Ultimate indicator of being accepted!

I am really out of sorts today.  I think because I have been sick, exhausted, and missing a good friend.  Even though we just had October General Conference my mind remembered my favorite talk from April Conference of this year.  It is called, "Being accepted of the Lord" by Elder Kopischke.  Here are some portions of that talk that I would encourage you to read.  They have really helped me!



"Alma counseled his son Helaman, “See that ye look to God and live.” The ultimate source of empowerment and lasting acceptance is our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  They know us. They love us. They do not accept us because of our title or position. They do not look at our status. They look into our hearts. They accept us for who we are and what we are striving to become. Seeking and receiving acceptance from Them will always lift and encourage us.

First, we need to know that our hearts are honest and broken. How do we know that? We begin by engaging in sincere self-reflection. The heart is the center of our feelings. As we look into our hearts, we screen ourselves. What no one around us knows, we surely know. We know our motives and desires. When we engage in sincere, honest reflection, we do not rationalize or deceive ourselves.

Second, we have to know that our spirit is contrite. The word contrite in the Oxford dictionary is defined as “feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition that one has done wrong.” If we have a contrite spirit, we acknowledge our sins and shortcomings. We are teachable “concerning [all] things pertaining to righteousness.” We feel godly sorrow and are willing to repent. A contrite spirit is willing to listen “to the enticings of the Holy Spirit.”

The third step to being accepted by the Lord is a conscious decision to observe our covenants through sacrifice, “yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command.” Too often we think that the word sacrifice refers to something big or hard for us to do. In certain situations this may be true, but mostly it refers to living day-to-day as a true disciple of Christ.

Seeking and receiving the acceptance of the Lord will lead to the knowledge that we are chosen and blessed by Him. We will gain increased confidence that He will lead us and direct us for good. His tender mercies will become evident in our hearts, in our lives, and in our families.

Having the Holy Ghost as our constant companion is the ultimate indicator of being accepted of God."

I love that last line!  My ultimate goal in life is to be accepted by my Father in Heaven and His Son!

No God, No Peace, Know God, Know Peace.

The last 2 weeks in particular I have been overwhelmed by the crime, depressing stories, and wickedness in this world.  I am trying to avoid the news, but I unfortunately have to read things at my police job.  One of the police officer's that I work with (who is not LDS) commented that he used to get dispatched to Mental subjects calls once or twice a month and now it is almost a daily occurrence, what is going on??? (I am sure there are even more calls in a larger city)

I worry about my future kids and what they will have to go through.  I worry about the porn surrounding us.  I worry about violence and language in movies and video games.  I worry about drugs and other addictive things. 

So this week I have been trying to figure out how to protect myself and family from all of that.  I realize I cannot keep us all at home all the time, so what have I come up with?

I cannot solve this.  The only person who can bring us peace and lasting happiness is the Savior!  Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty (I love the show for the humor and devotion to God) said it best.....

It is sad that our country, state, and cities are pushing religion out the door.  I believe that if we pray, study the scriptures, seek to do good, listen and watch uplifting things, and have a sincere desire to improve out relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus that we can survive all of these worries. That's all for now folks, just had to get that out!

Schooled

I have needed some humbling for awhile.  Life has been so good that I think I have gotten lazy or complacent in certain things.  Well Sunday I was schooled by primary children.  Normally I go to a mid-singles ward, with no children or noise.  It was a little hard to think during the sacrament, but I was anticipating the primary program.  I went because 3 guys I love were featured.  One played the piano and the two little ones sang.  It was amazing!!!  I love primary songs because of their simple truths.  I heard three new songs, two of which I have not been able to get out of my head.  The first one is called Teach me about the Temple.  I figured it was not in the Primary Children's Songbook, but it deeply touched my heart.  The primary leaders were smart enough to add emphasis to the line, "Please teach me about the temple."  I imagined myself as a future Mom needing to teach these eternal truths and being held accountable for just that.  Here is that song: 

 

Teach Me About the Temple
Words & Music by Lynne Perry Christofferson

A year before the Mt. Timpanogos Temple was completed, my Lehi North Stake
began to prepare in earnest for the dedication. As stake music chairman, I
chose to use a Primary children's choir for our stake conference, and wrote
this piece for them to sing to their parents and teachers. (Lynne
Christofferson)

I see the light of the temple at night
As it shines it reminds me
I must prepare if I hope to go there
But I need someone to guide me

Chorus
Please teach me about the temple
Please show me how to prepare
Then all of my life I will try
To be worthy to enter there
Please teach me about the temple
I want to know so that someday I may go

I see the light of the temple at night
And its glow is a symbol
Helping me think of the safety and peace
That come from the holy temple

Repeat Chorus

 

The other song that I liked was "If the Savior Stood beside me."  It was published in the New Era years ago and lyrics are amazing.  I like it because it is a sort of self interview:)

 

You can watch it here....

 

If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?

Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?

Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,

If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?

Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?

Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverently

If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would my thoughts be clean and pure?

Would His presence give me strength and hope, and courage to endure?

Would His counsel guide my actions? Would I choose more worthily

If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

He is always near me, though I do not see Him there

And because He loves me dearly, I am in His watchful care

So I'll be the kind of person that I know I'd like to be

If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me.

Isn't it about time?

Wow, I can't believe it has been since April since I last wrote!  I have been really busy, but had a lot on my mind.  What I have been thinking about the most is family.

 

There has been much in the news about same sex rights.  It makes me sad that so many people do not know the truth. In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" it says, "All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose."  I wish people knew this truth.

Even more on my mind has been the roles of Father and Mother's.  I love what the proclamation says again. "Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed."

 

I have been seriously dating someone who has kids.  I am so happy to know what I believe.  I am grateful for these doctrines to guide me in my life.  I believe much of the heartache in the world could be remedied with these truths!!!  I take the role of woman, wife, and mother very seriously.  I am grateful for each of these opportunities and know that I have the Lord's help to strengthen me when I fall short.  I love that the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS has commercials with the tag line, "Family.  Isn't it about time?"  The world needs to know that this is the time that family is so important.  As the world falls apart, family is what keeps it together!

http://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation

Polynesian Spirit

A lot of people are familiar with the Polynesian Spirit, but the spirit I am talking about is the Holy Ghost.  Recently I returned from vacation in Hawaii, which was my third time going there.  Normally I would say the hiking or snorkeling was the best part, but this trip was different.

 

I was able to go to the Laie Temple and attend church in Waianae.  The spirit was so strong amongst these Polynesian saints.  I could hardly contain my happiness while in the temple and feeling their smiles from ear to ear.  I didn't want to leave the temple!!!

 

When we went to church it was fast Sunday, which I was looking forward to.  When we walked in the chapel was 95% Polynesian people, which I have never experienced before and was so excited about!!!  I loved hearing their testimonies.  My friend and I also bore our testimonies, which in turn led many ward members to talk to us through the rest of church.  It has been a long time since I have been in a ward so friendly and welcoming.  The spirit of God like a fire really was burning!!!  What an awesome experience.

 

On another note the family whom we stayed with were/are in-active church members.  The parents let us take their kids to church.  While I was in the temple and at church I realized how important raising family within the gospel really is to me!!!!!!!  The children's eye's lit up when we sang primary songs with them.  They loved church.  They soaked in every bit of information we talked to them about.  I hope when the time comes for me to have a family I will have the opportunity to share my testimony and love of the gospel with my children so that they know the source of happiness.

God wants to give you something better

Loyalty

"The crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland