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.

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.

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

Willingly follow Christ

Today's quotes seem to center on families, parenting. It reminded me of an entry from my cousin Loraine's blog as she recounted her busy January, a new grandchild, her mother's cancer surgery, her in-laws' health problems & taking them to a grandson's mission farewell.

But the season of my life is to take care of family members. All this other will get done in its own due time.

President's Faust quote fits so perfectly:

"No matter what circumstances you sisters experience, your influence can be marvelously far-reaching. I believe some of you have a tendency to underestimate your profound capacity for blessing the lives of others. More often than not, it is not on the stage with some public pronouncement but in your example of righteousness and the countless gentle acts of love and kindness done so willingly, so often on a one-to-one basis."

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

"… countless gentle acts of love and kindness …" shows she is willingly following Christ as President Kimball exhorts us.

"Follow me," the Savior said. And we realize that to follow him is not impossible. The miles which he traveled, each of us can travel, for he took them one step at a time, one journey at a time. You could walk from Jerusalem to Nazareth. You could walk to the Sea of Galilee from Nazareth. You could follow Joseph and Mary and Jesus to Egypt. You could walk to the Mount of Transfiguration and back and forth from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, Bethany, the River Jordan. All these, you could do. But this is not the kind of following that he expected. He meant for us to follow his teachings and his example. Anyone with normal health can walk those miles and climb those hills and ford those streams. But it is quite another thing to be "even as I am," (3 Ne. 27:27) as he said to the Nephites."

--Spencer W. Kimball, "A Gift of Gratitude", Tambuli, Dec 1977, 1

One of last night's quotes is a repeat from Bishop H. Burke Peterson quoting President McKay & speaking of mothers here.

"As parenting declines, the need for policing increases. There will always be a shortage of police if there is a shortage of effective parents! Likewise, there will not be enough prisons if there are not enough good homes."

--Neal A. Maxwell, "Take Especial Care of Your Family," Ensign, May 1994, 88

The heartbreak of parents as their children end up in jail, wondering, "Where did I go wrong?" We have been sheltered in Cache Valley. It has been so idyllic with the rural values of the LDS community, yet the world infiltrates us even here. As Dumbledore said:

"It takes much bravery to stand up to our enemies but we need as much bravery to stand up to our friends."

— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)  

We have to forego some things

The internet was so slow last night, I finally just gave up. So, tonight I have FOUR quotes!!!

The first one from last night was about choice, forgoing some things for others.

"We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families."

--Dallin H. Oaks, "Good, Better, Best", Ensign, Nov 2007, 104–8

The second one last night was by President David O. McKay, "Thoughts mold your features" found here.

A quote by Elder Maxwell found here, is about people who live without God in their world are unable to find lasting happiness.

And the last one is by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf,

"Commandments and covenants of God are like navigational instructions from celestial heights and will lead us safely to our eternal destination. It is one of beauty and glory beyond understanding. It is worth the effort. It is worth making decisive corrections now and then staying on course."

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

Daily hope

I REALLY like this first quote. I find it so ... umm ... applicable, appropriate, hopeful ...

"Daily hope is vital, since the "Winter Quarters" of our lives are not immediately adjacent to our promised land... Those with true hope often see their personal circumstances shaken, like kaleidoscopes, again and again. Yet with the "eye of faith," they still see divine pattern and purpose."

--Neal A. Maxwell, "Brightness of Hope", Ensign, Nov. 1994

 And the next one is also thought provoking ... another reminder for a gracious heart ...

"It is indeed remarkable that the nature of our dealings with our fellowmen will determine, in large measure, our status in the kingdom of heaven....We may attend to rites and rituals and yet overlook the weightier matters such as brotherly kindness, honesty, mercy, virtue, and integrity. Let us never forget that if we omit them from our lives we may be found unworthy to come into His presence."

--Mark E. Petersen, "Do Unto Others", Ensign, May 1977, 73

Shun sin

More quotes:

"Because the evil one is ever at work, our vigilance cannot be relaxed - not even for a moment. A small and seemingly innocent invitation can turn into a tall temptation which can lead to tragic transgression. Night and day, at home or away, we must shun sin and hold fast that which is good."

--Elder Russell M. Nelson, "Set in Order Thy House", Ensign, Nov. 2001

This next quote is a double dip. It sure goes hand in hand with Elder Nelson's quote above:

"In the absence of a compelling testimony, some have let their daily thoughts and actions become so focused on the things of the world that they have minimized the influence of the light of the gospel in their everyday lives. "And then as Elder Neal A. Maxwell has so eloquently described, also included are those ' "honorable" members who are skimming over the surface instead of deepening their discipleship and who are casually engaged rather than "anxiously engaged" (D&C 76:75; 58:27)' (in Conference Report, Oct. 1992, 89; or Ensign, Nov. 1992, 65). . . "

--Elder Donald L. Staheli, "Securing Our Testimonies," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 37

And s'more quotes ...

Since I'm behind on my reading, I try to get caught up by requesting 2 reading assignments a day. Some days it works, some days it doesn't.

"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

And another one:

"Let us never lose sight of the fact that education is a preparation for life -- and that preparing for life is far more than knowing how to make a living or how to land on the moon. Preparing for life means building personal integrity, developing a sound sense of values, increasing the capacity and willingness to serve. Education must have its roots in moral principles. If we lose sight of that fact in our attempt to match our educational system against that of the materialists, we shall have lost far more than we could possibly gain."

--Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 297

I didn't finish this last night, so I'll just add on tonight's. One of the quotes was a repeat,

"Meekness is vital to becoming more Christlike. Without it one cannot develop other important virtues. . . Acquiring meekness is a process. . . More meekness does not translate to weakness, but it is the presentation of self in a posture of kindness and gentleness. It reflects certitude, strength, serenity; it reflects a healthy self-esteem and a genuine self-control (Neal A. Maxwell, "Meekly Drenched in Destiny," in Brigham Young University 1982-83 Fireside and Devotional Speeches [1983], 2). More meekness will allow us to be tutored by the Spirit."

--H. David Burton, More Holiness Give Me, Ensign, Nov. 2004, 99

Spiritual worthiness

Another day, more quotes.

"Those who 'live without God in the world' anxiously glean their few and fleeting satisfactions, but they are unable to find real happiness...."Ignorant of the plan of salvation, many simply do not know what the journey of life is all about. Therefore, modern selfishness and skepticism brush aside the significance of the Savior..."

--Elder Neal A. Maxwell; Ensign, March 1998, page 9

I love seeing the Lord's hand in my life.

"We do not know the future, but our Father in Heaven does, and He will lead and guide us if we let Him. When we are in tune with the Spirit, we will see many small miracles happen in our lives. I have found that having the ability to see and recognize these small miracles is based upon my spiritual worthiness, my willingness to be obedient, and my desire to not allow myself to become complacent and caught up in worldly and personal pursuits."

--Ronald T. Halverson, "Obeying the Whisperings of the Holy Ghost", Ensign, Aug 2007, 56–58

I copied Elder Maxwell's quote twice & then went to tag (label) them. I thought it was strange both quotes were Maxwell, 1998.

A path

More quotes from readthescripture.com (I had a hard time spelling quotes correctly, instead of quoghts.)

"...the strait and narrow path, though clearly marked, is a path, not a freeway nor an escalator. Indeed, there are times when the only way the strait and narrow path can be followed is on one's knees!"

--Neal A. Maxwell, "A Brother Offended," Ensign, May 1982, 37

The quote sent for MORE READING is repeated from the other day & can be found at Lighthouses in the Storm by Elder Wirthlin.

Today's quotes

Here are some quotes that came directly to the blog!! There will not be any stray files floating around the network.

"We cannot repent for someone else. But we can forgive someone else, refusing to hold hostage those whom the Lord seeks to set free!"

--Neal A. Maxwell, "Repentance," Ensign, Nov. 1991, 30

And another short one.

"Only One who was with God, and was God, can answer the deepest and most urgent questions of our soul."

--Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, Nov. 1997, 65

Looks like both of these quotes came from conference editions.