"Remember that ofttimes the wisdom of God appears as foolishness to men, but the greatest single lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and a man obeys, that man will always be right."

--Thomas S. Monson, "Constant Truths for Changing Times", Ensign, May 2005, 19

"Our Heavenly Father loves each one of us and understands that this process of climbing higher takes preparation, time, and commitment. He understands that we will make mistakes at times, that we will stumble, that we will become discouraged and perhaps even wish to give up and say to ourselves it is not worth the struggle. We know it is worth the effort, for the prize, which is eternal life, is “the greatest of all the gifts of God.” And to qualify, we must take one step after another and keep going to gain the spiritual heights we aspire to reach."

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>--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "One Step after Another", Ensign, Nov. 2001, 25

Advice from Elder Busche

Blessings that come through Temple Attendance

I had the chance to go to the Baton Rouge temple this weekend bc of a kind sister in our ward. She drove down with me and watched my kids while I went in to do a couple sessions. And she was there in between the sessions so I could nurse Connor. KJ had so much fun bc they went to this sister's son's house who had a son KJ's age. They played and got along so well that I was invited to use them any time I wanted to come down to go to the temple and needed a babysitter. :-) I've been thinking a lot of this visit to the temple and I found this quote that seems to sum up what I took from this visit.

The temple is a house of prayer. We may receive answers to our heart-felt questions if we go to the temple with a sincere desire to obtain them. There, the Holy Ghost may grant us added light and knowledge and the privilege of receiving the answers to the problems and trials the world presents.

Harold Glen Clark, “Four Blessings of the Temple,” Ensign, Oct 1983, 68

The Road to Carmel & Abigail's Gift

I'm reading this book called The Peacegiver: How Christ Offers to Heal Our Hearts and Homes by James L. Ferrell. My friend, Ann, let me borrow it to read. In this book, the story of these two characters talk about how Abigail (in 1 Samuel Chapter 25) is a Type of Christ. I quote from the book the conversation between Abigail and David (future king of Israel):

"Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be."
"Upon you be what iniquity, woman?"
"Please my lord, I saw not the young men you sent to Nabal, my husband. But see, I have provided. Please accept of my offering, that this hsall be no grief unto thee."

A few things to point out that the characters pointed out.
Abigail --> Type of Christ
Nabal --> 1st Sinner
David & his men --> victims who were sinned against, 2nd sinner by failing to forgive.

When we feel we have been wronged it is important to remember that Christ is at our door wanting to take upon the sins and burdens placed against or on us. He wants to make up for the "burdens those sins are placing upon [us], or at the very least would include the blessing of having those burdens made light."

Jesus took upon him all the sins of the world. When we feel wronged by someone, Jesus is pleading for us to place the sin upon Him instead of the actual sinner and then also asking us to forgive the sin.

Upon me let this iniquity be. Let me deal with it if there is any dealing to be done. But you, my dear son or dear daughter, let it go. Let me take it, as I already have done. Forgive.

So the real question is how does one let go of any hard feelings or enmity and truly forgive?

Twitter on Elder Wirthlin's Talk

It's funny that the day after I read Elder Wirthlin's talk, I received a quote from it in my LDS Gems emails. Anywho. A sister in my ward sent me this twitter about that quote:

With the passing of Elder Wirthlin and with challenges we all face in life, this was a timely message for me. I hope it will inspire you all as it did me. May you all have a wonder holiday season. I love you all. The credit goes to some of the mothers with missionary out in the mission field and of course Elder Wirthlin. What a great man. I know that many of you are facing challenging times! Like us, some of you have been layed (laid?) off work, or your husband is out of work, and more layoffs are being announced. Sue Hurt sent this timely quote to one of my email groups:"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." Joseph B Wirthlin, "Come What May, and Love It," Ensign, Nov 2008We are going to miss Elder Wirthlin!Last night during our family scripture study, we read King Benjamin's speech where he said, "For even at this time, my whole frame doth tremble exceedingly while attempting to speak to you; but the Lord God doth support me..." (Mosiah 2:30)We discussed how Elder Wirthlin was held up by Elder Nelson(?) while he was speaking during our last conference. We have watched our leaders speak in Conference and heard their testimonies, even when it was too difficult for them to stand and testify and had to speak while sitting down. What powerful testimonies and examples they are to us!Let us move forward with faith, and hang on to the Iron Rod, the words of God!

Come What May and Love It

I have a new motto. "Come what may and love it!" Two days ago our oldest Apostle, Elder Wirthlin, passed away and there was a link to his last General Conference talk in the article. He gave an amazing talk on this subject and I really felt it was written for me at this time. :-)

http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-9,00.html

What stuck out to me:

The way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and
successful we can be in life.

The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable.

My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment.

And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes

the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.”2 The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner, helper, and advocate. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to be successful. If we do our part, He will step in.

March Challenge

I've been such a slacker lately. If I could keep this blog up as much as my family blog, I would be doing so much better! :-p I've been procrastinating on a lot of things. Mostly, I just need to step up to the plate, stand a little taller, stop thinking and start DOING! So, here I am stepping up to the plate and finally going to DO something. I think having this blog open to my friends and family will help me stay accountable to a degree.

My challenge is to pray with a purpose like my previous post (two down). I want to pray in the morning about what I'll work on during the day and then "report" back in my evening prayer about how I did. I think this will help me see any progress I have done. It'll give me hope in knowing I am moving somewhere and not just staying stagnant in a moat of laziness. Anyone else up for the challenge?