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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

God has given many gifts

I found out why the internet turns into a pumpkin at midnight. Every night at midnight, we might as well turn off the computer if we are using the internet because it becomes so slow as to be almost impossible to use. Nick has set it up that way. From zero to 0700 the network storage device has free access to the internet; from 0700 to midnight, the storage device is curtailed. Hmmmm, that means I have 48 minutes to finish my scripture reading. I was almost in tears last night because it took so long to do anything. I saved the quotes in a Notepad document, but couldn't access readthescriptures dot com for my journal or read the scriptures.

The first quote from last night is from Cheiko Okazaki. It was probably given in the April 1996 Relief Society session of General Conference.

"God has given us many gifts, much diversity, and many differences, but the essential thing is what we know about each other — that we are all his children. Our challenge as members of the Church is for all of us to learn from each other, that we may all love each other and grow together."

--Cheiko M. Okazaki; Ensign, May 1996, Page 13

 There was a quote from President Hinckley that is appropriate as we go into the Easter season:

"On Calvary He was the dying Jesus. From the tomb He emerged the Living Christ. The cross had been the bitter fruit of Judas's betrayal, the summary of Peter's denial. The empty tomb now became the testimony of His divinity, the assurance of eternal life, the answer to Job's unanswered question: "If a man die, shall he live again?" (Job 14:14)."

--Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Symbol of Our Faith", Liahona, Apr. 2005, 3

Tonight there was a repeat of one of President Hinckley's quote about cultivating an attitude of happiness.

And the fourth quote is from Elder Oaks telling us we need to give thanks in all things.

"When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life... We are meant to learn and grow through opposition, through meeting our challenges, and through teaching others to do the same … the Lord will not only consecrate our afflictions for our gain, but He will use them to bless the lives of countless others."

--Dallin H. Oaks, "Give Thanks in All Things," Ensign, May 2003, 95

Tithing

I love the name of the talk this first quote came from, "Tithing, a Commandment Even for the Destitute." I think it should have been titled, "Especially for the Destitute." I see the Lord's hand in so many things these last few months when our cupboard has been "bare." The garnishments of Don's wages, the foreclosure on the house. Yet, each pay period tithing comes out of his check first. I, on the other hand, have a harder time, yet I am striving to pay my tithing also. It isn't as "easy" as it is with Don's check. His comes out by bill pay. We set it up & don't have to worry about it. My savings account doesn't have that option.

"...the truer measure of sacrifice isn't so much what one gives to sacrifice as what one sacrifices to give. Faith isn't tested so much when the cupboard is full as when it is bare. In these defining moments, the crisis doesn't create one's characterit reveals it."

--Lynn G. Robbins, "Tithing, a Commandment Even for the Destitute," Ensign, May 2005, 34 

This next story is something I should've had 34 years ago when I started working in the Missionary Department in the Church Office Building. I had a very hard time with the "human-ness" of the General Authorities.

"May I offer counsel of a general nature, first with comments about General Authorities. We recognize them as instruments in the hand of the Lord, yet realize that they are ordinary human beings. They require haircuts, laundry services, and occasional reminders just like anyone else. President [Ezra Taft] Benson once shared with us a story to illustrate. He said:

" 'Orson F. Whitney . . . was a great man to concentrate. One day when he was traveling by train, he was so preoccupied that he did not notice the train pass the station where he was to get off. So he had to [be driven] back to where he should have been. Meanwhile the stake president waited and waited. . . . Finally when he decided that something had more than likely happened to Brother Whitney and he was not going to make it, they commenced the meeting. As Elder Whitney approached, he was greeted by the opening hymn, which was "Ye Simple Souls Who Stray." '

"We honor such a man because of his extraordinary calling. His official acts are valid on earth and in heaven."

--Russell M. Nelson, "Honoring the Priesthood," Ensign, May 1993, 40

Grand principle of Mormonism

So, why does Joseph Smith's comment on friendship bother me? Elder Jensen continues, "Perhaps one reason the scriptures make little specific mention of the principle of friendship is because it should be manifest quite naturally as we live the gospel. In fact, if the consummate Christian attribute of charity has a first cousin, it is friendship."

And perhaps it is the word "Mormonism." Mormonism doesn't have a very good connotation. People think of Mormons as a cult & we're not. Most people still think Mormons are not Christian. Mormon is not the name of the Church, it is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The 6th Article of Faith states it better than I can:

We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

The Church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth. AND The Book of Mormon is not our Bible. I think of the scripture in 2 Nephi 29:3, "A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible ..."

OK, I've "ranted & raved." Do I feel better? I don't know. Did I explain it to my satisfaction? I'll see.

One of tonight's quotes was a repeat. I was going to comment on it, but got sidetracked on the "grand principal of Mormonism." But here is one from President Hinckley:

"The Lord's standards have come from Him. Some of them may appear a little out-of-date in our society, but this does not detract from their validity nor diminish the virtue of their application. The subtle reasoning of men, no matter how clever, no matter how plausible it may sound, cannot abridge the declared wisdom of God."

--President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Pursue the Steady Course", Ensign, Jan. 2005, 5

Love one another

In Matthew 22:39 Jesus said that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. This is kind of tricky if we don't have much respect for our self. It is interesting that both quotes tonight follow this theme.

"Joseph Smith himself was a great friend to many. He said, 'Friendship is one of the grand fundamental principles of "Mormonism"; [it is designed] to revolutionize and civilize the world, and cause wars and contentions to cease and men to become friends and brothers.'"

--Kathleen H. Hughes, "What Greater Goodness Can We Know: Christlike Friends," Ensign, May 2005, 74

My thoughts on this is it shouldn't be just "Mormonism" but all of Christianity. We need to live the Golden Rule, treat others as we want to be treated.

"Kindness, love, patience, understanding, and unity will increase as we serve, while intolerance, jealousy, envy, greed, and selfishness decrease or disappear. The more we give of ourselves, the more our capacity to serve, understand, and love will grow."

--Carlos H. Amado, "Service, a Divine Quality", Ensign, May 2008, 35–37

Decide now

to follow the Savior's teachings.

"We can lay down our lives for those we love not by physically dying for them but rather by living for them — giving of our time; always being present in their lives; serving them; being courteous, affectionate, and showing true love for those of our family and to all men — as the Savior taught."

--Elder Claudio R. M. Costa, "Don't Leave for Tomorrow What You Can Do Today", October 2007 General Conference

and ...

"Decide now to make general conference a priority in your life. Decide to listen carefully and follow the teachings that are given. Listen to or read the talks more than once to better understand and follow the counsel. By doing these things, the gates of hell will not prevail against you, the powers of darkness will be dispersed from before you, and the heavens will shake for your good."

--Elder Paul V. Johnson, "The Blessings of General Conference", Ensign, Nov. 2005, 50

Forgiveness

Today's quotes from readthescriptures dot com:

"The gospel of Jesus Christ transcends mortality. Our work here is but a shadow of greater and unimaginable things to come."

--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 2005, 28

And one from Elder Hanks

"What is our response when we are offended, misunderstood, unfairly or unkindly treated, or sinned against, made an offender for a word, falsely accused, passed over, hurt by those we love, our offerings rejected? Do we resent, become bitter, hold a grudge? Or do we resolve the problem if we can, forgive, and rid ourselves of the burden? The nature of our response to such situations may well determine the nature and quality of our lives, here and eternally. A courageous friend, her faith refined by many afflictions, said to me only hours ago, "Humiliation must come before exaltation." It is required of us to forgive. Our salvation depends upon it."

--Marion D. Hanks, "Forgiveness The Ultimate Form of Love", Ensign Jan. 1974, 20

Positive thinking

Today's quotes from readthescriptures.com

"We should learn to be patient with ourselves. Recognizing our strengths and our weaknesses, we should strive to use good judgment in all of our choices and decisions, make good use of every opportunity, and do our best in every task we undertake. We should not be unduly discouraged nor in despair at any time when we are doing the best we can. Rather, we should be satisfied with our progress even though it may come slowly at times."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Patience, a Key to Happiness", Ensign, May 1987, 30

and another one:

"The Lord has directed, Bring up your children in light and truth. To me, there is no more important human effort. Being a father or a mother is not only a great challenge; it is a divine calling. It is an effort requiring consecration. President David O. McKay (1873-1970) stated that being parents is the greatest trust that has been given to human beings."

--President James E. Faust, A Thousand Threads of Love, Ensign, Oct. 2005, 3