Mormon Morsels

Like a Broken Vessel

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General Conference is always such a treat.  I find that if I prepare myself mentally, I always find something of great value in nearly every talk.  Many of the talks will speak to an issue that I am having.  A select few might even give me chills as I sit in amazement at the love of a Heavenly Father who sends messages, often very specific to my own questions and concerns, to help me become a better version of myself.  

One of my favorite speakers is Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  His messages, filled with passion and conviction, so often cut to the heart of sensitive matters.  His latest General Conference address was no exception.
Had I ever known that Elder Holland once suffered through the “dark night” of depression?  No I had not.  But knowing that someone has felt even a part of what depression feels like comforts a fellow sufferer and weaves a connection between the two.
Depression, though not peculiar to our time, seems to me to be a trial characteristic of the last days.  Whether it’s because of increased media influence or our hustle-and-bustle lifestyles, depression and many other mental and emotional disorders are a regular part of life.  I have felt their impact both personally and by association.  My own suffering in the past has been but a small taste of what I know others feel.  And to know that others feel this nearly every moment of every day is a thought that makes me cringe and mourn for them.
Elder Holland addressed this topic with so much respect, compassion, and love.  Any who suffer from depression or who have loved ones so afflicted should listen to this again and again.  It offers so much empathy, understanding, and hope.  
(Click on the picture to watch this stirring address, or visit http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel)

What is Ennui?

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 “It is wonderful how much time good people spend fighting the devil. If they would only expend the same amount of energy loving their fellow men, the devil would die in his own tracks of ennui.” 

― Helen Keller

 
What is ennui you may ask?  The dictionary defines ennui as boredom from lack of interest: weariness and dissatisfaction with life that results from a loss of interest or sense of excitement.  Can’t you just picture it?  Satan’s plan frustrated to the max!  The more I come to know the Savior, Jesus Christ and what’s important to Him, the more power I feel I have to combat Satan.  I have also come to know the devil quite a bit more over the last 2 years and that was some difficult knowledge to acquire.  But, you gotta know what you’re up against, right?

Who You Are: A Message To All Women

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Sorry, I am a bit late posting today. I found this video a couple weeks ago and really liked it. I sent it to my sisters. I find that our society is very hard on women. We are taught false ideas of what we are supposed to look like, act like and be.

Let us remember that we are all Children of a LOVING God.  

Keep The Commandments

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“Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God” (Mosiah 2:41).

“Commandments are the laws and requirements that a loving Heavenly Father gives His children to bless them, protect them, and guide them back to Him. When we keep the commandments, we show our love for Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. As we obey the commandments and continually repent, we become more like the Savior and we are blessed with happiness, peace, testimony, and the companionship of the Holy Ghost.”

Two scriptures that illustrate the point that Heavenly Father will bless us with so much if we will be obedient to him follow.

1 Nephi 17:3 “And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and astrengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did  means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.”

 Mosiah 24:14 “And I will also ease the aburdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as bwitnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their cafflictions.

“Good choices make us happy”. I say this to my children all the time. Not only will we feel happy when we have been obedient to the commandments, but Heavenly Father will bless us and that will make it even sweeter. Finding our way back to Heavenly Father can be done if we stay on the path that he has given us.

Origin

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This Mormon Message reframes a portion of Joseph Smith’s own quest for truth from the point of view of a young woman in our modern world.  Hearing Joseph’s words spoken from her mouth and in a world more familiar to me really helps me remember to liken scriptures to myself.

Sometimes we struggle in life trying to find answers to questions,big and small, that trouble us.  We often swirl around in a tornado of confusion and are so focused on the chaos we often forget to take quiet time out to petition the source of all truth, our Heavenly Father.  Asking in faith, we can gain knowledge that will bless our lives and the lives of others.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)  This scripture inspired Joseph Smith to ask a very important question to his Heavenly Father–a question whose answer changed the course of history.  To read more about his experience, click here.

Charity

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This past week I was preparing a talk on service, by the end of my preparation I realized that I was focusing on service wrong.  I needed to be focused on Charity.  

Elder Marvin J. Ashton beautifully observed: “Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.” 

I was a recipient of true charity today.  When I left church I found a gift for me on my car from an anonymous giver.  Because it was given at church I know it was from someone who has seen my weaknesses (they are apparent every Sunday when I am trying to fulfill my calling), but instead they chose to love me despite those weaknesses.  Their acceptance and love for me were apparent in the gift.  It was the beautiful painting pictured above.  Whomever painted it knows my love for reading and books.  I am so grateful for their act of Charity.  I pray that they know how much it means to me!

Understanding our Part

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So lately I have been plagued with thoughts that I don’t play a big part in God’s kingdom. Thoughts that I am not making a difference, that I am not a part of huge changes taking place. The reason, I believe, for most of these thoughts is the recent Special Broadcast: The Work of Salvation that the church presented back in June. See, the wards that were highlighted in the video with Elder Anderson were in the stake we lived in previously in Tampa. And actually, one of the wards was the ward in which I was the young women’s president. My husband was a High Council member that served in the other ward that was highlighted. I knew almost every person in that video. It was awesome! However, I felt a bit of sadness when I realized that I am no longer in that area, no longer making huge impacts in the lives of others.
For one YW activity, we delivered huge heart shaped cookies packaged in decorated pizza boxes to the YW on our roster that did not come to church. One girl we visited began coming to church and YW activities. Her family then started attending again and they are now living their temple covenants and fully active in the church. Our ward was instrumental in that situation. I was instrumental in that situation!
I have loved living in Idaho the last year and a half but I have begun to feel that I am not making  difference. I know that these thoughts are not from our Heavenly Father! We are all daughters and sons of a loving Father. He knows us, he loves us, he needs us.

Let me share a quote by J.M. Braude.
“Whoever you are, there is some younger person who thinks you are perfect. There is some work that will never get done, unless you do it. There is someone who would miss you if you were gone. And there is a place that you alone can fill.”

This quote helps me realize that I am special. I am needed and make a difference. Even if it’s not broadcast of the whole world to see, I fill a place that only I can fill. We are all unique. We are all needed. 
Here is another quote that reiterates the fact that we are special and that we have a part to fill.

“Do you understand that you are needed in building the kingdom of God as is every other member? The Lord has need of you! Not only are you blessed with certain gifts of the Spirit, but you can channel their powers through your unique personality, experience, influence and preparation to aid you in performing important acts of service to mankind. No one else will ever see with your eyes, hear with your ears, discern with your understanding. no one else will ever be able to minister with your particular ability and sensitivity. If you are willing to develop these spiritual gifts and abilities and exercise humility and faith, the Lord and his angels stand read y to assist you in any way they can.”

I hope that we can all feel the reassurance from the Spirit that we are special and that we are needed. That we all have unique opportunities to serve no matter where we are. We may not be highlighted in a church training video but we do make a difference. I need to remember to check my pride and remember that service comes from a place of love for others and love for the gospel. May we all remember how important we are and fill the places that only we can.