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.

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

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

Mothers

I was ready just to paste both of these quotes in tonight without even checking to see if they had already been used.

"No teaching is equal, more spiritually rewarding, or more exalting than that of a mother teaching her children."

--President Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Feb. 2000, 16

Only if said children will allow their mother to teach them. But I guess example is also teaching. I found once Don-Mike is out on his own, he likes to have an extra bottle or loaf of bread, or whatever, so he doesn't have to run to the store when they run out.

"At the focal point of all human history, a point illuminated by a new star in the heavens revealed for just such a purpose, probably no other mortal watched--none but a poor young carpenter, a beautiful virgin mother, and silent stabled animals who had not the power to utter the sacredness they had seen. Shepherds would soon arrive and later, wise men from the East. Later yet the memory of that night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph--and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby--that's how Christmas began. It is for this baby that we shout in chorus: 'Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King! . . . Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth' ( Hymns, no. 209)."

--Jeffrey R. Holland, "Without Ribbons and Bows", New Era, Dec. 1994, 6

Elder Holland's article that this was taken from would be an interesting read.

Focus

This is a good word & good advice:

"Our busy lives force us to focus on things we do from day to day. But the development of character comes only as we focus on who we really are."

--Elder Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, Nov. 2000, 17

And President Monson tells us to stop at every crossroad & listen. How can we listen if we don't focus?

"The road signs of life enticingly invite every traveler: This way to fame; this way to affluence; this way to popularity; this way to luxury. Pause at the crossroads before you continue your journey. Listen for that still, small voice which ever so gently beckons, "Come, follow me." This way to Jericho."

--Thomas S. Monson, "Your Jericho Road", Ensign, May 1977

Attitude of gratitude

President Monson tells us gratitude is one of the noblest of virtues.

"This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help. "We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

--Thomas S. Monson, "An Attitude of Gratitude," Ensign, Feb. 2000, 2

 And the Prophet Joseph Smith teaches children must be taught.

"If children are to be brought up in the way they should go, to be good citizens here and happy hereafter, they must be taught. It is idle to suppose that children will grow up good, while surrounded with wickedness, without cultivation. It is folly to suppose that they can become learned without education."

--Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 273

Live the gospel

More conference quotes:

"Living the gospel does not mean the storms of life will pass us by, but we will be better prepared to face them with serenity and peace. 'Search diligently, pray always, and be believing,' the Lord admonished, 'and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly.'"

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

and another one:

"You have as great an opportunity for satisfaction in the performance of your duty as I do in mine. The progress of this work will be determined by our joint efforts. Whatever your calling, it is as fraught with the same kind of opportunity to accomplish good as is mine. What is really important is that this is the work of the Master. Our work is to go about doing good as did He."

--Gordon B. Hinckley, "This Is the Work of the Master", Ensign, May 1995, 69

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.