When All Else Fails, Love Never Gives Up

Lucile F. Johnson When All Else Fails, Love Never Gives Up August 14, 2000 BYU Broadcasting

This is a talk I watched the other day that I thought was really, really good. I recommend it to any married couple or to anyone planning to get married. Great talk!!!

Watch or listen to it here Lucile F. Johnson When All Else Fails, Love Never Gives Up August 14, 2000 BYU Broadcasting

Have a great day!

Sound Advice

I love to listen to speeches by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. I found this one today called "How do I love thee?" http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=326

Sometimes I find myself asking the opposite, "How do they love me?".... This question only brings self pity, jealousy, hurt, anger and ultimately misery. This question is a black hole collapsing in on it's self... because that's it's only concern. And who can love a parasite?

I have no control over how others love, how others show kindness, how others forgive, how thoughtful others are. I can set an example... but the way another person shows love is totally up to them.

However I do have control over how I love... "How do I.... How do I.... love thee?"

Here's just a few bits and pieces from Elder Holland's talk. I think this will be a good one for me to listen to over and over again. It's sound advice for me.

"The first element of divine love--pure love--... is kindness, its selfless quality, its lack of ego and vanity and consuming self-centeredness. "Charity suffereth long, and is kind, [charity] envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own"...
... True love blooms when we care more about another person than we care about ourselves. That is Christ's great atoning example for us, and it ought to be more evident in the kindness we show, the respect we give, and the selflessness and courtesy we employ in our personal relationships.

Love is a fragile thing, and some elements in life can try to break it. Much damage can be done if we are not in tender hands, caring hands. To give ourselves totally to another person, as we do in marriage, is the most trusting step we take in any human relationship. It is a real act of faith--faith all of us must be willing to exercise.

....In all that Christ was, He was not ever envious or inflated, never consumed with His own needs. He did not once, not ever, seek His own advantage at the expense of someone else. He delighted in the happiness of others, the happiness He could bring them. He was forever kind."- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles

Temptation

I found these cool posters. I especially like the one with the "running shoes." I know the Savior cleanses us and forgives us of our sins but that still does not make it safe to mess around with temptation. Through His grace we can lose desire for all sin and have our hearts changed that we hunger and thirst after righteousness.

"You're never big enough and you're never strong enough to toy with sin" (D&C 88:86)

"Don't be fooled, No matter how it's disguised, sin is still sin. Stay away from it." (See D&C 50:3, Moses 4:4)

"Just once will hurt, toying with sin is flirting with disaster. Get the point?" (See D&C 1:31-32)

"In case of temptation: Break glass. Playing with temtation is like playing with fire. Run from it or you'll get burned." (See Genesis 39:12)

The Twin Virtues of Forgiveness and Mercy

Chapter 6:

Wow! I really enjoyed this Chapter in Standing for Something. The principle isn't new. All through the scriptures we are taught to follow the Savior's example of love and forgiveness. These virtues are ones I feel are so much easier "said" than "done," at least that's how it is with me. I can preach it until my face is blue... but that doesn't mean I live it. Pride gets in my way. These virtues, for me, are obtained only as I earnestly seek them through much struggle and prayer and through the great Mercy and Forgiveness from a loving Father in Heaven. I stand in awe of the Savior's life and how perfectly He gave us an example of these twin virtues.

Here are some quotes that I really liked from this chapter in Standing for Something, by Gordon B. Hinckley:

"We have need of forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. The whole world has need of them, for they are of the essence of goodness. We need these qualities in homes where tiny molehills of misunderstanding grow into mountains of argument, and where parents and children sometimes hang on to an old grievance for years and even a lifetime. We need them among neighbors whose insignificant differences lead to undying bitterness. We need them among business associates who quarrel and refuse to compromise or forgive when, in most instances, a willingness to sit down together, exercise compassion, and speak quietly one to another could resolve the matter to the blessing of all.

Too often, too many people spend their days blaming others, nurturing grudges, and planning retribution." - Gordon B. Hinckley

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

"We are prone to brood on the evil done us, and that brooding becomes as a gnawing and destructive canker.... it takes neither strength nor intelligence to brood in anger over wrongs suffered, to go through life with a spirit of vindictiveness, to dissipate one's abilities in planning retribution, or to press a grievance when someone else is 'down.' There is no genius or peace in the nursing of a grudge." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Hatred always fails and bitterness always destroys. Are there virtues more in need of application in our day, a time marked by litigious proceedings and heated exchanges, than those of forgiving, forgetting, and extending mercy to those who may have wronged us or let us down?" - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Our Redeemer reaches out to us in forgiveness and mercy, but in so doing He commands that we repent of our wrongdoings. A true and magnanimous spirit of forgiveness will become an expression of that required repentance." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"So many of us are prone to say we forgive, when in fact we are unwilling to forget. If the Almighty is willing to forget the sins of the repentant, then why are so many of us inclined to bring up the past again and again? Here is a simple but great lesson we all need to learn: There is no true forgiveness without forgetting." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Let us bind up the wounds - oh, the many wounds that have been caused by cutting words, by stubbornly cultivated grievances, by scheming plans to 'get even' with those who may have wronged us. We all have a little of this spirit of revenge in us. Fortunately, we all also have the power to rise above it." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Painting: "The Good Samaritan" by, Walter Rane

"I plead for a stronger spirit of compassion in all of our relationships, a stronger element of mercy, for if we are merciful we shall obtain mercy from the Ultimate Judge." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"The degree to which we are able to extend mercy is evidence of our commitment to Him who is our Master. He practiced what He preached, for it was He who, while hanging on the cross in dreadful agony, cried out, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34)." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"How great a thing is mercy! Most often it is quiet and unassuming. It receives few headlines. It is the antithesis of vengeance and hatred, of greed and egotism." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Let us be more merciful. Let us get the arrogance out of our lives, the conceit, the egotism. Let us be more compassionate, gentler, filled with more forbearance, patience, forgiveness, and a greater measure of respect one for another. In so doing, our very example will cause others with whom we associate to be more merciful, and we shall have greater claim upon the mercy of God who in His love will be generous toward us." - Gordon B. Hinckley

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

What stops us from trusting God?

The following is a summarized excerpt from a book I've been studying, "He did deliver me from bondange."- by, Colleen C. Harrison:

I think you'll agree that she makes some excellent points concerning this topic.

"What stops us from trusting God? If God will not fail us, then why do we hesitate and resist trusting Him?

1. Looking for answers in the intellect and learning of men.
2. Fear of others' opinions or craving the esteem or approval of others.
3. Pride. Relying on our own strength and power.
4. We don't want what the Lord wants (self-will).
5. It's too hard.
6. Fear and worry.

President Ezra T. Benson said, 'When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives.' (Ensign, May 1988)

The hard, cold truth is that sometimes as mortals, blinded by the veil of forgetfulness, we don't want things to fall into their 'proper place' just yet. Miserable as we like to pretend mortal life makes us, the truth is it feels pretty comfortable the way it is. All our worries and distractions, our compulsions, obessions, and addictions have become like old friends who seem more familiar than a life entrusted to God.

President Benson also said, 'The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it.'

I think it's that word task that gets us. Coming to a place of total trust and surrender to God's will is just plain hard work. In fact, it's the hardest work we will ever undertake.

Fear and worry have the effect of freezing us up, confusing and disabling us. 'Frozen with fear' is a familiar saying, as is 'Fear is the opposite of faith.' Faith in its highest expression is loving and trusting God in all things. When we choose to trust God that all things are happening for our good and for our instruction, we are not paralyzed by fear."- (Colleen C. Harrison)

"Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?"- Mormon 5:23

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God... and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that yea are saved."- 2Nephi 10:24

"Finally men [and women] captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ... Their will is swallowed up in his will." - Ezra T. Benson"

The Healing Power of Forgiveness

If you choose to read only one post on my blog.... read this one!!!! This is an excerpt from a beautiful talk given April 2007, by President James E. Faust of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I encourage you to read this wonderful true story about the healing power of forgiveness:

"My dear brothers and sisters and friends, I come before you humbly and prayerfully. I wish to speak on the healing power of forgiveness.

In the beautiful hills of Pennsylvania, a devout group of Christian people live a simple life without automobiles, electricity, or modern machinery. They work hard and live quiet, peaceful lives separate from the world. Most of their food comes from their own farms. The women sew and knit and weave their clothing, which is modest and plain. They are known as the Amish people.
A 32-year-old milk truck driver lived with his family in their Nickel Mines community. He was not Amish, but his pickup route took him to many Amish dairy farms, where he became known as the quiet milkman. Last October he suddenly lost all reason and control. In his tormented mind he blamed God for the death of his first child and some unsubstantiated memories. He stormed into the Amish school without any provocation, released the boys and adults, and tied up the 10 girls. He shot the girls, killing five and wounding five. Then he took his own life.

This shocking violence caused great anguish among the Amish but no anger. There was hurt but no hate. Their forgiveness was immediate. Collectively they began to reach out to the milkman’s suffering family. As the milkman’s family gathered in his home the day after the shootings, an Amish neighbor came over, wrapped his arms around the father of the dead gunman, and said, “We will forgive you.”1 Amish leaders visited the milkman’s wife and children to extend their sympathy, their forgiveness, their help, and their love. About half of the mourners at the milkman’s funeral were Amish. In turn, the Amish invited the milkman’s family to attend the funeral services of the girls who had been killed. A remarkable peace settled on the Amish as their faith sustained them during this crisis.

One local resident very eloquently summed up the aftermath of this tragedy when he said, “We were all speaking the same language, and not just English, but a language of caring, a language of community, [and] a language of service. And, yes, a language of forgiveness.”2 It was an amazing outpouring of their complete faith in the Lord’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”3

The family of the milkman who killed the five girls released the following statement to the public:
“To our Amish friends, neighbors, and local community:
“Our family wants each of you to know that we are overwhelmed by the forgiveness, grace, and mercy that you’ve extended to us. Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need. The prayers, flowers, cards, and gifts you’ve given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe. Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this we sincerely thank you.
“Please know that our hearts have been broken by all that has happened. We are filled with sorrow for all of our Amish neighbors whom we have loved and continue to love. We know that there are many hard days ahead for all the families who lost loved ones, and so we will continue to put our hope and trust in the God of all comfort, as we all seek to rebuild our lives.”4

How could the whole Amish group manifest such an expression of forgiveness? It was because of their faith in God and trust in His word, which is part of their inner beings. They see themselves as disciples of Christ and want to follow His example.

Hearing of this tragedy, many people sent money to the Amish to pay for the health care of the five surviving girls and for the burial expenses of the five who were killed. As a further demonstration of their discipleship, the Amish decided to share some of the money with the widow of the milkman and her three children because they too were victims of this terrible tragedy.

Forgiveness is not always instantaneous as it was with the Amish. When innocent children have been molested or killed, most of us do not think first about forgiveness. Our natural response is anger. We may even feel justified in wanting to “get even” with anyone who inflicts injury on us or our family.

Dr. Sidney Simon, a recognized authority on values realization, has provided an excellent definition of forgiveness as it applies to human relationships:

“Forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves.”5

Most of us need time to work through pain and loss. We can find all manner of reasons for postponing forgiveness. One of these reasons is waiting for the wrongdoers to repent before we forgive them. Yet such a delay causes us to forfeit the peace and happiness that could be ours. The folly of rehashing long-past hurts does not bring happiness.

Some hold grudges for a lifetime, unaware that courageously forgiving those who have wronged us is wholesome and therapeutic.

Forgiveness comes more readily when, like the Amish, we have faith in God and trust in His word. Such faith “enables people to withstand the worst of humanity. It also enables people to look beyond themselves. More importantly, it enables them to forgive.”6

All of us suffer some injuries from experiences that seem to have no rhyme or reason. We cannot understand or explain them. We may never know why some things happen in this life. The reason for some of our suffering is known only to the Lord. But because it happens, it must be endured. President Howard W. Hunter said that “God knows what we do not know and sees what we do not see.”7

...If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being. Some recent studies show that people who are taught to forgive become “less angry, more hopeful, less depressed, less anxious and less stressed,” which leads to greater physical well-being.9 Another of these studies concludes “that forgiveness … is a liberating gift [that] people can give to themselves.”10

In our day the Lord has admonished us, “Ye ought to forgive one another,” and then makes it requisite when He says, “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.”11

A sister who had been through a painful divorce received some sound advice from her bishop: “Keep a place in your heart for forgiveness, and when it comes, welcome it in.”12 For the Amish, it was already there because “forgiveness is a ‘heartfelt’ component of [their] religion.”13 Their example of forgiveness is a sublime expression of Christian love." - President James E. Faust, ("The Healing Power of Forgivess") Excerpt taken from the May, 2007 Ensign

A Proclamation to the World

In 1995, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” This proclamation is a declaration and reaffirmation of doctrines and practices that prophets have stated repeatedly throughout the history of the Church. It contains principles that are vital to the happiness and well-being of every family. Family members should study the proclamation and should live by its precepts.

“We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

“All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

“In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

“The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

“We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

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

“We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

“We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).

Four Tips for Family Finances

Four things that will help you increadibly with your family finances: This information provided by providentliving.org

Pay Tithes and Offerings
Successful family finances begin with the payment of an honest tithe and the giving of a generous fast offering. The Lord has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out great blessings upon those who pay tithes and offerings faithfully (Malachi 3:10 and Isaiah 58: 6–12).

Tithing
If our tithing is the first obligation met, our commitment to this important gospel principle will be strengthened and the likelihood of financial mismanagement will be reduced.

Fast Offerings
On fast day, we go without food and drink for two consecutive meals, if physically able, and then give to the bishop a fast offering at least equal to the value of the food not eaten. If possible, we should be very generous and give more. The bishop uses the fast offerings to care for the poor and needy.

Avoid Debt
Spending less money than you make is essential to your financial security. Avoid debt, with the exception of buying a modest home or paying for education or other vital needs. If you are in debt, pay it off as quickly as possible. Some useful tools in becoming debt free are a debt-elimination calendar and a family budget worksheet.

Distinguish between Needs and Wants
We must learn to distinguish between wants and needs. We should be modest in our wants. It takes self-discipline to avoid the “buy now, pay later” philosophy and to adopt the “save now and buy later” practice.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught: “All too often a family's spending is governed more by their yearning than by their earning. They somehow believe that their life will be better if they surround themselves with an abundance of things. All too often all they are left with is avoidable anxiety and distress” ("Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts," Ensign, May 2004, 42).

Getting and Staying out of Debt
We should avoid debt. There is nothing that will cause greater tensions in life than grinding debt, which will make the debtor a slave to creditors. A specific goal, careful planning, and determined self-discipline are required to accomplish this.

President N. Eldon Tanner taught: "Those who structure their standard of living to allow a little surplus, control their circumstances. Those who spend a little more than they earn are controlled by their circumstances. They are in bondage” ("Constancy Amid Change," Ensign, Nov. 1979, 81).

Build a Reserve
Gradually build a financial reserve, and use it for emergencies only. If you save a little money regularly, you will be surprised how much accumulates over time.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has taught: “Set your houses in order. If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter for your wives and children and peace in your hearts” ("To the Boys and to the Men," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 54).

Teach Family Members
Teach family members the principles of financial management. Involve them in creating a budget and setting family financial goals. Teach the principles of hard work, frugality, and saving. Stress the importance of obtaining as much education as possible.

Abundant resources are available—from classes, to books, to other resources such as One for the Money: Guide to Family Finance. See http://providentliving.org/

"Did you think to pray?"

I was studying the 6th Chapter of Luke yesterday, verses 1-12: The scribes and pharisees were so self-righteous that instead of trying to come to know Jesus, to really listen to His teachings and soften their hearts, they were consumed with finding fault and seeking to find accusation against Christ.

It is on the Sabbath day and Jesus has healed a man with a withered hand. Instead of rejoicing in this and acknowledging His power they find fault and question in their hearts why Christ is healing someone on the Sabbath.

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, turns to them and asks, "Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it?" Then Jesus tells the man He just healed to show his hand to the scribes and pharisees... did they now understand who Jesus was? Were their hearts softened by His power....they just witnessed a great miracle! Now would they follow Him? NO! In fact, the scripture says they were furious, "they were filled with madness" and they talked about how they would destroy Jesus!

How disappointing and frustrating, after all the good the Savior did to see them not only close their eyes and harden their hearts but seek His destruction. And how did Jesus respond to this? (I know how I would have responded...and it wouldn't have pretty.) What did Jesus do after this encounter? In verse 12 it says, "He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." He prayed!!!

What was He praying for? Could it be He prayed for the very thing He taught in His sermon on the mount? "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matt 5:44 & Luke 6: 27,28) Wow, what an amazing example of humility and meekness!

When I apply this to my own life... I think of the times I have been falsely accused and despitefully used. I think of the times when my religion has been persecuted, falsely accused and even openly hated and sought to be destroyed. How do I respond? Do I lick my wounds and let anger consume me? Or do I follow my Savior's example and teachings?

I pray to my Father in Heaven to give me love like His Son, Jesus Christ... give me strength and humility like His during times of persecution and trial. I can't do it without Him - I need His Grace, I need His enabling power!

After I read my scriptures this morning, this hymn kept playing in my mind:

Hymn #140 in the LDS Hymn Book: "Did you think to pray?"

"Ere you left your room this morning,
Did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ, our Savior,
Did you sue for loving favor
As a sheild today?

When your heart was filled with anger,
Did you think to pray?
Did you plead for grace, my brother,
That you might forgive another
Who had crossed your way?

When sore trials came upon you,
Did you think to pray?
When your soul was full of sorrow,
Balm of Gilead did you borrow
At the gates of day?

Oh, how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day.
So, when life gets dark and dreary,
Don't forget to pray."

Advice for Inter-Faith Discussions

Krister Stendahl - Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Stockholm and Dean of Divinity Emeritus, Harvard University gave the following advice for inter-faith discussions:

"1. If you're going to ask the question, "What do others believe?" in their various faiths. Ask them... Not their critics, not their enemies.

Because what one religious tradition says about another is usually a breech against the commandment, "thou shalt not bear false wittiness."

2. If you're going to compare... don't compare your "bests" with their "worsts" - But compare "best" with "best."

Most people think of their own tradition as it is, "at it's best" and use caricatures of the others.

3. Leave room for "Holy Envy."

Let me give you an example of my "holy envy" for the Latter-Day-Saints: We Lutherans, when we lose our loved ones, we have funerals, we have cemeteries... but that ends our concern with those who have gone before. But the Latter-Day-Saints care about their for-bearers that they want to bring the blessings of Christ's Atonement to them so they build Temples.... and according to Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians they perform baptisms for the dead. I have "holy envy" for that.

In a world where we finally have learned what I call "the holy envy" - it's a beautiful thing! - I could think of myself as taking part in such an act [baptisms for the dead]: Extending the blessings that have come to me in and through Jesus Christ. That's Generous, that's beautiful and should not be ridiculed or spoken badly of."

- (from the DVD, Between Heaven and Earth) - to obtain your own copy of this DVD for $4.50 no shipping and handling click on this really, really long link :)http://www.ldscatalog.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10151&productId=41859&langId=-1&sortId=3&sortOr=1&sTerm=between+heaven+earth&sNVPs=%26beginIndex%3D0%26pageSize%3D200%26searchTerm%3Dbetween%2Bheaven%2Bearth%26searchType%3DALL%26sType%3DSimple%26pageId%3D1%26pageCt%3D15&retURLtext=Back%20to%20'between%20heaven%20earth'%20Search&retURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ldscatalog.com%2Fwebapp%2Fwcs%2Fstores%2Fservlet%2FCatalogSearchResultView%3FcatalogId%3D10151%26amp%3BstoreId%3D10151%26amp%3BlangId%3D-1%26beginIndex%3D0%26pageSize%3D200%26searchTerm%3Dbetween%2Bheaven%2Bearth%26searchType%3DALL%26sType%3DSimple%26pageId%3D1%26pageCt%3D15%26sortId%3D3%26sortOr%3D1

Excerpt from President Gordon B. Hinckley's Message

I revere President Gordon B. Hinckley as a Prophet of God. This is an excerpt from the December Ensign, a monthly magazine distributed from my Church. This is only part of his sermon but I love to hear him speak.

I think that people of all faiths could benefit from and appreciate the following message:

"If I may be pardoned for suggesting the obvious, I do so only because the obvious is not observed in so many instances. The obvious includes four imperatives with reference to children: (1) love them, (2) teach them, (3) respect them, and (4) pray with them and for them.

There once was a commonly seen bumper sticker that asked the question, “Have you hugged your child today?” How fortunate, how blessed is the child who feels the affection of his or her parents. That warmth, that love will bear sweet fruit in the years that follow. In large measure, the harshness that characterizes so much of our society is an outgrowth of harshness imposed on children years ago.

Do you want a spirit of love to grow in the world? Then begin within the walls of your own home. Behold your little ones, and see within them the wonders of God, from whose presence they have recently come.

Behold your little ones, and teach them. I need not remind you that your example will do more than anything else in impressing upon their minds a pattern of life. It is always interesting to meet the children of old friends and to find in another generation the ways of their fathers and mothers.

Behold your little ones. Pray with them. Pray for them and bless them. The world into which they are moving is a complex and difficult world. They will run into heavy seas of adversity. They will need all the strength and all the faith you can give them while they are yet near you. And they will also need a greater strength which comes of a higher power. They must do more than go along with what they find. They must lift the world, and the only levers they will have are the example of their own lives and the powers of persuasion that will come of their testimonies and their knowledge of the things of God. They will need the help of the Lord. While they are young, pray with them that they may come to know that source of strength which shall then always be available in every hour of need."- President Gordon B. Hinckley- Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints