Obtain and keep the guidance of the Spirit

"If you want to obtain and keep the guidance of the Spirit, you can do so by following this simple four-point program. One, pray. Pray diligently. Pray with each other. Pray in public in the proper places....Learn to talk to the Lord; call upon his name in great faith and confidence. Second, study and learn the gospel. Third, live righteously; repent of your sins by confessing them and forsaking them. Then conform to the teachings of the gospel. Fourth, give service in the Church." -President Marion G. Romney

Kansas City Temple

Ever since my mission I have been waiting for a temple to be built within the boundaries, after all, my mission is pretty special. The Missouri Independence Mission has a rich historic background and a very important future! Previously two temple sites were started in the area, in Independence and Farr West. And what does the future hold... well ONLY THE SECOND COMING!

So a few years ago when the Prophet announced a temple there I have been giddy with anticipation! In December I did a quick drive by of the outside and took some pictures. Now the open house is going on with the dedication next month. My brother and sister in-law are moving to the Kansas City area this summer so I plan on visiting them and the temple!

In the meantime here is an article with some pictures too.
http://www.ksl.com/?sid=19931626&nid=1016&title=cnn-tours-kansas-city-mormon-temple&s_cid=featured-2

Easter Rejoicing

I haven't written in awhile, mostly because I have had so much on my mind I have not been able to decide what to write about, but how could I not write about Easter!

Yesterday I had such a great Easter, the perfect blend of spiritual and "worldly" celebrating. In fact it was so good that when I got home I plopped down on my bed and picked up my phone to call my Mom and tell her about it. Then I got that twinge of sadness when I realized that I couldn't call my Mom (for those of you who don't know, she passed away last year). However, I was OVERWHELMED by a spirit of gratitude for the Atonement of my Savior, Jesus Christ. He has made it possible for all of us to be resurrected and possible to live with Him and our family members for eternity.

I like the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 88 that says:

16 And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul.

17 And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in
whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit
it.

33 For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive
not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither
rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.

I truly was rejoicing for this gift from my Savior yesterday and I still am today. Hopefully I will not forget all that he has done for me! I love the Easter season of renewal and hope. The spring flowers constantly remind me of the gift He has given to me!

Speaker Palooza

This past Sunday I was able to go to a fireside by President Lynn Scoresby speaking on "The Spiritual Roots of Love." He shared a lot of amazing stuff, that I have really never thought about. This is turn made me very excited for the upcoming speaker palooza we all can participate in, that is Conference! I am so excited, it's only a week away!!!!!

In speaking about love he shared that Elder Holland said, "Character, Covenants, and Family are what we take with us when we leave this life." Love is a conscience choice not a condition. It is a covenant we keep with our soul and mind. I loved hearing this because a lot of guys I have been on dates with whom were divorced said that they simply "fell out of love." I don't believe that at all.

He also said Morality is a simple behavior that involves not hurting others or yourself. Anything that robs someone of their agency limits our ability to love. I liked these four things that he said were involved in love...

1-Make yourself venerable to the other person
2-Be more expressive in more forms of love
3-Sacrifice for the other person (and this should be pleasant)
4-Am I finding as much joy in making my significant other happy as I do in getting what I want?

I won't share every note I wrote down, but I loved having him as a teacher at BYU and he works as a Psychologist. If you are interested in finding out more about him here is his website.

We need Women

The world has enough women who are tough;
we need women who are tender.
There are enough women who are coarse;
we need women who are kind.
There are enough women who are rude;
we need women who are refined.
We have enough women of fame and fortune;
we need more women of faith.
We have enough greed;
we need more goodness.
We have enough vanity;
we need more virtue.
We have enough popularity;
we need more purity.

-Margaret D. Nadauld (Young Women General President)

Recently reminded of this in church, this is definitely something that we need to encourage others to help us be! I wish I could be this perfectly and get rid of my "worldly" traits.

14 million friends

On my personal blog I have talked about the worth of a soul a few times. I was reminded of this again today when I read the article in the Ensign called "Have I done any good in the world today?" Heidi Swinton, the author of President Monson's Biography wrote this article to relate her experience of writing the book. There is a line that says "If you ask him how many he counts on that list of friends, he will say, at least 14 million." I am so privileged to be thought of as his friend. I also liked when she said that "he exhibits great reverence for the lives of those he describes as "unnoticed and unrecognized.""

I also thought of a quote that someone very special to me shared recently. "It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no 'ordinary' people. You have never talked to a mere mortal."

Really the worth of a soul is great! No one is forgotten, at least in the Lord's eye's. As I think about walking in others shoes I am more prone to love them and serve them. I hope to one say have the view of President Monson in saying that I have 14 million friends.

No One Can Take Your Place

I have learned some great principles in listening to Sherri Dew's book. I mentioned it in my last post. In fact I am listening to it for my second time. I have to share some of the things I think are the most poignant!

1-God wants a powerful people.
2-He gives his power to those who are faithful.
3-We, therefore, have a sacred obligation to seek after the power of God and use that power as he directs.
4-When we have the power of God with us, nothing is impossible.

How do we gain that power?
1-Through reading and studying the word of God (mostly the scriptures)
2-Having the Holy Ghost and/or Revelation
3-Accessing the Priesthood or being worthy to hold it
4-Attending the temple
5-Through the Atonement

Another powerful thought...
"When we choose to sin we choose to live on our own!"

I also liked how she talked about having more integrity or becoming more honest...
1-Decide today you will be worthy of trust.
2-Do what you say you will do.
3-Make covenants and keep them.
4-Stand up for what you believe.
5-Expect your integrity to be challenged.
6-Don't give up.
7-Covenant (do what you came here to do).

We sow the seeds to reap a bountiful national harvest by:
-Having Integrity
-Be selfless
-Having a devotion to God

Thanks for these insights Sherri!