Inspiration From The Pen

Preparing for a Temple Marriage

2012-02-18T09:40:00.000-08:00

If we look at love between two who are preparing for temple marriage, we see the elements of sacrifice and of serving each other’s best interests, not a shortsighted “me” interest. True love and happiness in courtship and marriage are based upon honesty, self—respect, sacrifice, consideration, courtesy, kindness, and placing “we” ahead of “me.” Marvin J. Ashton
April 1981 General Conference

The Word of Wisdom

2012-02-04T23:07:00.000-08:00

Elder Widtsoe wrote: “To many of our members feel that if they refrain from taking liquor, tobacco, tea and coffee, they are keeping the Word of Wisdom. They are doing so only in part. If the law be understood and lived, people would not be ill and the blessings promised may be fulfilled….The Church of Christ must ever try to care for the whole man.”

He also said, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to give man health and happiness. Health is concerned with the spirit and mind as well as with the body of man. The Gospel is mistakenly supposed to concern only man’s spiritual health. Mental and physical health forms the only assurance of spiritual progress. A man who is physically or mentally ill is not truly happy, though he may approach spiritual peace. The three parts of man’s nature are interrelated and depend upon one another’s welfare.”

Elder Widtsoe wrote, “In the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, the sanctity of the body is second only to that of the spirit. It is the duty, as well as the desire, of every person to preserve his physical health, so that he may live out most completely the destiny of his existence.”

The author summarized some of Leah’s writings by saying, “That teaching children about [physical health] exceeds the importance of teaching them reading, writing, or arithmetic.”

And later he summarized her again by saying, “Leah explained that mortal bodies are composed of dust of the earth, which chemists had divided into fifteen elements that could be found only in the Lord’s foods, the plants and fruits of the ground. Children should be fed with at least as much thought as farmers put into feeding their prizewinning livestock…a person’s health is largely a function of the food consumed.”

To read the story of his book that the first presidency approved go here.

Virtue

2012-02-03T17:41:00.000-08:00

Virtue

“[I]am a faithful FRIEND TO VIRTUE and a fearless FOE TO VICE.”

Joseph Smith -

"Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It encompasses chastity and moral purity. Virtue begins in the heart and in the mind. It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions."
- Elaine Dalton, General YW President

[image "white rose with a twist" by grant mcdonald]

“The Virtues of Righteous Daughters of God”
Ensign, May 2003, 108

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies (Proverbs 31:10).

I will prepare to enter the temple and remain pure and worthy.

My thoughts and actions will be based on high moral standards.

Read this article from the Church News

Quest for Virtue: Peace is the reward

"You will need [courage] to be chaste and virtuous. You live in a world where moral values have, in great measure, been tossed aside, where sin is flagrantly on display, and where temptations to stray from the strait and narrow path surround you. Many are the voices telling you that you are far too provincial or that there is something wrong with you if you still believe there is such a thing as immoral behavior."Isaiah declared, 'Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness' (Isaiah 5:20)."Great courage will be required as you remain chaste and virtuous amid the accepted thinking of the times."

- Thomas S. Monson, "May You Have Courage," Ensign, May 2009, 125

Pay the Deductible!

2012-02-02T19:19:00.000-08:00

“I believe, to use an insurance phrase, we must pay the deductible. We must experience sorrow enough, suffering enough, guilt enough so we are conscious and appreciative of the heavier burden borne by the Savior.” (Elder J. Richard Clarke, in Conference Report April 1993, 10)

Born to Create

2012-02-01T20:25:00.000-08:00

"Woman was born to create...in creating she becomes herself, accomplishes her destiny. Her whole life is only an initiation into creative power. To create is not merely to produce a work...it is to give out ones own individuality."-Jeanne De Vietinghoff

Doing Our Best

2012-01-30T20:29:00.000-08:00

May the Lord bless us all to understand clearly our potential and place. May we have the courage to stand tall in the face of our challenges, the wisdom to get help when we need it, and the faith to know that the Lord will bless His servants who are doing their best.

Cecil O. Samuelson, from What does it mean to be perfect? Ensign Jan 2006

2012-01-11T19:16:00.000-08:00

“I would not knowingly wound the feelings of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend."

-George Albert Smith

image from here: http://www.rickety.us/2008/11/mormon-time-magazine-covers/

Goals and Courage

2012-01-06T20:01:00.000-08:00

Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve.

Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Thomas S. Monson

Liberty Jail a Prison-Temple

2012-01-01T21:28:00.000-08:00

... you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experiences with the Lord in any situation you are in. Indeed, you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experiences with the Lord in the most miserable experiences of your life—in the worst settings, while enduring the most painful injustices, when facing the most insurmountable odds and opposition you have ever faced.

-Elder Holland

The Law of Moses

2012-01-01T11:38:00.000-08:00

Restitution VS. Retaliation

Many think the Law of Moses or Mosaic Law is the lesser law or of lower importance.
*It is actually a preparatory law
*It is very strict to keep Israel in constant remembrance of God
*It is highly symbolic
*It is given as a school master or tutor to bring them to Christ

How we react

2011-12-28T10:03:00.000-08:00

Let us realize that what happens around us is largely outside our control, but that the way we choose to react to it is inside our control.

SURVIVAL

2011-12-26T10:23:00.000-08:00

We're not going to survive in this world, temporally or spiritually,
without increased faith in the Lord-
and I don't mean a positive mental attitude-
I mean downright solid faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
That is the one thing that gives vitality and power
to otherwise weak individuals.

A. Theodore Tuttle

I Believe in Angels!

2011-12-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

[Joseph Smith's] unwavering testimony that the angel Moroni, an ancient prophet, came to him is in perfect accord with the experiences of the Wise Men; of Zacharias; Elisabeth; Mary, the mother of our Lord; Joseph, and innumerable others…. By personal appearance of the Father Himself and of the Son, and through angels, He has restored the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days. He has called prophets and apostles to guide us to safety in this life and eternal life in the world to come.

Henry B. Eyring

Emotions are not wrong

2011-12-23T18:25:00.000-08:00

When we wrestle with out-of-control emotions, it is easy to conclude that emotions are inherently sinful or wrong and should be suppressed. We need to remember that being created in the image of God means we have the capacity to experience and express a variety of emotions. God exhibits a spectrum of pure emotions, including joy, delight, anger, jealousy, and sorrow. And He has designed us to be able to feel and express many different emotions in a why that reflects His heart and brings glory to Him.

The problem is not that we have emotions-they are a gift from God. The problem is that our emotions (unlike God’s) are tainted by the Fall. The challenge is to let the Spirit of God sanctify us in the realm of our emotions so that they can be expressed in godly ways.

I know of no tool that the Enemy uses more effectively to lead us as women into bondage than our emotions. He does so by causing us to believe things about our emotions that just aren’t true.

The Truth is that, due to our fallen condition, our feelings often have little to do with reality. In many instances, feelings are simply not a reliable gauge of what is actually true. When we allow them to be tied to our circumstances-which are constantly changing-rather than to the unchangeable realities of God and His Truth, our emotions are prone to fluctuate wildly.

If we want to walk in freedom, we must realize that our emotions are not necessarily trustworthy and be willing to reject any feelings that are not consistent with the Truth.
Nancy Leigh Demoss
From this blog: http://yoursacredcalling.com/blog/2011/12/mothering-under-the-influence/

What Women Want

2011-12-22T21:41:00.000-08:00

" It is right and natural for every young girl to seek to be loved and to marry. It is not our plan, it is God's plan. She is seeking something more than just a man for herself, a larger and nobler life than single days offer. She wants a home of her own, a little nest to make comfortable and to warm with her love and kindness. She wants to be someone's partner and to share with him his joys and sorrows. She wants and opportunity to be a tender, loyal and devoted wife and the mother of a family. And she wants, above all, to avoid the narrow selfish life of living alone with no one to care for, to work for, to live and die for. In fact, to want to find the man of her choice is the holiest aim a woman can entertain."

Helen Andelin

Mankind is my Business

2011-12-20T21:51:00.000-08:00

“But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,” faltered Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself. “Business!” cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

equal partners

2011-12-19T19:44:00.000-08:00

Richard G. Scott in Honor the Priesthood and Use It Well from October 2008:

The family proclamation states that a husband and wife should be equal partners. I feel assured that every wife in the Church would welcome that opportunity and support it. Whether it occurs or not depends upon the husband. Many husbands practice equal partnership with their companion to the benefit of both and the blessing of their children. However, many do not. I encourage any man who is reluctant to develop an equal partnership with his wife to obey the counsel inspired by the Lord and do it. Equal partnership yields its greatest benefit when both husband and wife seek the will of the Lord in making important decisions for themselves and for their family. . . .

The purpose of priesthood authority is to give, to serve, to lift, to inspire—not to exercise unrighteous control or force. In some cultures, tradition places a man in a role to dominate, control, and regulate all family affairs. That is not the way of the Lord. In some places the wife is almost owned by her husband, as if she were another of his personal possessions. That is a cruel, unproductive, mistaken vision of marriage encouraged by Lucifer that every priesthood holder must reject. It is founded on the false premise that a man is somehow superior to a woman. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The scriptures confirm that Father in Heaven saved His greatest, most splendid, supreme creation, woman, to the end. Only after all else was completed was woman created. Only then was

Words To Live By:

2011-12-18T16:28:00.000-08:00

What matters most...

How well you lived.

How well you loved.
How well you let go.

Simplify!

2011-12-18T13:44:00.000-08:00

“We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are.”

Marjorie Hinckley

Even when things go wrong!

2011-12-16T18:33:00.000-08:00

"To do well does not mean everything will always turn out well. The key is to remember that faith and obedience are still the answers, even when things go wrong, perhaps especially when things go wrong."
--David E. Sorensen, "Faith Is the Answer," Ensign, May 2005, 72

“The cultivation of Christlike qualities is a demanding and relentless task—it is not for the seasonal worker or for those who will not stretch themselves, again and again.” President Spencer Kimball, “Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters,” Ensign, November 1978, 105

Dwelling

2011-12-14T22:37:00.000-08:00

For a man to be great,

he must not dwell on small things,

though he may enjoy them.

The Best Christmas Ever

2011-12-13T21:18:00.000-08:00

“In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service. ‘It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring ‘peace on earth,’ because it means—good will toward all men.’ Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Then each Christmas will be the best Christmas ever.” — Thomas S. Monson

Purify our own Affections

2011-12-11T15:13:00.000-08:00

..do not be to anxious for the Lord to hasten his work. Let our anxiety be centered upon one thing, the sanctification of our own hearts, the purifying of our own affections, the preparing of ourselves for the approach of the events that are hastening upon us. This should be our concern, this should be our study, this should be our daily prayer, and not to be in a hurry to see the overthrow of the wicked.

Likening Scripture

2011-12-08T19:54:00.000-08:00

"As parents, we have the responsibility to help our children to “liken all scriptures [indeed, every part of the gospel of Jesus Christ] unto us [and unto our children], … for [the] profit and learning [of our families].” 14

Are we likening all of our children’s gospel experiences to the real needs in their lives? Are we teaching them about the gift of the Holy Ghost, repentance, the Atonement, the sacrament, and the blessing of sacrament meeting as they meet the challenges in their lives? There is not enough time in formal meetings to teach our children everything they need to know. Therefore, we must take advantage of everyday teaching moments. These moments are priceless. They come when we are working, playing, and struggling together. When they come, the Spirit of the Lord can help us know what to say and help

Elder Hales

GOSPEL TRUTH

2011-11-28T20:45:00.000-08:00

They're like treasures no one can steal.

from this blog: http://theboysquad.blogspot.com/2011/11/im-backin-more-ways-than-one.html

Practice Gratitude

2011-11-25T08:57:00.000-08:00

We can spend our entire lives in scarcity . . .
just waiting for the other shoe to drop
and wondering when it will all fall apart.
Or, we can lean into the uncertainty
and be thankful for what we have in that precious moment.
When I'm standing at the crossroads of fear and gratitude,
I've learned that I must choose vulnerability
and practice gratitude if I want to know joy.

(Brene Brown)

Dispositions

2011-11-22T09:40:00.000-08:00

I am still determined to be cheerful and to be happy in what ever situation I may be, for I have learnt from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery is dependent upon our dispositions and not upon our circumstances.

Martha Washington

Being Raised Right

2011-11-22T09:06:00.000-08:00

People whose integrity has not been damaged in childhood, who were protected, respected and treated with honesty by their parents, will be- both in their youth and adulthood- intelligent,responsive, empathic, and highly sensitive. They will take pleasure in life and will not feel any need to kill or even hurt others or themselves. They will use their power to defend themselves but not to attack others. They will not be able to do otherwise than to respect and protect those weaker than themselves, including their children, because this is what they have learned from their own experience and because it is this knowledge (and not the experience of cruelty) that has been stored up inside them from the beginning. Such people will be incapable of understanding why earlier generations had to build up gigantic war industry in order to feel at ease and safe in this world. Since it will not have to be their unconscious life-task to ward off intimidation experienced at a very early age, they will be able to deal with attempts at intimidation in their adult life more rationally and more creatively.

Alice Miller

As quoted in How To Be An Adult: a handbook for on Psychological and Spiritual Integration.

Scriptures

2011-11-22T08:45:00.001-08:00

A bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't.

Charles Spurgeon

A variety of stations

2011-11-19T10:55:00.000-08:00

from http://www.theredheadedhostess.com

True Feminism

2011-10-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

Feminism, in its truest sense of the word, can be best achieved when women spend more time focusing on the power that is already inside of them and using it to its fullest influence rather than trying to create opportunities for power in the world around them.

from Stephanie at: http://diapersanddivinity.com/

Indeference: A cold war with Satan

2011-10-20T23:40:00.000-07:00

From the book:

Elder Oaks was in law school, and his brother was getting ready to leave on his mission. The year is 1956.

“And now, if I may, I want to say little about what you will meet in the mission field. There were times when a missionary feared for his life, and preaching was a rigorous physical experience. Now those days are history, and today the open conflict against the Church has largely disappeared… We are now in a period of conflict with indifference, in many ways a much more dangerous enemy than open hostility. One might say that we are now in a cold war with Satan, a time in which he has called off the active opposition to the gospel and substituted in its place indifference, indifference to the necessity for the one true church….” (pages 32-33)

Parental Teaching

2011-10-15T22:04:00.000-07:00

"In the future, infrequent family scripture study may be inadequate to arm our children with the virtue necessary to withstand the moral decay of the environment in which they will live. Where in the world will the children learn chastity, integrity, honesty, and basic human decency if not at home?

"These values will, of course, be reinforced at church, but parental teaching is more constant. In my opinion, the teaching, rearing, and training of children requires more intelligence, intuitive understanding, humility, strength, wisdom, spirituality, perseverance, and hard work than any other challenge we might have in life. This is especially so when moral foundations of honor and decency are eroding around us. To have successful homes, values must be taught, and there must be rules, there must be standards, and there must be absolutes...."

(James E. Faust, "The Greatest Challenge In The World- Good Parenting", General Conference, October 1990; see Ensign, Nov 1990, p. 33)

Scripture Study

2011-10-14T20:15:00.000-07:00

Being aware of the number of references to Christ, having an understanding of the meanings for each name, and knowing when his influence can be greatest upon the earth can inspire reverential awe for our Savior. The witness of his divinity, however, must come personally to each of us—we cannot rely exclusively on the testimonies of others. The conviction that Jesus is the Christ occurs only when God, the Eternal Father, manifests the truth of it “by the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Moro. 10:4.) To the prayerful and the sincere, the Book of Mormon bears a powerful testimony that “Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God. - Susan Easton Black.

my plan for happiness

2011-10-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

I'm committed to not letting my

circumstances deter my plan for happiness.

-Jennifer P.
http://theboysquad.blogspot.com/

Jesus: the Perfect Leader

2011-09-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

Jesus knew who he was and why he was here on this planet. That meant he could lead from strength rather than from uncertainty or weakness.

Jesus operated from a base of fixed principles or truths rather than making up the rules as he went along. Thus, his leadership style was not only correct, but also constant. So many secular leaders today are like chameleons; they change their hues and views to fit the situation—which only tends to confuse associates and followers who cannot be certain what course is being pursued. Those who cling to power at the expense of principle often end up doing almost anything to perpetuate their power.

Spencer W. Kimball

A Banner

2011-09-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

“Today I call upon members of the Church and on committed parents, grandparents, and extended family members everywhere to hold fast to this great proclamation, to make it a banner not unlike General Moroni’s ‘title of liberty,’ and to commit ourselves to live by its precepts.”

Elder Ballard

2011-09-24T14:57:00.000-07:00

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaims to the world that this church is a restoration of Christ's church. A restoration was necessary because prophets and Apostles, who were the foundation of the Lord's original church, were put to death or otherwise taken. The Church today is built on a foundation of prophets and Apostles, with Jesus Christ as its chief cornerstone. It is therefore not a reformation, a revision, a reorganization, or a mere sect." David B. Haight

Good, Better, Best

2011-09-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

“We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives…we have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord.” (Oct. 2007 General Conference, “Good, Better, Best”)

Warnings

2011-09-21T16:05:00.000-07:00

How very blessed we are as God's children to know that He loves us enough to warn us. And not just individually, but as families, for that is how He wants us to come back to Him!

by Darla: http://chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com/2011/09/warning-labels.html

The Endowment

2011-09-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

“{In the endowment, members covenant to} observe the law of strict virtue and chastity, to be charitable, benevolent, tolerant and pure; to devote both talent and material means to the spread of truth and the uplifting of the race; to maintain devotion to the cause of truth; and to seek in every way to contribute to the great preparation that the earth may be made ready to receive her King,-the Lord Jesus Christ. With the taking of each covenant and the assuming of each obligation a promised blessing is pronounced contingent upon the faithful observance of the conditions.” Emphasis added. (James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1968], p. 84)

Stupid or Genius?

2011-09-19T16:24:00.000-07:00

Everybody is a genius.

But if you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree it will live it's whole life
believing that it is stupid.

Albert Einstein

Individual Matters

2011-09-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

"The development of faith in the Lord is an individual matter. Repentance is also an individual matter.

Salvation is an individual matter."

Elder Nelson

The power to create life

2011-09-11T16:23:00.000-07:00

"To be entrusted with the power to create life carries with it the greatest of joys and dangerous temptations. The gift of mortal life and the capacity to kindle other lives is a supernal blessing. Through the righteous exercise of this power, as in nothing else, we may come close to our Father in Heaven and experience a fulness of joy. This power is not an incidental part of the plan of happiness. It is the key—the very key." (Boyd K. Packer, Cleansing the Inner Vessel, October 2010 General Conference)

EQUAL

2011-09-10T22:27:00.000-07:00

President Marion G. Romney taught: “[A husband and wife] should be one in harmony, respect, and mutual consideration. Neither should plan or follow an independent course of action. They should consult, pray, and decide together. … Remember that neither the wife nor the husband is the slave of the other. Husbands and wives are equal partners”.

WOMEN

2011-09-09T10:07:00.000-07:00

I wonder if you sisters fully understand the greatness of your gifts and talents and how all of you can achieve the “highest place of honor” in the Church and in the world. One of your unique, precious, and sublime gifts is your femininity, with its natural grace, goodness, and divinity. Femininity is not just lipstick, stylish hairdos, and trendy clothes. It is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your qualities of your capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each of you possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty.

--President James E. Faust

The whole gamut of human endeavor is now open to women. There is not anything that you cannot do if you will set your mind to it. I am grateful that women today are afforded the same opportunity to study for science, for the professions, and for every other facet of human knowledge. You are as entitled as are men to the Spirit of Christ, which enlightens every man and woman who comes into the world. . . You can include in the dream of the woman you would like to be a picture of one qualified to serve society and make a significant contribution to the world of which she will be a part.

--President Gordon B. Hinckley

God our Eternal Father ordained that men and women should be companions. That implies equality . . . There is no basis in the gospel for inferiority or superiority between the husband and wife. Do you think that God our Eternal Father loves his daughters less than he loves his sons? No man can demean or belittle his wife as a daughter of God without giving offense to her Father in Heaven.

--President Gordon B. Hinckley

stolen from: http://empoweringldswomen.blogspot.com/

Feel the Spirit

2011-09-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

Every effort we make to feel the Spirit in our home
is totally worth it.

Jocelyn Christensen

Hold your peace

2011-08-16T18:49:00.000-07:00

Don’t allow yourself to be upset and disturbed. Hold your peace because without it you have no power!

Joyce Meyer

Mormons Are Christians

2011-08-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

Regardless of what others claim about our Christianity (which in the end, is really a personal thing), we Mormons make a claim to historical Christianity that other Christians do not. Catholics make a claim of continuity from Peter. However, Mormons go beyond that. Our claim is one that others do not even think to make because it’s based on LDS theology that is unique. We do not just claim Christianity back to Christ but to a time long before then. We claim our religion, our Christianity, is a continuation from our life before we came to earth. Some of the specific practices in the LDS Church might not be a continuation of pre-mortal life but the priesthood authority is. Further, the doctrines are continuations of what was taught before we came to earth. In essence, much of our current Church organization and our doctrines are mirrors of what was and is done and taught in Heaven.

We Mormons claim a heritage that extends back an eternity and will continue for an eternity. Our Christianity dates from that established by our Heavenly Father in a life before this one. We have a heritage directly from God.

From this blog: http://bystudyandfaith.net/2011/07/the-christianity-of-mormons/

Faith is a reward!

2011-07-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

"Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God's laws the greater will be the endowment of faith."

-Bruce R. McConkie

There will be times

2011-07-21T16:01:00.000-07:00

There will be times that we will have everything, and times when it seems we have nothing, but both times are equal in their potential for demonstrating faith and value...

from Jocelyn @
http://beinglds.blogspot.com/

The Importance of Studying the Atonement

2011-07-18T10:59:00.000-07:00

From Richard G. Scott's April 2010 General Conference address:

There is an imperative need for each of us to strengthen our understanding of the significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ so that it will become an unshakable foundation upon which to build our lives. As the world becomes more devoid of foundational standards and as honor, virtue, and purity are increasingly cast aside in the pursuit of appetite, our understanding of and faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ will provide strength and capacity needed for a successful life. It will also bring confidence in times of trial and peace in moments of turmoil.

I energetically encourage you to establish a personal study plan to better understand and appreciate the incomparable, eternal, infinite consequences of Jesus Christ’s perfect fulfillment of His divinely appointed calling as our Savior and Redeemer. Profound personal pondering of the scriptures accompanied by searching, heartfelt prayer will fortify your understanding of and appreciation for His priceless Atonement. Another powerful way to learn of Jesus Christ and His Atonement is through consistent temple attendance.

http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/he-lives-all-glory-to-his-name?lang=eng

Are you getting good?

2011-06-27T22:38:00.000-07:00

"When a man is getting better he understand more and more clearily the evil that is still left in him. when a man is getting worse he understands his own badness less and less. A moderatley bad man knows he is not very good. A throughly bad man thinks he is alright....... good people know about both good and evil: bad people do not know either."

One Fractured Dream at a Time

2011-06-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something's suffered damage and has a history, it becomes more beautiful.

~Barbara Bloom

2 paths

2011-06-03T13:31:00.000-07:00

Righteous LDS young men are given clear goals: get an education, serve a mission, get married, work to provide for your family. A young man can safely make a single generalized career plan: prepare to work full-time in a position that will support a family until retirement. Brother may change jobs from time to time, but the general plan will remain intact.

Sister is likely to perceive her duties as: get as much education as you can; go on a mission if you feel so inspired; get married if a worthy man asks; stay home with your children if you get married and are able to have children; provide for your family if your husband dies, is disabled, or leaves you; provide for yourself if you stay single or somehow lose your husband; help provide for your family if your husband gets laid off or your family encounters other difficult circumstances...and so on.

From: http://latg.blogspot.com/2011/05/women-education-and-careers.html

Her life is Sacred

2011-04-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

"She's turning her life into something sacred: Each breath a new birth. Each moment, a new chance. She bows her head, gathers her dreams from a pure, deep stream and stretches her arms towards the sky."

-Monique Duval

noble causes for a muddled world

2011-03-24T22:23:00.000-07:00

"What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?...I avow my faith that we are marching towards better days. Humanity will not be cast down. We are going on swinging bravely forward along the grand high road and already behind the distant mountains is the promise of the sun." Winston S. Churchill

priorities

2011-03-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

If we need power and influence to carry out our mission,
then our priorities have to be straight."

Julie B. Beck
RS General President

The Things of God

2011-03-23T16:47:00.000-07:00

“A fanciful and flowery and heated imagination beware of, because the things of God are of deep import, and time, and experience, and careful, and solemn, and ponderous thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, oh man, if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation must stretch as high as the utmost heavens and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss and the broad expanses of eternity, thou must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God than the vain imaginations of the souls of men.”

Who are you going to follow?

2011-03-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

"But to each of you I have only one question: are you going to follow the true and living prophets or not? It really isn't any more complicated that that. Keep your eyes riveted on the 1st Presidency and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. We will not lead you astray. We cannot".

- Elder Ballard

BYU Devotional March 12, 1996
How to Find Safety and Peace

2011-03-09T07:26:00.000-08:00

“Be a first rate version of yourself-- not a second-rate version of someone else.”

–Judy Garland

Playing Small

2011-03-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.”

Marianne Williamson in her book Return to Love

Rescue Yourself

2011-02-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

"You mustn't wait for someone to rescue you," Mother would continue, a faraway look in her eyes. "A girl expecting rescue never learns to save herself. Even with the means, she'll find her courage wanting. Don't be like that, Eliza. You must find your courage, learn to rescue yourself, never rely on anyone else." p. 122

19 truths and 1 lie

2011-01-09T16:13:00.000-08:00

George Q. Cannon

I say to you that Satan would tell you nineteen

truths and would perform nineteen miracles to get

you to accept one untruth and to take a wrong step.

That is the kind of power he exercises. Do not be

deceived, my brethren and sisters. Try the spirits, and

see whether they are of God or not. Cling to the

authority of the Priesthood, which God sent His

messengers to bestow upon man. If you do so, I will

assure you, as a servant of God, you will be led back

into the presence of God and the Lamb.

(Brian H. Stuy, ed., Collected Discourses, 5 vols. [Burbank,

Calif., and Woodland Hills, Ut.: B.H.S. Publishing, 1987-1992], 3:

Salvation

2010-12-26T13:17:00.001-08:00

With out the Atonement, agency would have been a fatal gift. Repentance is our scape clause.

Christmas in Seattle

2010-12-25T13:40:00.000-08:00

These pictures are from the Seattle Center. Inside one of the buildings, is a large food court and a space for music performances and dancing. It was here, that I danced the polka with friends before I was set apart to be a missionary in 1993. That friend I danced the polka with was my brother-in-law when I came home 18 months latter. At Christmas time they have this darling town up with a a train. I love all the little people doing different things and the buildings that look so authentic. I could of taken so many more pictures.

The picture below I did not take, but I wanted you all to see the tree on top of the Space Needle.

The Christmas Space Needle and the moon. A picture that I did take. It costs 18 dollars for adults to ride up the elevator to see the 360 degree view, unless you areagoing to the rotating restaurant, then the ride is free and you get to go to the observation deck. Jason and I had dinner up there last Saturday night. Our landlord always gives us 100$ each Christmas. This time it was in the form of two 50 dollar gift cards to the restaurant up there. We had see food everything- appetizers, soup and king crab legs. I'd never done this before and it was nice to do this with Jason. On one "side" of the needle they had fake snow outside. We didn't know it was fake at first until the waitress told us. It looked so cool, eating, looking out at the city lit up and seeing snow.

At the restaurant they have a photographer come around the take a complimentary digital photo that you can have emailed to you and/or bought down stairs. We'll I had it mailed to me, but don't think I ever got it.

The carousel at the Seattle Center

Definitely a room with a view!

The Greatest Man

2010-12-19T17:22:00.000-08:00

Greatest man in history, named Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master. Had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was... buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

For all of Christs Names please go to:http://www.sesserchristian.net/100names.htm

Mormonism

2010-11-06T12:39:00.001-07:00

Brigham Young

“When the wicked have power to blow out the sun, that it shines no more; when they have power to bring to a conclusion the operations of the elements, suspend the whole system of nature, and make a footstool of the throne of the Almighty, they may then think to check “Mormonism” in its course, and thwart the unalterable purposes of heaven. Men may persecute the people who believe its doctrines, report and publish lies to bring tribulation upon their heads, earth and hell may unite in one grand league against it, and exert their malicious powers to the utmost, but it will stand as firm and immovable in the midst of it all as the pillars of eternity. Men may persecute the Prophet, and those who believe and uphold him, they may drive the Saints and kill them but this does not affect the truths of “Mormonism” one iota, for they will stand when the elements melt with fervent heat, and the heavens are wrapt up like a scroll and the solid earth is dissolved. “Mormonism” stands upon the eternal basis of omnipotence. Jehovah is the “Mormonism” of this people, their Priesthood and their power; and all who adhere to it will, in the appointed day, come up into the presence of the King Eternal, and receive a crown of life" (Brigham Young Journal of Discourses, vol 1, p.88).

Success

2010-10-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

"We know we are successful if we live so that we qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the Spirit."

Julie B. Beck, "And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit," Ensign, May 2010, 12

faith is a choice

2010-10-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

"Faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed. Thus, we are responsible for our own faith. We are also responsible for our lack of faith. The choice is yours."¹

Satan's counterattack is for us to believe that if we could only see proof of God's power we would then be able to believe and have faith, but as the scriptures have taught us:

"Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."²

Elder Edgley also said:

"By moving forward into the unknown, armed only with hope and desire, we show evidence of our faith and our devotion to the Lord."

Choosing to have faith, or not, is an individual choice and is one that we cannot make for anyone else, nor can we depend upon someone else's faith. We must make the choice on our own. What will you choose? Will you follow the example of Joshua from the Old Testament when he said, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"³?

What can become!

2010-10-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

"Even though the Prophet was haggard, pale, and penniless after his long confinement [in Liberty Jail], it did not take him long to make his leadership felt. He found a swamp where the Mississippi makes a horseshoe bend. It was practically deserted; there were only a half-dozen houses. It was a place in which nobody seemed to have a great interest. The owners of this mosquito-infested swamp were happy to sell the land to the penniless Saints for promissory notes, payable over a term of years. " 'Characteristic of the Prophet, he renamed the place to meet his desires. Not what it was, but what, with the faith and work of man, the region might become—"Nauvoo, the City Beautiful" ' (William E. Berrett, The Restored Church, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1965, p. 149). "The faith of the Prophet rallied the people, and a special zeal seldom witnessed in all of man's history swept over this people. 'That deep and abiding strength was to change a swamp into a great city; miserable shelters into splendid houses; penniless people to the most prosperous citizens of Illinois. That missionary zeal was to carry the gospel into many lands and double the membership of the Church. And all of this in the short time of five years! " 'What a program. And what an accomplishment! A people stripped of all earthly possessions, money, homes, factories, lands, rebuilt in five short years, a city-state which was the envy of long-settled communities' (Berrett, The Restored Church, p. 150). A miracle had occurred!"

L. Tom Perry, "Nauvoo—A Demonstration of Faith," Ensign, May 1980, 74

if we could

2010-10-07T18:58:00.000-07:00

..if men could comprehend eternal things, as God comprehends them, there is no man on the earth, no matter how wicked he may be, but what would be willing to keep the commandments of God, and to pass through anything that God ordained, for therein he would see there was salvation and eternal life. - Wilford Woodruff

The Devil tells the truth.

2010-10-04T20:35:00.000-07:00

"If the devil never told the truth he would not be able to deceive mankind by his falsehoods. The powers of darkness would never prevail without the use of some light. A little truth mixed with plausible error is one of the means by which they lead mankind astray."¹ Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 4:108-9. Quoted in "Chapter 25: King David's Call to Lead Israel," Old Testament Student Manual Genesis- 2 Samuel, 1981, pg 283.

That is the Test

2010-09-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

“The precise nature of the test of mortality, then, can be summarized in the following questions: Will my body rule over my spirit, or will my spirit rule over my body? Will I yield to the enticings of the natural man or to the eternal man? That, brothers and sisters, is the test.” (Elder David A. Bednar, “Ye are the Temple of God” Ricks College Devotional, January 11, 2000)

At the pearly gates

2010-09-12T17:37:00.000-07:00

I don't want to be drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair perfectly coiffed, and with long perfectly manicured fingernails!

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing sister Schneck's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my finger nails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my checks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.

Majorie Pay Hinckley

Build up righteousness or Fail in everything!

2010-09-11T19:12:00.000-07:00

"Daughter, use all your gifts to build up righteousness in the earth. Never use them to acquire name or fame. Never rob your home, nor your children. If you were to become the greatest woman in this world, and your name should be known in every land and clime, and you would fail in your duty as wife and mother, you would wake up on the morning of the first resurrection and find you had failed in everything; but anything you can do after you have satisfied the claims of husband and family will redound to your own honor and to the glory of God."

Brigham Young

2010-09-06T09:45:00.001-07:00

Let us as latter-day Saints reach out to others not of our faith. Let us never act in a spirit of arrogance or with a holier-than-thou attitude. Rather, may we show love and respect and helpfulness toward them. We are greatly misunderstood, and I fear that much of it is of our own making. We can mbe more tolerant, more neighborly, more friendly, more of an expample than we have been in the past. Let us teach our children to treat others with friendship, respect, love and admiration. That will yeild a far better result than will an at titude of egotism and arrogance.
April 2000 President Gordon B. Hinckley