Wisdom From Mother Teresa

Yesterday at church a sister spoke about charity and quoted this famous verse by Mother Teresa. It impressed me so much that I wanted to share it:

"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."

- Mother Teresa

What a wonderful legacy of discipleship she left for us! I want to memorize this and live by this.

To Honor Martin Luther King Jr.

Let's make this a day of service, a day of forgiving others, a day of kindness and pure Christian love toward all people. Let's show our honor for this great American by putting our differences behind us, letting go of hatred and losing ourselves in the service of our Lord as Martin Luther King Jr. examplified so beautifully throughout his life.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a man of God! He was a true Christian in every way, a great example for all of us to follow. We would all benefit by living by his inspired words.

"Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." - Martin Luther King Jr.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King Jr.

"If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values -- that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control." - Martin Luther King Jr.

"Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true." - Martin Luther King Jr.

"Let no man pull you low enough to hate him." - Martin Luther King Jr.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr.

The Abundant Life

During the Christmas Season I often ponder upon what makes a person rich? In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught us to lay up for ourselves "treasures in heaven." What are treasures in heaven and how do we obtain them?

Jesus of Nazareth also observed in his teachings the following:
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10.)

And this next promise Jesus gave is recorded four times in the New Testament:
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

"The abundant life, of course, has little to do with the acquisition of material things, though there are many wonderful individuals who have been blessed materially and who use their wealth to help their fellowmen—and this is most commendable. The abundant life noted in the scriptures is the spiritual sum that is arrived at by the multiplying of our service to others and by investing our talents in service to God and to man. Jesus said, you will recall, that on the first two commandments hang all the law and the prophets, and those two commandments involve developing our love of God, of self, of our neighbors, and of all men. There can be no real abundance in life that is not connected with the keeping and the carrying out of those two great commandments." - Spencer W. Kimball

"If we would truly reform mankind, we must first reform ourselves." - Spencer W. Kimball

Just something to think about....

How thankful I am for the example of perfect selflessness and charity of my Savior!

the quotes in this post are clips from a talk entitled, "The Abundant Life" originally given in 1977 by President Spencer W. Kimball (Prophet of God from 1973 -1975)

"One Sees Clearly Only with the Heart"

Photo by, Mark Maybry "Healing"
“One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.”
- Antoine de Saint Exupéry



“Sometimes the most precious and sacred things are right in front of us, in plain sight so to speak. But we cannot or will not see them.”

[During the Christmas Season] “All of these spectacular displays and decorations that compete for our attention can be beautiful and uplifting…. But if that’s all we see, we are missing something that’s in plain sight. Sometimes despite our best intentions we become so preoccupied with responsibilities, commitments and the stress of our many tasks that we fail to see with our hearts that which is essential and most sacred.”

“Even many who lived during the time of the Savior’s mortal ministry could not see Him though He walked among them in plain sight.”

“The self-righteous and unteachable, those whose hearts were closed to the Spirit could not see Him.

Now, can we see the Christ?

Sometimes when we read about a people who could not see the Savior for who He was, we marvel at their blindness…. But do we also let distractions obstruct our view of the Savior during this Christmas season and throughout the year?

Some are external distractions; the gifts we worry about, the decorations or the glamorous advertising…. But often it is what is inside us that blinds us from seeing the Christ.

Let us see the Christ in Christmas!

Photo by, Mark Maybry "Angels"

This is a season of rejoicing, a season of celebration, a wonderful time when we acknowledge that our Almighty God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ to redeem the world, to redeem us. It is the season of charitable acts, of kindness, of brotherly love. It is a season of being more reflective about our own life and about the many blessings that our ours. It is a season of forgiving and being forgiven. But perhaps most of all, let it be a season of seeking the Lamb of God, the King of Glory, the Everlasting Light of the World, the Great Hope of Mankind, the Savior and Redeemer of our souls.

I promise that if we unclutter our lives a little bit and in sincerity and humility seek the pure and gentle Christ with our hearts, we will see Him. We will find Him on Christmas and throughout the year. Of this I testify, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
- Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf (Apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ)

To watch the full Christmas Devotional click here.

What is happiness?

I was reading another blog a few days ago. They asked, "What is happiness?" this blogger had posed a very good question with some very good arguments.

I have pondered on this question for several days. I have scribbled down some thoughts in an attempt to try and describe it. I think there is often a confusion between "fun" and "happiness." Sometimes we define them as meaning the same thing but they are not. Of course we can have both at times. ..But we must understand that fun and happiness are different. I have more thoughts on this but I won't go into the details today.

As I continued to ponder on this question I remembered a talk given to the women (but certainly can be applied to men as well) by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency. The following is taken directly from his talk. This is some very wise counsel.

May the Lord bless you all and thanks for taking the time to visit my blog, I hope it inspires you and lifts your life today and gives you hope for tomorrow.
- Alicia

Here is a link to a youtube video also collaborated from bits and pieces of his talk. It's less than 2 minutes so take a second and check it out and then come back to read the rest ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLlnq5yY7k


To All Who Are Weary
"Today I would like to speak to those who have ever felt inadequate, discouraged, or weary—in short, I would like to speak to all of us.

...We know that sometimes it can be difficult to keep our heads above water. In fact, in our world of change, challenges, and checklists, sometimes it can seem nearly impossible to avoid feeling overwhelmed by emotions of suffering and sorrow.

I am not suggesting that we can simply flip a switch and stop the negative feelings that distress us. This isn’t a pep talk or an attempt to encourage those sinking in quicksand to imagine instead they are relaxing on a beach. I recognize that in all of our lives there are real concerns. I know there are hearts here today that harbor deep sorrows. Others wrestle with fears that trouble the soul. For some, loneliness is their secret trial.

These things are not insignificant.

However, I would like to speak about two principles that may help you find a path to peace, hope, and joy—even during times of trial and distress. I want to speak about God’s happiness and how each one of us can taste of it in spite of the burdens that beset us.

Let me first pose a question: What do you suppose is the greatest kind of happiness possible? For me, the answer to this question is, God’s happiness.

This leads to another question: What is our Heavenly Father’s happiness?

This may be impossible to answer because His ways are not our ways. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are [God’s] ways higher than [our] ways, and [His] thoughts [higher] than [our] thoughts.”1

Though we cannot understand “the meaning of all things,” we do “know that [God] loveth his children”2 because He has said, “Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”3

Heavenly Father is able to accomplish these two great goals—the immortality and eternal life of man—because He is a God of creation and compassion. Creating and being compassionate are two objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Father’s perfect happiness. Creating and being compassionate are two activities that we as His spirit children can and should emulate."

The Work of Creation
"...The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.

Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty—

What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. ...Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.

If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it.

The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. "

Being Compassionate
"Being compassionate is another great work of our Heavenly Father and a fundamental characteristic of who we are as a people. We are commanded to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”7 Disciples of Christ throughout all ages of the world have been distinguished by their compassion. Those who follow the Savior “mourn with those that mourn … and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.”8

When we reach out to bless the lives of others, our lives are blessed as well. Service and sacrifice open the windows of heaven, allowing choice blessings to descend upon us. Surely our beloved Heavenly Father smiles upon those who care for the least of His children.

As we lift others, we rise a little higher ourselves. President Spencer W. Kimball taught, “The more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls.”9
President Gordon B. Hinckley believed in the healing power of service. After the death of his wife, he provided a great example to the Church in the way he immersed himself in work and in serving others. It is told that President Hinckley remarked to one woman who had recently lost her husband, “Work will cure your grief. Serve others.”

These are profound words. As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness.

President Lorenzo Snow expressed a similar thought: “When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated.”10

In today’s world of pop psychology, junk TV, and feel-good self-help manuals, this advice may seem counterintuitive. We are sometimes told that the answer to our ills is to look inward, to indulge ourselves, to spend first and pay later, and to satisfy our own desires even at the expense of those around us. While there are times when it is prudent to look first to our own needs, in the long run it doesn’t lead to lasting happiness."

Conclusion
My dear sisters [and brothers], I have a simple faith. I believe that as you are faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, as you draw closer to Him in faith, hope, and charity, things will work together for your good.14 I believe that as you immerse yourselves in the work of our Father—as you create beauty and as you are compassionate to others—God will encircle you in the arms of His love.15 Discouragement, inadequacy, and weariness will give way to a life of meaning, grace, and fulfillment.

As spirit daughters [and sons] of our Heavenly Father, happiness is your heritage.

You are choice [children] of our Heavenly Father, and through the things you create and by your compassionate service, you are a great power for good. You will make the world a better place. Lift up your chin; walk tall. God loves you. We love and admire you.

Of this I testify, and leave you my blessing as an Apostle of the Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Happy Constitution Day!!

Today Sept. 17 in the year 1787, The Constitution of the United States was signed. A Historic Day! One of my favorite stories of the convention is what Benjamin Franklin said concerning our country imploring the help and guidance from God...

"The Constitutional Convention was on the verge of breaking apart completely over the issue of representation, a stalemate created by the concern of smaller states that they would be overpowered by the larger states, and the concern of larger states that smaller states would be given representation out of proportion to their relative size." "Tempers were short, and the ship of state seemed headed for the rocks before its maiden voyage had barely begun." "Benjamin Franklin rose and uttered these immortal words:"


“...To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?"

“I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"

“We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that “except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel...

“I therefore beg leave to move—that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business.” - Benjamin Franklin

The Power of Virtue

I read this quote today in a talk given by Sheri Dew. It was a wonderful talk on virtue and the family:

click here http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/57746/Sheri-L-Dew-The-Power-of-Virtue.html for the complete text of a talk given by Sister Sheri L. Dew at the World Congress of Families V in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Aug. 10, 2009.


"There can be no public virtue without private morality….And there cannot be a good society unless the majority of individuals in it are at least trying to be good people….A nation that is traveling the low road is a nation that is self-destructing. It is doomed, sooner or later, to collapse from within."

- Clare Boothe Luce

He never gives up on us.

I was listening to some talks from last conference today and I really like this part. This is very comforting for me when I have had a day or days where I feel like such a crappy mom.

"There are some who believe that because they have made mistakes, they can no longer fully partake of the blessings of the gospel. How little they understand the purposes of the Lord. One of the great blessings of living the gospel is that it refines us and helps us learn from our mistakes. We “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,”11 yet the Atonement of Jesus Christ has the power to make us whole when we repent."
- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency

“Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will.

“We [might] see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. . . .

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of transformation. It takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into men and women for the eternities.”- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

A Return to Virtue

I was studying in Alma 47 this morning and was reminded of some conference talks given in the fall of 2008. "Christian Courage" by, Robert D. Hales (Quorum of the 12 Apostles) and "Return to Virtue" by, Elaine S. Dalton (General Young Womens President)Photo: Elaine S. Dalton, General Young Women's President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

"Could it be that we have been slowly desensitized into thinking that high moral standards are old-fashioned and not relevant or important in today’s society? As Elder Hales has just reminded us, Lehonti in the Book of Mormon was well positioned on the top of a mountain. He and those he led were “fixed in their minds with a determined resolution” that they would not come down from the mount. It only took the deceitful Amalickiah four tries, each one more bold than the previous, to get Lehonti to “come down off from the mount.”8 And then having embraced Amalickiah’s false promises, Lehonti was “poison[ed] by degrees”9 until he died. Not just poisoned, but “by degrees.” Could it be that this may be happening today? Could it be that first we tolerate, then accept, and eventually embrace the vice that surrounds us?10 Could it be that we have been deceived by false role models and persuasive media messages that cause us to forget our divine identity?

Are we too being poisoned by degrees? What could be more deceptive than to entice the youth of this noble generation to do nothing or to be busy ever-texting but never coming to a knowledge of the truths contained in a book that was written for you and your day by prophets of God—the Book of Mormon? What could be more deceptive than to entice women, young and old, you and me, to be so involved in ourselves, our looks, our clothes, our body shape and size that we lose sight of our divine identity and our ability to change the world through our virtuous influence? What could be more deceptive than to entice men—young and old, holding the holy priesthood of God—to view seductive pornography and thus focus on flesh instead of faith, to be consumers of vice rather than guardians of virtue? The Book of Mormon relates the story of 2,000 young heroes whose virtue and purity gave them the strength to defend their parents’ covenants and their family’s faith. Their virtue and commitment to be “true at all times” changed the world!11

...What can each of us do to begin our return to virtue? The course and the training program will be unique to each of us. I have derived my personal training program from instructions found in the scriptures: “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.”14 “Cleave unto [your] covenants.”15 “Stand … in holy places.”16 “Lay aside the things of [the] world.”17 “Believe that ye must repent.”18 “Always remember him and keep his commandments.”19 And “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, … seek after these things.”20 Now more than ever before, it is time to respond to Moroni’s call to “awake, and arise” and to “lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.”21

...I testify that a return to virtue is possible because of the Savior’s example and the “infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice.”22 I testify that we will be enabled and strengthened not only to do hard things but to do all things. Now is the time for each of us to arise and unfurl a banner to the world calling for a return to virtue. "

Elaine S. Dalton, “A Return to Virtue,” Liahona, Nov 2008, 78–80

Our Only Hope

I've posted these quotes before but I want to post them again because Independence Day is just around the corner. I pray for our Country and all Nations of the world to turn their hearts to God and live.... it is the only way we can be healed from the sickness of our society.

"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



"The solution lies not within our governments, schools, or symbols of popular culture, but rather within ourselves, our families, and our faith."- Gordon B. Hinckley

"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



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

"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..."- Gordon B. Hinckley

Formula for Success

This is a quote I heard years ago & it's one of my many favorites.
Lately, it's been running through my mind again and again, like a broken record.
So I thought maybe I should share it:

"First, fill your mind with truth;

second, fill your life with service;

and third, fill your heart with love."

- President Thomas S. Monson

I also like this poem by Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women:

"I do not ask for any crown

But that which all may win;

Nor try to conquer any world

Except the one within."

"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

God's Love

"God knows and loves us all. We are, every one of us, his daughters and his sons, and whatever life's lessons may have brought us, the promise is still true: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upraideth not; and it shall be given him.' (James 1:5)" - Howard W. Hunter

"In the many trials of life, when we feel abandoned and when sorrow, sin, disappointment, failure, and weakness make us less than we should ever be, there can come the healing salve of the unreserved love in the grace of God. It is a love that sustains a new beginning on a higher level and thereby continues 'from grace to grace' (D&C 93:13). "- James E. Faust

So Blessed

I had such a wonderful day with my husband and my little children today. It's not all the time that things go this smooth, it was great. So many times today I just stood back, looked at my little family and thought, "I am so incredibly blessed!!" I love being a mommy and I love sharing these experiences with my husband.

I thought this quote would be fitting for today:

"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." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Bright Hope

I was listening to President Monson's talk from this most recent conference and I really like this part where he said,

"Your future is as bright as your faith."

- President Thomas S. Monson

This makes me think of a couple other quotes I really like:

"Keep your face toward the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow"

- Helen Keller

"I believe in Christ as I believe in the sun at noon day... not that I can see it but by it, I can see everything else."

- C.S. Lewis

The Way

I have a testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know He is God's Son and through His atoning sacrifice, I can return to my Father in Heaven. He testify's of God, He directs me to my Father and teaches me to pray to Him, to trust in Him. He shows me the Love that my Father has for me through His life, example, sacrifice and triumph. He He is my truest, and greatest Friend, He redeems me from my inward hell, He gives me strength to face each day with gratitude, He sets me free!!

Painting by, Walter Rane

The other day, while I was driving in my car, I was listening to Conference from last October and listened to this talk by Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge of the Seventy, "The Way." I wanted to share some parts of it:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . .
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”1

He said,

“I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world.”2

He said,

“Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”3

He said,

“I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”4

He said,

“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”5

He said,
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”6

He said,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”7
Jesus Christ is the Way.

He is Light and Life, Bread and Water, the Beginning and the End, the Resurrection and the Life, the Savior of the world, the Truth, and the Way.

"Worth of a Soul" by, Liz Lemon Swindle

“We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.”10 The plan of the Father was implemented by the Son that we may have the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. The way of the Father is the way of the Son. He said, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”11

One of the most popular and attractive philosophies of men is to live life your own way, do your own thing, be yourself, don’t let others tell you what to do. But the Lord said, “I am the way.”16 He said, “Follow me.”17 He said, “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”18

No institution, plan, program, or system ever conceived by men has access to the redeeming and transforming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, while the Lord’s invitation to follow Him is the highest of all, it is also achievable by everyone, not because we are able, but because He is, and because He can make us able too. “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind [everyone, living and dead] may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”20

The Lord’s way is not hard. Life is hard, not the gospel. “There is an opposition in all things,”21 everywhere, for everyone. Life is hard for all of us, but life is also simple. We have only two choices.22 We can either follow the Lord and be endowed with His power and have peace, light, strength, knowledge, confidence, love, and joy, or we can go some other way, any other way, whatever other way, and go it alone—without His support, without His power, without guidance, in darkness, turmoil, doubt, grief, and despair. And I ask, which way is easier?

He said,

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; . . . and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”23

Life is hard, but life is simple. Get on the path and never, ever give up. You never give up. You just keep on going. You don’t quit, and you will make it.

There is only one way to happiness and fulfillment.

Jesus Christ is the Way.

Trust in God

Pieces of a talk by, Elder Jeffery R. Holland entitled, "Lessons From Liberty Jail"
listen to it or read it for free here http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1798

Everyone Faces Trying Times

Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail
painting by, Liz Lemon Swindle

"Every experience can become a redemptive experience if we remain bonded to our Father in Heaven through that difficulty. These difficult lessons teach us that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity, and if we will be humble and faithful, if we will be believing and not curse God for our problems, He can turn the unfair and inhumane and debilitating prisons of our lives into temples—or at least into a circumstance that can bring comfort and revelation, divine companionship and peace…."

"…whenever these moments of our extremity come, we must not succumb to the fear that God has abandoned us or that He does not hear our prayers. He does hear us. He does see us. He does love us. When we are in dire circumstances and want to cry “Where art Thou?” it is imperative that we remember He is right there with us—where He has always been! We must continue to believe, continue to have faith, continue to pray and plead with heaven, even if we feel for a time our prayers are not heard and that God has somehow gone away. He is there. Our prayers are heard. And when we weep He and the angels of heaven weep with us…."

"…When lonely, cold, hard times come, we have to endure, we have to continue, we have to persist. That was the Savior’s message in the parable of the importuning widow (see Luke 18:1–8; see also Luke 11:5–10). Keep knocking on that door. Keep pleading. In the meantime, know that God hears your cries and knows your distress. He is your Father, and you are His child…."

"…Even though seemingly unjust circumstances may be heaped upon us and even though unkind and unmerited things may be done to us—perhaps by those we consider enemies but also, in some cases, by those whom we thought were friends—nevertheless, through it all, God is with us."

Even the Worthy Will Suffer

"Father Forgive Them"

painting by, Liz Lemon Swindle

“We need to realize that just because difficult things happen—sometimes unfair and seemingly unjustified things—it does not mean that we are unrighteous or that we are unworthy of blessings or that God is disappointed in us. Of course sinfulness does bring suffering, and the only answer to that behavior is repentance. But sometimes suffering comes to the righteous, too.”

“….In fact, it ought to be a matter of great doctrinal consolation to us that Jesus, in the course of the Atonement, experienced all of the heartache and sorrow, all of the disappointments and injustices that the entire family of man had experienced and would experience from Adam and Eve to the end of the world in order that we would not have to face them so severely or so deeply. However heavy our load might be, it would be a lot heavier if the Savior had not gone that way before us and carried that burden with us and for us.”

“Very early in the Prophet Joseph’s ministry, the Savior taught him this doctrine. After speaking of sufferings so exquisite to feel and so hard to bear, Jesus said:
I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they [and that means you and I and everyone] might not suffer if they would repent. [D&C 19:16]

In our moments of pain and trial, I guess we would shudder to think it could be worse, but the answer to that is clearly that it could be worse and it would be worse. Only through our faith and repentance and obedience to the gospel that provided the sacred Atonement is it kept from being worse.

Furthermore, we note that not only has the Savior suffered, in His case entirely innocently, but so have most of the prophets and other great men and women recorded in the scriptures. Name an Old Testament or Book of Mormon prophet, name a New Testament Apostle, name virtually any of the leaders in any dispensation, including our own, and you name someone who has had trouble.

My point? If you are having a bad day, you’ve got a lot of company—very, very good company. The best company that has ever lived."

"First, God has not forgotten you, and second, the Savior has been where you have been, allowing Him to provide for your deliverance and your comfort.”

Remain Calm, Patient, Charitable, and Forgiving

“When we face such distressing circumstances in our life and there is something in us that wants to strike out at God or man or friend or foe, we must remember that “no power or influence can or ought to be maintained [except] by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; . . . without hypocrisy, and without guile” (D&C 121:41–42; emphasis added).

It has always been a wonderful testimony to me of the Prophet Joseph’s greatness and the greatness of all of our prophets, including and especially the Savior of the world in His magnificence, that in the midst of such distress and difficulty they could remain calm and patient, charitable, and forgiving—that they could even talk that way, let alone live that way. But they could, and they did. They remembered their covenants, they disciplined themselves, and they knew that we must live the gospel at all times, not just when it is convenient and not just when things are going well. Indeed, they knew that the real test of our faith and our Christian discipleship is when things are not going smoothly. That is when we get to see what we’re made of and how strong our commitment to the gospel really is.

Surely the classic example of this is that in the most painful hours of the Crucifixion the Savior could say, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). That is a hard thing to ask when we’re hurting. That is a hard thing to do when we’ve been offended or are tired or stressed out or suffering innocently. But that is when Christian behavior may matter the most.”

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

Encouragement

Just a couple of things I jotted down from Conference this past weekend that I really liked.

(Top left: President Henry B. Eyring, Top right: President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Front:President Thomas S. Monson)

"The Lord will shape the back to fit the burden placed upon it."- President Thomas S. Monson





"You can't plant a seed in the morning and expect corn on the cob in the afternoon."- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf





"My purpose today is to assure you that our Heavenly Father and the Savior live and that they love all humanity. The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of their infinite love."- President Henry B. Eyring

Tid Bits

Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God's approval.
- Thomas S. Monson

If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living faith will last in the midst of the blackest storm.
-Mohandas Gandhi

I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.
- Mother Teresa

Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.