TOTW - We Are Responsible...

"We are all responsible to God for the manner we improve the light and wisdom given by our Lord to enable us to save ourselves." -Joseph Smith

Building Character and Increasing Compassion

A friend who is on my group On Wings of Faith posted a thought:

Building Character and Increasing Compassion

"Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others."

Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Come What May, and Love It", Ensign, Nov. 2008, 27

My response? I think I need to read this over and over again every day - when reading it, it uplifts me - at the same time, I choose to laugh instead of cry because I feel like crying sometimes with all that is going on. Although, if I laugh too much, people may think I need to be sent to the lunatic farm.

PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD

A friend of mine sent to this to me in my email... something we may all need to hear/see from time to time. If you're struggling with something in your life - perhaps you could print this and stick it on your wall or fridge for a reminder...

It isn't as bad ad you somethings think it is.
It all works out. Don't worry.
I say that to myself every morning. It will work out.
Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future.
The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us.
If we put our trust in Him, if we pray to Him,
if we live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.

By President Gordon B. Hinckley
From the funeral program for Marjorie Pay Hinckley, April 10 2004

The Price of Discipleship

"For most of us . . . what is required is not to die for the Church but to live for it. For many, living a Christlike life every day may be even more difficult than laying down one's life. . . .
"Many think that the price of discipleship is too costly and too burdensome. For some, it involves giving up too much. But the cross is not as heavy as it appears to be. Through obedience we acquire much greater strength to carry it."

(James E. Faust, "Discipleship," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 22)

Advice from Elder Busche

TOTW - Our Priceless Heritage

"The Declaration of Independence . . . is much more than a political document. It constitutes a spiritual manifesto -- revelation, if you will--declaring not for this nation only, but for all nations, the source of man's rights. Nephi, a Book of Mormon prophet, foresaw over 2,300 years ago that this event would transpire. The colonies he saw would break with Great Britain and that 'the power of the Lord was with [the colonists],' that they 'were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations' (1 Nephi 13:16, 19).
"The Declaration of Independence was to set forth the moral
justification of a rebellion against a long-recognized political
tradition--the divine right of kings. At issue was the fundamental question of whether men's rights were God-given or whether these rights were to be dispensed by governments to their subjects.
This document proclaimed that all men have certain inalienable rights. In other words, these rights came from God."

(Ezra Taft Benson, "Our Priceless Heritage," Ensign, Nov. 1976, 33)

Distractions

A couple Sunday's ago, in Relief Society, there was a sister who taught a lesson that really touched my heart. It was something I obviously needed a reminder of, or a new perspective, or perhaps just a kick in the pants.

I have recently been struggling with a lot and all at once, which doesn't help the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Her lesson, along with other moments that I know Heavenly Father had a hand in to help me move forward again has really got me pondering on a daily basis more-so than I already do.

For awhile, I have not felt like I could see that guiding light at the end of the tunnel. Only I realized that the light has always been there, I just wasn't doing ALL my part to see it. I have been distracted from these overwhelming feelings, frustration, sadness, depression even that I have failed to do ALL my part to be able to let God touch my life, for me to be able to see that light at the end of my tunnel. It never goes out, distractions just started to creep in to the point I just didn't know which way I was going.

What are some things that mean the most to you? Or who even means the most to you? Have you let these distractions take place of your duty, your loyalty, your moments to cherish, your moments for growth in your life? Do you have anger holding your anchor down? Let it go. Move forward. Distractions take away from what is SO important.

Prayer. This is another one that keeps popping up for me. And although we pray as a family every night, and I try and be diligent to do my own personal prayers each night - I do lack at times and I know when I need to be doing better. Having that conversation with Heavenly Father every night goes a long way. The light is strong at the end of the tunnel when I am, the way is made clear, and my heart isn't feeling as troubled. I always keep a prayer in my heart, which helps me so much, but I need more personal one-on-one focused conversation time with Heavenly Father. What a difference that would make. What an opportunity for growth.

You know, I often think about all the resources that have been given to us - spiritual resources - that we often times fail to accomplish. These resources are always there, they are easy to do, they give great opportunities in so many areas of life. Why the procrastination on doing some of it - natural, as we are not perfect of course, but wow - the antidote is always in front of us for happiness, for letting grudges or anger go, for a wholesome, good life --- it is so easy, yet sometimes so hard. Life is hard, I won't deny it - I have had my many days throughout that have been hell and back - but life is worth living, life is worth growing and in God's infinite wisdom He gives us these trials to give us the choice to choose to grow from. God is good in all that He does for me, for everyone.

Every day now, I always think of the lesson in Relief Society about what my distractions would be in my life, what do I need to do to get rid of them and focus on what will not only help my growth in my life, but for my children, for my husband, family, and friends. What is it that I can I let go of today that is stopping me from being my best? What do I need to do to improve spiritually, so I can also improve emotionally, and then physically? What is it? I think as long as I am aware, and doing my best, everything will turn out for the best in the end. To me, the journey is worth it when I am always aware of what I need to work on, so that it not only helps me to grow, but so I can in turn help my children grow and nurture our marriage.

Sheri Dew Quotes

One of my favorite people and authors is Sheri Dew -- here is a few quotes I just came across:

"There is one thing the power of God and the power of Satan have in common: Neither can influence us unless we allow them to."
— Sheri L. Dew (God Wants a Powerful People)


"We no longer have the luxury of spending our energy on anything that does not lead us and our families to Christ."
— Sheri L. Dew

"Everything that's important - you can take with you."
— Sheri L. Dew (God Wants a Powerful People)

TOTW - Let every American...

“Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor;—let every man remember that to violate the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the character of his own, and his children’s liberty. Let reverence for the laws, be breathed by every American mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap—let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges;—let it be written in Primers, spelling books, and in Almanacs;—let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation; and let the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the grave and the gay, of all sexes and tongues, and colors and conditions, sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars.”
-Abraham Lincoln