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.

Today is the day ...

not tomorrow. It can be very easy to get caught in the daily procrastination of the Scarlett O'Hara Syndrome or I'll think about it tomorrow.

While there is nothing you can do now about yesterday, and tomorrow is always one day into the future, you have full control over today. From CollegeGrad.com

I like Elder Wirthlin's choices.

"Tomorrow's joy or tomorrow's despair has its roots in decisions we make today. Perhaps some people think to themselves: 'I know I need to change some things in my life. Maybe later, but not now.' Those who stand at the threshold of life always waiting for the right time to change are like the man who stands at the bank of a river waiting for the water to pass so he can cross on dry land. Today is the day of decision."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Three Choices," Ensign, Nov. 2003, 78

And another telling us to make daily efforts to strive to be more like God.

"We must not lose hope. Hope is an anchor to the souls of men. Satan would have us cast away that anchor. In this way he can bring discouragement and surrender. But we must not lose hope. The Lord is pleased with every effort, even the tiny, daily ones in which we strive to be more like Him. Though we may see that we have far to go on the road to perfection, we must not give up hope."

--Ezra Taft Benson, "A Mighty Change of Heart," Ensign, Oct. 1989, 2

Love the Lord

Here is a quote from today's more reading request:

"When we love the Lord, obedience ceases to be a burden. Obedience becomes a delight. When we love the Lord, we seek less for things that benefit us and turn our hearts toward things that will bless and uplift others."

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

And another quote from readthescriptures dot com

"Please don't nag yourself with thoughts of failure. Do not set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. Simply do what you can do, in the best way you know, and the Lord will accept of your effort."

--Gordon B. Hinckley, "Rise to the Stature of the Divine within You," Ensign, Nov. 1989, 94

One from more reading request. Did two reading requests today:

"There is great power in loving, consistent, fervent family prayer. Don't deny your families this blessing. Don't allow the strength that comes from family prayer to slip away from you and your loved ones through neglect."

--John H. Groberg, "The Power of Family Prayer," Ensign, May 1982, 52

Gratitude for God's gift

I thought I had added this one by President Uchtdorf, but I've checked all 3 blogs & can't find it. Maybe it's on the scripture journal. I put some there one night when I was too lazy to figure out how to open a blog. I usually have 6 tabs open when I'm reading the scriptures & if I leave a blog open, it makes for another open tab.

"Our willingness to repent shows our gratitude for God's gift and for the Savior's love and sacrifice on our behalf. Commandments and priesthood covenants provide a test of faith, obedience, and love for God and Jesus Christ, but even more importantly, they offer an opportunity to experience love from God and to receive a full measure of joy both in this life and in the life to come."

--Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "A Matter of a Few Degrees", Ensign, May 2008, 57–60

This sounds like the plot of "Final Farewell" by Patricia Wiles. It is out of print, but I'd sure like to read it.

"When the time comes for you to sacrifice for that which you believe, will you have the faith to make that sacrifice? Will you commit to do anything the Lord asks, even if it means putting aside a lifelong goal?"

--The New Era, November 1989, pages 4-6.

Family

The last few days I've been putting the quotes on my scripture journal, but this is a long one, so I'll put it here.

 "The strength of any community lies in the strength of its families. The strength of any nation lies in the strength of its families. Strong family life comes of strong and clear religious understanding of who we are, and why we are here, and of what we may eternally become. Strong family life comes of the perception that each of us is a child of God, born with a divine birthright, and with a great and significant potential. Strong family life comes of parents who love and respect one another, and who love and respect and nurture their children in the ways of the Lord. These are undergirding principles of our teachings as a church. To the degree that we observe these teachings we build strong families whose generations will strengthen the nation."

--Gordon B. Hinckley, "Mormon Should Mean More Good", Ensign, Nov. 1990, 51

And another:

"Parents can plant seeds in the hearts and minds of their children only if they know where the children are and what they are doing. Parents should not leave the teaching of their children to chance."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 1989, p. 9

I sure hope I'm not doubling up some of these quotes.

ETA (edited to add): So, I checked the tag "1989" & sure enough, the one I thought was familiar was, sigh.

Scraps of paper

Here is one of tonight's quotes. I put the first one over on RaDoMiNic. The last couple of nights, I haven't taken the time to stash the quotes here, I've been putting them on "scraps of paper" again.

"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

Here is one from Oct. 13:

"Simply stated, testimony - real testimony, born of the Spirit and confirmed by the Holy Ghost - changes lives. It changes how you think and what you do. It changes what you say. It affects every priority you set and every choice you make."

--Elder M. Russell Ballard, "Pure Testimony", Ensign, Nov. 2004, 40

And another one:

"Parents can plant seeds in the hearts and minds of their children only if they know where the children are and what they are doing. Parents should not leave the teaching of their children to chance."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 1989, p. 9

My kids were not happy when they were younger because I wanted to know where they were at all times. If they changed play locations, I wanted to know where they were going. And look! This was given in 1989. Nick was just 2 & Don-Mike would have been almost 4. Of course, at that point in their lives, I knew where they were, at Frances' or home, :)

Lighthouses in the storm

Today's quotes from readthescriptures.com

"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

This next one is long. I usually don't read these, much less save them to read again.

"...we must be careful, as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant... But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said "were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not." (3 Ne. 9:20; italics added.)"

--Ezra Taft Benson, "A Mighty Change of Heart," Ensign, Oct. 1989, 2

I can't find the italics, wonder if it is "were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not." If it's not, I added them anyway.