tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74812576106034151562024-03-19T00:27:09.599-07:00ReflectionsI had a surgery back in August that has given me some quality reflection time. I have been writing down my thoughts and a couple friends encouraged me to share my thoughts with others who may enjoy reading my reflective thoughts, so here I am. I hope those who read my writings will enjoy themLoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-44439663513702933162024-03-06T21:08:00.000-08:002024-03-06T21:08:20.703-08:00What Kind of Friend are You?<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> I was sitting in my home temple last week, when this sweet lady sat down beside me. She started visiting with me about all her health issues and asking questions about our temple. Her face and eyes were radiant with peace and joy. I instantly loved her. A Sister I knew joined us and when this sweet lady left us, she asked me, "is she a friend of yours?" I answered "no, this is my first time meeting her." This sister got a contemplative look on her face and said, "I thought she had known you for years."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">That simple exchange got me thinking about friends. I was reading a devotional about friendship by Lee F Braithwaite a BYU Professor given in Sept 2005 entitled, "<b><i>From I'll Try to I will Do</i></b>." He asked a potent question, "What kind of a friend are you?" He then continued his thought, "We all function so much better when we are friends. We are united."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I thought about his question and then two of my dear friends came into my mind. When our power went out on a cold winter day. My friend brought me a warm blanket, warm socks, warm soup and a propane heater because she "did not want me to get cold." Another friend is following a disabled pickup to ensure this gentleman gets to a place where they can fix his pickup or that he gets at least close to his home safely. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There is a song I love entitled, "<b><i>Greater Love</i></b>" by Kenneth Cope. It talks about the great love our Savior has for each and everyone of us but the verse that touched my heart was "..<i>.Well, now it’s been years since His lifetime
But He and His love still remain
And all that I want is to be like Him
He was all I hope to be
I would give my life to be
The kind of friend Jesus was to me
Greater love</i>." Both my above examples show that Christlike friendship. How blessed I am to have them in my life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Brother Braithwaite posed some questions: "How do we qualify as a good friend. How may we be a good friend to others on a constant basis?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I recently received a text message from a very special lady I had the pleasure of journeying with during my cancer journey. She thanked me for "being such a good friend." </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I must admit I was surprised by her comment due to the busyness of life I had not kept in touch as much as I would like. A comment that Brother Braithwaite made came into my mind: "I believe a true friend is a person who will bring out the best in us..." During our journey I had invited this sweet lady to go to the temple. She was so excited but the busyness of her life took her another direction but we still continued to journey together. Then I had some changes in my life that threw me for a loop but I stayed in contact with this dear dear sweet sister.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">At the little store where I work I meet young couples and their little ones. I have to admit I have a few favorites. I was visiting with one of my favorite young husbands who shared their little one was two and starting to run. He made a comment that surprised me , "You're always smiling and happy, no wonder he likes you." (referring to his son.) I don't know why his comment surprised me but it did. As I reflected on his comment a piece of Brother Braithwaite's thoughts came into my mind , "I hope we all have friends who lift us up. We all need to be lifted in life." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">February and March are sorrowful months for me and I find myself isolating. The little store and the new people I have met help me not to fall into a dark pit of depression. Especially my favorite couples and their precious little ones who makes my heart smile.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Another place that keeps me stable is the temple. Today I found myself out of fuel and feeling a dark depression setting in. I cancelled one appt and was going to pass on my weekly temple trip but then I found myself needing the peace of the temple. So, I spent the morning in the temple and came out refreshed and renewed. I had a wonderful sealer who shared a promise made by President Monson about how the temple lets you rest from the weariness of the world and gives you the strength to go back out and face your challenges with faith and courage. Oh, how I needed to hear that. He then talked about how there are no coincidences with our Heavenly Father. Oh, how I know that!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I am so grateful for the true friends that our Heavenly Father placed in my path to help lift me. I would like to close with Brother Braithwaite's closing statement: "Brothers and Sisters, good friends are so important to each of us. May we be true friends and lift up as many as we can. May we do this with the spirit that President Hinckley so beautifully extends to us. May we follow our prophet perfectly. May we follow our Father in Heaven as perfectly as possible. May we follow our Savior the best we can. May we be good friends, true friends. May we no disappoint our families and our friends as we sojourn here at BYU and after. I say these things from my heart and in the name of Jesus Christ Amen."</span></p><h1 class="single-speech__title" style="background-color: white; font-family: var(--source-serif-pro); font-size: 1.75em; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; text-align: center;">From I’ll Try to I Will Do</h1><div class="single-speech__speakers-wrapper" style="background-color: white; display: flex; flex-direction: column; position: relative; width: max-content;"><h2 class="single-speech__speaker" style="color: var(--pgsp-theme-color); display: inline-block; font-family: var(--ringside-ssm); font-size: 0.875rem; font-weight: 400; margin: 0.8rem 0px 0px; opacity: 0.85; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;"> <a href="https://speeches.byu.edu/speakers/lee-f-braithwaite/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">LEE F. BRAITHWAITE</a></h2></div><div class="single-speech__subtext-wrapper" style="background-color: white; display: flex; position: relative;"><p class="single-speech__speaker-subtext single-speech__speaker-position" style="color: var(--byu-grey-dark); font-family: var(--ringside-ssm); font-size: 0.65rem; font-style: italic; margin: 0.5rem 0px 0px; text-align: center;"> BYU Professor of Integrative Biology</p><p class="single-speech__speaker-subtext single-speech__date" style="color: var(--byu-grey-dark); font-family: var(--ringside-ssm); font-size: 0.65rem; font-style: italic; margin: 0.5rem 0px 0px; text-align: center;">September 13, 2005</p></div><div class="single-speech__callout" style="background-color: white; color: #57789e; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.8; margin-top: 2.75rem; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is a big difference between liking to accomplish something and doing it—a big difference.</span></div><hr class="single-speech__callout-divider" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-width: initial; border-left-color: rgb(128, 165, 208); border-right-color: rgb(128, 165, 208); border-style: solid solid none; border-top-color: rgb(128, 165, 208); box-sizing: content-box; height: 0px; margin-top: 2rem; max-width: 310px; overflow: visible; width: 310px;" /><div class="single-speech__content" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.75; margin-top: 2.5rem; position: relative;"><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Right up front I would like to thank Kay Johnson. She has helped me with all of the details and has granted all of my wishes except one. I asked her if I could bring my cardiologist along with me to sit by my side. Hopefully I can get through this talk without needing one.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I love BYU. I love the students here. I love the faculty and the staff and the administrators. I have made many friends while being here.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m going to focus on being a good friend, and I ask that all of you might reflect on what kind of a friend you are. We all function so much better when we are friends. We are united.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I love to tell stories. I hope you like to listen to stories. I’m going to start with life before kindergarten, then life during grade school, then junior high, then high school, and then college. Now, I very much dislike boasting, so I’m going to tell you stories, by and large, of events in which I did some dumb things and good friends picked me up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">How do we qualify as a good friend? How may we be a good friend to others on a constant basis? I believe a true friend is a person who will bring out the best in us. We can have friends who do not bring out the best in us. I hope we all have friends who lift us up. We all need to be lifted in life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My first story involves a time when I was three and a half years of age. My mother called to me and said, “Lee, hurry up and get ready for church.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I was very defensive and said, “I do not want to go to church.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">She said, “But Jesus wants you to.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I defiantly stated, “I never see Him there.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, it is funny, but my mother wasn’t amused. She knew her work was cut out for her, and she started reading from a book that she had had when she was a small girl—the same book that President Hinckley had had when he was the same age as my mother. Their mothers read to them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a book that I still have. Light blue and dog-eared, it’s entitled The Life of Our Lord, and it was a beautiful book, especially when Mother read.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I remember that she placed a beautiful picture of the Savior over the piano in our living room as a constant reminder, and I have loved that picture. When my mother passed away, we hung the picture on the wall in our family room. Oh, how I love my family: my mother and father, my grandparents, and my many relatives. Eight of my 10 children are here, and one is in Detroit and one is in Baltimore. I know I love all of them more because I learned to love my Savior.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Going to elementary school in the fifth grade, I did something really dumb. Just before Valentine’s Day my teacher asked all of us children to make Valentine boxes out of shoeboxes. You’ve probably done the same thing; you might still do it today. We had white paper and white paper lace and red hearts. On Valentine’s morning Mother said, “Now, Lee, you remember to give a Valentine to each one of the pupils in your class.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, I went to school, and before school began I started stuffing valentines into boxes, but I didn’t take the advice of my mother. Have you ever done that? It’s dumb, isn’t it? Well, I gave a valentine to everyone except for one girl. She was obnoxious, she was mean, and she probably could have beaten up on me if she wanted to.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When it came time to tear our Valentine’s boxes apart, I glanced over at the girl. She had tears rolling down her cheeks; she didn’t have a single valentine. I hurt to this day that I didn’t pay heed to my mother. I’ve noticed during the years that a lot of people need friends, true friends. And if anyone ever did, she did. I became a better friend to her, but it was too late to relieve the negative situation. May we listen to our true friends and do the right things.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Of junior high, probably like most of you, I can’t remember too much. But I remember my grandfather. He was old, and he related stories to me as a small boy. I heard those stories at least three dozen times. But I tried hard to listen intently. I think I was the only one who ever listened to him. I listened because I loved him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, when I got into high school, my friends and my brother and I would play basketball at the end of our barn with an old rusty rim, a homemade backboard, and a gunnysack for a net. We had fun there. One day it was very overcast, and I looked across the wet, recently plowed field and saw my little granddaddy from England trudging across the field. As he got closer I noticed that he had huge mud balls on his boots.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I went up to him, and he said, “Lee, if you will practice over and over many times, you will get good.” Then he turned and went back and made larger balls of mud on his feet.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I thought, “Granddaddy, you are crazy! You came all this way just to tell me that?” But over the years I found he was a true friend. He helped me practice and practice.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">He helped me when I went to college. I took a class for which I had little preparation. I was very frightened. I didn’t think I could pass it, let alone get a good grade. I remembered my granddaddy’s story, and I studied, believe it or not—and surprising to myself—six hours each school day. If we practice and practice, we will get good. I hope all of you students will study hard, not only the subjects that you really like but especially those that you have been avoiding. Study and study until you do well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In high school something really special took place. One beautiful Sabbath morning my mother called upstairs to me and said, “Lee, are you ready to go to conference?”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I said, “No, I don’t feel well.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Trusting me, she said, “Okay.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, I didn’t feel bad physically, but I was really bad as far as attitude goes. It was the first time I had done that, and all during conference I couldn’t read the books I loved to read. I couldn’t concentrate. I wished I had gone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Father was in the stake presidency, and once he found out what really happened, I knew that he would know I had let him down. After conference the stake presidency and Elder Mark E. Petersen and his wife came to our home. When Elder Petersen came into our living room, I could hear him; he had a strong voice. He said, “I’d like to meet your family.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Oh, I felt bad. I wished I were in my best clothes. My father introduced my good brother and my three good sisters, and Elder Petersen said, “Is this all?”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Father said, “No. I have one more son.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I then really felt badly when Elder Petersen asked, “Where is he?”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Father said, “Upstairs.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Elder Petersen said, “I would like to meet him.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I felt like leaping out of our attic window, but I decided to stay and take it. Two pairs of giant steps came up the wooden stairs. When Elder Petersen got up to the top, he looked all around. I was really shaking. He looked and saw all the marine specimens I had on my shelves, all the books I had purchased, and my microscope. He saw my little room that I had turned into a lab of study. Then, instead of calling me to repentance, he very kindly said, “Lee.” And in that powerful voice he said, “What are you going to do with all of this?”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I could hardly talk, and I said, “I would like to be a marine biologist.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">He said, “What do you mean, ‘like to’? Are you?”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A powerful lesson was learned. There is a big difference between liking to accomplish something and doing it—a big difference. I tell that story often to students. It can mean the difference between trying to reach the celestial kingdom and qualifying for it. It can mean graduating from BYU—not just trying, but doing it. It can mean getting a master’s degree. It can mean getting a PhD. Oh, how Elder Petersen helped me. He helped me through the tough times.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Now I’d like to focus on the time I’ve been here. I’m no spring chicken; I’ve been teaching here since 1964. I’ve learned some important things. I have learned to be kind to everyone wherever I go, but especially here at BYU. I have learned that it really pays to make friends with as many professors, administrators, staff, physical plant people, and even custodians as I can. Some of my best friends at BYU are found scattered all over the campus. I wish I had more time to get into more buildings and make more friends.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Friends are really important, and, as a professor, I truly believe that it is very important to be friends with students. When I first started teaching at BYU, one of the senior faculty members counseled me. He said, “Never get too close to your students or they won’t work as hard.” Well, I really like that professor, and I tried to follow his advice, but in time I found that he was wrong—very wrong. If I become a friend to my students, they work more, not less.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One day, just after I started teaching at BYU, an aunt of mine who was like a second mother to me posed a question: “Lee, do you give all of your students A’s?”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I said, “Of course not. They don’t all earn A’s.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And she said, “If you taught well enough, they would get A’s.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Wow, I’d never thought of that before. I didn’t believe her at first. Then, as I got a little bit older and a bit wiser—the older part came easy, the wiser part was difficult—I found out that if I got close to my students and required them to work hard, they would be better students. It doesn’t benefit a student at all if we give that student a high grade and the student hasn’t earned it. It doesn’t benefit us as professors here at BYU or benefit the students if we send them off with perfect letters of recommendation when they are not at the level to earn all of the compliments given. It will be hard for our students to get into schools from that point on. And professors will lose their credibility.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I had a good friend who retired from geology a short time ago. He said, “Lee, if I had to do it over again, I would take better care of the students who are struggling.” He said, “I have noticed over the years that you have done that.” I have given extra help to some, but there are so many that I haven’t been able to give it to all.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Let me tell you one last story—about a student I took to the Friday Harbor labs at the University of Washington. One day after fieldwork I gave the students an examination to see if they retained the names of the critters that they saw and collected. I came up to this fellow and said, “That’s a great grade. You only missed six.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">He said, “Dr. Braithwaite, six is the number I got right.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I started noticing him. He was very quiet. I could tell he was a troubled young man. In time I got close to him, and he related to me that when he was a small boy, he was put in charge of tending his little brother, and he got distracted by his friends. His mother came home, and she asked where his little brother was.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">“Oh,” it dawned on this student, “I have left him for a long time!” He and his friends and mother went searching, and the little brother was found in the ditch, drowned.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">That had haunted him all those days and was still haunting him. He never smiled; he was always quiet. I thought, “What can I do to pick this student up?” Then the branch president asked me if I would select some of my students to speak and sing in sacrament meeting, and I thought, “I will ask this student to sing.” I had heard him sing to himself, and he had a beautiful voice. So he sang “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.” Everyone in the congregation had tears running down their face. I did, too. From that time on that young man was accepted by the students. He was a hero. He had many good friends.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Brothers and sisters, good friends are so important to each of us. May we be true friends and lift up as many as we can. May we do this with the spirit that President Hinckley so beautifully extends to us. May we follow our prophet perfectly. May we follow our Father in Heaven as perfectly as possible. May we follow our Savior the very best we can. May we be good friends, true friends. May we not disappoint our families and our friends as we sojourn here at BYU and after. I say these things from my heart and in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">© Brigham Young University. All rights reserved.</span></p></div>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-64843438737244522412024-02-18T23:03:00.000-08:002024-02-18T23:03:37.244-08:00Lonely and Misunderstood<p>I am at that age where I am finding myself in a reflective state and things that use to frustrate or anger now causes an ache in my heart. All my life due to my complicated family life I have felt "lonely and misunderstood." Even now I find myself having moments where I find myself feeling lonely and understood.</p><p>In this life I will never have the honor of having a child who would call me mom. I have had adopted grandmas who would cry out to me "mamma, mamma." I will always cherish those moments. Because I was not able to have children and was not in a place where adoption was an option. I find myself feeling joy as I watch my friend become grandparents and listen to their stories. Or witness a Branch"s son get called to serve a mission with the Navajo tribe. American indians hold a very special place in my heart due to my biological mother was native american and my father was hispanic but being raised caucasian the only knowledge I have of my biological heritage is what I have studied in books and through videos. From the beginning there have not been many who understand my complicated family tree.</p><p>I was raised in a small town and in my sophomore year found myself in a large city with no roots or ties to that city. I guess that is where my loneliness hit. Many of my new classmates had been together for elementary and high school so they had a history that I did not share. Due to my many years of inactivity when I found my way back into the church the misunderstood seemed to be stamped on my forehead. I came from a part member family, with a husband who does not share my beliefs not a mother and because of the road I had travelled my perception of the gospel was very different from those who had never strayed.</p><p>I am now part of a Branch filled with people that I love so very much. But I am not a part of their community because I live 20 some miles away and only see them on Sundays. I watch as they congregate and visit about their lives and while they are visiting I quietly leave the building and come home. It is weird to me that I love them so very much and I know they love me yet in their community I am not involved. I have a Branch right across the street from where I live but I am not even a thought in their lives. Each of my beloved Branch members have their children, spouses, and extended family members. All my family has been called back to their heavenly home and hence a big piece of the loneliness. My husband with his work travels, so it's just me and our four legged kiddos.</p><p>As I have been pondering on my feelings of loneliness and being misunderstood I came across this talk by Elder Richard G Scott; oh, how I love this man and his teachings. I have found a second witness from him to confirm what the Spirit has been whispering to me. Each Sunday as I find myself driving to church my heart is filled with love. In his talk he mentions "remember how loved you are."</p><p>A painful memory for me was after my brother had ended his life in the midst of my heartbreak and asking him why? I heard my brothers voice sobbing and telling me, "I'm so sorry sis, I didn't mean to do it. I didn't know how loved I was." His heartfelt plea still resonates in a broken place in my heart.</p><p>There is one place that I feel totally understood and loved and that is in the temple. Most the temple workers at my home temple know me by name and when I am in another temple the workers always greet me with love. It is within those hallowed walls that I am reminded again and again that I am a child of God who loves me unconditionally and He understands me completely and will never leave me alone. After all He is the one molding me into the daughter He knows I can be.</p><p>When the darkness starts to fill my soul He has the spirit bring to my mind the love of my family, friends, branch family, temple family and guides me to the words of the brethren who also let me know that I am not alone even though for many years now I have travelled this road alone.</p><p>I am surrounded by many who feel alone and misunderstood. Many are trying to navigate through their problems by themselves thinking they do not need their loving Heavenly Father. (Been there and done that) But like Elder Scott I can say it is so much better when you strive to follow the Lord and as our beloved Prophet President Nelson has invited us to do, "Stay on the covenant path and you will be blessed."</p><p>May Elder Scotts words speak to you and may you find peace and love as you follow his counsel.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">"To the Lonely and Misunderstood</span></p><div class="single-speech__speakers-wrapper" style="background-color: white; display: flex; flex-direction: column; position: relative; width: max-content;"><h2 class="single-speech__speaker" style="color: var(--pgsp-theme-color); display: inline-block; font-weight: 400; margin: 0.8rem 0px 0px; opacity: 0.85; text-transform: uppercase;"><a href="https://speeches.byu.edu/speakers/richard-g-scott/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">RICHARD G. SCOTT</span></a></h2></div><div class="single-speech__subtext-wrapper" style="background-color: white; display: flex; position: relative;"><p class="single-speech__speaker-subtext single-speech__speaker-position" style="color: var(--byu-grey-dark); font-style: italic; margin: 0.5rem 0px 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">of the Seventy</span></p><p class="single-speech__speaker-subtext single-speech__date" style="color: var(--byu-grey-dark); font-style: italic; margin: 0.5rem 0px 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">August 10, 1982</span></p></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #57789e; font-style: italic; text-align: center;">Once in my life, I had the feelings of being left out. I now share the companionship of incomparable brotherhood and sisterhood, a feeling of belonging, of being useful, and I recognize that it comes only from sincere striving to live the commandments of the Lord.</span></span></p><hr class="single-speech__callout-divider" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-width: initial; border-bottom: none; border-left-color: rgb(128, 165, 208); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(128, 165, 208); border-right-style: solid; border-style: solid solid none; border-top-color: rgb(128, 165, 208); border-top-style: solid; box-sizing: content-box; height: 0px; margin-top: 2rem; max-width: 310px; overflow: visible; width: 310px;" /><div class="single-speech__content" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.75; margin-top: 2.5rem; position: relative;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I do not know those for whom this message is specifically intended or to what portion of those present it directly applies. I am confident, however, that if I am supported by your faith and prayers as it is delivered so that I can give expression to the deep feelings of my heart, this message will be of significant benefit to some who need it, provided they apply consistently in their lives the principles emphasized. I do not say this with any degree of personal pride, but in humble recognition of the experience I have had in its preparation. Seldom have I struggled as long and as hard to crystallize the feelings of my heart as I have on this occasion. But finally those sweet, quiet promptings of the Spirit came, which give me confidence to speak with conviction and assurance to those among us who are struggling with feelings of inadequacy or of being left out or of being misunderstood or not appreciated.</span></p><h2 style="font-weight: 400; margin: 2.5rem 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Some Encounter Difficulties</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Each passing day I am aware that there are many youth of the Church who understand (integral)the teachings of the Savior and apply them faithfully and consistently in their lives. They continue to grow in strength and self-confidence and find their obedience is rewarded with happiness, peace, and self-assurance. I am also aware that there are significant numbers of youth who are striving to identify a path that will bring them satisfaction—a sense of belonging and of self-worth. Some have an intellectual knowledge of gospel principles but have not incorporated them completely into their own lives. They live partially or superficially the teachings of the Savior and, as a consequence, do not receive the fullness of direction that can come from the Lord or the ability to achieve blessings that result from being fully, willingly obedient to His commandments. They have not yet discovered the power and inspiration that come from the Lord to aid all of us in the difficult experiences of life. Such individuals strive mightily to face each day’s challenges on their own, and they encounter difficulties. It is because I now know that they see only a part of the picture and can be stealthily led by Satan down erroneous paths, that, with deep love and empathy and with all the conviction of my soul, I wish to share some personal experiences which a kind and loving Lord has used to help me understand the meaning and power of some of the principles of His gospel.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I too have had such feelings of loneliness and of being left out and not appreciated.</span></p><h2 style="font-weight: 400; margin: 2.5rem 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">My Life and Learning</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was born into a home where my father was not a member of the church, and my mother was what today some would categorize as inactive. During my early childhood, I did not in any way understand the significance of the fact that there was no priesthood-bearing patriarch or consistent teaching of pure gospel principles in our home. Yet no son could have loved more or been more proud of my father than was I then and am now. He taught his five boys by noble example the importance of industry, integrity, education, manual skills, trust, and obedience. We gained self-confidence through the practice of these worthy traits. Because he traveled frequently and left our precious mother alone for significant periods of time to raise five active, exuberant boys, we discovered in her an amazingly marvelous combination of love, patience, firmness, and diligence. She was and continues to be more a friend and companion than anything else. (I should add the Lord has since greatly blessed our family. Dad is currently a sealer in the Washington Temple, and mother serves with him as a temple worker. Both provide powerful examples of righteous obedience for each of us.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">During my youth, through kind, understanding bishops and patient home teachers and other interested members, the five boys were encouraged to attend Church and to participate in its activities. We did so, although at times reluctantly. I remember with sadness the times when at separation for Sunday School classes, I would slip out the back door to walk in the park. There were, however, times when I listened to the teachings in class. I’m sure that, if anyone would have questioned my testimony and understanding of the gospel, I would have fiercely defended it as being strong and vigorous. Only from the perspective of time and the marvelous experiences of later, more active participation in the Church, do I now realize that I knew very, very little of the true meaning of the gospel plan. I participated in Church activities but somehow felt I was always at the periphery. I would approach Mutual activities daydreaming of a glorious evening dancing with the most popular girls in the ward. The reality of each evening was quite different. As I sat on the sidelines and watched others enjoying themselves, I felt somehow left out, not part of the central group. The same thing occurred in school. Though I felt comfortable in the academic activities, the social and sport activities left me feeling alone and unwanted. It was not until a lot later in life that I realized it was largely my fault.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have since learned that one cannot demand love and respect or require that the bonds of friendship and appreciation be extended as an unearned right. These blessings must be earned. They come from personal merit. Sincere concern for others, selfless service and worthy example qualify one for such respect. All my rationalization that others had formed select groups and knowingly ruled out my participation was largely a figment of my imagination. Had I practiced correct principles, I need not have felt alone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well did President McKay repeatedly observe, “Every man, every person radiates what he or she is. Every person is a recipient of radiation” (“The Times Call for Courageous Youth and True Manhood,” <i>Improvement Era,</i> June 1969, p. 116). Where proper gospel principles are observed, that radiation invites friendship and trust. Where they are lacking, there is a negative unpleasant radiation that closes the doors to righteous companionship.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">During my last year at the university, I looked forward to the prospects of a fine professional future and had my life very well outlined. Then a kind and thoughtful Lord placed a bombshell in my little world. Her name was Jeanene Watkins. Her father’s call to the senate brought her to Washington, D.C., where I lived. The more I knew her, the more fascinated I became, and each opportunity to be with her deepened the growing love within my heart. One evening as we conversed about the important things of life, she innocently said, “When I marry, I’ll marry in the temple, a returned missionary.” That comment struck me to the core. It began a process of reflection, contemplation, and prayer that resulted in my receiving a call as a missionary to Uruguay.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I thought myself ill prepared to teach the gospel to anyone. I had an intellectual understanding of some of the gospel principles that I recognized needed to be converted into a heart-centered, Holy-Ghost-inspired, burning testimony of truth. I struggled to communicate to the Lord my feelings of gratitude for the privilege of service, of the blessing of righteous parents, and for the love of one of His most precious handmaidens. I asked Him to help me become an effective servant in His hands. I strained to forget self, struggled to help others, and in the process, the skeleton of the teachings I had received took on the flesh and blood of new life and meaning.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I discovered that we are not left alone to face the challenges of life, but can receive guidance and strength from a loving, understanding God in heaven. I bathed my pillow with tears of pleading for the mercy of the Lord to forgive a wayward soul or to fortify a family in need—and found my own needs met. I pleaded that a heart could be softened or a struggling father could be given a personal witness of truth—and discovered the limitless breadth of love.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Familiar scriptures, through prayer and application, guided me to new depths of understanding and appreciation. I had read the words many times. They now took on new meaning—</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all . . .</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.</i> [Moroni 7:45–47]</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">What a priceless message for any who would enjoy the comforting circle of true friendship. How I wanted then, as I do now, to share those exquisite feelings of love and appreciation—of belonging.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">There were then, as now, constantly new lessons. Well do I remember the first time, when, as I pleaded with the Lord in solemn prayer for the help and guidance and feeling of support I had come to cherish, there was no answer. Rather I felt a barrier—an insurmountable wall. I reviewed my life, my feelings, my acts, and all that could affect such communication and found no problems. It was not until after much more purposeful struggling that there came the clarification. What I had felt was not a wall but a giant step, an opportunity to rise to a higher spiritual plane—an opportunity evidencing trust that I would obey correct principles without the necessity of constant reinforcement. After more effort, the peaceful, comforting presence of the Spirit returned.</span></p><h2 style="font-weight: 400; margin: 2.5rem 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Four Principles</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wish I had some magic wand that would allow me to touch the hearts of each for whom this message is intended and communicate the experiences that have flowed from a loving Father since that time, but I cannot. I can, however, mention four principles that I have come to recognize as the foundation of happiness and growth and the secure feeling of companionship with the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">These four principles have brought the deepest feelings of worthwhileness, peace, and happiness into my own life. The Lord has established these cornerstones in His eternal plan, and each one is essential. All work together in harmony and reinforce one another and, when they are applied with diligence and consistency, produce strength of character and increasing ability to convert the challenges of life into stepping-stones to happiness now and forever. They are—</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">* Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His program</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">* Repentance to rectify the consequences of mistakes of omission or commission</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">* Obedience to the commandments of the Lord to provide strength and direction in our lives.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">* Selfless service to enrich our daily existence</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Satan also knows that these principles, if observed consistently, will render an individual increasingly resistant to his temptations. He has developed a comprehensive plan to undermine or destroy each one of them. For example, to dispose of faith, Satan would plant and cultivate in each one of us the seeds of selfishness, for he knows that, if left unchecked, they will grow into a monster that can consume and destroy the divine spirit in man. Selfishness is at the root of sin. It reinforces destructive habits that produce a dependence on chemical or physical stimulants that destroy the mind and body. Selfishness leads to unrighteous acts that debauch and deprave the soul.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Satan’s program is based on immediate gratification of selfish desires. Participate now and pay later—yet the full, terrible consequences of payment are never revealed until it is tragically late.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Spirit of the Lord can over power the stifling effect of selfishness. That Spirit comes with faith, repentance, obedience, and service.</span></p><h2 style="font-weight: 400; margin: 2.5rem 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Genius of the Gospel Plan</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">With the other brethren, I have the privilege of interviewing youth who have stumbled along the way and yet have painstakingly found their way back. Many are anxious to serve a mission. Their backgrounds vary widely, as does the degree of their transgression. Support from others ranges from strong to nonexistent. Yet there is always a common thread of similarity. In every case, without exception, each has come to the realization that wickedness never was happiness. Each has resolved to place into effect the saving principles of the gospel. The proper use of free agency produces the miracle of rebuilt, useful lives. I have personally verified that, until words like <i>faith, prayer, love, </i>and <i>humility</i> become a living part of us through personal experience and the sweet prompting of the Holy Spirit, they hold no great significance and produce no miracles. I found that I could learn gospel teachings intellectually and through the power of reason and analysis, recognizing that they were of significant value. But their enormous power and strength and ability to stretch one beyond the limits of his imagination did not become reality until patient, consistent practice allowed the Holy Spirit to distill and expand their meaning in my heart. The genius of the gospel plan is that by doing, principally in selfless service to others, those things the Lord counsels us to do, we are given every understanding, every capacity, every capability necessary to provide rich fulfillment in this life and the preparation necessary for eternal happiness in the presence of the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet anyone that paints a picture of life as being easy, without challenge, is either not being honest or has not yet encountered the growing experiences which the Lord gives each of His children to prepare them for happiness in this life and the blessing of dwelling eternally in His presence. The purpose of these experiences has been clarified by the Lord:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.</i> [Ether 12:27]</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elder Orson F. Whitney wrote:</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God . . . and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">We can, however, avoid unnecessary sorrow and distress. President Tanner has wisely counseled:</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first thing to remember is that if we really understand and live the principles of the gospel, we won’t find ourselves in some of the predicaments we get into. Much of the loneliness, heartache and despair which is common to so many people, have come because either they or someone in their family or their mate did not live the principles of the gospel, or did not apply the principle of repentance.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>That is the second thing to remember. If you do get into trouble, or have not kept the commandments and have transgressed, then we have this glorious principle of repentance to help us erase the guilt and start all over again. The Doctrine and Covenants tells us, “By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.”</i> [D&C 58:43]</span></p><h2 style="font-weight: 400; margin: 2.5rem 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The Drain of Worry</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of us divert our best efforts from constructive accomplishment by investing them in mental anguish and continual worry. The Lord has taught me a great lesson about worry that I would like to share with you today. After a wonderful full-time mission, where everything that has subsequently proven to be of eternal value in my life began to mature, I was sealed in the temple to my lovely Jeanene. She had fulfilled her mission while I was serving mine. We began our life together with every expectation of happiness, having some understanding of the application of the principles of the gospel in our lives. I was blessed, I’m convinced, through the kindness of the Lord to obtain a job in a new, highly developmental pioneer effort to place a nuclear plant in a submarine. The work was fascinating, challenging, and absorbing. When combined with the natural growth experiences that come with the formation of a new family unit and Church assignments, I found each day fully occupied.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Within eight months, I was in the office of a doctor being carefully examined to determine if I had ulcers. For weeks each night I would return home from work with a severe headache, and only after a long, quiet period of isolation could I calm my nerves sufficiently to sleep briefly and return to work the next day. I began to prayerfully consider my plight. It was ridiculous. All I wanted to do was to be a worthy husband and father and carry out honorably my Church and professional assignments. My best efforts produced frustration, worry, and illness. In time, I was prompted to divide mentally and physically, where possible, all of the challenges and tasks and assignments given to me into two categories: First, those for which I had some ability to control and to resolve, I put into a mental basket called “concern.” Second, all the rest of the things that were either brought to me or I imagined I had the responsibility to carry out, but over which I had no control, I put in a basket called “worry.” I realized I could not change them to any significant degree, so I studiously strove to completely forget them. The items in the “concern” basket were ordered in priority. I conscientiously tried to resolve them to the best of my ability. I realized that I could not always fulfill all of them on schedule or to the degree of competence I desired, but I did my conscientious best.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Occasionally as I sat in my office, I’d feel my stomach muscles tighten and tension overcome me. I would cease whatever activity I was engaged in and with earnest prayer for support, concentrate on relaxing and overcoming the barrier that worry produced in my life. Over a period of time, those efforts were blessed by the Lord. I again came to understand how the Lord is willing to strengthen, fortify, guide, and direct every phase of life. The symptoms of illness passed, and I learned to face tasks under pressure.</span></p><h2 style="font-weight: 400; margin: 2.5rem 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Worthy Accomplishment=Success</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why is there such emphasis in the world today on things? When things become an end unto themselves—the object of our effort, not tools to be used to reach greater more noble goals—they become part of Satan’s plan to deflect us from the Lord’s program. They can lead us carefully down to hell. Things do not produce happiness on earth nor do they provide exaltation. Material things are to be respected for their value as tools. Every artist, surgeon, or writer needs tools. They become instruments for greater good and should not at any time be the ultimate goal of life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Much of life’s disappointment comes from looking beyond the mark, from seeking success and happiness where it cannot be found. When wealth, position, influence, and power become measures of success in life, we should not be disappointed when their attainment does not produce the satisfaction and blessings promised for fulfillment of the commandments of the Lord.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Savior declared as His work and glory “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). He enthroned love for one another, service to a neighbor, and building the kingdom of God for His glory and majesty as noble worthy goals that produce rewards beyond all power of expression.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mormon gave us precious insight when he declared:</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.”</i> [Moroni 7:16–17]</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have obtained a personal witness that the true monument to an individual is worthy accomplishment, not mounds of paper plans or hoards of accumulated possessions. The eternal progress we attain in our own life and our contributions to that progress in the lives of others are measure enough of the worthwhileness of our efforts here on earth. No matter who we are, what lofty position we hold, or what powerful influence we wield, these things in and of themselves are of no lasting moment. Of real worth is how well we serve as instruments in the hands of the Lord to accomplish his divine will or how devotedly we obey His commandments and worthily receive His ordinances. In the final analysis, all our success can be measured by how effectively we can interpret and accomplish the will of our Father in Heaven in our own lives, the lives of our own family and loved ones, and the lives of His other children we are blessed to serve.</span></p><h2 style="font-weight: 400; margin: 2.5rem 0px 1rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Conclusion</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">It has been a distinct honor to have been in your presence today, and I’m not sure how many present benefited from the comments made. I ask, if they apply to someone you know, that you will share them. Once in my life, I had the feelings of being left out. I now share the companionship of incomparable brotherhood and sisterhood, a feeling of belonging, of being useful, and I recognize that it comes only from sincere striving to live the commandments of the Lord. There are those about us on every side who would justify taking a path contrary to that of the Lord because they feel rejected. Oh, how essential it is to touch such a heart and have it feel the expanding influence of the Holy Ghost and to show to such an individual how every problem of life can be corrected when the gospel is allowed to flow into one’s life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">May God bless each of us to appreciate our heritage, the privilege of attending this glorious university, the great honor of being children of our Father in Heaven with testimonies of truth. May we share it with those in need, I humbly pray in Jesus’ name. Amen."</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">© Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.</span></i></p></div><div class="single-speech__speaker-blurb" style="align-items: center; background-color: white; column-gap: 2rem; display: grid; flex-direction: column; grid-template-columns: 175px auto; margin-top: 3rem; position: relative;"><img alt="Richard G. Scott" class="single-speech__speaker-blurb-image entered lazyloaded" data-lazy-src="https://speeches.byu.edu/wp-content/uploads/jpg/Scott_Richard_G-Web-compressor.jpg" data-ll-status="loaded" src="https://speeches.byu.edu/wp-content/uploads/jpg/Scott_Richard_G-Web-compressor.jpg" style="border-style: none; max-width: 175px; width: 175px;" /><p class="single-speech__speaker-blurb-text" style="align-self: flex-start; color: var(--byu-grey-dark); font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 2rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Richard G. Scott was a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 10 August 1</span><span face="var(--source-serif-pro)" style="font-size: 1.125rem;">982.</span></p></div>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-89954052936950870762024-02-04T14:18:00.000-08:002024-02-04T14:18:12.925-08:00My Personal Hall of Fame<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> I recently had two questions which sunk deep into my heart and had me pondering on how I would answer: "<span style="background-color: white;">Who is it in your heart of hearts that you hono</span><span style="background-color: white;">r? Who is permitted a place in that sacred sanctuary that is your personal hall of fame?"</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Today as I was reflecting on those two questions my beloved Poppers was the first who popped into my mind. Then my favorite Primary Teacher Mrs. Henry came into my mind. She was the one who laid a foundation of eternal truths that prepared me for the spiritual truths that would be built upon it..</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">My eighth grade teacher Mr Carter who stayed after school with me every day just so I could get a C in Algebra. I then thought of my beloved piano teacher Mrs King who opened the door for my musical talent to grow and thrive along with my band teacher Mr Pollack who introduced me to the world of wood instruments. Both him and Mrs King had desires and hopes that I would go to Juliet's to further develop my talent and love of music.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: trebuchet;">Bishop Anderson and Brother Layton who lovingly encouraged me to grow and thrive in the church knowing that I came from a part member family. Aunt Alzora and Aunt Marion, Aunt Alzora who welcomed me and allowed me to assist with her bible studies and taught me the song "Jesus loves me this I know cause the bible tells me so." Aunt Marion who taught me how to play gin rummy and with my moms help taught me how to bake. I am just now refinding my love of baking and playing the piano. Both were lost to me when I lost my mom and poppers. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: trebuchet;">Grandma Hice who was our local Avon lady. Everyone loved her. I approached her one day and asked if she would be my grandma? She asked, "Don't you have a Grandma? I then shared with her that all my grandparents were gone. She then wrapped her arms around me and said, "From now on I will be your Grandma." Oh, how I loved her because true to her word she was my "grandma." In the late 90's I met my adopted Grandma Flora, Aunt Kay and Aunt Gayle. Aunt Kay taught me to cross stitch and some history of Florida. Grandma Flora and Aunt Gail taught me southern manners and introduced me to southern hospitality. I have cherished memories</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: trebuchet;"> of my short time with them. My favorite New Yorker who ignited my curiosity of seeing her beloved New York. She has been my adopted mothers best friend for many years</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">My Uncle Fred, Uncle Ralph and my beloved Uncle Vick. Uncle Fred instilled in me the love of family. Uncle Ralph who had a contagious sense of humor. Uncle Vick because he never gave up on me. There are so many between the Coxies, Bradshaws, Spencers, Reynolds and Scherer's extended family that touched my life and left their imprints upon my heart.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">As I grew, I wandered away from the safety net of my family and found myself in a cruel and hostile world. It was during that time I met my husband. He has stayed with me through many dark times and rescued me from a very dark period of my life. He introduced me to a very special love that a husband and wife share as they overcome their obstacles together.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Brother Boyle who was the first in many years to remind me I was a beloved daughter of God and taught me how to get the most from my daily scripture study. Inspirational institute teachers who challenged me and laid a foundation for deeper truths. A patient and loving visiting teacher whose first words upon finally meeting me were, "your eyes are bright, you're not dead." I loved her instantly. She was the one who encouraged me to go to the temple. Brother Garner whose simple counsel of "drive slow and be steady.' </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">President Phillips and his counselors who were key instruments in my beloved mom, poppers and I being sealed. Brother Leavitt who had me promise that I would stay in the "mainstream of the Brethren and I would attend the temple at least once a month." (The closest temple then was Boise.)</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Adam, Eve, Enoch, Elijah, Isaiah, Job, Jeremiah, John the beloved, Paul, Peter, Ammon, Alma, Helaman, Moroni and Nephi are just a few of my favorites I've found in my scripture study. The Prophet Joseph Smith, President Brigham Young, President David O McKay, President Hinkley, President Monson and our current Prophet President Nelson, President Ballard, President Packer, Elder Neal A Maxwell, Elder Haight, President Holland, Elder Uchtdorf, Elder Pinegar, Brother Talmage, Brother Truman S </span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Madsen, Brother Stephen Covey, Brother Nibley and Brother Michael S Wilcox all would be included in my personal hall of fame. But in the center of all these inspirational people who have touched my life would be a picture of my best friend, my Elder brother, my mediator, and greatest ally. My beloved Savior </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">and my greatest inspiration</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> Jesus Christ</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> who in His infinite wisdom placed me in the orbit of some of His greatest teachers.</span></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-876350984641550962024-01-29T21:44:00.000-08:002024-01-29T21:44:29.938-08:00"But We Heeded Them Not"<p> Today I was called in to work for a couple hours this morning. As I was doing my job I observed a couple cashiers whispering and looking at straight at me. My first thought was to go and confront them and ask what their issue was with me being there but as I started to act on that thought the spirit immediately whispered, "Heed them not." So, I took his advice and completed my labors for the day.</p><p>As I was driving home, Lehi's vision of the tree started running through my mind especially the great and spacious building where there was many mocking and pointing. Tonight as I was studying my come follow me and reading the assigned chapter. I found myself studying Nephi's desire to learn the meaning of his father's dream. In my come follow me manual they suggested one read Elder Bednar's conference address "But We Heeded Them Not." I printed out his thoughts but found myself reading Elder L Aldins BYU Address. It truly spoke to me. I hope it speaks to another as it has me and that I may continue to learn to "heed them not."</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #57789e; font-family: var(--ringside-ssm); font-size: 1.2rem; font-style: italic; text-align: center;">"There, tucked away as a tiny comment, was the answer—simple, clear, and enormously effective: “but we heeded them not.” Difficult to do? Yes. Clear to understand? Yes!</span></p><hr class="single-speech__callout-divider" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-width: initial; border-left-color: rgb(128, 165, 208); border-right-color: rgb(128, 165, 208); border-style: solid solid none; border-top-color: rgb(128, 165, 208); box-sizing: content-box; height: 0px; margin-top: 2rem; max-width: 310px; overflow: visible; width: 310px;" /><div class="single-speech__content" style="background-color: white; font-family: var(--source-serif-pro); font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.75; margin-top: 2.5rem; position: relative;"><p>Thank you, President Lee. I am a friend of BYU. I love BYU. Sister Porter and I were here more years ago than I would like to say, other than to tell you that we have grandchildren who are now seeking to enter BYU, so that will give you some impression of how much time has passed. Our love for this institution has never wavered.</p><p>One reason for that came to mind as I sat here watching you arrive today. There is a goodness about you that can be felt as one sits here and looks into your faces and listens to the marvelous music we’ve just heard. I like to return to this campus.</p><p>You can tell a great deal about a community, a nation, or a civilization by noting on whom they shower fame, wealth, and influence. Have you ever thought about that?</p><p>In a letter to John Adams on October 28, 1813, Thomas Jefferson said:</p><p><i>There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents. . . . There is also an artificial aristocracy, founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents. </i>[Adrienne Koch and William Peden, eds., <i>The Life and Selected Writings of Thomas Jefferson </i>(New York: Random House, 1993), p. 579]</p><p>President David O. McKay, speaking in the October general conference of 1949, said there would come a time “when nobility of character [would] be recognized as being greater than intellect” (“The Sunday School Looks Forward,” <i>Improvement Era, </i>December 1949, p. 863). My hope is that even sooner, nobility of character will be recognized as being greater than outstanding athletic or musical or acting ability. Please do not misunderstand. It is to be devoutly wished that you leave here highly skilled in music, business, science, drama, the law, athletics, history, or in whatever your chosen field may be. But, I ask you, what of virtue? I use that term this morning in its broadest meaning, “a moral excellence in all aspects of one’s life.” Consider for a moment: Who is it in your heart of hearts that you honor? Who is permitted a place in that sacred sanctuary that is your personal hall of fame?</p><p>For many years I have engaged in a series of educational experiments. I have asked friends and associates, even casual seat partners on airplanes, “Who is the greatest person you have ever met?” Some have answered quickly, and others have pondered for a considerable time. When they have named someone, I have always followed with another question. “What is there about this person that has caused you to feel this way?”</p><p>As they begin to describe attributes, I have been able to learn much that is important about the person speaking. It has helped me to understand what characteristics the speaker feels deeply about. And, as you can appreciate, these conversations have often led to discussions about the Lord’s plan of happiness.</p><p>It is my suggestion that you try it on yourself some Sunday afternoon when you have uninterrupted time to think and ponder. Just ask yourself what it is about the person you admire most that causes you to admire him or her. As you ponder these qualities, you will learn some things about yourself.</p><p>There is a companion question that should be asked: Who is it that has influenced you the most, but whom you have never met? That broadens the horizon considerably.</p><p>Samuel the Lamanite, in speaking to the Nephites, asked a question: “Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides?” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bofm/hel/13.29" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Helaman 13:29</a>). I wonder how many of us today permit ourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides?</p><p>Is there some way to test the guides in our lives? The answer is obviously yes. There is a test, and it has many names. In the scriptures it is called the plan of happiness, the plan of redemption, the plan of salvation, the great plan of the Eternal God. Each of these names has been taken from the scriptures, and there are at least that many more names in the scriptures, all referring to one plan that exists for the eternal happiness of men and women. Our lives need order, and order requires a plan. The Father of us all has given us one. The plan says, among other things, that there was a premortal existence, <i>and each if us was there. </i>Agency is part of that eternal plan, as is the fall of man and the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.</p><p>The plan tells us that the individual survives the grave and there is a spirit world, a judgment, and a resurrection. There is a concept involving the plan that Alma teaches, which I sincerely wish Sister Porter and I had understood as we left this institution so many years ago. It would have been so much easier to raise our children.</p><p>Those of you who are parents, and all of you who are going to be parents, take note. I read from the words of Alma:</p><p><i>Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness. </i>[<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/12.32" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Alma 12:32</a>]</p><p>Why do I wish we had known it? I suppose in a sense we did, but it would have been helpful if we’d had a better concept. Let me suggest to you that when the day comes that you tell your teenagers they cannot stay out at night as late as they wish with whomsoever they wish, stop and explain the plan of happiness. Tell them that parents must do their duty, and give them commandments after explaining the plan. Teach them that a very important part of the plan is the law of chastity, the violation of which has eternal consequences, including “an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness.” Of course, there is also a law of repentance that is part of the plan of happiness. Help your children understand that the cost of sin is enormous to the offender and to the Savior. Further, it is my deep conviction that there are few, if any, in this group today who totally understand the mortal and eternal consequences of the violation of God’s commands in relation to the law of chastity. It is very difficult because Satan has largely convinced this world that its violation is of no serious consequence.</p><p>Brother Rodney Turner wrote with great insight about our times when he said:</p><p><i>Our moral environment is far more polluted than our physical environment. It seems as though good and evil are being homogenized out of existence by a generation largely led by “foolish and blind guides” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bofm/hel/13.29" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Hel. 13:29</a>). What was once whispered in shame is now electronically shouted from the housetops as the famous and the foolish appear on television to parade their sins, like so many medals, before laughing, applauding audiences. Every aspect of modern communication seems to have been appropriated by Satan to legitimize the everlastingly illegitimate. It is imperative that Latter-day Saints view these times from a gospel perspective and follow the counsel of our prophet by taking warning from the teachings—and the fate—of an earlier generation of Americans, the Nephites. </i>[Rodney Turner, “Morality and Marriage in the Book of Mormon,” <i>The Book of Mormon: Jacob Through Words of Mormon, To Learn with Joy, </i>Papers from the Fourth Annual Book of Mormon Symposium (Provo: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1990), p. 272]</p><p>Should not a warning voice be raised about whom you permit to enter that sacred place in your personal hall of fame? If you desire to cultivate virtue in your life, should you not choose carefully whom you permit in that personal sanctuary? Should they be more than talented in the arts or in athletics or in the professions?</p><p>Tevye in <i>Fiddler on the Roof </i>taught a marvelous principle. You’ll recall he sang a song entitled “If I Were a Rich Man.” He expressed the thought that he would like to be rich so people would come to him for advice. Then Tevye says, “It won’t make one bit of difference if I answer right or wrong. When you’re rich, they think you really know.” It is important to understand that everything said, written, sung, or insinuated by the wealthy or famous is not necessarily so. Surely all of us here are on a quest for virtue in our lives. I ask the question again: Should we not choose carefully whom we will open our hearts and minds to?</p><p>Brother Truman Madsen opened a door of enlightenment as he concluded his excellent work on the life of President B. H. Roberts. You’ll recall the book is entitled <i>Defender of the Faith. </i>In that book, he quoted President Roberts as he described</p><p><i>the quality that linked him [Brigham Young] to God; that added in large measure the strength and wisdom of God to his own strength and wisdom. . . . The man </i>[or woman] <i>who so walks in the light and wisdom and power of God, will at the last, by the very force of association, make the light and wisdom and power of God his own—weaving those bright rays into a chain divine, linking himself forever to God and God to him. . . . Beyond this human greatness cannot achieve. </i>[Truman Madsen, ed., <i>Defender of the Faith: The B. H. Roberts Story </i>(Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980), p. 390]</p><p>Is it not clear that he who walks in the wickedness and depravity of Lucifer, even if only in the mind, also weaves those dark rays into a chain that will bind him? One whose mind is saturated, even intermittently, with wicked or pornographic thoughts will find when he seeks to escape that he has forged a formidable chain indeed.</p><p>We, here on this campus and as members of the Church, hear the prophets speak, and we come away determined to do what we already knew was right, the correctness of which has been brought to our attention one more time by the prophets. This is truly life’s struggle. There are a few who will help us, but there seem to be many who will make light of our efforts and seek to shame us for simply trying to do the right thing.</p><p>There are ways to protect ourselves. Bruce Hafen asked the following question:</p><p><i>Have we really comprehended how the devil operates? Lehi’s vision of the great and spacious building, for example, tells us graphically that the one main weapon used by the wicked is mocking and derision. . . . When you know your opponent’s play book, it’s a lot easier to plan your defense. </i>[Bruce Hafen, “J. Reuben Clark,” <i>BYU Today, </i>September 1988, p. 22]</p><p>President Ezra Taft Benson gave us great insight on Satan’s playbook and on the Savior’s playbook when he told us that “the Book of Mormon was written for us today” (<i>CR, </i>April 1975, p. 94). Referring to the Nephites, he said those people never had the book. “God, who knows the end from the beginning, told him [Mormon] what to [put in the book] that we would need for our day” (ibid .). Each time you read the Book of Mormon, why don’t you say to yourself, “Why did the Lord have Mormon put that particular information in the book?”</p><p>For instance, let’s review part of Lehi’s dream and see if we cannot find where the Lord has given us an answer to one of life’s severe challenges.</p><p><i>And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.</i></p><p><i>And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world. . . .</i></p><p><i>And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.</i></p><p><i>And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit. . . .</i></p><p><i>And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not. </i>[<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.19-20,26-27,33" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">1 Nephi 8:19–20, 26–27, 33</a>]</p><p>There, tucked away as a tiny comment, was the answer—simple, clear, and enormously effective: “but we heeded them not.” Difficult to do? Yes. Clear to understand? Yes!</p><p>Elder James E. Faust, who spoke at this podium a few months ago, said, in referring to Lucifer: “He is really a coward, and if we stand firm, he will retreat” (“<a href="https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/james-e-faust_trying-serve-lord-without-offending-devil/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Trying to Serve the Lord Without Offending the Devil</a>,” <i>BYU 1994–95 Devotional and Fireside Speeches </i>[Provo: Brigham Young University, 1995], p. 64).</p><p>Let us continue with another portion of Lehi’s dream.</p><p><i>And it came to pass that I saw and bear record, that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying: Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb. </i>[<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/11.36" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">1 Nephi 11:36</a>]</p><p>Brother Hafen was right—when we know our enemy’s playbook, we really can plan our defense.</p><p>I ask you to consider with me the response when Lucifer used this very weapon against the boy prophet, who received so much scorn when he simply told the truth about his experience in the Sacred Grove. I quote from the Prophet Joseph:</p><p><i>However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise. . . .</i></p><p><i>So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation. </i>[<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.24-25" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">JS—H 1:24–25</a>]</p><p>Did it bring the Prophet pain? Of course it did. What did he do? He continued with the work of the Restoration. Though the scorn was very painful, he “heeded them not” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.33" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">1 Nephi 8:33</a>).</p><p>Now, I have to point out to you something you know very well. There is fear in each human heart. Satan plays upon our feelings of inadequacy. We are all vulnerable, and when scorn comes, we feel it deeply. Even Moroni shares his concern over this very human malady when he says:</p><p><i>Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and </i>I fear <i>lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.</i></p><p><i>And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek. </i>[<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/12.25-27" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Ether 12:25–27</a>; emphasis added]</p><p>Do the Gentiles—and do some of us who consider ourselves other than Gentiles—mock the words of Moroni? I fear we do, on occasion. I’d ask those faithful missionaries who have stood as witnesses across the earth about the reaction of the world, generally, to the words of Moroni.</p><p>The wicked heap scorn when they have no other weapons to use—and too often the righteous run for cover—especially if the mocker can run fast or jump high or sing well or has high-profile degrees or a great deal of money, even if each or all have nothing to do with the subject at hand.</p><p>For instance, we voted here in Utah some months ago on whether we wanted to permit gambling at our horse-racing events. During that time a well-known actor, and one for whom I have deep respect as an actor, came on the TV screen deriding those of us who were going to let some “church” tell us what to do. He suggested that those who voted against permitting the gambling were simply following Church leaders without thinking. It was not mature of us to let prophets suggest how we should vote, but if we were convinced by the actor’s viewpoint, we were obviously thinking for ourselves.</p><p>I ask you, what are the rewards of standing fast in our own virtue—even against the scorn of the world? They are far more monumental than one might think. Let us share together the experience of Nephi, the son of Helaman and the brother of Lehi. Nephi was suffering depression and discouragement in the building of the kingdom. The Lord spoke to him and said:</p><p><i>Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. </i>And thou hast not feared them, <i>and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.</i></p><p><i>And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.</i></p><p><i>Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. </i>[<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bofm/hel/10.4-6" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Helaman 10:4–6</a>; emphasis added]</p><p>Because Nephi had stood for truth and virtue, without fear of the world, the Lord told him that he would bless him forever, that he would make him mighty in word, deeds, faith, and works. No blessing that came to Nephi will be denied anyone in this dispensation who will give the same devotion, the same commitment, to the Lord and to his work.</p><p>Now what I guess I’m leading up to is this: Among those honorable enough to be in your private hall of fame, let there be the prophets of God, particularly the living prophets of God.</p><p>The Lord has placed prophets in the land. They speak the truth. On whatever subject the prophets choose to speak, LISTEN. Listen with your ears, with your minds, and with your hearts. Do not analyze their mortal preparation to speak upon the subject. That’s not where their strength comes from. It is the power of God coupled with his call to them that qualifies them to speak—on any subject. The united voice of the First Presidency and the Twelve will never, never, never lead us astray.</p><p>What is it that hinders us from absorbing into our very beings the words of the prophets? Could it be that we do not believe them? I think that for most of us here today that is not the problem. Is it that we think they are talking to someone else? Possibly.</p><p>Might it be “I wonder what others will think of me if I follow them?” After all, the prophets are not always politically correct.</p><p>Let us be honest. Is this not often the real problem?</p><p>I was fighting a personal battle one day some years ago trying to be popular with everybody. Did you know that’s dangerous— trying to be popular with everybody? Well, I was doing that. In the midst of my pain, a thought came to me. Its impact really was substantial. The thought was this: “Most people in this world do not care what you think.” Speaking to myself: “They do not care what happens to you. Only YOU will remember this unhappy experience a few months or weeks or days or even hours from now. Furthermore, the people who are respected by you are, by the very nature of things, unpopular with the people who raise the finger of scorn at you.” That was a big day in my life. You might want to ponder that experience. We simply must not be afraid to stand, even if it is quietly, in defense of virtue. We must understand that there really are two forces warring for mankind and that we cannot be in both camps. You cannot be popular with everybody. You can’t have one foot in each camp.</p><p>Follow the prophets as they lead us in God’s plan of happiness! In the process expect the scorn of the world. Decide in advance how you are going to handle it, for it most surely will come. Now, beware of those whom the world loves and showers with fame and fortune. They are often unreliable guides in your quest for virtue.</p><p>It is necessary that each of us individually obtain a witness that God the Father is real and that there is a living Savior. If it takes a little while, be patient—continue to study the scriptures, pray over your desires to know, and be obedient to the commands of God. It will come in the Lord’s time by the power of the Spirit to your spirit; and when it comes, it will come with certainty, sureness, confidence, and peace.</p><p>Now we have to recognize this, that when it does come, with the receipt of that testimony comes the obligation to bear witness to the world of the Lord and his work. Part of the covenant we made in the waters of baptism is that we would “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death” (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/18.9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Mosiah 18:9</a>). From what may be a passive peace in our knowledge of these things, there must eventually come an active witness if we are to be happy.</p><p>Alma spoke those marvelous words that we sing and hear often, and love: “Oh, That I Were An Angel.” Listen carefully to why Alma wanted to be an angel.</p><p><i>O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!</i></p><p><i>Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. </i>[<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/29.1-2" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Alma 29:1–2</a>]</p><p>You see, we don’t proselyte in this Church just to make the Church larger. We proselyte to make the person larger—more whole, more complete, more certain in the knowledge that there are eternal things. We bring the power of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ through the ordinances so that eternal blessings can come and also that “there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.” We err when we count this Church’s progress through numbers only.</p><p>Earlier I referred to the outstanding address given here last November by Elder James E. Faust at this pulpit. I’d like to quote another paragraph. He said:</p><p><i>I wonder how much we offend Satan if the proclamation of our faith is limited only to the great humanitarian work this Church does throughout the world, or to our beautiful buildings, or to this great university, marvelous as these activities are. When we preach the gospel of social justice, no doubt the devil is not troubled. But I believe the devil is terribly offended when we boldly declare by personal testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he saw the Father and the Son; when we preach that the Book of Mormon is another witness for Christ; when we declare that there has been a restoration of the fullness of the gospel in its simplicity and power in order to fulfill the great plan of happiness.</i></p><p><i>We challenge the powers of darkness when we speak of the perfect life of the Savior and of his sublime work for all mankind through the Atonement. </i>[Faust, “Trying to Serve,” p. 63]</p><p>Are we fence straddlers? I suppose it is one’s right to be a fence straddler, but I’d suggest that he then should not assume that he knows very much of the important nature of this work. He or she may have been born in the Church, have attended Primary and seminary and all of the other activities made available to us, yet have remained a fence straddler into adulthood. If one has chosen that course, he at least should have the courage to admit that he’s never joined the fray, has never battled as a witness that there is a God and that his Son is our Savior and the Redeemer of the world. Let him, then, not assume that he can speak with any certainty on the subject of the Sacred Grove and Moroni and the plates of Nephi. Knowledge by itself has never been conviction.</p><p>Now, we are not without support when we throw ourselves into the battle to establish the great plan of the Eternal God in our personal lives. Let me share an example of what I mean. I quote from Brigham Young:</p><p><i>You that have not passed through the trials, and persecutions, and drivings, with this people, from the beginning, but have only read of them, or heard some of them related, may think how awful they were to endure, and wonder that the Saints survived them at all. The thought of it makes your hearts sink within you, your brains reel, and your bodies tremble, and you are ready to exclaim, “I could not have endured it.” I have been in the heat of it, and I never felt better in all my life; I never felt the peace and power of the Almighty more copiously poured upon me than in the keenest part of our trials. They appeared </i>[as] <i>nothing to me. </i>[<i>JD</i> 1:313]</p><p>Well, are the days of sacrifice over? Certainly not. The missionaries who scatter across the earth have left behind school, family, occupations, friends, fiancées and fiancés, scholarships, and more. Are the blessings attached to personal sacrifice over? Most certainly not! Any devoted mother who nurtures her little ones knows something of sacrifice. Any father who struggles to support and to teach his children knows something of sacrifice. Everyone who gives diligent effort in Church service or service to his fellowman experiences the blessings that come from sacrifice. But we must recognize that there is a price, and so often the price is opposition from the world.</p><p>Fourteen days after the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Willard Richards and John Taylor, who were with them in the jail at Carthage at the time of the attack, wrote a letter to the president of the British Mission. It is very applicable to us.</p><p>It is in this period <i>of time that we are permitted </i>to live. <i>It is at the dawning of that day of days in which our heavenly Father is about to usher in that glorious period when times and seasons shall be changed and earth renewed, when after rumors and commotions, turmoils, strife, confusion, blood and slaughter, the sword shall be beaten into ploughshares, and peace and truth triumphantly prevail o’er all the footstool of Jehovah. The day of these events has dawned, although to human view a cloud has o’erspread the horizon.</i> [<i>HC </i>7:172; emphasis added]</p><p>That day is here. That day is now. My beloved young people, place sentinels by the entrance to your personal hall of fame. Let no one be honored there who is not worthy of your highest respect and emulation. I might suggest to you that the highest positions of honor might be given to our Father in Heaven; to his Son, our Savior and Redeemer; then to the prophets, particularly the Prophet Joseph and the living prophets—because they have given and sustained, through worthy lives, the great plan of happiness devised by our Eternal Father. Learn the plan. Live it. Testify of it, and expect the scorn of the world. When you do, you will find the “peace and power of the Almighty more copiously poured” out upon you.</p><p>I bear my personal witness to you that there is a God in Heaven. He is real. He exists. I bear witness that his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, was born in the flesh, that he literally walked forth from the tomb, inhabiting that body which hung upon the cross. I bear testimony to you that they love us and desire for us only happiness, and the process of happiness has been given to us by them in a plan. When we find ourselves in opposition to the plan, we can expect for certainty the tragedy and the sorrow to follow. I bear witness to you that the Lord Jesus Christ lives this very instant and directs his living prophets on the earth today, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."</p><p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-style: italic;">L. Aldin Porter was a member of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 14 February 1995.</span></p></div>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-82425105243156451912023-12-31T14:24:00.000-08:002023-12-31T14:24:48.674-08:00Invitations from 2023<p> Here we are looking at a New Year. For many 2023 was a trying and difficult year and they are hoping 2024 is better. For me it was another year of growing and amazing changes which will help me become a better disciple of my Lord and Savior. I admit I had days where I stomped my feet and threw my childish tantrums. But I can honestly admit 2023 was an amazing year with amazing experiences that I shall never forget. It also brought me new friends and took away old friends who had wonderful doors open up to them but I still continue to have my true friends who have stood beside me for many years and many years to come.</p><p>Since becoming our churches 17th Prophet and Leader President Nelson has issued many invitations that sunk deeply into my soul and ignited my passion to become a better disciple of my friend and mentor Jesus the Christ. Oh, how I love Him!!</p><p>As I have been reflecting on the ending year and the New upcoming year, I know one thing that has not changed: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives, He is my trusted Mentor and Friend..." and He is going to continue to guide me into wonderful new opportunities in 2024.</p><p>My hope is that those who read the inspired invitations from our beloved Prophet that they will find some that will sink deep within their hearts and they too in the coming year can become better disciples of our Lord and Savior.</p><p>Happy New Year my friends know that you are loved and great things are in store for you when you learn and come to know that <b>YOU </b>are a beloved son and daughter of an Eternal Heavenly Father that loves you unconditionally and has great blessings in store just for <b>You</b>!</p><p><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Invitations
President Nelson has given since he became President of the Church</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">To those confronting a dilemma, facing temptation,
recovering from an injury or losing someone to death prematurely, <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2018/1/16/23213417/getting-to-know-president-russell-m-nelson-of-the-first-presidency" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">President Russell M. Nelson</span></a> of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day offered two words of counsel: “<a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/10/1/23898738/president-russell-nelson-october-2023-general-conference-think-celestial-temples" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Think celestial</span></a>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In his <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/51nelson?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">October 2023 general conference talk</span></a>, <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/9/28/23894580/after-recent-fall-president-russell-m-nelson-to-participate-in-general-conference-remotely" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">given remotely</span></a>, President
Nelson invited all to have an eternal perspective and “take the long view” when
making choices.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“Put Jesus Christ first because your eternal life is
dependent upon your faith in Him and in His Atonement,” he taught. “It is also
dependent upon your obedience to His laws. Obedience paves the way for a joyful
life for you today and a grand, eternal reward tomorrow.</span><span style="color: #969696; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Throughout his ministry as <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/1/13/23553841/president-russell-m-nelsons-5-year-ministry-as-church-president" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">17th President of the Church</span></a>,
President Nelson has used general conference, social media and other means to
extend invitations to Latter-day Saints worldwide — invitations to act in faith
and come closer to Jesus Christ. Here is a look at some of his other
invitations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">‘Stay on the covenant path:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">n a <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/church/news/2018/01/19/2018-01-1000-a-message-from-the-first-presidency.pdf?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">January 2018 press conference</span></a> following
his ordination as President of the Church, President Nelson said: “Now, to each
member of the Church I say: Keep on the covenant path. Your commitment to
follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants
will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men,
women and children everywhere.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Whether one is moving along the covenant path, has slipped
from the path or can’t see the path from where they are, President Nelson <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/36nelson?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">said to priesthood holders</span></a> during
the <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2019/4/6/23214948/watch-april-2019-general-conference-see-all-the-talk-summaries-and-photo-galleries" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">April 2019 general conference</span></a>:
“I plead with you to repent. Experience the strengthening power of daily
repentance </span><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">— of doing and being a little better each day.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Increase spiritual
capacity, ‘hear Him’:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">During
his first general conference as the Prophet, President Nelson urged Latter-day
Saints to <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">increase their spiritual capacity</span></a> to
receive revelation. “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive
spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence
of the Holy Ghost,” he warned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In light of the <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2018/10/6/23221299/president-nelson-announces-a-new-balance-between-gospel-instruction-in-the-home-and-in-the-church" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">home-centered, Church-supported
curriculum</span></a> emphasized during <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2018/10/6/23221302/watch-live-188th-semiannual-general-conference-talk-summaries-and-photo-galleries" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">October 2018 general conference</span></a>,
President Nelson <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/becoming-exemplary-latter-day-saints?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">invited individuals and families to
remodel their homes</span></a> into “a sanctuary of faith” and “center of
gospel learning.” He promised that changes would be “dramatic and sustaining.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">To help women increase their spiritual capacity, President
Nelson invited them during the <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/36nelson?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">October 2019 general conference</span></a> to
prayerfully study <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/25?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Doctrine and Covenants 25</span></a> and
“all the truths you can find about priesthood power.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">President Nelson extended an invitation in a <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-02-26/president-nelson-restoration-invitation-2020-hearhim-joseph-smith-first-vision-bicentennial-175302" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">February 2020 social media post</span></a> tied
to the 200th anniversary of the First Vision. He explained that Heavenly Father
personally introduced His Son, Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith, with a specific
charge to “hear Him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“I invite you to think deeply and often about this key
question: How do you hear Him?” President Nelson wrote. President Nelson spoke
more about this invitation during <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/45nelson?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">April 2020 general conference</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Gather Israel and ‘let God
prevail:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The
gathering of Israel is “the most important thing taking place on earth today,”
President Nelson told youth during a <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2018/06/hope-of-israel?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">worldwide devotional in June 2018</span></a>,
inviting them to enlist in the Lord’s youth battalion to gather Israel. “This
gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were
sent to earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">He encouraged the youth to read daily from the Book of
Mormon, and he offered <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2018-06-03/president-nelson-invites-youth-to-enlist-in-the-lords-battalion-by-doing-5-specific-things-10988" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">five invitations</span></a> he
promised “will change you and help change the world”:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Hold a <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2018-07-03/how-following-the-prophets-challenge-to-take-a-break-from-fake-blessed-more-than-the-youth-10316" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">seven-day fast from social media</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Make a weekly sacrifice of time to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Stay on the covenant path. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Pray daily that all of God’s children might receive gospel
blessings. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Stand out and be a light.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">During his address in the <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2018/10/6/23221302/watch-live-188th-semiannual-general-conference-talk-summaries-and-photo-galleries" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">general women’s session</span></a> of
October 2018 general conference, President Nelson <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/sisters-participation-in-the-gathering-of-israel?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">extended “a prophetic plea”</span></a> to
the women of the Church to participate in the gathering of Israel. He invited
the women to hold a 10-day fast from social media, read the Book of Mormon
before the end of the year, attend the temple regularly and participate fully
in Relief Society. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">One of the Hebraic meanings of the word “Israel” is “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/46nelson?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">let God prevail</span></a>,”
President Nelson taught during <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2020/10/3/23217163/october-lds-general-conference-2020-talk-summaries-photos" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">October 2020 general conference</span></a>.
He asked Church members across the globe: “Are you willing to let God prevail
in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in
your life?” He encouraged members as they study their scriptures to <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2021/3/25/23216687/blessings-to-covenant-israel-president-nelson-invitation" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">make a list of God’s blessings to
covenant Israel</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Build bridges of
understanding:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Amid
protests, riots and violence across the United States in late May and early
June 2020, President Nelson posted a statement on social media <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2020/6/1/23265006/president-nelson-addresses-race-in-social-media-post" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">condemning racism and pleading for
peace</span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We need to work
tirelessly to build bridges of understanding rather than creating walls of
segregation,” President Nelson wrote. “I plead with us to work together for
peace, for mutual respect and for an outpouring of love for all of God’s
children.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In a <a href="https://medium.com/@Ch_JesusChrist/locking-arms-for-racial-harmony-in-america-2f62180abf37" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">joint op-ed column</span></a> published
June 8, 2020, President Nelson and senior leaders of the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2020/6/8/23216331/president-nelson-naacp-leaders-racial-reform-solutions-open-hearts-medium-op-ed" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">called for racial reform</span></a>,
asking “people everywhere to join us in a journey of understanding and
overcoming.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“We invite all to pray to God that the people of this land
will heed the divine call to abandon attitudes of prejudice against any group
of God’s children,” wrote the leaders. “We also invite people of goodwill
everywhere to look for ways to reach out and serve someone of a different
background or race. Everyone can do something.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">A few months later, in <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2020/10/3/23217163/october-lds-general-conference-2020-talk-summaries-photos" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">October 2020 general conference</span></a>,
President Nelson called upon Latter-day Saints to lead out in <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-10-04/general-conference-october-2020-sunday-morning-session-president-nelson-race-prejudice-equality-194725" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">abandoning attitudes and actions of
prejudice</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">#GiveThanks:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">To bring hope and
healing during a time of global instability and uncertainty, President Nelson
prescribed a “fast-acting and long-lasting” spiritual remedy in <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2020/11/20/23217541/president-nelson-special-message-gratitude-spiritual-remedy-healing-hope-covid-19" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">a worldwide video message on Nov. 20,
2020</span></a>. He extended two invitations related to the “healing power of
gratitude.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“First, I invite you — just for the next seven days — to
turn social media into your own personal gratitude journal. Post every day
about what you are grateful for, who you are grateful for and why you are
grateful,” he said, inviting all to use the hashtag #GiveThanks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“Second, let us unite in thanking God through daily prayer.
Jesus Christ taught His disciples to pray by first expressing gratitude to God,
and then petitioning Him for the things we need. Prayer brings forth miracles.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Faith in Jesus Christ <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/49nelson?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">is the greatest power available in
this life</span></a>, said President Nelson during the <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2021/3/26/23216997/lds-general-conference-april-2021-watch" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">April 2021 general conference</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“My dear brothers and sisters, my call to you this Easter
morning is to start today to increase your faith,” he declared. “Through your
faith, Jesus Christ will increase your ability to move the mountains in your
life, even though your personal challenges may loom as large as Mount Everest.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">President Nelson offered five suggestions to help
Latter-day Saints <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-04-04/april-2021-general-conference-president-nelson-faith-209571" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">develop that faith and trust</span></a>:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Study. Become an engaged learner.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Choose to believe in Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Act in faith.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Partake of sacred ordinances worthily.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Ask Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for help.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Strengthen spiritual
foundation:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">When
the major <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2019-12-04/salt-lake-temple-renovation-construction-renderings-168998" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">renovation to the Salt Lake Temple</span></a> is
complete, there will be no safer place during an earthquake in the Salt Lake
Valley than inside that temple, said President Nelson during <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2021/9/28/23217159/lds-general-conference-october-2021-talks-photos" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">October 2021 general conference</span></a>.
He called on Latter-day Saints to implement “extraordinary measures” to <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/47nelson?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">strengthen their personal spiritual
foundations</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and
pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built
upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">On Jan 1, 2022, as many were setting aside time to write
down resolutions for the coming year, President Nelson <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/1/1/23265689/president-russell-m-nelson-suggests-3-resolutions-in-his-first-message-of-2022" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">shared three suggestions</span></a> in
a social media post:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Resolve to strengthen your spiritual foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Resolve to be kind to others. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Resolve to be resolute. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“The Lord loves effort,” he wrote. “The Lord loves
consistency. The Lord loves steadfastness. While we surely will come up short
from time to time, our persistent efforts to hear Him and follow the
inspiration He gives us will help us to ‘wax strong in the Spirit’ (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/18?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Mosiah 18:26</span></a>).”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Maintain spiritual
momentum:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">To
counteract the speed with which evil is intensifying, <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/47nelson?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">positive spiritual momentum</span></a> is
needed now more than ever, President Nelson said during <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2022-04-01/lds-general-conference-april-2022-talks-photos-summaries-248216" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">April 2022 general conference</span></a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Echoing previous invitations he had extended,
President Nelson suggested five specific actions that can help maintain
positive spiritual momentum:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Get on the covenant path and stay there. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Experience the joy of repenting daily. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Learn about God and how He works. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Seek and expect miracles. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Strive to end conflict in your life.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“As you act on these pursuits,” President Nelson said, “I
promise you the ability to move forward on the covenant path with increased
momentum, despite whatever obstacles you face. And I promise you greater
strength to resist temptation, more peace of mind, freedom from fear, and
greater unity in your families.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Focus on eternal
identifiers, ‘take charge’ of testimony:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In a <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2022/05/12nelson?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">worldwide devotional in May 2022</span></a>,
President Nelson taught young adults <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/5/15/23218165/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults-president-nelson-sister-nelson" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">three fundamental truths</span></a> that
will help them make righteous choices for eternity. He told them that first and
foremost, “you are a child of God, a child of the covenant and a disciple of
Jesus Christ. …<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“I plead with you not to replace these three paramount and
unchanging identifiers with any others, because doing so could stymie your
progress or pigeonhole you in a stereotype that could potentially thwart your
eternal progression.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">He emphasized that each individual must work out their own
conversion and extended an invitation that <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/10/23299787/president-nelson-invites-people-to-share-how-they-are-taking-charge-of-testimonies-youth-devotional" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">he later reiterated on social media</span></a>:
“I plead with you to take charge of your testimony. Work for it. Own it. Care
for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Feed it truth. Don’t pollute it with
the false philosophies of unbelieving men and women and then wonder why your
testimony is waning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“Engage in daily, earnest, humble prayer,” President Nelson
continued. “Nourish yourself in the words of ancient and modern prophets. Ask
the Lord to teach you how to hear Him better. Spend more time in the temple and
in family history work. As you make your testimony your highest priority, watch
for miracles to happen in your life.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Focus on the temple and
find rest:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">At the
close of <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/general-conference/2022/9/27/23375377/general-conference-october-2022-talk-summaries-session-highlights-announcements" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">October 2022 general conference</span></a>,
President Nelson invited Church members around the globe to “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/58nelson?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">focus on the temple</span></a> in
ways you never have before.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Spending more time in the temple, he said earlier in the
conference, is one way to <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/47nelson?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">find rest</span></a> — or peace
— from the challenges of today’s world. “My plea to you this morning is to find
rest from the intensity, uncertainty and anguish of this world by overcoming
the world through your covenants with God,” President Nelson said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">President Nelson reiterated <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/5/15/23218165/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults-president-nelson-sister-nelson" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">an invitation he extended to young
adults</span></a> “to take charge of your own testimony of Jesus Christ
and His gospel. He called upon Latter-day Saints everywhere to “become [a]
righteous people.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Patience, persistence and
prayer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In his
first official communication of 2023, President Nelson shared <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/1/1/23522699/president-russell-m-nelson-deep-sea-fishing-resolutions-2023-new-years-social-media-post" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">three lessons he has learned as a
deep sea fisherman</span></a> to help others in the coming year:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Be patient.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Be persistent.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: normal; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Be prayerful.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“Call upon God for the strength you need as you labor
diligently to become a better version of yourself — a better disciple of Jesus
Christ, a brighter light in the world,” he wrote in a social media post on Jan.
1.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Be a peacemaker<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">How individuals treat
one another at home, at church, at work and online really matters, President
Nelson said during <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2023/3/29/23661083/general-conference-april-2023-talk-summaries-session-highlights-news-announcements" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">April 2023 general conference</span></a>.
“Today, I am asking us to interact with others in a higher, holier way. … <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have
your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/general-conference/2023/4/2/23666994/what-did-president-nelson-teach-april-2023-general-conference-peacemakers" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">be a peacemaker</span></a>, now and
always.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Latter-day Saints can change the world one person and one
interaction at a time. “How? By modeling how to manage honest differences of
opinion with mutual respect and dignified dialogue,” President Nelson said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-87360338226227358852023-12-24T15:41:00.000-08:002023-12-24T15:41:07.113-08:00'Twas the Night Before Christmas (A Visit) Full Poem<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the
house</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,<br />
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The children were nestled all snug in their beds,<br />
while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,<br />
had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,<br />
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Away to the window I flew like a flash,<br />
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow<br />
gave the lustre of midday to objects below,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,<br />
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">With a little old driver, so lively and quick,<br />
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,<br />
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:<br />
"Now Dasher! Now Dancer!<br />
Now, Prancer and Vixen!<br />
On, Comet! On, Cupid!<br />
On, Donner and Blitzen!<br />
To the top of the porch!<br />
To the top of the wall!<br />
Now dash away! Dash away!<br />
Dash away all!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,<br />
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky<br />
so up to the house-top the coursers they flew,<br />
with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof<br />
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">As I drew in my head and was turning around,<br />
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,<br />
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,<br />
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">His eyes--how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!<br />
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,<br />
and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,<br />
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">He had a broad face and a little round belly,<br />
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,<br />
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">A wink of his eye and a twist of his head<br />
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,<br />
and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And laying his finger aside of his nose,<br />
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,<br />
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,<br />
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-41731493180962838492023-12-03T13:52:00.000-08:002023-12-03T13:52:32.024-08:00Our Many Gifts<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Over the last few weeks I have found myself reflecting upon "gifts." Christmas is the time of year where there is an abundance of gift giving; but my mind has been more upon Heavenly Gifts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I came across a conference address given April 2018 by President Ballard entitled: "<b><i>Precious Gifts from God."</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this address he mentions several gifts, "<b>The Gift of the Sabbath</b>, <b>the sacrament</b>, <b>service to others</b> and <b>the matchless gift from God our Savior and His infinite Atonement</b>." President Ballard stated, "<b>The Lord Jesus Christ is our most precious of all gifts from God...He is the righteous Judge, our Faithful Advocate, our blessed Redeemer, the Good Shepherd, the Promised Messiah, a true friend, and much much more. He is indeed a very precious gift from our Fathe</b>r." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">President Monson in April 93 Conference address listed four gifts:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: inherit;">" </span><b>First, </b></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>t</b></span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>he gift of birth</b></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: inherit; text-align: left;"> It has been universally bestowed on each of us. Ours was the divine privil</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">ege to depart our heavenly home to tabernacle in the flesh and to demonstrate by our lives our worthiness and qualifications to one day return to Him, precious loved ones, and a kingdom called </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">celestial.</em><span style="background-color: white; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> Our mothers and our fathers bestowed this marvelous gift on us. Ours is the responsibility to show our gratitude by the actions of our lives.</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: center;"> </span></span></p><p data-aid="28789839" id="p21" style="--height: 259.79168701171875px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Second</b>, <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the gift of peace.</span> In the raucous world in which we live, the din of traffic, the blaring commercials of the media, and the sheer demands placed on our time—to say nothing of the problems of the world—cause headache, inflict pain, and sap our strength to cope. The burden of sickness or the grief of mourning a loved one departed brings us to our knees seeking heavenly help. With the ancients we may wonder, “Is there no balm in Gilead?”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note5" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng#note5" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">5</sup></a> There is a certain sadness, even hopelessness, in the verse:</span></p><div class="poetry" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.778em; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="stanza" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.889em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="line" data-aid="28789840" id="p22" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is never a life without sadness,</span></em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789841" id="p23" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is never a heart free from pain;</span></em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789842" id="p24" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If one seeks in this world for true solace,</span></em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789843" id="p25" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">He seeks it forever in vain.</em><a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note6" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng#note6" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">6</sup></a></span></p></div></div><p data-aid="28789844" id="p26" style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He who was burdened with sorrow and acquainted with grief speaks to every troubled heart and bestows the gift of peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be <span class="page-break" data-page="61" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>troubled, neither let it be afraid.”</span></p><p data-aid="28789851" id="p33" style="--height: 144.625px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Third, </b><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the gift of love.</span> “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” queried the lawyer who spoke to Jesus. Came the prompt reply: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.</span></p><p data-aid="28789852" id="p34" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“This is the first and great commandment.</span></p><p data-aid="28789853" id="p35" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note11" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng#note11" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">11</sup></a></span></p><p data-aid="28789854" id="p36" style="--height: 230.33334350585938px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On another occasion, the Lord taught, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note12" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng#note12" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">12</sup></a> The scriptures are filled with the importance of love and its relevance in our lives. The Book of Mormon teaches that charity is the pure love of Christ.<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note13" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng#note13" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">13</sup></a> The Master Himself provided an ideal pattern for us to follow. Of Him it was said that He “went about doing good … ; for God was with him.”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note14" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng#note14" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">14</sup></a></span></p><p data-aid="28789855" id="p37" style="--height: 58.25px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A few lines from the favorite musical <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Sound of Music</em> suggest a course of action all might well follow:</span></p><div class="poetry" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.778em; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="stanza" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.889em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="line" data-aid="28789856" id="p38" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A bell is no bell till you ring it,</span></em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789857" id="p39" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A song is no song till you sing it,</span></em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789858" id="p40" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay—</span></em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789859" id="p41" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Love isn’t love till you give it away.</em><a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note15" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng#note15" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">15</sup></a></span></p></div></div><p data-aid="28789860" id="p42" style="--height: 172.75px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A segment of our society desperately yearning for an expression of true love is found among those growing older, and particularly when they suffer from pangs of loneliness. The chill wind of dying <span class="page-break" data-page="62" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>hopes and vanished dreams whistles through the ranks of the elderly and those who approach the declining side of the summit of life.</span></p><p data-aid="28789861" id="p43" style="--height: 172.75px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“What they need in the loneliness of their older years is, in part at least, what we needed in the uncertain years of our youth: a sense of belonging, an assurance of being wanted, and the kindly ministrations of loving hearts and hands; not merely dutiful formality, not merely a room in a building, but room in someone’s heart and life. …</span></p><p data-aid="28789862" id="p44" style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“We cannot bring them back the morning hours of youth. But we can help them live in the warm glow of a sunset made more beautiful by our thoughtfulness, by our provision, and by our active and unfeigned love.”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note16" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng#note16" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">16</sup></a> So wrote Elder Richard L. Evans some years ago.</span></p><p data-aid="28789863" id="p45" style="--height: 86.375px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At times an awareness of the elderly is brought into focus by a reminder from one ever so young. May I share with you a Pakistani folktale which illustrates this truth:</span></p><p data-aid="28789864" id="p46" style="--height: 287.91668701171875px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An ancient grandmother lived with her daughter and grandson. As she grew frail and feeble, instead of being a help around the house, she became a constant trial. She broke plates and cups, lost knives, spilled water. One day, exasperated because the old woman had broken another precious plate, the daughter sent the grandson to buy his grandmother a wooden plate. The boy hesitated because he knew a wooden plate would humiliate his grandmother. But his mother insisted, so off he went. He returned bringing not one, but two wooden plates.</span></p><p data-aid="28789865" id="p47" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I only asked you to buy one,” his mother said. “Didn’t you hear me?”</span></p><p data-aid="28789866" id="p48" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Yes,” said the boy. “But I bought the second one so there would be one for you when you get old.”</span></p><p data-aid="28789867" id="p49" style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Frequently we are inclined to wait a lifetime to express love for the kindness or help given by another even long years before. Perhaps just such an experience prompted George Herbert to say, “Thou that hast given so much to [me], give one thing more: a grateful heart.”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note17" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng#note17" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">17</sup></a></span></p><p data-aid="28789868" id="p50" style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The story is told of a group of men who were talking about people who had influenced their lives and to whom they were grateful. One man thought of a high-school teacher who had introduced him to Tennyson. He decided to write and thank her.</span></p><p data-aid="28789869" id="p51" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In time, written in a feeble scrawl, came this letter:</span></p><p data-aid="28789870" id="p52" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“My Dear Willie:</span></p><p data-aid="28789871" id="p53" style="--height: 201.5416717529297px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I can’t tell you how much your note meant to me. I am in my 80s, living alone in a small room, cooking my own meals, lonely and like the last leaf lingering behind. You will be interested to know that I taught school for fifty years, and yours is the first note of appreciation I have ever received. It came on a blue, cold morning, and it cheered me as nothing has for years.”</span></p><p data-aid="28789872" id="p54" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I read this account, I thought of the treasured line, “The Lord has two homes: heaven and a grateful heart.”</span></p><p data-aid="28789873" id="p55" style="--height: 86.375px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Much more could be said pertaining to the gift of love. However, a favorite verse sums up rather well this precious gift:</span></p><div class="poetry" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.778em; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="stanza" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.889em; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="line" data-aid="28789874" id="p56" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have wept in the night</span></em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789875" id="p57" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the shortness of sight</span></em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789876" id="p58" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That to somebody’s need made me blind;</span></em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789877" id="p59" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But I never have yet</span></em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789878" id="p60" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Felt a tinge of regret</span></em></p><p class="line" data-aid="28789879" id="p61" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For being a little too kind.</em><a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note18" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng#note18" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">18</sup></a></span></p></div></div><p data-aid="28789880" id="p62" style="--height: 259.79168701171875px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Fourth</b>, <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the gift of life</span>—even immortality. Our Heavenly Father’s plan contains the ultimate expressions of true love. All that we hold dear, even our families, our friends, our joy, our knowledge, our testimonies, would vanish were it not for our Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Among the most cherished thoughts and writings in this world is the divine statement of truth: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note19" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng#note19" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">19</sup></a></span></p><p data-aid="28789881" id="p63" style="--height: 287.91668701171875px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This precious Son, our Lord and Savior, atoned for our sins and the sins of all. That memorable night in Gethsemane His suffering was so great, His anguish so consuming that He pleaded, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from <span class="page-break" data-page="63" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note20" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng#note20" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">20</sup></a> Later, on the cruel cross, He died that we might live, and live everlastingly. Resurrection morning was preceded by pain, by suffering in accordance with the divine plan of God. Before Easter there had to be a cross. The world has witnessed no greater gift, nor has it known more lasting love."</span></p><p data-aid="28789881" id="p63" style="--height: 287.91668701171875px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">President Monson closed this address with a quote from</span><span style="font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">President Harold B. Lee: “Life is God’s gift to man. What we do with our life is our gift to God.”</span></p><div style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> President Uchtdorf in his April 2015 conference address shared, "<b>The <i>Gift of Grace."</i></b> "<span style="font-family: inherit;">A powerful expression of that love is what the scriptures often call the <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">grace of God—</em>the divine assistance and endowment of strength by which we grow from the flawed and limited beings we are now into exalted beings of “truth and light, until [we are] glorified in truth and [know] all things.”</span></div><div style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elder Ashton in his October 1987 conference address </span>entitled,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> "</span><b><i>There</i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i> are Many Gifts</i></b>" listed five beautiful gifts:</span></div><div style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><b>"The Gift to Ponder</b></span></div><div style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="28774591" id="p10" style="--height: 116.5px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I study the scriptures, I am challenged and moved by the word <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ponder</em> used so frequently in the Book of Mormon. Dictionaries say that <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ponder</em> means to weigh mentally, think deeply about, deliberate, meditate.</span></p><p data-aid="28774592" id="p11" style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Jesus Christ came to teach the Nephites, he said, “Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/17.3?lang=eng#p3" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 Ne. 17:3</a>).</span></p><p data-aid="28774593" id="p12" style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moroni used this term as he closed his record. “Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, … ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, … and ponder it in your hearts” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/moro/10.3?lang=eng#p3" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Moro. 10:3</a>).</span></p><p data-aid="28774594" id="p13" style="--height: 172.75px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By pondering, we give the Spirit an opportunity to impress and direct. Pondering is a powerful link between the heart and the mind. As we read the scriptures, our hearts and minds are touched. If we use the gift to ponder, we can take these eternal truths and realize how we can incorporate them into our daily actions...</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Pondering is a progressive mental pursuit. It is a great gift to those who have learned to use it. We find understanding, insight, and practical application if we will use the gift of pondering.</span></p><p data-aid="28774594" id="p13" style="--height: 172.75px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: inherit;">2. </span><b>The Gift to Look to God for Direction</b></span></p></section><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="28774598" id="p16" style="--height: 86.375px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How often have we ourselves said or have heard others exclaim in <span class="page-break" data-page="21" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>times of crisis or trouble, “I just don’t know where to turn”?</span></p><p data-aid="28774599" id="p17" style="--height: 86.375px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If we will just use it, there is a gift available to all of us—the gift of looking to God for direction. Here is an avenue of strength, comfort, and guidance.</span></p><p data-aid="28774600" id="p18" style="--height: 86.375px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/15.9?lang=eng#p9" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 Ne. 15:9</a>).</span></p><p data-aid="28774601" id="p19" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Look to God and live.” This is the wonderful promise given so often in the scriptures.</span></p><p data-aid="28774602" id="p20" style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If we look to God for guidance, what do we look for in his children that we may be profited thereby? Some of us seem to prefer the practice of looking for and pointing out the weaknesses of our associates. The gifts others have, not their failings, make it possible for all to profit thereby.</span></p><p data-aid="28774603" id="p21" style="--height: 230.33334350585938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What a spiritual comfort and blessing it is to know that, if we look to our Savior Jesus Christ and endure to the end, eternal life and exaltation can be ours. Our capacity to see and comprehend is increased only in proportion to our willingness to look. God becomes more approachable as we look to him. Looking to God teaches us to serve and live without compulsion. Being a leader in the Church should never diminish our “looking to God” time.</span></p><p data-aid="28774603" id="p21" style="--height: 230.33334350585938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: inherit;">3. </span><b>The Gift to Hear and Use the Small Voice</b></span></p></section><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="28774605" id="p22" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Still, small heavenly voices penetrate the heart with their gentle, convincing declarations:</span></p><p data-aid="28774606" id="p23" style="--height: 259.125px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11.3?lang=eng#p3" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 Ne. 11:3</a>).</span></p><p data-aid="28774607" id="p24" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most often, hope, encouragement, and direction come from a soft, piercing voice.</span></p><p data-aid="28774608" id="p25" style="--height: 201.5416717529297px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Small voices are heard only by those who are willing to listen. Soft and small voice communications with our associates make priceless friendships possible. I am appreciative of people who find no need to raise their voices as they try to impress or convince. It seems most people who argue and shout have ceased listening to what the small voice could powerfully contribute.</span></p><p data-aid="28774609" id="p26" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We love the small voice of a child saying, “Mommy, Daddy, I love you.”</span></p><p data-aid="28774610" id="p27" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How powerful is a small voice that knows how and when to say, “Thank you.”</span></p><p data-aid="28774611" id="p28" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Think of the heavenly voice saying, Joseph, this is my beloved son. Hear him (see <a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.17?lang=eng#p17" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">JS—H 1:17</a>).</span></p><p data-aid="28774612" id="p29" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is heartwarming and reassuring to hear the small voice declare, “Be still and know” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/101.16?lang=eng#p16" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 101:16</a>).</span></p><p data-aid="28774613" id="p30" style="--height: 86.375px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember that one of our greatest gifts is the small voice of the Holy Ghost whispering directions in our lives and making mighty testimonies possible.</span></p><p data-aid="28774613" id="p30" style="--height: 86.375px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: inherit;">4. </span><b>The Gift to Calm</b></span></p></section><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="28774615" id="p31" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What a majestic gift it is to be able to calm others! We thank God for those who are calm instead of contentious.</span></p><p data-aid="28774616" id="p32" style="--height: 115.16667175292969px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he <span class="page-break" data-page="22" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11.29?lang=eng#p29" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 Ne. 11:29</a>).</span></p><p data-aid="28774617" id="p33" style="--height: 86.375px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Contention is a tool of the adversary. Peace is a tool of our Savior. What a wonderful tribute we pay people when we describe them as being gentle, firm, and calm!</span></p><p data-aid="28774618" id="p34" style="--height: 28.791667938232422px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Contention stops progress. Love brings eternal progression.</span></p><p data-aid="28774619" id="p35" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Where contention prevails, there can be no united effort in any purposeful direction.</span></p><p data-aid="28774620" id="p36" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Cease to contend one with another; cease to speak evil one of another” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/136.23?lang=eng#p23" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 136:23</a>).</span></p><p data-aid="28774621" id="p37" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Argument and debate must be supplanted by calm discussion, study, listening, and negotiation.</span></p><p data-aid="28774622" id="p38" style="--height: 86.375px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The gospel is one of harmony, unity, and agreement. It must be presented in love, and with glad tidings, by those who are calm.</span></p><p data-aid="28774623" id="p39" style="--height: 115.16667175292969px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We should learn to talk together, listen together, pray together, decide together, and avoid all forms of possible contention. We must learn to curb anger. Satan knows that when contention begins, orderly progress is thwarted.</span></p><p data-aid="28774624" id="p40" style="--height: 172.75px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There has never been a time when it is more important for us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to take a stand, remain firm in our convictions, and conduct ourselves with calm assurance under all circumstances. We must not be manipulated or enraged by those who subtly foster contention over issues of the day.</span></p><p data-aid="28774625" id="p41" style="--height: 86.375px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11.30?lang=eng#p30" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 Ne. 11:30</a>).</span></p><p data-aid="28774626" id="p42" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Ye should live in peace one with another” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/2.20?lang=eng#p20" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mosiah 2:20</a>). Those with the gift of being calm make lasting peace possible.</span></p><p data-aid="28774626" id="p42" style="--height: 57.583335876464844px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: inherit;">5. </span><b>The Gift to Care</b></span></p></section><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="28774628" id="p43" style="--height: 172.75px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How grateful we should be for families, friends, and organizations who care! They make life easier and more meaningful. They, too, reap rewards in their Christlike caring when they serve for the right reasons. Leaders on every level should be primarily interested in rendering compassionate caring for others.</span></p><p data-aid="28774629" id="p44" style="--height: 115.16667175292969px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/2.17?lang=eng#p17" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mosiah 2:17</a>).</span></p><p data-aid="28774630" id="p45" style="--height: 115.16667175292969px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our Savior cares for all of his sheep. What a tribute it is to be recognized as one who cares. Let me share with you a story about the quiet caring of an unusual person who was brought to my attention during the last few weeks.</span></p><p data-aid="28774631" id="p46" style="--height: 172.75px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recently, during a twenty-fifth anniversary ward reunion in the Salt Lake Valley, a “Best Scouter Ever” award was presented. The special evening in the cultural hall, which included dinner as well as a fine program, drew many people back to the ward event because of the good feelings created over the past twenty-five years.</span></p><p data-aid="28774632" id="p47" style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The person acting as master of ceremonies introduced a young man to make this special award. He looked to be about six feet four inches tall and well over two hundred pounds. He walked to the microphone and said, “We would now like to pay tribute to the best Scouter this ward has ever had.”</span></p><p data-aid="28774633" id="p48" style="--height: 115.16667175292969px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Immediately names and faces of past Scout leaders jumped into the minds of those attending. Who would it be? There had been many great Scoutmasters in this ward. How could those in charge decide?</span></p><p data-aid="28774634" id="p49" style="--height: 374.29168701171875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The tall, handsome young man mentioned many names of past Scout leaders and then said, “No, it is none of these, though they have all been great Scouters. Our ward ‘Best Scouter Ever’ award goes to someone who has worked in the Primary and as a Scout leader teaching boys for forty years. This individual has received the Silver Beaver Award, one of the highest awards given in Scouting, and the Silver Beehive Award, the highest award given by <span class="page-break" data-page="23" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>the Church in Scouting.” Then with a voice that trembled slightly, he said, “Our ‘Best Scouter Ever’ recognition goes to Sister Jennie Verl Keefer.” There came a hush over the audience, then knowing voices of approval, then a burst of applause that seemed to go on forever.</span></p><p data-aid="28774635" id="p50" style="--height: 287.91668701171875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sister Keefer was called up to the front. All present intently watched her quietly make her way. From the back of the room, this gray-haired bundle of energy hesitatingly came forward, her five-foot frame barely taller than those who were seated. Once at the microphone, the surprised recipient expressed a quiet and emotional, yet firm, thanks. She said between tears of gratitude it wasn’t quite forty years she had served. It was only thirty-seven years. And then Sister Keefer proudly added that during all her time of service, she had never had a bad boy.</span></p><p data-aid="28774636" id="p51" style="--height: 374.29168701171875px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then the presenter asked all those whom Sister Keefer had ever taught and cared for to come to the stage. Here was the amazing thing. Men and boys started from the audience and filled the space behind this tiny woman. Big men, men in suits, doctors, bishops, presidents of companies, husbands, fathers holding babies, returned missionaries, contractors, computer workers, dentists, carpenters, and more. All these Scouts had been boys touched by the service and caring of this one noble and great woman—the best Scouter ever in the ward’s entire history. She had the gift of caring, and here were some of the fruits of her labors. Generations yet to come will bless her name for what she has done. What a great gift have those who know how to care!</span></p><p data-aid="28774637" id="p52" style="--height: 86.375px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“And to every man is given a gift” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/46.11?lang=eng#p11" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D&C 46:11</a>). This is true. God help us to recognize, develop, and share our gifts that all may profit thereby is my earnest hope and plea.</span></p><p data-aid="28774638" id="p53" style="--height: 172.75px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God does live. He does bless us with gifts. As we develop and share our God-given gifts and benefit from the gifts of those around us, the world can be a better place and God’s work will move forward at a more rapid pace. To these truths I bear my testimony and leave my personal witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."</span></p><p data-aid="28774638" id="p53" style="--height: 172.75px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">One last gift that has great meaning to me is the gift of temples and my current temple recommend. In that hallowed place I have had the joy of partaking and gaining a deeper love and understanding of all the gifts that the </span></span>brethren<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> mentioned.</span></span></span></p><p data-aid="28774638" id="p53" style="--height: 172.75px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">During this Christmas season may we all slow down and ponder on the gifts that truly matter.</span></span></span></p></section></div><p data-aid="28789844" id="p26" style="--height: 143.95834350585938px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-39487344482017500032023-10-31T19:15:00.001-07:002023-10-31T19:15:41.689-07:00What Does Service Mean to You?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Abadi",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This question has been floating around my noggin for about
a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my first thoughts went to
my mom and poppers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were always
serving our neighbors, by taking meals, fixing plumbing, sharing fish, fixing
electricity or just stopping by to check in on someone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Abadi",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mosiah 2:17 then came into my mind: “And behold, I tell you
these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the
service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Abadi",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then 2 Nephi 2:3 came front to my mind:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed…and thy
days shall be spent in the service of your God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Abadi",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then I found myself back in the Matthew 25: 34-40:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then shall the King say unto them on his
right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father…For I was an hungered and ye gave me
meat, I was thirsty and ye gave me drink, I was a stranger and ye took me
in:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naked and ye clothed me; I was sick
and ye visited me; I was in prison and ye came unto me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then shall the righteous answer him saying, Lord
when saw we thee an hungered and fed thee?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or thirsty and gave thee drink?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and come unto thee?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the King shall answer and say unto them,
Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of
these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Abadi",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today was Halloween and I dressed up as a red Christmas
elf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Received quite a few smiles but I
had a special delivery from the North Pole.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The recipient laughed and was grateful for the visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon arriving home, I received a text
thanking a Christmas Elf for bringing a blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Abadi",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The original plan was to show up at work for our Halloween party
dressed as an elf but as I was leaving the temple “What does Service mean to
you?” Kept ringing in my ears.so my plans were changed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Abadi",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For many years now, I have promised my Father In Heaven
that I would serve Him with all my heart and soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days I fall flat on my face But I vowed
today I was going to do better because for me there is no greater joy than
being in the service of my God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Abadi",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, in closing, what does Service mean to you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that as you reflect on that simple
question you shall have a desire to “…Embark in the service of your God, see
that ye serve him with all your heart mind and strength…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(D&C 4:2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Abadi",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For as James stated, “Pure religion and undefiled before
God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their
afflictions and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(James 1:27)<o:p></o:p></span></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-85624173354085583832023-10-25T13:37:00.001-07:002023-10-25T13:37:14.353-07:00Are we all not Prodigals?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Amasis MT Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In our recent general conference Elder Uchtdorf talked
about the “greatest short story ever told.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This story was told by Our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ and is found
in Luke 15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story begins with, “A
certain man had two sons.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many are
familiar with the story where the youngest son leaves and as Elder Uchtdorf
points out “In our day he would have #Livingmybestlife! #Neverhappier!
#Shouldhavedonelongago!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then the
youngest son found himself in a well of deep despair when “A famine swept the land,
and he ran out of money.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quoting Elder
Uchtdorf, “As the problem worsened, he panicked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The once unstoppable, jubilant high roller
now could not afford a single meal, let alone a place to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How would he survive?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been generous to his friends—would
they help him now?...The scriptures tell us, ‘No man gave unto him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like this son I found myself
“#Livingmybestlife!” and I found myself in a different type of famine with all
my “friends” abandoning me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Amasis MT Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We know this young man found his way back to his father
who was overjoyed to see him, “placing a robe upon his shoulders, sandals upon
his feet and a ring upon his finger. And ordering his servants to prepare a
feast…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the elder son was not happy
with this younger let’s say troublemaker being greeted in such a manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I have been reflecting on this parable my
mind went to the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, which is found in Matthew..
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Amasis MT Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Elder Holland gave this address <b>The Laborers in the
Vineyard</b> in May 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this
parable The Lord of the household goes out throughout the day looking for day
laborers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started at 6 in the
morning, returned at 9 am, 12 noon and 3 in the afternoon hiring more
workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then returned a final time
“about the eleventh hour, 5 pm and hired a concluding number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An hour later he paid all his workers who
received “the same wage in spite of the different hours of labor.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Amasis MT Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There was significant anger from the first who had
“Borne the heat of the day.” And many others who felt there had been an
injustice served.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elder Holland’s first
point is that “no one had been treated unfairly…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then shared an insight he had received
reading this parable, “My friends, I am not being unfair to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You agreed on the wage for the day, a good
wage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were happy to get the work,
and I am very happy with the way you served.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are paid in full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take your
pay and enjoy the blessing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for the
others, surely I am free to do what I like with my own money…Why should you be
jealous because I chose to be kind?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Amasis MT Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am amazed at the changes and transformations that have
been happening in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some have
brought great joy, and some have been painful lessons to help me become softer
and kinder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout my career I have
been surrounded by those who are “jealous of another’s good fortune” and then
try to tear them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was sadly one
who had a jealous streak in which I felt I was very justified in holding onto,
but I am learning that I am not “diminished in the least when someone else is
added upon.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quoting Elder Holland, “We
are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most
talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The race we are really in is the race against
sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those…it is a mistake that
just keeps giving. I love his comparison he uses “what a bright prospect that
is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a
happy moment!...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Amasis MT Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My dear friends, both parables have amazing points we
can reflect upon to help us become kinder and better friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we become “more Savior like thee.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope each of you can find the time to sit
down and read the inspired words from both these great men and the parables
which inspired them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Amasis MT Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Amasis MT Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Elder Uchtdorf The Prodigal and the Road that Leads Home<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Amasis MT Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Luke15<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Amasis MT Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Elder Hollland The Laborers in the Vineyard<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Amasis MT Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Matthew 20<o:p></o:p></span></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-86587350549453204112023-10-11T12:41:00.001-07:002023-10-11T12:41:37.805-07:00Heavenly Laws<p> In Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21:</p><p>"There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundation of the world, upon which all blessings are predicated--And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."</p><p>As I have been feasting on our General Conference messages President Oaks message struck a chord with me. His message pertained to the "Kingdoms of Glory." Where he addresses our Fathers plan in which all His children come home to Him and live with Him in His kingdom of glory.</p><p>For many years my heart has been troubled with various things involving our returning to our Heavenly Home. I have found myself pondering on the Parable of the workers and the Parable of the prodigal son and then my mind returns to Elder Uchtdorfs conference message of the "The Prodigal and the Journey Home." As I have been reflecting I found myself going back to Elder Oaks talk and then to the scripture passage in D&C. I have re-listened to his inspired words and printed out a copy so that I could re read his inspired words.</p><p>I have shared with many friends who do not share my beliefs that there is more than just "heaven and hell." and how a loving Heavenly Father would not allow just those two options. As President Oaks shared, "In my Father's house are many mansions." That thought has been running through my mind over the last several weeks as I have searched for peace for my troubled mind and heart.</p><p>In this General Conference our beloved Prophet, President Nelson encouraged us to "think Celestial." My mind immediately jumped back to August 20, 1998 when I was sealed to my beloved mom and poppers. That day my vision became "Celestial." President Oaks states, "The highest destination--exhalation in the celestial kingdom--is the focus of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints."</p><p>In his message President Oaks made a comment that struck me, "...so that all God's children will inherit a kingdom of glory whose laws they can comfortably "abide." He went on to share the teaching of Paul: "The Lord's teachings and commandments were given that we may all attain the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Elder Oaks then stated, "That process requires far more than acquiring knowledge. It is not enough to be convinced of the gospel; we must act so that we are converted by it. In contrast to other preaching, which teaches us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something." I know for myself the truthfulness of his words of "becoming something." I am amazed over the years how the Lord has been changing and molding me to become more like Him. How grateful I am for His loving patience when I totally fail and He encourages me to get back up and "try, try, and try again."</p><p>Elder Oaks then said: "...We qualify for eternal life through a process of conversion. (The brethren have been talking a lot about being converted) As used here, this word of many meanings signifies a profound change of nature. It is not enough for anyone to just go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account..."</p><p>He then referenced a passage found in the Book of Mormon, "this life is the time for us to prepare to meet God." In his talk he referenced a thought President Nelson had wrote in regards to the three kingdom of glory, "Mortal lifetime is barely a nanosecond compared with eternity. But what a crucial nanosecond it is! Consider carefully how it works; During this mortal life you get to choose which laws you are willing to obey--those of the celestial kingdom, or the terrestrial, or the telestial--and, therefore, in which kingdom of glory you will live forever. What a plan! It is a plan that completely honors your agency." Here is where my struggle began as I began to think about those I loved who with their agency has chosen to follow lesser laws with no desire to come to know about the beautiful plan of salvation. I began to feel that each step I took to try and live a higher law would take me further and further away from those here in mortality that I loved and cherish but then I would think how I would feel not being able to live with my Heavenly Father and my best friend Jesus Christ. The two that has always been there for me. I remember when my brother made his choice to end his life I questioned, "why wasn't my love enough?" Oh, how I would love all my friends to come home and live our Heavenly parents in the highest degree of glory if I could but as I learned with my beloved Poppers it has to be their choice.</p><p>I found my answer and peace in Elder Oaks closing remarks: "Salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter." "We have a loving Heavenly Father who will see that we receive every blessing and every advantage that our own desires and choices allow. We also know that He will not force no one into a sealing relationship against her will. The blessings of a sealed relationship are assured to all who keep their covenants but never by forcing a sealed relationship on another person who is unwilling or unworthy."</p><p>It is my prayer that all I love will have a desire to come to know our Lord and Savior and enter into an eternal covenant with Him but it is ultimately their choice. But I also know our Father in Heaven has a plan and there is much that I do not understand and all that I need to do now is to trust in Him and continue with my journey to return to Him and be reunited in a joyous reunion in my Heavenly home. </p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-89443580307306929152023-10-03T19:12:00.003-07:002023-10-03T19:12:42.501-07:00"Think Celestial"<p> I recently listened to Presidents Nelsons Conference message where he has asked us Latter-Day Saints to "Think Celestial." Me being me I was inspired and grateful for his inspired words but as I was scrolling through my FB feed I found posts where his inspired words had angered many and made them feel even more isolated and left out of the kingdom. My heart was saddened as I read their bitter words. </p><p>Unlike them in my dark days of inactivity I had no contact with the church and I never remember my family and I listening to or watching general conference, so them watching general conference each year was an interesting tidbit for me.</p><p>As I was reading their frustrations at the truthfulness of his words I found myself checking boxes:</p><p>1, I'm married to a person who does not share my beliefs</p><p>2. I walked away from the church for 20 some years</p><p>3. I was raised in part member family</p><p>4. I have been hurt by members</p><p>5. I have felt that my Father in Heaven had let me down</p><p>Then I found myself thinking "Celestial." </p><p>1. The Savior himself stated, "anger and contention are from the devil"</p><p>2. The Lord does not take away our agency we choose which kingdom we want to be associated with</p><p>3. The Lord does not tear families apart</p><p>4. The Lord will not allow His prophets to lead us astray</p><p>5. The Lord never walks away from us. We walk away from Him</p><p>My heart aches for these individuals who are making their choices and then blaming the brethren or Heavenly Father for their situation. I for many years blamed the Lord for my situation.</p><p>I can honestly say that I found myself in the gaping mouth of hell for a period of my life where I had no hope and found myself filled with despair. But even when I was in that dark hopeless relm my Heavenly Father sent me a life line which put me on the path back to Him.</p><p>One vivid memory I have is a near death experience I had in which I panicked because I was in no way shape or form ready to return to my heavenly home. But then something wonderful happened. I found myself surrounded by loved ones who informed me that I needed to "go back." I didn't not want to come back but wanted to stay there with them because of the love I felt there. But as you can see I came back. During that period I was nowhere near a "think Celestial" person but yet here I was still loved with a celestial love.</p><p>Many years later I had an experience that totally changed my life and I found myself walking on the Covenant Path and thinking "Celestial" many years before President Nelson's invitation.</p><p>As I stated before I was part of a part member family but due to my choice and my inactive popper's choice, I am now sealed to that family who is now no longer a part member but all in Celestial family that is truly when my vision changed to Celestial.</p><p>A few years ago I wanted out of my marriage due to the difficulty of me being me and my husband being him and not understanding our differences along with other issues. The Spirit had other ideas and through conference talks I was told to stay and work on my marriage and as I followed the brethren and the whisperings of the Spirit we are doing better and better each day. I am still very active and he is still very not interested. But the Spirit has changed my perception and continues to guide me through conference talks and his whispers.</p><p>I have sat in meetings where I felt totally isolated and out of place due to I did not fit in the mold of those surrounding me but as I have listened to the counsel of the brethren and the Spirit I have learned and I have found comfort and reassurance that there are many mansions in our Father's kingdom and He has one for me as long as I stay on the Covenant path.</p><p>One of the lessons I have learned over the years is that I am responsible for which kingdom I choose to reside and in order to obtain that kingdom I must stay true to the covenants I have made and even though I have chosen to "think Celestial" and my spouse has not, I have chosen to place my faith in my Father in Heaven because just as I am a beloved daughter of His, my spouse is a beloved Son and our Father in Heaven loves him just as much as He loves me and he like me will have the opportunity of choosing where he would like to reside.</p><p>How grateful I am that no one can ever out run the reach of our Heavenly Father's loving arms. All we have to do is to chose Him and amazing blessings follow. I hope those bitter brothers and sisters in time, will come to know their eternal value to their Heavenly Father and of His great love for them. If they would choose Him, He would heal them and they would come to find that He is the greatest counselor who utilizes His chosen Seers to educate and bless us. He is not a God of contention and anger. He is a God of pure love and peace and if you trust in Him amazing blessings follow.</p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-75339424971229731882023-09-19T10:08:00.000-07:002023-09-19T10:08:45.812-07:00Seasons<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Over the last few months I have found myself reflecting on our seasons in life. Our seasons are constantly changing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Over the years I have learned that I have had seasons where I have had the great joy of journeying with friends but then the season changed and I found myself on a new journey where I was meeting new people and new adventures.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I now am finding myself in a season that is filled with some loneliness and having to relearn who I truly am.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As our seasons have changed those I called friends are now in a season of enjoying their families and extended families aka grand babies. Many year ago in an English class I wrote an essay entitled: "The Joy of being Untraditional." Unlike most my friends I came from a very "non traditional family" whom I love with all my being but causes most headaches as they try and put the pieces of my complicated family tree together. Being surrounded by my nontraditional family brought me my greatest joy and greatest sorrow but alas they were called back to their heavenly home many years ago leaving me here as an orphan for a season.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many of my friends marriages sadily ended in divorce leaving them in a season of great sorrow; but some of my friends have found their soulmate to speak and are enjoying each others company. We just celebrated our 38th year of marriage this year. (Cough, cough, I'm still in shock that I'm that old :)) During that 38 years we have had joys and much sorrow but we stuck it out. But right now in this season my spouse is gone 1 to 3 months at a time with his work. Which causes a loneliness that is hard to fill.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While my friends are enjoying their families and grandbabies, my heart yearns for my family and I enjoy our four legged kiddos. In 2020 a friend sent me a text asking me if I would take small pup that had been dumped. From the moment I seen his happy face I knew he was mine and sure enough he also knew he was destined to be mine. He continue to have his happy face and is constantly showering me with his unconditional love. But there is still a loneliness and heartache that even this sweet boy cannot totally fill.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Ecclesiastes chapter three there are these verses:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted...A time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance...A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away; a time to keep silence and a time to speak; a time to love...and a time of peace."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have been hit with a new season which appears to be multiple seasons in which I am finding myself in a </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">time to mourn, a time to lose and a time to weep.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had a wonderful 14 year season in which I thought I had found my true place to belong but as I mentioned earlier seasons continue to change. This wonderful place where I had found so much joy and accomplishment was changing and I was unable to change to change with it and so I found myself closing that door and by so doing have found myself struggling with insecurities and who am I now?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While scrolling through my facebook feed I came across a video where Elder Maxwell was talking about how the Lord did not care about our PHD's, how much money we made...He only wanted Us to return to Him. I tried to find that talk but have been unsuccessful. But it was a gentle reminder to me that even though I am now struggling with being just plain ole me, no title, no certificates or degrees just plain ole me that plain ole me is all our Father in Heaven wants. He wants me back home with Him and my family.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Because of my Nontraditional family I have felt like an outsider my entire life and just wanted more than anything to "be normal" (which what is normal anymore?" Now realizing that I will never be "normal" according to other standards I have come to know that through all my darkest moments the one constant friend I had who has never left my side through any season was My Father in Heaven. Like President Hinckley I testify that, "He is my Savior, My exemplar, My Mentor...He is my Best Friend and I love Him with all my heart and soul."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Though for now this new season is a great season of change I also know that with my best friends by my side I will pull through this season hopefully refined and better than I was before. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-49370786919420676442023-08-17T09:09:00.004-07:002023-08-17T09:09:50.062-07:00Will Ye Go Away Also?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Biome;">“Will ye also go away?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was a poignant question the Savior asked His
twelve disciples as He watched many of His followers turn and walk away from
Him because “His teachings were too hard.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Biome;">As I reflected on that passage of scripture,
I found my heart aching as I sensed the anguish in His voice and the pain in
His eyes as He turned to His beloved twelve and asked that question.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Biome;">I recently had an experience that brought
this passage home to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a beloved
friend who I had the honor of journeying with for many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shared many joys and many sorrows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt we were family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Biome;">Here recently this friend informed me that a
spontaneous decision had been made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Excitement filled this beloved friend and I found myself excited also;
but then an uneasiness started to fill my soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I tried to talk with my friend about it, I found my questions being
averted as the subject was changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
was when I started feeling the great distance that was between us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Biome;">As we parted there was not even a goodbye
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I watched this beloved friend
walk away a forlorn feeling filled my soul and then I heard my beloved Saviors
loving voice asking me, “will ye also go away?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and my sorrowful heart replied like Peter, “No Lord, where would I go…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Nyala; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Biome;">I wish my friend all the best and I hope that
one day my friend will come to know as I know that there is only one friend our
beloved Savior who can truly fill that sorrowful void.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-1171743784184558512023-07-13T10:46:00.005-07:002023-07-13T10:46:48.537-07:00I Appreciate you<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglfmFZLTuERpW_ozZ08vweJU41Mij3RYIB3w11m-F-YGE4DEzjvWXJV50KL-EsouEy7Ga3aTDxx1f-Ur87C2mfmybYc3Kn9qaZTmKNVkM2WK1NvXFFzYT-aK_sKxaoGyoNsOBaLgzoKm1h2XDnpLGOZjePYsgmcmsVVjkV5qzT4Wz-o5z38uYrnEgDUGKz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="569" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglfmFZLTuERpW_ozZ08vweJU41Mij3RYIB3w11m-F-YGE4DEzjvWXJV50KL-EsouEy7Ga3aTDxx1f-Ur87C2mfmybYc3Kn9qaZTmKNVkM2WK1NvXFFzYT-aK_sKxaoGyoNsOBaLgzoKm1h2XDnpLGOZjePYsgmcmsVVjkV5qzT4Wz-o5z38uYrnEgDUGKz" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Five Little words that warm one’s
heart when heard, “Thank you, I appreciate you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was in the Nauvoo temple when a
total stranger said, “Thank you, I appreciate you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I know I’ve heard those five little
words many times before.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet in that sacred place they touched
my soul deeply as though being engraved in my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One day at work, a customer thanked
me and then simply said, “Thank you, I appreciate you.”
Instantly, I found myself back in Nauvoo hearing those five little
words echoing through my mind with peace and joy filling my soul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May we all feel the joy and peace
that comes when people who pass through our lives say these five little words, “thank you, I
appreciate you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-75042962523996345932023-06-24T22:20:00.001-07:002023-06-24T22:20:07.199-07:00My Church Site Thoughts<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A couple Sundays ago I was asked to speak about my
experiences at the various church sites I have visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In preparing for this talk I was amazed at
how much insight the Spirit added.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope
I can capture that same Spirit here in my writings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 2021 I went to the Sacred Grove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I walked past the Smith home I heard
Michael S Wilcox share his experience as he was touring there many years
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had placed his head against the
same fireplace Joseph had when he shared with his mother, “none of the churches
are correct…For I have seen a vision.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
I continued on the path to the Sacred Grove, I observed a wooden fence and once
again I was taken to the Jospeh Smith story where he had fallen over the fence
and the angel Moroni had appeared him to him and instructed him to “tell his
father all that had transpired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I entered
the grove I felt as if I was entering the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is truly a sacred place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wandered all around the pathways and sat on
the benches and reflected on what had transpired there so many years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, How Lovely was the Morning” played out
in my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came across some benches
as if they had been set up for a church service and I sat there wondering how
cool it would have been to have been there to listen to the Prophet teach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then “Praise to the Man” started playing out
in my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I then made my way to the Hill Cumorah where Kenneth Copes
song “Come with me” played in my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My definition of hill is totally different than what I climbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself on a steep trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I huffed and puffed with multiple breaks,
I found myself wondering, “Brother Jospeh how did you do this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit responded, “He was a young man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Hinting that I was an old woman.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the top I was greeted with a circular
statue with a golden Moroni on top with various pictures of the prophet all
around it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On my flight home I decided I wanted to go to Nauvoo, so
April of this year I made the drive to Nauvoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My first stop was the Winter Quarters temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behind the temple were the grave sights of
our pioneer ancestors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the middle was
a statute of a husband comforting his wife and at their feet was a marker that
read “Grave on Unknown Child.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
truly another a sacred place<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To enter,
you walked between two cherubim with their wings extended towards each other
covering their face and all around were sayings from “Come Come Ye Saints”,
bible scriptures and my favorite, “Oh Lord responsive to thy call in life or
death what er befall our hopes for bliss on thee depend thou art our
everlasting friend.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their faith was
life changing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I then went to Liberty Jail which was a dingy dungeon
with no light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears flowed as I gazed
at that hole where the Prophet spent so much time with D&C 121 and 122
started running through my mind:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“O God where
art thou?....because of thy righteousness; and thy God shall stand by thee
forever and ever…And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit or into the hands of
murders and the sentence of death passed upon thee, if thou be cast into the
deep, if th billowing surge conspire against thee, if fierce winds become thine
enemy, if the havens gather blackness, and all te elements combine to hedge up
thy way; and above all if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide
after thee, know thou my son, that all these things shall give thee experience,
and shall be for thy good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Son of
man hath descended below them all, Art thou greater than he?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I then went to Carthage Jail where in the visiting
center they opened with a talk given by Elder Holland which hit home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shall just share a part of his powerful testimony
that solidified mine:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“May I refer to a
modern ‘last days’ testimony?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
Jospeh Smith and his brother Hyrum started for Carthage to face what they knew
would be an imminent martyrdom, Hyrum read these words to comfort the heart of
his brother: ‘Thou hast been faithful, wherefore…thou shalt be made strong, even
unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my
Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now I Moroni, bid farewell…until
we shall meet before the judgement seat of Christ.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few short verses from the 12<sup>th</sup>
chapter of Ether in the Book of Mormon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Before closing the book, Hyrum turned down the corner of the page from which
he read, marking it as part of the everlasting testimony for which these two
brothers were about to die…Joseph the Prophet turned to the guards who held him
captive and bore a powerful testimony of the diving authority of the Book of
Mormon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after pistol and ball
would take the lives of these two testators….In this their greatest—and last---hour
of need, I ask you:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would these men blaspheme
before God by continuing to fix their lives their honor, and their own search
for eternal salvation on a book (and by implication a church and a ministry)
they had fictitiously created out of whole cloth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never mind that their wives are about to be
widows and their children fatherless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never
mind that their little band of followers will yet be ‘houseless, friendless,
and homeless’ and their children will leave footprints of blood across frozen
rivers and untamed prairie floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never mind
that legions will die and other legions live declaring in the four quarters fo
this earth thay they know the Book of Mormon and the Church which espouses is
to be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disregard all that, and tell
me whether in this hour of death these two men would enter the presence of their
Eternal Judge quoting from and finding solace in a book which, if not the very
word of God, would brand them as imposters and charlatans until the ends of
time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>They would not do that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Thery were willing to die rather than
deny the divine origin and the eternal truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We then entered the jail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could still see the bullet holes through
the door and which stopped the clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
missionaries then played a tape of an elder singing “A Poor Wayfaring Man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears flowed as I gazed around the room and
then my eyes fixed on the window the Prophet tried to leap out off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once outside by the well where the prophets
body had; landed D&C 135 ran through my mind:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…”Joseph Smith the Prophet and Seer of the Lord,
has done more, save Jesus only for the salvation men in this world, than any
other man in this world…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I then made my way to Nauvoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A truly beautiful place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you enter and leave the temple you face a
stature of Hyrum and Jospeh on horseback looking over his beautiful “City of
Nauvoo.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the headed to Carthage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is truly a remarkable site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent two days in that magnificent temple
and found myself totally overcome with emotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You see I had taken my endowment out in Brigham’s temple in Salt Lake
and now here I was in Joseph’s beloved temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Elder Hinckley’s words ran through my mind: “…We were to rebuild the
house of the Lord as a memorial to the Prophet Joseph and as an offering to our
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the recent 27<sup>th</sup> of
June, in the afternoon at about the same time Joseph and Hyrum were shot in Carthage
158 years earlier, we held the dedication of the magnificent new
structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a place of great beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It stands on the exactly the same site where
the original temple stood…It is a fitting and appropriate memorial to the great
Prophet of this dispensation, Joseph the Seer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How grateful I am, how profoundly grateful for what has happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, facing west, on the high bluff overlooking
the City of Nauvoo, thence across the Mississippi, and over the plains of Iowa
there stands Josephs temple, a magnificent house of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here in the Salt Lake valley, facing East to
that beautiful temple in Nauvoo stands Brigham’s, temple the Salt Lake
Temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They look toward one another as
bookends between which there are volumes that speak of the suffering, the
sorrow, the sacrifice, even the deaths of thousands who made the long journey
from the Mississippi River to the valley of the Great Salt Lake…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I stood at the gravesites of the Prophet and his
family and stood in the home of Lucy Mack Smith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirt in her home was very powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself for the first time
understanding the great women’s organization that the Prophet started and its
true mission.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I then went to the Farr West temple site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day it will be a beautiful temple in an idyllic
spot.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I then went to Haun’s Mill which was a beautiful green
pasture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The river was now a creek but
it was hard to comprehend the massacre that had happened there due to the peaceful
beauty of the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then drove to a
small town in MO where the mob had travelled to slaughter the saints at Hauns Mill.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself in a dying little town
but there in the park was a monument with an original stone from the mill and
two headstones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One which listed those
who had died and the other the names of the woman who ha survived and across the
top was written “And they ever lost their faith and never left the church.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inspiring women.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I then ended my tour with a drive through Adam Ondi Ahman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my mind’s eye I could envision the Garden
of Eden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is truly a place of beauty
and peace. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How grateful I am that a
door was opened that I could visit these historic church sites and feel the
pioneer spirit that attended each. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-55395627900203775732023-06-17T12:40:00.003-07:002023-06-17T12:40:59.171-07:00Forgiving as Jesus Forgives<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Years ago, I shared some thoughts that came from the song “I’m
trying to be like Jesus.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here this past week the chorus of that song has been running through my
mind:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="line" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: -7.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Congenial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Open Sans";">“Love one another as
Jesus loves you.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Try to show kindness in all that you do.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
For these are the things Jesus taught.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="line" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: -7.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Congenial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Open Sans";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="line" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: -7.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Congenial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Open Sans";">One of my struggles is with patience and forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few months ago in a book I have been studying
by Elder Holland, he shared this thought on forgiveness:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="line" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Congenial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Open Sans";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.01); box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“… and bear one another’s burdens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The way you can bear mine is to forgive the sin with which I hurt
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should shoulder the fact that I
somehow used you and yet you forgive me for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first blush, we say, ‘what sense does that
make?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have committed some sin
against me, but you want me to take that off your shoulder and, at least temporarily,
place it on me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want <i>me</i> to
bear <i>your </i>burdens!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord says,
‘Yes, in some strange way that is what I want you to do, because that is what I
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, forgive his offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take from him the things under your control
that would keep him from the kingdom, and I will work out with him the rest of
it which is under his control and mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ouch, that is going to be a hard pill to swallow so to say, but as
the song goes, “Love one another as Jesus loves you…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am learning that trying to be like Jesus is a work in
progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How grateful I am for His
loving patience and meeting us where we are.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-35152903584120517272023-05-14T10:35:00.002-07:002023-05-14T10:43:50.469-07:00Mothers Day Thought 2023<p>Here I am sitting quietly in my room reading my scriptures and listening to my music that soothes my soul. Alas another Mother's Day is here and I still prefer to stay home and reflect. I just don't have it in me for a "Mother's Day" program.</p><p>This April I drove myself to Nauvoo and other church sites. It was an amazing experience that opened my eyes and touched me deeply. Not knowing radio stations I found myself listening to Elder Hollands newest book "Our Day Star Rising." I listened to it three times and now that I'm home, I am reading it.</p><p>I have always admired Lucy Mack and Emma Smith but as I found myself standing in Lucy's house in Nauvoo I was overwhelmed with love and admiration for this great mother. She was truly loved by all those around her and what an inspirational woman. I then found myself at Haun's mill where so many Saints were slaughtered. At their memorial I found an original wheel and two headstones. One with the names of those who were murdered and the other of the woman who survived the massacre. At the top in bold print it stated, "They never lost their faith and they never fell away." What remarkable woman.</p><p>I spent two days in the Nauvoo temple and you could say "my eyes of understanding were opened..." As I felt those inspirational pioneer spirits all around me I kept hearing, "They were endowed with power from on high." One would wonder how after losing everything and being chased from their homes they would keep their faith. Within those hallowed walls I found my answer.</p><p>I attended an activity with a friend where a sister who had just returned from Africa was sharing her experiences with her beloved African Saints. She commented that they had a "Circle of Sisterhood." In which when one of their sisters were struggling they would surround that sister, uplift, encourage and cry with her. There were no judgements, no criticisms, just unconditional love and support. They exuded the pure Love of Christ. Lucy Mack Smith, Emma Smith and those early pioneer women who first started the "Women's organization aka The Relief Society." Came into my mind along with the Prophet Joseph's counsel for these valiant sisters:</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: inherit; text-indent: 40px;">"All difficulties which might and would cross our way must be surmounted, though the soul be </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 40px;">tried</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: inherit; text-indent: 40px;">, the heart faint, and hands hang down. Must not retrace our steps; there must be decision of character, aside from sympathy. When instructed, we must obey that voice, observe the laws of the kingdom of God,</span><a class="note-ref" href="https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/part-2/2-2?lang=eng#note17" id="inline-note17" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1aa8de; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; text-indent: 40px; top: -0.2rem; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: unset;">17</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: inherit; text-indent: 40px;"> that the blessing of Heaven may rest down upon us. All must act in concert, or nothing can be done, and should move according to the ancient priesthood; hence the saints should be a select people,</span><a class="note-ref" href="https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/part-2/2-2?lang=eng#note18" id="inline-note18" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1aa8de; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; text-indent: 40px; top: -0.2rem; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: unset;">18</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: inherit; text-indent: 40px;"> separate from all the evils of the world—choice, virtuous, and holy. The Lord was going to make of the Church of Jesus Christ a kingdom of priests, a holy people, a chosen generation, as in Enoch’s day, having all the gifts as illustrated to the church in Paul’s epistles and teachings to the churches in his day</span><a class="note-ref" href="https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/part-2/2-2?lang=eng#note19" id="inline-note19" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1aa8de; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; text-indent: 40px; top: -0.2rem; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: unset;">19</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: inherit; text-indent: 40px;">—that it is the privilege of each member to live long and enjoy health. He then blessed the saints.”</span><a class="note-ref" href="https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/part-2/2-2?lang=eng#note20" id="inline-note20" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1aa8de; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; text-indent: 40px; top: -0.2rem; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: unset;">20</span></a></p><p>Our little branch had a activity in which we wanted to honor Sisters and womanhood due to families and women are being attacked at every angle. During our conversations I found myself reflecting on Elder Hollands words in regards to the parable of the householder. For many years I had found myself bitter and envious of woman who had given birth and had the remarkable blessing of having children. It has been a struggle for me and many like me. As I was reading Elder Hollands words, I gained a new insight. In this parable workers are called throughout the day and at the end of the day those who only labored for an hour received a penny same as those who had labored for many hours. Seeing that the last laborers had been paid the same as those who had labored all day there was some grumbling. I am guilty of grumbling and murmuring. Elder Holland had this inspirational insight: "It is with that reading of the story that I feel the grumbling of the first labors must be seen. As the householder in the parable tells them...'My friends, I am not being unfair to you. You agreed on the wage for the day, a good wage. You were happy to get the work, and I am very happy with the way you served. You are paid in full. Take your pay and enjoy the blessing. As for the others, surely I am free to do what I like with my own money.' Then this piercing question to anyone then or now who needs to hear it: 'Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?' Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt--and certainly not to feel diminished when someone else gets added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest, the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those. Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps giving." (Ouch.)</p><p>At our activity a dear sister asked, "How many of you here dislike Mother's Day?" I was surprised at the hands that went up. One sister was unable to have the family she yearned for, one sister lost her mother when her mother was my current age 57 in an unexpected accident. I found my heart aching for these beloved sisters and then realized that I had a severe case of tunnel vision and had felt diminished during my years of anger. Our beloved Savior has counseled us to "mourn with those who mourn." Because of my tunnel vision instead of mourning with my beloved sisters who I perceived had been "most blessed" I had been throwing stones. My thoughts then turned to Emma who faced heartbreak upon heartbreak, yet she still opened her heart to her sisters in need.</p><p>In my studies today with Elder Holland I found myself in James and throughout the reading I was directed to scripture upon scripture that stated in black and white: "And if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God."</p><p>It is so easy to get caught up in what feels like "unfairness" during our mortal journey. But again and again in black an white we are assured that "Our God is fair and just God." This mortal journey is just that a journey. The best is yet to come.</p><p>How grateful I am for a Heavenly Friend who meets me where I am and teaches me line upon line and precept upon precept. I am in hopes that with my new insight I will go forward with faith and let envy go as I strive to be more like my Heavenly Best Friend.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-72495903223275476012023-04-09T11:37:00.005-07:002023-04-09T20:40:39.779-07:00Because of Him<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUxuziTFYqi8VGOnZwfAndYjXH8LnVnMF5aDyRbEDzeIlwrEmjm7qQKr0yetlJEvv4t68k00nWEEYZFUQGl0VYKN72G172o5HoOjBDu66xXEK-RAC0niPgk_vItcurdv4mDf0VXtmwQZxBT27OwXslQduuCl4G5CvO85403BRo0JbckcxHMhAR7rozRg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="781" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUxuziTFYqi8VGOnZwfAndYjXH8LnVnMF5aDyRbEDzeIlwrEmjm7qQKr0yetlJEvv4t68k00nWEEYZFUQGl0VYKN72G172o5HoOjBDu66xXEK-RAC0niPgk_vItcurdv4mDf0VXtmwQZxBT27OwXslQduuCl4G5CvO85403BRo0JbckcxHMhAR7rozRg=w478-h248" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today is Easter Sunday and I have been reflecting the last few weeks
on what message I would like to share which would be in line with our preparations
for Easter Sunday and the week that led up to this beautiful day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">For several weeks I have found myself surrounded with sadness,
despair, lost hope and fear. As I have
found myself trying to support those around me, I have found myself facing some
of my greatest sorrows and greatest joys.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today as I was listening to our program, I found the Spirit
whispering “Because of Him” and these are words that started pouring into my
mind:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because of Him: I know that thou my sins be as scarlet they
shall become white as snow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because of
Him: I know that I will once again greet
my family and friends who were called to their Heavenly Home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because of Him: I know that all my adversities shall be but a
small moment and that He shall never forsake me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because of
Him: I know that this life is just a
test.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because of
Him: I know that He hears my silent
heartfelt pleas.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because of
Him: My soul is filled with His great
peace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because of
Him: My eyes are open to the divine
nature of everyone I meet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because of Him: I can walk and not be weary and run and not
faint<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because of
Him: I will come to know the purest love
and greatest joy only He can give,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">How grateful I
am for all the wonderful blessings that have come.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because of Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Congenial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-21598547179262242442023-02-27T11:49:00.000-08:002023-02-27T11:49:39.101-08:00I Will Never Forsake Thee<p> On my birthday last year as I was sitting in the temple the spirit whispered, "enjoy today for tomorrow is just another day." He was not kidding. The next day friends I love and cherish started getting hit by the winds of adversity which continued into the New Year.</p><p>For the last several weeks I have been praying over my beloved friends who are facing so much adversity. I found my heart crying out, "Father O Father why hast thou forsaken them?"</p><p>As we journey together my heart has been racked with grief helplessness. Wanting to know how I could best support them. The Spirit led me to Job to the passage where his friends came and just sat with him. Offering their silent support and love. I am trying to be that friend but as my friends know there are times I'm at the tale end of that passage by being vocal and wanting to "fix" their ailments. </p><p>I'm a work in progress as I feel the need to "fix" start to arise, the Spirit gently says "be a friend like Jobs," (He is so aggravating at times but how I treasure my friendship and trust with him.) I can feel Heavenly Father's smile as He watches this "fixing" child try to follow the Spirits direction.</p><p>As I have been sitting in the temple these last few weeks. The spirit has been whispering other thoughts, " bitter, patience, endure" and then I'll have a snapshot of our beloved Savior kneeling in the Garden, all alone. I then find my mind trying to organize and arrange these words and cues into what I hope is a poem. I cried the first rough draft as I remembered I was the "angry and bitter one" at one time and then a beloved friends face flashed into my mind: "those who patiently endure." I was sobbing by the time I penned the words: "seeing our beloved Elder Brother kneeling in the garden, great drops of blood pouring from every pour and hearing His cry Abba, Abba why hast thou forsaken me," Then this amazing peace and love filled my soul as I penned these words, "Fear not my child, I trod the winepress alone, so I would know how to succor thee. You have my word I shall never forsake thee." There was my answer and a deeper appreciation for the Atonement. Some of those great drops of blood were me during my bitter and angry stage where I was "lost and all alone."</p><p>I opened my March Liahona and Elder Uchtdorf's talk immediately spoke to me, It was like a second witness to the words I had penned.</p><p>Below are the words I penned this last Sunday, followed by Elder Uchtdorf's inspired words. Maythey speak peace to your wounded heart.</p><p><br /></p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> </span><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
Shall Never Forsake Thee</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many a time people find their hearts are turned heavenward
when a heart wrenching situation occurs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One question they share, “Why O Father, why hast thou
forsaken me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When their pleas fall upon deaf ears, many become bitter
feeling lost and all alone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are those who patiently endure as they wait upon
their Eternal Father to answer their silent pleas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Many a year pass by and your answer is then received. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You find your eyes opened and you witness your Elder
Brother, kneeling in a Garden with great drops of blood pouring from every
pore. Your anguished racked heart is
drawn to Him as you hear His anguished plea, “Abba, Abba, why hast thou
forsaken me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An overwhelming love fills your soul when you hear these
words, “I have trod the winepress alone, so I would know how to succor
thee. Fear not my child for I shall never
forsake thee.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lorie
Bishop<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2023</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><header style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 3.556em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h1 data-aid="154093049" id="title1" style="--height: 36px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; inset-block-start: 0px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">“My Peace I Give unto You”</span></h1><div class="byline" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 1.778em 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="author-name" data-aid="154093051" id="author1" style="--height: 25.1979px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-medium, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0.222em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">By Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf</p><p class="author-role" data-aid="154093053" id="author2" style="--height: 25.1979px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-medium, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; font-stretch: normal; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles</p><div class="image-cropper" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip-path: circle(49% at 50% 50%); font: inherit; height: 60px; margin: 0.222em auto 0.889em; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 60px;"><div class="imageWrapper-wTPPD" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; font: inherit; grid-template-columns: 1fr; grid-template-rows: 1fr; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Uchtdorf, Dieter F." class="headshot" data-aspect-ratio="0.7518796992481203" data-assetid="d4eb58dda5fefcf4b6d552e8626663663ca626a6" data-height="133" data-img-id="1255589" data-missing-asset="false" data-width="100" height="133" id="img1" src="https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/9d0a7cc45edaabd75daddc1f838f741075616616" srcset="https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/d4b11364918ef324b341f573be32bc3768e617e2 60w,https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/9d0a7cc45edaabd75daddc1f838f741075616616 100w,https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/e255f4184ea7754b3e1524339bac9932cfeb5fa7 200w,https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/4514b2ef3f16978086ddaa6f5c1b49d9ace866da 250w,https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/17c2c6603c02a1c580f5bd5d0b8aca00b3b7a1e6 320w,https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/976749733277f35217a195feb7b76fac6a260ce9 500w,https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/58a449b9730b23736b50b6fd2f3bae5d6de169ba 640w" style="border: 0px; 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font-size: 1em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.778em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The same words Jesus spoke to the Sea of Galilee that stormy night, He says to us during the storms of our lives: “Peace, be still.”</p></header><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Biome",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="body-block" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><figure class="image no-print" id="figure1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0.889em 0px 1.778em; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; 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line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For my family and me, the cold winter of 1944 was a time of fear and uncertainty. With my father far away on the western front, my mother struggled to keep her four children fed and warm as war threatened our home in Czechoslovakia.</p><p data-aid="154093061" id="p2" style="--height: 151.188px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Each day the danger grew closer. Finally, my mother decided to flee to her parents’ home in eastern Germany. Somehow, she managed to get all of us on one of the last refugee trains heading west. Nearby explosions, worried faces, and empty stomachs reminded everyone on the train that we were traveling through a war zone.</p><p data-aid="154093063" id="p3" style="--height: 75.5938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One night after our train had stopped for supplies, my mother hurried off to search for food. When she returned, to her horror, the train carrying us children was gone!</p><p data-aid="154093066" id="p4" style="--height: 125.99px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fraught with worry, she turned to God in desperate prayer and then frantically began searching the dark train station. She ran from track to track and from train to train. She knew that if her train departed before she found it, she might never see us again.</p><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><header style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 3.556em 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 data-aid="154093068" id="title2" style="--height: 33.5938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Storms in Our Lives</span></h2></header><p data-aid="154093070" id="p5" style="--height: 125.99px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">During the Savior’s mortal ministry, His disciples learned that He could calm the storms in our lives. One evening, after a full day of teaching by the seaside, the Lord suggested that they “pass over unto the other side” of the Sea of Galilee (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/4.35?lang=eng#p35" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark 4:35</a>).</p><p data-aid="154093072" id="p6" style="--height: 100.792px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">After they had departed, Jesus found a spot to rest on the ship and fell asleep. Soon the skies darkened, “and there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full” (see <a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/4.37-38?lang=eng#p37" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark 4:37–38</a>).</p><p data-aid="154093073" id="p7" style="--height: 100.792px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We don’t know how long the disciples struggled to keep the ship afloat, but at last they could wait no longer. Panicked, they cried out, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/4.38?lang=eng#p38" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark 4:38</a>).</p><p data-aid="154093075" id="p8" style="--height: 125.99px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All of us face sudden storms. In our mortal life of trials and tests, we may feel distressed, discouraged, and disappointed. Our hearts break for ourselves and those we love. We worry and fear and sometimes lose hope. During such times, we may also cry out, “Master, carest thou not that <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Italic", Palatino-Italic, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I</em> perish?”</p><p data-aid="154093077" id="p9" style="--height: 176.385px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In my youth one of my favorite hymns was “Master, the Tempest Is Raging.”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note1" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2023/03/04-my-peace-i-give-unto-you?lang=eng#note1" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">1</sup></a> I could picture myself in the boat when “the billows [were] tossing high.” The crucial and most beautiful part of the hymn follows: “The winds and the waves shall obey thy will: Peace, be still.” Then comes the important message: “No waters can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies.”</p><p data-aid="154093078" id="p10" style="--height: 151.188px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If we welcome Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, into our boat, we need not be frightened. We will know that we can find peace amidst the storms that swirl inside us and around us. After His disciples cried out for help, Jesus “arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/4.39?lang=eng#p39" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark 4:39</a>).</p><p data-aid="154093079" id="p11" style="--height: 75.5938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The same words Jesus spoke to the Sea of Galilee that stormy night, He says to us during the storms of our lives: “Peace, be still.”</p></section><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><header style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 3.556em 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 data-aid="154093080" id="title3" style="--height: 33.5938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Not as the World Giveth”</span></h2></header><p data-aid="154093081" id="p12" style="--height: 50.3958px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With the disciples, we may ask, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/4.41?lang=eng#p41" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark 4:41</a>).</p><p data-aid="154093083" id="p13" style="--height: 50.3958px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus is a man like no other. As the Son of God, He was called to fulfill a mission no other could fulfill.</p><p data-aid="154093084" id="p14" style="--height: 100.792px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Through His Atonement, and in a way we cannot fully comprehend, the Savior took upon Himself “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/7.11?lang=eng#p11" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Alma 7:11</a>) and “the cumulative weight of all mortal sins.”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note2" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2023/03/04-my-peace-i-give-unto-you?lang=eng#note2" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">2</sup></a></p><p data-aid="154093086" id="p15" style="--height: 201.583px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Though He owed no debt to justice, He suffered the “whole … demands of justice” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/34.16?lang=eng#p16" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Alma 34:16</a>). In the words of President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015), President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “He had committed no wrong. Nevertheless, an accumulation of all of the guilt, the grief and sorrow, the pain and humiliation, all of the mental, emotional, and physical torments known to man—He experienced them all.”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note3" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2023/03/04-my-peace-i-give-unto-you?lang=eng#note3" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">3</sup></a> And He overcame them all.</p><p data-aid="154093088" id="p16" style="--height: 151.188px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Alma prophesied that the Savior “will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/7.12?lang=eng#p12" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Alma 7:12</a>).</p><p data-aid="154093090" id="p17" style="--height: 201.583px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Through a divine endowment born of searing torment, and out of love for us, Jesus Christ paid the price to redeem us, to strengthen us, and to save us. It is only through the Atonement that we can find the peace we so badly want and need in this life. As the Savior promised, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/14.27?lang=eng#p27" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">John 14:27</a>).</p></section><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><header style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 3.556em 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><figure class="image no-print" id="figure2" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0.889em 0px 1.778em; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="imageWrapper-wTPPD" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; font: inherit; grid-template-columns: 1fr; grid-template-rows: 1fr; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Jesus Christ" class="imageWithModal-ILaMF" data-aspect-ratio="1.0" data-assetid="44a1212b231111ed9cc6eeeeac1e59b60ba490f2" data-height="500" data-img-id="44a1212b231111ed9cc6eeeeac1e59b60ba490f2" data-missing-asset="false" data-width="500" height="420" id="figure2_img1" src="https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/aa/21/aa21f627c1f57be1ac305ad43eea645bd4ee7a51/aa21f627c1f57be1ac305ad43eea645bd4ee7a51.jpeg" srcset="https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/51/93/51936f23ada8ea3a82d76a988c38d67f0e778ebb/51936f23ada8ea3a82d76a988c38d67f0e778ebb.jpeg 60w,https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/e7/63/e7633b8e43d0c4dfa463c1e64567c79974efa7b8/e7633b8e43d0c4dfa463c1e64567c79974efa7b8.jpeg 100w,https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/66/4d/664dcd131734c17260d85d9689c9a81ab897e5ae/664dcd131734c17260d85d9689c9a81ab897e5ae.jpeg 200w,https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/89/44/89447d32cd058172150c43132803de54e776511d/89447d32cd058172150c43132803de54e776511d.jpeg 250w,https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/a8/1f/a81ff20cd54e4db02b73f0084f9608ddf7bd61b9/a81ff20cd54e4db02b73f0084f9608ddf7bd61b9.jpeg 320w,https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/aa/21/aa21f627c1f57be1ac305ad43eea645bd4ee7a51/aa21f627c1f57be1ac305ad43eea645bd4ee7a51.jpeg 500w,https://assets.churchofjesuschrist.org/b5/1a/b51ae73b8f1445ec8299696da70a73512d632122/b51ae73b8f1445ec8299696da70a73512d632122.jpeg 640w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: zoom-in; display: block; font: inherit; grid-area: 1 / 1 / auto / auto; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 0.444em; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 512px; z-index: 2;" width="420" /></div></div><figcaption style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0.444em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="154093092" id="figure2_p1" style="--height: 50.3958px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #53575b; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.778em !important; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.4 !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The life and teachings of Jesus Christ give us ways to feel His peace if we will turn to Him.</p></figcaption><div class="credit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0.222em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="154093094" id="figure2_p2" style="--height: 25.1979px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.611em !important; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.4 !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><cite style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Christ’s Image</cite>, by Heinrich Hofmann</p></div></figure><h2 data-aid="154094096" id="title4" style="--height: 33.5938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ways to Peace</span></h2></header><p data-aid="154094099" id="p18" style="--height: 176.385px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus Christ, who controls the elements, can also lighten our burdens. He has power to heal individuals and nations. He has shown us the way to true peace, for He is “The Prince of Peace” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/9.6?lang=eng#p6" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Isaiah 9:6</a>). The peace the Savior offers could transform all of human existence if God’s children would allow it. His life and teachings give us ways to feel His peace if we will turn to Him.</p><p data-aid="154094100" id="p19" style="--height: 75.5938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Learn of me,” He said, “and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/19.23?lang=eng#p23" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Doctrine and Covenants 19:23</a>).</p><p data-aid="154094102" id="p20" style="--height: 125.99px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Bold", Palatino-Bold, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We learn of Him</span> as we lift up our souls in prayer, study His life and teachings, and “stand … in holy places,” including the temple (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/87.8?lang=eng#p8" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Doctrine and Covenants 87:8</a>; see also 45:32). Attend the house of the Lord as often as you can. The temple is a peaceful refuge from the growing storms of our day.</p><p data-aid="154094104" id="p21" style="--height: 176.385px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My dear friend President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) taught: “As we go to the [temple], as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation. The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls—not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God.”<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note4" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2023/03/04-my-peace-i-give-unto-you?lang=eng#note4" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">4</sup></a></p><p data-aid="154094106" id="p22" style="--height: 125.99px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Bold", Palatino-Bold, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We listen to His words</span> as we heed His teachings in the holy scriptures and from His living prophets, emulate His example, and come to His Church, where we are fellowshipped, taught, and nourished by the good word of God.</p><p data-aid="154094108" id="p23" style="--height: 125.99px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", "Palatino Bold", Palatino-Bold, serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We walk in the meekness of His Spirit</span> as we love as He loved, forgive as He forgave, repent, and make our homes places where we can feel His Spirit. We also walk in the meekness of His Spirit as we help others, joyfully serve God, and strive to become “peaceable followers of Christ” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/moro/7.3?lang=eng#p3" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Moroni 7:3</a>).</p><p data-aid="154094110" id="p24" style="--height: 75.5938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">These steps of faith and works lead to righteousness, bless us on our journey of discipleship, and bring us abiding peace and purpose.</p></section><section style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><header style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 3.556em 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 data-aid="154094112" id="title5" style="--height: 33.5938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">“In Me Ye Might Have Peace”</span></h2></header><p data-aid="154094114" id="p25" style="--height: 125.99px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On a dark night in a grim railroad station many years ago, my mother faced a choice. She could sit and bemoan the tragedy of having lost her children, or she could put her faith and hope into action. I am grateful that her faith overcame her fear and that her hope overcame her despair.</p><p data-aid="154094116" id="p26" style="--height: 125.99px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Finally, in a remote area of the station, she found our train. There, at last, we were reunited. That night, and during many stormy days and nights to come, my mother’s example of putting faith into action sustained us as we hoped and worked for a brighter future.</p><p data-aid="154094119" id="p27" style="--height: 125.99px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Today, many of God’s children find that their train, too, has been moved. Their hopes and dreams for the future have been carried away by war, pandemic, and loss of health, employment, educational opportunities, and loved ones. They are discouraged, lonely, bereft.</p><p data-aid="154094123" id="p28" style="--height: 125.99px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Brothers and sisters, dear friends, we live in perilous times. Nations are perplexed, judgment is upon the land, and peace has been taken from the earth (see <a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/1.35?lang=eng#p35" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Doctrine and Covenants 1:35</a>; <a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/88.79?lang=eng#p79" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">88:79</a>). But peace need not be taken from our hearts, even if we must suffer, grieve, and wait on the Lord.</p><p data-aid="154094127" id="p29" style="--height: 125.99px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Because of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, our prayers will be answered. Timing belongs to God, but I testify that our righteous desires will one day be realized and that all our losses will be made up to us, provided we use the divine gift of repentance and remain faithful.<a class="note-ref" data-scroll-id="note5" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2023/03/04-my-peace-i-give-unto-you?lang=eng#note5" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup class="marker" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0.1em;">5</sup></a></p><p data-aid="154094131" id="p30" style="--height: 25.1979px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We will be healed—physically and spiritually.</p><p data-aid="154094135" id="p31" style="--height: 25.1979px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We will stand pure and holy before the judgment bar.</p><p data-aid="154094139" id="p32" style="--height: 25.1979px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We will be reunited with loved ones in a glorious resurrection.</p><p data-aid="154094143" id="p33" style="--height: 75.5938px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.889em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Meanwhile, may we be comforted and encouraged as we rely on the Savior’s promise: “In me ye might have peace” (<a class="scripture-ref" href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/16.33?lang=eng#p33" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">John 16:33</a>).</p></section></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><header style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Serif", McKay, "McKay ldsLat", Palatino, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino-Roman, serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 3.556em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h1 data-aid="154093049" id="title1" style="--height: 36px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Ensign:Sans", Zoram, "Zoram ldsLat", Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: inherit; inset-block-start: 0px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></h1></header>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-1938598183905233872023-01-08T12:52:00.005-08:002023-01-09T11:01:50.793-08:00What are Friends?<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> I was recently sitting in the temple and the Spirit whispered this question, "What is a friend.?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I was surprised as I found myself having faces flooding my mind on who I considered "Friends." My heart smiled as their faces ran through my mind.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The spirit then went on to ask if my friends were like Job's three friends? Were they like the friends who stood by the Prophet Joseph Smith? Were they "fly by night friends? Friends of convenience, nurturing friends, long time friends, short term friends, good friends, best friends, or a friend in passing?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I found myself reflecting on the various friendships I have had and continue to have. Many memories flooded my mind as I reflected on them and my heart smiled at those I consider my true blue loyal friends.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Then the Spirit took me to the passage of scripture in the New Testament were Christ clothed himself and then knelt and washed the feet of His trusted and beloved disciples. I then had the words of a Kenneth Cope song run through my mind:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Greater Love</span></p><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; margin-bottom: 12px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"If I had been there at his trial,</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">And watched as they mocked Israel's King,</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">I wonder if I would have tried to turn their hearts to Him,</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">If I had been there when they whipped him,</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">And watched as he fell to his knees,</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">Would I have been willing to offer my own life for Him,</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">For His friends, how he bled</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">His love for them was just as he said</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">Greater love he showed the greatest love, of all</div></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; margin-bottom: 12px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If I had been there at the hillside when they fastened his hands to the cross,</span></div><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm sure that my heart would have broken,</span></div></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; margin-bottom: 12px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For His friends, For His friends,</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">And that's me if I do what he said</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">Would I give? Could I live my life like Jesus?</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">Jesus</div></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; margin-bottom: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Well now, it's been years since his lifetime,</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">But he and his love still remain,</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">And all that I want is to be like him,</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">He was all I hope to be,</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">I would give my life to be,</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">The kind of friend, Jesus was to me,</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">Greater love"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And in bold print in my mind "I would give my life to be the kind of friend, Jesus was to me."</div><div style="text-align: left;">That thought stopped me short as the Spirit started running through my mind faces of people that I had no desire to be friends with. As those faces ran through my mind I seen the Savior approaching those who many deemed not worthy of their time or friendship.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A knife sliced through my heart as I realized the reminder that the Spirit and my Heavenly Father were teaching me. Me who was always saying, "We are all children of an Eternal Heavenly Father who loves and each and every one of us...." And yet here I was staying in my comfort zone of "Friends whom I connected with." They also gave me the gentle reminder of my promise made many years ago to my Eternal Heavenly Father that my life was His....and upon hearing the above song for the first time I remember saying, "Oh, Heavenly Father I would give my life to be the kind of friend Jesus was to me." My mother always told me to be careful what you ask for :). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, here in this New Year I am going to try and become a better friend to all that truly need a friend, And yes, I am going to lean on my current friends who happened to side with My Father in Heaven this go around.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">What are friends a thoughtful soul once asked<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">There is the fly by night friends, the loyal friends,
the nurturing friend and your true-blue friends. What kind of friend are you?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Are you a friend like the ones who sat with Job
silently offering their quiet strength; or are you the type of friend that
would stand by your beloved prophet and give heed to his inspired words?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Or are you the type of friend who would kneel and wash
another’s feet?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Could you be a friend to the friendless or just a
friend to those who look and dress like you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Imagine for a moment if you would, what it would be
like to be friend like the Savior has been to you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Lorie B 2023</span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p></blockquote>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-89484020524089305362022-12-30T19:58:00.000-08:002022-12-30T19:58:19.466-08:00I'll Meet You Where You Are<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">I was visiting with a friend about some tender issues that troubled my heart and she shared with me her thoughts and then she made a comment that one lady was apologizing to her because of the busyness of her life and my friend shared with me, "I told her not to worry, I would meet her where she was." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'll meet you where you are has been playing in my mind. Tonight I had dinner with some very special friends who have faced some challenges and as I was enjoying their company the thought ran through my mind, "I will meet you where you are." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once home I started putting my thoughts on paper and then these words started flowing through my mind:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So many times one finds themselves travelling afar.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They turn around to look behind and hear these reassuring words,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"It's ok my child. I will meet you where you are."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">At other times we find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of this busy world and as we start to apologize for the busyness of our lives and we once again hear these reassuring words, "Its ok my child. I will meet you where you are."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And when we find ourselves lost and all alone in a dreary lonely world filled with deep despair, we catch a glimpse of a radiant light and hear once again those hope filled words, "Its ok my child. I will meet you where you are."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">How grateful I am for my Eternal Father and the friends He has blessed me with and those friends He has entrusted to my care that we can meet where we are. </span></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-3275570210119897772022-12-11T12:45:00.000-08:002022-12-11T12:45:08.556-08:00Just Another Day<p>Ever since I can remember my mom and poppers made each one of my birthdays a very special day. Each birthday I would find myself surrounded by family and friends and my mother would bake me the most wonderful Strawberry cake. I have wonderful memories from those long lost days so many years ago.</p><p>In 1997 on my 32nd birthday I found myself alone on a birthday journey that would forever a change my life. My beloved parents were not able to share this birthday with me but I found myself surrounded by loved ones who had passed on and amazing woman whose eyes radiated a great love for me a total stranger and each gave me the most wonderful hugs.</p><p>Since that wonderful journey where I first entered the doors of our holy temple. I promised my Father in Heaven that I would spend each and every birthday with Him in His Holy House. I have kept that promise for the last 25 years and each year on my birthday I would be found in the temple with my beloved mom and poppers who are now on the other side along with the rest of my family basking in their love and my Eternal Father's love. I would then meet my two friends who I have come to refer as my northern stars and we would have a lovely dinner.</p><p>This year my excitement of my upcoming birthday was there but I sensed this year was going to be extra special. The Spirit kept whispering, "enjoy your special day because tomorrow will be just another day." I found myself perplexed at this thought but continued to count the days. Two of my beloved friends are temple workers and their day at the temple so happened to fall on my birthday, so I sent them a card and invited them to share my special day with me. It warmed my heart when they shared with me their appt had been made. I then found myself visiting with my Heavenly Father and sharing with Him how I so wanted another dear friend to join us that day and how neat that would be; but closed with but if not that's okay.</p><p>My special day arrived and I was so excited!!! I took my camera so I could get my yearly picture of the temple. I caught a nice shot and as I was heading to the temple entrance there stood my special friend. My heart jumped for joy as I shared with her that I had asked our Father in Heaven to place a desire in her heart to spend my special day with me.</p><p>As I was sitting between these two beloved sisters I felt myself being overcome with emotions. Not only did I find myself basking in their love but all my family and Heavenly Father were there with us. Tears flowed down my face as the spirit whispered, "This is the way it was meant to be...your's is a little late." Then once again, "enjoy this special day because tomorrow is just another day."</p><p>The session was AMAZING!!!! My heart was so full of joy and love. I found myself in awe just as I had been in 1997. Afterwards I met my northern stars and we laughed until we cried and had such a wonderful time together. As we were leaving the restaurant basking in the warm love that surrounded us I heard them say, "Until next year. This was such a great night." Oh, how I love them.</p><p>As we were parting and the day was winding down the spirit whispered once again, "Enjoy the night for tomorrow is just another day. And he was right. I woke with an afterglow of my birthday but it was just another day. A day to get back to work. As I have been reflecting on this wonderful experience these words started running through my mind:</p><p><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow is Just Another Day</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;">One has those special days that are near and dear to their heart</p><p style="text-align: center;">The birth of a child, that child's first steps</p><p style="text-align: center;">One's first love, A school graduation and one's wedding day</p><p style="text-align: center;">But there is a day more special than most </p><p style="text-align: center;">and that's the day you left your Heavenly Home to embark on your mortal journey</p><p style="text-align: center;">Each year when that special day comes around your Heavenly Father ensures its more than just a day</p><p style="text-align: center;">But then you have an extra special day where your</p><p style="text-align: center;"> Eternal Father blesses you with an unexpected gift</p><p style="text-align: center;">And you feel a special kinship with a chosen few who chose to share this special day with you</p><p style="text-align: center;">And as you're basking in the warmth of their great love the Spirit gently whispers</p><p style="text-align: center;">"Cherish this special day because tomorrow will be just another day." </p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-64988484596008082892022-11-25T13:29:00.001-08:002022-11-25T13:29:09.901-08:00Blessed are the Cargivers<p> </p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am so blessed to have amazing friends that fill my heart with great joy and peace. Yesterday I got to spend a few hours with such friends who have been caregivers for their elderly relatives since the first day I met them. So, I wasn't surprised when they shared with me they were bringing their elderly mother into their home to take care of her. Incredible love for this beautiful couple filled my soul as I shared with them there were great blessing in store for them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A total stranger on a FB post had shared how she was caring for her elderly mother. As I read her post that same radiating love filled my soul as I assured her great blessings were in store. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am so grateful that my dearest friends are some of those few who chose to take care of their elderly parents by bringing them into their home. I am also blessed to have colleagues that fill my heart with joy as I witness them showering our adopted grandmas and grandpas with their unconditional love.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I was reflecting on them a poem started flowing into my mind. My way of sharing with them how amazing they are and how grateful I am to have them as friends.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Still needs some work but I love the message.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>In the premortal existence before we were all born, our
Eternal Father in Heaven called a meeting with a special few.</b></i></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>You are preparing for a mortal journey where you will start
young and then you will grow old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
will have their minds begin to fade, others will have many aches and pains and
there will be some who will face diseases that will eat at their good health;
and so my dear children when that day comes what suggest you on how to care for
them?<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>A vibrant discussion soon ensued where many ideas and suggestions
were then shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in the back of the
room stood a quiet few who silently observed.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>Noting their silence our great Father fastened his gaze
upon them and asked, “What say ye dear children who silently observe?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nervous to answer one finally spoke:<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>“Our Holy Father here is our desire, let us your silent few
take them and care for them when that day arrives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we ask of you is that you grant us the
strength and courage to stay by their side and let our hearts be filled with
love and patience as we witness their decline.”<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>Pleased with their humble answer our Father then declared, “Blessed
art thou and how great shall be your joy when you return to your Heavenly Home."</b></i></span></span></p><p></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-23415256342416035642022-11-14T11:44:00.007-08:002022-11-14T11:46:48.558-08:00The BIble told me so<p> I enjoy listening to various insights that different pastors share from their reading of the bible. Some are quite enlightening but there is one that every chance he gets he takes a jab at members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I just find myself sadly shaking my head because he is so off base with his thoughts.</p><p>Today he was commenting that "Mormons don't worship the Christ that is found in the bible. They worship the Christ of Joseph Smith." I was dumbfounded and found myself shaking my head sadly. Joseph Smith was a young man looking for answers and he was reading in the bible James 1:5</p><p>"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and abraideth not; and it shall be given him."</p><p>If one listens to our General Conferences speaker after speaker will quote from the Old and New Testament and all encourage us to look and follow our Master the Savior and emulate our lives after His.</p><p>My thoughts than turned to the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew chapters 5-7. Then I remembered President Hinkley's Beatitude's: </p><p>1. Be Grateful</p><p>2. Be Smart</p><p>3. Be Clean</p><p>4. Be True</p><p>5. Be Humble</p><p>6. Be Prayerful</p><p>All traits our Lord and Savior exhibited throughout his life.</p><p>Then the words to "<b><i>I Know That My Redeemer Lives</i></b>" started playing in my mind:</p><ol class="verses" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 16px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 34.4479px 20px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 327.271px;"><p class="line" data-aid="128074442" id="figure1_p2" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="verse-number" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. </span>I know that my Redeemer lives.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074443" id="figure1_p3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">What comfort this sweet sentence gives!</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074444" id="figure1_p4" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives, he lives, who once was dead.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074445" id="figure1_p5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives, my ever-living Head.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074446" id="figure1_p6" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives to bless me with his love.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074447" id="figure1_p7" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives to plead for me above.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074448" id="figure1_p8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives my hungry soul to feed.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074449" id="figure1_p9" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives to bless in time of need.</p></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 327.271px;"><p class="line" data-aid="128074450" id="figure1_p10" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="verse-number" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. </span>He lives to grant me rich supply.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074451" id="figure1_p11" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives to guide me with his eye.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074452" id="figure1_p12" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives to comfort me when faint.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074453" id="figure1_p13" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074454" id="figure1_p14" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives to silence all my fears.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074455" id="figure1_p15" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives to wipe away my tears.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074456" id="figure1_p16" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives to calm my troubled heart.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074457" id="figure1_p17" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives all blessings to impart.</p></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 34.4479px 20px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 327.271px;"><p class="line" data-aid="128074458" id="figure1_p18" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="verse-number" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3. </span>He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074459" id="figure1_p19" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives and loves me to the end.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074460" id="figure1_p20" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074461" id="figure1_p21" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074462" id="figure1_p22" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives and grants me daily breath.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074463" id="figure1_p23" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives, and I shall conquer death.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074464" id="figure1_p24" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives my mansion to prepare.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074465" id="figure1_p25" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives to bring me safely there.</p></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 327.271px;"><p class="line" data-aid="128074466" id="figure1_p26" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="verse-number" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. </span>He lives! All glory to his name!</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074467" id="figure1_p27" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives, my Savior, still the same.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074468" id="figure1_p28" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074469" id="figure1_p29" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I know that my Redeemer lives!”</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074470" id="figure1_p30" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives! All glory to his name!</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074471" id="figure1_p31" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">He lives, my Savior, still the same.</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074472" id="figure1_p32" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:</p><p class="line" data-aid="128074473" id="figure1_p33" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I know that my Redeemer lives!”</p></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 327.271px;"><p class="line" data-aid="128074473" id="figure1_p33" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p></li></ol><p>There is no doubt in my mind that The Lord and Savior that I not only love and worship but who is my best friend is the One and Only Christ found throughout the pages of the bible and it is Him that I strive to be like each and every day. I have felt His great love for me and my neighbors for His words and actions are written in the soft fleshy tablet of my heart and it all started with "Cause the bible told me so."</p><p><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.01); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.01); color: #333333; font-size: 13px;"></span></p><div class="song-primary" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #333333; float: left; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; margin: 12px 24.9896px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 689px;"><div class="song-player" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(220, 214, 200); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 40px -10px; padding: 1px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div id="song-player" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></div><ol class="verses" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 16px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></ol></div><p><br /></p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481257610603415156.post-88665480197384159932022-10-24T11:32:00.000-07:002022-10-24T11:32:14.114-07:00Oh, if you could look inside my heart<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I recently attended a leadership meeting and as I sat there surrounded by what I will call "Professional" leaders, I found myself feeling very out of place, very naive and immature. As I was dwelling on my shortcomings and inadequacies. I had these words start running through my mind: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Oh, if you
could look inside my heart, you would see a frail broken little girl looking for
her place to be.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Oh, if you
could look inside my heart, you would see, a frail little girl willing to cry
with thee.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Oh, if you could
look inside my heart, you would see this broken little girl’s pure love for thee.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Oh, if you
could look inside my heart, you would see the great love this little girl has
for her Eternal Father, her eternal family and His great plan of happiness for
all to see.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Oh, if you
could look inside my heart, you would see her sincere desire to serve her Lord
her God with all her being.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Oh, if you
could look inside my heart, you would see Our Eternal Father’s great love for thee.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>Oh, if you
could look inside my heart, you would see a sound understanding of our Eternal
Father’s plea, ‘Remember the worth of souls are so very precious to me.’”</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I believe it was a gentle reminder that the Lord looks upon the heart and He had his reasons for calling me to this leadership position and that I need to keep trusting in Him.</p>Loriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16006991171991821030noreply@blogger.com0