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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Doubting thoughts

It's been as few days since I've read scriptures or updated any of my blogs. The computer's been down, I've not been feeling well …

"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 for Young Adults January 11, 2009

I like the idea of talking to my thoughts, I do that quite well, thank you. The next one is pretty thought provoking too.

"Do not ever disturb prelude music for others, for reverence is essential to revelation"

--President Boyd K. Packer; Ensign, November 1994, page 61.

Truly understood

Tonight as I searched the blog for these thoughts, I kept repeating, "Truly understood and properly practiced ..." That was all the further I read so I really didn't know what needed to be truly understood & properly practiced. I thought it might be prayer. I was surprised when I went back to the quote to find it is faith! I have never thought of faith as something that has to be practiced!

"Truly understood and properly practiced, faith is one of the grand and glorious powers of eternity. It is a force powerful beyond our comprehension. "Through faith … the worlds were framed by the word of God." Through faith, waters are parted, the sick healed, the wicked silenced, and salvation made possible. Our faith is the foundation upon which all our spiritual lives rest. It should be the most important resource of our lives. Faith is not so much something we believe; faith is something we live."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Shall He Find Faith on the Earth?", Ensign November 2002, 82

Faith should be the most important resource of our lives.

"None of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges — and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, 'Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.' How might we have joy in our lives, despite all that we may face? Again from the scriptures: 'Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.' "

--President Thomas S. Monson, "Be of Good Cheer", April 2009 General Conference

Attitude of faith

"He is not here, he is risen" is a repeat from Elder Gordon B. Hinckley. And President Monson spoke about great expectations at a Church Education Systems fireside in January 2009 about having an attitude of faith

"To those who humbly seek, there is no need to stumble or falter along the pathway leading to truth. It is well marked by our Heavenly Father. We must first have a desire to know for ourselves. We must study. We must pray. We must do the will of the Father. And then we will know the truth, and the truth will make us free ... Remember that doubt and faith cannot exist in the mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other. Whereas doubt destroys, faith fulfills. An attitude of faith brings one closer to God and to His purposes."

--President Thomas S Monson, "Great Expectations", CES Fireside for Young Adults January 2009

 Oh, so true! Doubt & faith cannot exist in the mind at the same time. The phrase gave me an "ah-ha" moment so I highlighted it. It is SOOO hard to maintain a positive attitude when you are doubtful. In fact, President Monson says it cannot be done.

School Thy Feelings

This should be dated December 23, but it's after midnight, so it won't be.

The first quote tonight is a repeat from Elder Boyd K. Packer's thought from The Standard of Truth Has Been Erected.

The one by President Monson reminds me of Hymn 336, School Thy Feelings. Of course, the title of his talk is the first line of the hymn.

"We've all felt anger. It can come when things don't turn out the way we want. It might be a reaction to something which is said of us or to us. We may experience it when people don't behave the way we want them to behave. Perhaps it comes when we have to wait for something longer than we expected. We might feel angry when others can't see things from our perspective. There seem to be countless possible reasons for anger….If we desire to have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain from becoming angry."

--Thomas S. Monson, "School Thy Feelings, O My Brother", Ensign, Nov 2009, 62, 67–69

Anger is a secondary emotion. It is always caused by something first.

Pray always

Prayer is talking to God. Sometimes I think people make it too hard. I know sometimes I start praying & remember something someone said about people with OCD praying too much. This pretty much sums it up:

However, when you feel the need to pray in order to avoid something bad from happening, and you have anxiety if you don't pray then you have OCD.

OCD & Excessive Prayer

However, if you have a problem, pray for the problem. The dog is out & can't be contained in the kennel because he chewed through the door. A new door is almost $100. Something bad might happen to the dog until the kennel can be fixed - he might get hit if he runs out into the highway; he might attack the kids getting on the bus, not because he's a mean dog, but because he craves affection. His neck is 33 inches & the largest collar, chain, whatever is only 30 inches. He's huge, so he can't be chained, even if we had a chain to chain him. So, this quote from President Monson gives me hope:

"Through personal prayer, through family prayer, by trusting in God with faith, nothing wavering, we can call down to our rescue His mighty power. His call to us is as it has ever been: “Come unto me."

--Thomas S. Monson, "Come unto Him in Prayer and Faith", Ensign, Mar 2009, 4–9

There are at least 2 of us praying for the dog. Of course, even if you pray fervently, something still might happen. But you don't KNOW that. This quote from Elder Ashton originally appeared in the Ensign in February 1993.

"I recommend you come to know your Father in Heaven. Come to love Him. Always remember that He loves you and will give you guidance and support if you will but give Him the chance. Include Him in your decision making. Include Him in your heartaches and heartbreaks. Include Him when you take inventory of your personal worth."

--Marvin J. Ashton, "Becoming a Quality Person Now", Ensign, Apr 2010, 28–29

He knows our concerns.

This life

is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. Alma 34:32

"This life is not so much a time for getting and accumulating as it is a time for giving and becoming. Mortality is the battlefield upon which justice and mercy meet. But they need not meet as adversaries, for they are reconciled in the Atonement of Jesus Christ for all who wisely use Today."

--Lance B. Wickman, "Today", Ensign, May 2008, 103–5

And this next one, really strikes a chord with me.

"Just as Jesus used a child in His mortal ministry as an example for the people of the pure love they must and could have to be like Him, He has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves. That is because the greatest joys and the greatest sorrows we experience are in family relationships."

--Henry B. Eyring, "Our Perfect Example", Ensign, Nov 2009, 70–73

The greatest joys & sorrows ...

Help is available

if we but ask for it.

"In our life's journey to return to and become more like our Father, we are not left alone. God has given us the necessary gifts to help us in our mortal experience...These gifts help us navigate our lives toward eternal goals. What a comfort it is to know that there is a plan providing us with a Savior, Jesus Christ. His sacrifice makes it possible for all people who comply with His gospel teachings to be forgiven through repentance. What a comfort it is to know that help is available for us to succeed in our endeavors to return to live with our Father in Heaven. What a comfort it is to know that we are not alone sailing uncharted waters as we go through life's experiences."

--Elder José A. Teixeira, "Gifts to Help Us Navigate Our Life",
April 2009 General Conference

Parents & families are another resource God has given us.

"Every home is a house of learning either for good or otherwise. Family members may learn to be obedient, honest, industrious, self-reliant, and faithful in living gospel principles, or they may learn something else. "Learning the gospel in the homes of Church members should be centered on the scriptures and on the words of the latter-day prophets. The Lord has commanded parents to teach their children."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 1993, p. 70