Mormon Morsels

Practice What You Preach

by // // 3 Comments
Photo Courtesy of  LDS.org

 

I was driving down Valley Road in My Town recently and saw this quote on the marquee of the local Catholic Church:
 
                     “PREACH THE GOSPEL EVERY DAY.  USE WORDS WHEN NECESSARY.”
 
Such a profound little statement!  We all know that others watch our actions much more than they listen to what we say.  Back in the day, the statement would have been “practice what you preach.”
 
It’s important for us to be sure that all of our actions reflect our values, beliefs, and standards.  We are being examples in many ways—some we may not even realize.  
 
Who out there doesn’t just LOVE Pinterest?  I know, right?  Well, I “re-pin” frequently, and for those who aren’t familiar with the website, it is an online kind of “someday I want to have/do/ try this really cool craft/recipe/outfit/ home décor trick– kind of like a bulletin board or file.  Even more exciting is that it is all in photos that you can click on and eventually get back to the original source for more information and directions.  You go on the site and look at all these photos and “re-pin” them to your “boards.”  One thing I started noticing was that people I know who have high standards of modesty, were re-pinning immodest, revealing clothing–strapless, backless, super short dresses, etc.  I wonder if they even realize what they are saying by re-pinning these items?  There are others out there who also know their standards, and they are confused by the mixed message that is being sent.  We can all take a lesson from this:  Every action we make, every word we say, can preach the gospel or preach something else.  Remember that we are emissaries for the Lord and we need to make sure that all we do reflects that.

Family Vacations to Church History Sites

by // // No Comments
 
 
In fall of 2010, and then again in 2011, we took a family vacation to Nauvoo, Illinois and had some of the most memorable times of our lives.  We toured by covered wagon and on foot the beautifully restored city of Nauvoo. We enjoyed the homes that had been restored. The Red Brick Store that was owned by Joseph Smith where the Relief Society was organized. We saw Brigham Young’s home, and others. We toured the Dance Hall/ Cultural Hall, where the original wood floors were still intact.  On that very floor Joseph Smith had taken a piece of chalk and drawn out map of the trail west to the Salt Lake Valley, which he had received in a vision, for Brigham Young to follow with the Saints. We dressed up in pioneer clothing, played pioneer games, learned how to make candles, and rope, and barrels. There were so many things to see and do, and it was wonderful! We did it all, and most importantly we felt the Holy Ghost testify to us of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
We also visited Carthage Jail. Upstairs in the room where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were  held as prisoner, we felt very intensely the Holy Ghost. We listened to a soloist sing “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”, which John Taylor sang to Joseph just before the mob rushed into the jail and killed Joseph and Hyrum Smith, and fatally wounding John Taylor and Willard Richards. To see the bullet hole in the door made by the bullet that killed Hyrum Smith, and how its been worn perfectly smooth over the years from saints who have touched it and inserted their finger into the hole to make real the story of Hyrum’s and Joseph’s deaths.
 
 
Maggie and Wyatt on the stairs of the Smith family cabin in Palmyra, New York, where Joseph Smith Jr. was visited by the Angel Moroni.
 
This summer we went north to Palmyra, New York. We visited the Joseph Smith Sr. family farm, their cabin, their barns, their other home, the “Alvin Tree”, the Sacred Grove; where Joseph Smith Jr. prayed to Heavenly Father and was then visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, the Hill Cumorah; where Joseph Smith Jr. was shown the Golden Plates by the Angel Moroni, and the Pageant; (which by the way is fantastic!), the Witmer Farm, where the Church of Jesus Christ was organized in 1830. We also visited the Grandon building where the Book of Mormon was first published.  We had a wonderful time!  We felt the Holy Ghost testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and also that Joseph Smith is truly a prophet of God.

Sophi and Abi with members if the cast of the Palmyra Pageant. Joseph Smith and a Nephite woman. (real life husband and wife)
 
I think as Latter Day Saints we sometimes think, “if I ever get to the sacred grove I am going to have a powerful witness of the truth.”  The truth is this, at peak tourist season quiet time in the grove can be hard to come by. But, I myself was able to have a couple of unexpected moments where I was reminded that my Heavenly Father is indeed mindful of me and that he loves me. I am thankful for my own special time there.
 
So, why go to these places? Why pick these places over other obvious vacation sites for our family?The answer is simple. We desire to impress upon our children that all of the stories we share and tell them about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and the early pioneers are real! These are not fictional stories, these things really happened. There are so many wonderful opportunities at these Church History Sites where the Holy Ghost can teach truth and enlighten our minds and strengthen our testimonies.  We count ourselves very blessed to have been able to go to these places and have a sensory experience of the stories of our church’s history.
 
I hope you all will find and opportunity to visit these places or any of the Church’s Historical Sites! If you are interested in these sites you can go to www.lds.org and see actual pictures of the beautiful sites and lists of things you can do when visiting. All of these pageants and locations are completely free!  (which is a plus for a big family) 
 

You Are More Beautiful Than You Think

by // // 3 Comments

When I saw this video I felt an immediate impact.  What a unique experiment that has significant meaning in the lives of women in particular.  How we see ourselves does affect EVERYTHING in our lives.  What I wouldn’t give for a do over in the self image department!  Wouldn’t this be a great activity to do with a group of your female friends?

Let this video really sink in and take away from it some small way that you (we) can appreciate your (our) true selves just a little more.  I know for me that it sometimes feels like I’m trying to turn the tide to get in a better frame of mind.  But, what’s important is that I never stop trying; that I always remember from whence I came—trailing clouds of glory.  

Noble Fatherhood

by // // No Comments
In preparing for my Sharing Time today I came across this wonderful talk from President James E. Faust. In it he said, “Recently a father of a family of six children, who has had the sole responsibility for raising the family, beginning when the youngest was in diapers, told of the struggles in raising the family alone. One night he came home from work, faced with the problems of being both father and mother and felt unusually burdened with his responsibilities. One of his appreciative little girls, age 12 years, approached him eagerly, after having laid a rock on his dresser, which she had painted at school. On the flat portion of the rock she had written, “Happiness is having a dad who cares.” This painted rock and its sublime message instantly and permanently lightened the burden of this father.” -Happiness is Having a Father Who Cares by James E. Faust

What a truly amazing thing it is to have a father who cares.  My husband and I have often talked of our roles as parents and we have come to the decision that if we are representatives of our Heavenly Parents here on earth then our children will probably view Deity to have similarities to us.  It makes me view parenting a little differently.  James E. Faust also said, “Noble fatherhood gives us a glimpse of the divine.”  I am so blessed to have men in my life who make this statement true.  I am so grateful for fathers everywhere who take the time to care and love their children and wives, they make the world a better place. 

Happy Father’s Day!

How connected are you?

by // // 5 Comments

Yesterday while I was laying on the ground playing with my daughter I had a big “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe myself” moment. In the matter of minutes I turned on my phone, not once, not twice, but several times! The first time to take a picture of her cute self… which turned into browsing Instagram. Second was to check an Ebay listing, then the next (few) times were just fiddling. I’m not always like this, but I am feeling it happening more and more.

I am literally robbing myself from quality time with my children who are growing up way. too. fast.

Do you do this too? Please tell me I’m not the only one.

Elder Ian S. Arden said,

        “There is much that is good with our easy access to communication and information. I have found it helpful to access research articles, conference talks, and ancestral records, and to receive e-mails, Facebook reminders, tweets, and texts. As good as these things are, we cannot allow them to push to one side those things of greatest importance. How sad it would be if the phone and computer, with all their sophistication, drowned out the simplicity of sincere prayer to a loving Father in Heaven. Let us be as quick to kneel as we are to text.
        I know our greatest happiness comes as we tune in to the Lord (see Alma 37:37) and to those things which bring a lasting reward, rather than mindlessly tuning in to countless hours of status updates, Internet farming, and catapulting angry birds at concrete walls. I urge each of us to take those things which rob us of precious time and determine to be their master, rather than allowing them through their addictive nature to be the master of us.
        To have the peace the Savior speaks of (see John 14:27), we must devote our time to the things that matter most, and the things of God matter most. As we engage with God in sincere prayer, read and study each day from the scriptures, ponder on what we have read and felt, and then apply and live the lessons learned, we draw nearer to Him. God’s promise is that as we seek diligently from the best books, “[He] shall give unto [us] knowledge by his Holy Spirit” (D&C 121:26; see also D&C 109:14–15).”
Source

How do you balance technology and family life? Any tips? I’m changing my ways today!

The Gift of Choice

by // // No Comments
In an effort to be more effective parent, I’ve been reading a book about discipline.  The premise is “Giving your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline.”  I’d love my children to become more resilient, responsible and to chose to do so of their own volition and not because they are afraid of a time out, etc.  My father-in-law raised 13 successful kids.  He didn’t force them to be obedient but taught them that their choices have consequences and let them experience those.  At times it may be hard to let children experience the heartache that comes from poor choices.   I hope I can help my children want to make good choices and experiences both the happy consequences that come from those as well as help them experience unpleasant consequences that come from poor choices.  I am really working on not shaming or blaming when they do something wrong but helping them learn from it.
What a great blessing to have agency and to live in a country where we can exercise our ability to make choices.  I love the above quote from For the Strength of Youth.  I do believe that “true freedom comes from using your agency to chose obedience.”  
Similarly, I think we can chose to have a good attitude even when life is hard and not ideal.  Being in control of my attitude and reaction to trials and other people is something I have not yet mastered.  Our attitude plays a big role in our ability to progress and meet our challenges.  A positive and cheerful attitude is a indeed a blessing.

In Alma 34:34, we read “for that same spirit which doth bpossess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.”
When my maternal Grandmother Olive was a young girl, she read this scripture and it had a profound effect on her.  She determined to be positive and happy tno matter what trials and challenges she experienced.  She had many challenges in her life.  When she died she weighed only 40 pounds having been crimpled from arthritis.  She had a fracture in almost every bone in her body.  She would sneeze and get a fracture.  However, she maintained a positive and cheerful attitude throughout her life despite her challenges.   She left such an impression on me.  She was always patient, positive and cheerful.  I never remember hearing her complain even though she was bedridden for the last 13 years of her life and never felt well.
My dear brother-in-law recently passed away after a very difficult battle with cancer.  He is also a great example of self-mastery.  At his funeral, I learned that he had a temper that he worked very hard to overcome.  I never would have guessed that as he was the most patient and even-tempered man I know.  As I struggle with my own temper and other shortcomings, both of their examples are a tremendous blessing to me.  I can chose to be better and not let my faults be the master of me.  And I can keep trying and repent even after I fail.
I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day as you remember and honor your loved ones who have passed away

Happy Mother’s Day

by // // No Comments
image made with Microsoft Office Clipart and Picmonkey

After a day with breakfast in bed, homemade paper flowers, a nap, NOT having to cook dinner and NOT having to clean up, I am going to bed with a smile on my face!!  

Hope your day was amazing, fellow moms!

“Where Shall I Work Today?”

by // // 5 Comments

A Relief Society lesson at church was taken from the October 2012 General Conference talk “First Observe, Then Serve” by Sister Linda K. Burton.  During the lesson a story was related of a man who worried because he had not been asked to serve in “important” callings or positions in his ward congregation.  He felt somewhat diminished and fretted that at his age he ought to be having heavier leadership responsibilities and ought to be contributing more.  It reminded me of a poem by Meade McGuire that I ran across in college, so I thought I’d share it.  I think of this poem from time to time and it always reminds me that every contribution counts.

Father, where shall I work today?
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then He pointed out a tiny spot
And said, “Tend that for me.” 
I answered quickly, “Oh no, not that! 
Why, no one would ever see,
No matter how well my work was done;
Not that little place for me.”
And the word He spoke, it was not stern;
He answered me tenderly:
“Ah, little one, search that heart of thine.
Art thou working for them or for me?
Nazareth was a little place,
And so was Galilee.”
 
christ-teaching-the-people-39554-gallery
image source: lds.org
 
 
 

To Be The Best Parent

by // // 4 Comments

 

 

Recently, I was having one of those spells where I thought I was doing a sub par job as a mother.  (I am just assuming that many other mothers have those feelings at one time or another.)  On one particular evening, as I went to my bedroom to retire for the night, I noticed some papers tied up with ribbon and a handwritten note on my pillow.  It was from my daughter. The following is an excerpt from that note:  “Hi Mommy!  I read this talk for Personal Progress…….and it made me think of you……….You are an amazing mother, whether you realize it or not.  You may not feel like it, but you’ve taught me a lot.  No one expects perfection from you.  You’re doing a great job. Thank you so much for being spectacular you.  I love you!”

The talk she was referring to is by Elder Holland entitled,
“Because She Is A Mother”.  In this talk, one mother wrote, “I am deeply moved that God finds His ultimate purpose and meaning in being a parent, even if some of His children make Him weep.  It is this realization that I try to recall on those inevitably difficult days when all of this can be a bit overwhelming.  Maybe it is precisely our inability and anxiousness that urge us to reach out to Him and enhance His ability to reach back to us.     Maybe He secretly hopes we WILL be anxious and WILL plead for His help.  Then, I believe, He can teach these children directly, through us, but with no resistance offered.  I like that idea.  It gives me hope.  If I can be right before my Father in Heaven, perhaps His guidance to our children can be unimpeded.  Maybe then it can be His work and His glory in a very literal sense.”

Elder Holland says in this talk the same thing my daughter was trying to tell me, “In the name of the Lord, you are magnificent.  You are doing terrifically well.  The very fact that you have been given such a responsibility is everlasting evidence of the trust your Father in Heaven has in you.  He knows that your giving birth to a child does not immediately propel you into the circle of the omniscient.  If you and your husband will strive to love God and live the gospel yourselves; if you will plead for that guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit promised to the faithful; if you will go to the temple to both make and claim the promises of the most sacred covenants a woman or man can make in this world; if you will show others, including your children, the same caring, compassionate, forgiving heart you want heaven to show you; if you try your best to be the best parent you can be, you will have done all that a human being can do and all that God expects you to do.”

I feel to wish you all an early “Happy Mother’s Day”.  You are doing better than you think you are!