Printable: I'm a Mormon

This came out shortly after Sister Anne Dibbs conference talk today.

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Lesson recap: Advancing the work of the Lord

I taught the lesson today. It's George Albert Smith, Lesson 15, Advancing the work of the Lord. Here is part of what we discussed. Do read the whole lesson when you get a minute.

God directs His work, and He calls upon every member of the Church to participate in moving it forward. 

We are doing so much. Besides missionary work, think of all the ways we as women advance the work of the Lord...visiting teaching, callings, service, family history, temple work, teaching our families and other youth, feeding folks, nurturing others, and the list goes on. Every family prayer, every family home evening, every simple act of kindness, every Sunday at church, every session of scripture study is advancing the the work of the the Lord. Let's pat ourselves on the back and acknowledge the good work we women do in the church.

It's a cooperative work. Let's see our work as a cooperative one with our brothers in the gospel. Every calling in the church is a service calling where hierarchy plays no part. Neylan Mcbaine reminds us:

You are needed. You matter. You have a purpose. Your opinions matter. Not just at home behind closed doors, not just with our children, as essential as those influences are, but also in the broadest context of the Lord’s kingdom.

We women need to do a better job of claiming the power and direct access that comes from being a child of God and realizing that power in the choices we make in our own lives. Ours is not a gospel of limitation; it is a gospel of empowerment to get the education we want, pursue our dreams, work in partnerships with spouses and friends to raise families, contribute to our communities as our talents dictate, and seek out answers to our deepest questions without intermediaries.

Inventions of our day are blessings. George Albert Smith embraced technology to do the Lord's work. 

While the first half of the 20th century saw significant challenges (WWI, WWII, the Great Depression), it also brought new technologies that President Smith believed would further the Lord’s work. He was a strong proponent of the aviation industry and saw it as a way to fulfill his travel assignments as a General Authority more efficiently. He also supported the Church’s use of radio and television to take the word of the Lord to a broader audience.

“We ought to regard these [inventions] as blessings from the Lord,” he said. “They greatly enlarge our abilities. They can indeed become blessings if we utilize them in righteousness for the dissemination of truth and the furtherance of the work of the Lord among men. The great challenge facing the world today lies in the use we make of many of these inventions. We can use them to destroy, as we have sometimes done in the past, or we can utilize them to enlighten and bless mankind, as our Heavenly Father would have us do."

Are there ways we can use the technology of today in good ways to do the Lord's work?

Air travel, radio, TV, internet, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Mormon.org, YouTube), smart phones, texting or e-mails, blogging about your faith and your family, crowdsourcing at The Vineyard (indexing, submitting photos, tagging photos) or LDS Tech. While most of these can be used for evil or to destroy let's focus instead on using them to build the kingdom in positive ways.

There is ample opportunity for every member to participate in the work of the Lord.

The responsibility for the conduct of this work does not devolve alone upon [the President of the Church], nor upon his counselors, nor upon the quorum of the Apostles; but it devolves also upon every man and woman who has been baptized by the servants of God and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. … We cannot shift the responsibility if we would; our Father has placed it upon our shoulders, and we must round them up and help to carry it off triumphant.

Consider that no one can take your place. This story from Sheri Dew illustrates.  No One Can Take Your Place, page 196-199.)

In 1971 as a shy Freshman at BYU Sister Dew struggled for self-worth. "I wasn't talented enough, thin enough, smart enough, cute enough, or basically anything enough to amount to much." She was homesick and lacked social skills. But she did know how to play basketball.

I had grown up playing basketabll in the great basketball stae of Kansas, and had had some success on the court. More than anything, I wanted to play ball for BYU. So my shyness notwithstanding, I found out where and when team tryouts were being hed and showed up at the gym at a certain hour. but when I pulled open the gym door and peeked inside, a group of girls were already running drills. and they looked good! Clearly, I wasn't in Kansas anymore. Suddenly, every insecure cell in my body began to scream, "What are you thinking? You aren't good enough to play ball here! You can't compete with these girls! What has gotten into your head!" I quickly closed the door and told myself that if I just had a few minutes to regain some composure I would go in. I began to pace up and down the hallway outside that gym, telling myself that at any moment I would go in, I paced and paced...for three hours I paced—until the tryouts were over. I am sorry to say that I never went in.

Now fast foward 30 years. Sister Dew spoke to female athletes at BYU, letting them know she believed they had already accomplished so much. She told this story. Afterwards Dr. Elaine Michaelis approached and said she was the women's basketball coach then, and that it was the only year she had not been able to fill her roster. Her team went that year one girl short.

All the way home Sister Dew stewed. If only she'd had the confidence to try. Maybe she could have made a difference.

The lesson here, from Sheri Dew, is that no one can take your place.

Oh, sure, we have all let others down and watched someone else step in to fill the gap, and we've all at times helped fill in the gap when others have let us down. So yes, it's possible to fill in for someone. But it's not possible to take their place. No now, not ever.

No one can take your place in your family or with your friends. No one can take your place in your ward or your extended family, in your neighborhood or a the company where you work. No one can have the influence you have been prepared to have on all who come within your sphere of influence. Without question, no one can fulfill your foreordained mission. No one can do what you were sent to do. No one.

I think we forget this. Ask the Lord what His will is for you, expect Him to give you the power to carry it out. Know that is may be different for you than the sister sitting next to you. We are here to do our work. And He will give us the power to carry it out.

Doctrine and Covenants 64: 33- 34

 33 Wherefore, be not ^aweary in ^bwell-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of ^csmall things proceedeth that which is great.

 34 Behold, the Lord ^arequireth the ^bheart and a ^cwilling mind; and the willing and ^dobedient shall ^eeat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.

Sisters, it is a great work we are involved in. We can contribute in many ways, both large and small. It's a cooperative work where all hands are needed and appreciated. Blessing await those who are willing and obedient.

Let's do the work in the way women work well...learning, spreading information, tending and befriending, communicating, cooperating, creating community, and seeking balance. These are some ways we can advance the work of the Lord.

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Lesson: Waiting on the Road to Damascus

Teachings for Our Times, Waiting on the Road to Damascus,

Pres. Uchtdorf, taught by Margie Clark

Are we like or unlike Paul, on the road to Dasmascus?

... there are some who feel that unless they have an experience similar to Saul’s or Joseph Smith’s, they cannot believe. They stand at the waters of baptism but do not enter. They wait at the threshold of testimony but cannot bring themselves to acknowledge the truth. Instead of taking small steps of faith on the path of discipleship, they want some dramatic event to compel them to believe.

They spend their days waiting on the road to Damascus.

Elder Bednar's insight in The Spirit of Revelation, in April 2011 conference, tells us that revelation and testimony come in two ways:

A light turned on in a dark room is like receiving a message from God quickly, completely, and all at once. Many of us have experienced this pattern of revelation as we have been given answers to sincere prayers or been provided with needed direction or protection, according to God’s will and timing. Descriptions of such immediate and intense manifestations are found in the scriptures, recounted in Church history, and evidenced in our own lives. Indeed, these mighty miracles do occur. However, this pattern of revelation tends to be more rare than common.

The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30). Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently “distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven” (D&C 121:45). This pattern of revelation tends to be more common than rare.

If the mighty manifestation does not come to us, what do we do? We look for line upon line learning and gradual gentle understanding over time...all while our feet are moving forward.

Belief comes one step at a time

Margie gave an insight from one of her children when they were eight years old. After having been to a friend's house where the friend had every doll and outfit of a certain brand of dolls, and her daughter had a single doll and a few accessories, Margie asked how she felt about that.  The answer was 'it's okay...wanting something makes it better.'

Wanting and working for a testimony makes it more powerful and meaningful when it comes.

President Uchtdorf explains:

The truth is, those who diligently seek to learn of Christ eventually will come to know Him. They will personally receive a divine portrait of the Master, although it most often comes in the form of a puzzle—one piece at a time. Each individual piece may not be easily recognizable by itself; it may not be clear how it relates to the whole. Each piece helps us to see the big picture a little more clearly. Eventually, after enough pieces have been put together, we recognize the grand beauty of it all.

Then, looking back on our experience, we see that the Savior had indeed come to be with us—not all at once but quietly, gently, almost unnoticed.

This can be our experience if we move forward with faith and do not wait too long on the road to Damascus.

 Elder Benar confirms this:

I have talked with many individuals who question the strength of their personal testimony and underestimate their spiritual capacity because they do not receive frequent, miraculous, or strong impressions.

Perhaps as we consider the experiences of Joseph in the Sacred Grove, of Saul on the road to Damascus, and of Alma the Younger, we come to believe something is wrong with or lacking in us if we fall short in our lives of these well-known and spiritually striking examples.

If you have had similar thoughts or doubts, please know that you are quite normal. Just keep pressing forward obediently and with faith in the Savior. As you do so, you “cannot go amiss” (D&C 80:3).

 Try these three ideas for strengthening your testimony and commitment to serve, from President Uchtdorf...

1. Harken and heed
2. Serve
3. Share

Harken and heed

I testify to you that our Father in Heaven loves His children. He loves us. He loves you. When necessary the Lord will even carry you over obstacles as you seek His peace with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Often He speaks to us in ways that we can hear only with our heart. To better hear His voice, it would be wise to turn down the volume control of the worldly noise in our lives.

Think of a time when you felt the Lord's love carry you or speak to your heart. Turn to Him in gratitude often, for the small and big things, and you will see his love manifested in your life.

Or perhaps our morning prayers should include more often the phrase, "Lord, what wilt thou have me do?" as Paul responded on the road to Damascus. And then we should be up and doing.

Serve

Another reason we sometimes do not recognize the voice of the Lord in our lives is because the revelations of the Spirit may not come directly to us as the answer to our prayers.

...The answer may come through the voice and wisdom of trusted friends and family, the scriptures, and the words of prophets.

Let's look for his love and guidance all around us.

Let's be thinking and praying for others and their well-being. By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own.

It has been my experience that some of the most powerful promptings we receive are not only for our own benefit but also for the benefit of others. If we are thinking only of ourselves, we may miss some of the most powerful spiritual experiences and profound revelations of our lives.

Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we’re on our knees but while we’re on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us.

Share

There are times when the Lord reveals to us things that are intended only for us. Nevertheless, in many, many cases He entrusts a testimony of the truth to those who will share it with others.

...the Lord expects the members of His Church to “open [their mouths] at all times, declaring [His] gospel with the sound of rejoicing.”

Owenna reminded us that one may have the gift of faith and another to believe on their words, meaning one experience may be meant to be shared with all, for the benefit of all. Even recalling the goodness of God in the scriptures can become our own experience; we make it our own.

In conclusion

Brothers and sisters, dear friends, let us not wait too long on our road to Damascus. Instead, let us courageously move forward in faith, hope, and charity, and we will be blessed with the light we are all seeking upon the path of true discipleship.

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Lesson: Aligning our will with our Heavenly Father's

Aubrey Behunin taught our lesson today, her first since being called the RS Presidency. Here are a few of the inspirational quotes she used.

Aligning our will with our Heavenly Father's

"The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar.  The many other things we "give," brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us.  However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God's will, then we are really giving something to Him!  It is the only possession which is truly ours to give!"
- Neil A. Maxwell

"To the extent that we are not willing to be led by the Lord, we will be driven by our appetites, or we will be greatly preoccupied with the lesser things of the day.  The remedy is implicit in the marvelous lamentation of King Benjamin:  'For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?' (Mosiah 5:13)"
- Neil A. Maxwell

"When we live by covenant rather than by convenience we direct our lives toward our heavenly home"
- Donald L. Hallstrom

"Most omissions occur because we fail to get outside ourselves.  We are so busy checking on our own temperatures, we do not notice the burning fevers of others even when we can offer them some of the needed remedies, such as encouragement, kindness, and commendation.  The hands which hang down and most need to be lifted up belong to those too discouraged even to reach out anymore."
- Neil A. Maxwell

Five ways we can seek to give our hearts and minds to the Lord.  (As outlined in Elder Hallstrom's article in the June 2011 issue of the Ensign article, The Heart and a Willing Mind.)

1.  Gain and constantly nurture your own testimony.
2.  Honor priesthood ordinances and covenants.
3.  Root out duplicity.
4.  Establish a life of service.
5.  Continually study the doctrine.

Thanks Aubrey!

Video: 195 Dresses

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to find a modest prom dress? One young woman in Arizona came up with a solution for her community.

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The Way

No institution, plan, program, or system ever conceived by men has access to the redeeming and transforming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Therefore, while the Lord’s invitation to follow Him is the highest of all, it is also achievable by everyone, not because we are able, but because He is, and because He can make us able too. 

“We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind [everyone, living and dead] may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”

The Lord’s way is not hard. 

Life is hard, not the gospel. 

“There is an opposition in all things”, everywhere, for everyone. 

Life is hard for all of us, but life is also simple. 

We have only two choices.  

We can either follow the Lord and be endowed with His power and have peace, light, strength, knowledge, confidence, love, and joy, or we can go some other way, any other way, whatever other way, and go it alone—without His support, without His power, without guidance, in darkness, turmoil, doubt, grief, and despair. 

And I ask, which way is easier?

~ Elder Lawrence Corbridge, The Way, General Conference, October 2008

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The New Church Handbook

The new church Handbook 2 has been out for several months now, so many of us have had a chance to begin studying and implementing.

The First Presidency has just broadcast another worldwide training session.

Elders Oaks said a couple of things that all the church members need to know:

1. A major theme in both handbooks is to reduce the workload of the Bishop. Partly this is done by enhancing the role of the ward council. ...They assist the bishop on matters of importance to the entire ward. Bishops, you now have the opportunity to lighten your load...delegate to ward members and especially to those in your ward council. ...The roles of EQ and HP group leaders have been significantly enhanced to help their members both spiritually and temporally. This may mean reduced temporal service such as helping ward members move.
   
2. Everyone should carefully read the three chapters at the beginning of Handbook 2. They are doctrinal, based on the scriptures, and they are extremely important. The first chapter is the Families and the Church in God's Plan.
   
   Family is first.
   
   Boyd K. Packer last November:

We must be careful that our members are not kept so busy with church programs, procedures, buildings and budgets that they have little time for the spiritual things stressed in this chapter on families, and the succeeding two chapters, Priesthood Principles and Leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ.

Strengthening the family is the object of the Church.

We strengthen the Church to perform it's divine mission by strengthening its members and their families.

Watch his full talk:



Related links:
Handbook 2 can be found online
Why does the church have handbooks?
Audio, video and text from the Worldwide Training

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Lesson: Your Personal Ministry

 

Today Bishop Pope talked to the Relief Society and Priesthood brethren about personal ministry in our combined class.

What is personal ministry?

- Reaching out to help others.
- Seeing a need and trying to fill it
- Taking the spiritual gifts we've been given and acting on them
- Accepting and filling callings
- Prayerfully asking Heavenly Father what he wants us to do
- All with the right intent, following the promptings of the Spirit

President Kunz several years ago said, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Better yet do unto others as they do unto themselves, but best of all do unto others as God would do unto them." (Jen Low)

We also need to allow others to minister unto us. Sometimes this is very hard. (Bro. Horton)

Bishop: We need to let others serve us, even when the church tells us we should be self-sufficient. It takes humility to admit that we need help.

High Priests were asked by President Coe to give an additional night a week for personal ministry. This may mean where our families need us, or for our own personal spiritual growth, or in some aspect of our calling. We need to step up the effort. (Dave Behunin)

Bishop: Yes, are we having our daily prayers and scripture study? If we are struggling with an aspect of keeping the commandments, sometimes we need to take time out and work on this.

In prayer we may ask for blessings for family members, such as my widowed mother. When the answer may be that we need to give it some thought ourselves about what we can do to help. And not just throw it over the wall to God and go about our way. (Dave Behunin)

Bishop: The scriptures are full of personal ministry, such as Nephi, Alma, Sons of Mosiah, and King Benjamin. In Mosiah 2:16-18 King Benjamin said if I have been in your service I have only been in the service of God. And if I your King can serve then you can too.

What prevents us from performing our own personal ministries?

• We like to talk the talk, but don't walk the walk (Kellen Wentzel).
• We are so caught up in busy-ness of life (Elizabeth Latey).
• Fear. Reaching out one to one may not be part of our nature (Marie Tiller). Remember the first door you knocked on your mission...the fear of rejection or the unknown reaction (Bishop). There are quiet things you can do...genealogy, or something small that works for you. Or we can choose to grow into the role (Craig Clark). But if the spirit speaks we should find a way. The Lord will make up for our shortfall (Elizabeth Latey). Sometimes we are forced to go beyond our comfort zone just based on the circumstances (Cheryl Wentzel).
• Low confidence, low self-esteem. Bishop: start with baby steps. Do something. Do what you can.
• Our thoughts are not focused. "We move our lives in the direction of our most dominant thought." (Melanie Low, Reylyn Checketts). [My aside: Perhaps this is why we covenant EVERY week to "always remember Him."]
• We talk ourselves out of a good action. Never suppress a generous thought - President Monson (Jenn Low).

Examples

Jenny Boyer's neighbors began helping with dinners and offering to do other things after the twins were born. One neighbor now comes almost every day to help after school and at the dinner hour. She is a single woman and needed do a little more in her life and not dwell on negative thoughts. I need the help and she is taking notice of my parenting style. Our hearts are uniting and understanding one another. It goes both ways when we minister. (Jenny Boyer)

If we feel inspired to help more because of this lesson or General Conference, we have to look no further than being a really good visiting teacher. It's already set up for us (Reylyn Checketts).

Bishop: I want to leave this challenge with you. Start with home teaching and visiting teaching. President Coe said it should start there. Do a little more, take it to the next level. It's amazing what that will do for your testimony and you'll see more and more what you can do.

Sometimes the place to start is in our family. We shouldn't neglect their needs in looking to help others. (Kristen Hinchman)

When I was busy with little kids and was a Relief Society President, I couldn't get in to see a woman I was visiting teaching. She never answered. At the store one day I bought a flower and a card and left it at the communal mailbox, hoping she would get it. It was her birthday and I told myself it was my last effort. She called that night and asked how I knew that she loved African Violets. I didn't know but the Lord knows what our favorite flower is. He will help us in our personal ministries if we forget ourselves and listen to Him. (Margie Clark)

Bishop: I think President Monson and other prophets become so close to the Spirit and have listened so much that it's as if the Lord is there speaking to them. We can become more sensitive to the Spirit to and know what the Lord wants us to do.

The Bishop then went on to relate the story of President Monson who as a young new Bishop was prompted to visit an older ward member in the hospital. He put it off until after a church meeting and arrived too late. Let's not ignore the promptings, but act right away.

Thanks, Bishop, for the reminder to seek to know what our personal ministry is, to listen to the Spirit and to act today.

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Photo credit

Kindness Is Contagious

There are only two things we are here on earth to do and everything else in the gospel is related to one of those.

1. Love God, turn to Him often, come to know Him, and
2. Love each other and take care of one another.

That's what visiting teaching is about. That's what we covenant to do when we are baptized (share one another's burden) and that's what our Savior taught us by his example.

And sometimes a kind word, a listening ear, or a smile is all that is needed.

HelpOthers.org is a nice little website that shares stories of inspiration about small acts of kindness. You'll find smile cards to download and ideas for helping others.

Here's one:

A small act at the grocery store starts a new ripple
There are two men who are almost always outside my grocery store, in various states of dishevelment.

...Last week, while waiting in the deli area, I noticed the pre-made, plastic-wrapped sub-style sandwiches. I grabbed two of them, two extra apples, and two single-serving juice bottles. On my way out, I walked up to the vet and said, "Are you hungry? I got you a sandwich." He took sandwich, apple, and juice, and said, "God bless you." I said, "You, too!"

...It was so easy to  add those few items to my grocery bag and I felt like I had maybe helped just a little.

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General Relief Society Meeting

So did you miss it? Can't remember what they talked about? Here were the general themes!

ashley (8) asked (7) away (9) beautiful (8) blessings (22) building (9) called (6) care (9) charity (23) children (20) christ (30) church (17) commandments (10) compassion (10) continue (10) covenants (8) daughters (18) dear (8) difference (7) earth (7) eternal (16) experience (9) faith (23) families (13) father (21) friend (9) general (7) gives (8) god (35) gospel (10) happy (8) heavenly (18) help (18) history (32) home (13) hope (8) important (9) increase (11) inspired (8) jesus (19) judge (8) kingdom (10) knew (8) learn (13) life (21) lives (11) lord (32) love (54) man (10) mary (10) meetings (11) members (7) message (9) mind (8) mother (8) name (7) needs (8) neighbor (7) organization (8) others (24) people (9) personal (15) plan (12) pray (9) prepare (9) purpose (10) receive (13) relief (61) responsibility (12) revelation (7) savior (19) scriptures (13) serve (14) service (7) share (7) sisters (31) society (56) spiritual (8) strengthen (20) study (11) taught (7) teacher (16) teaching (25) temple (14) things (10) thoughts (7) times (10) together (6) understand (9) unto (9) visiting (45) ward (7) watch (8) woman (20) women (39) work (26) world (9) ye (8) years (7) young (9)

created at TagCrowd.com

Just what we should be talking about...strengthening, visiting, working, teaching, and loving each other!

Catch all the talks here...transcripts, videos, and MP3s.

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Lesson Recap: Righteous Choices and Unity

Based on a talk, Coming Together and Sustaining Each Other in Righteous Choices
By Renata Forste, BYU Women’s Conference 2010. Watch video

Sister Forste starts her talk quoting Paul in 1st Corinthians 1:10

Now I beseech you, [sisters], by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Sister Forste breaks her talk into three parts.

First, she says: Paul admonishes the saints, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you.

When Paul directed the saints to speak the same thing, I do not believe that he was suggesting that we all think and be the same, but that we speak the same testimony. It is our testimony of Jesus Christ and the restoration that is the same—that is what unites us.

I was a graduate student at the University of Chicago back in the late 1980s, early 1990s. Mike and I lived in student housing on the south side of Chicago and attended the Hyde Park Ward. My first visiting teaching companion was Sister Cathy Stokes. She was the Relief Society president and a long-time south side resident. One of the first things Cathy had to teach me was how to parallel park!

Later, my companion was Sister Nancy Johnson, a new convert to the church. I remember sitting with Nancy in the humble home of Sister Susan Walker as we visit taught her. Susan was an older, very gracious woman and had grown up in the South during segregation.

Both my companion and sister Walker were African American, older, single sisters with whom – at least demographically—I had very little in common. Yet, as we sat and shared testimony of Joseph Smith and the restoration, I felt very close to these sisters. We spoke the same thing – the same spiritual language. I loved them, and I knew that they loved me.

In contrast, I didn’t feel the same connection with my fellow students at the university—even though we were very similar in terms of race, age, education, and socio-economic background.

We didn’t share or speak the same faith and testimony.

Sister Forste says: As covenant women, we come from all walks of life, all ages, marital statuses, incomes, education levels, race and ethnic backgrounds—but together, we speak the same simple testimony, we comfort each other and sustain each other in our mutual faith. Our testimony of Jesus Christ crosses all boundaries—political, racial, economic, and national. We are the same, as covenant daughters of God. That doesn’t mean we are the same in all of our life decisions, or even in how we live the principles of the gospel. Lord wants us all to return to him, but not in a straight line—meaning that the Lord doesn’t expect us to all be exactly alike.

We should come together as one.

To illustrate, here is a page from a phone book.

By itself, it is very weak and easy to tear. But on the Discovery Channel it was shown that if you interlock the pages from a phone book with those of another book it is almost impossible to separate the two books. On Myth Busters they drilled holes and put brackets and chains to secure the ends of the two interlocked books.

Amazingly it took 8000 pounds of pressure to pull the books apart!

This interlocking is similar to the command Alma gave the priests he ordained to minister to the people at the waters of Mormon: And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.

Sister Forste says: Now think about the force of millions of Relief Society sisters from all over the world, perfectly joined together—their hearts knit together in unity. To be perfectly joined together—we are unstoppable. Satan won’t have Sheridan tanks big enough to pull us apart.

So how do we then become perfectly joined together?

Sister Forste explained: This is the second part of what Paul asked us to do.

She says to be perfectly joined together in the same mind, means that we willingly conform (or sustain each other) in humility. We become one in the body of Christ and if one member suffers, we suffer with them. If one member is honored, we rejoice with them.

Elder Pace, in an Ensign address said:

I am convinced that when we obtain a witness of who we really are and possess healthy feelings of self-worth because of it, our joy in the accomplishments of others is magnified. When that joy is felt, we should share it.

Being humble and rejoicing in the accomplishments of others does not mean we should lack confidence in ourselves.

One woman writer, in her article, Why Can’t Women Get Along?, noted that...

...secretly, we all have ideas of what the perfect woman is like; and when we see another woman possibly attaining even one of these attributes, outcome the claws.

But, she asks, is it jealousy of each other or a lack of confidence in ourselves?

She relates the story of talking with a couple of her friends about the perfect woman—each describing what they thought the perfect woman was like. What she realized was that they were each describing someone the complete opposite of themselves.

She said it’s us!

It’s not about what some other woman has that is stopping us from getting along with them. It’s what we feel we don’t have that is getting in the way.

She writes: What women need to learn is how to truly appreciate themselves for who they are and what makes them truly beautiful. Until we get there, we’ll never get to appreciating each other and building real friendships among ourselves.

In his talk, The Other Prodigal, Elder Holland said:

Who is it that whispers so subtly in our ear that a gift given to another somehow diminishes the blessings we have received?

Who makes us feel that if God is smiling on another, then He surely must somehow be frowning on us?

You and I both know who does this—it is the father of all lies.

It is Lucifer, our common enemy, whose cry down through the corridors of time is always and to everyone, “Give me thine honor.”

. . . As others seem to grow larger in our sight, we think we must therefore be smaller. So, unfortunately, we occasionally act that way.

Finally, Paul instructs us to be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

To illustrate this, Sister Forste shares a very personal story.

Everyone who interviews for a faculty position at BYU has an interview with a general authority of the church. Over fifteen years ago in my interview, I raised the question about me, a mother, being employed at BYU. The general authority who interviewed me did two very important things. First, he reaffirmed the principles laid out in the Proclamation on the Family. Then he said, “You and your husband need to pray to Father in Heaven and decide what is best for your kingdom – that is your family.” And then he said, “I am happy to recommend you to teach at BYU.”

I came away from that experience with a testimony that we each must individually keep the commandments. As we are obedient, keep our covenants, pray and read the scriptures—we will receive personal revelation regarding how we, individually, should apply the principles of the gospel in our lives.

Remember sisters’ it is the friction or tension between the phone book pages that creates a force that holds the pages together.

As sisters in the gospel, our uniqueness as individuals can be a force binding us together or, can create contention that eventually pulls us apart. Being of the same mind does not mean we all make the exact same choices, but it does mean that we sustain each other in our decisions as individuals.

As covenant women, we should be as the Nephites after the coming of Christ as recorded in 4th Nephi, among whom there were not any manner of –ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God… and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.

We may not have it all together but together we have it all!

I love the sisters who are young and just joining us in Relief Society as they bring a fresh perspective to me and my testimony.

I love the sisters who are older and have substantial life experience. They testify that even in the darkest hour of our trials, “this too shall pass.” Their examples help me keep anchored in the Lord.

I love the sisters who worry over everything; it reminds me that only the Savior can bring peace in my life so I will go to my knees more often. My Grandpa used to say “worrying is like a rocking chair, you can do it all day and never get anywhere.”

I love the sisters who have raised children who have stayed true to the faith because they give me hope as I look at my children. They also give me ideas that I can use in my own home.

I love the sisters whose children are wayward, because they know and testify that the covenant will follow after these children and the Lord will bring about miracles in our lives. These Sisters get life experiences that our Heavenly Father has all the time.

I love the sisters who think they have perfect children because it reminds me to relax and know that image is not everything.

I love the sisters who have children that are wild and run all over. They remind me of the time my children were little and the sweet experiences I gained pouring out my heart to the Lord expressing feelings of inadequacy. He was with me during this time.

I love the sisters who don’t have children because they have taken the time to help me raise my children. I get to know mine, and have helped me to riven my children experiences that I have not. In our ward we have a couple of these wonderful couples and my boys love to spend time with them.

I love the sisters who have judged me; they remind me how it feels to be judged and that forgiveness is action not a thought.

I love the sisters who have forgiven me when I have judged them. They allow me to go back to the basics, feel sorry, say sorry and do better.

I love the sisters who feel they are obligated to speak their mind.

I love the sisters who forgive me when I speak my mind.

I love the sisters who have lost someone they dearly love; they understand when I cry over my losses and they testify to me that I will see my loved ones again. Through the sharing of their testimony, mine testimony is strengthened.

I love the sisters whose sing beautifully they bring a special spirit to our meetings that I really cannot.

I love the sisters who work outside of the home as they bring knowledge to our meetings and help to bridge a gap to the world that some of us don’t experience.

I love the sisters that serve me. They understand the true meaning of the pure love of Christ and seek to live His Gospel.

I love the sisters that allow me to serve them. Because of that service I am able to forget the problems in my life and allow the Savior to carry the burden and focus on the way he would have me live.

I love the sisters that are confident in the Lord. They have been bathed in the Atonement and know the sweet fruit therein. When Satan tries to remind them of their past, they boldly remind him of his future.

These are the sisters of our ward. I love you. Your Heavenly Father loves you; he testified that to me this past week.

I saw so many of your faces as I wrote these words.

We are the yellow pages unique in our lives, experiences, and application but we all have favor in our Heavenly Father's sight.

Please take time to learn this, know this, and treat yourself and your sister like the precious daughters of God you are.

Charity

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Turn Your Life Over to God

Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. 
He will:

• deepen your joys
• expand your vision
• quicken your minds
• strengthen your muscles
• lift your spirits
• multiply your blessings 
• increase your opportunities
• comfort your souls
• raise up friends
• and pour out peace.

Whosoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life.

~Ezra Taft Benson,
The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson (1988) p 361.

Thanks to All

Thanks to all who pitched in this last week to help Blakes pack and clean, and make trips to their storage shed and Goodwill. I can imagine them echoing the words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet #44.

I thank all who have loved me in their hearts, 

With thanks and love from mine.

Deep thanks to all 

Who paused a little near the prison-wall

To hear my music in its louder parts 

Ere they went onward, each one to the mart's 

Or temple’s occupation, beyond call.

I know I learned a lot about love, charity, and “pure religion undefiled” from you all. What we learned in Sacrament meeting last week was put into action.

e

Video: My New Life

Rising above the sea of online video offerings on YouTube is a “Mormon Message” from a mother who has an inspiring story to tell.

Stephanie Nielson, a popular blogger, is a mother of four who was involved in a near-fatal plane crash in 2008. She survived and, along with her husband, is carving out a life that nearly slipped from their grasp.

“I'm just grateful that I am here on this earth and I have the opportunity to be a mother and do the things that I love and enjoy,” says Nielson in the video. “I view my role now as more divine.”



Related articles:
LDS.org Newsroom article
Creative Mormon Women Make It Big on the Internet
NieNie Dialogues - Stephanie's blog
Oprah video and article Mommy Blogger and Mother Warrior

e

Seek the Higher Ground

Worried about recent earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanos? Struggling with a  “bitter cup” or spiritual challenge? Learn how to find safety from life’s temporal and spiritual storms by following the Savior’s example and seeking higher spiritual ground.



Seek the high ground for safety and peace. Read the entire talk: http://bit.ly/cPbAoB

e

Empowerment

I found this article on Feminist Mormon Housewives blog, of all places, titled How Are You Empowered in the LDS Church. Surprisingly, it starts This post is meant to highlight the good things about being a woman in the Church. If you want to debate the topic, I ask that you hash it out on one of the other threads. Thanks. It wasn’t going to be another gripe session as many posts on that blog turn out to be.


It got me thinking about what a great day we live in, what great opportunities are ours and how good it is to be a woman in the church today.

The answers in the blog range from I have a chance to speak publicly and give my testimony every month,

...to I have grown from my many callings,

...to you’re just as likely to hear a woman “preaching” in an LDS church as a man,

...to I actually find RS to be empowering. Not sitting in RS every Sunday (although sometimes that can work), but combining my female voice with the voice of many women in my area, and in my ward. There is just something special, and powerful, and absolutely lovely about women gathering and lifting each others burdens. 

So I’ve asked you to share how you feel empowered.

Elizabeth Latey:

In a world that surrounds us with so many images of what a woman ought to look like, dress like, etc. I find so much strength in the words of the leaders of the Church, which remind us of our inherent divine nature. Satan would have us get caught up in the nothing-ness of fads, where the Lord has us focus on the eternities.

To quote the apostle Boyd K. Packer from the recent General Conference, “We know who we are and we know what we know.” In a world full of confusion, it is empowering to be able to state this in full confidence!

Devon Linn:

I feel empowered as a woman in the church mainly because I think we understand agency better than most. I choose to stay home to be a mother at this time in our lives, rather than furthering my education or moving up in a career, and I know it's my choice and it is most certainly not always the easiest on.

And in the future when I do decide it is time for me to look for employment and jump back into the workplace (which eventually is probably a pretty safe bet in the unpredictable economic times we live in), I know that what I choose to do will be a choice I will make with my Heavenly Father prayerfully. 

Really, the power to choose with the Lord on our side is empowering, and it gives us such an advantage in the world!

Ellen King:

I feel empowered by knowing I have direct access to God, our Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, His Son and our Savior, by listening and responding to the Holy Ghost, another member of the Godhead. What an awesome doctrine!

To think that I can feel close to them at any time is incredible. And, can be guided by them and feel their love at any time. To think that others believe God does not speak today and is far distant or nonexistent is baffling. The doctrines of the gospel empower us!

Now, it's your turn. Add a sentence or two to the comments and let us know how you feel empowered.
e

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What Manner of Women Ought Ye to Be?

Reylyn Checketts has kindly agreed to share her talk with us again here on our blog.

It is based an article by President Uchtdorf from the Sep 2009, Liahona, The Influence of Righteous Women.

It gives us the opportunity to reflect on the influence that righteous women have had in our own lives.

Righteous women in the scriptures
He  begins:

As we look at the history of this earth and the history of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, it becomes obvious that women hold a special place in our Father’s plan for the eternal happiness and well-being of His children. He mentions Eve, the mother of all living.

Sister Tiller gave a great lesson in Relief Society last Sunday about the Fall of Adam and Eve.

Whereas much of the world blames Eve for the world’s problems, latter-day scriptures help us understand that their Fall was a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us. Because of the Fall, we are blessed with physical bodies, the right to choose between good and evil, and the opportunity to gain eternal life. None of these privileges would have been ours had Adam and Eve remained in the garden.

Among other great influential women is Mary, the mother of Jesus who brought forth the Savior of the world. When the angel Gabriel came in unto her he said, “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”. Mary’s response to her call was this. “For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”

The scriptures also mention women whose names are unknown to us but who bless our lives through their example and teachings. Women such as the woman of Samaria whom Jesus met at the well of Sychar. Also, Martha, Rebekah, Sarah and there are many others.

In Gospel Doctrine class last week, Sister Hall mentioned “the midwives” during the lesson about Moses. Knowing that I would be speaking this week on righteous women, that piqued my interest. I looked it up in the Exodus to read for myself and while reading, I was so impressed at the courage of these women. 

Women’s nature to nurture
President Uchtdorf:

Through serving in the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations—not to mention their private acts of love and service—women have always played and will always play an important part in helping “bring forth and establish the cause of Zion”.

They care for the poor and the sick; serve proselytizing, welfare, humanitarian, and other missions; teach children, youth, and adults; and contribute to the temporal and spiritual welfare of the Saints in many other ways.

It’s these qualities that made me think of another talk by President Uchtdorf that he gave in the most recent General Conference.

You will recall the story he told of the bombing of a city during World War II where a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God's presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war.

Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: “You are my hands.”

When I heard that story, I thought of women.

It’s women’s nature to nurture. Great deeds are done by men, but, when I think of being “God’s hands,” I think of righteous women.

Even as He is
So, in answer to “What manner of  Man or Woman ought ye to be,” the answer is “to be even as He is, and do as He would do.”

To encourage women in this effort, President Uchtdorf says:

As you live up to this mission, in whatever life circumstance you find yourself—as a wife, as a mother, as a single mother, as a divorced woman, as a widowed or a single woman—the Lord our God will open up responsibilities and blessings far beyond your ability to imagine.

He adds:

May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. [and here is where women need to listen because we have a tendency to beat ourselves up] 

. . . But  don’t reach beyond your capacity. Don’t set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. 

Don’t feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. 

Don’t compare yourself with others. 

Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. 

Have faith and confidence in Him and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones. 

The virtue of your own life will be a light to those who sit in darkness, because you are a living witness of the fullness of the gospel. 

Wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but often troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

President Uchtdorf concludes, “My dear sisters, as you live your daily life with all its blessings and challenges, let me assure you that the Lord loves you. He knows you. He listens to your prayers, and He answers those prayers, wherever on this world you may be. He wants you to succeed in this life and in eternity.”

President Uchtdorf is much like President Hinckley in that he offers encouragement and makes us feel like we can do it. I love that.

Thanks Reylyn. We love that too.

e

Making Conference More Meaningful

General Conference is what you make it.

If approached like any other weekend, it will be just that. However, when one takes the weight of it seriously, that God speaks through his prophets, it becomes an entirely different experience.

This writer presents three ideas to consider for making conference more meaningful:

Make up your mind
Decide beforehand that you will watch or listen to conference. If you don’t, it’s much more likely your schedule will be, at least partially, hijacked by unplanned, last-minute affairs—distractions.

Come with a question 
President Henry B. Eyring recently said, “I loved this conference because I was able to receive personal answers to my questions. There had been a question in mind as I came into conference. And in the talk given by Elder Richard G. Scott, my question was answered.” What sin, fear, or difficulty are you facing or need help with?

Write it down
Jotting notes and writing impressions in a journal are infinitely more lasting than writing in a stray re-purposed notebook or on loose sheets of paper. ...And studies show that doodling alone while listening to someone speak increased a person's memory recall by 29 percent.

-------------------------
Here are a couple of bonus ideas:

Dress appropriately
To get the most out of General Conference we always tried to invite the Spirit into our home and never allowed our kids to stay in their jammies or to sleep during the talks. We also chose one session and went to the church building to watch it.  We feel like when you are dressed appropriately then you are in the proper frame of mind. —Shellie Blake

Keep the kids involved
- The church has a new website for General Conference. Check it out.
- There are matching games for kids and more activities for children.
- Download the 2010 General Conference Youth Packet from Sugardoodle.
- Get more conference games and activities from About.com.

e

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Lesson Recap: More Diligent and Concerned at Home

D&C 93: 40-50

...see that they are more diligent
and concerned at home...

#1 Express Love—and Show It

We can begin to become more diligent and concerned at home by telling the people we love that we love them. Such expressions do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We simply should sincerely and frequently express love....

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.

What are some ways you tell your family you love them or have seen others do? Here were your ideas.

- Holding hands, hugging
- Saying “I love you” at the end of every phone call
- Little things, like just being together
- Understanding that “showing” is different for different people, and respecting that
- Not keeping score, either

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.

#2 Bear Testimony—and Live It

We also can become more diligent and concerned at home by bearing testimony to those whom we love about the things we know to be true by the witness of the Holy Ghost. The bearing of testimony need not be lengthy or eloquent. And we do not need to wait until the first Sunday of the month to declare our witness of things that are true. Within the walls of our own homes, we can and should bear pure testimony of the divinity and reality of the Father and the Son, of the great plan of happiness, and of the Restoration.

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 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.

What are some ways you bear your testimony to your family? Here were your ideas.
- Making it less formal in language
- Listen to the Spirit, let Him tell you how
- Let it be awkward, but do it anyway
- She with each other what you've learned that day in scripture study
- When gospel topics or truths come up say, “I know that’s true”

#3 Be Consistent

In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting.

Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf also gives us this encouragement:

May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you.

But don’t reach beyond your capacity. Don’t set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. Don’t feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. Don’t compare yourself with others.

Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in Him, our Savior, and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones.

The virtue of your own personal life will be a light to those who sit in darkness, and it will be because you are a living witness of the fulness of the restored gospel. Wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but often troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5).

Bright as the Sun, This Heavenly Ray Lights Ev’ry Land Today
Friday, April 29, 2005, BYU Women’s Conference

Read, listen or watch Elder Bednar’s conference talk.

Ellen

Goals for the New Year

 I conceiv’d the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wish’d to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. ~Ben Franklin

This week I asked you to respond with 3 goals you’d like to accomplish this year.

I was humbled and inspired by your responses. Just knowing others are striving to improve themselves gives me courage to move forward.

Sharing that you have a weakness to work on is a strength in and of itself.

Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we don't. We all understand. I hope we can be each others best cheerleaders. 

Here are a few:

Ellen
Learn to play racquetball. (Anybody want to do this with me?)
Read more, write more. (A perennial favorite.)
Pray more sincerely, more often, humbly on my knees. (This has been on my list for years.)

Chell
1. Get printed and actually hang more of my photography.
2. Go on a real vacation, one that is not tied to a wedding, birthday or other family event.
3. Blog at least 6 times a month.

Owenna
My new Year's resolutions never change:  lose weight, be more faithful at scripture reading, improve the use of my time. I'm pretty clear on the fact that these are life-long struggles!

Devon
TRY not to raise my voice or yell at my children, unless they're about to run into the street. (This one is a revolving one I've had every year, until I finally master it)
Focus more on others needs rather than on my own.
Pray for Heavenly Father's will, rather than my own.

Sara Fultz
Be more prayerful, be more optimistic, be more charitable.
They are all related, huh!?
So, exercise, cook more, have fun with the kids.
Hmmmm, they all go hand in hand, the more I think!

Elizabeth
Lose weight.
Focus on uplifting thoughts.
Finish writing book and submit to at least 3 publishers.

Jill Fairchild
Prayer and scripture study every day.
Gospel Study with my husband 5 nights/wk.
Do some form of exercise 4 - 5 days/wk.

I know those of you in the Mentoring Moms group have monthly goals...do share!

These folks have shared their goals on their blogs. Inspiring!
Michelle Leighton
Lisa Stephenson 
Shannon Tripp
Lindsay Skinner

If you want to share your goals with us, there is still time. Either send them to me or post them in the comments below. We’d love to hear what you are working on.

Further reading:
6 Tips to Hold Yourself Accountable for Keeping Your Resolutions
How to Stick to Your Resolutions: 12 ideas (choose one or two)

Ellen

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