were the catalyst in their conversion, she was so overcome with gratitude!  Through tears she expressed her thanks for the boys' courage to share the gospel, as daunting as it can be for teenage boys.

It was an experience I think neither Chris or Foster, or us as parents will ever forget. As I read this talk by Elder Ochoa again, I was struck by the following:

"If only [every Aaronic Priesthood holder]could understand that they have the sacred duty to help their friends find the pathway that leads to the Savior.  If only they knew that Heavenly Father will given them the power to explain the truths of the restored gospel with such clarity and sincerity that others will fell the undeniable truthfulness of the words of Christ."\

"You are called to 'arise and sine forth' not to hide your light in darkness. Only those who are brave will be counted among the chosen." 

Abide in the Lord's Territory

I like Elder Soares. Chris used this talk in FHE and did a great job.

"You can't be right by doing wrong; you can't be wrong by doing right ... to sow in the Spirit means that all our thoughts, words, and actions must elevate us to the level of the divinity of our heavenly parents."

Laborers in the Vineyard

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland always give such great talks. This one was another.

The formula of faith is to hold on, work on, see it through, and let the distress of earlier hours- real or imagined- fall away in the abundance of the final reward."

Single Parents and Families Under Covenant

With Gabriel's deployment I found great comfort in this talk by Elder Baxter.

"it is through the hardships of life that we grow toward godhood as our character is shaped in the crucible of affliction, as the events of life take place ... along the way you will obtain compensatory blessings, even if they are not immediately apparent ... although you often feel alone, in truth you are never totally on your own. As you move forward in patience and faith, Providence will move with you; heaven will bestow its needful blessings"

Families Under Covenant
This talk by Elder Eyring was superb! 

for all the priesthood, a great work ahead is to lead in saving the part of Israel for which we are or will be responsible, OUR FAMILIES ... Let me suggest four things you can do as a priesthood father to lift and lead your family home again to be with Heavenly Father and the Savior. 

 "First gain and keep a sure witness that the keys of the priesthood are with us and held by the President of the Church.

"Second, .. love your wife ... choose .. to put her happiness above your own, I promise you that your love for her will increase.

"Third, enlist the entire family to love each other. President Ezra Taft Benson taught, 'in an eternal sense, salvation is a family affair'

"Fourth, lead your family in the Lord's way when discipline is needed." 

Mountains to Climb

Pres Eyring is such an inspiration! As G's deployment is this week and I've been reading mroe and more and studying more and more to make sure I have a sure foundation to be able to have the Spirit to protect my children, to ensure my husband's protection, and to have the strength to carry on in FHE, scripture study, and family prayer on my own.

You and I have faith that the way to rise through and above trials is to believe that there is a "balm of Gilead" and that the Lord has promised, "I will not forsake thee' ... a foundation of faith in the reality of those promises takes time to build.. If the foundation of faith is not embedded in our hearts, the power to endure will crumble."

Teaching Children to Understand/He Truly Loves Us

We recently read this in FHE. I love love love this talk!  G loved the talk so much he printed out some printouts for all of us to put into our scriptures. We do this now and then, glue quotes, preach my gospel lessons outlines, the family proclamation, etc into the extra pages of our scriptures.

the Lord instructs parents to teach their children to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost... Teaching our children to understand is more than just imparting information. It's helping our children get the doctrine into their hearts in a way that it becomes part of their very being and is reflected in their attitudes and behavior throughout their lives.

This next talk was a bit confusing. I think Elder Keolliker had a lot to say in a short time. But I was able glean out a few thoughts.

"How can we help each individual develop a desire to know more about Heavenly Father? How do we help them feel His Spirit? How can we help them know that we love them?... Two scriptures stand out in my mind that can help us find our way through [the distractions of the world] and feel the power of God's love.

Sacrifice/ Coming to Ourselves

Elder Oaks is so very smart! His brother, USAF Retired 4 Star General Oaks, has been to our ward a couple times to visit, and he's simply a delight to be around! His wife is so sweet! Anyway.. back to Elder Oaks. As is customary of lawyers and judges, Elder Oaks distinctly outlines his written talks and I love it!

I am grateful for the marvelous examples of Christian love, service, and sacrifice I have seen among the Latter-day Saints. I see you performing your Church callings, often at great sacrifice of time and means. I see you serving missions at your own expense. I see you cheerfully donating your professional skills in service to your fellowmen. I see you caring for the poor through personal efforts and through supporting Church welfare and humanitarian contributions.10 All of this is affirmed in a nationwide study which concluded that active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “volunteer and donate significantly more than the average American and are even more generous in time and money than the upper [20 percent] of religious people in America.”
I believe that Latter-day Saints who give unselfish service and sacrifice in worshipful imitation of our Savior adhere to eternal values to a greater extent than any other group of people. Latter-day Saints look on their sacrifices of time and means as a part of their schooling and qualifying for eternity. This is a truth revealed in the Lectures on Faith, which teach that “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. … It [is] through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life.”

It was so good to see Elder Hales, looking much better, at Conference! His talk was so sweet. I especially loved his counsel to those who teach, instruct, oversee the youth of the church.

As our spiritual desires increase, we become spiritually self-reliant. How, then, do we help others, ourselves, and our families increase our desires to follow the Savior and live His gospel? How do we strengthen our desires to repent, become worthy, and endure to the end? How do we help our youth and young adults let these desires work in them until they are converted and become true “saint[s] through the atonement of Christ”?
I challenge each of us to follow our spiritual desires and come to ourselves. Let’s have a talk with ourselves in the mirror and ask, “Where do I stand on living my covenants?” We are on the right path when we can say, “I worthily partake of the sacrament each week, I am worthy to hold a temple recommend and go to the temple, and I sacrifice to serve and bless others.”