One of the greatest!

Here is my latest sketch for my shop! I'm really excited about this one. Martin Luther King Jr. will always be one of the greatest hero's in American history!

Here's the link to my shop! Feel free to explore and share it with your friends :)

American Heritage

Years ago my father-in-law introduced me to "American Heritage" videos by a group called "The Wallbuilders." I was surprised how much beautiful history we are missing in our schools.
I wanted everyone to know about this great resource.

Just recently I've been taking the Faith classes by one of the founders of Wallbuilders, David Barton, on Beck University. David Barton is one of my hero's and I'm absolutely thrilled to see the true stories of our Country becoming more well known because of the knowledge of this man. It's important to know the truth because the truth will set us free.

This is an education we cannot afford to miss!!

Beauty is...

When I was in my late teens my family had a wonderful couple for hometeachers, Brother and Sister Anderson. They were an older couple, probably in their late 70's. They always had a sparkle in their eyes and a smile on their face(I called it perma-grin). They were filled to the brim with gratitude for everyone and everything around them. I never heard a disparaging remark come out of their mouth. They spoke freely about God, His mercy and blessings. Their testimony of the Savior was not just in word but in the choices they made every day of their lives. They were a beautiful example of charity and oneness in marriage and of Christlike love for everyone. They shined so bright! I loved to be around them and glean from their wisdom.

About five years ago, I saw Brother Anderson in the temple...His physical health had declined for he needed to constantly be on oxygen and he carried a cane but he still had that strong and vibrant spirit... he hugged me and gave his regards to my family. His eyes shined as bright as ever and he still had that warmth of spirit that could soften any frozen heart.

I will never forget this wonderful couple! What an impression they made on me... they helped me see what true beauty is!

Unselfish Service

I listened to this talk the other day by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the 12 Apostles from this most recent Conference. I love the whole talk and wanted to share some pieces of it:
"Our Savior gave Himself in unselfish service. He taught that each of us should follow Him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to serve others.
“If any man will come after me [He said], let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24–25; see also Matthew 10:39).

[President Hinckley said], “He who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity.”

President Monson said. “He gave sight to the blind, legs to the lame, and life to the dead. Perhaps when we [face] our Maker, we will not be asked, ‘How many positions did you hold?’ but rather, ‘How many people did you help?’ In reality,” President Monson concluded, “you can never love the Lord until you serve Him by serving His people.”

Those who are caught up in trying to save their lives by seeking the praise of the world are actually rejecting the Savior’s teaching that the only way to save our eternal life is to love one another and lose our lives in service.

C. S. Lewis explained this teaching of the Savior: “The moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting yourself first—wanting to be the centre—wanting to be God, in fact. That was the sin of Satan”

We live in a time when sacrifice is definitely out of fashion, when the outside forces that taught our ancestors the need for unselfish cooperative service have diminished. Someone has called this the “me” generation—a selfish time when everyone seems to be asking, what’s in it for me?
Entitlement is generally selfish. It demands much, and it gives little or nothing. Its very concept causes us to seek to elevate ourselves above those around us.

The values of the world wrongly teach that “it’s all about me.” That corrupting attitude produces no change and no growth. It is contrary to eternal progress toward the destiny God has identified in His great plan for His children. The plan of the gospel of Jesus Christ lifts us above our selfish desires and teaches us that this life is all about what we can become.

A great example of unselfish service is the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whose vow committed herself and her fellow workers to “wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor.” She taught that “one thing will always secure heaven for us—the acts of charity and kindness with which we have filled our lives.” “We can do no great things,” Mother Teresa maintained, “only small things with great love.” When this wonderful Catholic servant died, the First Presidency’s message of condolence declared, “Her life of unselfish service is an inspiration to all the world, and her acts of Christian goodness will stand as a memorial for generations to come.” That is what the Savior called losing our lives in service to others.

Each of us should apply that principle to our attitudes in attending church. Some say “I didn’t learn anything today” or “No one was friendly to me” or “I was offended” or “The Church is not filling my needs.” All those answers are self-centered, and all retard spiritual growth.

In contrast, a wise friend wrote:
“Years ago, I changed my attitude about going to church. No longer do I go to church for my sake, but to think of others. I make a point of saying hello to people who sit alone, to welcome visitors, . . . to volunteer for an assignment. . . .

“In short, I go to church each week with the intent of being active, not passive, and making a positive difference in people’s lives. Consequently, my attendance at Church meetings is so much more enjoyable and fulfilling.” All of this illustrates the eternal principle that we are happier and more fulfilled when we act and serve for what we give, not for what we get."

To view the full text of the talk click here: http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-29,00.html

"They do much good"

I was just listening to some conference talks from this most recent conference. And I really liked this part from Elder Quentin L. Cook Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, entitled, "Our Father’s Plan—Big Enough for All His Children"

"Notwithstanding the significance of our doctrinal differences with other faiths, our attitude toward other churches has been to refrain from criticism. They do much good. They bless mankind. Many help their members learn of the Savior and His teachings.

A reporter for the Washington Post visited one of our Church meetings in Nigeria. The reporter interviewed one new member and told of his conversion. The reporter states:

“[He] said . . . he jumped off a city bus and walked into the [LDS Church building]. . . . He immediately liked what he heard inside [the chapel], especially that no one preached that people of other faiths were going to hell.” This echoes the feeling of numerous converts to the Church since its organization.

Our leaders have consistently counseled us “to live with respect and appreciation for those not of our faith. There is so great a need for civility and mutual respect among those of differing beliefs and philosophies.”

It is equally important that we be loving and kind to members of our own faith, regardless of their level of commitment or activity. The Savior has made it clear that we are not to judge each other. This is especially true of members of our own families. Our obligation is to love and teach and never give up. The Lord has made salvation “free for all men” but has “commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.”- Elder Quentin L. Cook Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The "Comparison Culture"

Today one of the talks at church was about the dangers of comparing and competing with others... you know... frowning on others who "aren't as good as we are" or being filled with envy and jealousy towards those who are "better than us."


It's blatantly obvious that this illness plagues the media, we see it everywhere: in our music, T.V., online, magazines and advertising. It's everywhere! Can't we all just get along.

...But there is one place we tend to compete in that may be even more destructive than what we find in the media... it is in our own families and in our own churches. Yes, in the very places that should be the most reverenced and where love should abound the most is ironically the place where we often do the greatest amount of competing and comparing ... Why is that??

After church, I went home and settled in still thinking about the "comparison culture problem." "Why is that?" Why in our families and in our churches do we compare how someone gives a lesson better, speaks better, is more educated, sings better, keeps house better, has children that behave better, looks better, knows their scriptures better, prays better, serves better, smells better (my husband threw that in), you get the point.... we all do it... why is that?... especially in our churches where we know we need to love each other as the Savior did!


Images of people running a race came to my mind:
It's not a race against anyone... however it is a race against the clock to help, love, serve, come together and share the Gospel. But every once in a while I think we tend to think we are racing each other.

I imagine anywhere you get a high volume of people striving for the same goal there is a tenancy to think linearly….that we are in a race against each other….some “ahead of us” and some “lagging behind.”

Linearly we all start in the exact same spot at the exact same time with the exact same path. This is the problem with thinking linearly.... we all come to God at different times in our lives and in our own unique way. We have all face different challenges in our circumstances and in ourselves... we are not "cookie cutter" people

Since Christ is at the center of our lives, and the center of this Church… it only makes sense that the goal we are trying to achieve is centrically focused and not linear. Centrically, so as we strive towards the same “Goal” we grow closer, we pull together… no matter what direction we are coming from, how many times we fall, or how fast or slow we run.

A centrically focused goal allows us to be more unified.... we all start at different points, at different times and have very different paths that get us there, it is expected that our paths are different it is more beautiful this way... and as we press forward we come together and become unified in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I thought the closing hymn went extremely well with the message too. I've sung it before but this time it seemed new to me. #281 The words pressed so deeply on my soul, “Fill my mind with understanding; Tune my voice to echo thine. Touch my hand with gentle friendship: Warm my heart with love divine.”

"Lest Bitterness Trouble You"

To put off bitterness, jelousy, resentment and self pity is not any easy task ... but we must put it off!! We must put it onto Christ's shoulders, for that is what He is there for. Only when we turn it over to Him will we ever be at peace.

Today I was listening to a few talks from Elder Neal A. Maxwell, of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, and this part really stood out to me... so I thought I would share it:

"Paul warns those of us on the path of discipleship to be diligent, "lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you" (Hebrews 12:15). Travel on the straight and narrow path occurs in company with other disciples, imperfect as we all are. Side by side, as we all are, means that there are ways in which we can become offended or even embittered. Given the imperfections of all of us in the Church, offenses will come and disappointments will occur. How we handle these is so crucial. We must be quick to prune any personal sprig of bitterness so that our wills can be truly swallowed up in the will of the Father. When we put off the natural man and the natural woman, we put off jealousy, resentment, and self-pity."- Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Christian Courage

"To respond in a Christlike way cannot be scripted or based on a formula. The Savior responded differently in every situation….

"Some people mistakenly think responses such as silence, meekness, forgiveness, and bearing humble testimony are passive or weak. But, to “love [our] enemies, bless them that curse [us], do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us], and persecute [us]” (Matthew 5:44) takes faith, strength, and, most of all, Christian courage….
When we do not retaliate—when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger—we too stand with the Savior. We show forth His love, which is the only power that can subdue the adversary and answer our accusers without accusing them in return. That is not weakness. That is Christian courage.

I assure you that to answer our accusers in [kindness] is never weakness. It is Christian courage in action.

“As we respond to others, each circumstance will be different. Fortunately, the Lord knows the hearts of our accusers and how we can most effectively respond to them. As true disciples seek guidance from the Spirit, they receive inspiration tailored to each encounter. And in every encounter, true disciples respond in ways that invite the Spirit of the Lord. Paul reminded the Corinthians that his preaching was “not with the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4). Because that power resides in the Spirit of the Lord, we must never become contentious when we are discussing our faith.”

“…More regrettable than the Church being accused of not being Christian is when Church members react to such accusations in an un-Christlike way! May our conversations with others always be marked by the fruits of the Spirit—”love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance” (Galatians 5:22–23). To be meek, as defined in Webster’s Dictionary, is “manifesting patience and longsuffering: enduring injury without resentment.”2 Meekness is not weakness. It is a badge of Christian courage.”

“This is especially important in our interactions with members of other Christian denominations. Surely our Heavenly Father is saddened—and the devil laughs—when we contentiously debate doctrinal differences with our Christian neighbors.”

“This is not to suggest that we compromise our principles or dilute our beliefs. We cannot change the doctrines of the restored gospel, even if teaching and obeying them makes us unpopular in the eyes of the world. Yet even as we feel to speak the word of God with boldness, we must pray to be filled with the Holy Ghost (see Acts 4:29, 31). We should never confuse boldness with Satan’s counterfeit: overbearance (see Alma 38:12). True disciples speak with quiet confidence, not boastful pride.”

“Sometimes others want us to come down off the high ground and join them in a theological scrum in the mud. These few contentious individuals are set on picking religious fights, online or in person. We are always better staying on the higher ground of mutual respect and love.”

“…all who seek to know how we should respond to our accusers, I reply, we love them. Whatever their race, creed, religion, or political persuasion, if we follow Christ and show forth His courage, we must love them. We do not feel we are better than they are. Rather, we desire with our love to show them a better way—the way of Jesus Christ….To help them, to be an example for them, is not for the weak. It is for the strong. It is for you and me, Latter-day Saints who pay the price of discipleship by answering our accusers with Christian courage.”

- Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

view entire talk given Oct. 2008 http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-22,00.html

or listen to it on MP3 http://www.lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-947,00.html

(may be viewed in many different languages.) http://www.lds.org/conference/languages/0,6353,310-1,00.html

Love

We had Regional Conference today. It was wonderful. The message that seemed to be underlined by several of the Speakers was to exercise compassion and kindness for those who struggle with certain addictions, for those who have different values than us or for those who might not measure up to our "ideals". We must not ever walk in arrogance, assuming we are somehow better than others or worth more to God than any of His children.

At this conference it was reminded to us that we are ALL "lost sheep" who have gone astray and that we ALL need the "Good Shepherd", Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 53:6)

The words to the primary children's song, "I'll Walk With You" was recited in reference to the members of the Church-

Note: In an attempt to drive the point home, I have inserted "Mormon" in parenthesis and italics to make personal application of today's Sunday message.... in the song the word is originally "people":

"If you don't walk as most (Mormons) do,
Some (Mormons) walk away from you,
But I won't! I won't!

If you don't talk as most (Mormons) do,
Some (Mormons) talk and laugh at you,
But I won't! I won't!

I'll walk with you. I'll talk with you.
That's how I'll show my love for you.

Jesus walked away from none.
He gave His love to everyone.
So I will! I will!

Jesus blessed all he could see,
Then turned and said, "Come follow me."
And I will! I will!
I will! I will!

I'll walk with you. I'll talk with you.
That's how I'll show my love for you."

- John 13:15

All of the Sundays that I go to church, all of the times I pray, read scriptures, go to the Temple or pay my tithing etc. will amount to absolutely nothing if I am not kind to others. Don't get me wrong, going to Church and praying and these such things are extremely important... but they do me no good at all if I miss the all important virtue of loving God and loving my neighbor!

I am making the goal today to do better at seeking out those who might feel as if they don't "belong" and offer more quickly my love and my fellowship to them. I never want anyone to feel like they are "less than" or inferior ... My prayer is to follow the Savior's counsel to leave judgment up to Him and be quick to love those who might seem "different" than me.

P.S.
I found some helpful pamphlets that give encouragement, counsel and love to members of the Church who struggle with Same Gender Attraction, Pornography or behavioral / substance addictions:

Same Gender Attraction- http://www.lds.org/topics/pdf/GodLovethHisChildren_04824_000.pdf

Pornography Addiction - http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=1dc72ce2b446c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=704a862384d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____

Addiction Recovery Program- http://www.providentliving.org/familyservices/AddicitonRecoveryManual_36764000.pdf

"Our Fading Civility"

I have shared quotes from the 3 previous chapters of this book I've been reading called, "Standing for Something." You can click on the label with that title to view the other chapters. Today I am sharing from Chapter 4 - "Our Fading Civility." This chapter is intriguing to me because it doesn't take a genius to see how much we are losing simple common courtesy and gentle behavior in our society and throughout the world.
God Bless You!
Thank you for visiting my blog!
Alicia

These are the quotes I'd like to share today. All of the below are from President Gordon B. Hinckley:

"It is not enough just to be good. We must be good for something. We must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for our presence. And the good that is in us must be spread to others. This is the measure of our civility."

"Civility is the root of the word civilization. It carries with it the essence of courtesy, politeness, and consideration of others. How very much of it we have lost in our contemporary society! All of the education and accomplishments in the world will not count for much unless they are accompanied by marks of gentility, of respect for others, of serving as a good Samaritan, of being men and women who look beyond our own selfish interests to the good of others."

"This is the essence of civility - to extend, without price, a helping or lifting hand to those in need; to anxiously look for ways to strengthen those who may have less than we do."

"We are sons and daughters of God, each a member of the divine family. As surely as He is our Father, we are all brothers and sisters. We simply must work unitedly to remove from our hearts and to drive from our society all elements of hatred, bigotry, racism, and other divisive actions and words that limit a person's ability to progress, learn , and be fully accepted. Snide remarks or racial slurs, hateful epithets, malicious gossip, and mean and vicious rumormongering have no place among us."

"None of us needs someone who only points out our areas of weakness and the ways in which we have fallen short. We need someone who encourages us to go forward, to try again, to reach a little higher this time. Excellence is difficult to achieve in a vacuum."

"Imagine how our own families, let alone the world, would change if we vowed to keep faith with one another, strengthen one another, look for and accentuate the virtues in one another, and speak graciously concerning one another. Imagine the cumulative effect if we treated each other with respect and acceptance, if we willingly provided support. Such interactions practiced on a small scale would surely have a rippling effect throughout our homes and communities and, eventually, society at large."

"There are few things more delightful than participating in a conversation with bright and happy people who have something to say, whose dialogue is witty, scintillating, and punctuated not only by good humor but by thoughtful dialogue about serious and important topics.... There is plenty of humor in the world without resorting to dirty jokes or uncouth language."

"Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves. By and large, if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves. For many years, there was a sign on the wall of a shoe shop I patronized that read: 'I complained because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet.' The most effective medicine for the sickness of self-pity is to lose ourselves in the service of others."

"I don't suppose that many of us will be remembered a thousand years from now. But in this world so filled with problems, so constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges, we can and must rise above mediocrity, above indifference. We can become involved and speak with a strong voice for that which is right and good, and we can lend our efforts and our resources to helping those who have been saddled with handicaps and burdens."

"Caring for others, seeing and reaching beyond our own wants and comforts, cultivating kindness and gentility toward others from all of life's situations and circumstances - these are of the essence of civility, a virtue to be admired, a virtue to be acquired."

- All of the above are quoted from the book by President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Standing for Something."

"We have forgotten God."

I got this in my E-mail from "Daily Gems," provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If Abraham Lincoln said this about our Country back in 1863.... just imagine what he would say about our Country now! "Consider these words written by Abraham Lincoln as part of a resolution in 1863: "

'We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in number, wealth, and power as no other Nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God who made us. "'It behoovesus, then, to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our . . sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.' (John Wesley Hill,Abraham Lincoln, Man of God, 4th ed., New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, p.391.)"

Topic: Gratitude(Marion G. Romney, "Gratitude and Thanksgiving," Ensign, Nov. 1982, 50)

“My Words . . . Never Cease”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
We invite all to inquire into the wonder of what God has said since biblical times and is saying even now.

"In general conference last October, I said there were two principal reasons The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is accused, erroneously, of not being Christian. At that time I addressed one of those doctrinal issues—our scripturally based view of the Godhead. Today I would like to address the other major doctrine which characterizes our faith but which causes concern to some, namely the bold assertion that God continues to speak His word and reveal His truth, revelations which mandate an open canon of scripture."

"Some Christians, in large measure because of their genuine love for the Bible, have declared that there can be no more authorized scripture beyond the Bible. In thus pronouncing the canon of revelation closed, our friends in some other faiths shut the door on divine expression that we in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hold dear: the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the ongoing guidance received by God’s anointed prophets and apostles. Imputing no ill will to those who take such a position, nevertheless we respectfully but resolutely reject such an unscriptural characterization of true Christianity."

"One of the arguments often used in any defense of a closed canon is the New Testament passage recorded in Revelation 22:18: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of . . . this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” However, there is now overwhelming consensus among virtually all biblical scholars that this verse applies only to the book of Revelation, not the whole Bible. Those scholars of our day acknowledge a number of New Testament “books” that were almost certainly written after John’s revelation on the Isle of Patmos was received. Included in this category are at least the books of Jude, the three Epistles of John, and probably the entire Gospel of John itself.1 Perhaps there are even more than these."

"But there is a simpler answer as to why that passage in the final book of the current New Testament cannot apply to the whole Bible. That is because the whole Bible as we know it—one collection of texts bound in a single volume—did not exist when that verse was written. For centuries after John produced his writing, the individual books of the New Testament were in circulation singly or perhaps in combinations with a few other texts but almost never as a complete collection. Of the entire corpus of 5,366 known Greek New Testament manuscripts, only 35 contain the whole New Testament as we now know it, and 34 of those were compiled after A.D. 1000.2"

"The fact of the matter is that virtually every prophet of the Old and New Testament has added scripture to that received by his predecessors. If the Old Testament words of Moses were sufficient, as some could have mistakenly thought them to be,3 then why, for example, the subsequent prophecies of Isaiah or of Jeremiah, who follows him? To say nothing of Ezekiel and Daniel, of Joel, Amos, and all the rest. If one revelation to one prophet in one moment of time is sufficient for all time, what justifies these many others? What justifies them was made clear by Jehovah Himself when He said to Moses, “My works are without end, and . . . my words . . . never cease.”4"

"One Protestant scholar has inquired tellingly into the erroneous doctrine of a closed canon. He writes: “On what biblical or historical grounds has the inspiration of God been limited to the written documents that the church now calls its Bible? . . . If the Spirit inspired only the written documents of the first century, does that mean that the same Spirit does not speak today in the church about matters that are of significant concern?”5 We humbly ask those same questions."

"Continuing revelation does not demean or discredit existing revelation. The Old Testament does not lose its value in our eyes when we are introduced to the New Testament, and the New Testament is only enhanced when we read the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In considering the additional scripture accepted by Latter-day Saints, we might ask: Were those early Christians who for decades had access only to the primitive Gospel of Mark (generally considered the first of the New Testament Gospels to be written)—were they offended to receive the more detailed accounts set forth later by Matthew and Luke, to say nothing of the unprecedented passages and revelatory emphasis offered later yet by John? Surely they must have rejoiced that ever more convincing evidence of the divinity of Christ kept coming. And so do we rejoice."

"Please do not misunderstand. We love and revere the Bible, as Elder M. Russell Ballard taught so clearly from this pulpit just one year ago.6 The Bible is the word of God. It is always identified first in our canon, our “standard works.” Indeed, it was a divinely ordained encounter with the fifth verse of the first chapter of the book of James that led Joseph Smith to his vision of the Father and the Son, which gave birth to the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our time. But even then, Joseph knew the Bible alone could not be the answer to all the religious questions he and others like him had. As he said in his own words, the ministers of his community were contending—sometimes angrily—over their doctrines. “Priest [was] contending against priest, and convert [was contending] against convert . . . in a strife of words and a contest about opinions,” he said. About the only thing these contending religions had in common was, ironically, a belief in the Bible, but, as Joseph wrote, “the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question [regarding which church was true] by an appeal to the Bible.”7 Clearly the Bible, so frequently described at that time as “common ground,” was nothing of the kind—unfortunately it was a battleground."

"Thus one of the great purposes of continuing revelation through living prophets is to declare to the world through additional witnesses that the Bible is true. “This is written,” an ancient prophet said, speaking of the Book of Mormon, “for the intent that ye may believe that,” speaking of the Bible.8 In one of the earliest revelations received by Joseph Smith, the Lord said, “Behold, I do not bring [the Book of Mormon forth] to destroy [the Bible] but to build it up.”9
One other point needs to be made. Since it is clear that there were Christians long before there was a New Testament or even an accumulation of the sayings of Jesus, it cannot therefore be maintained that the Bible is what makes one a Christian. In the words of esteemed New Testament scholar N. T. Wright, “The risen Jesus, at the end of Matthew’s Gospel, does not say, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth is given to the books you are all going to write,’ but [rather] ‘All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me.’ “10 In other words, “Scripture itself points . . . away from itself and to the fact that final and true authority belongs to God himself.”11 So the scriptures are not the ultimate source of knowledge for Latter-day Saints. They are manifestations of the ultimate source. The ultimate source of knowledge and authority for a Latter-day Saint is the living God. The communication of those gifts comes from God as living, vibrant, divine revelation.12"

"This doctrine lies at the very heart of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and of our message to the world. It dramatizes the significance of a solemn assembly yesterday, in which we sustained Thomas S. Monson as a prophet, a seer, and a revelator. We believe in a God who is engaged in our lives, who is not silent, not absent, nor, as Elijah said of the god of the priests of Baal, is He “[on] a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be [awakened].”13 In this Church, even our young Primary children recite, “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”14"

"In declaring new scripture and continuing revelation, we pray we will never be arrogant or insensitive. But after a sacred vision in a now sacred grove answered in the affirmative the question “Does God exist?” what Joseph Smith and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints force us to face is the next interrogative, which necessarily follows: “Does He speak?” We bring the good news that He does and that He has. With a love and affection born of our Christianity, we invite all to inquire into the wonder of what God has said since biblical times and is saying even now."

"In a sense Joseph Smith and his prophetic successors in this Church answer the challenge Ralph Waldo Emerson put to the students of the Harvard Divinity School 170 years ago this coming summer. To that group of the Protestant best and brightest, the great sage of Concord pled that they teach “that God is, not was; that He speaketh, not spake.”15"

"I testify that the heavens are open. I testify that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God, that the Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ. I testify that Thomas S. Monson is God’s prophet, a modern apostle with the keys of the kingdom in his hands, a man upon whom I personally have seen the mantle fall. I testify that the presence of such authorized, prophetic voices and ongoing canonized revelations have been at the heart of the Christian message whenever the authorized ministry of Christ has been on the earth. I testify that such a ministry is on the earth again, and it is found in this, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

"In our heartfelt devotion to Jesus of Nazareth as the very Son of God, the Savior of the world, we invite all to examine what we have received of Him, to join with us, drinking deeply at the “well of water springing up into everlasting life,”16 these constantly flowing reminders that God lives, that He loves us, and that He speaks. I express the deepest personal thanks that His works never end and His “words . . . never cease.” I bear witness of such divine loving attention and the recording of it, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

NOTES1. See Stephen E. Robinson, Are Mormons Christians? (1991), 46. The issue of canon is discussed on pages 45–56. Canon is defined as “an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy Scripture” (Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed. [2003], “canon”).2. See Bruce M. Metzger, Manuscripts of the Greek Bible: An Introduction to Greek Paleography (1981), 54–55; see also Are Mormons Christians? 46.3. See Deuteronomy 4:2, for example.4. Moses 1:4.5. Lee M. McDonald, The Formation of the Christian Biblical Canon, rev. ed. (1995), 255–56.6. See “The Miracle of the Holy Bible,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2007, 80–82.7. Joseph Smith—History 1:6, 12.8. Mormon 7:9; emphasis added.9. D&C 10:52; see also D&C 20:11.10. N. T. Wright, The Last Word: Beyond the Bible Wars to a New Understanding of the Authority of Scripture (2005), xi.11. Wright, The Last Word, 24.12. For a full essay on this subject, see Dallin H. Oaks, “Scripture Reading and Revelation,” Ensign, Jan. 1995, 6–9.13. 1 Kings 18:27.14. Articles of Faith 1:9.15. “An Address,” The Complete Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson (1929), 45.16. John 4:14.

Love, Love, Love

As I shared from my last post, I've just begun to read again a wonderful book called, Standing for Something - (10 neglected virtues that will heal our hearts and homes), by Gordon B. Hinckley

The love I want to talk about is not how the world describes it. The world's definition of love is skewed, twisted, and often portrayed in a very opposite way and is better described as "lust".

The true definition of love, is "the pure love of Christ"... or in other words, "charity."

I desire to share with you a few bits and pieces of the first chapter of this wonderful book I've been reading,

Love: The Lodestar of Life:

" If the world is to be improved, the process of love must make a change in the hearts of humans. It can do so when we look beyond self to give our love to God and others, and do so with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds."

"Love is the only force that can erase the differences between people or bridge the chasms of bitterness."

Painting: "The Prodigal Son" by- Clark Kelley Price

"Love, like faith, is a gift of God. It is also the most enduring and most powerful virtue."

"There is nothing as energizing, as confidence-building, as sustaining as the power of love. How substantial is its influence on the human mind and heart! How great and magnificent is its power in overcoming fear and doubt, worry and discouragement!"

Painting: "The Good Samaritan" by- Walter Rane

"He who most beautifully taught this everlasting truth was the Son of God, the one perfect exemplar, teacher, and embodiment of love. His coming to earth was an expression of His Father's love. '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. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved' (John 3:16-17). In the ultimate expression of love, He did something for us that we could not do for ourselves."

"Now, to all of us who would be His disciples, He has given the great commandment, 'A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another' (John 13:34)"

Painting: "Washing the Apostles' Feet" by- Ford Madox Brown

"Love is like the Polar Star. In a changing world, it is a constant. It is something that, when sincere, never moves. It is the very essence of the teachings of Christ. It is the security of the home. I t is the safeguard of community life. It is a beacon of hope in a world of distress."

"Admittedly, it is not always easy to follow the Polar Star of love. It requires a discipline almost beyond the power of many to observe. I think it is the most difficult and also the most important of all commandments. But out of its observance come a remarkable discipline and a refining influence that are wonderful to experience."

"The virtue of love changes lives- ours as well as those of every one with whom we come in contact. It is the virtue that has embedded within it precincts the power to have the most lasting good."

Quotes from "Standing for Something- by Gordon B. Hinckley"

God bless you!

Alicia

The Secularization of America

"If we are to continue to have the freedoms that came of the inspiration of the Almighty to our Founding Fathers, we must return to the God who is their true Author."- Gordon B. Hinckley

About 8 years ago I read a book written by Gordon B. Hinckley called, "Standing for Something." I couldn't put it down! I read it in just about 3 days! I loved it!!

I have just begun to read this book again and recommend it to people of all faiths who believe in God.

There is an illness that is spreading across our nation and it can be remedied, it can be healed if we turn again our hearts to God and live these 10 neglected virtues.

No nation can be greater than the strength of its individual homes or the virtue of its people. Sadly, many today would say ours is a nation in crisis. Families are splintering around us, our children are becoming alienated from their great cultural heritage, and our leaders seem increasingly out of touch. Yet according to (the late) Gordon B. Hinckley, (former) President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (and living Prophet of God), one cannot lose hope.

The solution lies not within our governments, schools, or symbols of popular culture, but rather within ourselves, our families, and our faith. The Chapter's of this book include:

Forward by Mike Wallace

Introduction: The Secularization of America

Part One - The 10 Virtues

1. Love: The Lodestar of Life

2. Where there is Honesty, Other Virtues Will Follow

3. Making a Case for Morality

4. Our Fading Civility

5. Learning: "With All Thy Getting Get Understanding"

6. The Twin Virtues of Forgiveness and Mercy

7. Thrift and Industry: Getting Our Houses in Order

8. Gratitude: A Sign of Maturity

9. Optimism in the face of Cynicism

10. Faith: Our Only Hope

Part 2- The Guardians of Virtue

Marriage: What God Hath Joined Together

The Family: We Can Save Our Nation by Saving Our Homes

Some of which I read today in the introduction, I would like to share with you:

"Can we expect peace and prosperity, harmony and goodwill, when we turn our backs on the Source of our Strength?..."

"I would hope that all of us, within our hearts would then resolve to live nearer to God and the commandments He has given us as a guide in our lives; to walk with gratitude before Him for His generous mercies; to incorporate virtue in its many forms into our lives; to recognize that someday we all must give an accounting of our lives to Him; to strengthen and defend the home; and seek His strength, His wisdom, His inspiration, and His love as we serve in the great society of which each of us is a part..."

"Those who are committed to, and have patterned their lives after, a Higher Power need not rely on public opinion, which is often blatantly skewed. Here is the answer to the conflicts that beset us. Here is the answer to the evils of pornography, abortion, drugs, and the squandering of our resources on evil pursuits. Here is the answer to the great epidemic of litigation that consumes time, saps our financial strength, and shackles our entrepreneurial spirit. Here is the answer to tawdry politics that place selfish interests and pursuits above the common good."

"Let all houses of worship ring with righteousness. Let people everywhere bow in reverence before the Almighty who is our one true source of strength. Let us look inward and adjust our priorities and standards, recommitting ourselves to time-honored virtues that embrace right and shun wrong. Let us look outward in the spirit of the Golden Rule. Let us work tirelessly to defend and strengthen the family, which is the fundamental unit of society." - Gordon B. Hinckley

For the Strength of Youth

Even if you are not of the same religion as me and we have a few different doctrines... I believe that most of the Christian community would agree on the same principles... such as honesty, gratitude, charity, and so on. This is a wonderful guide and resource for Youth and Families. I believe if we apply these principles in our lives the world will be a better place. Check out the topics below by clicking on them-
God bless you,
Alicia

Table of Contents
Message from the First Presidency 2
Agency and Accountability 4
Gratitude 6
Education 9
Family 10
Friends 12
Dress and Appearance 14
Entertainment and the Media 17
Music and Dancing 20
Language 22
Dating 24
Sexual Purity 26
Repentance 29
Honesty 31
Sabbath Day Observance 32
Tithes and Offerings 34
Physical Health 36
Service to Others 38
Go Forward with Faith 40
The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles 43
The Family: A Proclamation to the World 44

Powerful Mothers

I listened to this talk 3 times this morning by Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President. I agree with everything she says. So I wanted to share it. Of course this is just part of the talk... I have summarized it for the ease of reading and to highlight the points that stand out to a more general audience.

I think it's sad how children are valued less now days and motherhood is seen as a burden instead of the great blessing it really is. I know it's not always easy. I'm a full-time mom of 3 with one on the way. Some days are overwhelmingly hard. But, there is no one else whose influence is greater than a mother.... so why do we let the world influence our little ones? There is nothing that gives me greater joy and greater fulfillment than teaching, leading, loving and nurturing these precious gifts God has given me. It is no small thing to raise a child in righteous principles. It's a noble calling that I am proud, very proud to be a part of.

Here's the clips from that talk I liked so much:
God bless you!
Alicia

"The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Children are being born into a world where they "wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).1 However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children....."

"Mothers who know desire to bear children. Whereas in many cultures in the world children are "becoming less valued,"2 in the culture of the gospel we still believe in having children...."

"Mothers who know are nurturers....Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women."

"Mothers who know are leaders. In equal partnership with their husbands, they lead a great and eternal organization. These mothers plan for the future of their organization..... They do not abandon their plan by succumbing to social pressure and worldly models of parenting. These wise mothers who know are selective about their own activities and involvement to conserve their limited strength in order to maximize their influence where it matters most."

"Mothers who know are always teachers. Since they are not babysitters, they are never off duty. A well-taught friend told me that he did not learn anything at church that he had not already learned at home. His parents used family scripture study, prayer, family home evening, mealtimes, and other gatherings to teach."

"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world's goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lord's kingdom for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power."

- Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints- Given in World-wide Conference Oct. 2007

He Lives! Easter Slideshow

**Before viewing slideshow be sure to pause the music on the player located in the top left corner of this blog to be sure there is no conflict with the sound. Enjoy!

I wanted to put together a slide show that told the message of the true meaning of Easter. With alot of work and help from my friend Steve Chipman, it's finally done.

Except for the sketch of Mary and Joseph with the Christ child, only the pencil sketches and photographs on this slide-show are mine. Most of the other paintings I downloaded from lds.org there are a few I found on google. The music to this slide-show is called, "His Hands"-by Kenneth Cope, sung by Jenny Frogley. Please respect copyrights. None of this may be sold, copied or is meant for personal profit. My soul intention of creating this slide-show is to simply share my love and testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ and is not meant to advertise myself or to sell art. Even my website is not for personal gain but is set up to share what I consider the best news in the world!

If you feel inspired, uplifted or touched by this please share it.... this is meant to be passed along.

May also be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TgRGzV2iWs

Thank you, and God bless you!
Alicia

Featured Artists in the slideshow: Harry Anderson, Robert T. Barrett, Carl Heinrich Bloch, Ford Madox Brown, Grant Romney Clawson, Ted Henniger, Heinrich Hofmann, Greg K. Olsen, Del Parson, Clark Kelley Price, Walter Rane, Alicia Rawlins, Ken Riley, John Scott, Liz Lemon Swindle

Gossip

I went to the thrift store the other day and found this little book for only 50 cents called, Jewels of Thought. I found some great little quotes on Gossip. They are short but to the point. I really like them:

These are all by unknown authors...

"It is better to say something good about a bad man, than to say something bad about a good man."

"Beware of your tounge, for it is in a wet place, and can slip often."

"Mud thrown is ground lost- and leaves your hands filthy."

"When a bee stings, it dies. It cannot sting and live. When men [or women] sting, their better selves die. Every sting kills a better instinct. Men [and women] must not turn [or be like] bees and kill themselves in stinging others."

"Always know what you are talking about, but don't always talk about what you know."

"Two things are bad for the heart- running upstairs and running down people."

"Remember- if you must give expression of Prejudice, Attitude and Intolerance- do not speak it but write it. Write it in the sands.... by the water's edge."

May we all strive (including myself) to look for the good in others, to be a little kinder and be careful the things we say.
God bless you,
Alicia

Road to Jericho

Painting by: Walter Rane

This morning I read the parable of the Good Samaritan. In a world that seems to be filled with hate, anger and violence I like to imagine hope restored, peace to reign and love to abound by seeking to forgive, lift, care and exercise compassion. We can make a difference... one person at a time. I really believe that.

“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
“And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
“And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
“And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
“And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.”
The Savior could easily ask each of us, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?”
And we would answer, “He that shewed mercy on him.”
Jesus would advise us to, “Go, and do thou likewise.”3

With these words on my mind I searched through an archive of talks and found this to go right along with the Parable I read this morning.

President Thomas S. Monson observed:
"Jesus provided us many examples of compassionate concern. The crippled man at the pool of Bethesda; the woman taken in adultery; the woman at Jacob’s well; the daughter of Jairus; Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha—each represented a casualty on the Jericho road. Each needed help.

To the cripple at Bethesda, Jesus said, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.”4
To the sinful woman came the counsel, “Go, and sin no more.”5
To help her who came to draw water, He provided a well of water “springing up into everlasting life.”6
To the dead daughter of Jairus came the command, “Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.”7 To the entombed Lazarus, “Come forth.”8
The Savior has always shown unlimited capacity for compassion.
On the American continent, Jesus appeared to a multitude and said:
“Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you. …
“… And he did heal them every one.”9 "

"One may well ask the penetrating question: These accounts pertain to the Redeemer of the world. Can there actually occur in my own life, on my own Jericho road, such a treasured experience? I phrase my answer in the words of the Master: “Come and see.”10 We have no way of knowing when our privilege to extend a helping hand will unfold before us. The road to Jericho that each of us travels bears no name, and the weary traveler who needs our help may be one unknown. "- President Thomas S. Monson

May we all "go and do likewise".
God Bless you my friends,
Alicia

Articles of Faith

THE ARTICLES OF FAITH OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
History of the Church, Vol. 4, pp. 535—541

"1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
-Joseph Smith