Personal progress

I've gotten back to working on my Personal Progress, a program for young women ages 12-17 which incorporates reading certain scriptures and applying them into their lives. (Mothers are encouraged to work on it with their daughters.) LaLa & I had been working on this together but I have fallen behind since having my baby.  It has been so nice to again have the one on one time with LaLa to talk about the scriptures we've read and to be able to bear testimony of its truths. 

I really think this has helped strengthen LaLa's testimony, something she has struggled with and still feels like she's struggling with.  But I've seen changes in her attitudes and understanding of the gospel.  I hope it will become a strong foundation that she can fall back on during times of struggles.

Right now I'm reading various scripture verses about service and working on making that a daily part of my life.  I know mothers are always serving but this is also about serving others as well.  Taking the time to recognize & help with the needs of others or in letting others know that we are thinking of them and that we take a few minutes to show love for them.

When ye are in the service of others, you are serving God.

Testing mobile posting

Just checking to see how this works since it's hard to get to the computer. Maybe I can post while nursing baby.

And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit

by Julie B. Beck, Relief Society General President
http://www.lds.org/conference
 
Personal Revelation
The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life. Qualifying for the Lord’s Spirit begins with a desire for that Spirit and implies a certain degree of worthiness. Keeping the commandments, repenting, and renewing covenants made at baptism lead to the blessing of always having the Lord’s Spirit with us. Making and keeping temple covenants also adds spiritual strength and power to a woman’s life. Many answers to difficult questions are found by reading the scriptures because the scriptures are an aid to revelation. Insight found in scripture accumulates over time, so it is important to spend some time in the scriptures every day. Daily prayer is also essential to having the Lord’s Spirit with us. Those who earnestly seek help through prayer and scripture study often have a paper and pencil nearby to write questions and record impressions and ideas.
 
Revelation can come hour by hour and moment by moment as we do the right things. When women nurture as Christ nurtured, a power and peace can descend to guide when help is needed. For instance, mothers can feel help from the Spirit even when tired, noisy children are clamoring for attention, but they can be distanced from the Spirit if they lose their temper with children. Being in the right places allows us to receive guidance. It requires a conscious effort to diminish distractions, but having the Spirit of revelation makes it possible to prevail over opposition and persist in faith through difficult days and essential routine tasks. Personal revelation gives us the understanding of what to do every day to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek those who need our help. Because personal revelation is a constantly renewable source of strength, it is possible to feel bathed in help even during turbulent times.



We are told to put our trust in that Spirit which leads us “to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously.” We are also told that this Spirit will enlighten our minds, fill our souls with joy, and help us know all things we should do. Promised personal revelation comes when we ask for it, prepare for it, and go forward in faith, trusting that it will be poured out upon us.


Measuring Success
Good women always have a desire to know if they are succeeding. In a world where the measures of success are often distorted, it is important to seek appreciation and affirmation from proper sources. To paraphrase a list found in Preach My Gospel, we are doing well when we develop attributes of Christ and strive to obey His gospel with exactness. We are doing well when we seek to improve ourselves and do our best. We are doing well when we increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help others who are in need. We know we are successful if we live so that we qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the Spirit. When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves. We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the Spirit working through us. Peace, joy, and hope are available to those who measure success properly.

I LOVED this quote in the first paragraph above. I have found this to be true in the last few months as I've tried to have a more meaningful scripture study & prayer. I've also been working on having the guidance of the spirit as I interact with Nickle, who has been a struggle to bond with since we adopted him. I can say that Heavenly Father has answered my prayers to have the spirit with me. I've had some spiritual insights as a result which has helped me with the issues I've been dealing with which makes life easier and more joyful.

Teaching Helps Save Lives

by Russell T. Osguthorpe
http://lds.org/conference

President Joseph F. Smith said: “When [we receive] the truth [we] will be saved by it. [We] will not be saved merely because someone taught it to [us], but because [we] received and acted upon it”



Elder David A. Bednar shared these three simple elements of effective teaching...: (1) key doctrine, (2) invitation to action, and (3) promised blessings.


As President Monson has taught: “The goal of gospel teaching … is not to ‘‘pour information’’ into the minds of class members. …… The aim is to inspire the individual to think about, feel about, and then do something about living gospel principles””


...taught “by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul”. They taught with virtue garnishing their thoughts, and because of that, the Holy Ghost was their constant companion.

1. As a teacher, do I view myself as a messenger from God?


2. Do I prepare and then teach in ways that can help save lives?


3. Do I focus on a key doctrine of the Restoration?


4. Can those I teach feel the love I have for them and for my Heavenly Father and the Savior?


5. When inspiration comes, do I close the manual and open their eyes and their ears and their hearts to the glory of God?


6. Do I invite them to do the work that God has for them to do?


7. Do I express so much confidence in them that they find the invitation hard to refuse?


8. Do I help them recognize promised blessings that come from living the doctrine I am teaching?



Today, I wasn’t sure how to put the FHE lesson together from 2 conference talk in a way that would touch my kids. I used the above 8 questions to format my lesson today and the spirit was amazing as I was giving the lesson. I will be using this in the future.

Ask, Seek, Knock

Elder Russell M. Nelson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
http://lds.org/conference

To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to “ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in [Jesus] Christ.” “Real intent” means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given.



The next requirement is to study the matter diligently. This concept was taught to leaders of this restored Church when they were first learning how to gain personal revelation. The Lord instructed them, “I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.”


Another prophet taught that “the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”


For each of you to receive revelation unique to your own needs and responsibilities, certain guidelines prevail. The Lord asks you to develop “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God.” Then with your firm “faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and] diligence,” you may ask, and you will receive; you may knock, and it will be opened unto you


Revelation from God is always compatible with His eternal law. It never contradicts His doctrine.


Revelation need not all come at once. It may be incremental. “Saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more.” Patience and perseverance are part of our eternal progression.

More Diligent and Concerned at Home

Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
http://lds.org/conference

Suggestion Number One: Express Love—and Show It



Brethren and sisters, when was the last time you took your eternal companion in your arms and said, “I love you”? Parents, when was the last time you sincerely expressed love to your children? Children, when was the last time you told your parents that you love them?


As disciples of the Savior, we are not merely striving to know more; rather, we need to consistently do more of what we know is right and become better.


We should remember that saying “I love you” is only a beginning. We need to say it, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need consistently to show it. We need to both express and demonstrate love.


Hopefully the children hear love expressed and see love demonstrated between their parents in the regular routine of daily living.


The relationship between love and appropriate action is demonstrated repeatedly in the scriptures and is highlighted by the Savior’’s instruction to His Apostles: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Just as our love of and for the Lord is evidenced by walking ever in His ways (see Deuteronomy 19:9), so our love for spouse, parents, and children is reflected most powerfully in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds (see Mosiah 4:30).


Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts out fear (see 1 John 4:18). Such love is the desire of every human soul.


Suggestion Number Two: Bear Testimony—and Live It


We should remember that bearing a heartfelt testimony is only a beginning. We need to bear testimony, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need consistently to live it. We need to both declare and live our testimonies.


We should both create and look for opportunities to bear testimony of gospel truths—and live them.


A testimony is what we know to be true in our minds and in our hearts by the witness of the Holy Ghost (see D&C 8:2). As we profess truth rather than admonish, exhort, or simply share interesting experiences, we invite the Holy Ghost to confirm the verity of our words.


Such testimony fortifies faith and provides direction. Such testimony generates light in a world that grows increasingly dark. Such testimony is the source of an eternal perspective and of enduring peace.


Suggestion Number Three: Be Consistent


Today if you could ask our adult sons what they remember about family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening, I believe I know how they would answer. They likely would not identify a particular prayer or a specific instance of scripture study or an especially meaningful family home evening lesson as the defining moment in their spiritual development. What they would say they remember is that as a family we were consistent.

That Your Burdens May Be Light

by Elder L. Whitney Clayton, Of the Presidency of the Seventy
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1117-4,00.html

No matter the burdens we face in life as a consequence of natural conditions, the misconduct of others, or our own mistakes and shortcomings, we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father, who sent us to earth as part of His eternal plan for our growth and progress. Our unique individual experiences can help us prepare to return to Him. The adversity and afflictions that are ours, however difficult to bear, last, from heaven’s perspective, for “but a small moment; and then, if [we] endure it well, God shall exalt [us] on high.” We must do everything we can to bear our burdens “well” for however long our “small moment” carrying them lasts.


Burdens provide opportunities to practice virtues that contribute to eventual perfection. They invite us to yield “to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and [put] off the natural man and [become] a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and [become] as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us], even as a child doth submit to his father.” Thus burdens become blessings, though often such blessings are well disguised and may require time, effort, and faith to accept and understand. Four examples may help explain this:


**First, Adam was told, “Cursed shall be the ground for thy sake,” which meant for his benefit, and “by the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.” Work is a continual burden, but it is also a continual blessing “for [our] sake,” for it teaches lessons we can learn only “by the sweat of [our] face.”


**Second, Alma observed that the poverty and “afflictions [of the poor among the Zoramites] had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word.” He added, “Because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye.” Our economic challenges may help prepare us to hear the word of the Lord.


**Third, because of the “exceedingly great length of [their] war,” many Nephites and Lamanites “were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.” Political unrest, social disorder, and, in some areas of the world, modern Gadianton robbers may humble us and motivate us to seek heavenly shelter from societal storms.


**Fourth, Joseph Smith was told that the terrible things he suffered for years at the hands of his enemies would “give [him] experience, and . . . be for [his] good.” The suffering we experience through the offenses of others is a valuable, though painful, school for improving our own behavior.

Further, bearing up under our own burdens can help us develop a reservoir of empathy for the problems others face. The Apostle Paul taught that we should “bear . . . one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Accordingly, our baptismal covenants require that we should be “willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; yea, and [be] willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.”


Keeping our baptismal covenants helps relieve our own burdens as well as those of burdened souls we serve. Those who offer such assistance to others stand on holy ground. In explaining this, the Savior taught:


“When saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?


“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?


“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?


“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”Through it all, the Savior offers us sustaining strength and support, and in His own time and way, He offers deliverance


Mercifully, the Son of God offers us deliverance from the bondage of our sins, which are among the heaviest of all the burdens we bear. During His Atonement He suffered “according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance.” Christ “suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent.” When we repent and keep the commandments, forgiveness and relief from our burdened conscience come with the help that only the Savior offers, for “surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy.”

Helping Others Recognize the Whisperings of the Spirit

by Vicki F. Matsumori
Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1117-3,00.html

...there are those who desire to feel the Spirit guiding them daily in their lives. While each person can learn to recognize the whisperings of the Spirit, that learning process can be facilitated as others help us understand about the Holy Ghost, share their personal testimonies, and provide an environment where the Spirit can be felt.


I need to do this with our children

Understanding the Doctrine

The importance of helping others understand is described in the Doctrine and Covenants. Parents “in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized” are told to help their children “understand the doctrine.”


We are told that “the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples” and that as we “let virtue garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly; then . . . the Holy Ghost shall be [our] constant companion.”


The scriptures and the prophets teach what this constant companionship feels like. The Lord tells us, “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.” Enos stated, ““While I was . . . struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind.”” Joseph Smith said, “When you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas.” President Henry B. Eyring described the influence of the Holy Ghost as “peace, hope, and joy.” He added, “Almost always I have also felt a sensation of light.”


Share Personal Testimony


We can help others become more familiar with the promptings of the Spirit when we share our testimony of the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives. However, by sharing testimony of the Spirit in our lives, those who are unfamiliar with these promptings are more likely to recognize when they have similar feelings.


I felt a flood of warmth sweep over me. I felt a peace descend on me, and I had the distinct feeling that Heavenly Father was pleased with me.

I need to ask kids more often about experiences and lessons and see if they felt any different and help them recognize those feelings as those from the spirit. I also need to share my own experiences and how I felt when the Spirit moved upon me.

Provide an Environment Where the Spirit Can Be Felt

There are places where it is easier to feel the Spirit. Testimony meetings and general conference are some of those places. The challenge for each of us is in providing an environment where the Spirit can be felt daily in our homes and weekly at church.


One reason we are encouraged to pray and read the scriptures every single day is that both of these activities invite the Spirit into our homes and into the lives of our family members.

I think I need to encourage the kids to keep a personal scripture journal like I’m doing now so they can remember any spiritual thoughts or feelings.

Because the Spirit is often described as a still, small voice, it is also important to have a time of quiet in our lives as well. The Lord has counseled us to “be still, and know that I am God.” If we provide a still and quiet time each day when we are not bombarded by television, computer, video games, or personal electronic devices, we allow that still, small voice an opportunity to provide personal revelation and to whisper sweet guidance, reassurance, and comfort to us.


When we come to understand the whisperings of the Spirit, we will be able to hear Him teach us “the peaceable things of the kingdom” and “all things what [we] should do.” We will recognize answers to our prayers and know how to live the gospel more fully each day. We will be guided and protected. And we can cultivate this gift in our lives as we follow those spiritual promptings. Most importantly, we will feel Him witness to us of the Father and of the Son.

What is the Gospel?

3 Nephi 26:13-22

Jesus' words to the Nephites after his death..
v13 ...I came into the world to do the will of my Father...



v14 ...that I might be lifted up upon the cross...that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works..


v16 ...whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father.


v20 ...repent...be baptized... that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day...


v21 ...this is my gospel


v22 ...if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
 
 
I know Jesus Christ came down to earth to teach us then atone for our sins and pains.  I'm thankful to be able to follow His example and have greater joy as I go through life.  I'm grateful for His willingness to atone for us so we can repent, change, even forgive and return to Heavenly Father.

To Acquire Spiritual Guidance

by Elder Richard G. Scott, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
October 2009 General Conference talk
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1117-2,00.html

President John Taylor wrote: “Joseph Smith, ...said to me: ‘Brother Taylor, you have received the Holy Ghost. Now follow the influence of that Spirit, and it will lead you into all truth, until by and by, it will become in you a principle of revelation.’ ”

When we are baptized, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost which helps us to recognize right from wrong.  We can get personal revelation regarding ourselves and our families.  We don't need to inundate our leaders for help.

Father in Heaven knew that you would face challenges and be required to make some decisions that would be beyond your own ability to decide correctly. In His plan of happiness, He included a provision for you to receive help with such challenges and decisions during your mortal life. That assistance will come to you through the Holy Ghost as spiritual guidance. It is a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness.


My personal perspective is narrow.  I don't know what will happen in the future.  I need Heavenly Father's help when making decisions, when evaluating my performance, decisions & priorities.  He wants to help us with those things so that we may have joy and return to Him.


I am convinced that there is no simple formula or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent on Them. They know that essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit.

We all recognize the spirit in our own ways.  It's not always received in the same way.  Sometimes it takes a while to get the answer and those can come by impressions, through other people's comments or actions, etc.  Taking the leap of faith may be required before recognizing that it's the right thing to do.

Once when my husband to be & I were trying to decide if we should wait to have kids for a few years after getting married or start right away.  We fasted and prayed about it.  I still felt like I didn't have an answer until I went to a meeting that evening.  A young boy that I didn't know, came and sat by me.  I felt an overwhelming feeling that we should start trying soon after getting married.

Another time I received my answer in the temple while praying and worrying that I wouldn't be able to get pregnant after trying for some time.  I was worried there was something wrong with my body.  I felt impressed that everything was fine and things would work out.  Soon after I found out that I was indeed pregnant.

My prayers have been answered in a variety of ways, some taking longer than others.  A few have been unexpectedly answered in a way I never imagined thus increasing my knowledge that God knows way more than we do.  He can send things or people our way that we wouldn't have been able to find on our own.


What may appear initially to be a daunting task will be much easier to manage over time as you consistently strive to recognize and follow feelings prompted by the Spirit. Your confidence in the direction you receive from the Holy Ghost will also become stronger. I witness that as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear.


Spirituality yields two fruits. The first is inspiration to know what to do. The second is power, or the capacity to do it. These two capacities come together. That’s why Nephi could say, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded.” He knew the spiritual laws upon which inspiration and power are based. Yes, God answers prayer and gives us spiritual direction when we live obediently and exercise the required faith in Him.

Creating this blog is one thing that I'm not sure why I'm doing.  I don't think people will see it.  I don't feel confident in my writing or ability to tell my thoughts and feelings.  But there have been a couple of impressions to do this. I need to do as Nephi did with the plates and with the boat. Even though I feel that I need to be focusing more on my family.  It will be a balancing act but I will commit to taking care of my family first.


Elder Scott then relates an experience that he had in some church classes...

...As each impression came, I carefully wrote it down. In the process, I was given precious truths that I greatly needed in order to be a more effective servant of the Lord. The details of the communication are sacred and, like a patriarchal blessing, were for my individual benefit. I was given specific directions, instructions, and conditioned promises that have beneficially altered the course of my life.

I need to write down my impressions, ponder upon them, continue to ponder and then ACT upon it.

What I have described is not an isolated experience. It embodies several true principles regarding communication from the Lord to His children here on earth. I believe that you can leave the most precious, personal direction of the Spirit unheard because you do not respond to, record, and apply the first promptings that come to you.


Impressions of the Spirit can come in response to urgent prayer or unsolicited when needed. Sometimes the Lord reveals truth to you when you are not actively seeking it, such as when you are in danger and do not know it. However, the Lord will not force you to learn. You must exercise your agency to authorize the Spirit to teach you. As you make this a practice in your life, you will be more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance. Then, when that guidance comes, sometimes when you least expect it, you will recognize it more easily.

If I don’t exercise my agency to authorize the Spirit to teach me, I won’t be able to increase in faith and testimony, at least not as much.


I share a warning. Satan is extremely good at blocking spiritual communication by inducing individuals, through temptation, to violate the laws upon which spiritual communication is founded. With some, he is able to convince them that they are not able to receive such guidance from the Lord.



Have patience as you are perfecting your ability to be led by the Spirit. By careful practice, through the application of correct principles, and by being sensitive to the feelings that come, you will gain spiritual guidance. I bear witness that the Lord, through the Holy Ghost, can speak to your mind and heart. Sometimes the impressions are just general feelings. Sometimes the direction comes so clearly and so unmistakably that it can be written down like spiritual dictation.



I bear solemn witness that as you pray with all the fervor of your soul with humility and gratitude, you can learn to be consistently guided by the Holy Spirit in all aspects of your life. I have confirmed the truthfulness of that principle in the crucible of my own life. I testify that you can personally learn to master the principles of being guided by the Spirit. That way, the Savior can guide you to resolve challenges of life and enjoy great peace and happiness.


I'm grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost that I received when I was baptized.  I'm grateful for the impressions I have received.  I look forward to being more in tuned with the Spirit as I authorize him to teach me.

Tribute to a young man named Chad

A young man from our previous ward pass away earlier this week after battling cancer (Ewing's Sarcoma) for 3 years.  He was a great example to my son, Jamin, and our family.  He never murmured once and always had a positive attitude.  Every time Chad went in for chemo treatments, he wore a T-Shirt that said something like "I'm so excited to be here".  He was sure to find out the names of the nurses, etc and thank them for doing whatever they did even if it caused him pain.

My heart grieved for his family at their loss but I also rejoiced for them.  Because I knew they had the blessings of knowing the Plan of Salvation and that their family had been sealed for eternity in a temple.  They will be together again!  Even Chad's father said they now had the knowledge that one of their children had made it!

Here's a link to some videos about our beliefs of the purpose of life, what happens after death, etc.
http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/answers-to-life-s-great-questions

What Have I Done for Someone Today?

by President Thomas S. Monson
October 2009 General Conference
click herehttp://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1117-27,00.htmlto view the entire talk

Recall with me the familiar words of King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon: “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

Isn't it great that we can serve the Lord who has done so much for us?

The Savior taught His disciples, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”
 
In the October 1963 general conference, President David O. McKay made this statement: “Man’s greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others.”
 
It's easier to be more positive and happy when we're thinking of others rather than focusing our own problems.
 
I am confident it is the intention of each member of the Church to serve and to help those in need. At baptism we covenanted to “bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light.” How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you’ve left it for others to help, feeling that “oh, surely someone will take care of that need.”
 
We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we... spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes.

Is having a clean house, etc. more important than helping someone with their burden?

My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.


There's so many ways we can serve.  It doesn't need to be a huge project.  It can be as simple as saying hello, calling or emailing someone to let them know you're thinking of them, serving in the temple, donating to the food pantry or taking care of a child.

The words from the 25th chapter of Matthew come to mind:

“Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
“Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”


My brothers and sisters, may we ask ourselves the question “What have I done for someone today?” May the words of a familiar hymn penetrate our very souls and find lodgment in our hearts:


Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

 That service to which all of us have been called is the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Join with me in daily service to our fellowmen and ultimately to our Savior & Heavenly Father. I'd love to know what you are doing to serve, please leave a comment and share your experiences.

General Conference

I absolutely loved General Conference!  The spirit was strong.  The music was wonderful.  My soul was uplifted.  I'm thankful for a living prophet and apostles who leads us in our modern day cares.  I'm also thankful for the technology that allows me to watch it with captions.  It was great to hear that 83% of the 13,000,000+  world wide members were now within 200 miles of a temple.  I'll share my thoughts as I review the talks each week.

The audio and video versions of the conference talks are available in:  English, Spanish, ASL & Portuguese.  Here's the link:
http://lds.org/conference/languages/0,6353,310-1,00.html

Also, the church website has the text of the conference talks available in 89 languages.

http://lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-1117,00.html

Voice of God, Our Heavenly Father

3 Nephi 11:3,6
verse 3
...they (Nephites) heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.

verse 6
and behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; ...

I had a thought that our soul will recognize the voice of our Heavenly Father, that’s why it would pierce to the soul even if it takes a few times to hear it

Turn to Christ

3 Nephi 9:14
Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.

We just need to turn to him, it’s that simple. Sometimes we make it harder than it needs to be.

Knowledge of the Plan of Salvation

3 Nephi 5:20
...I have reason to bless my God and my Savior Jesus Christ, ...that he hath given me and my people so much knowledge unto the salvation of our souls.

That’s my sentiment and that gives me joy. I wish the same on those who don’t yet have that knowledge.  Especially my dad, brother and 2 sister-in-laws.  I wish they could open their minds and hearts to it so they can have more joy in their lives.  I didn't always have this knowledge and life was hard.  Sometimes I didn't want to live with  my challenges.  After the death of my grandpa, I began to ask questions and found it in the LDS Church principles.  One day I knew it was all true.  I now had a purpose in life and would work through my challenges.  It makes it easier.

Food Storage

3 Nephi 4:4,18
verse 4
...having reserved for themselves provisions,... that they might subsist for the space of seven years,...

verse 18
...because of their much provision which they had laid up in store.

Last year, while looking for a new house and packing non essentials, we tried to consume as much of our food storage as we could so we wouldn't have to move as much stuff.  Now that we're settled in, I need to build back up our food storage that we may be ready for any issues that may come up. The Nephites must have had some kind of food storage to have enough food to last for 7 years and they only had a month to gather together against the Gadianton robbers.

Why didn't Nephi change the water to earth?

(Nephi tells his brothers who refuse to help build the boat)

1 Nephi 17:50
If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.

He probably didn’t because it would have taken longer to get to the promised land than by boat.

Fulfilment of Scriptures or Prophecies

3 Nephi 1:13
...come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

The scriptures tells of all that was prophesied and what has been fulfilled so far. It’s always been fulfilled and will continue to be so.

Getting Mad or Offended

Helaman 16:22
...Satan did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come.

I know he constantly tries to make me contentious which I sometimes give into but later realize that it didn’t need to be a contention such as perceived offenses. 

Here's some situations that I've had lately, particularly with making relay calls in our new ward. (I have to utilize the services of a Relay operator using a typing phone device to communicate with others.)  I called one person to find out info for Jamin's piano lessons and was hung up on before given the chance to say anything.  People tend to think I'm, or rather the Relay operator is, a salesperson.

Another time I called to find out something for a church calling, the operator included the person's exasperated sighs along with her answers.  I felt that she was being impatient about having to communicate through an operator. 

So I was ticked off about both of these situations and trying to let go of these feelings and having a hard time doing it.  Later I found out that:  it was a sitter that didn't know how to deal with the situation (1st example) and in the 2nd example, the sister was sick and having some difficulty speaking.

Sorrow Turned to Joy

D&C 136:29
If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.

I need to do this more often that I may have more joy.