Kudos to Ang

I have to give Ang some kudos because I noticed that Sally made a determination to be 100 percent honest from now on. I know it is because Angela has been working on her the past few months (and years), so good for you Ang. And I also wanted to add that I believe the correct way to handle Sally is the way that Joseph Smith taught. Listen to this (from Joseph Smith History in the Pearl of Great Price)

"During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision and the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three—having been forbidden to join any of the religious sects of the day, and being of very tender years, and persecuted by those who ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly, and if they supposed me to be deluded to have endeavored in a proper and affectionate manner to have reclaimed me—I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God."

We are to treat her kindly and try in an affectionate manner to reclaim her. This is no time to abandon her emotionally and withdraw our love, even if that is the first reaction that we naturally want to display. We must fight against the devil and his angels who have Sally in their clutches, and it is by kindness, and love unfeigned that we can accomplish this. I encourage all readers of this blog to call her often, email her, or anything else you can think of, and especially to pray for her. She needs our support in this critical time.

I learned something new

I'm reading a great book that said you need to let God into all parts of yourself. You need to pray and talk to Him about all your values, passions, emotions,hurts,loves,motives,sins,talents and preferences/opinions. It makes sense because it allows Him to help us more. He has many things available to us such as strength & power, knowledge & wisdom, opportunities & resources, guidance & direction, healing & comfort, forgiveness & acceptance, skill & ability, love & community, hope & courage, values & principles.
I really want to work on this, so this morning I prayed and talked a lot about the problem with my husband's weight. I told the Lord what the problem was, how I felt about it, my whole point of view. I then asked for forgiveness for the unkind thoughts and feelings I'd been having, and asked for His help in dealing with it in a better way, and knowledge of what I should be doing to help the situation. I felt so much better just getting all that out of my system. I know we all should be praying this way, because it sure goes a long way in being a peacemaker.

I just had to post this great quote:

President George Q. Cannon testified that every
man has power enough to resist Satan. “The Lord our
God has sent us here to get experience in these things
so that we may know the good from the evil and be
able to close our hearts against the evil. . . . It is true
that some have greater power of resistance than
others, but everyone has the power to close his heart
against doubt, against darkness, against unbelief,
against depression, against anger, against hatred,
against jealousy, against malice, against envy. God
has given this power unto all of us, and we can gain
still greater power by calling upon Him for that
which we lack. If it were not so, how could we be
condemned for giving way to wrong influences?
“There could be no condemnation for our doing
what we could not help; but we can help yielding to
wrong influences and being quarrelsome and selfish.
We can help giving way to the spirit of theft, and we
can resist the spirit of lust. God has given us power
to resist these things, that our hearts may be kept
free from them and also from doubt; and when Satan
comes and assails us, it is our privilege to say, ‘Get
thee behind me, Satan, for I have no lot nor portion
in you, and you have no part in me. I am in the
service of God, and I am going to serve Him, and
you can do what you please. It is no use you
presenting yourself with your blandishments to me.
You come and try to insinuate into my heart evil
thoughts about the servants of God or about the
work of God, and I will not listen to you; I will close
my heart against you. . . .’
“Whenever darkness fills our minds, we may
know that we are not possessed of the Spirit of God,
and we must get rid of it. When we are filled with the
Spirit of God, we are filled with joy, with peace and
with happiness no matter what our circumstances
may be; for it is a spirit of cheerfulness and of
happiness.” (Gospel Truth, 1:19–20.)

Some deep thoughts and questions - from Angela

Ok, I went to the Draper Temple open house and I have some deep thoughts and wonderings as a result. I saw the beautiful temple and I was trying to see it differently from the million $ plus houses that surrounded it. As the bus was pulling in I saw a "luxury house" for sale on the north side of the temple. I overheard the bus driver reading the sign - "8800 square feet luxury house for sale, that's HUGE" - he said to the boy that was a tour guide - I was sitting in the front seat. I said - "Yeah and only 2 people will live there probably". He agreed. That's all I said, but it impacted me so much. I saw all the finery of the temple and I struggled to see it differently from the scene of high end real estate... EXCLUSIVE real estate. The root word of exclusive is exclude. It implies that there are huge numbers of people left out and you are exclusive and above them.
Ok, so here is the wondering... Christ wasn't about luxury when he lived. That is an understatement. But I'm supposed to believe that now He is, right? Which is fine if that is true. But if it is true, then why am I excluded. Should I want to have an immaculate and expensive house like David and Amber do, for example. (I use that as an example only because they have the nicest house of anyone I am personally acquainted with) Should I be striving for a house like that? Should I consider my home unworthy of the Spirit because it doesn't look more like the Temple? Am I left out of the Celestial Kingdom because in this life I didn't learn how to live in a fine house and keep it clean and immaculate like the Temple? I'm sure the Cel. King. is immaculate like the Temple and I won't have learned how to live like that and so I won't be worthy or able to be there, right?

Which leads us to the next wondering. ALL the Gen. Authorites have luxury cars I am sure and luxury houses. You should see the parking garage of the Church Office Building for example. I go occasionally because Kevin works there and we cut through to go to the cafeteria in the C. office Bldg. I always get sick inside when I see the new, luxury cars and all of them over the top luxury. Can people be humble and filthy rich????? Why do I have this continual conflict when it comes to riches??? What does it all mean? What really matters? Did Christ command people in the scriptures somewhere to seek and obtain riches as church members in the last days in order to be righteous and worthy of Him and the high callings in the church?? Is it His will for His people to be rich and live in 8800 sq. feet houses furnished with all the finery? If it is, then I am left out and I don 't understand the gospel. Can you be RICH and RIGHTEOUS???

Why are all the Ge. Auth. so wealthy. Kevin tries to say that Elder Packer isn't wealthy for instance because he was in the church ed. system. I don't know what to make of it all. Dad..help me figure it all out!!! Shouldn't we be trying to be like Christ? What, while the rest of the church waxes great in riches and they are right too? Who is right here??? Dad, do you somehow think to "earn" a reward for your poverty/humility? HELP!

Hi Ya'll

There was a wonderful talk given in our Sacrament meeting today about becoming perfect. It talked about perfection as being a process that we are all trying to go through in this life, not something that we can achieve all at once. An interesting point was made when the speaker compared the scripture in Matthew (When Jesus Christ was giving the sermon on the mount), "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect." to the scripture in 3 Nephi 12:48 "Therefore, I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in Heaven is perfect." In the latter scripture, Christ included Himself as being perfect, where in the first one He did not. So, even Christ was made perfect after going through the process of His life, and His death.
A quote that goes along with this is by Elder Dean L. Larsen:

"....Some of us create such a complexity of expectations for ourselves that it is difficult to cope with the magnitude of them. Sometimes we establish so many particulars by which to evaluate and rate ourselves that it becomes difficult for us to feel successful and worthy to any degree at any time.

We can drive ourselves unmercifully toward perfection on such a broad plane. When this compulsion is intensified by sources outside ourselves, the problem is compounded. Confronting these demands can bring mental and emotional despair.

Everyone needs to feel successful and worthy in some ways at least part of the time. The recognition of our frailties need not propel us to try to achieve perfection in one dramatic commitment of effort. The best progress sometimes comes when we are not under intense duress. Overzealousness is at least as much to be feared as apathy. Trying to measure up to too many particular expectations without some sense of self-tolerance can cause spiritual and emotional "burn-out"....("The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom," New Era, Feb. 1986, p. 6.)

I know that I for one am guilty of this. I sometimes set too many expectations for myself or my life, and fail to appreciate the gifts each day laid before me.

The ultimate end of becoming perfect is to be like the Savior. President Heber C. Kimball once said: "I am perfectly satisfied that my Father and my God is a cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured Being. Why? Because I am cheerful, pleasant, lively and good-natured when I have His Spirit. That is one reason why I know; and another is - the Lord said, through Joseph Smith, "I delight in a glad heart and a cheerful countenance" (D&C 59:15).

I learned a lot from that talk. I hope we can all take something good from these thoughts. Love you all

I was a peacemaker today

In a small way, I was a peacemaker today. I sat down to eat dinner, and dished up all the littler kids. Then the baby started crying, so I fed him a bottle, then I got up to the table. The kids were asking me for more drinks as I was trying to put a plate together, and I just stayed calm instead of being grumpy inside. I finally got to eat (I microwaved it to get it hot) and I still had to stop about 14 times to put fires out, but I finally gulped down some food and still felt good and calm. I had a good attitude because I CHOSE TO!
I also figured out something else: I know why Moms always taste their food 3 times just to make sure it tastes right. Because that's the only hot dinner they are gonna get! I'm gonna do that from now on! LOVE TO ALL!

Highlights from my D&C Lesson

Here are some scriptures that, when read together give us a better understanding of our loving Savior Jesus Christ. Enjoy!

Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;
And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.
And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.
Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.

For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might bnot drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore you are my son

Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

In all their afflictions he was afflicted. And the angel of his presence saved them; and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old;

Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.
Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you. Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you. Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

LISTEN to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I AM, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins;
Who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer.

Hearken ye to these words. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Treasure these things up in your hearts, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds.

Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him— Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;
Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.

Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.

For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.

And now the year of my redeemed is come; and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed upon them according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness, forever and ever.

I am he who led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; and my arm is stretched out in the last days, to save my people Israel.

Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.

But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.

I love my Savior. What really jumped out at me was the scripture that says "Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you." He wants to forgive us and wants us to move on! He doesn't want us kicking ourselves over and over again for our mistakes. He wants us to take advantage of the gift he is offering, the atonement. I bear you my testimony of Christ. I know that He lives and loves us so much. May we all turn our hearts to Him.

Well Haloo Deh

Won't you let me join your forum? I love to talk and think and grow in the gospel. Last Sunday a big samoan guy in our High council gave his testimony. He said that he had a question about missionary work. He got down on his knees and prayed about his question, and the face of Brother Clark came into his head. So he said "Lord, do I need to contact Bro. Clark, or is he going to contact me?" and he didn't get an answer, so he ended his prayer. The next morning he was walking up the sidewalk to his work and a truck drove by slow and stopped. He looked over and there was Bro. Clark. He went and sat in his truck and they talked, and low and behold, Bro. Clark had the answer to his question about missionary work.
I would love to become that in tune with the Lord to have those kind of experiences, and I know it starts with me praying for guidance more with my own questions and struggles.
I did have a wonderful answer to prayers today. The past few weeks I have had a cloud of depression over me, and I have felt so ungrateful for all my blessings, because I have really no problems, and I should be happy. So I prayed a couple weeks ago that I would be more grateful for my blessings. I knew that the Lord could strip all my blessings away from me, and that would make me change my tune real quick, so I was a little nervous to pray to be more grateful. Well, Susan called and told me they were coming to spend a day or two with us. I was able to see so many blessings when she got here. Rick doesn't have a steady job like Jared. Susan would love to have a beautiful home, like I do. All their kids would love to have a cute bedroom with all their things kept neatly, and a bed of their own with their personal blankets on them, like my kids do. The list goes on and on. While I felt so sorry for Susan, and her situation, it all hit me this morning when she left: It was an answer to my prayers. I now feel so deeply thankful to the Lord for all my blessings. He was so kind to me in teaching me and helping me in such a gentle way.

An insight about the Atonement

The Spirit has cast a new light on the Atonement and I am going to study all the scriptures I can about it in this new light of understanding. In simple and obvious terms the Atonement was wrought at least in part because the Lord doesn't want us to return to Him with the sins, sorrows, pain, anguish and all the negative things of earth life. He wants us in the Celestial Kingdom free from these things which are a necessary part of our crucial earth experience. So you see, we should utilize the atonement in this life not just later on. This was a wonderful "revelation" to me.
Love ya!

I happened upon 2 old Conference Ensigns that I am now enjoying reading. One of the articles by F. Enzio Bucshe was so good. He talks about the feelings and new awakening of a new convert to the church.
"With an ever-increasing awareness of the need for constant repentance, he is able to fill all the hours of his life with the presence of the Spirit and, therefore, with great joy."
It made me wonder just how repentance works for the little things in life and if you can repent constantly, knowing you will probably do the same thing again the next day. Like get stirred up to anger for example or speak sharply to someone you love.

Also this quote from the same article that I am going to hang on my wall.
"... we can show through our actions every day how much we love our Heavenly Father."
Isn't that a beautiful idea? I mean that concept is so obvious, but just the way he put the words and the idea together I thought was so inspiring. I just want to be a better person for my children's sake.

I am going to start teaching a parenting class on Jan 22. It's part of my calling in the RS to be the leader of the young homemakers in enrichment. I found this quote that I'm going to use : (Another talk from 1984 by Elder David B. Haight)
"We regard children as gifts from God, committed to our care for loving, nurturing, and careful training."

Also there is a fabulous talk from Aug 2008 BYU Ed Week that you just have to listen to or watch online. Here is the link. Choose the second talk called The visions of the Pearl of Great Price. S. Micheal Wilcox is a wonderful Institute teacher at the Univ of Utah. I have seen him several times over the years at BYU Ed Week and I love his in depth ideas about the scriptures. The Lord wanted to expand Moses' vision of the earth and the people on it and make room for the grand statement found in Moses 1:39 and all the verses before it are stretching and expanding Moses' mind to prepare him for it. You'll love that talk.

Another thing was a lesson in Sunday School last week. It was the final chapters of the B of M and our teacher is an emeritus Seventy, Brother Wood. He said that those final chapters were written to the members of the church and correspond with the temple ceremony of broad covenants at first followed by the give everything law of Consecration. So I thought I would read those chapters in that context and see what I came up with. Would you do the same?

Another thing I am pondering is this "The first shall be last and the last shall be first in ALL THINGS". What it means and what it actually applies to. I've had some good ideas.

Ok, that's what is going around in my brain on the spiritual side. This blog was a great idea. Me and you have always loved talking about the Gospel. Love you so much Daddy!

Yes, say, what is truth? 'Tis the brightest prize
To which mortals or Gods can aspire;
Go search in the depths where it glittering lies
Or ascend in pursuit to the loftiest skies.
'Tis an aim for the noblest desire.

How to be a peacemaker....do not get angry!

Opal Allen: "I made up my mind a long time ago that I would never get angry. I have done that over the years and it has paid off, and I have avoided a lot of stress and owe my longevity and good health to it." I heard my old friend say this, and it rang true to me. I try to practice it in my own life, but I'm not as good at it as she was. Let's work on it. Love ya, Dad