Mormon Morsels

Create.

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This is one of my favorite talks by Elder Uchtdorf. I’ve been thinking about this talk even more lately since I’m pregnant. I get these weekly emails that update me on the development of the baby, and it never ceases to amaze me. Just think, with the help of our loving Heavenly Father…. I’m creating a person! Someone who can change the world.

I think that all of us have that innate desire to create something. I love being crafty, I love using my hands to make something. That’s one of the reasons I love this blog! It’s a chance for me to share something that I’ve created.

I want to share one quote from this talk that wasn’t shared.  “What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don’t let fear of failure discourage you.” I think so many of us can easily get caught up in the fear of failure. I know I do! It’s important for us to try to get past that so we can take a chance. Who knows, maybe you’ll be better than you think.

Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice

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As we listen to general conference and internalize the messages given while we study them through the coming months, let us remember the hymn, “Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice”:

Come, listen to a prophet’s voice, And hear the word of God,
And in the way of truth rejoice, And sing for joy aloud.
We’ve found the way the prophets went Who lived in days of yore.
Another prophet now is sent This knowledge to restore.
The gloom of sullen darkness spread Thru earth’s extended space
Is banished by our living Head, And God has shown His face.
Thru erring schemes in days now past The world has gone astray;
Yet Saints of God have found at last The straight and narrow way.
‘Tis not in man they put their trust Nor on his arm rely.
Full well assured, all are accursed Who Jesus Christ deny.
The Savior to his people saith, “Let all my words obey,
And signs shall follow living faith, Down to the latest day.”
Then heed the words of truth and light That flow from fountains pure.
Yea, keep His law with all thy might Till thine election’s sure,
Till though shalt hear the holy voice Assure eternal reign.
While joy and cheer attend they choice, As one who shall obtain.
We are truly blessed to receive latter-day revelation and instruction from men and women inspired of God through His holy Spirit. We have comfort and guidance in a world that, as President Monson said, “is increasingly less spiritual.” May we fully receive this blessing and allow it to guide us and strengthen us as we strive to keep His commandments and live His word.

The Temple

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Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
~Doctrine & Covenants 88:119

Each and every time I read this passage of scripture, the first picture and/or thought that comes to my mind is of the temple. There isn’t a more perfect example of how we should organize our own homes and lives than by the standards of the temple.

I can often think of several excuses not to attend, but what I should be tinking about are all of the blessings that come from worthily entering the temple. Lds.org defines the temple as “a place of learning.” There isn’t a more perfect envirnoment than being in the atmosphere of the temple to learn the ordinaces that will allow us to return to live with our Heavenly Father. I can’t think of a better opportunity that allows me ponder and pray about any stuggles in my life. In the temple, I can give thanks for my endless blessings and receive personal revelation.

I know that the promised blessings that come from attending temple are real. There isn’t a more sacred place for learning and receiving strength.

“As I Have Loved You”

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Kelly Rowe-used with permission from photographer. Can be found at Houston, we have a problem…life on Mars looks eerily familiar.

I fell in love with this quote as soon as I read it and couldn’t wait to share it. It was included in an article in the July 2011 Ensign (for the full article click here-it’s a good one!).

“Let us love at all times. And let us especially be there for our brothers and sisters during times of adversity. …

“As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “You Are My Hands,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2010, 70, 75.

This is such a profound truth. Our Savior Jesus Christ is our perfect example of service and love. He spent His life teaching, serving, and ministering to others and gave the ultimate sacrifice for us all, His life. In a world that focuses so much on self and finding what makes you happy I think it is easy to forget that we can find much of the happiness we long for when we are willing to sacrifice a little, whether it’s some of our time or talents, or even pride to help those who are in need. There is always someone that we could help; whether it is someone with a physical need or emotional need. Sometimes the service could be as simple as listening to them with sincere interest.

It is easy to get caught up in our own problems and a little self-absorbed. I know that I have been guilty of this and feel safe in saying everyone has had a turn at doing so. I have found, over and over again, that my problems become less consuming and easier to bear when I have found someone else that I can do something for, some need that I can meet. We grow in ways that we would not otherwise, we do find strength that we did not know we had, we become more of what our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know that we can become. We find peace in a troubled world by following the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We find ourselves.

Strong vs Tough

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I have had a quote on my “fridge” for a number of years that has often caused me to reflect on the qualities that bring us strength.

Sister Margaret Young said, “The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women who are of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity’ we need more virtue. We have enough popularity’ we need more purity.”

In my reflective times I have realized that toughness of character comes from contention, harshness, anger and strife in general. Strength is it’s opposite.

Strength doesn’t come easily. It is built from faith, kindness, tenderness, gratitude, endurance, purity, and obedience to the commandments. Strength allows you to have the confidence to move forward and be happy. Strength is a shield of protection. Strength brings you joy. Strength is also a choice.

The 2,000 Stripling Warriors were not just faithful; they did not fear death and were able to save Antipus’ 10,000 from falling because they were spiritually clean and strong. It is this type of strength that I hope to obtain and to enjoy.

Choices

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In preperation for my primary lesson on how “dressing modestly shows respect for Heavenly Father and myself”, I came across this quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The course of our lives is seldom determined by great, life-altering decisions. Our direction is often set by small, day to day choices that chart the track of which we run. This is the substance of our lives – making choices!”

This quote caused me to pause, and then ponder this idea for the remainder of the week. As a mother, I have given the lecture on choices more than once. Yet, even as an adult the concept of making good choices continues to apply. EVERY choice we make is important! The choice to dress modestly. The choice to not use inappropriate language. The choice to express my love to those that I care about. The choice to spend time pondering a gospel message. The choice to attend my church meetings. The choice to listen to others when they need to be heard. The choice to laugh, and smile. The list goes on. These choices are small, but important. In primary we sing, “There’s a right way to live and be happy, it is choosing the right everyday….Choose the right way, and be happy. I must always choose the right!”

I love Sundays! I feel renewed when I come home from church. I feel that I want to improve and be a better person. So, on this Sunday, I hope that you too will take time to think about the “small, day to day choices” that you are making. Make each choice count! Remember that you want each choice to be a step closer to returning to live with Heavenly Father, and not a step away from him. Choose the right, and be HAPPY!

Be of Good Cheer

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Did you know that there are 13 or more scripture references in the Scriptures (including the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants) when the Lord counseled, “be of good cheer”?   All of those, to whom He gave this counsel, were in deep despair, danger or distress.  Sound familiar?  I suppose to some degree we have all felt despair, danger and/or distress in our lives.  And not to sound all gloom and doom, but there are a LOT of terrible things that happen every day in this world.  So “what is left to be cheerful about?”  


While reading a BYU women’s conference address given by Camille Fronk Olson, I was strengthened in my testimony of the role that our Savior, Jesus Christ, played in the plan of happiness.  He overcame the world!  And because He did, we are able to overcome the obstacles that we face every day.  As we put our faith in Him and recognize that He has suffered the despair and distress that we are facing, we can better understand that we not given trials so that we will suffer.  We are given trials so that we will learn.  So we will grow and become better people–more righteous sons and daughters of God.  


Sometimes we think, “If I can just get through this…I will be happy.”  A good friend of mine posted on Facebook yesterday, “Car a mess, computer a mess, waistline a mess, finances a mess, house a mess…..but with Jesus…no stress 🙂 He has it all under control!” Remembering that He is in control allows us to let go of our heartaches and be of good cheer now.   “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33 

 
 


Mind Fields

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 mind fields
 
“The mind is like a field: you will harvest whatever you plant in it if it is nourished.”
–Grant Von Harrison, Drawing on the Powers of Heaven
 
One of the main ideas in the book Drawing on the Powers of Heaven is that learning to control our minds is vital to our success and what we are able to accomplish in this life.  Harrison says, “Your life is influenced more by your thoughts than anything else.”  And really, he’s right.  We become what we are thinking.  Our thoughts influence how we handle challenges, relationships, faith, self, prayer.  It takes a sustained mental effort to think positively and be believing, especially over a long period of time or during a particularly challenging trial.  Thinking negatively, however, is as easy as pie and requires no effort.  
 
Negative thinking, or stinkin’ thinkin’ as Zig Ziglar would say, has been a particular challenge in my life.  A natural-born editor, I tend to very quickly see what is wrong or needs to be fixed.  It’s just so easy to point out the negative, so natural.  Yes, so much the “natural man“.  And when we don’t make a real effort to control our thoughts we are “prone to dwell on petty feelings (e.g., resentments, offenses, jealousies, anxieties, strife, contempt, self-pity)”.  Stinkin’ thinkin’, indeed.
 
 
“Look unto me in every thought;”
—Doctrine & Covenants 6:36
 
How can we overcome this?  A constant prayer in the heart and a conscious desire to change.  And faith, looking to the Lord in all our thoughts, which is part of what it means to pray continually.  Lots of faith that the Lord really can help us have a new heart, and a new mind where this stinkin’ thinkin’ is concerned.  I really think that is a recipe for success.  In fact, I know it is.  It worked for Enos; it can work for us, too.

 

So what are you nourishing in your mind field?