A Single Voice

Once again I had intentions of writing about something else, but this has been more pressing on my mind. Oh, btw, if you haven't heard there is going to be a temple built in PAYSON! So exciting! Can't wait for it to be finished! That means 3 temples in Utah valley.

Recently I have been reading the book, "A Single Voice." It is by Kristen Oaks, who is Apostle Elder Dallin H. Oaks wife. It is an amazing book! I am astounded every time I turn the page. I know that a lot of you that read this blog are single, so I would recommend you read this book. Let me share a little bit of the text to get you excited.

"Every one of us, married or single, must prepare individually to return to our Father in Heaven." She also quotes Elder Oaks and other general authorities saying, "The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith means trust-trust in God's will, trust in His way of doing things, and trust in His timetable. We should not try to impose our timetable on Him."

"Being single does not mean you have to put off being happy.... Whether you are happy or not depends to some degree upon outward circumstances, but mostly it depends on how you choose to look at things yourself, whether you measure what you have or what you have not."

AMAZING, go and read it now!

Journaling

So I am not the best journal writer in the world but a year or so ago I made a goal to write once a week. Journal writing is really important and is especially useful for posterity to get to know you and also learn from the past. One of my favorite things is reading my ancestors journals.

A few years ago I remember a specific Young Women's Activity were we learned about a few different types of journal keeping. I was amazed...there are scripture, temple, family history, personal, and so many other types of journals. Besides my personal journal I love keeping a temple journal recommended to me by my grandpa. I keep track of the date I went to the temple, who I went with, what temple I attended, and the persons info whose work I did. Plus writing things down is an added benefit because we are more likely to remember it in the future.

I LOVE the Book of Mormon!

So last week I was thinking about things I love. Among the list was decorating for holidays, the treats, and the traditions. However, the thing that I kept thinking of that I love is The Book of Mormon. Last summer I decided that I was going to read my scriptures everyday and it has stuck, with the exception of missing one day. I cannot believe how much I love reading the scriptures. I am addicted to the Book of Mormon. I find myself asking the Lord, "How did you know I needed to read/hear this today" EVERYDAY!!!

Favorite scriptures tend to change with time, but I have had a favorite scripture for at least 6 or 7 years now. It is in "Alma 7:
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and aafflictions and btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him adeath, that he may bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to csuccor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the bflesh that he might ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

Another suggestion that I have when it comes to reading your scriptures is studying in a different way then you have been doing. I listened to the Book of Mormon on my Ipod, studied by subject instead of reading chronologically, and now I am studying using the book "The Book of Mormon Made Easier" by David Ridges. So I hope you find a way to study your scriptures so that you will love them as much as I do.

Moral Discipline

Today I listened/read the talk entitled, "Moral Discipline," by Elder D. Todd Christofferson. I love several of the things he taught and thought a lot of what he said was exactly what we needed to hear right now. "Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard."

It seems like our government and society is struggling right now. The solution: "In the end, it is only an internal moral compass in each individual that can effectively deal with the root causes as well as the symptoms of societal decay. Societies will struggle in vain to establish the common good until sin is denounced as sin and moral discipline takes its place in the pantheon of civic virtues."

"Seeking to be neutral about the gospel is, in reality, to reject the existence of God and His authority. We must, rather, acknowledge Him and His omniscience if we want our children to see life’s choices clearly and be able to think for themselves. They should not have to learn by sad experience that “wickedness never was happiness.” BAM, there you have it! Clearly put and yet so easily ignored, especially by government. If you would like to read the full text, and I highly recommend you do, go to lds.org and search for Moral Discipline.

Come on were going on a Sleigh Ride

Okay, okay, I know it has been awhile since I have posted, but seriously I wonder how many people are reading this anyway? No really, I have had so many spiritual thought lately I haven't known which one to write about. None-the-less I made a decision!

This past weekend I went on a sleigh ride with friends. It was an amazing experience, but what put me into deep thought was controlling the mules (yep I thought they would be horses too, but I guess mules are stronger). The driver would pull the reigns to slow them down and he would make a kissing noise to increase their speed. These mules were so smart they were in the Olympics in Salt Lake in 2002. This made me think about the influence of Heavenly Father in our lives. Sometimes we may think we are being controlled by a bridle, environmental circumstances, or maybe the load we are pulling. In reality Heavenly Father is there pulling the reigns or encouraging us onward.

Each of us is as strong as a mule and knows that we have unlimited potential. We have the influence of our Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost so we are able to hear and feel what our Heavenly Father would have us do. What an amazing blessing to have the Holy Ghost and guidance from our Heavenly Father in our lives by living worthily. It is there for the taking, all we have to do is ask and sometimes we don't even have to do that.