Mormon Light

Not Just a Tithing Slip

2012-01-22T17:19:00.001-07:00

The top of a tithing slip reads "Tithing and Other Offerings." Most of us are good tithe payers, but we usually forget about the "other offerings" besides fast offerings. The other funds listed on a tithing slip are:

Ward missionary: helps young men in your ward serving missions elsewhere
General missionary: helps missionaries all over the world, including their training at MTCs
Book of Mormon: pays for printing and other costs
Humanitarian aid: helps people in need worldwide, especially after natural disasters
Temple construction: pays for building temples and buying the lands upon which they are built
Perpetual education: helps people escape poverty by loaning them funds to get an education
Other (specify): for example, a newly established one is the general temple patron assistance fund, which helps people who are poor or far away get to the temple so they can receive their ordinances

Of course regular tithes go to these funds and much more as well, but we have the opportunity to decide where we want our contributions to go (Note: This applies to additional money not paid as tithing money, meaning tithes should be listed under the Tithing category only; extra donations can be listed elsewhere.) Giving offerings to these funds is an easy way we can serve in the Church and keep our temple covenants.

Challenge: Next time you pay tithing, donate to one of the other funds as well.

Not-So-Obvious Addictions

2012-01-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

When we think of addiction, we think of drugs, alcohol, pornography, and gambling. While these addictions may be the most severe and evil, they are not the only ones that can control our lives. Elder M. Russell Ballard said in Conference of October 2010, "Remember, brothers and sisters, any kind of addiction is to surrender to something, thus relinquishing agency and becoming dependent. Thus, video-gaming and texting on cell phones need to be added to the list." These activities are only two on a long list of not-so-obvious addictions:

Facebook, blogs, and any other online activity that monopolizes your time
Work
Shopping
Food
Exercise and dieting
TV and movies
Dating and romance
Games on your phone, iPod, tablet, or computer
Music

Anything can become an addiction if it takes over your time and willpower; it does not have to be overtly sinful, like drugs. Remember, there is opposition in all things, meaning everything can be good or evil depending on how you use it. Be aware of Satan's sneaky traps to get you to turn something harmless into something harmful.

Challenge: Assess your activities to see if there are any hidden addictions in your life and get rid of them!

Priesthood Power vs. Keys

2012-01-09T14:25:00.001-07:00

President Joseph F. Smith explained:

The Priesthood in general is the authority given to man to act for God. Every man that has been ordained to any degree of the Priesthood, has this authority dedicated to him.

But it is necessary that every act performed under this authority, shall be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after the proper order. The power of directing these labors constitute the keys of the Priesthood. In their fullness, these keys are held by only one person at a time, the prophet and president of The Church. He may delegate any portion of this power to another, in which case that person holds the keys of that particular labor. Thus, the president of a temple, the president of a stake, the bishop of a ward, the president of a mission, the president of a quorum, each holds the keys of the labors performed in that particular body or locality. His Priesthood is not increased by this special appointment, for a seventy who presides over a mission has no more Priesthood than a seventy who labors under his direction; and the president of an elders’ quorum, for example, has no more Priesthood than any member of that quorum. But he holds the power of directing the official labors performed in the mission or the quorum, or in other words, the keys of that division of that work. So it is throughout all the ramifications of the Priesthood—a distinction must be carefully made between the general authority, and the directing of the labors performed by that authority. (“Distinction between Keys of the Priesthood and Priesthood,” Improvement Era, Jan. 1901, p. 230.)

Challenge: Priesthood holders, use your priesthood power and keys as authorized. Women, support the men in doing so.

"Joy to the World"

2011-12-25T20:50:00.003-07:00

Let every heart prepare him room.
~"Joy to the World"

Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace.
~"Silent Night"

Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.
~"O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
~"Hark! the Herald Angels Sing"

Lord, with the angels we too would rejoice;
Help us to sing with the heart and voice.
~"Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains"

"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep:
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."
~"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

Sharing Time: What are your favorite words from the Christmas hymns?

Every Sister

2011-12-18T17:33:00.000-07:00

An Extensive Sphere of Action

The Lord, His Church, families, and communities need the influence of righteous women. In fact, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that “every sister in this Church who has made covenants with the Lord has a divine mandate to help save souls, to lead the women of the world, to strengthen the homes of Zion, and to build the kingdom of God.”¹

Some sisters may wonder if they can accomplish such lofty aims. But as Eliza R. Snow (1804–87), second Relief Society general president, explained, “There is no sister so isolated, and her sphere so narrow but what she can do a great deal towards establishing the Kingdom of God upon the earth.”² Sister Snow also taught that Relief Society was organized “for the accomplishment of every good and noble work.”³

Participation in Relief Society enlarges our spheres of influence by giving each sister opportunities to build faith, to strengthen families and homes, and to provide service both at home and throughout the world. And fortunately, our efforts as individuals and as Relief Societies need not be large and overwhelming, but they should be deliberate and consistent. Righteous practices such as daily personal and family prayer, daily scripture study, and consistently magnifying Church callings will help increase faith and build the Lord’s kingdom.

To sisters who wonder if these seemingly quiet contributions make a difference, Elder Ballard affirms: “Every sister who stands for truth and righteousness diminishes the influence of evil. Every sister who strengthens and protects her family is doing the work of God. Every sister who lives as a woman of God becomes a beacon for others to follow and plants seeds of righteous influence that will be harvested for decades to come.”⁴

From Our History

Eliza R. Snow, who had served as secretary when Relief Society was organized in Nauvoo, was called by President Brigham Young (1801–77) to travel throughout the Church, helping bishops organize Relief Society in their wards.

Sister Snow taught: “If any of the daughters and mothers in Israel are feeling in the least circumscribed [limited] in their present spheres, they will now find ample scope for every power and capability for doing good with which they are most liberally endowed. … President Young has turned the key to a wide and extensive sphere of action and usefulness.”⁵

~The December visiting teaching message.

Challenge: Be the righteous woman Heavenly Father knows you can be.

2011 First Presidency Christmas Devotional

2011-12-11T16:26:00.000-07:00

Did you watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional last Sunday? Wasn't it wonderful? It's one of the few things that light the Christmas spirit in me (I'm somewhat of a Scrooge, for those of you who don't know me). I am watching it again now because I missed some of it and wanted to remember the parts that touched me so I can share them with you:

Opening & Closing

Love the wintry blue dresses instead of red.
The French horns in "The First Noel" sounded heavenly. The entire song was angelic.
MoTab sang "Silent Night" with much reverence and sincerity. The harp was beautiful.

President Uchtdorf

"Don't ever play with fire--an important message with literal and figurative implications for everyone, not only children."
"The Lord does not expect that we commit to move mountains, but He does require that we bring as gifts our best efforts to move ourselves, one foot in front of the other, walking in the ways He has prepared and taught."
"Of course, we do not need a Christmas holiday or Christmas traditions to remember Jesus Christ, our Savior. But the celebrations of Christmas can help remind us of Him. The hallowed Christmas season can be an opportunity--and should be one--to recommit to keep the fire of the spirit and the glory of the Son of God burning in our hearts every day throughout the year."

President Eyring

Has there always been a fireplace and window background or is that new? It makes it more homey, like a grandfather talking to his family at home rather than in the Conference Center.
The video clip was a nice difference and was superbly done. I definitely felt the Spirit testify to me of Mary's divine calling, the Savior's divine birth and mission, and the wise men's true worship of.
"Well, you can give a great and wonderful Christmas if you will remember the gifts He has given you, and as best you can, offer them to others as He would. That is the true spirit of Christmas and happiness everyday."

President Monson

It was also different and very touching to hear President Monson testify of the divine calling of his counselors.
He shared his sadness over the commercialism of Christmas but reminded us that "Christmas is what we make of it" and that "despite all the distractions,we can see to it that Christ is the center of our celebration."
"[The spirit of Christmas] illuminates the picture window of the soul. We look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than in things."
Quoting another: "Let us not spend Christmas, but let us keep Christmas, in our hearts and in our lives."
"When we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the spirit of Christ."

Sharing Time: What part(s) of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional touched you?

Remember Christ

2011-11-27T18:35:00.001-07:00

“Jesus is the reason for the season” is more often said than remembered. This Christmas use the following ideas to remember Jesus, for this holiday is in celebration of His birth.

Have each family member give a gift to Jesus by writing down a promise to do or not do something, such as helping more, being nicer to a sibling, or not lying. Keep the written promises in a wrapped box under the tree. On Christmas Day, New Year’s, or the following Christmas, open up the box and have everyone evaluate his or her improvement.
Set aside one night, such as Christmas Eve, as a holy night of reading from the scriptures the Christmas story and other stories of Jesus’s life and teachings. Sing together or play on an instrument the Christmas hymns.
Follow a scriptural advent calendar, reading a scripture about Jesus every night.
Involve the family in service: the Savior’s life was all about serving others. There are plenty of opportunities during Christmas.
Visit friends, bringing treats and singing holy Christmas carols.
Watch religious Christmas programs (such as the First Presidency Christmas Devotional next month), pageants, and choir performances to remember Christ. Even better, participate in one.
If applicable, visit the nearest temple to see the Christmas lights and programs.

Decorate your home with nativity scenes and favorite pictures of Jesus.

Sharing Time: What do you do to remember Christ during Christmas?

The Purpose of Suffering for Sin

2011-11-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from "Sin and Suffering," a BYU fireside address by Elder Oaks:

Where there has been sin, there must be suffering.

Let us recall two scriptures: (1) “Repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment” (Alma 42:16); and (2) the Savior said that he had suffered these things for all, “that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I” (D&C 19:16–17).

This obviously means that the unrepentant transgressor must suffer for his own sins. Does it also mean that a person who repents does not need to suffer at all because the entire punishment is borne by the Savior? That cannot be the meaning because it would be inconsistent with the Savior’s other teachings. What is meant is that the person who repents does not need to suffer “even as” the Savior suffered for that sin. Sinners who are repenting will experience some suffering, but because of their repentance and the Atonement, they will not experience the full, “exquisite” extent of eternal torment the Savior suffered.

President Spencer W. Kimball, who gave such comprehensive teachings on repentance and forgiveness, said that personal suffering “is a very important part of repentance. One has not begun to repent until he has suffered intensely for his sins. … If a person hasn’t suffered, he hasn’t repented.” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982, pp. 88, 99.)

The Savior taught this principle when he said that his atoning sacrifice was for “all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.” (2 Ne. 2:7.) The repentant sinner who comes to Christ with a broken heart and a contrite spirit has been through a process of personal pain and suffering for sin. He understands the meaning of Alma’s statement that “none but the truly penitent are saved.” (Alma 42:24.)

Why is it necessary for us to suffer on the way to repentance for serious transgressions? We tend to think of the results of repentance as simply cleansing us from sin. But that is an incomplete view of the matter. A person who sins is like a tree that bends easily in the wind. On a windy and rainy day, the tree bends so deeply against the ground that the leaves become soiled with mud, like sin. If we focus only on cleaning the leaves, the weakness in the tree that allowed it to bend and soil its leaves may remain. Similarly, a person who is merely sorry to be soiled by sin will sin again in the next high wind. The susceptibility to repetition continues until the tree has been strengthened.

When a person has gone through the process that results in what the scriptures call a broken heart and a contrite spirit, the Savior does more than cleanse that person from sin. He also gives him or her new strength. That strengthening is essential for us to realize the purpose of the cleansing, which is to return to our Heavenly Father. To be admitted to his presence, we must be more than clean. We must also be changed from a morally weak person who has sinned into a strong person with the spiritual stature to dwell in the presence of God. We must, as the scripture says, “[become] a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord.” (Mosiah 3:19.) This is what the scripture means in its explanation that a person who has repented of his sins will “forsake them.” (D&C 58:43.) Forsaking sins is more than resolving not to repeat them. Forsaking involves a fundamental change in the individual.

King Benjamin and Alma both speak of a mighty change of heart. King Benjamin’s congregation described that mighty change by saying that they had “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” (Mosiah 5:2.) Alma illustrated that change of heart when he described a people who “awoke unto God,” “put their trust in” him, and were “faithful until the end.” (Alma 5:7, 13.) He challenged others to “look forward with an eye of faith” to the time when we will “stand before God to be judged” according to our deeds. (Alma 5:15.) Persons who have had that kind of change in their hearts have attained the strength and stature to dwell with God. That is what we call being saved.

Sharing Time: Read the entire address. What stuck out to you?

Gratitude

2011-11-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

It is no secret our country suffers from severe ingratitude. We are always wanting something more, newer, or better. We raise our children to be materialistic and high maintenance. We are deep in debt or bankrupt. We consider ourselves poor if we only have one car and a regular cell phone instead of a smartphone. We celebrate Christmas--the season of buying and getting--before Thanksgiving is even in sight. And the only time we momentarily wake up from our selfish lives to be reminded of gratitide is when something tragic occurs: death, natural disasters, crime, and the like. This quickly passes and we go on with our lives, complaining bitterly or wishing wistfully about what we don't have.

But the kind of gratitude we show matters too. There are different degrees of gratitude: there is the obvious gesture of saying thank you, the nicer gesture of doing something in return, and the heavenly attitude of constantly living a thankful life. As President Monson stated in General Conference of October 2010, "My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven." It is the last that Heavenly Father asks of us when He commands us to be thankful.

How do we "live with gratitude ever in our hearts"? We change our attitude. We understand it is not enough just to say or show gratitude. We notice the blessings in everything. We are content with what we have, happy that we have so much, and optimistic of righteous desires we may get in the future. We focus on what we do have and we can do with it, such as use the blessings Heavenly Father so bountifully gives us to bless others bountifully too.

President Monson advised, "Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude." And by so doing, we are touching heaven because we are living as Christ did.

Challenge: Live with gratitude ever in your heart.

Scrubbing the Tub

2011-11-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

A poem I wrote for my BYU creative writing class. My professor loved it, but the New Era didn't. I hope you appreciate it.

photo by Pam Roth

It’s about time the bathtub was cleaned.

A detailed history of sweaty workouts, first dates, bad hair days,

And all-night cramming stains the puky plastic.

I snow the tub with Comet and let the dam loose,

Warm water crashing down.

I start to scrub.

And scrub.

The tub frowns back at me the same.

I think I’m going to need a bigger brush.

Scritcha, scritcha, scritcha. One layer gone.

Scritcha, scritcha, scritcha. Two. Three.

My wrist is as limp as a doggy ear.

More Comet. More water. More slaving away like Cinderella.

I think I can even hear my evil step-sisters laughing.

If only, if only I had not waited until the grime came, saw, and conquered!

The clock tick-tocks in rhythm with the scrub brush, but it doesn’t harmonize.

Red knees, cramping arms, everywhere wet, wet, wet,

Forehead and faucet dripping.

Finally!

One last scritcha and I stand up to behold

The fruits of my hard labor.

The tub sparkles gold. Its pages are wiped clean.

It smiles brightly in its new purified state and asks me,

“Why did you wait so long to let me feel this way?

We both would have been happier.”

And then I understand what Alma* meant.

I sigh to myself and decide there is more scrubbing I must do today.

*Alma 34:32–34

Challenge: Follow Alma's counsel.

Marriage: Underrated

2011-11-08T16:19:00.003-07:00

cafepress.com

This popular t-shirt, TV sitcoms, and movies such as Hall Pass all joke about how awful, boring, unromantic, and overrated marriage is. Marriage is not taken seriously in our culture. Weddings are; marriage is not.

We married people are responsible for changing this terrible attitude toward married life. If all we do is complain about the bad and encourage every negative stereotype about husbands and wives, then that is all people will think of marriage. If we focus on the good and break negative stereotypes, then perhaps more people will want to be like us.

What is it about marriage that changes things? Regular boyfriends and girlfriends work, go to school, have kids, maybe live together--things married people do too--and yet still have time for each other and find their relationships exciting and desirable. I think it is the fact that a legal marriage makes people feel stuck. And people, especially men, like easy exits. The fear of such a high commitment level is the reason such things as renewable marriage contracts are arising. Also, people misunderstand the purpose of marriage. To them it is an option for people who love each other and truly want to be with each other for the rest of their lives.

Marriage was instituted for two reasons: to create families and to give us eternal companions. The significance of the second is often understated. We know we need to be sealed to achieve exaltation, but why? Why is marriage so important?

Heavenly Father knew we would need help in returning to Him. He has given us so many spiritual aids: prayer, scriptures, prophets, the Holy Ghost. He also gave us family and friends, because we need relationships. We need people whom we love, trust, confide in, receive strength from, and experience joys and sorrows with. Marriage gives us a best friend who will fulfill all of the above for eternity, someone who will always be there for us, who cares about our spiritual welfare, who helps us change into a celestial being. Marriage is about working together to make it back to Heavenly Father.

If we show people that side of marriage, it becomes a much more desirable and worthy goal. And in fulfilling the purposes of marriage, we build stronger, more loving families and communities.

Challenge: If you're in a rut in your marriage, remember the reason you got married and your heavenly goal and change your attitude!

Pray for These

2011-10-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

ldsclipart.com

I am constantly reminded of how incredibly horrific life can be. The terrors of mankind and nature are revealed everyday on the news and in TV shows--fictional and documentative. As I hear survivors and witnesses of such disturbing events share their experiences, I cannot help but feel compassion, pain, and sorrow for them.

Every one of these people is a child of God, known and loved and not forgotten by Him. Let us remember them in our prayers. Pray for all the children who are being physically, emotionally, and sexually abused. Pray for all the women who have been raped, murdered, and mutilated. Pray for all the innocent victims of terrifying civil wars. Pray for all the people lost or injured in unforgiving wildernesses. Pray for all the fearful people caught in natural disasters and freak accidents. Pray for all these people to be blessed with comfort, peace, hope, temporal salvation if it's God will, and spiritual salvation if it's not.

Challenge: Next time you pray, ask Heavenly Father to bless those enduring the worst of trials.

Who Are Christians?

2011-10-24T14:21:00.004-07:00

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are frequently labeled Mormons/the Mormon Church or Latter-day Saints/the LDS Church. No matter what people call us, they never reference Christ, the Son of God, whom we worship and for whom our church is named. We are never called Christians.

Who are Christians? According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, a Christian is "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ." There are many things wrong with this definition: 1.) it implies that to be Christian you only need to profess belief, 2.) the belief is in Christ's teachings, not in Him, and 3.) there are many interpretations of what His teachings are. The last problem is why people do not consider us Christians. The first two are why I don't consider many people Christians.

Of course, to be Christian you need to believe in Christ. We do. We believe He is the Son of God and atoned for our sins. We worship Him and only Him--not prophets, dead or alive, as some think, which is why we prefer to be called by our church's true name instead of being called Mormons.

However, a true Christian is more than just someone who believes in the Bible and Jesus Christ. Christ said,

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23, emphasis added)

This passage reveals that more than profession of belief and good works are required to be His disciples. We must also do the will of the Father. We must show our true belief by keeping His commandments (John 14:15) and following in His footsteps (3 Nephi 27:21). If we do these things, our Christlike lives will testify to the world that we Mormons are true Christians (Matthew 7:20).

Michael Otterson of Church Public affairs addressed the issue of Mormons being excluded from Christians. “If you try to track the number of references to Jesus Christ in the service, you may lose count,” Otterson says. “So just observe the families, listen to the prayers, leaf through the hymn book to see if any of the hymns seem familiar, and make up your own mind as to how Christian our people are.”

A New Era article adapted from Stephen E. Robinson's book Are Mormons Christians? discusses the question more thoroughly. For more articles on the subject, go to lds.org and type "Christians" in the search box.

Discussion: What else makes a true Christian?

Random Acts of Kindness

2011-10-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

Service does not have to be big or time consuming. Sometimes the best service is small, random acts of kindness. These little but meaningful acts brighten other people’s day and make them feel loved. Try one of the following ideas to surprise a stranger, friend, neighbor, or family member.

FOR STRANGERS:

Put coins into a parking meter running low.
Return stray shopping carts in the parking lot so that they don’t damage cars.
Pay for something for someone waiting behind you in line.
Give up your seat on a bus or in a waiting room.
Hand out or randomly leave treats for students studying in the library during midterms and finals.
Hold open the door for people and help them carry in packages or other loads.
Give $5 gift cards for fast food places to homeless people.
Smile and say hello!

FOR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS:

Doorbell ditch, leaving behind treats, a small gift, or a kind note.
Shovel your neighbor’s driveway, weed their yard, or wash their car.
Buy or make a lunch for your roommate(s) or a friend.
Clean the dorm/apartment/house for your roommate(s) or a friend.
Walk your neighbor's dog (if you and the dog are both comfortable with the idea) or help care for a pet.
Help a lone mother with her kids at church.
Send thoughtful texts wishing friends good luck on a test or interview, giving words of comfort or humor on a difficult day, or telling them when something reminded you of a memory together.

FOR FAMILY:

Do a family member’s chores, especially when he or she is busy or wants to go out.
Give a younger sibling a ride.
Let a sibling borrow or use something of yours.
Change a baby’s diaper or comfort a crying baby.
Leave notes in your family members’ sack lunches, drawers, shoes, purses, wallets, backpacks, etc., for them to find.
Arrange for babysitters and surprise your spouse with a date night.
Give your spouse a massage.
Surprise your kids with a stop for ice cream on the way home from school or errands.

Challenge: Try to do one random act of kindness everyday.

The Power of Service

2011-10-14T15:43:00.002-07:00

I received this story from my father, who got it from his bishop. It has been edited for usage and clarity. Names have been changed for privacy:

This is an amazing story, a miracle really, that happened right here in the loving Lake Elsinore Ward.

There was a very less-active man married to a very active woman: the Smith family. They lived in Horse Thief and had three little children. Sister Smith held callings and juggled her kids and was as active and faithful as could be. What an example she was. Brother Smith was a good guy, but just didn't care much for the Church.

They asked us to help them move out when Brother Smith found his dream job across the country on the East Coast. As always, our sweet priesthood brethren and our Relief Society sisters jumped in without hesitation to assist in the move.

The Lord works in mysterious ways! Here's the rest of the story as written in a Facebook message from Brother Smith:

"Hello Bishop Johnson! Thanks for accepting my friend request. Sister Smith says she's updated you in Christmas letters about my progressing LDSification.

"I thought to get in touch with you because I came across a photo I took the day some guys from your ward helped me pack our whole house into a truck! The service I received and the love I felt that day were important parts of my conversion. I'd like to show you the pic, and maybe if the guys in it are still around, you could thank them for me. You could also let them know that the part-member family they helped that day is now sealed in the temple! I've served in many Young Men callings and am thrilled to now be Ward Mission Leader. I have a great love for my Father in Heaven, and I love to serve His children in any way He'll let me. Since we live in a university town, I get a lot of opportunities to follow the good brothers in that photo, helping people move. That is some of my favorite service because it's a hard transition, moving, so people are very clearly in need and willing to accept the service. Also, you really get to know new members when you wrestle their pianos in and out of apartments.

"The photo is attached.

"Also, I would like to thank you for baptizing my son Max. I'm sorry that I couldn't have been more a part of that ordinance and that special day. But you must have done a good job! He is an amazing young man that his peers and adults alike enjoy and respect. Two weeks ago he got his patriarchal blessing and I got to share in it with him. Awesome!

"Brother Smith"

This story is just one example of the power of service in bringing people to Christ. Never underestimate the influence the smallest act of service can have in someone's life.

Challenge: Accept any opportunity to serve, no matter how small or simple.

How to Teach the Scriptures to Toddlers

2011-10-12T15:08:00.001-07:00

Teaching scripture stories to toddlers is important for instilling them with faith in God, gospel knowledge, and power to do what’s right. But it’s not easy for them to understand the scriptures and they have short attention spans, so try the following ideas to help them learn better.

If your toddler has difficulty cooperating during family scripture study, let them read their church books while the family reads from the scriptures. They will learn that it is a special time to read about the gospel.
Try reading toddler books about scripture stories together before bed.
Retell scriptures stories in your own words at a toddler level. To get little children involved, have them do something (like clap) every time they hear a certain key word (like faith). Or make little happy and sad faces for them to hold up when they hear the words “happy” and “sad.”
Read the Church's scripture stories for children. After a few sentences, read the corresponding verses from the scriptures. Remember Elder Bednar's words that even babies can feel the spirit of the scriptures although they do not understand them.
Use puppets, stuffed animals, toys, pictures, and other props for visual and audio aides while you tell scripture stories. Toddlers enjoy a lot of sensory stimulation.
Buy or make a flannel board to teach scripture stories. Let the kids help you put up the paper cutouts.
Have toddlers act out scripture stories. Make it fun and dress them up in bath robes and sandals and use props. This idea works best for Family Home Evening.
Watch Veggie Tales cartoons or other animated scripture stories. Discuss the story afterward to help your toddler understand the lessons taught and how to apply them in their young lives. Try corresponding the movie to what you are reading in family scripture study.
Sing Primary songs about scripture stories, such as “Nephi's Courage.” Again, try to correspond them to what you are reading.
Most important, be an example to your children. Let them see you read and study the scriptures, follow the commandments, and live a Christ-like life. They will learn by example how to apply the gospel to their own lives.

Sharing Time: How do you teach the scriptures to your toddlers?

Teach by Example

2011-09-30T16:19:00.000-07:00

My one-year-old son recently reminded me how important it is to teach by example. One night when we were about to have family scripture study, as we always do before he goes to bed, he folded his arms on his own. We did not teach him by folding his arms for him; he learned by watching us. Now he does it every time we read scriptures or say prayer.

On the other hand, when my baby started yelling and "talking" back when he was upset or wanted attention, I realized I needed to watch how I express my frustration around him. I told my husband we need to yell less often (especially since we aren't even mad, just yelling across the house or over the TV--not that we should yell when we're mad either) and keep calm when we discipline our son. Although it doesn't seem to make a difference in any one situation, I have noticed small improvements in the long run.

Parenthood is a chance to refine ourselves as we realize how influential we are in our children's lives. We never know when our kids are observing us and what they take in. It is therefore vital that we ensure our words and actions are ones we want our children to emulate. Heavenly Father sent His Son to show us the way by example. We should do the same for our children and be the type of person they will look up to, follow, and want to be like.

Challenge: Be more aware of your words and actions, especially in front of your children.

Family Scripture Study

2011-09-18T17:56:00.001-07:00

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Family scripture study strengthens family ties, spiritually prepares each family member for the day, and increases everyone’s knowledge and testimony of the gospel. If you do not have family scripture study, start today!

Try to have scripture study everyday with the whole family. Decide on a time that works best for your family, such as before school or before bed.
Decide what you will read each day. One idea is to read the scriptures beginning to end and create a reading chart to follow and mark your progress. Another idea is to study by topic by going through the index or letting a family member choose.
Make sure everyone is involved. Ask a family member to pray. Make sure everyone has a set of scriptures. Have the older kids help the younger kids follow along. Take turns reading aloud.
If everyone has conflicting schedules, then have short devotionals whenever everyone is together or with different family members throughout the day. Say a prayer and read a short scripture passage.
Another option is to assign the reading ahead of time. Then at dinnertime or before bed, briefly discuss the scripture assignment and share thoughts and feelings.
Include rewards for reaching certain goals, such as reading the entire scriptures by a certain date, not missing family scripture study for a month, memorizing scripture passages together, applying lessons to real-life situations, or sharing the gospel with others.

Sharing Time: How has family scripture study blessed your family?

Scripture Study with Your Spouse

2011-09-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

Having scripture study together as husband and wife is very important for a strong relationship with each other and with God. There is no one way to do it—find the method that works best for you. The important thing is to just do it.

Aim for daily scripture study together in a quiet place for at least fifteen minutes. Begin and end with prayer. Take turns reading aloud, with the other spouse following along, and share your insights.
Study by topic or create a reading schedule to take away pressure and time in finding a passage to study. A schedule also helps you keep track of progress and work toward a goal.
When you have a question about something you read, search together for the answer. Find other scriptures, consult religious books, or search online. Make it a team effort to learn.
Listen to each other. Never criticize or make fun of anything your spouse shares during scripture study. If you disagree about something, find common ground and move on. If you think it is a major misinterpretation, seek clarification from a church leader or an authoritative religious book.
If having the “ideal” scripture study is difficult, don’t give up. Have a short but sweet morning or night devotional. Pray together, read aloud a scripture verse or passage, and briefly share your feelings or a story. Take turns every night so the responsibility is shared.
If you cannot study together due to time conflicts or distance, create a reading schedule for both of you follow. Keep a journal to write your insights and feelings and let your spouse read it and respond. For those separated by distance, write emails or blog instead.
Another idea is to leave a note, write an email, or send a text of your favorite scripture verse to each other each day. Any sort of scripture study is better than none at all.

Note: Having scripture study together is also great for unmarried couples to strengthen their relationship and to get into the habit before marriage.

Challenge: Start having scripture study with your spouse.

Make Time for Scripture Study

2011-08-30T11:27:00.002-07:00

Making time for personal scripture study can be difficult when you have a busy schedule. Take advantage of the few moments you have each day to squeeze in a short scripture study.

Study the scriptures for one minute right after you wake up or before you go to bed.
Read a few scripture verses any few minutes you get: while eating, brushing your teeth, waiting for something to boil or heat up in the microwave, watching TV during commercials, etc.
Buy the scriptures on CD or download them to your iPod to listen to in the car, at home, or while exercising.
Keep scriptures in your car or purse to read when you have down time or are waiting for something. Also, you can download the scriptures onto smartphones.
Sign up to get a daily scripture verse email.
If even these tips don’t work for you, then stop wasting time! If you have time to watch your favorite TV show, go on Facebook, or read a book, then you have time for a few minutes of personal scripture study. Put God and your spirituality first! If you lack motivation, give yourself incentives for having personal scripture study. For example, buy yourself a new pair of shoes if you have personal scripture study for five minutes everyday for a month.

Sharing Time: How do you make time for personal scripture study?

Personal Scripture Study Tips

2011-08-26T12:17:00.001-07:00

Personal scripture study nurtures your spirit, deepens your gospel knowledge and understanding, and brings you closer to God. Put effort into your personal scripture study to maximize its blessings. Here are some tips to help you.

Choose a time and place that will let you get the most out of your personal scripture study. Find a time when you are alert and unhurried and a place where you have peace and quiet. If you have no quiet, private place, then sit in the bathroom with the fan on to block out noise.
Decide how you will study the scriptures. You can read from beginning to end or study by topic. Either way, determine in advance to stay on task, be organized, and reach your goal. Make a reading chart to track your progress.
Study for a certain amount of time or distance; for example, one chapter a day or for ten minutes.
Begin and end with a prayer. Ask for the Spirit to be with you as you read so that you can be enlightened and find answers to questions and problems you have.
Use other religious books, such as study guides and reference books, to help you understand the scriptures better.
Have a study journal to write down insights, feelings, answers, and questions. Keep it for future reference to remind yourself of things you learned, answers you received, and feelings you had.

Challenge: Read your scriptures every day.

Motes and Beams

2011-08-19T18:59:00.000-07:00

I consider myself a pretty compassionate, understanding person, especially with strangers and acquaintances. I always give them the benefit of the doubt and don't take anything personally, so it takes a lot for me to get irritated with others. But once I am, my Christlike attitude quickly departs.

Recently I was very irked with a couple in my ward for not fulfilling their calling as Nursery teachers. We have six Nurseries in the ward, each with ten children. It is very chaotic on Sundays, especially when we need to find substitutes. All we ask of the teachers is to call subs or call us to give us warning of their absence. This couple had only done so once on the night before church. The rest of the time they had been gone.

I was very frustrated. I thought they were being immature. I heard they did not like their calling and that was why they were not showing up. I was mad that they accepted a calling they were not willing to do instead of just saying no and only the bishopric knowing about it. I wanted to call them and tell them to grow up, take responsibility, and ask to be released so we could call new teachers who would be there for the kids.

I was then informed that they were asked to be released. New teachers were called and put in their class. Then today I got a text from the sister apologizing and asking to talk (she texted first in case the baby was sleeping--how considerate!). I called her, and the following conversation put me to shame. She told me she felt terrible for missing so many Sundays. It was an accumulation of many stressful things: their car in the shop, being out of town, and most importantly, a complicated pregnancy that may result in a miscarriage. She was very emotional and sounded sincere.

I told her not to feel guilty and that I was glad she called. I apologized for not calling sooner to see what was up (though I'm glad I didn't, because I would have made myself into a jerk!). She said they had not asked to be released, so I said I would take care of it.

I am so glad I didn't follow through on my strong urge to give them a piece of my mind. I had jumped to conclusions and listened to incorrect information instead of going straight to the source. This experience has reminded me of Matthew 7:1-5. It also has reminded me to always be Christlike--patient, kind, and forgiving--especially since I am not omniscient like God.

Sharing Time: Have you ever had a humbling experience like mine?

Expressions of Love

2011-08-09T10:49:00.003-07:00

Sharing Time: How do you express love?

How to Memorize the Apostles in Order

2011-08-07T18:16:00.003-07:00

Here are little facts and mnemonic devices to help you memorize the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in order.

1. Monson: His name rhymes with one.

2. Eyring: The first part of his last name sounds like eye, and we have two eyes.

3. Uchtdorf: He was called to the Presidency on February 3, 2008.

4. Packer: The Green Bay Packers have won four Super Bowls.

5. Perry: He was born August 5, 1922.

6. Nelson: He has six degrees (BA, MA, PhD, and 3 honorary degrees).

7. Oaks: The Creation took seven days, and one creation is oak trees.

8. Ballard: Think of the eight ball in billiards, which is similar to his name.

9. Scott: Two parents + seven children = family of nine.

10. Hales: He had ten other major Church callings before called as an apostle.

11. Holland: The two l's in his name look like the number eleven.

12. Bednar: The name David A. Bednar is twelve letters long.

13. Cook: Thirteen is a baker's dozen, and a baker is related to a cook.

14. Christofferson: His last name is fourteen letters long.

15. Andersen: He was sustained an apostle on 4/2/09. 4+2+9=15.

Challenge: Obviously, memorize the apostles in order.

Note: Disregarding the First Presidency, the true order of seniority would be Monson, Packer, Perry, Nelson, Oaks, Ballard, Scott, Hales, Holland, Eyring, Uchtdorf, Bednar, Cook, Christofferson, Andersen.

Where Jesus Walked

2011-07-03T11:41:00.000-07:00

If
by Carma Salvesen
From the November 2010 New Era

If I could go to Galilee
And walk where Jesus walked
And sit in tender grasses
On the hillside where He taught.
 

If I could sit and ponder
On a rock that knew His hand,
Or walk along the seashore
Where His feet had touched the sand.
 

My spirit yearns within me,
But it doesn’t seem my fate.
I’ll never walk where Jesus walked.
I’ll never see … but wait.
 

I worship in His temple
Where I know He’s walked before.
Have His feet been down this hallway?
Have His fingers touched this door?
 

Has He stood here in this very room
And looked at what I see?
In the beauty of His temple
I can feel His love for me.
 

I close my eyes and picture Him,
My worries melt away.
I don’t need to go to Galilee
Or travel far away.
 

For my tender heart is filled
With what He wants me to be taught
And my testimony burns within—
I’ve walked where Jesus walked!
 
Sharing Time: How have you walked where Jesus walked? 

For God So Loved the World

2011-07-01T14:48:00.001-07:00

John 3:16 reads, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This verse reminds us of the Atonement and how grateful we are that Christ died for us so we could return to Him. However, I do not think we understand the true depth of this scripture.

When we are enduring trials not brought about by sin, often the questions "Why me?" or "What did I do to deserve this?" are at the forefront of our minds. Many cease to believe in God on the basis that if He really cared He wouldn't let terrible things happen to innocent people. Such thoughts are the result of not understanding the plan of salvation, especially the Atonement.

Elder Richard G. Scott said in an October 1995 General Conference:

Now may I share some suggestions with you who face the second source of adversity, the testing that a wise Heavenly Father determines is needed even when you are living a worthy, righteous life and are obedient to His commandments.

Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov. 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.

When you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve a useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this, now? What have I done to cause this? will lead you into blind alleys. It really does no good to ask questions that reflect opposition to the will of God. Rather ask, What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial? . . .

They [Heavenly Father and Jesus] would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love.

Even with this knowledge, it still can be difficult to endure trials. That is, until we remember Christ paid the price of all our sins and suffered all our physical and emotional pains (Alma 7:11-13). This means that He experienced every horrific, evil, and hurtful situation possible. God loves us so much that He sent His Son to endure everything we have to endure. It was so agonizing for Christ that He literally bled from every pore and needed strength from an angel (Luke 22:43-44). It was so horrible that even the memory of it is harrowing (D&C 19:16-19; as a BYU professor noted, the em dash shows that He suddenly stops in the middle of His speech and changes to a positive thought).

The next time we think "Why me?" we must remember that Christ suffered the same thing exactly as we suffered it; He is not asking us to suffer anything He hasn't suffered too. Heavenly Father wants us to return to Him so much that He let His Son go through excruciating pain for us. His one desire is for us to have eternal life (Moses 1:39). And Christ loves us so much that He "[drank] out of that bitter cup" (3 Nephi 11:11) so we could obtain that eternal life. Also, He did it to be an empathetic comforter while we live and a merciful judge when we die (Alma 7:12).

We must also remember that Heavenly Father gave us the precious gift of agency, meaning the ability to choose our actions. Sometimes trials come as a result of other people's wicked actions. God allows this because He will not take away our agency. But in the end, justice will be served, and the wicked will experience much worse than the innocent suffered by their account (Alma 14:10-11).

A world without agency and trials is in accordance with Satan's plan. Satan's plan was rejected and he was cast out of heaven, along with the third of God's children who agreed with Satan. They will never experience the joys of mortal and eternal life; thus, they tempt us to have doubtful and negative thoughts about Heavenly Father's plan. They do not want us to be happy because they are not happy (2 Nephi 2:27). But we can be happy even amid trials because we understand the plan of salvation and the Atonement.

Elder Scott said, "It is a singularly marvelous blessing to have faith in the Savior and a testimony of His teachings. So few in the world have that brilliant light to guide them. The fulness of the restored gospel gives perspective, purpose, and understanding. It allows us to face what otherwise appear to be unjust, unfair, unreasonable challenges in life. Learn those helpful truths by pondering the Book of Mormon and other scriptures. Try to understand those teachings not only with your mind but also with your heart."

I testify that Christ suffered all our sins and pains so we could repent, find strength and comfort in Him, and return to our Heavenly Father clean and righteous to be exalted with Him. I know that if we have faith in the plan of salvation and remember it was designed by an omniscient, omnipotent God, we can endure any trial that comes our way.

Discussion: How does the Atonement show Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's love for us?

Family Home Evening for Babies

2011-05-24T12:07:00.002-07:00

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Family Home Evening can sometimes be a challenge because we don't know what to do. This is especially true for those of us with only a baby. There are plenty of ideas for single members, couples, and families, but I have yet to find good suggestions for planning a family home evening lesson for a baby (not yet in Nursery). So I compiled my own list:

Read gospel-related board books. They are short enough for a baby's attention span and introduce popular stories in a very simple manner.
Read the scriptures. Elder Bednar said, "Youth of all ages, even infants, can and do respond to the distinctive spirit of the Book of Mormon. Children may not understand all of the words and stories, but they certainly can feel the 'familiar spirit' described by Isaiah (Isaiah 29:4; see also 2 Nephi 26:16)."
Sing Primary songs together. There is no better way to invite the Spirit, teach basic gospel principles, and prepare your baby for Nursery and Primary. Sing interactive songs to get wiggles out and then move to reverent ones. Select a few to sing every week as the opening song so that your baby will learn them through the repetition. The most frequently sung Primary songs are "I Am a Child of God," "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam," "Follow the Prophet," "Popcorn Popping," "Once There Was a Snowman," and "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
Tell simple stories using a flannel board or puppets.
Hold a picture of Jesus and talk about Him. Hang the picture in the baby's room. You can also do this with a picture of the prophet, temple, or relatives, such as grandparents.
Take the baby on a nature walk.
Color pictures to send to grandparents, sick ward members, missionaries, or anyone else.
Play or go to the park, zoo, or other fun place. Family Home Evening is about family time. It doesn't always have to have a gospel lesson (though it is best to at least include a spiritual thought).

Not every lesson has to revolve around the baby, although it is much easier to have these kinds of lessons as the baby gets older. However, the important thing is just to have Family Home Evening and include the baby. A former visiting teacher told me that every Monday for FHE she and her husband would read church board books with their baby daughter. One Monday they forgot, and the girl came to them with the books. Somehow she knew it was Monday and time for FHE. Don't underestimate the influence of the gospel in your baby's life. Elder Bednar shared from his own parenting experiences:

"Sometimes Sister Bednar and I wondered if our efforts to do these spiritually essential things were worthwhile. Now and then verses of scripture were read amid outbursts such as “He’s touching me!” “Make him stop looking at me!” “Mom, he’s breathing my air!” Sincere prayers occasionally were interrupted with giggling and poking. And with active, rambunctious boys, family home evening lessons did not always produce high levels of edification. At times Sister Bednar and I were exasperated because the righteous habits we worked so hard to foster did not seem to yield immediately the spiritual results we wanted and expected.

"Today if you could ask our adult sons what they remember about family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening, I believe I know how they would answer. They likely would not identify a particular prayer or a specific instance of scripture study or an especially meaningful family home evening lesson as the defining moment in their spiritual development. What they would say they remember is that as a family we were consistent.

"Sister Bednar and I thought helping our sons understand the content of a particular lesson or a specific scripture was the ultimate outcome. But such a result does not occur each time we study or pray or learn together. The consistency of our intent and work was perhaps the greatest lesson—a lesson we did not fully appreciate at the time."

Sharing Time: What are some other good FHE lessons for babies?

The Name of Mother

2011-05-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

I know a name, a glorious name,
Dearer than any other.
Listen, I'll whisper the name to you:
It is the name of mother.

("The Dearest Names," Children's Songbook, 208)

Sidney J. Harris said, "The commonest fallacy among women is that simply having children makes them a mother--which is as absurd as believing that having a piano makes one a musician." What defines a mother is not having children, but having a mother's heart. By this definition, any woman can be given the name of mother. And what an honor to be given this name, for "of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother" (Lin Yutang).

Unfortunately, some women do not believe this and view motherhood as bondage and weakness. However, it is easy to be a worldly woman and mother, to be selfish, idle, and shallow. It is not easy to be a godly woman and mother, to be selfless, productive, and deep. Yet in the end, the better women are those who have gone through the refiner's fire of righteous motherhood and womanhood. They will be exalted and continue their holy calling into the eternities.

Sharing Time: What is your favorite thing about your mother, about being a mother, or about becoming a mother?

The Best Day of the Week

2011-05-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

My favorite day of the week is Sunday. It is the one day I get to forget about worldly cares and just enjoy being with my family, focus on my spirituality, and participate in uplifting activities. I love how different the Sabbath Day feels from the rest of the week. On the Sabbath I dress up and put on makeup and stay that way all day. On the Sabbath I learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ. On the Sabbath I relax and rest. On the Sabbath I play with my husband and baby. On the Sabbath I read the scriptures and the Ensign. On the Sabbath I listen to beautiful music and feel the Spirit.

I feel deep sorrow whenever I hear people say they dislike Sunday. I think their negative attitudes come from their misunderstanding of the purpose of the Sabbath. The Lord did not give us the commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy to punish us or to benefit Himself. Jesus said, "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath" (Mark 2:27). This scripture means, as one of my BYU religion professors explained, that Christ knew that on our own we would not dedicate a time to evaluate and work on our spirituality. He gave us this day as an excuse to set aside all our daily troubles and to focus only on our spiritual state and relationship with Him. He made the Sabbath for us as a gift to help us remember amid all our other duties our goal to return to Him. He did not make it to fulfill some egotistical need to be worshiped, like a false god.

The Bible Dictionary reveals the symbolism behind the Sabbath: "The Sabbath was symbolic of the mighty works of God, i.e., the creation of the earth, the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead." [See the entry for scriptural references.] The first work, the Creation, explains why we rest from our labors and reverently enjoy God's work. The second reminds us to thank and praise God and reminds us of the Atonement, symbolized in the deliverance of the Israelites. The last clarifies why the Sabbath is on Sunday and not Saturday like for the Jews.

Once we understand the why of the Sabbath, the what is quite clear. What we do on the Sabbath should reflect its purpose and symbolism, meaning we reflect on our spirituality and prepare for the week ahead battling Satan, and we take the sacrament in remembrance of the Atonement and in renewal of our baptismal covenants to take His name upon us, always remember Him, and keep His commandments.

Therefore, when we talk about certain activities breaking the Sabbath, we do not mean they are bad activities in and of themselves. They simply take away time we should spend on more important things--such as family and personal scripture study--and distract our minds from the Savior.

Challenge: If you do not like Sunday or it feels like any other day, make needed changes in order to make the most of the Sabbath.

Modesty in Marriage: A Message for Newlyweds

2011-04-17T15:28:00.001-07:00

Congratulations! You’re married! All that chastity has paid off with a beautiful temple wedding. But virtue doesn’t stop at the altar—modesty in all areas continues in marriage.

Clothing: Wives, just because your husband now can admire you physically guilt free doesn’t mean all men should. Remain modest in respect for your husband and temple garments. On pool days and date nights, you can still dress attractively without attracting other eyes.
Bedroom: The Church has no official rules on what is and is not allowed in the bedroom, except for obvious behaviors that break covenants, such as infidelity, pornography, and abuse. However, President Kimball advised, “If it is unnatural, you just don’t do it. That is all, and all the family life should be kept clean and worthy and on a very high plane. There are some people who have said that behind the bedroom doors anything goes. That is not true and the Lord would not condone it.”¹ When you are unsure of something concerning intimacy, examine your motivation and feelings. Sex should never be dirty, carnal, or worldly and should never objectify your bodies. Pray for guidance from the Holy Ghost in making sexual decisions.
Private talk: Couples are encouraged to communicate their sexual needs to each other. And flirting with one another can be romantic. However, always talk about the body and intimacy with respect. Avoid distasteful slang, crude humor, and profanity.
Public talk: Your sex life is between you, your spouse, and Heavenly Father. Don’t share it with or brag about it to anyone else. If needed, discuss intimacy problems with a bishop, marital therapist, physician, or trusted friend or family member.
PDA: Public displays of affection should be appropriate for all witnesses. Save sexual touching and passionate kissing for the bedroom. Show your love in public through romantic gestures, such as holding hands and kissing sweetly.

Remaining modest throughout marriage will not suffocate the flames of passion. On the contrary, “The greatest passions of marriage lie ahead, to increase over the years through experience and growth. A truth not generally known to newly married couples is that in virtuous marriages passions increase over the years between the couple. . . . [A]s we, the children of God, develop virtuously within marriage we will discover ever more profound enjoyments of all his creations, including our own emotions, bodies, and spiritual capacities.”²

Challenge: Continue to be modest in all areas throughout your life.

1. Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 312. (Quoted in the following source.)

2. “Chapter 6: Mature Intimacy: Courtship and Marriage,” A Parent’s Guide, p. 45.

Modesty Means Men Too!

2011-04-16T15:01:00.001-07:00

In all the modesty talks, the focus is usually on women. But men can be immodest too.

Extremes: The most obvious immodesty for men is sporting extreme or offensive hairdos, clothing, and accessories. As stated in a previous post, modesty is about being moderate. Being moderate also includes not showing off costly apparel. Set aside pride and don humility, especially at church or in the temple.
Tight Clothing: Men are just as guilty as women for wearing tight clothing, revealing their toned chest (or even gut sometimes) and rear end. Although women for the most part are not visual creatures like men, an immodest attractive guy can be a temptation to many women. Then there's women like me who are turned off and for that reason would like you to be modest!
Revealing Clothing: If what you are wearing doesn't cover garments, whether or not you are endowed, then it is immodest. This rule applies to athletic wear as well. Of course some sports require certain clothing that may not allow for garments (such as swimming), but those activities are not excuses to be immodest.
Words (spoken or written): Men are usually the most immodest when it comes to what they say. Repeating crude humor, sharing intimate activities, and using profanity are all inappropriate for a priesthood holder to do.
Other Behavior: Modesty extends to all other behaviors, such as flirting, dancing, and dating. Also, show your appreciation and support for modesty by dating modest young women or encouraging your wife and daughters to be modest.

Challenge: Be an example of modesty in all aspects to your friends.

Accidental Immodesty

2011-04-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

We may think we are dressed modestly when really we aren’t, even if we are following all the written rules. Modesty is just as much about the spirit of the law as it is about the letter of the law. Here are some ways to check for accidental immodesty before heading out the door.

Sneaky Skin: You may not realize areas of skin that are showing because you cannot see them. Stand in front of a mirror and bend over in all directions. Check for skin showing on your backside, tummy, and chest. If you can see down your shirt, so can anyone else taller than you.
Tight Clothing: Modesty not only means covering skin, but also covering curves. Men are just as interested in tight clothing that show off every line of your body as they are in clothes that reveal those curvaceous body parts. Your clothes are too tight if you can’t pinch them, move around comfortably in them, or put them on easily.
Glamour: Flashy, big, and too much jewelry; heavy, unnatural makeup; and incredible heel height make you look more like a woman of the world than a woman of the Lord. Modesty means not drawing attention to ourselves, obsessing over fashion and makeovers, or focusing on the “vain imaginations” of the world.¹ The word modesty is related to the word moderate.² Sister Tanner said, “A loving Heavenly Father has given us physical beauties and pleasures ‘both to please the eye and to gladden the heart’ (D&C 59:18), but with this caution: that they are ‘made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion’ (D&C 59:20).”³
Underwear (non-endowed women): Does the inside of your underwear drawer look like an adult-store catalog? The purpose of underwear is to cover and protect your private areas, not show them off. Wearing modest underwear, whether or not anyone else sees it, shows reverence for your sexual body parts and prepares you for all-covering garments. And make sure your underwear doesn’t peek outside your pants, especially when you bend or sit down. That applies to endowed members too!
Church/Temple: You can be modest but still be inappropriately dressed for church or the temple. Avoid casual wear, but don’t overdo it either—church is not a fashion show. Wear clothing that makes you look your best while still helping you and others be reverent and focus on the Savior.

Challenge: Go over this modesty checklist before going out.

Modesty: Beyond Fashion

2011-04-13T07:54:00.001-07:00

We’ve all heard the modesty talk so many times, we could recite it in our sleep. And most of us already dress modestly, so it feels like they’re preaching to the choir. But this time it’s not about the clothes—modesty extends beyond fashion to all aspects of your life.

Conversation: What we talk about with our friends and boyfriends is just as important as what we wear. If you have nonmember friends who like to share their sexual conquests, tell them that’s private information you aren’t interested in. When on dates, especially when engaged with the honeymoon night on the horizon, don’t talk about sex. Of course, guys are guilty too, usually for crude humor. Let them know it’s not funny to you—sex is a sacred topic.
Photos: We all have Facebook pages through which we share our everyday lives, vacations, and fun times with the rest of the world. We need to be careful, though, of what photos we post of ourselves. What may seem like an innocent photo to us can be very enticing to a young man. And if it isn’t innocent, then we ought not post it online (or have taken it in the first place). When unsure, just ask yourself, “Would I be embarrassed if my bishop saw this picture?”
Texts: The rules of conversation and photos also apply to texting, since they are in essence the same. And sexting? Just say no!
Dancing: Who doesn’t love to get down on the dance floor to a good beat? Dancing is a form of fun and self-expression, so make sure you are having clean fun and expressing yourself modestly. Grinding and freak dancing are not types of dancing we should participate in, and even if we are far apart from our partner, we need not shake, shake, shake our booty suggestively.
Flirting: Go ahead and amp up the cuteness when an attractive guy is around. Just remember that all the rules of modesty—clothing, words, and body language—are important in making a good first impression of yourself and attracting the right guy.

Remember, modesty is not just a wardrobe, but also a lifestyle. By being modest in our lifestyle as well as in our fashion, we allow ourselves to have an exciting yet regretless, clean dating life that will result in an eternal marriage in the house of the Lord to an equally clean young man.

Challenge: When faced with immodest temptations, remember this worthy goal.

Modesty: At All Times and Places

2011-04-12T10:39:00.001-07:00

Church, school, home—we are modest where and when expected. However, are we using the following situations as excuses to dress immodestly?

Beach/Pool: Summer sunshine and warm water beckon bare skin. It's great to feel the sun, wind, and waves after being covered all winter. But only give in so much. Choose your swimsuit by how much it covers, not by its name—even one-piece suits can be immodest with overflowing cleavage and no backs.
Athletics: Sports, dance, and exercise all require flexible, proper-fitting clothing. It’s possible to find such clothing in modest styles, such as longer shorts and looser clothing, or to wear spandex shorts underneath. Even sports with mandatory uniforms can be worked around; it all depends on how much you’re willing to try. For example, a girl in my stake ordered her high-school cheerleading skirt longer than required with no problem. If you do face problems, cover up when you aren’t playing, dancing, or exercising, such as on the way to and from the place of activity.
Halloween: Often this holiday is seen as the night modesty is scared away. Most women’s costumes revolve around sex appeal and crude humor. There are so many creative costumes out there that keep you covered yet looking cute. If you can’t find any, make an immodest costume modest.
Bedtime/Lounging: One day you’ll be wearing garments, and on hot nights when pajamas are left in the drawer, sleeping in your underwear will mean still being covered from shoulder to knee. If your future underwear will cover that much of your body, your current sleepwear should too, or be close. Also, it’s best to be modest in case an emergency happens or you get a surprise male visitor, a common scenario at college if you have social roommates or a boyfriend.

Challenge: No matter where you are or what you are doing, remain modest.

General Conference Priesthood Session

2011-04-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

photo from lds.org

Now that lds.org posts the priesthood session video online, I watched it. I must say, it was not anything like I expected. I frequently hear from men how stern and scolding it is, but I disagree! The only really serious talk was President Monson's, but even then, President Monson lightened it with lots of humor and love. Other than that, I did not find priesthood session to be any different from the rest of General Conference.

My favorite talk from priesthood session was by Elder Gibson on the Aaronic priesthood. I think that young men underestimate the power they hold simply because the Aaronic priesthood is referred to as the lesser priesthood. My husband wisely calls it the preparatory priesthood. The only differences between the Melchizedek and Aaronic priesthoods are the responsibilities and keys (authority). The power is the same. Young men can call upon the Lord to produce miracles as well, as Elder Gibbons shared about the deacon's quorum president who reactivated his quorum. Imagine the work that could be done if all young men (and older men who have the Aaronic priesthood) knew that and acted upon it!

Furthermore, we should respect Aaronic priesthood holders and ask for their service as we do Melchizedek priesthood holders. We need to teach our young men about the great power they hold and the great things they can do with that power.

If you have not watched or read Elder Gibson's talk, I encourage you to do so. In fact, watch the whole priesthood session! Although for men, the counsel applies to us women as well and is important for us to know so we can teach our sons.

Sharing Time: What was your favorite General Conference talk?

Choose Faith

2011-03-27T17:38:00.004-07:00

Recently I read some blogs and comments by active, inactive, and former members of the Church. The posts were negative and critical and planted seeds of doubt in my mind about things I have never questioned before. I felt like I had let in poison and feared the effects it was having on me. The following Sunday, my husband and I read in the November 2010 General Conference issue of the Ensign the talk "Faith--the Choice is Yours" by Bishop Richard C. Edgley. This was no coincidence.

The talk addressed exactly what I was feeling. In these troubled times, there are many attacks on the Church, from within and without. They are not in our control, but our reaction is. Bishop Edgley counsels, "When our sacred doctrine and beliefs are challenged, this is our opportunity to become acquainted with God in a most private and intimate manner. This is our opportunity to choose. . . . So I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and unseen, and choose faith over pessimism." He emphasizes that choosing faith is an action, requiring effort and responsibility. And when we develop our faith, it becomes a "peace and protection" to us when we do not have answers. He continues, "There is much that I do no know. . . . But while I don't know everything, I know the important. I know the plain and simple gospel truths that lead to salvation and exaltation. . . . And what I don't know or don't completely understand, with the powerful aid of my faith, I bridge the gap and move on, partaking of the promises and blessings of the gospel" [emphasis added].

His statement reflects what I have often stressed on this blog--to focus on the basics. When we dwell upon that which gives us doubt, it does exactly that. Instead, we should be patient in pursuing knowledge and accept that not all of it will be given or understood in this life. This does not mean we should be blindly obedient. Even when Jesus Himself taught the Nephites He told them to ponder upon, pray about, and prepare for His teachings (3 Nephi 17:2-3). We too must seek out knowledge from His words and pray for a testimony and understanding of them. Then we will have the strength to cast off conflicting messages.

President Joseph Fielding Smith said, quoted in the Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, "If we will put [the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants] into practice, if we will keep the commandments of the Lord, we will know the truth and there shall be no weapon formed against us that shall prosper [see D&C 71:9-11]. There shall be no false doctrines, no teaching of men that will deceive us. There are many cults and many false faiths, there are many strange ideas in the world, but if we will search these revelations then we will be fortified against errors and we will be made strong" (2).

Conversely, when we turn away from divine sources, we put ourselves in danger. President George Q. Cannon warned, "God has chosen His servants. He claims it as His prerogative to condemn them, if they need condemnation. He has not given it to us individually to censure and condemn them. No man, however strong he may be in the faith, however high in the Priesthood, can speak evil of the Lord's anointed and find fault with God's authority on the earth without incurring His displeasure. The Holy Spirit will withdraw itself from such a man, and he will go into darkness. This being the case, do you not see how important it is that we should be careful? However difficult it may be for us to understand the reason for any action of the authorities of the Church, we should not too hastily call their acts in question and pronounce them wrong" (4).

I found these quotes during my scripture study this morning. I feel it was the Lord's reminder to me to remember my testimony of the gospel, especially of the essentials, and to choose faith. My decision to choose faith has brought me the peace and protection Bishop Edgley promised.

Challenge: When you have doubts or unanswered questions, choose faith.

Charly

2011-03-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

The LDS culture certainly has ideas about a typical Relief Society woman. She can sew, quilt, cook, bake, garden, can, craft, decorate, sing or play an instrument, keep house, and raise a perfect family. The LDS comedy The RM makes fun of Relief Society and its more ridiculous traditions, such as elaborate centerpieces, cute handouts, and an overflow of interesting dinners for new moms.

Charly (the book), on the other hand, makes fun of this ideal in another light. Charly, a convert who does not fit this Mormon woman description at all, admits she plays a tape recording of the vacuum when a fellow Relief Society sister calls so that the sister thinks she's cleaning her house. However, she is a Relief Society sister in the true sense: she provides relief to those in need. She befriends the Native American sisters in her ward and strengthens them spiritually.

When I sometimes feel inadequate because I cannot sew or craft or can my own peaches, I remember Charly and the lesson that what makes a good wife, mother, and friend is not her homemaking skills but her spiritual gifts. Being a righteous woman is far more important and necessary than being an artistic one. We women ought to measure our success by our spirituality and measure our worth by Heavenly Father's love. We need to fulfill the purpose of Relief Society, as stated in the declaration. Of course, we are supposed to use our talents and learn new skills, but these do not define who we are. We are daughters of God with divine worth, qualities, and potential, and remembering and acting upon that knowledge is what qualifies us for the blessings of heaven.

Darkness Begets Dishonesty

2011-03-11T16:43:00.001-07:00

photo by Ricardo Chahad

The symbolism and powers of light and darkness are no coincidences. A 2010 study found that people were more likely to be dishonest in dim lighting or when wearing sunglasses than in bright lighting or when wearing clear glasses. I believe it is more than just a result of feeling unwatched or hidden. Darkness is not only the absence of physical light, but also the absence of spiritual light. Darkness is the devil's domain, his prime time for work, which is why we associate all things evil with the dark: sinful places are barely lit; terrible crimes happen at night; criminals usually dress in dark, concealing clothing. I think that is why we are often more shocked and offended when something wicked occurs in "broad daylight."

The findings of this study should prompt us to evaluate our own behavior in darkness and to eliminate it if it affects us. If we find that we are just as likely to commit the sin in light, then we need to take even more careful measures to guard ourselves against it. Either way, we should surround ourselves with as much light--both physical and spiritual--as possible.

Challenge: Stay away from dark places and activities. When feeling tempted, turn on the light--both kinds!

Another Type of Judging

2011-02-21T15:30:00.000-07:00

photo by Jason Morrison

When we think of judging, we usually think of condemning others, not being compassionate and understanding, and jumping to conclusions. We usually judge others who we think are sinning or wrong. However, there is another type of judging: condemning the righteous.

We've all labeled someone a Molly Mormon or Peter Priesthood. That label is not a compliment. Why do we view people's decisions to be strict or spiritual as negative? Simply because we think they are extreme or weird or uptight doesn't mean we have the right to judge them, make fun of them, or treat them unkindly in any other way. As brothers and sisters in the Church we are supposed to uplift and encourage one another. We should applaud others' efforts to have high standards and do what they feel is necessary to stay close to Christ, not make it harder for them to do so.

We should also seek to understand them. As a former Miss Goody-Two-Shoes, I can tell you that most people misinterpreted my behavior. I did not think I was better than others or more righteous (though I admit I didn't always make it easy for people to think otherwise). In fact, I had higher standards in some areas because I knew they were my weaknesses and I had to be strict with myself to keep out of trouble. I am easily influenced, so I know I have to keep my environment Spirit-friendly in order to cast off worldly thoughts and desires and draw nearer to the Lord. As a result, I am a happier, more loving, and more patient wife, mother, and friend. When I slack off in spiritual activities, the spirit of my home is completely different, and I am more tempted, unhappier, and farther from the influences of heaven.

Everyone is at a different place on the the strait and narrow road back to Heavenly Father. What is important is that we are all on the road and helping each other along the way. It doesn't matter where we are as long as we are moving forward.

Challenge: The next time you are quick to judge someone's stricter spirituality, stop. Tell them how grateful you are for their example and make changes in your own standards that will help you be closer to Christ.

Follow-up Discussion

2011-02-18T15:03:00.003-07:00

photo by Steve Goodwin

Instead of posting all the responses I got, I decided to write a follow-up discussion answering some of the questions people asked. When reading the comments, I was extremely disappointed in the immaturity others displayed. There are appropriate and inappropriate ways to voice our opinions. Only a couple people shared their views with maturity. My favorite comment labeled my blog a "bigoted hate site." Tell me if that doesn't shout hypocrisy! We should all be respectful of other beliefs. I know most people disagree with me and that is fine. I do not expect them to convert to my way of thinking; I simply want them to understand my point of view. And I am willing to hear yours too if you do so respectfully. Thank you.

Older or infertile couples
We are all supposed to strive for marriage, yet for some it does not happen until later in life when childbearing years are far behind. Other couples may be infertile and not able to adopt. These situations couples did not bring upon themselves. The Lord knows their righteous intentions and will not hold them responsible for things they cannot control.

Furthermore, marriage and family are for more than just having children. Marriage was designed as a way to help each other return to Heavenly Father because we cannot do it alone. We need the unconditional love and support of others. Religious or not, I think everyone agrees they would not be able to get through this life without their family. A childless married couple is just as much a family as the largest families.

We also believe that familial relationships remain beyond death for those who have been sealed in the temple and kept their covenants. Righteous couples who were unable to have children on earth will have that privilege in the next life. As for those who never have the opportunity to marry, they also will receive that opportunity in heaven if they are righteous. While on earth, they are expected to remain celibate, whether heterosexual or homosexual. God's rules always apply no matter if they seem unfair under certain circumstances, but God is merciful and will reward those who obey.

Bigotry
Those who keep mentioning our seemingly negative attitude toward homosexuals completely missed the first part of my post. We do not hate gay people nor are we taught to treat them unkindly or as lesser humans. All are children of God and equal in His eyes. Any Mormon, or other Christian for that matter, who treats anyone with prejudice or malice is not a true disciple of Jesus Christ. He gave us an example to follow by showing love and compassion, especially to those who struggled with sin and other trials and were considered outcasts.

However, Christ also made it clear that we all should repent and follow Him. For example, when a woman was caught in adultery, He had mercy on her and did not judge her, but he did tell her to "go, and sin no more" (John 8:3-11 ). Loving others and approving of their behavior are two different things. The first is a commandment (John 13:34), the second is not.

Furthermore, the principles discussed here are not unique to gay marriage. They apply to all trials and temptations, whether as serious as harming a child to as trivial as stealing candy from your sister. Those principles are the simple facts that Heavenly Father gave all of us weaknesses to overcome so we could learn to be humble, have faith in Him, and come to Him, allowing His atonement to make us whole (Ether 12:27). Those weaknesses are not excuses to act a certain way. Satan wants us to believe that we have no control over our urges, be they sexual or otherwise. That belief is in stark contrast to the core of the plan of salvation: agency. Heavenly Father allows Satan to tempt us, but we choose whether to trust in God and become who He wants us to be or to give in to temptations because we were "made that way."

Discrimination
We are fighting for what we believe is right; we are not trying to be discriminatory. It isn't an attack on a group of people, it is an attack on a principle we consider wrong. Yes, of course, it affects that group of people as a result, but it is not because we want to hurt them. In any moral or political debate, like owning guns or having government healthcare, the losing side will end up being the discriminated one with denied rights--that's just how it works.

Church history
Some of you brought up points from our Church's history. As for polygamy, the Lord allowed it only at certain times for specific reasons, such as for Abraham to have posterity before Sarah miraculously bore Isaac in her old age (Genesis 16:1-3, D&C 132:34-35, Jacob 2:30). He also clarified when it was a sin, as when King David sought Uriah's wife (2 Samuel 11, D&C 132:39).

Blacks receiving the priesthood had to do with God's own timing of extending a blessing, not because black people were sinners or lesser human beings and not because God suddenly felt like changing his mind. It is similar to when God allowed His gospel to be preached to the Gentiles not just to the Jews (Acts 10). However, His rules concerning family and marriage are constants.

Other gender issues
I haven't read about biological gender issues since my high school genetics class, so I had to do a little research. With some, like males with Klinefelter's syndrome (XXY), gender is still obvious despite the physical problems. For others, like those who are intersex (pseudohermaphrodites), it is not. In those cases, the only thing parents can do is pray for guidance to know how to raise their child so that they are happy and comfortable with their gender, and for adults to pray to know if that choice was correct. Intersex people are different from transsexuals, who are born distinctly female or male and desire to change. Please visit the Intersex Society of North America for more information.

Conclusion
It is not our privilege to understand why God does what He does. He has all wisdom and always acts for a reason. We may or may not know those reasons. This is where faith comes in. We must have faith that in time, whether in this life or the next, we will comprehend the works of God. For now, we need to obey His commandments and trust in Him, for which we will be extremely blessed.

Mormons and Gay Marriage

2011-02-15T17:43:00.002-07:00

photo by Matt Cook

It is known news that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) contributed much to stop gay marriage from becoming legal in California. However, most people do not understand fully why we are against it. I will address common questions concerning Mormons and their opposition to gay marriage.

Are Mormons against gay people?
No. As the expression goes, we "hate the sin, not the sinner." That creed applies to any person struggling with sin, not just gay people. What we disapprove of is the homosexual lifestyle. There are members of our Church who are homosexual yet as worthy as heterosexual members because they do not participate in that lifestyle.

Elder Holland said, "Let me make it clear that attractions alone, troublesome as they may be, do not make one unworthy. The First Presidency has stated, 'There is a distinction between immoral thoughts and feelings and participating in either immoral heterosexual or any homosexual behavior.' If you do not act on temptations, you have not transgressed."

Elder Holland also shared the following story:

A pleasant young man in his early 20s sat across from me. He had an engaging smile, although he didn’t smile often during our talk. What drew me in was the pain in his eyes.

“I don’t know if I should remain a member of the Church,” he said. “I don’t think I’m worthy.”

“Why wouldn’t you be worthy?” I asked.

“I’m gay.”

I suppose he thought I would be startled. I wasn’t. “And … ?” I inquired.

A flicker of relief crossed his face as he sensed my continued interest. “I’m not attracted to women. I’m attracted to men. I’ve tried to ignore these feelings or change them, but …”

He sighed. “Why am I this way? The feelings are very real.”

I paused, then said, “I need a little more information before advising you. You see, same-gender attraction is not a sin, but acting on those feelings is—just as it would be with heterosexual feelings. Do you violate the law of chastity?”

He shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

This time I was relieved. “Thank you for wanting to deal with this,” I said. “It takes courage to talk about it, and I honor you for keeping yourself clean.

“As for why you feel as you do, I can’t answer that question. A number of factors may be involved, and they can be as different as people are different. Some things, including the cause of your feelings, we may never know in this life. But knowing why you feel as you do isn’t as important as knowing you have not transgressed. If your life is in harmony with the commandments, then you are worthy to serve in the Church, enjoy full fellowship with the members, attend the temple, and receive all the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement.”

He sat up a little straighter. I continued, “You serve yourself poorly when you identify yourself primarily by your sexual feelings. That isn’t your only characteristic, so don’t give it disproportionate attention. You are first and foremost a son of God, and He loves you.

“What’s more, I love you. My Brethren among the General Authorities love you. I’m reminded of a comment President Boyd K. Packer made in speaking to those with same-gender attraction. ‘We do not reject you,’ he said. ‘… We cannot reject you, for you are the sons and daughters of God. We will not reject you, because we love you.’ ”

Why are Mormons against the gay lifestyle?
One reason we are against that lifestyle does not depend on sexual orientation. It is that we believe that all sexual relations should be reserved for lawful marriage. Any sexual activities outside of marriage are sinful because they toy with the sacred power God has given His children to create life.

Then why don't Mormons allow gay marriage?
God defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

Why does marriage have to be between a man and a woman?
Our religion is centered on what we call the plan of salvation. That plan is for all of Heavenly Father's children to come to earth and receive a body, be raised in a family, experience life, and return to Him. Obviously, homosexuality does not allow for the creation of children.

Why can't gays just adopt? There are plenty of unwanted children, and gays make loving parents.
We believe that "gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose" ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World"). Heavenly Father created males and females with different characteristics and roles that complement each other: "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" (ibid.). Gender differences are often dismissed or trivialized to justify gay marriage (or no marriage); however, they are what create a balanced family life in which children can learn and grow, with the hope that they will then create their own families based on the same divine principles.

If gender is so important, then why is there so much confusion about it?
The more sacred something is, the more Satan (the devil) tries to destroy it. Life, God's most precious gift, is perpetuated through heterosexual families; therefore, Satan does whatever he can to demean marriage and family, sexuality, gender, and the value of life. He does not want Heavenly Father's plan of salvation to continue.

What should gay people do then?
They should first understand why they have those feelings and how they should respond to them. Elder Oaks explained:

We should note that the words homosexual, lesbian, and gay are adjectives to describe particular thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. We should refrain from using these words as nouns to identify particular conditions or specific persons. Our religious doctrine dictates this usage. It is wrong to use these words to denote a condition, because this implies that a person is consigned by birth to a circumstance in which he or she has no choice in respect to the critically important matter of sexual behavior.

Feelings are another matter. Some kinds of feelings seem to be inborn. Others are traceable to mortal experiences. Still other feelings seem to be acquired from a complex interaction of “nature and nurture.” All of us have some feelings we did not choose, but the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us that we still have the power to resist and reform our feelings (as needed) and to assure that they do not lead us to entertain inappropriate thoughts or to engage in sinful behavior.

Different persons have different physical characteristics and different susceptibilities to the various physical and emotional pressures we may encounter in our childhood and adult environments. We did not choose these personal susceptibilities either, but we do choose and will be accountable for the attitudes, priorities, behavior, and “lifestyle” we engraft upon them.

Essential to our doctrinal position on these matters is the difference between our freedom and our agency. Our freedom can be limited by various conditions of mortality, but God’s gift of agency cannot be limited by outside forces, because it is the basis for our accountability to him. The contrast between freedom and agency can be illustrated in the context of a hypothetical progression from feelings to thoughts to behavior to addiction. This progression can be seen on a variety of matters, such as gambling and the use of tobacco and alcohol.

Just as some people have different feelings than others, some people seem to be unusually susceptible to particular actions, reactions, or addictions. Perhaps such susceptibilities are inborn or acquired without personal choice or fault . . . .

In each case (and in other examples that could be given) the feelings or other characteristics that increase susceptibility to certain behavior may have some relationship to inheritance. But the relationship is probably very complex. The inherited element may be nothing more than an increased likelihood that an individual will acquire certain feelings if he or she encounters particular influences during the developmental years. But regardless of our different susceptibilities or vulnerabilities, . . . we remain responsible for the exercise of our agency in the thoughts we entertain and the behavior we choose.

Elder Oaks further reminds us that Satan wants us to believe that we do not have control of ourselves and that some things are without the reaches of agency. If those things were true, there would be no hope for any of us, because we all struggle with a variety of strong temptations. But God has promised not to let us be tempted more than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13) and to provide the means to obey any commandment (1 Nephi 3:7). Heavenly Father has given us the ability to determine our own eternal destiny.

Discussion: Do you have any other questions about Mormons and their opposition to gay marriage?

NOTE: This is not an official statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Only the quoted portions are directly from Church leaders. The rest is based on my understanding of our doctrine. Furthermore, I will not publish any negative or argumentative comments. Thank you.

UPDATE: For a follow-up discussion, click here.

Compassion for Others

2011-02-02T15:54:00.000-07:00

photo from lds.org

Our religion focuses on hope. We are constantly reminded to count our blessings and be positive during trials. However, I think we then sometimes forget to be compassionate toward those who are struggling or suffering. We spout off doctrinal phrases and optimistic comments that are insensitive. For example:

"You can have more children."
"It's about time you marry/remarry."
"It's not like that is a major sin."
"You need to stop thinking about it."
"I went through the same thing and it turned out ok."

We should validate what others feel, even if we think they are overreacting, obsessing, wallowing, etc. To them, their thoughts and emotions are very real. We cannot dictate what they should feel or when they should feel it: everyone responds to trials differently, and what we think is right may not be right for someone else. If we think someone is being self-destructive, we should inform the bishop. He has the authority to discuss the problem with them and help them find strength and comfort through Christ's Atonement. What we can do is pray for them, serve them, listen to them without judgment, talk to them with sensitivity, support them, and be a good example to them.

The ultimate example of compassion was the Savior. He never minimized people's pain. When his friend Lazarus died, he did not say to Mary and Martha, "You'll see him again," "Death is part of the plan of salvation," "He is in a better place," "It was his time," or "I need him more than you do." No, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). He sympathized with them even though he knew he would raise Lazarus from the dead. Let us all follow the Lord's example and show true compassion to those in need.

Sharing Time: When you were experiencing trials, what did someone do for you that you really appreciated?

To Think about Jesus

2011-01-15T09:33:00.003-07:00

ldsclipart.com

In relation to my previous post about reverence, this song is the one I first thought of and meant to post:

It shouldn't be hard to sit very still
And think about Jesus, his cross on the hill,
And all that he suffered and did for me;
It shouldn't be hard to sit quietly.
It shouldn't be hard, even though I am small,
To think about Jesus, not hard at all.

("To Think about Jesus," Children's Songbook, 71)

With those words in mind, it really should not be hard to think about Jesus during the sacrament, or at any time for that matter. After all that He did for us, it is the least we can do, though if we really are thinking about Him and His sacrifice, we will do much more than just remember Him--we will also keep His commandments.

Sharing Time: When has thinking about Jesus helped you keep His commandments?

Reverence

2010-12-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

ldsclipart.com

Sacrament meeting is the most important hour of the week. It is the reason we attend church. And yet, it seems to be when we are the most irreverent. During sacrament meeting, people are talking, texting, sleeping, eating, preparing lessons, reading scriptures, and playing with babies. What's worse is when these things go on during the actual passing of the sacrament, the time we should be thinking of Christ, His Atonement, and the covenants we made. It is the time to reflect on our week, repent of our mistakes, and promise to improve.

We should also be reverent during the talks. You all know how daunting it is to go up there. We should give the speakers our respect and attention, no matter how boring or "bad" the talk is. As John Bytheway notes in his talk "The Best Three Hours of the Week," we decide what we get out of church. There is no such thing as a bad talk; we can always come away with something if we are listening with the Spirit.

Reverence also applies to the rest of church, the temple, FHE, scripture study, and gospel discussions. It means being respectful through our words, actions, and appearance. When we are reverent, we show respect and love to Heavenly Father and invite the companionship of the Spirit, which in turn leads to personal revelation and strengthened testimony. This Primary song says it best:

Rev’rence is more than just quietly sitting:
It’s thinking of Father above,

A feeling I get when I think of his blessings.

I’m rev’rent, for rev’rence is love.

When I’m rev’rent, it shows in my words and my deeds.

The pathway to follow is clear.

And when I am rev’rent, I know in my heart

Heav’nly Father and Jesus are near.

("Reverence Is Love," Children's Songbook, 31).

Challenge: Be reverent and set the example for others.

Round Yon Virgin Mother and Child

2010-12-11T15:25:00.001-07:00

I love this painting of Mary and baby Jesus, featured on lds.org. Reminds me of my own "holy [i]nfant, so tender and mild" ("Silent Night," Hymns, 204). Can you imagine being the mother of Jesus and getting to see Him grow, watching His milestones, teaching Him how to walk and talk? Can you imagine cuddling with Him, playing with Him, singing Him to sleep? Mary was truly blessed among women (Luke 1:28, 42)!

Challenge: Treat your children as if you were raising Christ. All are children of God!

More Ideas

2010-12-05T11:49:00.002-07:00

In conjunction with the previous post, I have listed below three articles that will help you accomplish some of the Christmas activities:

How to Remember Christ during Christmas

How to Have a Family Christmas Pageant

How to Do Random Acts of Kindness

Sharing Time: Any other ideas?

'Tis the Season...

2010-12-01T12:51:00.002-07:00

Mesa Temple

....for missionary work! There is no better time to share the gospel than during the Christmas season. People are more receptive because the Spirit is strong, everyone is kind and cheerful, and there is a lot of focus on Christ. Invite friends and family to:

walk the temple grounds, especially if it has a visitors' center, is decorated with lights and a nativity, or hosts mini concerts.
watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional the first Sunday in December.
watch Joy to the World, the Church's short DVD on the Savior's birth.
watch any Christmas video by the Church.
read or reenact the story of Christ's birth.
go to a religious Christmas pageant.
participate in service.
attend your ward's Christmas party.
go caroling, singing Christmas hymns.
write letters or send care packages to missionaries.
join you for Family Home Evening.
come to church.
read the Book of Mormon.

Challenge: Invite friends or family to do one of the above activities. Share your testimony with them afterward.

The Spirit of General Conference

2010-10-05T15:25:00.001-07:00

This past weekend we were blessed to listen to the prophet and apostles, enhanced by the beautiful music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. This Conference's theme was the gospel basics, such as faith, obedience, and agency. The theme reinforced the Church's efforts this year in going back to the basic principles of the gospel to strengthen our testimonies.

The spirit of Conference is wonderful and contagious: the Saints are excited, in tune with the Spirit, united, and happy. The Spirit is strong and testifies of the truth of the words we hear. We should strive to keep these feelings with us until the next Conference. We can reread or watch the talks online or read them in the Ensign. We can download them to our iPods. We can use them as Sunday activities or FHE lessons. We have so many options to keep Conference alive in our hearts until again we gather together to listen to the prophet and apostles speak to us.

Challenge: Keep the spirit of Conference with you for the next six months.

Saturday's Warriors

2010-09-24T18:04:00.002-07:00

As corny and somewhat doctrinally incorrect the play Saturday's Warrior is, the main song is truly inspiring:

Who are these children coming down, coming down,
Like gentle rain through darkened skies,
With glory trailing from their feet as they go
And endless promise in their eyes?

Who are these young ones growing tall, growing strong,
Like silver trees against the storm,
Who will not bend with the wind or the change,
But stand to fight the world alone?

These are the few, the warriors saved for Saturday,
To come the last day of the world.
These are they on Saturday.
These are the strong, the warriors rising in their might
To win the battle raging in the hearts of men on Saturday.

Strangers from a realm of light who have forgotten all
The memory of their former life, the purpose of their call.
And so they must learn why they're here and who they really are.
They must learn why they're here and who they are!

These are the few, the warriors saved for Saturday,
To come the last day of the world.
These are they on Saturday.
These are the strong, the warriors rising in their might
To win the battle raging in the hearts of men on Saturday.

In their sunlight armor they march forth to conquer all.
And with their swords ablaze with fire watch the darkness fall.
But first they must learn why they're here and who they really are.
They must learn why they're here and who they are!

These are the few, the warriors saved for Saturday,
To come the last day of the world.
These are they on Saturday.
These are the strong, the warriors rising in their might
To win the battle raging in the hearts of men on Saturday.

These are they
Who come forth on Saturday,
Saturday, Saturday!

It reiterates what prophets have said about our generation. "I regard you as the finest generation in the history of the Church," proclaimed President Hinckley. "Each time I have stood before such a group, there has come into my mind the great and prophetic statement made by Peter of old. Said he: 'Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.' (1 Pet. 2:9.)

"I know of no other statement which more aptly describes you, nor which sets before you a higher ideal by which to shape and guide your lives."

The same goes for past generations, not just ours, as noted by Elder John M. Madsen: "President Joseph Fielding Smith declared: 'Our young people … are the nobility of heaven, a choice and chosen generation who have a divine destiny. Their spirits have been reserved to come forth in this day when the gospel is on the earth, and when the Lord needs valiant servants to carry on his great latter-day work.'

"President Spencer W. Kimball declared, 'We are rearing a royal generation … who have special things to do.'"

All of us in this last dispensation--"Saturday"--were reserved for this time because we are great warriors needed to fight for the Lord before He returns. Unfortunately, not everyone has joined His army. Therefore, it is imperative that they "learn why they're here and who they really are." This responsibility is ours, as parents, as friends, as missionaries. The change in the world would be magnificent if every child of God knew of his or her divinity and acted upon that knowledge. Just think: Hitler used to be an innocent baby straight from heaven. Can you imagine what kind of leader he could have been if he had remembered his divinity and not allowed evil to enter his heart?

Let us all remember that we are children of God, armed with great power and strength to defeat Satan. Let us live up to our potential as Saturday's warriors and fight for the Lord!

Challenge: Remember who you are and why you're here and help others remember.

Temple Garments FAQ 2

2010-09-05T14:10:00.008-07:00

Oakland CA Temple

More analysis on my stat counter has prompted me to write yet another post on temple garments, this time for Church members. Some information is repeated from the last FAQ to clarify common questions.

What age to wear garments
Officially you can attend the temple and begin to wear garments at age 18 if you are worthy. Most leaders discourage doing so unless you are preparing for a mission or marriage to ensure readiness, necessity, and maturity. However, all worthy members may attend the temple and wear garments regardless of mission service or marital status. Newly baptized members must wait one year so they can learn and grow spiritually. Keeping temple covenants is serious, and leaders want to make sure you are prepared and willing to take on that responsibility, no matter what your age.

How to order garments
To order garments, go to your local distribution center, which is usually next to the nearest temple. If there isn't one close by, then you can order garments online at ldscatalog.com. You will need to verify your Church membership by typing in your name, birth date, confirmation date, and membership record number. You can get this information from your ward or branch clerk.

Garment types and sizes
The employees at the distribution center will show you the different fabrics and styles and can measure you for size. Fabric and sizing information can also be found online at ldscatalog.com (no verification required).

How to care for garments
The employees will tell you how to care for each fabric type or you can find the information online at ldscatalog.com. Always be respectful of garments: don't throw them on the floor or treat them lightly, and wear them properly as instructed in the temple. When garments start to get dingy, buy new ones. To learn how to dispose of old garments, ask a Church leader or temple worker or look it up in the new Church Handbook at lds.org.

Garments and exercise
It is your choice to wear garments or not during exercise and sports activities, but leaders strongly recommend wearing them for protection and modesty. Some people do not like to get garments sweaty and dirty or accidentally expose them (like with basketball shorts). Others like to wear them out of comfort or habit. In deciding, examine your motive: are you taking off your garments to take a break or wear immodest clothing, or to wear a required uniform or avoid exposing your garments?

I believe that the better your understanding and testimony of temple covenants, the more you will see garments as a blessing and joy and not a nuisance to you, and your desire to wear them continuously will increase.

Garments and regular underwear
There is no need to wear other underwear with garments since garments serve the same purpose as underwear. Some women like to wear panties over or under their garments when they have their period. Bras can be worn over or under the garment top.

How to explain garments to others
The following excerpt is from Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple:

There may be occasions when endowed members of the Church face questions on the garment.
On one occasion one of the brethren was invited to speak to the faculty and staff of the Navy Chaplains Training School in Newport, Rhode Island. The audience included a number of high-ranking naval chaplains from the Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish faiths.

In the question-and-answer period one of the chaplains asked, “Can you tell us something about the special underwear that some Mormon servicemen wear?” The implication was, “Why do you do that? Isn’t it strange? Doesn’t that present a problem?”

To the chaplain who made the inquiry he responded with a question: “Which church do you represent?” In response he named one of the Protestant churches.

He said, “In civilian life and also when conducting the meetings in the military service you wear clerical clothing, do you not?” The chaplain said that he did.

He continued: “I would suppose that that has some importance to you, that in a sense it sets you apart from the rest of your congregation. It is your uniform, as it were, of the ministry. Also, I suppose it may have a much more important place. It reminds you of who you are and what your obligations and covenants are. It is a continual reminder that you are a member of the clergy, that you regard yourself as a servant of the Lord, and that you are responsible to live in such a way as to be worthy of your ordination.”

He then told them: “You should be able to understand at least one of our reasons why Latter-day Saints have a deep spiritual commitment concerning the garment. A major difference between your churches and ours is that we do not have a professional clergy, as you do. The congregations are all presided over by local leaders. They are men called from all walks of life. Yet they are ordained to the priesthood. They hold offices in the priesthood. They are set apart to presiding positions as presidents, counselors, and leaders in various categories. The women, too, share in that responsibility and in those obligations. The man who heads our congregation on Sunday as the bishop may go to work on Monday as a postal clerk, as an office worker, a farmer, a doctor; or he may be an air force pilot or a naval officer. By our standard he is as much an ordained minister as you are by your standard. He is recognized as such by most governments. We draw something of the same benefits from this special clothing as you would draw from your clerical vestments. The difference is that we wear ours under our clothing instead of outside, for we are employed in various occupations in addition to our service in the Church. These sacred things we do not wish to parade before the world.”

He then explained that there are some deeper spiritual meanings as well, connecting the practice of wearing this garment with covenants that are made in the temple. We wouldn’t find it necessary to discuss these—not that they are secret, he repeated, but because they are sacred.

The garment, covering the body, is a visual and tactile reminder of these covenants. For many Church members the garment has formed a barrier of protection when the wearer has been faced with temptation. Among other things it symbolizes our deep respect for the laws of God—among them the moral standard.

For more great resources on understanding garments, search for temple garments in the Gospel Library on lds.org. For more FAQ, click here. For another post on garments, click here.

Challenge: Strengthen your testimony of wearing garments by learning more about them, attending the temple, and wearing them properly.

The Ensign

2010-09-05T13:34:00.002-07:00

lds.org

This month I received my first issue of the Ensign. It took me 3 years before I finally subscribed. Before, I read it other ways: buying General Conference issues, borrowing copies from friends or the church library, and reading articles online. I love having my own copy now.

The Ensign is so uplifting. My day goes more smoothly when I start out my day reading the magazine. It brings such a good spirit into my heart and home. For example, one day a couple weeks ago I felt a desire to study more about the gospel, so I wrote on this blog and listened to the uplifting music. I was more patient with my friend's children and I had positive feelings about my upcoming birthing. The stories I read encouraged me to live more righteously and strengthened my testimony of various gospel principles.

There is no excuse not to subscribe to and read the Ensign. It is only $10 for a year, the cost of one movie ticket or a couple fast food meals. If we have time to read other things and watch TV, we have time to read one article a day. Of course, it should not replace personal scripture study, but supplement it.

Challenge: Subscribe to the Ensign if you have not already and read each issue.

Callings

2010-08-23T12:39:00.001-07:00

The Church runs on volunteered time and service, organized through callings. We choose to accept or reject these callings when Church leaders extend them to us. When we are faced with this choice we must remember the following:

Church leaders truly are inspired from heaven. They know where we need to serve. We must not doubt them even if it is difficult not to.
There are many reasons why a certain calling is right for us. Most obvious, we have the necessary qualities and skills for that position or, conversely, we need to develop the needed qualities and skills. Other reasons may not even be related to the calling. In my case, I needed to meet a certain person, who shared the same calling. We have since become close friends and blessings in each other's lives.
When we magnify our callings, everyone benefits. We grow and the ward grows; we learn and the ward learns; we love and the ward loves us back.
Every calling in the ward is important. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 emphasizes this by comparing members to body parts and explaining how every body part is essential and should be honored. Never be ashamed of your calling.

Sharing Time: What was your favorite calling? What was your most challenging? What blessings and positive experiences have you had while serving?

photo from lds.org

"I'm Going to Boise!"

2010-08-23T11:50:00.002-07:00

The LDS comedy The Singles Ward plays up the oft-used missionary joke of being called to serve in Boise, Idaho. After a young man opens his mission call, his friends say something polite and quickly come up with excuses to leave, commenting privately how awful his call is. When the young man shares his call at a store, the employee smiles politely and says, "How nice." Other mission calls viewed as awful include a missionary's home country, a place only a few hours away, or a place where they speak the missionary's native language.

Why do we have this attitude about mission calls? The purpose of a mission is not to go on a vacation, study abroad, or collect stories for bragging rights (as played up in The RM). It's not about us! The purpose of a mission is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). Heavenly Father wants all His children to return to Him and He loves them all the same, regardless of where they live or what language they speak. No people are worth more or less to Heavenly Father, no mission is better than another, and all missions have challenges. We must view a mission call as an opportunity to bless His children with the joy of the gospel. We must learn to love the people, the place, and the culture. Only when we have the right attitude about missionary work will we be successful.

Challenge: Next mission call opening you attend, have genuine excitement and support for the missionary no matter where he or she is going. If the call is your own, pray for sincere love and joy before opening it.

photo from ldsfilm.com

"Praise to the Man"

2010-06-26T13:22:00.002-07:00

June 27 marks the 166th anniversary of Joseph Smith's death. I found this amazing video in honor of him (click here for another good one). I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and restored His church to the earth. I know that he loved the Saints and the Lord and that he sacrificed so much to bring us the blessings of the gospel. Praise to the man!

Challenge: May we continue to share his story and our testimony of him with all the world so that he did not die in vain.

"God's Words Never Cease"

2010-06-26T12:47:00.005-07:00

I know that Jesus Christ still speaks to His children, through all types of revelation: the scriptures, our Church leaders, and personal revelation through the Holy Ghost. It does not make any sense to me why some believe He has stopped communicating with His children. His works never change, for He is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" (2 Nephi 29:9; see also Hebrews 13:8). He has not stopped, but has spoken to His children ever since Adam and Eve, giving us all the knowledge we need to return to Him. We especially need His guidance in these latter days, the final scenes before His Second Coming, and I am so grateful we have it. I know the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and that President Monson is a prophet. I know that Christ lives and loves us, and I am so grateful He shows His love by continuing to speak to us today.

Challenge: Read 2 Nephi 29.

Primary Music

2010-06-26T11:54:00.001-07:00

I love singing and listening to Primary songs. Their sweetness, energy, and sincerity touch my spirit and remind me to be childlike. Their simple words emphasize the basic yet most important principles of the gospel. They bring the Spirit, joy, and peace. And some songs are just plain fun to sing!

Sharing Time: What is your favorite Primary song?

photo from deseretbook.com

The Salt of the Earth

2010-06-10T07:59:00.007-07:00

Christ commanded us to be the salt of the earth (3 Nephi 12:13, Matthew 5:13). What is so special about salt? The Israelites had to use salt in their sacrifices to symbolize the Lord's preserving them just as salt preserves food (Leviticus 2:13, Numbers 18:19). Christ fulfilled the law of Moses and did away with sacrifices, but He still used salt symbolically when He called us the salt of the earth.

Salt is obtained by evaporation, the removal of moisture by sunlight. We become the salt of the earth by allowing Christ, the source of all light, to remove our sins.

Salt is white, the color of purity. We too must be pure.

Salt preserves food, drying out moisture that allows it to spoil. We can preserve souls by bringing them to Christ and showing them how to repent of all soul-spoiling sin.

Salt draws out and intensifies the natural flavor of food. Likewise, we can draw out and intensify the natural goodness in others by being an example of good.

Salt adds flavor to bland food. We can add purpose (flavor) to others' lives by sharing the gospel with them and helping them be happy.

Also, isn't it interesting that the Lord had the Saints settle in the Great Salt Lake area?

Discussion: How else can we be the salt of the earth?

photo by Elisabetta Grondona

One Smile at a Time

2010-06-05T13:49:00.002-07:00

My friend shared this amazing video with me, called "Validation." It's touching and funny and shows the best, easiest, fastest, cheapest way to make Heavenly Father's children happier and kinder.

I try to live by this principle (making others happy). I hate seeing people sad or upset, because I know how painful it is to feel depressed or stressed or whatever other negative emotion. People want validation, and it's so easy to give. This small act has such huge results: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine . . ." On the flip side, small acts of unkindness also have huge results: " . . . but a broken spirit drieth the bones" (Proverbs 17:22; see also Proverbs 15:13). How can we not afford to be kind to one another? Smiles and compliments take little time and energy. And for every smile we bring to someone's face, we also bring a smile to Christ's.

Challenge: Let's change this world one smile at a time!

Compassion

2010-05-31T09:03:00.004-07:00

I read this post on my friend's blog and asked her if I could repost it here. Note, it has been edited for length and clarity.

One Sunday an adorable 12-year-old boy was passing the sacrament for the first time, and I happened to be sitting in his line of duty. I have long since forgotten exactly what happened (and which new, adorable deacon it was), but that new, adorable deacon made some silly mistake, some noticeable breach of “protocol,” in passing the sacrament to me. My heart went out to him in complete and immediate forgiveness. I instantly excused his mistake, thinking, “It’s okay. He’s never done this before.”

As my heart turned back to its repentant self-reflection, I realized that perhaps the Savior looks on us that way sometimes.

“It’s okay. You’ve never done this before.”

Never tried to get through sacrament meeting (or life) with three little kids while pregnant before. Never had this or that calling before. Never tried to x while also dealing with y before.

Do we show ourselves a gentle heart ("Lord, I Would Follow Thee," Hymn #220)? Are we harsh and unforgiving with ourselves? Whatever we struggle with, whether it’s new or intimidating or scary or just plain hard, I am confident that the Lord is reaching out to us, to encourage and understand us, even when we feel no one can. We can be kind to ourselves and understand that we’ve “never done this before” and it’s okay.

It also struck me how important it is to forgive each other freely and completely. We should reach out with the same understanding and compassion we hope to receive from the Lord. There’s no place in Zion – and certainly not in our families – for fault-finding, nitpicking, or bitterness. There’s always more going on than meets the eye. Let’s all cut ourselves a little slack as we move, and help each other move, onward and upward.

Challenge: Have compassion on yourself next time you make a mistake.

Romance

2010-05-23T19:24:00.001-07:00

Need romantic ideas? Try spiritual activities. Marital success is dependent on a love triangle between you, your spouse, and Heavenly Father. The closer you both become to Him, the closer you become to each other.

My favorite romantic activity is going to the temple with my husband. Every time I go, my love for him increases and my resolve to reach exaltation grows stronger. Other great activities include reading your patriarchal blessings, working on family history, reading the scriptures, reading the Ensign and Church books, discussing gospel principles, preparing gospel lessons together, going to a temple visitor's center or other Church-related site, having Family Home Evening even if it's just the two of you, doing service, or attending a fireside.

Just spending time together away from worldly distractions is beneficial too. I like riding along in the cart while my husband golfs when the course is not busy and we can be by ourselves. We enjoy Heavenly Father's beautiful creations and each other's company and conversation in peace.

You don't even need to leave the house to have such bonding time. Set aside a little time when you can enjoy being together without the TV or music on, kids (if applicable) needing attention, or the phone ringing (set your phone on silent!). Just talking or relaxing together in tranquility will bring you closer and strengthen your love. Remember the little things too: saying prayers together and for each other, kissing or hugging hello and goodbye, and complimenting and encouraging one another.

At times when you feel indifferent toward or out of love with your spouse, pray for help. Pray to remember and focus on the good things that attracted you to your spouse in the first place. Eliminate anything that undermines your love for him or her: family-unfriendly TV shows, negative friends, romantic fantasies and unrealistic expectations. Work on your spirituality and you will find your love rekindling.

Sharing Time: What spiritual activities do you love to do with your spouse (fiance/fiancee, boy/girlfriend)?

"The Hand That Rocks the Cradle"

2010-05-10T09:35:00.005-07:00

For Mother's Day, the ward gave all women a booklet of a BYU Women's Conference talk by Elder Packer entitled "Blessings on the Hand of Women." In it he quoted this beautiful poem:

Blessing on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow--
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky--
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

("The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Is the Hand That Rules the World," William Ross Wallace)

Challenge: "Grow on for the good" and make your mommy proud!

"My New Life"

2010-05-05T19:13:00.005-07:00

This new Mormon Message has been floating around Facebook, and I can see why. This beautiful woman radiates peace, faith, and courage. We should all have her attitude with whatever trials face us.
I like Elder Holland's quote at the end: "When suffering, we may in fact be nearer to God than we've ever been in our entire lives. That knowledge can turn every such situation into a would-be temple."
Challenge: Use your trials as opportunities to come closer to Christ.

The Highway of Life

2010-05-02T18:09:00.004-07:00

Bishop H. David Burton spoke at today's CES Fireside about achieving happiness through the plan of salvation. He compared our journey through life to a road trip:

The scriptures are our road map

The Atonement is our insurance

Temptations are the detours

A temple recommend is a driver's license

Spiritual evaluations of ourselves are car checks before the trip

Service is the sightseeing and joy of the journey

Church guidelines are the rules and regulations of driving

He closed with a kite analogy, reminding us that although it seems as if the wind (worldly ways) makes us fly higher and the kite string (Church guidelines) hinders our flight, it really is the string that allows us to soar and avoid crashing from the wind.

Discussion: How else is life like traveling on a highway?

photo from stock.xchng

"Far above Rubies"

2010-04-24T17:56:00.007-07:00

Certain TV shows and previews reminded me of a quote from Sister Margaret Nagauld:

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. 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."

We need to be classy women--women with manners, discipline, integrity, virtue, sincerity, and charity. Sister Nagauld isn't the only one to have said this:

1. "It is, unfortunately, all too easy to illustrate the confusion and distortion of womanhood in contemporary society. Immodest, immoral, intemperate women jam the airwaves, monopolize magazines, and slink across movie screens—all while being celebrated by the world. The Apostle Paul spoke prophetically of 'perilous times' that will come in the last days and specifically referenced something that may have seemed particularly perilous to him: 'silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts' (2 Timothy 3:1, 6). Popular culture today often makes women look silly, inconsequential, mindless, and powerless. It objectifies them and disrespects them and then suggests that they are able to leave their mark on mankind only by seduction—easily the most pervasively dangerous message the adversary sends to women about themselves.

"And so, my dear young women, with all my heart I urge you not to look to contemporary culture for your role models and mentors. Please look to your faithful mothers for a pattern to follow. Model yourselves after them, not after celebrities whose standards are not the Lord’s standards and whose values may not reflect an eternal perspective. Look to your mother. Learn from her strengths, her courage, and her faithfulness" (Elder M. Russell Ballard).

2. "It is not for you to be led by the women of the world; it is for you to lead the . . . women of the world, in everything that is praise-worthy, everything that is God-like, everything that is uplifting and . . . purifying to the children of men" (President Joseph F. Smith, quoted by Elder Ballard).

3. "Woman is God’s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good.

"Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth" (President Gordon B. Hinckley).

4. "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies" (Proverbs 31:10).

Challenge: Be a virtuous woman, not a woman of the world. Note, this post also applies to men!

photo by Paul Krasovic

Temple Garments FAQ

2010-04-18T21:33:00.010-07:00

Washington D.C. Temple

Thanks to my stat counter account, I have discovered that a popular search item is the temple garment. That is understandable since it is such a symbolic and sacred item in our Church and inspires much curiosity in the outside community. Therefore, I am going to address some frequently asked questions about temple garments.

What are temple garments?
Garments are white undershirts and underpants that many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wear.

Who wears temple garments?
Members of the Church who have attended the temple wear garments. In order to attend the temple, they must be at least 18 years old and have received a temple recommend (card), which is given after two interviews with local Church leaders to establish personal worthiness to enter the temple. Most men receive their garments at age 18 or 19, before going on their mission. Most women receive theirs whenever they get married or if they go on a mission at age 21 (though if they are getting older and neither has happened, they may receive them). All wearers must show their temple recommend in order to buy garments.

How are temple garments worn?
Garments are worn instead of regular underwear. They are very modest and are not to be altered or removed in order to wear immodest clothing.

When are temple garments worn?
Garments are worn at all times. They can be removed for activities that obviously require removal: swimming, showering, sex. For sports, dance, and exercise, it is advised to wear clothing that cover garments. Some activities require clothing that exposes the garment, such as basketball shorts and ballerina costumes, so Church members wear regular underwear instead. However, such activities are not excuses to "take a break" from wearing garments or to wear immodest clothing. For all the above activities, garments are removed only during the activity and then are immediately replaced.

Why are temple garments worn?
Garments are a constant reminder of the covenants (promises) we made in the temple, encouraging us to live righteously. They serve as a spiritual protection and require us to be modest.

Are temple garments magic underwear?
No. This myth has arisen from misunderstanding the protection they provide. Their primary role is to protect us spiritually, because they remind us to keep our covenants and thus build a strong defense against temptation and sin. However, there have been instances where garments have protected people from physical harm, like fire burns. Such instances are special blessings from God, who works by priesthood power, not by magic. Both types of protection rely on the wearer's worthiness and respect for garments.

Why are temple garments so secret?
Because garments are sacred and symbolic to us, we keep them private. It is highly offensive when others mock or disrespect them, as it would be to other Christian denominations if someone vandalized the cross or used it to represent something evil. Wearers ought to take great care in covering their garments. Besides, no one should reveal their underwear, regardless of what type it is!

Discussion: Any other questions?

Little Girls No More

2010-04-14T12:55:00.009-07:00

Read this article.

And we wonder why girls as young as eleven are losing their virginity and why there are so many sexual predators out there.

The company argues the padding is for modesty. On the one hand, that is understandable. My little sister went through puberty very early, and my mom had a hard time finding a little-girl bathing suit that covered my sister completely. On the other hand, if parents are so worried about modesty, why are they letting their little girls wear bikinis, especially if they are starting to blossom at a young age?

Why can't little girls just be little girls? They'll have the rest of their lives to be grown women. Childhood lasts only for a brief moment. And once it's over, most everyone wishes at some time or other that they could go back.

I apologize this isn't actually a doctrinal post. But this problem of sexualizing our little girls really bothers me. As members of the Church, we must set the example and dress our children modestly from birth and let them remain childlike, as Christ wants all of us to be.

Challenge: Encourage the children in your life to embrace and enjoy childhood.

Recognizing Pornography

2010-04-11T11:26:00.007-07:00

My Relief Society president shared that her biggest fear is her sons viewing pornography. It is sad she has to fear this, especially since her sons are only four and five. But my former bishop shared--to my shock and dismay--that nowadays it is at this young and innocent age that many boys get trapped into the sticky web of pornography. Knowing the lifestyle of this woman and her family, I am confident she will succeed in raising young men who do not actively search for X-rated material. However, pornography is not always directly labeled so. It comes in many forms and levels; thus, it is important to learn to recognize and avoid all of them.

"Pornography is any entertainment that uses immodest or indecent images to stimulate sexual feelings," explains a New Era article featured on the new Church Web site. "So even a mainstream television program or advertisement can be pornographic. If images trigger sexual feelings in you, you should avoid them."

The Church pamphlet "Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts" reads, "Some materials that are not explicitly pornographic can still fill your life with darkness and deprive you of spiritual strength. Television programs, pictures, movies, songs, and books often treat unchastity and infidelity as common, appealing, and humorous. Avoid anything that drives the Holy Ghost from your life."

With these definitions in mind, probably all of us have accidentally seen, read, or heard pornographic material, no matter how mild it was: a CD cover, a Facebook photo of a friend, a bestselling novel, a chart-topping song. Now that we recognize it, we need to be more careful of what we allow ourselves and our famililes to view, because it seems that accidents are the number one way people get drawn into pornography. They slowly desensitize the spirit and awaken curiosity. Like a spider web, they are deceptive, and once we realize we are stuck, it's too late. Protecting from these small, sneaky ways that get us on the path to worse things is the hardest part and to what we must give the most care and attention.

Challenge: Eliminate all types of pornographic material from your life, no matter how trivial they seem to be.

The Woman at the Well

2010-04-10T14:39:00.002-07:00

John 4:1-15 tells the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. Jesus told her, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (vv. 13-14). I have drunk deeply from the gospel well thanks to the following, and I can already feel it reviving my spirit:

General Conference: Amazing! I love Conference so much for the Spirit and motivation it brings.
Personal scripture study: I've gotten back into the habit almost daily and am learning a lot from the wars in Alma about fighting spiritual enemies.
Family scripture study: While my family was here, we sang a hymn and had a spiritual thought every night.
Family Home Evening: My little sister gave an excellent lesson on the Holy Ghost and truth.
Priesthood blessing: My husband gave me a blessing of comfort (see the post "The Priesthood and Love").
Music: Whenever I work on this blog, I listen to the playlist (found at the bottom) of MoTab, hymns, Primary songs, and instrumental arrangements. Beautiful music brings the Spirit to my heart and home.
Patriarchal blessing: I reread my blessing today and was dismayed that I had forgotten so much of the counsel and promises found in it. I am going to read it more often.

This past week of spiritual feasting has reminded me of how important it is to do the small and simple things to keep up my spirituality and that time-wasting can be just as detrimental as sin to my enthusiasm for righteous living. I remember always being spiritually full my freshman year at BYU because of the constant opportunities to drink at the well. We should create such an environment wherever we are so we can become women and men at the well and answer as the woman did, "Give me this water, that I thirst not" (v.15).

Challenge: Take every opportunity to drink from the well of everlasting life.

The Priesthood and Love

2010-04-10T12:20:00.004-07:00

Recently I had a disturbing nightmare, and the images bothered me all the next day. At bedtime I asked my very tired husband to give me a blessing. He readily agreed and gave me a beautiful priesthood blessing, saying that which I needed to hear and tenderly comforting me. The blessing not only filled me with peace, but also with intense love for my husband for caring for me and for using his priesthood to do so. Of course, I slept soundly that night.

I am so grateful for the priesthood; it truly is the power of a loving God. I am also thankful for loving men who are willing to use this power properly to bless others. How blessed I am to have one of those loving men!

The priesthood revolves around love: "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned" (D&C 121:41). My husband's love for me brought him close to the Spirit; my love for him increased my faith. And the blessing worked.

My patriarchal blessing counsels me to honor and respect my husband's priesthood and encourage my husband to give blessings to me and our children. I extend this counsel to all of you: do not deny the brethren opportunities to serve and bless others with the gift and power of the priesthood. Put faith in them and you will be surprised by what they can do.

Challenge: Next time you need to be comforted, ask a worthy priesthood holder to give you a blessing.

photo from theideadoor.com

Parenthood

2010-04-10T11:11:00.002-07:00

General Conference focused on parenthood, specifically teaching children the gospel and setting an example for the youth. Some paraphrased highlights:

Church programs should support, not supplant, the home. (Elder Packer)
If we strengthen children when they are young, they less likely will need to be rescued as teenagers. (Elder Eyring)
Begin to teach children by the cradleside, by example and precept. (Elder Perry)
Children, even infants, respond to the spirit of the Book of Mormon. (Elder Bednar)
If we want our children to come unto Christ, we should too to show them the way. (Sister Lant)
Children intuitively want to be good. It is up to us to help them retain that connection with heaven. (Sister Lant)
There is no substitute for the youth seeing us live the gospel. (Elder Hales)

Sharing Time: Which General Conference talks or quotes stuck out to you?

"We Listen to a Prophet's Voice"

2010-04-09T18:10:00.006-07:00

We listen to a prophet's voice and hear the Savior too.
With love he bids us do the work the Lord would have us do.
The Savior calls his chosen seer to preach the word of God,
That men might learn to find the path marked by the iron rod.

In ev'ry land, in ev'ry tongue, our prophet will be heard;
How swiftly round the world his voice reveals the gospel word!
The sacred message that he brings will witness and agree
With ev'ry prophet called of God throughout earth's history.

Hosanna! Let our praise ascend unto the Savior's throne;
Rejoice! The prophet has confirmed that by Him we are known.
Attend, ye earth! The prophet speaks; come listen and obey.
He is the man who holds the keys of priesthood pow'r today.

(Hymns, 22. Listen to it here.)

Challenge: Study the words of this hymn to strengthen your testimony of the prophet.

Spring

2010-03-26T12:43:00.009-07:00

Warm weather, beautiful birdsongs, fragrant flowers--spring is here! Spring is a happy season, full of life and beauty and hope. It is no wonder that so many significant events have happened during spring.

Passover and Easter: Both of these holidays--one Jewish, the other Christian--celebrate Christ's Atonement and Resurrection, the most important parts of the plan of salvation. Also, it was on Passover that Christ instituted the sacrament before His death. [For more information on the relation of these two holidays, read this talk by then Elder Howard W. Hunter.]

Joseph Smith's First Vision: Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son amid Their wondrous creations in the spring of 1820, during the country's Second Great Awakening (a religious revival).

The Restoration of the Church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially organized and established on April 6, 1830. The timing also coincides with Easter, and for symbolic reasons: Christ's church was dead on the earth and then was resurrected to its proper order, just as Christ died and was resurrected to His proper order.

General Conference: One semi-annual General Conference is held in spring, in commemoration of the restoration of the Church, and thus Easter.

Spring is definitely symbolic of these magnificent events. President Hunter said, "I testify that after every winter’s season there is the miracle of springtime ahead—in our personal journey through life as well as in nature. These restorations and renewals are a gift from the Lord Jesus Christ, the ultimate 'man for all seasons.'''

"The spring of the year is a most welcome season," proclaimed Elder Mark E. Petersen. "It is then that all life seems to renew itself, when the promise of the future appears brightest and hope rises to its zenith. Indeed it is a time of reawakened courage and confidence.

"Spring! A time of renewal, a revival in nature of the life that is all about us, but especially a reaffirmation of the divine promise of life everlasting!"

Sharing Time: What is your favorite part of spring?

photo of Temple Square from Pedrito's picture gallery.

"Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples"

2010-03-23T11:57:00.002-07:00

Friday evening I went to the temple with a friend. I had not gone in a long while, and I forgot the incredible peace I always feel there. I want to return soon to feel it again. But I don't have to wait until I attend the temple to feel that joy. There is another place where I can feel it every day: my home.

"Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where the Lord may visit. Only the home can compare with temples in sacredness" (True to the Faith, 170). "There exists a righteous unity between the temple and the home," Elder Stevenson reminded us in General Conference April 2009. "Understanding the eternal nature of the temple will draw you to your family; understanding the eternal nature of the family will draw you to the temple."

The purpose of the temple is to provide saving ordinances, all of which lead to the ultimate ordinance of uniting families. The home, the place of family growing and gathering, should be a tutorial for future temple attendance. The principles of salvation should "begin in sacred homes and continue in sacred temples."

King Benjamin's people showed us how: "And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple" (Mosiah 2:6). When we walk through the door out to the world, we should find a path to the temple. When we walk through the door into the home, we should feel as if we were entering the temple. Elder Stevenson advised us to evaluate our homes for these things:

"Recently, in a stake conference, all present were invited by . . . Elder Glen Jenson, an Area Seventy, to take a virtual tour of their homes using their spiritual eyes. I would like to invite each of you to do this also. . . . Imagine that you are opening your front door and walking inside your home. What do you see, and how do you feel? Is it a place of love, peace, and refuge from the world, as is the temple? Is it clean and orderly? As you walk through the rooms of your home, do you see uplifting images which include appropriate pictures of the temple and the Savior? Is your bedroom or sleeping area a place for personal prayer? Is your gathering area or kitchen a place where food is prepared and enjoyed together, allowing uplifting conversation and family time? Are scriptures found in a room where the family can study, pray, and learn together? Can you find your personal gospel study space? Does the music you hear or the entertainment you see, online or otherwise, offend the Spirit? Is the conversation uplifting and without contention? That concludes our tour. Perhaps you, as I, found a few spots that need some 'home improvement'—hopefully not an 'extreme home makeover.'"

To make improvements, Elder Stevenson suggested we make standards for our home, just as the Lord has made standards for the temple, and rely on D&C 88:19 for guidance.

We must not take this goal lightly. President Packer said, "Temple. One other word is equal in importance to a Latter-day Saint. Home. Put the words holy temple and home together, and you have described the house of the Lord!"

Sharing Time: What do you do to make your home like the temple?

Visiting and Home Teaching

2010-03-19T10:43:00.011-07:00

Ah, yes, everyone's favorite topic of guilt. And we have good reason to be guilty: visiting/home teaching results in more blessings than we realize, and when we do not do it we deny ourselves and others these blessings.

Foremost, we learn more about the gospel from preparing the message and sharing our insights. We are supposed to discuss the message and edify one another. I think too often we do not give this part of the visit as much focus as needed.

We provide or receive service by being or having a constant support system.

We make friends! This is my favorite blessing of visiting/home teaching. It's fun getting to know others and becoming close to some of them.

Also, the relationships we create strengthen the ward as a whole. If everyone were friends, there would be less drama, gossip, hate, and offenses. We would be unified and feel loved and cared about.

We learn to be selfless by serving and we increase our spirituality by praying for those we teach. We grow closer to the Spirit and develop Christ-like qualities.

So, have you done your visiting or home teaching this month?

Discussion: What other blessings come from visiting and home teaching?

photo from lds.org

"I Will Give unto This Last, Even As unto Thee"

2010-03-19T09:52:00.006-07:00

Often after being around people who have been righteous and valiant their entire lives, I feel like scum and I wonder how in the world Heavenly Father loves me just as much as He loves them. My justice-oriented mind doesn't understand the mercy of the Atonement and the unconditional love of the Savior. It's unbelievable that someone who has sinned so greatly can repent and receive eternal life. I know such thoughts are from Satan (see the post "Love Thyself" and this Ensign article), but I still allow myself to believe them.

Then I try to remember this New Testament parable: Matthew 20:1-16. What matters is not when I began to work in the vineyard, but that I am there working. Whether I have been like Nephi or like Alma the Younger, I will still receive the same celestial reward. That knowledge gives me comfort and the courage to strive for exaltation.

Sharing Time: What scripture story or passage inspires you to aim for a heavenly goal?

Amazing

2010-03-01T21:31:00.001-07:00

Every day the same realization hits me as if brand new: the human body is amazing. It is amazing how our bodies work; it is amazing what our bodies can do; it is amazing how much we know about the human body and how to care for it.

Recently, the Winter Olympics has reminded me of this most amazing of Heavenly Father's creations. The speed, agility, balance, flexibility, strength, endurance, and precision the activities require our bodies can fulfill. And we take great pleasure in doing them.

There is so much our bodies can do, physically and mentally. How can anyone call it an accidental result of evolution? Only Someone amazing could create something so amazing that can do things so amazing. Even daily and normal functions are amazing: eating, sleeping, laughing, crying, hugging, walking, breathing, growing, thinking. Even bodies that cannot do these things are still amazing because of the things they can do, even if it is just staying alive.

We should never take our bodies for granted. We should be grateful for them, as imperfect as they are, and find joy in what we can do. Always focus on the blessings and the miracles; the negative things will be taken care of when we are resurrected.

Challenge: Do something you enjoy and find the miracle in it.

The Creation of Life

2010-02-07T11:40:00.011-07:00

Being pregnant has made me ponder the creation of life. It's a little mind-boggling to think that another human being is growing inside my body, that somehow my body and the baby's body know how to do this. I wonder which spirit from heaven I will give birth to and raise. My endless thinking about this baby has helped me discover much symbolism in the creation of life:

Pregnancy involves the "magic numbers" of the gospel: 40 weeks (40 days/nights of the flood, 40 days of Jesus fasting in the desert, 40 years of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness), 3 trimesters (Christ's resurrection on the third day, 3 members of the Godhead and thus 3 members in all auxiliary presidencies, Moroni's 3 visits to Joseph Smith in one night, Peter's 3 denials of Christ, etc.).

As shared in a seminary video, new life requires blood, water, and a spirit. Also, new spiritual life requires blood (the Atonement), water (baptism), and a spirit (the Holy Ghost).

Furthermore, the creation of life relies on the body, assistance, protection, and nurture of the mother, who must suffer pain in the process, just as spiritual rebirth relies on the body, assistance, protection, and nurture of Christ, who suffered the ultimate pain through the Atonement. This partnership forms a strong bond of love in both people.

Pregnancy awakens and develops Christlike qualities--unconditional love, nurture, patience, joy, peace--in both women and men, because we are experiencing the godly power of creation. Parenting continues to develop these and other attributes.

Discussion: How else is pregnancy symbolic of the gospel?

Mormon Messages

2010-01-31T10:56:00.006-07:00

ldsmediatalk.com

On the Church Web site, at the bottom of the home page and on the right sidebar, are featured videos called Mormon Messages. They are short clips from General Conference talks with music, photos, and background videos added to them. My favorite is the one entitled "Prayer."

Mormon Messages is a great way to share short and uplifting stories, testimonies, and counsel with family and friends, whether they are LDS or not. Above the featured video on the Church Web site is a toolbar allowing you to post the video or link on various social networking sites, such as Facebook. Mormon Messages also has a channel on YouTube, with videos in Spanish, to which you can subscribe. Share the light!

Sharing Time: Which Mormon Message is your favorite?

A Few Degrees

2010-01-24T14:17:00.008-07:00

"I have learned that the difference between happiness and misery in individuals, in marriages, and families often comes down to an error of only a few degrees," said President Uchtdorf in General Conference April 2008. To illustrate this point, he explained that if your course flying around the world were just one degree off, by the time you got back around, you would be 500 miles (800 km) off course.

It almost seems unfair that a small mistake can have such a negatively dramatic effect on our lives. However, it is not one small error that does this, but many "small errors and minor drifts away from the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is therefore of critical importance that we become self-disciplined enough to make early and decisive corrections to get back on the right track and not wait or hope that errors will somehow correct themselves.

"The longer we delay corrective action, the larger the needed changes become, and the longer it takes to get back on the correct course—even to the point where a disaster might be looming."

When we catch and correct mistakes early, we can progress more quickly, easily, and happily toward our celestial goal. When we fail to do so, we end up feeling hopeless. One of Satan's biggest and most successful lies is that it is too late and pointless to repent, because we have offended God so greatly that He will never forgive us. Refuse to believe this lie! It is in exact opposition to the purpose of the Atonement. President Uchtdorf emphasized this point: "No matter how terribly off course you are, no matter how far you have strayed, the way back is certain and clear. . . . It may not be an easy path, and it requires self-discipline and determination, but its end is glorious beyond description. You are not doomed to a tragic end."

We must constantly tell ourselves we can make it back to Heavenly Father even if we aren't perfect. "Remember: the heavens will not be filled with those who never made mistakes but with those who recognized that they were off course and who corrected their ways to get back in the light of gospel truth."

Challenge: Examine your life and find an area in which you feel you are drifting off course. Act now to return to the strait and narrow path.

Light

2010-01-18T08:27:00.001-07:00

It is no coincidence that light is symbolic of Christ, the light and life of the world (Mosiah 16:9). Every characteristic of light is also characteristic of the Son of God:

All life requires light for survival and growth.
Light dispels darkness.
Light makes everything visible and clear (also used in the forms of lenses and mirrors) and is used to lead the way.
Light provides warmth and happiness; its absence leads to cold and depression.
The brightest light is white.
The solar system revolves around a light source (and isn't it interesting that sun and son are homophones in English?).
Light signifies knowledge (light bulb ideas, the word enlightenment, D&C 93:36).
Light comes from above.

The scriptures reveal how light has been used to symbolize the Savior:

Before the Savior was born, the Nephites experienced a day and a night and a day of full light (3 Nephi 1:15, 19).
On His day of birth, a new star--the brightest and only constant star--appeared (3 Nephi 1:21, Matthew 2:2).
When the Savior was crucified, there was darkness, for three hours in Jerusalem (Luke 23:44-45) and three days in the Americas in which no light could be made (3 Nephi 8:20-23).

Other facts about light:

Things that are black do not emit or reflect light.
Winter has the least daylight.

Discussion: In what other ways is light symbolic of Christ?

photo from Yury Khristich on sxc.hu

The Sabbath

2010-01-17T18:16:00.007-07:00

The fourth commandment is to keep the Sabbath day holy. In order to do so, we must first examine our motivation for doing certain activities. Are we reading our biology textbook because we love to study about God's creations or because we procrastinated our homework all weekend? We must be sure that the reason we do something we normally wouldn't do on Sunday is that it is necessary or unavoidable. President Kimball wrote in an Ensign article, "The Savior knew that the ox falls in the mire, and one must pull the ox from the mire when necessary. But no one deliberately puts the ox in the mire every week, or lets him get in the mire with no effort to keep him out."

This may seem hard when we want to play all weekend. President Kimball noted, "Sometimes Sabbath observance is characterized as a matter of sacrifice and self-denial, but it is not so. It is merely a matter of scheduling and choosing seasons. There is time enough, particularly in our era of the world’s history, during the six days of the week in which to do our work and play. Much can be done to organize and encourage weekday activities, avoiding the Sabbath."

On Sundays when we do not have other responsibilities to take care of, we may want to just rest on the couch all day. However, "the Sabbath is not a day for indolent lounging about the house . . . . The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things. Abstinence from work and recreation is important, but insufficient. The Sabbath calls for constructive thoughts and acts, and if one merely lounges about doing nothing on the Sabbath, he is breaking it." We need to lose our lazy and selfish motivations, as expressed in Isaiah 58:13-14.

The Sabbath will become a delight to us when we do activities that keep the day holy and bring us joy. In deciding what to do, we can rely on the "good, better, best" policy, which Elder Oaks introduced in General Conference October 2007: "We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives."

We can determine if an activity is good, better, or best by measuring it to the standards presented in D&C 59:9-12, the most important being "more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world." We must also remember that the Sabbath was made for us (Mark 2:27) as a day to evaluate and improve our spirituality, a day "for consistent attendance at meetings for the worship of the Lord, drinking at the fountain of knowledge and instruction, enjoying the family, and finding uplift in music and song" (President Kimball).

Challenge: Choose one bad or simply good Sunday activity you do to replace with a better or best activity. President Kimball recommended the following as the best Sunday activities: "[praying], preparing lessons, studying the gospel, meditating, visiting the ill and distressed, writing letters to missionaries, taking a nap, reading wholesome material, and attending all the meetings of that day at which [we are] expected."

Gospel Principles

2010-01-03T13:12:00.005-07:00

I am so excited for the new Gospel Principles manual! I have always felt strongly about focusing on the basic principles of the gospel. Elder Nelson expressed the same in the January Ensign: "All Church members will benefit by a return to the basics. A careful study of core doctrines . . . will help members strengthen their understanding of the fundamental teachings of the gospel."

As time goes by, we often forget the simple aspects of the gospel and tend to only study deeper doctrine. But our understanding of deeper doctrine will increase when we understand the foundational principles upon which the deeper doctrine is built. To bake a cake, every little ingredient is important in producing the delicious dessert. So it is with developing knowledge and a testimony: every little principle is important in producing a strong understanding of the gospel.

Some members may fear there will be some redundancy. Elder Nelson said, "Of course there will! Isn't it wonderful that we can gain the added benefit of repetition. Even the Savior taught the same doctrine multiple times to reinforce concepts. . . . the Lord repeats many concepts so that we do not miss them." Talented musicians understand this benefit: the better they play and understand the basics of music, the better they will play and understand difficult music.

For those, like me, who are unable to attend the lessons, we can study the manual at home. We do not want to miss out on the blessings Elder Nelson promised: "Brothers and sisters, by reinforcing your study of the core doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ, your testimony will grow, your happiness will increase, and you will find a greater abundance of the blessings of the Lord in your life."

Discussion: How will the new manual help the threefold mission of the Church (proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, redeem the dead)?

Love Thyself

2009-12-29T15:05:00.012-07:00

The second great commandment is to "love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matthew 22:39). Countless lessons and talks have focused on the first part of the commandment, loving others, so we often ignore the second part. But love for others stems from love for self. It may not seem true: there are many people who are compassionate and kind who have self-love issues. However, I believe that their capacity to love others would increase dramatically if they learned to love themselves. When someone is filled with self-hatred and other negative emotions, there is little room for positive emotions, even for others. In fact, self-hatred is selfish (note self is in both words); it's focusing solely on ourselves. On the other hand, when we are filled with self-love, we are happier, more optimistic people with greater capacity to see the needs of others and fill them.

I remember first learning this lesson from watching The Buttercream Gang. A former member of the gang goes on a rampage in the store, yelling at his friends for trying to help him. They don't understand why he is treating them so badly when they are trying to be his friends again. He answers, "Because I hate myself!" Once he learns to love himself as his friends love him, he becomes a good person again and reconnects with his old friends.

Loving ourselves is not easy. There are many reasons why we don't love ourselves: sins, weaknesses, physical insecurities, emotional insecurities, abuse, lies, false comparisons, etc. But there is one reason why we should love ourselves that crushes all the reasons not to: Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. We are so full of worth that Jesus suffered agonizing pain and death for us without ever stopping loving us.

Their love is incomprehensible to our human minds sometimes, allowing Satan to plant lies about this doctrine. An article in the October Ensign addressed these lies and reminded us that God's love is unconditional and eternal and that the Atonement can take away our negative feelings about ourselves.

Challenge: Read the article in the Ensign. Choose one lie that you frequently fall for and work on dispelling it with the truth.

Time

2009-12-23T14:43:00.007-07:00

Time is a mind-boggling concept. The scriptures reveal that our time and God's time are greatly different. We obsess over it, because we know that our earthly time is a gift. Most of us are appreciative of this gift, understanding that each day on earth is precious and can be taken away at any moment. However, with so many distractions and things to do, we usually do not use our time wisely.

The Lord advised us, "Let every man be diligent in all things. And the idler shall not have place in the church, except he repent and mend his ways" (D&C 75:29). We can be more diligent by being better organized, not being lazy, and quitting our addictions to less important things. I believe that last one is vital. Most of us do not struggle with excessive laziness--we are very busy and deserve the few breaks we get. I think the biggest problem we must overcome is dedicating our time to things that don't deserve it.

In Conference of October 1979, before Facebook and YouTube and "Lost," Elder William R. Bradford said regarding time, "If you have a twenty-hour-a-week television habit and would repent and convert it into a gospel-study habit, in one year you could read the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the entire Bible. In addition, you could read Jesus the Christ, The Articles of Faith, Gospel Principles, the basic priesthood manual, the basic women’s manual, the basic children’s manual, all three volumes of Doctrines of Salvation, The Miracle of Forgiveness, The Promised Messiah, and Essentials in Church History, and could then reread the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. This would still leave time to read the Ensign, the New Era, and the Friend each month and the Church News each week. This is based on your ability to read only ten pages an hour. The average person can read twenty pages or more an hour. If you are average, this leaves you with ten hours a week to govern yourself in other kingdom-building activities, such as keeping a personal journal, genealogy and temple work, improved home teaching, welfare services, civic and patriotic involvement to protect our freedom, and much more."

What an eye-opening statement! We have no right to complain about diminishing spirituality and happiness when it is a result of our own poor time management. We must give our salvation, which includes family and Church, first priority. This means more than just working on it first; we also have to give it its fair share of time. The scriptures command us to (see D&C 60:13, 2 Nephi 9:27, and D&C 88:124), and we covenanted in the temple to dedicate our time and talents to building up the kingdom. We need to measure an activity's importance by its relevance to that commandment and covenant. If we do, we will find greater peace and enjoyment in life.

Challenge: Find something to help you manage your time better: use a planner, have weekly family council, get up or go to bed earlier, limit your TV or computer time using a timer or alarm clock, pray for strength, etc.

CHRISTmas

2009-12-16T20:18:00.005-07:00

Chilly weather. Snow. Winter clothes. Cookies. Candy canes. Gingerbread houses. Hot chocolate. Fireplaces. Lights. Wreaths. Trees. Holly. Mistletoe. Green. Red. Gifts. Shopping. Parties. Decorations. Bells. Sleigh rides. Sledding. Snowmen. Carols. Music. Concerts. Santa. Reindeer. Elves. Penguins. Smiles. Laughter.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Christmas is coming! It is no coincidence that so much beauty and happiness surround the holiday celebrating Christ's birth. (And the holiday celebrating His death and resurrection, for that matter, but that's a different post.) Whether people like it or not, there is no escaping the symbolism and spirit of Christmas. Yet people forget the source of it all.

Angels. Choirs. Stars. Wise men. Shepherds. Baby. Pageants. Hymns. Praise. Family. Church. Prophets. Prophecies. Scriptures. Parables. Charity. Service. Love. Joy. Peace. Humility. Hearts. Blessings. Birth. Death. Resurrection. Light. Life. King. Son. Heaven. Earth. Eternity.

Now are you thinking what I'm thinking?

The Savior! He came over 2000 years ago and He will come again. Let Him come to mind first when we think of Christmas and all it brings.

Challenge: Find and include Christ in every aspect and tradition of Christmas.

The First Presidency Christmas Devotional

2009-12-07T16:36:00.008-07:00

Yesterday evening I watched the Christmas Devotional at our stake center. It was absolutely beautiful! It opened with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and congregation singing "The First Noel" and then after the prayer the Choir singing "For unto Us a Child Is Born" from Handel's Messiah. They sang with such contagious joyfulness.

President Uchtdorf spoke first about seeing Christ with the heart. He quoted from The Little Prince, "Anything essential is invisible to the eye." Although many saw Christ with their eyes, they did not see Him with their hearts and accept Him as their Savior and Redeemer. President Uchtdorf exhorted us to unclutter our lives and let it be the season of seeking the Savior with our hearts.

The Choir then sang "O Holy Night," my favorite Christmas hymn. I love when the Choir sings! President Eyring followed reminding us that the story of Christmas is a story of love. He advised us to create a small part of the Christmas story every day in our lives and make every day feel like the best of Christmas past.

The Choir sang "How Far Is It to Bethlehem?" and then President Monson addressed us. He talked about the spirit of Christmas, sharing a touching story as usual, and how joy comes from showing the love and compassion of the Savior. The Choir closed singing "Silent Night," with the congregation joining on the last verse.

I must admit, by the end of the devotional my Scrooge-like heart melted and I was touched with the spirit of Christmas.

Challenge: If you didn't watch the devotional, watch it at lds.org. Then choose something--seeking Christ, showing love, sharing the Christmas spirit--to work on this Christmas season.

photo from jesuschrist.lds.org

Warm Fuzzies

2009-11-30T11:51:00.007-07:00

One of the most memorable talks from this past General Conference was President Monson's on service, entitled "What Have I Done for Someone Today?" He shared how Saints all over the world answered his birthday wish for us to serve others, including one Primary who filled a jar with warm fuzzies for every act of service they did.

Service is an enormous part of being a Saint. At baptism we covenant to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light" (Mosiah 18:8). In the temple we covenant to give all our time, talents, and blessings in building up the kingdom of God, whether that be through Church callings, missionary work, humanitarian aid, or random acts of kindness. Throughout the scriptures we are counseled to bless others in whatever way we can. President Monson bluntly said in regard to this commandment, "I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives."

However, we usually do not give priority to service. "I am confident," continued President Monson, "it is the intention of each member of the Church to serve and help those in need. . . . How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you've left it for others to help, feeling that, 'oh, surely someone will take care of that need.'

"We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we're doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the 'thick of thin things.' In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes."

Service does not have to be hours of volunteer work or large projects. In fact, most of the examples President Monson shared were simple, loving acts: doing chores, visiting the lonely, showing affection, going to the temple, etc.

Look around you; there are numerous opportunities to spread warm fuzzies. Always be aware and act upon what you see and feel to make someone's burden light. And in doing so, you will not only brighten someone's day and make President Monson happy, but you will also "grow and flourish--and in effect save [your life]."

Challenge: Next time a service opportunity arises, don't delay or ignore it. Just do it!

Lemonade

2009-11-22T15:00:00.006-07:00

Thursday night I went to a Relief Society activity with a Chicken Soup for the Soul theme. After a talk on gratitude and a tasty chicken soup dinner, a sister spoke about trials she has had throughout life, such as infertility, divorce, a brain tumor, and a child with Down Syndrome. She titled her talk "My Life with a Lemon Tree and a Bowl of Sugar."

Although I have heard "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade" all my life and usually dismiss it, this sister made me see the metaphor in a new light. She talked about the tree of life from Lehi's dream, which represents the plan of salvation, and how it is the source of sugar. When we use the plan of salvation (sugar) to get through our trials (the lemons), we have lemonade. She closed with, "After a while I stopped labeling things lemons and sugar, because things I thought were lemons ended up being sugar, and things I thought were sugar were also tart. I learned to put the lemons and sugar together and see and enjoy life as lemonade."

I never thought of it that way before. Usually I thought of the quote as meaning we have to add the sugar to life's lemons in order to make lemonade, that we need to just grin and bear it. But in reality, the sugar comes from the gospel and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When we allow Him to carry our burdens, the trials seem not as tart. We still taste the tartness and learn from it, but we can swallow it, and even enjoy it, thanks to the added sweetness of the Savior.

Discussion: What does the quote mean to you?

Scripture Study

2009-11-18T17:48:00.011-07:00

Last week I exhorted you to read your scriptures. But having scripture study is not always easy to do. You can do it personally and as a family by putting in the effort and finding what works for your situation. Here are some ideas I put together to help you incorporate this spiritually vital habit into your daily life (click on the title to read the article):

How to Have Personal Scripture Study

How to Make Time for Personal Scripture Study

How to Have Scripture Study with Your Spouse

How to Have Family Scripture Study

Other relevant articles with more scripture study ideas:

How to Teach the Bible to Toddlers

How to Make Bible Trivia Games

How to Easily Memorize Bible Verses

Sharing Time: How do you like to study the scriptures?

"Light" Reading

2009-11-09T22:27:00.007-07:00

I love to read, so often when I am bored or have time on my hands, I pick up a book for some light reading. If it's a good book, I get hooked and make time to read. I usually end up reading for a few hours.

This is how we should read the scriptures. We should feel like picking up the scriptures for some reading when we are bored or have time. We should make time to read the scriptures like we do a bestseller because we are hooked. We should read for longer periods of time instead of the typical few minutes a day.

In the scriptures you will find all that makes a good book: heroism, war, love, growth and change, sorrow, happiness, good and evil, inspiration, warmth, drama, suspense, and mystery--and most important, the gospel. The scriptures truly are light reading: they hold light and truth; they light the way back to Heavenly Father; they fill us with light and happiness. They have been preserved for our benefit, so let's read them!

Challenge: Next time you feel like reading a book, open up your scriptures and enjoy them!

He's Our Bishop

2009-11-02T20:38:00.010-07:00

Busy as a man can be,

He's our bishop.

He finds time to talk to me;

He's our bishop.

Always kindly words he'll say

To the children every day.

Let us help him every way;

He's our bishop.

Cheerful as he serves the Lord,

He's our bishop.

He's the father of our ward;

He's our bishop.

He helps us to do the right

In our Heavenly Father's sight.

We love him with all our might;

He's our bishop.

("He's Our Bishop," Children's Songbook, p. 135)

I love my bishop. I can think of only a couple bishops I did not like, and that's because I didn't understand the true nature of bishops at the time, and so I feared them. When I was about 17, I learned to appreciate them. Bishops are not principals or policemen (though maybe some are by profession). Bishops are Christ-like and fatherly: they love us unconditionally and want us to be happy; they are sweet and understanding. Bishops help us to repent, grow in the gospel, be spiritually strong, and find comfort and peace.

If you need to confess something, as embarrassing as it may be, you need not fear your bishop's reaction. And you can talk to your bishop about anything, not just about sins. Bishops give good counsel, priesthood blessings, listening ears, and love--lots of love. I advise you to talk to your bishop, get to know him better, and establish a relationship with him. He really does love you. As overwhelmed and busy as he is, he will always find time for you and help you.

Sharing Time: What good memories do you have of one of your bishops?

Photo of H. David Burton, Presiding Bishop, from ldschurchnews.com

Music and Heaven

2009-10-25T13:06:00.007-07:00

The Sunbeam lesson I taught today was "Music Makes Me Happy." Whether it be instrumental or voice, music can calm fear, brighten sorrow, and dispel anger, and it serves as a way to praise and pray to Heavenly Father.

"There is no music in hell," said Brigham Young, "for all good music belongs to heaven." He also said, "If we could hear the music there is in heaven, it would overwhelm us mortals." We may not yet be able to hear heaven's music, but "never, indeed, do we feel so near heaven as when listening to the performance of some grand anthem, in which the angels themselves might fitly take their parts" (John Taylor).

Good music and grand anthems take form in Church-related and classical music. "If you do not have a taste for it [classical music], listen to it thoughtfully," counseled President Hinckley. "If you do not like it the first time, listen to it again and keep listening. It will be something like going to the temple. The more often you go, the more beautiful will be the experience."

Bring heavenly music more often into your home, especially Church music, for "there is a great deal lost in the homes of the people by not having the songs of Zion sung therein" (Heber J. Grant). Pay attention to the way you feel while you listen to the music. Enjoy the peace, happiness, love, and inspiration that fills your soul.

Challenge: Listen to the music playlist provided on this blog (scroll to the bottom of the page) or to any Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Primary, Church, EFY, or classical CD to feel near heaven.

Photo from saltlakecityutah.org

The Temple Garment

2009-10-20T09:56:00.010-07:00

After my endowment in San Diego

In General Conference 1997, Elder Carlos E. Asay shared the following story: “A few years ago, in a seminar for new temple presidents and matrons, Elder James E. Faust, then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, told about his being called to serve as a General Authority. He was asked only one question by President Harold B. Lee: ‘Do you wear the garments properly?’ to which he answered in the affirmative. He then asked if President Lee wasn’t going to ask him about his worthiness. President Lee replied that he didn’t need to, for he had learned from experience that how one wears the garment is the expression of how the individual feels about the Church and everything that relates to it. It is a measure of one’s worthiness and devotion to the gospel.”

Can you imagine a temple recommend interview based on that one question? I can, for the proper wearing of garments shows modesty, obedience, and respect for, understanding of, and dedication to temple covenants. In short, “‘How it is worn is an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow the Savior.’”

I remember the first time I put on my garments in the temple. I thought it would feel weird or awkward. Quite the opposite was true: immediately they felt comfortable and right, and I knew they would be a protection and blessing to me.

With the passing of time and daily habit, it is easy to forget these feelings. We need to think, as Elder Asay thinks, that garments are “the Lord’s way of letting us take part of the temple with us when we leave.” The symbolism of the temple garments reminds us of the covenants we made and the blessings we may receive if we keep our covenants. In turn, these reminders help us to choose the right.

“The heavy armor worn by soldiers of a former day, including helmets, shields, and breastplates, determined the outcome of some battles,” noted Elder Asay. If we wear our garments properly, we will have the armor we need to win the battle against the devil and his armies.

With all this power and protection, we will be blessed. “Don’t forget,” reminded Elder Asay, “that the word garment is used symbolically in the scriptures and gives expanded meaning to other words such as white, clean, pure, righteous, modesty, covering, ceremonial, holy, priesthood, beautiful, perfection, salvation, undefiled, worthy, white raiment, shield, protection, spotless, blameless, armor, covenants, promises, blessings, respect, eternal life, and so forth.”

Challenge: If you wear garments, evaluate how you wear and regard them. Go to the temple often to remember the covenants and blessings associated with them. If you do not yet wear garments, prepare now for that beautiful transition. Wear modest clothing and undergarments. Keep your baptismal covenants. Use what symbols and power you have right now—CTR rings, the priesthood, the sacrament, scripture mastery verses—to make good choices and show Heavenly Father you are ready and worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and properly wear temple garments. And when that time comes, welcome it and be faithful.

My Heavenly Father Loves Me

2009-10-11T17:35:00.006-07:00

With the seasons changing, I am reminded of all the creations Jesus made. Although all are different, each is beautiful in its own way: from the starry heavens to the deep oceans, the lush forests to the barren deserts, the majestic mountains to the tiny flowers, the galloping horse to the waddling penguin, the flying birds to the swimming fish. They all testify of His existence, power, artistry, and love, as written in my favorite Primary song:

Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by a lilac tree,
I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see
The color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear
The magical sound of things.
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
I thank him reverently
For all his creations, of which I'm a part.
Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.

("My Heavenly Father Loves Me," Children's Songbook, p. 228--To listen to the song, scroll to the bottom of the page; it is sixth on the playlist.)

Sharing Time: What is your favorite creation?

179th Semiannual General Conference

2009-10-04T15:34:00.008-07:00

It never ceases to amaze me how each Conference seems even better than the last. This one was no exception. We heard powerful talks, sweet testimonies, inspiring stories, and beautiful music.

The theme for this General Conference was love for God and for others. Although not all talks specifically brought up this subject, they all stemmed from it: personal revelation helps us to the keep commandments, which shows God we love Him; we do missionary work because we love God's children and want them to be happy; we become more like Christ when we love God and others; and so on.

I have so many favorite talks and quotes, but my absolute favorite was President Uchtdorf's talk about love. His message was very clear, informative, encouraging, and interesting. President Uchtdorf is a talented speaker. I can feel his love and testimony when he speaks.

There is much I learned and need to work on. I can't wait for the November Ensign!

Sharing Time: What was your favorite talk?

Photo from ldsipod.com

Ten Ways to Prepare for General Conference

2009-09-28T21:31:00.006-07:00

This weekend is the 179th Semiannual General Conference of the Church. Saints all over the world will hear the words of the prophet and apostles. It will be a weekend filled with enlightenment, peace, encouragement, inspiration, growth, love, and joy. What a wonderful event to look forward to! We cannot afford to miss it, so we must prepare.

Find out what time it will be aired in your area (check at lds.org). Decide where you will watch or listen to it: at home, at a friend’s home, at the stake center, on the computer, on the radio.

Try to get off work or schedule work earlier or later so that you can watch both sessions (or at least one session) of General Conference.

If you must travel, coordinate all rides and times and make sure your car has gas. If you will watch General Conference live, make sure you have tickets and leave early enough to park and be seated on time.

Finish all housework and homework before the weekend to avoid other obligations that may distract you from listening to the beautiful words and music.

Pray that you will hear answers to problems or questions you have. The purpose of General Conference is to strengthen, nourish, comfort, and help us.

Listen to, watch, and read uplifting things during this week to keep the Spirit close so that you can receive answers and promptings.

Get enough sleep the night before so that you will be attentive. Set your alarm to ensure you wake up on time to watch the morning sessions.

Have a journal or notebook ready to take notes on answers, thoughts, feelings, and goals. If applicable, also have activities and paper ready for your children.

Prepare food ahead of time and try not to eat during the session in order to give your full attention to the words of our Church leaders.

Keep the Spirit and maintain reverence in between Conference sessions and preferably for the whole weekend.

I hope your General Conference weekend is amazing. Come back next week to share your favorite talks, what you learned, and how you felt.

Challenge: Follow these steps to prepare for and get the most out of General Conference.

Photo from LDS church news.

See No Evil

2009-09-20T21:50:00.010-07:00

I love watching movies! At home on the couch, at the theater, with friends, with family, in sickness or in health--it's all fun! But risky as well. Risky, that is, to my spirituality if I am not careful with what I choose to view. During high school, I used my best friend and a newspaper column as movie screeners. Then a former seminary teacher introduced me to a great Web site and a friend showed me another one. Both are free with a list of movies from about 15 years ago to current releases. [Click on the name for the link to the site.]

Screenit: This Web site gives a short and full summary of the movie plot and the content, divided into categories. I like this site because it is very explicit: I know what language is in the movie and how many times it occurs. Note: In order to review movies before the release date, you must become a member.

Kids in Mind: This site is similar to screenit, but somewhat less extensive (especially in the movie summary and language department).

Don't risk your spirituality; protect your kids; use these sites to test whether or not movies meet your standards. It may mean not watching some movies you were really wanting to watch, so keep an eternal perspective. And don't pass up movies because they look too childish, boring, or different. There are many I have watched that are fun, clean, and uplifing:

Earth

Fireproof

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (Veggie Tales)
Jonah (Veggie Tales)

Rigoletto

The Prince of Egypt

A Man For All Seasons

Bella

Meet the Robinsons
Kung Fu Panda
Iron Giant
The Greatest Game Ever Played

To Kill a Mockingbird

Pollyanna

Because of Winn-Dixie

Akeelah and the Bee

The Sound of MusicFiddler on the Roof

Penelope

Spy Kids

Wall-E

Finding Nemo

Underdog

Nim's Island

Bolt

Night at the Museum

Hairspray

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

The Game Plan

Newsies

Ratatouille

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Monsters vs. Aliens

Inkheart

National Treasure

Nancy Drew

Enchanted

Ella Enchanted

Also, all the movie versions of the books mentioned in last week's posts are great. Other kids' movies, older movies, musicals, true stories, and sports movies are also good, but not all of them are. Just because a movie falls into one of those categories does not mean it is appropriate, so check it out first!

Sharing Time: Recommend your favorite family-friendly movies.

The Best Books

2009-09-13T13:12:00.005-07:00

In Doctrine and Covenants 88: 118, the Lord advises us to “seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom.” Besides the scriptures and doctrinal Church books, there are so many good books out there to enjoy. But finding them can be difficult. Often the bestsellers are overflowing with profanity and promiscuity. And other books are unheard of and hidden on library shelves. I wish there were edited books or a website that screens books like movies (if you are aware of one, let me know!). The best I can do for now is to recommend some very uplifting books and inspirational authors.

Richard Paul Evans—Most famous for his book The Christmas Box, Evans writes inspiring stories about change and growth. His characters are realistic and relatable. Although his books are not written for only an LDS audience, you can sense the influence of the gospel in his writing.

Josi S. Kilpack—Her books focus on serious trials LDS families experience, such as infidelity, the pressure of perfection, and abuse. I like that she ventures into more untouched territory to show her audience she understands that LDS family life is not all rainbows and “Love at Home,” like it often is portrayed and expected to be, and that blessings always await those who endure to the end.

Susan Law Corpany—She wrote a series about a young LDS widow, someone she once was. She explains the grief young widows feel and the reactions they get from other Church members. Her books are very humorous.

C.S. Lewis—Lewis’s most famous works are The Chronicles of Narnia. I love that he uses so much religious symbolism. His other works are great reads, too. I definitely recommend The Screwtape Letters. His understanding of the gospel is profound—I wouldn’t be surprised if he had no problem accepting the fullness of the gospel on the other side.

I also recommend reading children’s literature, which is full of innocence, fun, and life lessons. Unbeknown to its author, Lois Lowry, The Giver promotes agency and condemns Satan’s plan. Her other award-winning novel Number the Stars tells of heroism in the face of personal danger. Francis Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden and A Little Princess focus on personal development and are sweet and warming. Holes, by Louis Sachar, is about self-acceptance and choice and accountability. Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Patterson, explores the imagination and hard reality. Natalie Babbitt’s Tuck Everlasting discusses mortality versus immortality. Countless other books offer clean, imaginative entertainment. We have no excuse not to be seeking out of the best books!

Sharing Time: What are your favorite good books and authors?

Death

2009-09-06T14:18:00.000-07:00

Friday morning I was informed of the death of a friend as a result of a car accident. He left behind a wife of one year and a three-month-old baby girl. Once the shock wore off, the tears came—tears for the husband who left this earth so early in life, tears for the wife without her love beside her, tears for the baby who will never know her father.

But I also had tears for me because of this wake-up call. How would I react if Justin were to die today? Would I be prepared if I were to die today? In all honesty, I fear death, and for the obvious reason: I am not spiritually prepared. Why have I procrastinated so much for so long? (I admit, I am also terrified of the means by which I will die—I fear agony and pain!)

Death as a whole affects me as well. I am very sensitive to the news whether or not I know the person or people involved. I cry over the circumstances of their death, such as age and cause. I cry over their grieving family and friends. I cry over their lack of understanding the plan of salvation, if not LDS. And I cry over the pain and guilt those who are LDS feel when they doubt, get angry, or do not find comfort in the plan. Death is not an easy thing to deal with, even when you know you will be with loved ones again. I’ve read different things about interacting with those who are grieving—what to say and not say, when to help and not help, how to sympathize or empathize. But it really is different for every person.

This is the first death to really affect me since my grandpa’s several years ago, mostly because we were friends, he was so young, and his death was unexpected (not that it’s less tragic when people are old or know they are going to die). I am ok—we weren’t super close. I just cried and hugged my husband all morning. And I prayed and will continue to pray for the wife, baby, family, and friends of the husband. Hopefully they all will find comfort and peace.

Discussion: How do you feel about dying? How has death affected you?