Gratitude

I like this quote I found on Ann Allred Bull's Facebook status

Gratitude brings more to be grateful about, so today I make the point of expressing gratitude for everything in my life.

~ Louise L. Hay

I spilled soda pop, Sunkist orange, on this keyboard & the main enter key sticks. The number pad sticks too. But I am grateful that most of it still works. I can use it. The enter key on the num pad works & the numbers on the main keyboard works. Nick picked up a used keyboard at ComputerWise yesterday for me. He was in a mood tonight though, so I didn't get it.

Courage

Here are some words of wisdom from one of my favorite courageous people:

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

~ Winston Churchill

Why is it so hard to sit down & listen??

Faith

I like this quote from Ellie Shamburg's Facebook wall.

When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen … There will be something solid for us to stand on or we will be taught to fly.

~ Patrick Overton

Sounds like a leap of faith to me.

Count your blessings

I loved this poem that Peggy Archibald Parker posted on Facebook. I snagged it so I could find it again when I want to read it.

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
… Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.

Author Unknown

Follow your heart

Another quote snagged from Facebook. This time from Amelia Martinez Harris.

Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Oh yes, so true. It reminds me of when I pulled Nick out of public school to homeschool him. Now, I've brought Mother home from the nursing home. This is something I feel strongly about. She can still wipe her own butt. The home health nurse does not want to open the case. I'll do it without her.

Worry

Another fantastic quote. I am so glad I have this blog to keep the quotes I find & like. It's so much better than the book I used to keep.

"Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy."

~ Leo Buscaglia

I snagged this from Shari Larsen's Facebook status. She says:

"I'm a born worrywart, I am better than I used to be though, but it's still something I need to work on."

Don't we all? Especially me.

My view

Here is a fantastic quote. I should keep this posted on the fridge, the mirror in the bathroom, the front door …

"I can choose either to be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It's all a question of how I view my life."

~ Paulo Coelho

Today I will be an adventurer. I had already decided I was going to do something, just didn't know it was going to be an adventure.

What you do

Here's a good quote I need to conceptualize:

"The difference in who you are and who you want to be is what you do."

Flylady.net 

What I do, hmmm.

Going through hell

I signed up for Goodreads Quote of the Day a couple of weeks ago & then promptly forgot about it. I have been pretty lax about checking my email since I started using Facebook. I was checking my email & wondered what the emails were titled Quote of the Day & started looking at them. I decided I'd organize them & have the emails filtered into their very own folder. I read every one of them, since there were only 2 weeks worth of quotes, so far. I used one about books on my book blog. I was closing the half dozen tabs I usually have open on a computer when I use it, preparing to go to bed. The quote from Winston Churchill kept recurring to me. I read the last entry & thought Churchill's quote went perfectly with it. Then it took me another few minutes while I read every email again, trying to find Churchill's quote.

If you are going through hell, keep going.

~ Winston S. Churchill

Excellent advice. Why stop to smell the roses? Just keep going

The secret of getting started

Ok, another quote found on Facebook. I think the Lord must be telling me something

"The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks, into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one" 
~ Mark Twain

Ya, think?

Motivation

Ok, I needed this quote. The table full of bankruptcy forms & the fact that I'm a week late on this is haunting me.

Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.

~ Wayne Dyer

Oh, & of course it had to be Wayne Dyer. Motivational speaker & author, although I don't think that is how he is billed.

Living

I just subscribed to Goodreads Quote of the Day. The quote for today, June 18, was from Mahatma Gandhi. I put the h in the wrong place in Gandhi. I want to put it right after the G.

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Interesting premise. At first I thought, "Well, I wouldn't do anything different than I am right now, if I were to die tomorrow. I'd still be sitting here at the computer." But then I thought, "Wait a minute … I'd go see Mother, but the rest of the stuff, people will just have to deal with."

Learn as if you were to live forever. We are, aren't we? Which brought to mind the scripture that whatever intelligence we attain in this life will rise with us in the resurrection found in the Doctrine & Covenants, Section 130:

 18. Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

 19. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.

It is, of course LDS scripture. Gandhi's quote is still something we should do. If we live the commandments & the way we should live, we aren't going to be scrambling at the last minute trying to set everything right.

Murmuring

Grant Douglas Morgan posted these thoughts on Facebook.

"Those of deep faith do not murmur. They are generously disposed, and they are reluctant to murmur, even while in deep difficulties." ~ Neal A. Maxwell

I wonder if this is also from Elder Maxwell

"Laborers in the Lord's vineyard who murmur over life's inequities, declared Jesus, murmur 'against the goodman of the house.' (Matt. 20:11.) The goodness of the Lord is attested to in so many ways—mansions await!—yet we ungrateful guests still complain about the present accommodations.

Facebook friends

Some of my friends shared some really good quotes today on Facebook from Status Shuffle. What better place to keep them than here?

Ann Allred Bull

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude

James Carter

Best friends are like rainbows, sometimes you can only see them from a distance but they have this way of always making you smile.

Tonya Christensen

The 3 C's of life: choices, chances and changes ~ You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change.

Shari Larsen

Worrying doesn't seem to help anything...so why can't I stop...

Vickie Green Jarvis shared this from a friend on the supposed end of the world today

Stephen Sondheim sums up today so well....

It's the last midnight.
It's the last wish.
It's the last midnight,
Soon it will be boom-
Squish!
Told a little lie,
Stole a little gold,
Broke a little vow,
Did you? …
Nothing we can do now.

Priorities

Today in the library there was a paper with these three quotes on them. Instead of taking the page or making a Xerox copy of it so I'd have another piece of paper floating around my house or car, I copied them by hand on the back of an old program.

This is an interesting thought. Sometimes we make our habits without even trying to.

First we make our habits,
Then our habits make us.

I like this quote from Elder Oaks. Mother has always said we can afford what we want to afford.

Let us remember that desires dictate our priorities. Priorities shape our choices & choices determine our actions.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks - Conferece address, April 2011

And finally,

Unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.

~ 2 Nephi 31:16

New quotes

I've been following Gene & Pauline Esplin's blog, "Called to Serve." They are serving as humanitarian missionaries in the New Delhi Mission. It includes the northern portion of India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan. They are in Kathmandu. Pauline posted this quote & I liked it, so I snagged it.

"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions."

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

I finished reading the Institute of Religion's Old Testament: 1 Kings - Malachi Student Manual (Religion 302) tonight & snagged some thoughts from Chapter 35 for my scripture journal.

“I am convinced that each of us, at some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves — and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again"

~ President Spencer W. Kimball

I found this to be true when reading the OT & again when reading the BOM this year, after just reading it last year.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught:

“. . . It is not reading alone; it is reading, pondering, and praying so that the Spirit of the Almighty gets involved in the study and gives understanding.”

~ “Drink from the Fountain,” Ensign, Apr. 1975, pp. 70–71

Tom Krause quotes

Who is Tom Krause? A motivational speaker, teacher & coach. He has been a contributing author to the Chicken Soup for the Soul 15 times. I went to thinkexist.com to find the following thoughts.

“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.”

“If you don't want it bad enough to risk losing it - you don't want it bad enough.”

“There are no failures - just experiences and your reactions to them.”  

Leap of faith

I found these quotes today on Facebook. I should have made a note from whom I snagged them.

"The jump is so frightening between where I am and where I want to be. Because of all I may become, I will close my eyes and leap."

~ Mary Anne Radmacher

The above quote really resonated with me. I don't know if I have that kind of faith though.

"I seldom end up where I wanted to go, but I always end up where I needed to be."

~ Douglas Adams

Sometimes I wonder.

"There comes a point in your life when you realize who really matters, who never did, and who always will."

~ Unknown

Sometimes it takes a while.

"The realist sees reality as concrete. The optimist sees reality as clay."

~ Robert Brault

Then there is someone with Asperger's.

"My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just to enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate."

~ Thornton Wilder

 Cuz if you don't, it will melt.

Managing information

Since the church was restored in the early 1800s, there has been an information explosion. President Faust says,

"We are bombarded on all sides by a vast number of messages we don't want or need. More information is generated in a single day than we can absorb in a lifetime. To fully enjoy life, all of us must find our own breathing space and peace of mind. How can we do this? There is only one answer. We must rise above the evil that encroaches upon us. We must follow the counsel of the Lord, who said, 'It is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places'

--James E. Faust, "Standing in Holy Places," Ensign, May 2005, 62

We must find our own breathing space & peace of mind. I like that.

LDS Quotes

I have finished my custom schedule of reading The Book of Mormon at readthescriptures dot com. I haven't finished reading it, I got behind, but kept requesting the next assignment anyway. Because I've finished the schedule, I don't get the quotes every day & I miss it. I decided I'd go looking for them. There is a section on readthescriptures called LDS Quotes. You have to search by author, keyword or subject.

Who to search for? I thought of Elder Carlos E. Asay. He was the head of the Missionary Department when I worked there from 1976 to 1982. There are only 2 quotes by Elder Asay in the archives. One is already here on the blog, so I'm sharing the other one:

"I fear that many of us rush about from day to day taking for granted the holy scriptures. We scramble to honor appointments with physicians, lawyers, and businessmen. Yet we think nothing of postponing interviews with Deity - postponing scripture study. Little wonder we develop anemic souls and lose our direction in living. How much better it would be if we planned and held sacred fifteen or twenty minutes a day for reading the scriptures. Such interviews with Deity would help us recognize his voice and enable us to receive guidance in all of our affairs."

--Carlos E. Asay, "Look to God and Live," Ensign, Nov. 1978, 52

I have certainly enjoyed my scripture reading. I had to smile at the 15-20 minutes a day Elder Asay suggests because I finally had to cut my scripture study down to 15-20 minutes a day from 60-90 minutes a day. I still have a hard time keeping it at 15-20 minutes. I fear I'd be much less likely to read the scriptures if I had to read them from a book with tiny print. I much prefer to read them online & make the text big enough to see.

Do not delay

There will be weeping & wailing & gnashing of teeth if we subscribe to the Scarlett O'Hara Syndrome & procrastinate.

"The scriptures make the danger of delay clear. It is that we may discover that we have run out of time. The God who gives us each day as a treasure will require an accounting. We will weep, and He will weep, if we have intended to repent and to serve Him in tomorrows which never came or have dreamt of yesterdays where the opportunity to act was past. This day is a precious gift of God. The thought "Someday I will" can be a thief of the opportunities of time and the blessings of eternity."

--Henry B. Eyring, "This Day", Ensign, May 2007, 89–91

Trials & testing of life

Elder Richard G. Scott is quoted tonight. In looking for his quotes, I found one that I needed to have repeated again.

Nick is obsessing over a car. It seems like it is the only thing our lives have revolved around since he started obsessing. Not only that, the foreclosure is still hanging over our heads. But Elder Scott says:

"Sadness, disappointment, and severe challenge are events in life, not life itself. I do not minimize how hard some of these events are. They can extend over a long period of time, but they should not be allowed to become the confining center of everything you do. …"

Events in life.  Men are that they might have joy … okay. That must take a talent I don't have. To see them as EVENTS in life, not life itself.

"Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life. Your faith can guide you to those correct choices."

--Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 2003, 77

Now he's counseling to not only have faith, but use it to guide you to those correct choices. 

Gateway virtue

Ever heard of a gateway virtue before? Neither have I. I have heard of gateway drugs though.

"Patience may well be thought of as a gateway virtue, contributing to the growth and strength of its fellow virtues of forgiveness, tolerance, and faith."

--Elder Robert C. Oaks, "The Power of Patience", October Conference 2006

Do you have to have patience before you can move on to forgiveness, tolerance & faith?

There were some great thoughts on Facebook, I snagged them, as well as one I liked from a blog I follow.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.

~ Lewis B. Smedes

"Everybody wants happiness. Nobody wants pain. But you can't have a rainbow without a little rain."

~ Kameryn

"Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it”

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.”

"You can't sing all the verses for your life's song at the same time."

The Word of Wisdom

By way of explanation, the Word of Wisdom is a law of health as recorded in section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants of the LDS Church.

"The Word of Wisdom does not promise you perfect health, but it teaches how to keep the body you were born with in the best condition and your mind alert to delicate spiritual promptings."

--President Boyd K. Packer Ensign, May 1996, Page 18

It really bugs me when someone says they can't eat or drink something because the LDS Church doesn't allow them to. We have the choice to keep the commandment or not.

Confidence in our chosen path

Not a Carlson on the blog. I didn't even know we had a GA by the name of Carlson. I had never thought of obedience to the commandments in quite this way:

"Obedience to the Lord's commandments provides us confidence in our chosen path, qualifies us for His guidance and direction as we pursue our efforts, and offers us the potential to become like our Savior, Jesus Christ, and return to our Father's presence."

--Elder Bruce A. Carlson, "When the Lord Commands", April 2010 General Conference

Obedience to God's commandments should give us confidence, but I wonder if I'm following the commandments the right way. What if I'm not doing it right?

Not yet

We have a cat that demands attention. I know, most cats don't do that, but this cat does. It doesn't matter what I'm doing, she wants attention & she wants it now. And she keeps meowing. I'll explain to her why I won't stop & scratch her. I tell her "NO!" I tell her not yet, but she keeps meowing. I had to laugh when I read the first of this quote: "The truth is that not yet usually means never.…" Boy does Jae understand that.

The next part of the thought, "trying to run away from responsibility …" hits very close to home. I know Christ is the Savior, the redeemer of the world, I just don't want to have to face responsibility.

"The truth is that not yet usually means never. Trying to run away from the responsibility to decide about Christ is childish. Pilate sought to refuse responsibility for deciding about Christ, but Pilate's hands were never dirtier than just after he had washed them."

--Neal A. Maxwell, "Why Not Now?", Ensign, Nov. 1974, 12

I also found this entry, Not this day when looking for Elder Maxwell's quote. In fact, I kept thinking Not this day was Elder Maxwell's quote instead of President Eyring's quote.

"The Savior will let you feel the love He feels for those you serve. The call is an invitation to become like Him."

--Elder Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, May 2000, 66.

Atonement

Tonight's thought is perfect coming on the eve of Palm Sunday

"This Jesus, who is called Christ, wrought out a perfect atonement for all mankind by His incomparable life, His suffering in Gethsemane, the shedding of His blood, His death upon the cross, and His glorious Resurrection. He conquered the grave, and because of Him, so will we."

--Bishop Keith B. McMullin, "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee", Ensign, May 2004, 34

Trials sanctify us

This quote by Elder Maxwell is thought provoking.

"Rather than simply passing through trials, we must allow trials to pass through us in ways that sanctify us."

--Elder Neil A Maxwell, "Enduring Well", April 1997 Ensign

It sounds like we need to learn from trials, not just endure them & hope we'll make it through them.

"Those who have felt the touch of the Master's hand somehow cannot explain the change which comes into their lives. There is a desire to live better, to serve faithfully, to walk humbly, and to be more like the Savior. Having received their spiritual eyesight and glimpsed the promises of eternity, they echo the words of the blind man to whom Jesus restored sight: 'One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see' (John 9:25)."

--President Thomas S. Monson, "Anxiously Engaged", Ensign, Nov. 2004, 58

thinkexist.com

On Facebook today a friend was peppering her wall with quotes - good quotes too. I asked her where the quotes were coming from & she told me

thinkexist . com...i rely on quotes to help me deal with stuff. It's my sister again.

So, I checked out thinkexist. It may be the headache I'm dealing with this morning, or the fact that I just pulled it up & didn't really do much looking, but I didn't find anything cool like she did.

“You can bend it and twist it... You can misuse and abuse it... But even God cannot change the Truth.”

“Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it”

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”

“Honor isn't about making the right choices. It's about dealing with the consequences.”

“Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it”

“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do.”

Gift of gratitude

Tonight's thought intrigues me. I've never thought of it in quite the light President Monson presents it. I was going to name this entry, "Attitude of gratitude," but it seemed like I had used it before. So, I started looking for it & found it here, clear back in November.

"A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort-at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude. Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don't get around to it. Someone has said that "feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."

--Thomas S. Monson, "The Divine Gift of Gratitude", Ensign, Nov 2010, 87–90

How many, many times have I done just this?

No man knows my history

This afternoon when I went over to Mother's she was listening to the book, "Praise to the Man" by Gerald N. Lund. It is book #6 of The Work & the Glory series. She wanted to pause the CD because they were  getting ready to kill Joseph Smith & she didn't want to have to listen to that point again. I was interested to see this quote tonight.

"You don't know me; you never knew my heart. No man knows my history. I cannot tell it: I shall never undertake it. I don't blame any one for not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I would not have believed it myself. I never did harm any man since I was born in the world. My voice is always for peace."

--Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois, April 7, 1844, History of the Church, 6:317

This was penned just weeks before the martyrdom. I have heard the phrase, "No man knows my history." But have never seen it in context. Still don't know that this is really in context, but at least it's more than I've seen before. (Unless, of course, I wasn't paying attention in D&C in Seminary either.)

"Our task is to become our best selves. One of God's greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final."

--Thomas S. Monson, "The Will Within," Ensign, May 1987, 67

 This is comforting. And I like "joy of trying again."

Perilous times

Earthquakes, nuclear reactors, foreclosure sale on our house in just a month,  are these perilous times? They say that more than HALF of efforts to save your home from foreclosure fail. Half!!!

"Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes."

--President Gordon B. Hinckley Ensign, November 2001, page 74.

I wish I could have peace in my heart. I wish I knew what to do, but there is always this thought lurking that I am going to lose my home. I am going to lose my home. We are going to lose our home & I'm just sick.

"What better example do we have of temperance than our Savior, Jesus Christ? When our hearts are stirred to anger by disputation and contention, the Savior taught that we should "repent, and become as a little child." We should be reconciled with our brother and come to the Savior with full purpose of heart. When others are unkind, Jesus taught that "my kindness shall not depart from thee." When we are confronted with affliction, He said: "Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast." When we are oppressed, we can be comforted in knowing "he was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth." "Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows."

--Kent D. Watson, "Being Temperate in All Things", Ensign, Nov 2009, 38–39

Perhaps if we had the assurance we were going to be able to keep our home, we would have peace in our home, instead of the contention that everyone is worrying to themselves, but not sharing it.

Whatever God requires

Tonight I was scrolling through the entries trying to find if tonight's quotes were repeats & discovered I have a couple of comments. I was surprised. I haven't had any comments yet & I wasn't notified of them. It seems I had neglected to plan for them. But I remedied that & now have it set up to notify me so I'm not ignoring my visitors.

It seems on March 11, I made a comment in answer to this quote by President Uchtdorf

"… Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can -- that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that may be."

(Emphasis is mine) I said, "Somehow I don't think that means sitting on our butt reading."

My friend Linda Weaver Clarke said, "I'm not sure about that. We just need to pace ourselves."

I am a voracious reader. I have a terrible time pacing myself. I am always reading 2-3 books at a time. Right now I think I have 6 going. The main book is The Book of Mormon, which I read every night before I go to bed. I can sit up until 3-4 in the morning reading, because I've lost track of time.

Thanks for the insight, Linda. I really do need to pace myself.

There was one new quote tonight,

"... Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire. If we seek first the kingdom of God, all good things will be added"

--Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 255-56

Strive to be Christlike

This article by President Howard W. Hunter has to have been republished. It says it is from the December 2005 Liahona (Ensign):

"It is possible for Christ to be born in men's lives, and when such an experience actually happens, a man is "in Christ"-Christ is "formed" in him. This presupposes that we take Christ into our hearts and make Him the living contemporary of our lives. He is not just a general truth or a fact in history, but the Savior of men everywhere and at all times. When we strive to be Christlike, He is "formed" in us; if we open the door, He will enter; if we seek His counsel, He will counsel us. For Christ to be "formed" in us, we must have a belief in Him and in His Atonement. Such a belief in Christ and the keeping of His commandments are not restraints upon us. By these, men are set free. This Prince of Peace waits to give peace of mind, which may make each of us a channel of that peace."

--Howard W. Hunter, "The Real Christmas", Liahona Dec 2005, 12

President Hunter served as the 14th president of the Church from June 5, 1994, to March 3, 1995, nine months.

Accountability

Last night both quotes had already been used at least once, tonight they are both new.

"Every day, every hour, every minute of your span of mortal years must sometime be accounted for. And it is in this life that you walk by faith and prove yourself able to choose good over evil, right over wrong, enduring happiness over mere amusement. And your eternal reward will be according to your choosing."

--D. Todd Christofferson, "Reflections on a Consecrated Life", Media Name

Today I went to Logan with a friend & her husband. They dropped me off at Wal-Mart & I shopped until Don got off work & then he came & picked me up. I, of course, ended up in the book section. Every time I got lost as a child, my mother knew to go to the books & she'd find me sitting cross-legged in front of the books.

In the book section today I found a couple of good books about near death experiences (NDE). Why do they call them near death? I like after death experiences. One was Heaven is For Real, the story about a 4-year-old boy who had an after death experience during emergency surgery. I had read an excerpt from it just last night in Guideposts. Another was 23 Minutes in Hell. This was the first NDE book I have seen about hell. Why do people ignore hell? It is real. Not that we want to go there. But,

"Those who yearn for true spiritual light and knowledge can only find it through the power of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit enlightens and gives understanding of the eternal purpose of life. By the Spirit, Church members know the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is true."

--Elder M. Russell Ballard; Ensign, May 1996, Page 80

Destination

When going on a road trip, there is generally a destination in mind. When plotting life's journey, we should have a destination in mind.

"If we choose the wrong road, we choose the wrong destination."

--Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Be Not Deceived," Ensign, November 2004, 44

Not all roads end up in the same place. President Thomas S. Monson had several choices for employment. He chose to stay in Salt Lake & work for Deseret News & that has made all the difference. Not only in his life, but in the lives of millions of Church members.

The following quote is from Elder Bruce R. McConkie's last conference talk. I remember it. He was so ill & he died just a few days after giving it.

"I am one of [Jesus Christ's] witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God's Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way."

--Bruce R. McConkie, "The Purifying Power of Gethsemane," Ensign, May 1985, 9

One of my favorite hymns is I Believe in Christ by Elder McConkie.

I remember meeting Elder McConkie when I worked in the Missionary Dept. He was on the Missionary Executive Committee. I had to run a letter over to the Administration Building for his signature. I expected to just give it to his secretary & she would take it in to him. She told me to go right in, he was waiting for it. OMG! This was a man I greatly admired. I couldn't imagine even being in his presence. I had on a pair of shoes with rubber soles. I remember his carpet being so soft, I tripped walking to his desk.

More on reverence

I started reading Elder Vaughn J Featherstone's quote on reverence & I kept thinking, we just had a quote on reverence, but I don't have any quotes from Elder Featherstone. I found the quote I was looking for here. It is not quite the way reverence is taught in Primary, but then neither is this from Elder Featherstone.

"Our Heavenly Father is perfect and we can also become perfect. One of the most Christ-like qualities we ought to develop is reverence, an attitude that shows how we feel about Heavenly Father and the things He has asked us to do. The person who is reverent has a quiet dignity. It requires a pure heart to be reverent. Reverence is more than just being quiet. It is a spiritual communication between us and our Father in heaven. When we are reverent, we don't do anything that reflects negatively upon the Lord or His Church. This does not mean just during meetings, but it includes our conduct wherever we may be or in whatever we do."

--Vaughn J Featherstone, "Friend to Friend", September 1976 Friend pg 8

Emphasis is mine. A quiet dignity, we don't have to be loud & raucous.

I love Elder Featherstone. When I first started working at the LDS Church Office Building, in 1975, I worked in the Presiding Bishopric's Office in the stenographic pool. Elder Featherstone was a counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. I had to type his name several times a day. Look at his name: Vaughn J Featherstone. There are 19 letters in his name or 25 keystrokes. That's a long name. VgFtrt or 6 letters of his name is typed with the left index finger; uhnJhn or 6 more letters of his name is typed with the right index finger.

I quit the Presiding Bishop's office. I remember thinking I would never have to type Elder Featherstone's name again. I was hired in the Missionary Department, & shortly afterwards, Elder Featherstone came to the Missionary Dept. I kept typing his name.

Elder Featherstone is a dear man. One of my favorite people.

Friends

Never thought of a friend as a possession. A gift, yes. Not a possession. You can't own a friend. You can earn a person's friendship. Sometimes the friendship is given freely.

The epitaph on Lois Carter's headstone says,

A friend is a gift you give yourself.

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Elder Ashton says,

"A friend is a possession we earn, not a gift. … The Lord has declared that those who serve him and keep his commandments are called his servants. After they have been tested and tried and are found faithful and true in all things, they are called no longer servants, but friends. His friends are the ones he will take into his kingdom and with whom he will associate in an eternal inheritance."

--Marvin J. Ashton, "What Is a Friend?", Ensign, Jan. 1973, 41

Motherhood

Tonight's thoughts are about the family. Yet, not every woman will be a mother & not every person shall marry. I remember in my 20s, as an unmarried woman & all my friends were marrying, or it seemed like all my friends were marrying, how I would ache when I heard the conference talks about marriage & motherhood. I felt like I was unworthy, yet I did not want to marry, just to marry. I knew that if I weren't happy in, & of myself, someone else couldn't make me happy.

"How sweet is the assurance, how comforting is the peace that come from the knowledge that if we marry right and live right, our relationship will continue, notwithstanding the certainty of death and the passage of time. Men may write love songs and sing them. They may yearn and hope and dream. But all of this will be only a romantic longing unless there is an exercise of authority that transcends the powers of time and death."

--Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Marriage That Endures", Ensign, Jul 2003, 2–7

I know I married right, but living right? I guess all we can do is strive to live the commandments - line upon line, precept upon precept.

"Motherhood is not what was left over after our Father blessed His sons with priesthood ordination. It was the most ennobling endowment He could give His daughters, a sacred trust that gave women an unparalleled role in helping His children keep their second estate. As President J. Reuben Clark Jr. declared, motherhood is "as divinely called, as eternally important in its place as the Priesthood itself."

--Sheri L. Dew, "Are We Not All Mothers?", Ensign, Nov 2001, 96

Then after we were married & couldn't have children, I cried over that. A friend told me it was easier to have them than to raise them. I did not believe her, but I do now. And I've used that line with others, too.

Not this day

We've talked about the Scarlett O'Hara Syndrome here & here. In fact one of those entries is where this quote came from.

"There is a danger in the word someday when what it means is "not this day."

"Someday I will repent."
"Someday I will forgive him."
"Someday I will speak to my friend about the Church."
"Someday I will start to pay tithing."
"Someday I will return to the temple."
"Someday."

--Henry B. Eyring, "This Day", Ensign, May 2007, 89–91

Willl "someday" ever come???

Scripture study

Do you think reading scriptures daily is often? I don't know about carefully, but I do read the scriptures daily.

"We can and must go often and carefully to the word of God. If we become casual in our study of the scriptures, we will become casual in our prayers."

--Elder Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, Nov. 2001, 17

And, I seem to be getting more out of The Book of Mormon this year than I did last year.

Saved in ignorance

Two new thoughts tonight & both are thought provoking.

Bishop H. David Burton teaches

"All of us face challenges in our daily lives. Yet in challenges lie some of our greatest opportunities. As we recognize and act on our opportunities, progress, happiness, and spiritual growth follows. We need to be involved in moving the Lord's work forward. The opportunities available to us are endless."

--H David Burton, "A season of opportunity", November 1998 Ensign pg. 9

Sometimes it is awfully hard to face those challenges though.

"Learning and teaching are not optional activities in the kingdom of God. They are the very means by which the gospel has been restored to the earth and by which we will gain eternal life. They provide the pathway to personal testimony. No one can be "saved in ignorance."

--Russell T. Osguthorpe, "Teaching Helps Save Lives", Ensign Nov 2009, 15–17

And I don't think I've ever dug deep enough into my thoughts to have come up with this slant on being saved in ignorance.

Eternal quest

"Perfect" men & women? We can strive to keep the commandments & not to speak ill of our neighbors. Not to gossip. I did a blog entry here on Words like feathers.

"In this long eternal quest to be more like our Savior, may we try to be "perfect" men and women in at least this one way now - by offending not in word, or more positively put, by speaking with a new tongue, the tongue of angels. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so desperately needed in the world today."

--Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Tongue of Angels", Ensign, May 2007, 16–18

The tongue of angels, hmmm, I like the idea of trying not to offend in word, but the tongue of angels?

"As mothers in Israel, we are the Lord's secret weapon. Our influence comes from a divine endowment that has been in place from the beginning. In the premortal world, when our Father described our role, I wonder if we didn't stand in wide-eyed wonder that He would bless us with a sacred trust so central to His plan and that He would endow us with gifts so vital to the loving and leading of His children. I wonder if we shouted for joy at least in part because of the ennobling stature He gave us in His kingdom. The world won't tell you that, but the Spirit will."

--Sheri L. Dew, "Are We Not All Mothers?", Ensign, Nov 2001, 96

And Sister Dew wonders if we didn't stand in wide-eyed wonder. I probably had my mouth hanging ajar.

New page

I finally took the time to add my Geocities Thoughts to Ponder page as a page to this blog. It was the main reason I started this blog in the first place. I loved my Thoughts to Ponder page on Yahoo! Geocities. I was disappointed when they closed Geocities. I did save my pages though & I thought I'd just start another personal web site somewhere else. But, nothing I found was close to Geocities. Then I decided I could do a page on a blog, but didn't ever take the time to add it, knowing I would fuss with it til I got it right. It's still not the way I want it, but I can't figure out what to do, so I'll give up for now.

More Faust quotes

This one is from March 23, 2010, from readthescriptures dot com

"Almost every day brings opportunities to perform unselfish acts for others. Such acts are unlimited and can be as simple as a kind word, a helping hand, or a gracious smile."

~ President James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov. 2002, 21-22

Another President Faust thought from March 24, 2010

"May we all be faithful in doing the day to day ordinary things that prove our worthiness, for they will lead us to and qualify us for great things."

~ James E. Faust, "Some Great Thing", Ensign, Nov. 2001, 46

No faith without obedience

One of my favorite scriptures is 1 Nephi 2:7 where Nephi tells his father Lehi he will go & do the things which the Lord commands. Nephi has complete faith. He KNOWS the Lord doesn't give a commandment unless He prepares a way.

"To have faith in Jesus Christ means to have such trust in him that we obey whatever he commands. There is no faith where there is no obedience. Faith comes from hearing the word of God and is a spiritual gift. Faith increases when we not only hear, but act on the word of God as well, in obedience to the truths we have been taught."

--Elder L Whitney Clayton, "Help Thou Mine Unbelief", November 2001, Ensign pg 28

Another of the many facets of faith.

Follow the Savior

Tonight's thoughts are worthy of pondering.

"I testify to you this day that the time will come when every man, woman, and child will look into the Savior's loving eyes. On that day, we will know with a surety the worth of our decision to straightway follow Him."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Follow Me", Ensign, May 2002 p. 17

And

"Life offers you two precious gifts — one is time, the other freedom of choice, the freedom to buy with your time what you will. You are free to exchange your allotment of time for thrills. You may trade it for base desires. You may invest it in greed … . Yours is the freedom to choose. But these are no bargains, for in them you find no lasting satisfaction."

--Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "Reflections on a Consecrated Life", October 2010 General Conference

If we choose to follow the Savior, we will choose the right, choose to follow His commandments.

A rolling stone

I thought this quote had been used. It sounds so familiar, but I can't find it.

"I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated force against religious bigotry, priestcraft, lawyer-craft, doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers, licentious and corrupt men and women - all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty, who will give me dominion over all and every one of them, when their refuge of lies shall fail, and their hiding place shall be destroyed, while these smooth-polished stones with which I come in contact become marred."

~ Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois, May 21, 1843, History of the Church, 5:401

Temples

One of the quotes tonight is about the temple.

"The temple is a sacred edifice, a holy place, where essential saving ceremonies and ordinances are performed to prepare us for exaltation. It is important that we gain a sure knowledge that our preparation to enter the holy house and that our participation in these ceremonies and covenants are some of the most significant events we will experience in our mortal lives."

--Robert D. Hales, "Blessings of the Temple", Ensign, Oct 2009, 46–49

Something I need to STRIVE harder to do, attend the temple.

Reverence

Hmmm, not very many Ballard quotes to check through.

"Reverence may be defined as a profound respect mingled with love and awe. Other words that add to our understanding of reverence include gratitude, honor, veneration, and admiration. The root word revere also implies an element of fear. Thus, reverence might be understood to mean an attitude of profound respect and love with a desire to honor and show gratitude, with a fear of breaking faith or offending."

--M. Russell Ballard, "God's Love for His Children", Ensign May 1988, 57

A little different than the way reverence is taught in Primary. Wish I'd had this definition of reverence when I was in serving in the Primary.

A balanced life

If we add line upon line, precept upon precept, we will do better today, than we did yesterday. We need to live a balanced life. Not do things in fits & starts.

"We must remember that much spiritual growth does not occur suddenly but rather through time and experience. The encouraging message of the gospel is that God does not often require us to perform sensational or extraordinary deeds but rather to try to do better today than we did yesterday. He is mindful of our desires, our determination, and our direction as well as of our deeds."

--Brent L. Top, "A Balanced Life", Ensign, Apr. 2005, 26

Walk in the way of the Lord

Tonight's quotes are timely. I needed them

"We live in terribly complex times. We are confronted by very serious problems. Some of us are faced with sickness, with economic difficulties, with worry and concern over many matters. Our refuge, our peace, our well-being lie in walking in the way of the Lord."

--Gordon B. Hinckley, "Inspirational Thoughts", Liahona, Feb 2007, 2–6

Our well-being lie in walking in the way of the Lord.

"Faith in the Lord is trust in the Lord. We cannot have true faith in the Lord without also having complete trust in the Lord's will and in the Lord's timing. As a result, no matter how strong our faith is, it cannot produce a result contrary to the will of Him in whom we have faith. Remember that when your prayers do not seem to be answered in the way or at the time you desire. The exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is always subject to the order of heaven, to the goodness and will and wisdom and timing of the Lord. When we have that kind of faith and trust in the Lord, we have true security and serenity in our lives."

--Dallin H. Oaks, "The Atonement and Faith", Ensign, Apr 2010, 30–34

And maybe I'm not praying for the right thing.

Live in the present

I've decided not to worry about quotes that are repeated, unless the quote strikes me as something I needed to read & ponder again.

"Learn from the past, prepare for the future, live in the present."

--President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 2003, 22

Such succinct advise. Prepare for the future, don't cower, waiting for the worst to happen. Prepare! And one way we can prepare is through education. In Mormon Doctrine, page 14, Elder Bruce R. McConkie said,

"Education is gained primarily from the Spirit of the Lord by revelation and secondarily by study, research, and investigation."

Study, research & investigation. Works for other things besides religious education also. I was so pleased when I was taking the medical transcription course at Bridgerland. I'd study, but I'd pray & ask for the Lord's help, especially before tests. I consistently scored in the high 90s.

Walk in obedience

Tonight's quotes are repeats. No surprise there as I've been keeping track of these quotes for several months now.

President Hinckley says God will always make a way where there is no way if we walk in obedience. We must shun sin & hold fast that which is good advises Elder Nelson.

Since Elder Nelson is talking about the evil one & shunning sin, here is a quote from Sister Dew.

"Lucifer is determined to devour marriages and families, because their demise threatens the salvation of all involved and the vitality of the Lord's kingdom itself."

--Sister Sheri L. Dew; Ensign, November 2001, page 12.

I think if the quote had gone farther, there would be encouragement to work on making strong marriages and families. 

Forgiving

Our home teachers came today. The lesson they taught was The First Presidency Message from the March 2011 Ensign, "Looking For the Good" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. How people can see things different ways. You find what you are looking for. Many people in the mob that killed the Prophet Joseph & his brother Hyrum were disenfranchised members of the Church.

Elder Hanks, in the January 1974 Ensign article, "Forgiveness is the Ultimate Form of Love," said:

"What is our response when we are offended, misunderstood, unfairly or unkindly treated, or sinned against,  …"

The complete quote is here. He says that it is required of us to forgive.

The next quote is "like unto it." (Couldn't resist that little phrase.)

"Only when we fix our gaze on the heavenly things do we begin to understand the eternities. Only with the help of Christ can we fully overcome tragedy. It is necessary to develop our faith in Him as the Redeemer of the world. He taught us: "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

--Carlos H. Amado, "Overcoming Adversity", Ensign, Nov. 1989, 29

And the way to overcome tragedy is by forgiving & accept Christ as the Redeemer of our world.

Mortalilty is the battlefield

I kind of like the thought that mortality is a battlefield. I sometimes feel like I'm a warrior & sometimes a prisoner.

"The Church exists to exalt the family. And the family is the fundamental unit of the Church."

--Elder Russell M. Nelson; Ensign, November 2001, page 70.

It doesn't say Elder Nelson's thought is taken from a conference address, but given the issue of the Ensign, it must be. I'd like to read the above thought in context.

Willlingness & ability

One of my favorite scriptures is where Nephi says in 1 Nephi 2:7 "I will go & do the things which the Lord hath commanded, …" President James E. Faust says,

"It is important that you have oil in your lamps so that when you say to the Lord, "Here am I; send me," you are prepared and qualified to be sent. We are all heaven sent, but what we are able to accomplish in the Lord's work depends to a large extent on our willingness and ability."

--James E. Faust, "You Are All Heaven Sent", Ensign, Nov. 2002, 110

 President Faust says in another conference address,

"We must keep our faith simple and our worship pure. Religion is more than a ritual; it is righteousness."

--President James E. Faust, Ensign, May 1999, 18

Religion is more than a ritual sounds nice, but just as the Pharisees and Sadducees, powerful & rival sects during the time between the Old & New Testament, had their rituals; so does the latter day church. White shirts & ties must be worn to officiate in the Sacrament; flip flops & denim cannot be worn in the church. Women MUST wear dresses or skirts.

Strength to endure

Neither of the quotes I am sharing tonight are repeats.

"The Savior's loving warmth and healing touch lift us and give us strength to endure."

--The New Era, March 1990, Pages 20-23.

And President Hinckley's advice

"I too believe that God will always make a way where there is no way. I believe that if we will walk in obedience to the commandments of God, if we will follow the counsel of the priesthood, he will open a way even where there appears to be no way."

--Gordon B. Hinckley, "If Ye Be Willing and Obedient", Ensign, Jul 1995, 2

Holy Ghost

I am getting behind on my Book of Mormon reading. The culprit has been migraine headaches. At least what I term migraines. So, I've been requesting my reading assignments & stashing the assignment & quotes in my BOM Journal. Saturday's quotes were about the Holy Ghost:

"Receiving the Holy Ghost is the therapy which effects forgiveness and heals the sin-sick soul."

--Marion G. Romney, "The Holy Ghost", Ensign, May 1974, 90

I was behind when I received President Romney's quote the first time. The Prophet Joseph defines what the Holy Ghost is.

"No man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator."

--Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 6:58

If we are well prepared

Death seems to be holding a prominent place in my thoughts lately. A cousin's 14-yo daughter died last week & her funeral was Saturday. Two weeks ago a young man who was 25, the same age as Don-Mike, & married to a girl from our ward died, leaving his wife with 2 small children, one a baby 2 months old. Then a man my age dropped over dead of a heart attack. His funeral was yesterday. One of today's thoughts is:

"If we are well prepared, death brings no terror. From an eternal perspective, death is premature only for those who are not prepared to meet God."

--Elder Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, May 2005, 18

My mom is afraid to die. I think the unknown is always terrifying. I know my cousin Floyd Monson confided in his nephew Paul that he was scared. Paul was surprised. If anyone would be prepared to meet God, he thought his Uncle Floyd would be. He asked Floyd about it & Floyd said, "I've never died before."

The 2nd thought is one we've had before. Elder Wirthlin admonishes our future depends on the decisions we make today.

An ensign to the nations

Isaiah talks about lifting up an ensign to the nations. Reading about the ensign (en-sine) reminded me of Captain Moroni & the Title of Liberty. Here President Hinckley admonishes:

"If we are to hold up this Church as an ensign to the nations and a light to the world, we must take on more of the luster of the life of Christ."

--President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 2003, 84 

Elder Marvin J. Ashton tells us, "As children of God we are somebody. …"

No other foundation

I read about Lehi's vision tonight¹, the Tree of Life. How Lehi wanted Laman & Lemuel, his oldest sons, to partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life & how they refused. Even though he tried, they were "stiffnecked" & did not.

"Faith is a spiritual gift from God that comes through the Holy Ghost. It requires a correct understanding and knowledge of Jesus Christ, His divine attributes and perfect character, His teachings, Atonement, Resurrection, and priesthood power. Obedience to these principles develops complete trust in Him and His ordained servants and assurance of His promised blessings. There is no other thing in which we can have absolute assurance. There is no other foundation in life that can bring the same peace, joy, and hope. In uncertain and difficult times, faith is truly a spiritual gift worthy of our utmost efforts. We can give our children education, lessons, athletics, the arts, and material possessions, but if we do not give them faith in Christ, we have given little."

--Kevin W. Pearson, "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ", Liahona, May 2009, 38–4 

The second quote tonight was from Elder Wirthlin, "The gospel gives us that harbor of enduring safety and security" 

¹ See 1 Nephi chapters 8 & 11

Fill our days with those things which matter most

I took a break of a few days from making entries to this blog. But Ash Wednesday was yesterday, March 9, & I started reading The Book of Mormon for Lent. I went to Read the Scriptures dot com & set up a schedule to read the BOM in 46 days. That means I have to read approximately 140 verses a night. This is my second day & surprisingly 3 out of the 4 quotes are new.

These first 2 quotes were sent last night, but I was trying to get my spreadsheets & scripture journal set up, so I didn't take the time to make an entry.

"The Lord doesn't expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn't (nor should we) compare our efforts to those of others. Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can - that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that may be."

--Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Two Principles for Any Economy", Ensign, Nov 2009, 55–58

Work to our full capacity. Somehow, I don't think that means sitting on our butt reading or vegging in front of the computer.

"Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days - as much as we can - with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed."

--Thomas S. Monson, "Finding Joy in the Journey,", Liahona, Nov 2008, 84–87

So, then, the very next quote given me follows President Uchtdorf's counsel. "Fill our days with those things which matter most." Sigh.

The cost of discipleshlip

Everything in life has a cost, so what is the cost of discipleshlip? President James E. Faust talked about this in General Conference in 1999

"What is the cost of discipleship? It is primarily obedience. It is the forsaking of many things. But since everything in life has a price, it is a price worth paying, considering that the great promise of the Savior is for peace in this life and eternal life in the life to come. It is a price we cannot afford not to pay."

─ James E. Faust, "The Price of Discipleship", Ensign, April 1999, 2

President Ezra Taft Benson's thought goes almost hand in hand with this thought. There's not much of a stretch

"Some men are willing to die for their faith but will not fully live for it. Christ both lived and died for us. By walking in his steps and through his atonement we can gain the greatest gift of all ─ eternal life ─ which is that kind of life of the great Eternal One, our Father in heaven."

─ Ezra Taft Benson, "Jesus Christ - Gifts and Expectations," BYU Devotional 10 December 1974

Kindness is the essence

of greatness says Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin.

"Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Virtue of Kindness", Liahona, May 2005, 26–28

Sadness, disappointment, and severe challenge are events in life, not life itself, says Elder Richard G. Scott here. Kindness can certainly help with those challenges.

Acceptable service

Both of the thoughts tonight are repeats & both are from President Thomas S. Monson. When I read the first thought from President Monson beginning with "Service, to be acceptable …" reminded me of one of Amber Esplin's books, The Long Journey Home. Bridget McKenna's mother is killed in a car accident & she has to leave California for upstate New York to live with her father who is LDS & her sisters. She is thrown into a totally new life & when she hears about fasting, she is horrified. I live by the motto that fasting without prayer is starvation.

So, doesn't it follow that service given without "willing minds, ready hands, and pledged hearts" is slavery?


I thought this thought by President Monson had to be the "doubting Thomas thought." Faith implies a certain trust, even a reliance, upon the word of our Creator. It is, but it isn't. The "doubting Thomas thought" does not include this first line. So, there are two thoughts that are basically the same. This first line makes it more understandable, at least to me. Read the entire thought.

Faith & obedience

As I was searching for the quotes tonight, I found a quote about how thoughts mold our features here by President David O. McKay. It reminded me of a workshop I went to last year at the Hospice Conference at FCMC. Tracie Jensen was telling about singing in the choir at church without her contacts in. She saw a woman in the congregation & she looked like a witch. She kept looking at this woman, but without her contacts she didn't recognize her. She made a special note of her dress & hair color so she could get close to her after Sacrament Meeting. When she did find her, she said her face was dragged down into a frown & she wore bright red lipstick. She did look like a witch. You almost have to hear Tracie tell this story.

Now, to get back on subject, both the quotes tonight talk about faith

"I am convinced that there is no simple formula or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent on them. They know that essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit."

--Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance", Ensign, Nov 2009, 6–9

Isn't that what life is? A struggle. Sometimes I catch myself with a frown. I have to literally unclench my jaws or purposely smile to relax the muscles in my face.

"To do well does not mean everything will always turn out well. The key is to remember that faith and obedience are still the answers, even when things go wrong, perhaps especially when things go wrong."

--David E. Sorensen, "Faith Is the Answer," Ensign, May 2005, 72

Prayers are heard & answered

Both of tonight's quotes are new. On Sunday mornings I spend my time at church in the library. It smells good, paper, books, pictures; some Sundays there isn't very much to do, like today. Today, I pulled out some issues of the Friend, the children's magazine. There was a house & the house was divided into 4 parts. I wish I could remember it, but one of the things to do was pray every night before you go to bed. Get down on your knees & pray.

"The problems of our day loom ominously before us. Surrounded by the sophistication of modern living, we look heavenward for that unfailing sense of direction, that we might chart and follow a wise and proper course. He whom we call our Heavenly Father will not leave our sincere petition unanswered."

--Thomas S. Monson, "Sailing Safely the Seas of Life", Ensign, July 1999, 2 

Another thing to do was study the scriptures. I've done that quite consistently over the past year. I started reading The Book of Mormon a year ago on Feb. 18. The Book of Mormon was nothing compared to the Old Testament. That has been quite the journey.

"Our Heavenly Father never gives up on us … But we must have the desire to open the door, even if it shakes the very foundation of our past beliefs and way of life … Our Father in Heaven will never take away our agency. We must seek after or desire to know our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ."

--Elder Ronald T. Halverson, "I Stand at the Door, and Knock," Ensign, November 2004, 32

And what better way to know our Father & His Son, Jesus Christ, than to read the scriptures.

Wisdom of God

Noah had the unwavering faith to follow God's commandments. Something we need to emulate. When God speaks, we obey, from President Thomas S. Monson here.

President Howard W. Hunter wrote this:

"Because we are being constantly exposed to the world's definition of greatness, it is understandable that we might make comparisons between what we are and what others are - or seem to be - and also between what we have and what others have. Although it is true that making comparisons can be beneficial and may motivate us to accomplish much good and to improve our lives, we often allow unfair and improper comparisons to destroy our happiness when they cause us to feel unfulfilled or inadequate or unsuccessful. Sometimes, because of these feelings, we are led into error and dwell on our failures while ignoring aspects of our lives that may contain elements of true greatness.

"In 1905, President Joseph F. Smith made this most profound statement about true greatness:

" 'Those things which we call extraordinary, remarkable, or unusual may make history, but they do not make real life.

" 'After all, to do well those things which God ordained to be the common lot of all mankind, is the truest greatness. To be a successful father or a successful mother is greater than to be a successful general or a successful statesman.' (Juvenile Instructor, 15 Dec. 1905, p. 752.)"

--Howard W. Hunter, "What Is True Greatness?" Ensign, Sept. 1987, 70

No other success can compensate for failure in the home …

In the world, not of the world

I have a nightshirt that hits me mid-thigh. I keep forgetting to get my pajama bottoms, which are really sweat pants, out of the laundry room, which is the cats' bedroom at night before they have been put to bed. I was feeling immodest, yet when I was in my late teens, early 20s, I wore short-shorts & my skirts barely covered my bottom. I was trying to participate in the styles of the day.

"One of the greatest challenges for all of us is to learn how to live in the world without participating in all that it offers. Worldly standards will always be in a state of flux. The only true and unchanging standards are those set by the Savior and His teachings of the restored gospel."

--Donald L. Staheli, "Achieving Your Full Potential", Ensign, Feb 2009, 57–61

I learned that the Lord is aware of us. The prophets, apostles, even our bishopric & local leaders are literally called of God. We may not have chosen them, but God did & we need to trust in Him.

"I pray that there will enter our hearts the peace that comes from knowing by a power beyond all human ability to transmit that God is aware of us and has raised up servants in our day to lead us under the power and inspiration of his close attention."

--President Boyd K. Packer Ensign, November 1994, page 65.

Eternity is in the process now

Been working & playing on the computer, procrastinating making a call I should have made a week ago. I decided while I was checking my Netflix account & was already in gmail, I'd request another day's assignment in my scripture reading to get caught up. Both thoughts are repeat. Elder Ashton's thought, which can also be found here, is what I needed today. I am sharing it again, even though it does not deal with procrastination.

"Very often in our anxiousness for the joys of the future we run away from the very things we are wanting and needing today. An appropriate examination of the passing moment will prove it leads to eternity. We need to constantly remind ourselves eternity is in process now."

--Marvin J. Ashton, "The Time Is Now", Ensign, May 1975, 85

I'm sorry, but Elder Wirthlin's thought, Parents, do you know where your children are? is getting kind of old.

A friend

There are always clever quotes about friends. I like President Monson's definition of a friend,

"A friend is more concerned about helping people than getting credit. A friend cares. A friend loves. A friend listens. And a friend reaches out."

--President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 2001, 50

Elder Halverson's thought, taken from the August 2007 Ensign, was easy to research. There is only this thought, "Obeying the Whisperings of the Holy Ghost," by him. This month Brother Burns, our home teacher, taught that we need to pray for the Holy Ghost to guide us.

Downright solid faith

We are not going to survive this world … without downright solid faith. That is blunt & to the point. Notice the ellipsis. Yes, there are words left out, but the thought is there. We are going to need faith. The whole thought is:

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

--A. Theodore Tuttle, "Developing Faith", Ensign, Nov. 1986, 72

Maybe I need to study this talk. Our next thought is Elder Wirthlin's advice on knowing where your children are.

Decide where we're going

Both of the quotes for tonight's reading are repeats. One is from Elder Donald L. Staheli and the other is from Elder Paul V. Johnson.

Elder Johnson exhorts us to make General Conference a priority in our life. Read & listen to the talks, in other words, study them. I need to do a better job of this. I tried reading one of the conference issues of the Ensign last year & didn't make it. You can't just sit down & read one of those issues, one talk right after the other.

Elder Staheli advises "daily obedience to gospel principles is the only sure way to eternal happiness." It makes me wonder how someone can be happy if they willfully choose to disobey God's commandments.

Not without Christ

Another late night with a work day tomorrow. I worked until 8 p.m., a 10-plus hour day, today.

The first quote is from President Thomas S. Monson, I call it his "doubting Thomas" thought. Not because he is doubting, but because of the disciple in the New Testament named Thomas that doubted & the quote begins with the phrase, "If you should have doubting thoughts …"

The next quote, from Elder Dallin H. Oaks,

"Man unquestionably has impressive powers... But after all our obedience and good works, we cannot be saved from the effects of our sins without the grace extended by the atonement of Jesus Christ... Man cannot earn his own salvation."

--Dallin H. Oaks, "What Think Ye of Christ?", Ensign, November 1988

follows President Monson's thought.

Contention is not of the Lord

Tonight when I logged in to read my scriptures, I could have cried. The first quote is so long. I'm tired & want to go to bed. I did not want to read it. I was hoping for 2 short quotes or 2 repeats.

I did get one repeat. President Hinckley telling us the Lord's standards are His. I've been reading how the Israelites would rather ask for help from neighboring countries, than rely on the Lord.

The long quote is really rather appropriate. Our home should be a refuge, but it isn't. I have gone to the library lately, grabbed a book & sat by the fireplace & read. I should be home cleaning or sitting in my own living room reading.

"It is in the home that our behavior is most significant. It is the place where our actions have the greatest impact, for good or ill. Sometimes we are so much at home that we no longer guard our words. We forget simple civility. If we are not on guard, we can fall into the habit of criticizing one another, losing our tempers, or behaving selfishly. Because they love us, our spouses and children may be quick to forgive, but they often carry away in silence unseen injuries and unspoken heartache... When we feel anger or contention in our homes, we should immediately recognize what power has taken control of our lives and what Satan is endeavoring to accomplish. Solomon provided us this wise formula: 'A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger' (Prov. 15:1). Our home should ideally be a refuge where each member feels safe, secure, loved, and insulated from harsh criticism and contention that we so often encounter in the world."

--Elder Wayne S. Peterson, "Our Actions Determine Our Character," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 84

The gospel is a harbor

Two new quotes tonight. They are short but thought-provoking. The first one sounds like something you would be told at baptism …

"No matter what your past has been, you have a spotless future."

--Hugh B Brown, Conference April 1969

How many people do that though? It reminds me of Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem

"Finish each day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in;
forget them as soon as you can. 
Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely 
and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense."

Many times I have quoted this to myself when I have been embarrassed or feeling down about something that happened.

I really like Elder Wirthlin's thought about the prophet & apostles are lighthouses in the storm.

"The gospel gives us that harbor of enduring safety and security. The living prophet and the apostles today are as lighthouses in the storm. Steer towards the light of the restored gospel and the inspired teachings of those who represent the Lord on earth."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Finding a Safe Harbor", Ensign, May 2000, 59

A priceless legacy

As I was growing up we always attended church on Sunday. Priesthood Meeting was first, because men worked on week days & couldn't attend a meeting during the week. Next came Sunday School. Sacrament Meeting (the worship service) was held at 7 p.m. every Sunday evening. Women had Relief Society on Thursday morning, children had Primary on Tuesday afternoon & the teenagers had Mutual on Tuesday evening. Well, the girls had Mutual & the boys had Scouts. I don't remember ever being taught from the scriptures in my home. We did have family prayer. In high school I attended Seminary, all 4 years of high school, & we were taught from the scriptures there.

"Parents must have a knowledge of the standard works to teach them to their children. A child who has been taught from the scriptures has a priceless legacy."

--President James E. Faust, Ensign, May 1983, 41

I hear families talk about their scripture study & feel bad we didn't do that with our children, nor did my parents do that with us. But we can do our own studying. I try to spend at least half an hour each evening doing just that -- studying the scriptures

"Sadly, many individuals don't know where to find God, and exclude him from their lives. When spiritual needs arise, they may look to the left, the right, or round about. But looking to other people on the same level cannot satisfy spiritual shortages. When the immortal spirit is starved, hunger persists for something more filling. Even when material success comes, there is a hollow ache--if living well falls short of living worthily. Inner peace cannot be found in affluence accompanied by spiritual privation."

--Elder Russell M. Nelson; Ensign, May 1996, Page 14

Or don't feel a need to include God in their lives.

Hope revisited

As soon as I read President Uchtdorf's quote that begins, "Hope is one leg of a three-legged stool, …" I knew we'd had it before. I remembered writing about the analogy we used in the mission field of a testimony being like a three-legged stool here.

President Hinckley's advice given in this talk titled "The Women in Our Lives" is definitely good advice, but hard to follow.

"If every husband and every wife would constantly do whatever might be possible to ensure the comfort and happiness of his or her companion, there would be very little, if any, divorce. Argument would never be heard. Accusations would never be leveled. Angry explosions would not occur. Rather, love and concern would replace abuse and meanness."

--Gordon B. Hinckley, The Women in Our Lives, Ensign, Nov. 2004, 82

Today's decisions

The decisions we make today will impact our future. Sometimes we can't see it immediately. Don-Mikel has a 2004 Chevy Duramax pick-up. A guy in town wanted to trade his 2003 half ton gas vehicle for Don-Mike's 3/4 ton diesel. Don-Mike seriously contemplated it, but has had a very uneasy feeling about it. Once he decided not to do it, he felt at peace with himself.

Elder Wirthlin, in his talk in the 2003 conference entitled "Three Choices," says, "Today is the day of decision."

The second thought today is from Sheri L. Dew. The talk must have been given in the Women's Conference when she was a counselor in the General Relief Society presidency.

"We just can't let the Lord down. And if the day comes when we are the only women on earth who find nobility and divinity in motherhood, so be it. For mother is the word that will define a righteous woman made perfect in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, a woman who has qualified for eternal increase in posterity, wisdom, joy, and influence."

--Sheri L. Dew, "Are We Not All Mothers?", Ensign, Nov 2001, 96

Sounds nice.

Now we see

decisions determine destiny. Oh, so true, but how do we know? We don't, we need to trust in the Lord in all our doings. President Monson gave the following advice at a fireside in 2005 to young adults.

"Now we see coming into focus the responsibility to choose, that inevitable crisis at the crossroads of life. He who would lead you down waits patiently for a dark night, a wavering will, a confused conscience, a mixed-up mind. Are you prepared to make the decisions at the crossroads? I can't stress too strongly that decisions determine destiny. You can't make eternal decisions without eternal consequences."

--President Thomas S. Monson, "CES Fireside for Young Adults", November 6, 2005

And

"We turn with hope...to Him who walked the dusty paths of villages we now reverently call the Holy Land, to Him who caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and the dead to live. To Him who tenderly and lovingly assured us, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'(John 14:6)."

--The New Era, April 1991

 Yet, we need to live the commandments, say our prayers & live so that we can have the Lord's guidance at our crossroads.

Celestial Sight

I do not have a prayer blog, but I have a scripture journal & a quotes blog. True, this blog wasn't quite what I envisioned when I first started it, but I enjoy adding to it. This quote by Elder Russell M. Nelson intrigued me:

"With celestial sight, trials impossible to change become possible to endure."

--Russell M. Nelson, "With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible", Ensign, May 1988, p. 35

Facing foreclosure is intimidating, but I am putting my faith in the Lord & hoping for a positive outcome.

"In the meridian of time, among other things, the Savior gave a touch here, a kind word there, food (both real and spiritual) to the hungry, advice and counsel to those in need. He gave prayers with the frightened, kindness to the passed-over, respect and affection for the children, loving care for those who are burdened. "And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things."

--Stephen A. West, "Out of Small Things", Ensign, May 1999, 28

Elder West was a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy from 1998 to 2004.

Lehi's Dream

Both of the quotes tonight are repeats, yet tonight they reminded me of Lehi's dream of the tree of life. President Monson says the road signs of life entice every traveler & he counsels to pause at the crossroads. Tonight I thought of holding to the iron rod when I read this. Pause at the crossroads long enough to know the way you are taking is not letting go of the iron rod.

The first time I read Elder Wirthlin's thought about teaching our children only if we know where they are, made me think of my children when they were younger, wanting to know where they were. Tonight the last sentence in the quote about not leaving the teaching of their children to chance reminded me we need to make sure our children recognize the Holy Ghost, the hand of the Lord in their lives.

Oh, it is wonderful

Both of today's thoughts are from Elder Wirthlin. As I searched for the first quote, I started singing the hymn, "Oh, it is wonderful that He should care for me, enough to die for me …" The quote is:

"Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us — even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will. We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won't, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming."

--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Great Commandment", October 2007 General Conference

 And the next one

"Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Virtue of Kindness", Liahona May 2005, 26–28

Teaching in the home

President Uchtdorf tells us enduring to the end is a never ending process here.

The other quote is from April 2010

"The vital importance of teaching truth in the home is fundamental. The Church is important, but it is in the home where parents provide the required understanding and direction for children. It is truly said that the most important callings in time and eternity are those of father and mother. In time we will be released from all other assignments we receive but not from that of father and mother."

--Elder Richard G. Scott, "He Lives! All Glory to His Name!", April 2010 General Conference

Be an example

I thought only two of the six quotes were repeats, but as I tried to think of a subject for this post, I decided I would use "Ideals are stars to steer by." I was surprised to see it pop up, meaning I had used it somewhere as a subject. I went looking for it once again. I had looked for Smith in the labels, but when I used it the first time, I used Barbara Smith. I'm sure I thought there are plenty of Smiths already. Anyway, it has been used once before here.

Elder Faust spoke about seeking to overcome selfishness in his talk, "A Pattern of Love" here. This time I read it as trying to practice charity. And President Lee's thoughts on trying to help others is so true.

"You cannot lift another soul until you are standing on higher ground than he is. You must be sure, if you would rescue the man, that you yourself are setting the example of what you would have him be. You cannot light a fire in another soul unless it is burning in your own soul."

--Harold B. Lee, "Stand Ye in Holy Places", Ensign, July 1973, 121

You cannot teach something unless you believe it yourself, but you can have faith:

"Faith implies a certain trust, even a reliance, upon the word of our Creator. If you should have doubting thoughts, remember the counsel given by President Stephen L. Richards, a former counselor in the First Presidency, who declared: "Just say to those skeptical, disturbing, rebellious thoughts, 'I propose to stay with my faith, with the faith of my people. I know that happiness and contentment are there and I forbid you, agnostic, doubting thoughts, to destroy the house of my faith. I acknowledge that I do not understand the processes of creation, but I accept the fact of it. I grant that I cannot explain the miracles of the Bible, and I do not attempt to do so, but I accept God's word. I wasn't with Joseph, but I believe him. My faith did not come to me through science and I will not permit science to destroy it."

--President Thomas S. Monson, "Great Expectations", CES Fireside January 2009