Follow the Savior

Tonight's thoughts are worthy of pondering.

"I testify to you this day that the time will come when every man, woman, and child will look into the Savior's loving eyes. On that day, we will know with a surety the worth of our decision to straightway follow Him."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Follow Me", Ensign, May 2002 p. 17

And

"Life offers you two precious gifts — one is time, the other freedom of choice, the freedom to buy with your time what you will. You are free to exchange your allotment of time for thrills. You may trade it for base desires. You may invest it in greed … . Yours is the freedom to choose. But these are no bargains, for in them you find no lasting satisfaction."

--Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "Reflections on a Consecrated Life", October 2010 General Conference

If we choose to follow the Savior, we will choose the right, choose to follow His commandments.

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.

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

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.

Eternity is in the process now

Been working & playing on the computer, procrastinating making a call I should have made a week ago. I decided while I was checking my Netflix account & was already in gmail, I'd request another day's assignment in my scripture reading to get caught up. Both thoughts are repeat. Elder Ashton's thought, which can also be found here, is what I needed today. I am sharing it again, even though it does not deal with procrastination.

"Very often in our anxiousness for the joys of the future we run away from the very things we are wanting and needing today. An appropriate examination of the passing moment will prove it leads to eternity. We need to constantly remind ourselves eternity is in process now."

--Marvin J. Ashton, "The Time Is Now", Ensign, May 1975, 85

I'm sorry, but Elder Wirthlin's thought, Parents, do you know where your children are? is getting kind of old.

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

Today's decisions

The decisions we make today will impact our future. Sometimes we can't see it immediately. Don-Mikel has a 2004 Chevy Duramax pick-up. A guy in town wanted to trade his 2003 half ton gas vehicle for Don-Mike's 3/4 ton diesel. Don-Mike seriously contemplated it, but has had a very uneasy feeling about it. Once he decided not to do it, he felt at peace with himself.

Elder Wirthlin, in his talk in the 2003 conference entitled "Three Choices," says, "Today is the day of decision."

The second thought today is from Sheri L. Dew. The talk must have been given in the Women's Conference when she was a counselor in the General Relief Society presidency.

"We just can't let the Lord down. And if the day comes when we are the only women on earth who find nobility and divinity in motherhood, so be it. For mother is the word that will define a righteous woman made perfect in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, a woman who has qualified for eternal increase in posterity, wisdom, joy, and influence."

--Sheri L. Dew, "Are We Not All Mothers?", Ensign, Nov 2001, 96

Sounds nice.

Lehi's Dream

Both of the quotes tonight are repeats, yet tonight they reminded me of Lehi's dream of the tree of life. President Monson says the road signs of life entice every traveler & he counsels to pause at the crossroads. Tonight I thought of holding to the iron rod when I read this. Pause at the crossroads long enough to know the way you are taking is not letting go of the iron rod.

The first time I read Elder Wirthlin's thought about teaching our children only if we know where they are, made me think of my children when they were younger, wanting to know where they were. Tonight the last sentence in the quote about not leaving the teaching of their children to chance reminded me we need to make sure our children recognize the Holy Ghost, the hand of the Lord in their lives.

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

Prayer

I requested two reading assignments yesterday & one today. Out of six quotes, only 2 were repeats, both by Elder James E. Faust. Six quotes would make a LONG entry & so I will make two entries.

Elder Faust says "No earthly authority can separate us from direct access to our Creator. There can never be a mechanical or electronic failure when we pray. …

And then Elder Wirthlin asks,

"Will prayers that do not demand much of your thought merit much attention from our Heavenly Father? When you find yourself getting into a routine with your prayers, step back and think. Meditate for a while on the things for which you really are grateful. Look for them. They don't have to be grand or glorious. Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite food, or the sound of a loved one's voice. Thinking of things we are grateful for is a healing balm. It helps us get outside ourselves. It changes our focus from our pains and our trials to the abundance of this beautiful world we live in."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Improving Our Prayers," Liahona, Aug. 2004, 18

What cool advice … express our gratitude for the small & simple things …

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

Walk in faith

The quote from Elder Lynn G. Robbins' talk, Tithing, A Commandment Even for the Destitute was given again. And

"Those who walk in faith will feel their lives encompassed with the light and blessings of heaven. They will understand and know things that others cannot."

--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, Nov. 2002, 84

Tasks of life

The quotes tonight seem to be "spot on" for me. I have been dodging the "tasks of life." Getting a late start on reading when I've got an early morning & a busy day is one way of dodging those tasks.

"Let us remember, too, that greatness is not always a matter of the scale of one’s life, but of the quality of one’s life. True greatness is not always tied to the scope of our tasks, but to the quality of how we carry out our tasks whatever they are. In that attitude, let us give our time, ourselves, and our talents to the things that really matter now, things which will still matter a thousand years from now."

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

 And the next one

"Even though the tasks of life become heavy, and although sorrow thrusts a drooping burden upon us, the light that emanates from our Savior beckons us on, undismayed."

--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin; Ensign, November 1994, Page 77

Unless we choose to ignore that light.

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

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

Patterning our life after the Master

Wow! These are some cool quotes tonight.

"If we can pattern our life after the Master, and take his teachings and example as the supreme pattern for our own, we will not find it difficult to be consistent and loyal in every walk of life, for we will be committed to a single, sacred standard of conduct and belief."

--Howard W. Hunter, "Standing As Witnesses of God", Ensign, May 1990, 60

And this next one ... talk about symbolism in the scriptures ... this analogy is one I can understand:

"Each of us will have our own Fridays — those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death — Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Sunday Will Come", Ensign, Nov. 2006, 28

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

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

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.

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