Lesson Summary - Chapter 11 - "The Life of Christ"

Gospel Principles - Chapter 11 - "The Life of Christ"

There are times when we have lessons, and as I think about what I will write about, I feel really inadequate.  I feel that I won't be able to convey the beautiful message in a way that will be beneficial and really do the topic justice.  This would be one of those times.  Our lesson today was on the life of Christ.  I actually had the privilege to hear this lesson twice because last week I was in a different ward, and they were a lesson ahead of my own ward.  Lucky me.  :)  It's a really great lesson, and I invite you to read it on your own--especially the part about the Atonement.  Ponder the words and concentrate on how it makes you feel.

Sometimes reading about it isn't enough for me.  One of the great advantages to living in the technologically-advanced world we live in today is that we have access to uplifting videos right at our fingertips.  I found this video on MormonMessages.org today that has depictions of the pain and sufferings Christ went through for us and also the joy of his resurrection.




I'd like to add my testimony to those already stated in this video.  I know that my Savior lives.  I know that he suffered all, and that if I turn to him my suffering can be taken away.  He did that for ME!  And he did that for you.  Turn to him.  Take your pains to him.  When my dear, sweet daughter was sick as a newborn and in so much pain from hunger and surgery, I prayed for him to take away her pain, and he did!  I have a firm testimony of the power of the Atonement.  I KNOW that my Savior loves me because he made the ultimate sacrifice.  I learned in this lesson that because he had Heavenly Father as his father, he could not die unless he chose to do so. And he did.  Also, because Mary was his mother, he had to suffer the same pains we do as mortals.  What he did wasn't easy, but he did it because he cares for us so much.  I am so grateful for a loving Savior who was willing to die, and a loving Heavenly Father who was willing to sacrifice his Only Begotten so that the rest of his children could live.

"Seeking to Know God, Our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ" - Elder Robert D. Hales

"Seeking to Know God, Our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ" - Elder Robert D. Hales

Sometimes after I read these talks, I just want to write on here, "Go read it.  The end," because it's THAT good.  This is one of those talks.  It's so very powerful and a call to action.  Read it.  Please.

But then what would be the point of having this blog if I'm just going to tell you to go read something else? :)

I recently watched a movie that was set in a world where no one could lie about anything.  Eventually, one guy was able to tell something that wasn't--the first lie.  It made for a pretty funny movie with lots of crazy scenarios, but in one scene, the makers of that film really made quite a statement.  When his mother died, he told her that she would go to heaven so that she wouldn't be so scared about dying.  After that everyone came to him asking about this after-life, and he began to explain about God.

Did you catch that?  The man who was lying was explaining to the people about God.

This really got to me, and I thought about it a lot afterwards.  In Elder Hales' talk, he says, "As prophesied, we live in a time when the darkness of secularism is deepening around us.  Belief in God is widely questioned and even attacked in the name of political, social, and even religious causes.  Atheism, or the doctrine that there is no God, is fast spreading across the world."  It's spreading so fast that I can't even watch a movie without it being thrown in my face.

However, I'm in the mindset that no one is truly an Atheist as they claim to be.  I heard a quote recently that said, "They may go in the foxhole an Atheist, but they don't come out one."  My brother-in-law just recently came back from Afghanistan, and he said everybody was praying over there.  He also said that he saw many instances when he knew God was watching out for him and the others there.

How do I know there is a God?  Even if I hadn't felt the Holy Ghost bear witness to me that he is real, I don't think I could look at this beautiful Earth and believe that it just appeared here by chance.  The Earth we live on is so amazing.  Our own bodies are so amazing.  Scientists have tried to create artificial intelligence but have yet to succeed in making anything as complex as our brains.  How could something so complex just have happened?  No, our magnificent bodies have been created by a Supreme Being--Our Heavenly Father.

Another point that Elder Hales mentions that I felt was important was that we are created after his image.  That means that Heavenly Father has a body of flesh and bones.  Elder Hales says, "Some people may be surprised that we look like God.  One prominent religious scholar has even taught that imagining God in the form of man is creating a graven image and is idolatrous and blasphemous. But God himself said, 'Let us make  man in our image, after our likeness.'"

At the end of his talk, he gives us a call to action:

If you cannot remember believing in God or if you have ceased to believe or if you believe but without real conviction, I invite you to seek a testimony of God now. Do not be afraid of ridicule. The strength and peace that come from knowing God and having the comforting companionship of His Spirit will make your efforts eternally worthwhile.

Even more, with your own testimony of God, you will be able to bless your family, your posterity, your friends, your own life—all those you love. Your personal knowledge of God is not only the greatest gift you will ever give, but it will bring you the greatest joy you will ever have.

If you feel as though you've lost your testimony or if you're not even sure you have one, take his challenge!  Do not be afraid.  Ask with sincere intent, and you will know.

Please know that our Father in Heaven loves you.  He cares about you so much.  For proof, in Moses 7:28 it says, "And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept."  He wants you to be happy.  When you're sad, he is sad.  He weeps with you.

Come to him.  Speak with him.  Discover that eternal love he has for you.  You're never too far gone to speak with him.  Whatever your state in life, you can always turn to him.  He will listen, and he will answer.

New Member Profiles on Mormon.org

Ever had a desire to share your own personal conversion story and testimony with others but wasn't sure how?  Mormon.org has launched a new profile site where YOU can upload your picture and share your testimony and answer questions.  This is their official statement about it:

Mormons come from diverse backgrounds and experiences who all share a deep commitment to Jesus Christ and to each other. The new Mormon.org is designed for visitors to learn more about members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each profile is a collection of stories and testimonies from Mormons. Participation is optional, but you must be a member of the Church to create a profile. The profiles will be made public this summer when the new site will launch. English-only profiles will be available this year; other languages will follow after.

I, for one, am really excited about it, and I'm already working on my very own profile page.  Since most of us are on social networking sites like Facebook anyway, why not make your own Mormon profile?  Your testimony could help someone searching for answers.

You'll need a LDS Account to log in.  If you already have a log-in for the stake and ward websites, you're set!  Use it to log in.  If not, you can talk to your ward clerk to get your membership record number and your confirmation date.

I can't wait to see what develops from this.  :)  Visit Mormon.org today!

Finding Time for the Bible

Every once in awhile, we get a newsletter in the mail from our local Church of Christ.  I always look through it because I figure that if our church sent out stuff to people, I would want them to read it, so I should do the same for other churches.  This last one we got had a little section called "Finding Time for the Bible."  I really liked it because I've made a goal this year to read the Old Testament, and I often find it difficult to find time to do it.  With kids interrupting me every five seconds or me wanting to catch just five more minutes of sleep, sometimes the Bible gets set aside.  I actually cut it out and put it on my fridge as a reminder. If you're like me and need to find some time to read, here's some tips they suggest:

• Put a Bible under your pillow to read each night before you go to sleep.
• Wake up ten minutes earlier each morning.
• Turn off the TV at 8:00pm each night and read to your children.
• Read a few verses at mealtime when the family is together.
• Talk less to have a few more minutes to read.
• Keep a Bible in the kitchen, to read while waiting for food to cook or for water to boil, or near the phone, to read while on hold.
• Carry a Bible in your purse or pocket to read while waiting in line for doctors or when arriving early.
• Take a Bible on trips and read on a plane or in a hotel.

Of course, this can apply to any set of scriptures.  Who says we have to read scriptures on a set schedule?  We can read any time! Often I use extra minutes in my day to check my e-mail or read a novel, but what if I used that time to read a chapter in the Bible or the Book of Mormon?  I would be much better off, don't you think?

I'll leave you with the last words of the article:  Don't just own a Bible--read it!

Our Roles as Parents

This week we did a kind of switch-a-roo.   We would normally learn from the Gospel Principles this week, but we had a special visitor from LDS Family Services give a combined lesson with the Priesthood about parenting.

I don't know if you noticed it or not, but in April's General Conference, there were A LOT of talks about teaching children and youth the gospel and keeping them on the right path.  Maybe it's because I've been thinking about how I should be teaching my own children lately that I felt like they were talking about it so much.  My favorite that I've read so far is "Mothers Teaching Children in the Home" by Elder L. Tom Perry.  If you're a mother, you should definitely check that one out.

So with all this talk lately about raising children up in Christ, I'm thinking that it must be pretty important.  Maybe we should start taking note...  if the Lord's prophets are telling us that we need to teach our children, they must know something about the future that is going to require our children to be unwavering in their testimonies.

Our teacher shared lots of quotes with us today.  I wasn't able to copy them down word for word (my hands only move so quickly), but I was able to get a little bit.  These things do not only apply to parents.  These tips can be useful for Primary and youth leaders, mentors, teachers, and whoever else deals with young people on a regular basis. Here's a few things I learned today:

• We need to bear our testimonies in our homes.  Often we teach principles, but how often do we actually bear our testimonies to our children?  I know I haven't.
• Parents have the main responsibility to to train our children because we're farther along in our development, but truly we all work together to build each other up.  Sometimes (okay, many times) our children teach US!
• We need to really listen to our children when they talk to us.  I'm very guilty of tuning my son out because he talks non-stop, but when I actually do listen, he surprises me with what he knows and asks me very intelligent questions.
• In a talk by M. Russell Ballard he encourages fathers to have the big talks with their sons.  There's so much immorality in the world that they need that rock to cling to when they're faced with it.  I'm pretty sure that this applies to more than just fathers, too. 
• Pray, pray, pray!  Not just as a family, but with your children individually to teach them. Pray for family members.
• Teach children to WORK!  It's never to early to start.  For that matter, it's never too late.  The best thing my Mom and Dad ever did for me was teaching me that I had to work to get through life.  They not only taught me to work but instilled in me a desire to my work well.  Work together with your children.  Not only does the job get done faster, but it's more fun, too.
• Education is a commandment, so continuously learn to teach our children.
• Teach a child confidence by giving them praise.  Teach them it's okay to fail.
• Avoid anger.  Is it possible to feel the Spirit while angry?  No!  Learn self-control.
• If we want our children to honor us, we need to honor our own parents.  How can we expect our children to treat us with respect if we show our parents disrespect?  Our children learn by watching us. Monkey see, monkey do, right?  :)

These are just a few points that hit home for me.  Some of you reading are in different stages of parenthood in your own lives, so these may not be as helpful.  I encourage you to read the words of the prophets from our last General Conference to get the guidance you need to help your own children.

Lesson Summary - Chapter 7 - The Holy Ghost

Gospel Principles - Chapter 7 - The Holy Ghost

I don't know about you, but I really like these short lessons that are in the Gospel Principles manual.  I can read them so quickly and feel like I actually accomplished something spiritual.  It's pretty nice.  I don't know if the teachers are such huge fans of it because then they have less material to teach, but as a student, it's the best.  :)  I read this lesson in the short span of time between Sunday School and Relief Society.  Yes, I probably shouldn't do that, but at least I could say I read it! ha!

The Holy Ghost has been such a blessing in my own life.  I remember realizing for the first time that what I was feeling was actually the Holy Ghost.  It was at a youth conference when I was about 14.  I had never felt my heart feel so full, and that was when I first realized that I cry like a baby whenever I feel the Spirit.  :)

I received the Gift of the Holy Ghost when I was eight years old.  I know that is the age of accountability, but I don't think I realized what a blessing it was to have that gift until I was much older.  I do remember a few instances as a child when I would pray to find my beloved stuffed elephant, Lottie, and find it shortly after and knew it was the Spirit, but that was the extent of my relationship with the Holy Ghost.  Receiving the Holy Ghost at such a young age kind of makes you take it for granted.  I don't know what it's like to live without it.

I did have an experience when I was a teenager where I went into a casino in Las Vegas and felt the Spirit immediately leave.  It was bizarre.  I didn't like the feeling at all and have never forgotten it.  It's driven me to strive always to stand in holy places and live so that I can have that guidance with me always.

There were several experiences with the Holy Ghost shared in Relief Society by my fellow sisters'.  I don't think it's my place to share their personal experiences with the world, but I always think it's neat to hear other people's testimonies and perspectives.  Thanks to those who were brave enough to share!

Here's some quotes from the lesson that I really liked:

"As [the spirit children] came to earth, the memory of their heavenly home was taken from them.  But our Father did not shut them away from His influence.  He sent the Holy Ghost to comfort and help and guide all of His spirit children" (31).

I love this quote because it shows what a loving Heavenly Father we have.  He didn't send us here empty handed.  We can have the Holy Ghost--a member of the Godhead--with us always to guide us and bear witness to us of our Father's love and His truth.

"Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient" (Moses 5:11).

This quotes is from Eve.  I really admire Eve, and I think about her perspective a lot.  This is optimism at its finest.  I tell myself all the time that bad things happen so that we can know and recognize the good things.  I try really hard to follow her example of looking on the bright side of life.  I also love this quote because Adam and Eve didn't understand at first why they were cast out, but after they received the Holy Ghost, he explained to them why so that they could understand.  Sometimes things happen in our lives that we don't understand, but through the Holy Ghost, we can gain a better understanding of why.

"When a man has the manifestation from the Holy Ghost, it leaves and indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased.  It is Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force. A manifestation of an angel, or even the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase" (Joseph Fielding Smith, 33).

"Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten" (Joseph Fielding Smith, 33).  

I can testify that this is truth.  There have been times when the Spirit has been felt so strong in my heart, and I have never forgotten them. When I think of those times, the Spirit comes back and bears witness yet again that what I felt then was right and good.  Sometimes because of the influence of the world, we may forget what we felt at one time.  I've seen it happen to many people, and they fall away.  It really makes me sad because I know, and they know, what they felt at one time.  If they could just somehow get a reminder--a small inkling--of what they once felt, the Spirit would bear witness to them, as it has to me time and time again, that what they felt before was right and true.

That is why Visiting Teaching is so important.  Those sisters who may have forgotten need that reminder, and we have the capacity to help them remember.

I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost's influence in my life.  It's true that sometimes I do take it for granted because I received that gift so long ago, but I have had so many exhilarating experiences to remind me of the blessing it truly is.

Lesson Summary - "What Have I Done For Someone Today?" - President Thomas S. Monson

"What Have I Done For Someone Today?" - President Thomas S. Monson

President Monson has such a great story telling voice. I can't help but be enraptured every time he speaks.  You can listen to part of this talk in the following video.






As I was watching this video, I recalled a couple of instances where I experienced the joys of service.  One where I was the server, and another where I was the served. These are very personal experiences that are very dear to me, so please keep that in mind as you read. I am sharing very special memories.

The first happened while I was in college.  I was far from home, and a couple in my ward with several small children were very kind to me.  They invited me to their apartment to eat often and always checked up on me.  I just loved them.  Every time I went to their home, I could feel the Spirit so strong.  They were such good people. Always willing to help someone in need.  As I went to their home to eat, though, I noticed that their apartment was much smaller than mine.  They didn't have much furniture.  Their kids' clothes were old and worn.  I wanted to do something for them.  I wanted to help them because they had been so kind to me.  As I thought about what I could do, I realized that my sister's children were just older than theirs.  I called up my sister and asked her if there were any clothes that her children couldn't wear anymore that I could give to these people.  My wonderful sister took on the task, and the next time I went to visit her, I got a huge garbage bag full of clothes.  I was so excited to give them to this family.  The next Sunday, I told this family about the clothes and helped them put them in their car.  We didn't get to say much because we were both in a hurry that day.  Later that week, I got a call from her while I was taking a nap.  She left a voicemail on my phone that I'll never forget.  She told me that they had been praying for a way to afford new clothes for their children and what I gave them was exactly what they needed--the right sizes, the right type of clothes.  After hearing that message, I jumped out of bed and did a dance in my room because I was SO happy!  It felt so good to help someone else.

The second instance I thought of was also in college.  I'm sure you're all familiar with the term "starving college student."  It's pretty common.  I was working two jobs my last year in college to make ends meet.  I had a great job at the university library and got a chance to meet some truly wonderful people there.  I remember one time one of the ladies that worked there saw me shivering at my desk.  We started talking about how cold it was that time of year, and she asked me why I didn't wear gloves when I walked to work.  I told her I didn't own any gloves.  A week or so later was the Christmas holidays.  I came into work one morning to find two pairs of gloves with a note that simply said "From Santa."  I couldn't believe that she thought enough of me to buy those for me.  I was so grateful!  I'm pretty sure I still have at least one set of those.  Every time I wear them, I think of her sweet gesture to a poor, cold college student.  It really brightened my day and warmed my... hands.  :)

I truly do believe that we can become happier by serving others and allowing others to serve us.  I have been on both ends of the spectrum, and it is beautiful.  I really feel that if we spend less time worrying about our problems and more time finding ways to help others with theirs that there would be less sorrow in this world.  Our acts of service don't have to be huge.  A smile or a phone call could make someone feel ten times better than they did.

So let's all "raise up and do something more than dream of [our] mansion above"  Doing good IS a pleasure.  What have YOU done for someone today?

Lesson Summary - Chapter 5 - "The Creation"

Gospel Principles - Chapter 5 - "The Creation"

One thing that really struck me today while listening to this lesson was the gratitude we should feel for all the beautiful things our God has created for us.  Our teacher asked us what creations we loved and appreciated.  It got me to thinking about all the little things for which I am grateful.  I wanted to share those with you, but I didn't want to just tell you.  I wanted to show you, so that you can see what I see when I view the world.

Flowers.  I love them.

I love them after the rain.

I love them before they even bloom.

I love them no matter how small.

Or how fuzzy.

I especially love them when they're given to me.  :)

I think moss on trees is beautiful.

The best kind of waterfalls are the ones I find in the ditch of our front yard.

Red is the most beautiful when it appears naturally.

How does God make dying leaves so breathtaking?

It's always fun to find unusual moments in nature.

Hot chocolate on a cold day is one of God's greatest creations. :)

So are warm days after way too many cold ones.

I'm so grateful God created my loving husband and wonderful son.

And I'm even grateful for messy little girls.  :)

I hope that as we all go through life that we remember all the big things as well as the little things that God created just for us.  If you're ever doubting God's love for you, just look around.  All of these creations... the sun... moon... stars... they're just for you.  

"The Lord's Earthquake Warning"

I'm sure we all heard about the terrible earthquake in Chile recently.  I can't even imagine how scary that must've been for those people.  Not long after it happened, I received an e-mail with a story about the missionaries in Chile.  This story shows what can happen when we follow the promptings of the Spirit.  It is a letter from the Mission President's wife in Santiago Chile East Mission.  You can read the full article with photos at Meridian Magazine's website.  Here are a few excerpts that I especially loved:

"When we were set apart for this calling, Elder Scott of the Council of the Twelve Apostles taught us many important lessons. He spoke from personal experience when he was a mission president in Argentina. One message that he shared with us is this: 'At times, during your mission, you will be awakened in the middle of the night or the early morning hours with thoughts of specific things you should do for certain missionaries. Do not ignore these thoughts. They are promptings from the Holy Ghost who will communicate with you in the stillness of the night or the peace of the early morning hours. He will speak to you then because that is when you are still enough to hear.'

"Nearly two-and-one-half weeks ago, I was awakened at around 4:00 AM by just such a prompting. I did not hear a voice, but the thought was as clear as if it had been in the form of spoken words: 'There is going to be an earthquake. Prepare your missionaries.' I sat up in bed and immediately remembered Elder Scott's counsel. That morning I told Larry what had happened. He immediately set to work organizing our missionaries to prepare for an earthquake.

"We set a goal and arranged our schedule so that we could visit every apartment in the mission to check for safety and to review with our missionaries what to do in case of an earth quake. What a wonderful experience we have had as we have met with them and shared scriptures with them about being spiritually and physically prepared. '...if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear (D&C 38:30).

"When the earthquake came, we were prepared. We did not experience the panic that many felt. We knew we were prepared. 

"Today, we attended a strong ward where Larry was invited to speak. The entire chapel and beyond was filled. People were so humble and so teachable. Larry taught the importance of doing the small things. He taught about Jesus Christ and the opportunity we have to love one another and to share what we have with others.

"It was a great blessing for us to be with these beautiful Chilean people. Some have lost their homes...or at least parts of their homes. But they are strong and they want to serve the Lord.

"Our hearts are filled to the brim with gratitude for all of the blessings we have received in the Chile Santiago East Mission. We see miracles every day. In the midst of great pain and suffering, we can always find our Savior. He stands with His arms open, pleading for all of us to humble ourselves and come unto Him. He loves us. He invites us to accept His gift...the atonement."

I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who, if we are prepared to listen, will give us promptings and warnings, so that we may be safe.  I love, LOVE this story!  I think it is proof that our God is still a God of Miracles.  :)

The Infinite Power of Hope

Today we had a message from our Relief Society President about Hope.  Instead of me talking about it, I thought I'd share a couple of videos with you.  These and other beautifully made videos on gospel topics can be found at MormonMessages.org.  Enjoy!