A Mighty Change of Heart - TOTW

"...we must be careful, as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible.

The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant...

But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said "were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not." (3 Ne. 9:20)."

-- Ezra Taft Benson, “A Mighty Change of Heart,” Ensign, Oct. 1989, 2

A Musical Savant Shows Talent

I saw this on one of my friend's wall off Facebook. This is an amazing teenager, who has conquered so much. If you haven't seen this, I highly recommend it. It is absolutely inspirational. It just goes to show you that even when the odds are perhaps against us, God has a hand in every person's life. Every one of us, no matter what our challenges are, we have talents to share with those around us. Talents that change people's lives in so many ways. Very touching.

Harold B. Lee's Quote on America

"Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the new Jerusalem. This is the place that the Lord said is favored above all other nations in all the world. This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple. This is the favored land in all the world. Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won't fail. I have faith in America; you and I must have faith in America, if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are living in a day when we must pay heed to these challenges. I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through. (Ye Are the Light of the World, p. 350-351)

September 09' Visiting Teaching Message

I am going to visit two of my sisters today, and in reading the visiting teaching message this month, one of the quotes for this month is something that I have emphasized in my own life and sharing with others in general and on my On Wings of Faith group. Let me share this with you and we'll dive more into the importance of it in general & in my own life as well.

"The reason we pray, study the scriptures, have good friends, and live the gospel through obedience to the commandments is so that when - not if, but when --the trials come, we are ready." --Elder Robert D. Hales

We have been given some simple measures from the example of Jesus, and commandments from God that if we do these simple measures in our lives on a regular basis it will go a long way in our trialing times - and in turn our joyous times are even more joyous.. If we have not done these simple things on a regular basis, then our trialing times simply are harder to get through. The weight of our trials seem too hard to bare.

I know in my own life that when I have not been consistent with my personal prayer, scripture study, and other aspects that make life run more smoothly that life tends to be more bumpy.

If you know me, you will know that I have been through a lot of trials in my life, some that were through mistakes I have made or trials that simply were placed in my life - any way the trials came into your life gives the opportunity for growth. I know that when we choose to lean on God, doing our part, we will get through even a little bit easier, have more sense of peace, comfort, and in the end more joy.

Recently, I friend shared this with me during some difficult times in my life:

Remember that the fiery darts that Satan throws at us puts holes in our buckets, which makes us have to work to keep them filled. It is almost impossible for us to keep our buckets full all by ourselves, that is why Heavenly Father provides friends and loved ones to help in that bucket filling chore. As one fills another bucket, your bucket is filled in return.

Also remember, that the most important is no matter how hard life seems at times, remember that God will never give us anything that we can't handle. Never, never give up and don't let Satan win the battle he is waging against you. Know that endurance is the key to salvation. And that which does not kill us, only makes us stronger. Like the story of the man that was commanded by the Lord to push against a rock, and the man obeyed and pushed, and pushed, but he never moved the rock one inch. He became discouraged, and when the Lord came bac, he told the Lord, I pushed against the rock, but I failed because I was not able to move it. Then the Lord said, I only asked you to push against the rock, not to move it, and by pushing against the rock it has made you strong. So, God is there to comfort us when we think we have failed, but in reality we have succeeded! So, remember, keep pushing against every rock and you will become stronger by every passing day!

I have found in my own life that if the load of my trials are feeling so heavy that I am feeling unable to bare them, I ask myself "Am I doing my part?" If I am not, which we all have our moments that we fall back, then the good news is, is that we can move forward again. He is waiting for each and every one of us. He knows each of us. He loves each of us. And He knows what is best for us. It truly is in God's infinite wisdom that he places us with trials - it is out of love that he does this, to again, give us the opportunity to grow. We can choose that - that is our free agency to choose the better road. I do have a strong testimony of this, and while I am not perfect, and I continue to fall over and over again as others do - I learn, I grow spiritually, mentally, and physically. I am so grateful for these opportunities.

Random Thoughts by Me.

Something that came to my mind today was an inner thought (I do this all the time, as it helps me to conquer my weaknesses, or at least better myself). My thought was if I were to take my moments of talking to my children or to my spouse and "listened" to them coming from my mother - how would it make me feel? Is there anything that I am uncomfortable with, if so, I would imagine my children would be, as well as spouse. And what can I do to take the steps to better myself in these instances. What can I do to make those moments more positive?

I know that for me, over the many years of being more aware of myself and my surroundings, has in turn helped me to be strengthened spiritually, mentally, and physically. I know that being aware strengthens the relationships I have with those around me.

That My Family Should Partake - TOTW

"In a world filled with much laboring and striving in parliaments, congresses, agencies, and corporate offices, God's extraordinary work is most often done by ordinary people in the seeming obscurity of a home and family."

--Neal A. Maxwell (That My Family Should Partake [1974], 122)

TOTW

"Ideals are stars to steer by; they are not sticks to beat ourselves with."
--Barbara B. Smith (Ensign, March 1976)

A Mighty Change of Heart - TOTW

"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

I so needed this thought today - which came into my Inbox for our own TOTW from On Wings of Faith. Different trials come to us in all shapes and sizes, sometimes easier than others, some really hard to even drag your feet through the mud of it all. I have been through several trials, and in the midst of a few myself right now that have been very trying. But it is so true that we must not lose hope. There are many blessings for each of us as we strive to improve ourselves for the better - spiritually, mentally, and physically. The strength the comes through our trials is an amazing blessing in itself.