Proud to be an American

This morning as I participated in a Memorial Day program I was reminded of my gratitude for those who have preserved my freedoms. All three of my Grandpa's served along with many other relatives. I am so thankful for my freedom of speech and religion especially! I think we are pretty blessed to live in America.

In Doctrine and Covenants 134:1 it says:
"We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society."

I know every good thing comes from God so I will be forever grateful for his hand is guiding this country!

Bees and Honey

Recently I was talking with a girl who was very angry, using vulgar language, and was pretty much out of control (and no, I was not at work). Luckily her anger was not directed towards me. I asked her if she had ever heard the saying "You win more bees with honey than with vinegar?" She instantly calmed down and realized she would not get what she wanted or needed unless she was sweet.

Kindness is very important to me and I try my hardest to be kind to all I come in contact with. I love and miss Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, whom I considered one of the most humble and kind people I know. He said, "Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes...If you are criticizing others, you are weakening the Church. If you are building others, you are building the kingdom of God. As Heavenly Father is kind, we also should be kind to others." The Virtue of Kindness-April 2005 General Conference

Bread

“A person cannot give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return.” Melvin J. Ballard

Pained No More

"My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more." Mosiah 27:29

This scripture has been a theme scripture for me recently. I was not in the same situation as Alma was, but I truly did feel like I was in the gall of bitterness. The best part is I feel "pained no more."

One of my favorite talks/article of all time is "Lessons From Liberty Jail" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. I love this part...

"In what sense could Liberty Jail be called a “temple,” and what does such a title tell us about God’s love and teachings, including where and when that love and those teachings are made manifest? In precisely this sense: that you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experiences with the Lord in any situation you are in. Indeed, you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experiences with the Lord in the worst settings, while enduring the most painful injustices, when facing the most insurmountable odds and opposition you have ever faced.

In one way or another, great or small, dramatic or incidental, every one of us is going to spend a little time in Liberty Jail—spiritually speaking. We will face things we do not want to face for reasons that may not be our fault."

Without going into detail, I experienced what Alma and Elder Holland talked about. I can honestly say I was in the worst circumstance thus far in my life and had the best experience. There has never been a time in my life I felt closer to my Savior. My situation was precisely sacred, revelatory, and profoundly instructive. I know without a doubt that Christ is intimately involved in the details of my life. From now on I will look at Doctrine and Covenants 121 and 122 in a whole new light!

Families are like Old Quilts...

I have been thinking a lot about family and how much it is under attack. It needs to be protected! Last year I read an article called "Teaching the Doctrine of the Family" that was originally broadcast to Seminary and Institute teachers. Sister Julie Beck has shared these same thoughts in many other circumstances since this broadcast in 2009. I have been able to hear her talk about this subject at Women's Conference, General Conference, and at a fireside I went to last year.

Some of her thoughts I liked are:

"Public policies are being made every day that are antifamily...There are media messages everywhere that are antifamily...Korihor was an anti-Christ. Anti-Christ is anti-family. Any doctrine our youth hear from the world that is antifamily is also anti-Christ. It's that clear. They need to know if it's antifamily, it's anti-Christ. An anti-Christ is antifamily...This generation will be called upon to defend the doctrine of the family as never before in the history of the world."

I love my family so much and am grateful for their influence in my life. I know my family is not perfect, maybe that's why I like the above quote, but it's nice to realize we are all working on becoming better. What are we all working on? I think our ultimate goals can be found here http://lds.org/study/topics/family?lang=eng&query=proclamation+family

Our family pictures may have changed through the years, but we love each other more and I think we have also become better looking;-) Sorry about the glare on some of them, but hope you enjoy nonetheless.

Gospel Knowledge

Since I can remember I have wanted to be a Scripture Master! This is a very hard task to accomplish when you are horrible at memorizing. I heard that President Monson memorized the chapter headings so he would at least know were something was located. I am guessing he now knows most of the scriptures like the back of his hand.

President Spencer W. Kimball commented:
“Spiritual learning takes precedence. The secular
without the foundation of the spiritual is . . . like
the foam upon the milk, the fleeting shadow. . . .
One need not choose between the two . . . for there
is opportunity to get both simultaneously” (The
Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, . . . p. 390).

So while I have been bad at memorizing I have found that reading, listening, and studying my scriptures and the words of general authorities everyday something miraculous has occurred! I am remembering, not necessarily word for word, but enough information I could tell you were something is or who said it!

President Joseph F. Smith said:
“The greatest achievement mankind can make in
this world is to familiarize themselves with divine
truth, so thoroughly, so perfectly, that the example
or conduct of no creature living in the world can
ever turn them away from the knowledge that they
have obtained." AMEN!

Who, What, Where, When, Why?

Have you ever struggled with these questions when it comes to donating money to a charitable organization? There are so many good causes out there to choose from. I have to laugh because I immediately think of a friend I had while living in Alaska who used to throw change out her car window to the homeless. That is why I have always been so appreciative about fast offerings.

What is the difference between fast offerings and donating to all the causes out there???

President Marion G. Romney said, "Many programs have been set up by well-meaning individuals to aid those who are in need. However, many of these programs are designed with the shortsighted objective of ‘helping people,’ as opposed to ‘helping people help themselves.’"

When I heard this it was like a light bulb had turned on above my head and all the guilty feelings of not donating in the past were gone.

Elder H. David Burton said in this last conference, "The work of caring for one another and being “kind to the poor” is a sanctifying work, commanded of the Father and divinely designed to bless, refine, and exalt His children." What a great work we are commanded to do. I have a testimony of the many blessings that come from paying my tithes and offerings.

My Character

I have been impressed lately that I need to improve myself. In that process, since we all know it doesn't happen in a day, I have been reading some of Elder Scott's talks from Conference. It also helps that I am teaching Relief Society later this month on his talk called "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character."

I appreciate these thoughts...

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day. Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming.

Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life. Such choices are made with trust in things that are believed and when acted upon are confirmed.

You cannot be passive in life, or in time the natural man will undermine your efforts to live worthily. You become what you do and what you think about.

If you have determined to live righteously, don’t become discouraged. Life may seem difficult now, but hold on tightly to that iron rod of truth. You are making better progress than you realize. Your struggles are defining character, discipline, and confidence in the promises of your Father in Heaven and the Savior as you consistently obey Their commandments."

Recently someone asked me what the 3 most important things to me in life were. Hopefully my first two are similar to yours, which are: 1-Religion (this includes my faith, The Godhead, principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, etc). 2-My Family. My third answer is the legacy/character that I leave behind for my posterity or simply put my example. Since I was little I have been trying to be better. As a child I can remember being imperfect in so many areas. I hated it when I wouldn't please my parents all of the time. I just have to keep reminding myself that Heavenly Father is patient with me and eventually I will get the point:) I can become more like HIM!


On a side note, Elder Scott said this in his recent talk from April conference,
"If you want to have a wonderful wife, you need to have her see you as a wonderful man and prospective husband." I think same goes for women!

I forgot!

Sometimes priorities need to be realigned. You have all heard the analogy of the jar full of bubble gum and salt. If you put the salt in first the bubble gum does not fit, but if you put the gum balls in first and pour the salt in, viola! I apply this analogy to the quotes below...

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the doctrines of the gospel." -Elder Boyd K. Packer

This quote applies because I tend to forget that everything will work out if I put the doctrines of the gospel or the Savior first. If I really understand the doctrines of the gospel there is no need to worry.

"When we put God first, things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities." -President Benson

I learned a great lesson tonight about remembering or prioritizing. I KNOW that everything will fall into place if I put the Lord and His teachings first in my life.

Written In Your Hearts

This morning when I was reading my scriptures the phrase "written in your hearts" jumped off of the page. In Mosiah 13 Abinadi is teaching the people in King Noah's court about the principles of the gospel or the 10 commandments. I love "true conversion" phrases!!! I am also reminded of receiving his image in my countenance! Are the principles of the gospel written in my heart and is HIS image in my countenance? I hope that I am not quick to forget the Lord or harden my heart. I want to have faith and courage like Abinadi and other examples in the scriptures!