Christmas Caroling with a Twist

Last night for mutual we took the kids around the neighborhood on the back of a trailer while they sang (ok, really more like shouted), Christmas carols. Unknown to the kids, we had prearranged to stop at three different homes where the kids were told to hop off the trailer and gather around the front door. At the first, it was obvious the family was home (faces in the window, noises in the house), but they refused to come to the door and accept our Christmas caroling. At the second home, the door was opened but then quickly shut again with the rejection "I'm sorry, I just don't have time for this. I have to go!" At the third stop, the door was again answered and the kids were told "I'm sorry, I'd invite you in but my home is just too messy." We then took the kids around the back of that house where a fire pit was waiting. As we gathered around, the youth were asked to think about whether or not the Savior was welcome in their own lives. Were their lives too loud, too busy or too messy to let him in? We closed up with hot chocolate and donuts. Ideally, this would have been a really neat spiritual experience for the kids and I recommend it.

Doubt and Truth

"If we are to have the very best Christmas ever, we must listen for the sound of sandaled feet. We must reach out for the Carpenter's hand. With every step we take in His footsteps, we abandon a doubt and gain a truth."

President Thomas S. Monson (December Ensign, 2008)

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Every year in our ward the youth get together to collect food from the ward members for Thanksgiving. The Bishopric then takes the food around to families in the ward that have need for it. I have participated in this food drive now three times and it is my absolute favorite activity. This year our ward really outdid themselves. We collected (if I remember correctly), 16 turkeys and put together enough canned and boxed food to fill 11 big boxes to the top. It was so, so great! The best part about it to me is that with the poor state of the economy, things are tight for EVERYONE yet the good people here donated more food than any year I have ever seen. It was just so awesome! I'm so thankful that my Heavenly Father led my family to this ward that I love so much. I'm grateful to belong to a church whose members are always so willing to give. And I am grateful that the church teaches the importance of service and charity and provides their youth (and their youth's leaders) with positive experiences like this.

Roots and Branches

Tonight in my scripture study I was reading 3 Nephi 25 (compare Malachi Chapter 4). It's a very short chapter; only six verses all together, but very important. At this point in the history, the Savior was coming to the conclusion of his visit to the Nephites and was teaching them before he left. This chapter records what he taught about the return of Elijah. The Savior taught the Nephites that in the last days, he would send his prophet Elijah to restore the sealing keys to the earth and "turn the hearts of the children to their fathers."

Verse 1 of this chapter reads: "For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch."

I admit that I read my scriptures too late at night when I'm too tired and should probably find a better time to study because I passed over these verses and just kind of thought, "Yeah, Elijah. Genealogy. Sealing powers. I know all this." SO... its a good thing I study with the Book of Mormon Student Manual. It expounded a little on the significance of the symbols "root" and "branch". Now, you've probably already figured it out for yourself, but here's the way Theodore M. Burton explains it (from God's Greatest Gift, pp. 194-95):

"What are my roots? Why, my roots are where I came from. My roots are my parents, my progenitors or ancestors in a direct bloodline....What then is meant by the word branch? If I consider myself as the trunk of the tree, nourished and supported by my roots, then the branches constitute that which comes from me. My branches are my children and my grandchildren, etc. In other words, my branches are the posterity that comes from me as branches spring from the trunk of a tree."

I love this metaphor! Love, love, love it. And I completely missed it at first - even as obvious as it is. So, the idea is, if we want to keep our roots and branches with us after the resurrection and judgement, we have to complete necessary ordinances. And this is where Elijah comes in. Elijah restored the keys of authority to administer in all the ordinances of the Priesthood - including the higher, sealing ordinances. The sealing ordinances make it possible for our roots and branches to remain a part of our trunk. In other words, the sealing ordinances make it possible for my progenitors and my posterity to remain a part of me and my family forever.

Joseph Fielding Smith taught "The higher ordinances, the greater blessings which are essential to exaltation in the kingdom of God, and which can only be obtained in certain places, no man has a right to perform except as he receives the authority to do it from the one who holds the keys...Elijah restored to this Church and, if they would receive it, to the world, the keys of the sealing power; and that sealing power puts the stamp of approval upon every ordinance that is done in this Church and more particularly those that are performed in the temples of the Lord" (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:129-30).

The more I study, the more I see that the Savior never wastes a symbol. (I know in this instance, he's actually quoting Malachi, but the way I see it, Malachi spoke for the Savior, so when the Savior quotes Malachi, he's really kind of quoting himself, right?) Anyway, I don't know why I still pass symbols by without trying to see what they really stand for - what a superb teacher he is! That's why I love my study companion books and why I hate to ever miss a Sunday School lesson. I still need a little help seeing those deeper things.

The Church Continues!

Elder M. Russell Ballard, General Conference, Sunday Morning Session, October 5, 2008

I only wrote down three things from Elder Ballard's talk but I think they're worth mentioning:

First, The church continues to grow despite attacks on the people.

Second, the works, designs & purposes of God cannot be thwarted.

And third, we can't afford to become comfortable. There is still much to do.

Especially in light of heavy criticism and persecution recently, this is a good reminder that the work won't be ceasing just because people may not like it - but it's also a good reminder that we can't just sit around and expect it to happen. We have to be doing our part. Sound council and a comforting reminder.

Return to Virtue

Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women General President, General Conference, Sunday Morning Session, October 5, 2008

Sister Dalton spoke to us about the importance of living a virtuous life and what that really means. She said that virtuous men and women posses a quiet confidence and strength. I like that. I don't think being truly virtuous makes us proud or boastful but yeah ... quiet confidence and strength. She said "There is no greater friend than a clear conscience." Lovely. A good thing for any of us to remember.

She related the story from the Book of Mormon of Lahonti who was invited by an enemy to come down off his mountain and as he did so, he was poisoned by degrees until he died. I enjoyed her account of this because I had just read it myself in my personal scripture study but I really hadn't read more into it than just the account. I missed the big picture I guess. She asked us, "are we being poisoned by degrees?" It's so easy to let that happen. She counseled us "Don't lose sight of your identity while being consumed by self image."

And then she reminded us that we have the power to changed the world. But we have to prepare. We have to exercise more discipline, set our course on the finish. And she quoted from this council from Moroni: "Awake and arise and lay hold of every good gift..."

The last thing I found interesting from her remarks was that she said every young woman should be sustained and encircled about by righteous Priesthood power. I love that! I believe that men and women in this gospel compliment one another so perfectly and that we need the gifts that the other can offer.

I love hearing Sister Dalton speak. I believe she possesses a genuine love for the young women and she is so upbeat and cheerful about the gospel - always with a smile.

New Calling

Nate has another new calling! He's been called to serve and was set apart today as First Counselor in the Elder's Quorum. I'm so pleased and excited for him. He just loves Elder's Quorum and is very enthusiastic about serving. He hasn't been released from teaching Sunday School yet but probably will be soon. Way to go Nate! I'm so proud of the efforts you've made to get to this point and look forward to witnessing the blessings that will come to you as you serve.

Responding to Criticism

Elder Robert D. Hales, General Conference, Sunday Morning Session, October 5, 2008

Elder Hales' remarks seem to me to be of particular importance given the recent circumstances with the Church's involvement over California's Proposition 8. We've certainly faced some tough criticisms even among some of our own members lately and his remarks were all about the best way for us to respond.

He recommends that when we are faced with criticisms directed towards the church we need to step back, pray and respond as the Savior did when he was attacked. He listed four examples of how the Savior responded when he was attacked: First, he remained silent. Second, he bore testimony. Third, he exercised divine responsibility to preserve that which is sacred. And fourth, he pleaded for forgiveness of his enemies. Depending on individually circumstances, we could probably pick and choose from these appropriate responses if not use more than one or all of them.

We were counseled to respond with humility, meekness "Christian courage" and to turn the other cheek. Above all, we were counseled not to react with anger. I wrote in my notes, NO CONTENTION! so this must have been heavily emphasized or at least it was important for me to hear it. We've all been told this before; the moment we allow the spirit of contention to enter a discussion we have lost and can do no good. But reacting with humility and meekness and not anger when someone is attacking something we feel so very personal and hold so very sacred is easier said than done.

However, he said that "True disciples of Christ see opportunity in opposition." This is something I've tried to begin cultivating in my own life. I think it takes practice but the rewards are truly worth the effort. We were counseled to take advantage of negative criticism by responding with love and to use it as an opportunity to bring attention to the church. We should seek guidance from the Spirit for inspiration tailored to each encounter.

Another difficult one: "True disciples speak with quiet confidence, not boastful pride." I try to remember that it is confidence not in myself, but in the gospel which I wish to testify. But it's hard when you feel like its a personal attack. Another one that I think takes practice to master. One thing that might help us with this is his council that "as true disciples, our primary concern must be others’ welfare, not personal vindication". We don't feel we are better than they are, rather we desire to show them a better way. I think if we were always keeping that in mind our pride would never be a problem.

He said sometimes the only thing we can do is walk away. Always remember to stay on higher ground. He related the experience of the Prophet Nehemiah who built a wall around Jerusalem. his enemies wanted him to come down to the plains where they planned to do mischief to him. His response was “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” So it is with us. Stay on higher ground.

This was really helpful for me to review this council in light of the recent political events. I do choose on occasion, to respond to criticisms when I feel passionately about them and in this case I have responded to more than one person and have been involved in lengthy dialogs in defense of the church. Elder Hales' remarks were valuable to me because though my intentions are good, I don't always respond the way the Savior would have done. I will certainly try to take this council to heart and apply it.

My John Hancock

This evening I attended my ward's "Evening of Excellence" for the Young Women. Some of the girls were asked to speak about this year's theme which is taken from Mosiah 5:15 and is "Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works." One speaker began by showing a copy of the Declaration of Independence and then relating the story of John Hancock's signature. As you may recall, when the signers of the Declaration of Independence were asked to add their signatures, many were understandably shy about doing so. To add their signature constituted treason to the King of England and meant death by execution should they not win the war. Popular myth says John Hancock believed so adamantly about what he was putting his name to that he made sure to sign his name so largely and clearly that "King George could read it without his spectacles." She related this beautifully to our theme and challenged us to sign our own "John Hancock" to the cause of the gospel. We should be so firm in our testimonies that we don't care what might happen to us; we want to make it known who we are and what we stand for. We should believe in it so fully that we aren't afraid to let it show. She said it much better than my attempts here, but I just felt so strongly that that's the way I want to live my life. I want to let my testimony show in every thing I do and say.

I'm so tired of being afraid to stand up for what is right and true. I'm so tired of worrying about others taking offense at the truth. I'm so tired of worrying about negative consequences that may or may not come from declaring my testimony. There is no greater blessing than to belong to this church and I for one am not ashamed of the gospel! It is truth and light and I will share it! And that's my John Hancock!

A Great Day of Unity is Coming

President Henry B Eyring, General Conference, Sunday Morning Session, October 5, 2008

President Eyring opened his remarks with a smile and a positive message and I couldn't help but smile myself as he began to speak. He said "A great day of unity is coming." He said we're doing better. Families are praying together. Fathers and mothers are praying for unity in their families. We are becoming more unified as a church.

And then he gave us suggestions on how we can encourage greater unity. He said that hearts can be knit together in unity when we bear testimony of the Savior and his mission. When we bear testimony of the Savior in our Family Home Evenings, it can encourage greater family unity.

He also counseled that "pride is the great enemy of unity." How absolutely true that is and how sorely difficult it is to overcome pride (at least for me.) He said we should be peacemakers and try to resolve conflicts. One way we can do this, he said, was to try to find something we can agree on. We can also pray to restore peace and unity when it is lost. (This of course requires us to become humble...it's that darn pride again that makes it so difficult.)

The Lord can help us see that someone else's differences fill in what we lack. We have to remember that we see others through imperfect eyes. We ought to try to view people through the light of Christ. I think this is especially important to remember this in our wards because we have so many different personalities with different strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes when working with others in my church duties it gets difficult to be patient with differences so I really like this council.

And finally, we've all heard it said, but it never hurts to say it again, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

I never like to be told that I'm prideful and I never like having to be humbled but as difficult as it may be to hear that that's what is required of me to do my part towards greater unity, I still found these remarks on the whole to be very uplifting and positive. Truly, we are strongest as wards, families, stakes and as a church when we are unified.

Hope

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, General Conference, Saturday Morning Session, October 4, 2008

Elder Uchtdorf spoke about hope. He began by mentioning several attributes of hope. The first, hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness. Without it, our hearts can actually become sick. Second, hope encourages us to place our trust in a living Heavenly Father. Third, hope is not knowledge. It is trust and confidence in our Savior. It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is confidence and optimism and patient perseverance.

For me, the most difficult part of that is probably patient perseverance. Its hard for me sometimes to remain optimistic when I may not see a light at the end of the tunnel. And its difficult to keep going sometimes when we don't see that what we are doing is making a difference. But he told us that hope can refresh us and give fresh courage to those who feel the walls of fear closing in around them.

So, how do we learn to have hope if we lack it? He counseled that we learn to cultivate hope one step at a time. And we do it through scripture study, prayer, and keeping the commandments. Obedience in these areas will bring us hope.

He also talked a lot about how hope faith and charity compliment one another. As one grows, the others grow with it. And when one is lacking, so are the others. And I can see that. When we lose hope, how can we possibly have faith? And also, when we are charitable, it naturally breeds hope.

My favorite quote from his remarks was, "When disobedience, disappointment and procrastination erode faith, hope is there to uphold us." Its always a pleasure to listen to President Uchtdorf.

Sacrament Meeting Worship

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Conference, Saturday Morning Session, October 4, 2008

Elder Oaks' remarks were all about Sacrament meeting worship. They were so instructional I really wished that he had spoken on Sunday when more people are likely to be listening. I know that even I get a little too lax about my Sacrament meeting worship and I think if everyone took his instructions to heart our Sunday meetings would take place in an entirely different and much improved atmosphere.

He reminded us that Sacrament meeting is the most important of any of our meetings. The program should always be focused on and lead us to think of the Savior and his Atonement. And since the primary purpose of Sacrament meeting is to partake of the Sacrament, how can we ensure that we are adequately prepared to do so?

He suggests several things to help us make the Sacrament more meaningful. The first was to come with a broken heart and contrite spirit. Second, show up early and prayerfully meditate. Use the time before the meeting to prepare ourselves spiritually. I'll admit, getting there on time is a pretty big deal for our family, let alone early. It seems no matter how hard we try, or how early we begin preparing, we just never make it on time. If I ever did though, I wonder if my kids would even let me prepare spiritually and meditate. I doubt it, but I'm sure it would be worth trying. If for nothing else, to set the example for them. And certainly not having to rush to get there would be a big improvement on our readiness to worship as a family and as individuals. He reminded us once again that the time before the meeting starts is not a time for conversations and passing of notes. This is really difficult, I think, in our socially oriented church. But we hear it over and over again. I'm certain we'd all be kind of shocked into reverence if we walked into a quiet chapel every Sunday. Wouldn't that be incredible?

He then addressed the issue of how we should dress. I loved this part because so many times people don't think it matters. He said "Our manner of dress indicates the degree to which we understand and will participate in the ordinance." Whoa. Didn't ever think of it that way. It always bothers me when the deacons or priests show up with long hair, tennis shoes, jeans, and jewelry. It's a sacred ordinance and should be treated as such, maybe even especially by those who administer the Sacrament (my opinion, not Elder Oaks').

He also brought up issues which, frankly, I'm astonished even need to be said. He said that Sacrament meeting is not a time for whispered conversations, cell phones, magazines or books. We are to remember Christ in Sacrament meeting. I wonder how he feels about me bringing books for my kids? I suppose it would be better if I could find some cute little LDS type books to bring. I don't know. Anybody have an opinion on that? I have seen families in my ward who allow their kids to read non-church related fiction during church. I've also seen more than one adult in my ward playing games on their cell phones. Sheesh!

The final thing he suggested is another one that I wish didn't even need to be mentioned. He said every person in attendance should join in singing the hymns. I wish that everyone felt the same way I do about the hymns. They are such an important part of worship and a valuable tool to teach, unify, and invite the spirit. He also made recommendations about our musical numbers saying that all sacrament music is "for worship and not for performance." AMEN to that. I get so tired of hearing "Mormon Pop" during Sacrament meeting. C'mon people! There's so much better music out there for Sacrament worship!

Elder Oaks gave me a good reminder for how I ought to worship in Sacrament meeting. It's a challenge with small children but I know that it's important to keep trying and to set a good example for them as well.

A Foundation Built on Christ

Last night in my scripture study I read Chapter 5 in the book of Helaman. It was such an awesome chapter! So many great verses. In this chapter, Helaman gives his sons Nephi and Lehi words of council. Among that is about the significance of their names. In verses 6 and 7 he tells them "Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good. Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them." I have always felt strongly about the importance of names. My children have been and my future children will be named with that same council in mind.

I also love this council found in verse 12: "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

But the part of the chapter that really stood out to me was when Nephi and Lehi were put in prison for preaching and converting. I'll try to summarize. The account says they were in prison many days when some men came in to kill them but they were encircled about with a pillar of fire so that no one dared to touch them. They told the people in the prison not to fear and that it was God who had created the pillar of fire to protect them. Then the prison walls and the earth shook. Following that, it says (in verse 28): "And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of darkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them." And then they heard a voice - not a loud voice of thunder, but a "still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul" (Verse 30). And the voice said "Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings" (Verse 29). Then the earth shook again. This all happened three times. No one could flee because the darkness was so thick, and also because they were so terrified.

Then one in the prison, Aminadab, who was Nephite, born into the church but then had left it, turned his face towards Nephi and Lehi and he saw that their faces shone brightly and that they had lifted their heads heavenward and were conversing with angels. So Aminadab told the multitude to look and see. And he told the people that Nephi and Lehi were conversing with angels. And then the Lamanites asked Aminadab "What shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us?" (Verse 40) That's what really, really hit me. How many times have we been overshadowed by a "cloud of darkness"? Fear and doubt, contention and anger, sadness, depression, anxiety, etc. And how many times have we wanted to break free from that heavy darkness and have not known how to do it? I just felt it so strongly while reading last night. "What shall I do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing me?" And the answer was simple. From verse 41, "Repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ..." And so the multitude began to cry unto the voice until the darkness was dispersed. And when the darkness had cleared, they looked around and saw that they too were encircled about by fire and the Holy Spirit descended upon them and in verse 44 it says "They were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory." And the voice came again, as if a whisper, saying "Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world." (verse 47) And then the heavens opened and angels came down and ministered unto them.

Can you imagine being present for such a miraculous event? Usually when I read the scriptures it's late at night and I admit I probably don't get as much out of it as I could if I read them when I was more awake but for some reason, reading this account last night felt as though I was literally in the story myself, standing there with all those prisoners and guards.

If we truly want peace, if we want to be free from darkness in it's many forms, we need only look to the Savior, the Redeemer of the World, Jesus the Christ. And just as Helaman counseled, if we build our foundation on our Redeemer, "When the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

A Few Words on the Temple

Yesterday we enjoyed Stake Conference in the Ogden Tabernacle on the beautiful Ogden Temple grounds. Among the first speakers were the Ogden Temple President and Matron. They spoke about the importance of having a current temple recommend and as an introduction, the Matron (I'm sorry, I can't remember her name), told of how she likes to stand near the front desk and watch as patrons come into the temple. She related how every once-in-a-while someone has to be turned away because their temple recommend has expired. She said sometimes they shrug their shoulders, apologize and turn away. Sometimes there are tears and exclamations like "Oh, how could I let my temple recommend lapse?" An sometimes she will hear them say something like this: "Now I know what it feels like to be unable to enter the temple. This will never happen to me again." Something about that really struck me. I felt it in the context of the eternities and wondered how devestating it would be to be told that I could not enter the presence of my Heavenly Father. I hope that will never happen to me.

The President reminded us that it is the Lord's house. He proposed that if we knew Christ would be in the temple on Tuesday we'd all be scrambling pretty fast to ensure that we would be there. But he then bore his witness that Christ does visit his temples. He testified that he has felt the presence of the Savior in the temple.

There was one final thing that made an impression on me. The President told us that 6 times a day, every day that the temple is open, the ordinance workers say a special prayer pleading that the promise of Elijah found in Malachi 4:6 will come to pass and that the people of the Ogden Temple District will turn their hearts to their fathers and come to the temple. He said that when we feel those impressions to return to the temple we need to heed them. It was a good reminder to me. I know that too many times I've put off those tuggings.

Being in the temple is always such a beautiful, peaceful experience. How grateful I am to live so close and to be able to attend at a moment's notice. I hope the words they shared at Stake Conference will come to my mind the next time I get one of those impressions and am tempted to put it off.

When You Save One Person, You Save Generations

Sister Silvia H. Allred, First Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency, General Conference, Saturday Morning Session, October 4, 2008

Sister Allred spoke on the subject of missionary work. She reminded us that missionary work is the lifeblood of the church and is far-reaching. When you save one person, you save generations.

There were two main points she wanted us to know: First, "God loves all his children and desires their salvation", and second, "Our message of Jesus Christ and his gospel is the most important gift you have to give."

And then she outlined several ways that we can be missionaries. We hear these all the time, but it never hurts to have a reminder. She suggested the following:

• Be a good neighbor and friend
• Be cheerful, a good example, and lead a Christ-centered life
• Prepare ourselves and our children for missionary service
• Give friendship to investigators, non-members and converts.

Although I have a testimony of the importance of missionary work, it's something I've always been slightly uncomfortable with. I'm not a very social person so I don't have really close relationships outside of my family but beyond that, it is really scary to think about missionary work in the terms of "missionary work." But gradually I've come to learn (and I only speak for myself here), it isn't necessarily about actively proselyting and having conversion as our ultimate goal but is more about just living the way we're already supposed to be living and hoping that our friendships and examples will plant the seed. I believe true missionary work is done best when we care about the person themselves, love them for who they are and offer sincere friendship for the sake of friendship, rather than looking at people in the light of "potential convert".

Another thing I'm coming to realize is that missionary work comes naturally when you begin to have a solid testimony of the gospel. For me, it's because I love the Gospel so much and am so grateful for the blessings it brings that I naturally desire others to have the same light, joy, knowledge and peace in their lives as well.

With regard to full-time missionary service, I do aspire to serve a mission with Nate when our children are grown and will try to do everything I can to see that my sons are prepared and have the desire to serve full-time missions when they come of age.

Simplify

Elder L. Tom Perry, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Conference, Saturday Morning Session, October 4, 2008

Elder Perry began his remarks by relating an experience he and his wife had when they were younger. They lived near Walden Pond in Massachusetts where author and philosopher Henry David Thoreau spent two years. When times would get difficult for the Perry's, they would take a walk around Walden Pond. It was a time for them to take a break from stress and challenges and talk with and comfort one another. He recounted a little of Thoreau's experience on Walden Pond. During his simple time near Walden Pond, Thoreau lived with only basic needs. According to him, there were four: Food, Clothing, Shelter and Fuel. Elder Perry suggested we too could simplify our lives by focusing on these four basic needs and he then broke them down a little.

The first basic need is food. We believe in the Word of Wisdom given in Doctrine and Covenants 89. The body and spirit are interconnected and thus when one is suffering the other suffers as well. I have seen this to be true in my own life. The times when I have done something to offend my spirit (i.e. sin) or have invited or allowed an evil spirit to come into my home because of contention, my physical body always gets sick. From the minor stomach ache or headache, to the much more serious migraines, depression and panic attacks. Likewise, when we allow our bodies to become malnourished, sleep-deprived or when we suffer from illness and certainly if our bodies are addicted to certain foods or drugs, it is much more difficult for us to maintain a Christ-like spirit. As I've gotten older, I have especially noticed this interconnectedness between my physical body and my spirit. We are at our best when both body and spirit are properly nourished.

The second basic need is Clothing. Elder Perry reminded us that our clothing sends a message to those who view us and it also affects the way we act. He said "Very casual dress is almost always followed by very casual manners." Interesting thoughts.

The third basic need is Shelter. He referred here to the present mortgage crisis. His council was much the same as we've been told all our lives: Don't get into a bigger mortgage than you can meet with your current income. Probably my favorite quote from Elder Perry's remarks was this one: "Members of well-managed families do not pay interest, they earn it." Fantastic! I loved this one so much I printed it out and posted it near our computer monitors.

The fourth basic need is fuel. And for this, Elder Perry referred to spiritual fuel. He asked the question, "How do we ensure that we have a sufficient store of spiritual fuel?" and then he responded by suggesting that we need to understand God's plan and then surrender our will to it. Easier said than done, right? I'm working on it.

Thoughts on General Conference - October 2008

I LOVE General Conference. It is an absolute spiritual smorgasbord. I love the spirit it brings into my home and the general feeling of unity that seems to be present among all the Latter Day Saints. I love the traffic jams heading towards all the Stake Centers a few minutes before 6:00 on Saturday night and the crowds of men and boys in their suits and ties at the grocery store after 8:00pm that same night. I love the messages of hope, optimism, and faith. And I love the boost it gives me to keep fighting the good fight and even try a little harder to be just that much better. What a fantastic way to spend a weekend. In fact I'm always kind of shocked and sad when it's over and Monday comes and thrusts us back into "the world" again.

My next several posts will be about General Conference. I'll begin briefly with President Monson's opening remarks for the Saturday morning session of Conference, Oct. 4th. He announced 5 new temples: Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Cordoba, Argentina; Greater Kansas City Area; Philadelphia, PA; and Rome, Italy. It was exciting to hear Philadelphia because Nate's sister and her family live there and will soon have their own temple. But the highlight of the announcement was, obviously, Rome, Italy. My reaction was much the same as the audiance who were audibly shocked and delighted. President Monson even paused for a moment because the reaction from the congregation was so overwhelming and then he smiled, nodded his head and said "Yeah!" and the audiance chuckled. I was actually quite touched emotionally and it was a really nice way to begin the next two hours of "spiritual feasting." What an amazing thing to have a temple in beautiful Rome, Italy. I can't wait to see the design of the temple. Incidentally, I've included a link to the Church's Temple Site which contains images of all of the temples across the world if you would like to see what they look like. http://www.lds.org/temples/home/0,11273,1896-1,00.html or if you would just like to know more about temples. Currently there are 128 operating temples with at least 17 more announced or under construction.

It is a testimony of the truth of the work and the fulfillment of prophecy that the work will continue to go forward no matter what, until the Savior tells us it is finished. I am thrilled to be witnessing such growth. I wonder what it must be like to be in an area of the world where there are no temples close by and to be listening to conference and hear it announced that you will soon have a temple of your very own. It must be so exciting. I will probably never have that experience. But every time a new temple is announced, it reminds me of just how blessed I am to live in an area where I can choose which temple to attend and not only that, but I can decide at the last minute and drive 20 minutes one way or 40 the other and be there. I love this, but I admit I don't truly appreciate the blessing. Otherwise, I'd be attending the temple a lot more frequently than I am now. We all would, wouldn't we?

President Monson closed his remarks by reminding us that there are still many areas in the world that are as yet unopened to the church. He asked that we pray for those areas to be opened. His remarks began the session with a remarkable spirit of enthusiasm, energy and joy in the work of the Lord.

On the Issue of Gay Marriage

I've noticed increasing animosity and confusion with regard to the Church's stand on gay marriage and their decision to become involved in California's election with regard to Proposition 8. I've seen a lot of church members try to argue, defend, explain, etc. but it seems to me it's always a waste of time and only stirs up contention. I myself have wondered how I could effectively respond without giving offense and still answer in an intelligent way which reflected the church's actual stance and not just my own feelings on the matter. We know what is right, we know what is true, but how do we answer without contention and why bother when it probably won't change anything anyway?

I've come to the conclusion that the best thing to do when approached about it, is refer people to the church's official commentary on the issue. I've read through most of it. I found it to be very clear, leaving no questions unanswered. And it presents the views of the church in an unoffensive yet unapologetic manner. Listed on the same page are additional resources on the Internet one may look into to have a better understanding of why the church and other churches and organizations feel so strongly on this issue.

May I just say how grateful I am to belong to this church. It is truth and light and I know it without a doubt. Our Heavenly Father only wants what is best for us and what will ultimately bring us lasting joy and peace. The issue can be debated over and over again. Laws can be passed, society's rules can change. But it isn't for us to decide what's right and what's wrong. It's already been decided.

I know my audience is very small, but please, those of you who read this blog, take a minute to follow the link. If you've had any doubts, concerns or questions about why our church leaders have chosen to participate in this very politicized issue, and if you truly know as I do that our prophets speak for the Lord, I am sure you will find the commentary satisfactory.

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage

Virginia Hinckley Pearce

My mom invited me to her Relief Society Enrichment Night tonight. The featured guest speaker was Sister Virginia Hinckley Pearce, daughter of President Gordon B. Hinckley. She was delightful and so funny. I shouldn't have been surprised given that both her parents had keen senses of humor. The meeting started with a beautiful musical number. It was a soprano solo arrangement of "I Believe in Christ" and was just so gorgeous. Her voice was clear and controlled and so, so lovely. I wish we had musical numbers like that in my ward. All we get are lame 'mormon pop' songs. But I digress.

Sister Pearce talked about why we keep having meetings; conferences, enrichment nights, Sunday meetings, etc. They are to the end that we will learn, change and grow, become new creatures. And the kind of learning that takes place in these meetings is not the same kind of learning that takes place in school where we memorize facts and stuff like that. The kind of learning that takes place in these meetings is all about becoming a different person, more like our Heavenly Father.

But for change to happen, it has to be your idea. No one can force or coerce or entice you to change, really. That is how much God respects our agency. So, what do we do if we don't have the desire to change? How do we increase our appetite for righteous things?

She gave the analogy of physical exercise. We've all been there so we all can relate. When you begin an exercise program, it's really hard to keep going and it's painful and sometimes your desire to keep going is not very strong. But as you keep at it, you suddenly realize you enjoy what you're doing and the results you're getting and you desire more. You're appetite increases.

So she said first, we have to recognize that there is a need to change. We have to be made award somehow that our relationship with our Heavenly Father is not what it needs to be to carry us. And how do we do that? Sometimes it comes in the form of opposition, trials, challenges, etc. We go through something hard or we watch someone else go through something hard and we evaluate ourselves and realize something is missing. We recognize the need for change. Another way she suggested is by praying and studying to know our weaknesses. When they are revealed to us, we will see a need that we never even knew we had.

After recognizing the need for a change, the second thing she said we have to do is show up and do what we're told. By that simple act of what may just be "going through the motions" at first, our appetite will eventually increase and we will desire more.

She also gave a warning about discouragement. First, she said discouragement is the enemy of desire. Then she counseled that very often after we go through a huge burst of spiritual growth, we come away feeling tired and discouraged, and we begin to lose our desire. She wanted us to know this was natural and just part of the deal. I don't really know how to explain why, but knowing this was really helpful to me. I have seen that process more than once before in my life and it's helpful to be able to see that it's cyclical and that just because I may have a tired phase doesn't mean I'm going to stay that way.

She also said one of the worst things (and boy do I know this is true), is to compare ourselves to others around us. This goes for spiritual matters as well. We have to remember we're on an eternal journey and everyone is at a different place. Comparing ourselves only leads to discouragement, which leads to loss of desire, which means we don't change.

Lastly, she said we have to be responsible for our own desire. We can trust in our Heavenly Father, show up and work hard and our desire for righteousness will increase. I can add my own 'Amen' to that. I feel a little like I could have stood up there tonight as her poster child. As we all do, I've gone through some difficult challenges in the past several years and my response has been to look internally at where I was in my relationship to my Heavenly Father. I saw many things that were missing and many things that needed to change. I next took action and found that even though difficult at first, when I increased my actions, my desire and appetite grew along with it. I've come to the point this past year where I could truly say I thirsted after righteousness. I've also endured the periods of discouragement and tired feelings that follow a burst of spiritual growth. I feel like I'm just getting started on becoming a new person spiritually but I'm excited for the journey.

It's difficult to sum up a half hour talk into a little blog post and especially when my delivery is not nearly as charming or funny as hers was but I hope you got the basic idea. She was such a wonderful, charming speaker and it was so good to have another reminder to "keep up the good work" and even to do a little more. I love this church!

Abortion: An Assault on the Defenseless

If you haven't read this past month's Ensign article on abortion written by Elder Russell M. Nelson I highly recommend you do so. It was so well-written and to the point. I was particularly impressed by the figures. He said the total number of soldiers killed in the two World Wars combined over a period of 14 years was roughly 30 million. He compared that to the number of abortions performed world wide per year, 40 million! I was astounded.

I also felt he had such a brilliant argument against killing babies because they carry a risk of deformity and disability. He said, "To deny life to an individual because of a possible handicap is a very serious matter. Policy consistent with that logic would dictate that those already living with such deficiencies should likewise be terminated. One more step in that tragic train of thought would lead to the conclusion that those who are either infirm or inconvenient should also be eliminated. Such irreverence for life would be totally unthinkable!"

He also reaffirmed that barring cases of rape and incest, the choice is still the woman's to make. However, the choice is made long before conception happens. You take the risk, you have to be willing to deal with the consequences. It's called responsability!

The article was so great. If you haven't, please read it. You can follow this link if you like to read the online version: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d11d88c617b9c110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

This Sounds Familiar

Alma 46:10 "Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous' sake."

Hugh Nibley wrote "Stirring people up to anger is the specialty of the great trouble-makers in the Book of Mormon, who find it the surest road to personal prominence and power." (Italics added) Seems to me our times are not so different from that of Moroni and Amalickiah. Seems to me we still have dangerous men who do not love us as a people or as a country but who are seeking political power for their own personal prominence. My hope is that the American people will see through all the cunning device and flattering words of politicians and press alike and will make their choice this November based on the same important truths Moroni knew must be preserved in order to maintain their liberty. "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children". (From Alma 46: 12) I might add that it includes the freedom of our unborn children as well.

I hope we're all praying like Moroni did that the blessings of liberty will continue to rest upon us as a people.

Whoa

So, the other day during scripture study I came across this quote from Melvin J. Ballard's The Three Degrees of Glory. More than likely it was largely to do with the fact that by the time I got around to cracking open my Book of Mormon that day it was 1:00 in the morning but this quote just completely blew my mind so I thought maybe it would be worth passing on. Any thoughts? (Anyone actually reading this stuff?)
“A man may receive the priesthood and all its privileges and blessings, but until he learns to overcome the flesh, his temper, his tongue, his disposition to indulge in the things God has forbidden, he cannot come into the celestial kingdom of God—he must overcome either in this life or in the life to come. But this life is the time in which men are to repent. Donot let any of us imagine that we can go down to thegrave not having overcome the corruptions of the flesh and then lose in the grave all our sins and evil tendencies. They will be with us. They will be with the spirit when separated from the body.

“It is my judgment that any man or woman can do more to conform to the laws of God in one year in this life than they could in ten years when they are dead. The spirit only can repent and change, and then the battle has to go forward with the flesh afterwards. It is much easier to overcome and serve the Lord when both flesh and spirit are combined as one. This is the time when men are more pliable and susceptible. We will find when we are dead every desire, every feeling will be greatly intensified. When clay is pliable, it is much easier to change than when it gets hard and sets.
“This life is the time to repent. That is why I presume it will take a thousand years after the first resurrection until the last group will be prepared to come forth. It will take them a thousand years to do what it would have taken but three score years and ten to accomplish in this life.
“You remember the vision of the redemption of the dead as given to the Church through the late President Joseph F. Smith. President Smith saw the spirits of the righteous dead before their resurrection and the language is the same as one of the Prophet Joseph’s revelations—that they, the righteous dead, looked upon the absence of their spirits from their bodies as a bondage.
“I grant you that the righteous dead will be at peace, but I tell you that when we go out of this life, leave this body, we will desire to do many things that we cannot do at all without the body. We will be seriously handicapped, and we will long for the body, we will pray for that early reunion with our bodies. We will know then what advantage it is to have a body. . . .
“The point I have in mind is that we are sentencingourselves to long periods of bondage, separating our spirits from our bodies, or we are shortening that period, according to the way in which we overcome and master ourselves” (Melvin J. Ballard, The Three Degrees of Glory, pp. 11–13).

It kind of makes me hope to have a long, long mortal life - I want to be as prepared as possible and have that much the advantage in the world to come. And doesn't it make you kind of appreciate your body just a little more, knowing how much more difficult things will be for us without our bodies? Anyway, Nate and I both kind of just went, "whoa" after we read this quote and hopefully you did too. (If not, maybe you should stay up until 1:00 in the morning and read it again - worked for us!) By the way, the scripture it goes along with was Alma 34:32-35

New Calling

Not me this time. This one is for Nate. He's been calling-less now for about a year so we are both excited that he will finally get to serve again. He will be teaching the 16 year old Sunday School and he's pretty happy about it. He taught his first lesson today and I think it went pretty well. He's really great with the youth so I know this will be a good one for him.

Gratitude

I graduated from High School ten years ago this past spring and because of the reunion and thanks largely to the internet I've been able to follow up on a lot of old friendships. I was so pleased and happy to see that the majority of the men I graduated with served missions, were married in the temple, and are raising families in the church. Also, that most of the women I graduated with are active in the LDS church, married to returned missionaries, and a large majority have chosen to stay at home and raise their children in the church. Even many friends who had problems with drugs, alcohol or sex have made a complete turnaround in their lives these past ten years and I am genuinely delighted to see it.

I contrast that to the few friends that have since left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Sadly, few were very surprising but even so I am very, very sorry to have it confirmed. And it's not to say these people are living unhappy lives or doing terrible things or anything like that, but I just feel sorry that they do not have the Gospel in their lives the way our Heavenly Father intended. As I've read their blogs or facebook pages or whatever google thing I came up with on them, I have just felt so, so heavy and sorry that they have left the church. And then I have imagined the different courses my life could have taken. That is why I want to express my gratitude today in this post.

I am truly grateful to parents who stuck together no matter what, who set an example for me to follow during the rocky times in my own marriage. I am grateful they set boundaries and gave me rules. I am grateful they insisted on Family Home Evenings, prayers and scripture study even though we weren't 100% regular on those things. Beyond that I am grateful to them for being active in the church my whole life. What a tremendous example. We didn't play with friends or shop or go to Lagoon on Sundays. We went to church. We went to girl's camp and youth conference and mutual nights and that was because my parents expected nothing less from us. So Mom and Dad (probably my only readers on this blog), thanks for the choices you made that have helped me to get to where I am today. I can't imagine trying to get through this life without the Gospel in it.

I am also grateful for grandparents who have lived honorable lives, full of church service and activity, and most importantly have loved unconditionally and supported me no matter what. I've been so blessed to be able to learn from their examples. And of course, I am grateful they raised my parents the way they did.

I am grateful I was guided to and chose to marry Nate. It's always been right - always. He has encouraged and supported me in every calling or assignment I've ever had. And he's been so willing to participate every time I've suggested we should increase our scripture study, church activity, Family Home Evenings, etc. We've hit some bumps along the way and haven't always been as active in the church as we are trying to be now but we are learning together that life is better when we are following the Lord. Nate is a good man and he's trying harder now than ever. I'm so proud.

I am of course grateful to a loving and wise Heavenly Father. I've often wondered what I did to be born into such favorable and blessed circumstances. It truly amazes me.

Now I don't say these things to place myself above anyone else or to be boastful. And I certainly don't want to give the impression that I'm looking down upon or trying to judge my former friends who have left the church. I don't claim to know their circumstances or their hearts but I do know that I have the gospel in my life and they don't. And for me that means I may not have all the answers but I know where to find them. I may make a lot of mistakes but I know exactly how to get back on track. I may have disappointments, trials, and unexpected challenges just like everyone else, but I have been given the Gift of the Holy Ghost and can recieve peace, guideance and personal revelation straight from my Heavenly Father who knows my needs far better than I. I know where I came from, why I am here, what is expected of me in this life and where I will go when I die. I have the opportunity to be guided by a prophet who speaks for the Lord and can see all things from beginning to end. My sight is far too limited and my judgement is far too flawed to go it alone in this increasingly scary world.

I know, not think or believe or guess, but know that living a life in accordance with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only way to achieve lasting happiness in this life and a fulness of joy in the life to come. That is the life I want to be living. And when I think about the directions my life could have gone instead, I am so thankful to the people who have helped and continue to help me choose to be where I am now.

Welcome Back!

So, I'm back in Young Women. I have been set apart as the Mia Maids Advisor, a calling I previously had 2 years ago. After I met today with the new presidency though, it appears much has changed since I was in and of course, every presidency does things differently than the last as well. So, even though I've had this calling before, it seems there will still be much to learn. I am a little disappointed because I will only get to teach twice a month. It seems a little strange to me because that's my calling as an advisor - to teach - and yet I don't get to do it every week. The presidency will teach on the first Sunday and my councilor wants to teach every other week and the 5th Sundays are combined with the Young Men. I guess I could look at it another way, I get a break 2 or 3 Sundays out of the month, but right now I'm not thrilled about it. I'm trying to have a good attitude though and just wait and see what happens. :) Another change from when I did this before is that the current Mia Maids group is the largest in the entire Young Women. When I was teaching two years ago I was never even sure if I'd have even one girl to teach to. So that's a good thing.

I'm also disappointed about one other kind of big thing. I just signed on (and paid for) the Davis Master Chorale Christmas season. I was so excited about singing again but the choir meets Tuesdays at 7:30 and mutual is the same day at 7:00. There's no way I can do both and I just wouldn't feel right never showing up to mutual. Oh well. Like I said before, we do what we're asked to do in this church and have the faith that all will be for our good.

I had a surprise in Sacrament Meeting (a happy one), when they announced that I was also being released from my primary piano playing calling. It's not that I don't like the calling, but now that I won't be in Relief Society anymore, I really want the chance to be in Sunday School for a while. Especially since I'll get to be in there with Nate. I teared up just a little as the kids sang "A Child's Prayer" but on the whole I feel a great sense of relief that I won't have to manage two callings anymore. However, it sounds like I can't put away my book of preludes just yet. Apparently there are no piano players in the whole Young Women group. It's terribly sad if you ask me. Anyhow, they've asked me to be the Young Women Accompianist and I of course, happily agreed to do it.

I taught my final Relief Society lesson today. It was fantastic. I just felt so energetic and enthusiastic. The lesson went flawlessly and I had plenty of participation - I even learned some new things from them today! It was such a great lesson to go out on because it was a lot of fun to prepare and was a great discussion to lead today. I honestly learned more from this lesson than from any other I've ever given. What a great way to end my time in Relief Society! I managed to get through without any emotion at all which was the best part because I was able to express my appreciation for the sisters and for the calling, say my "goodbyes" and bare my testimony without blubbering.

I'm mostly excited about this new calling and the things I'm not really very thrilled about I'm sure will work themselves out. As I write this I'm already getting a little homesick for Relief Society but I'm a believer that there is a time and season for everything and I know I'll be back some day.

New Calling

I'm being released on Sunday from my dream calling (sniff, sniff). I'll let you know what my new calling is after I've been set apart on Sunday. I have to say I really didn't see this coming. I have loved, loved, loved being in Relief Society for the last almost two years and I will be very sorry to leave so soon. I really had found my niche in teaching RS and so that's probably why I'm being forced into a new, uncomfortable and intimidating calling.

Last night I was kind of in shock about it. Today I'm feeling a little better. It's not the first time I've been upset about a new calling at first - in fact I've had this very calling before and was upset about it the first time. What makes it even harder this time is that I've been released from a calling I absolutely loved and was totally comfortable with and have been asked instead to serve in a calling I don't love, and in fact was really glad to be released from the first time around. Hmph. Maybe Heavenly Father is giving me a chance to go back and do a better job (and have a better attitude about it?) I don't know.

I will say this, I have a strong testimony about callings. My own personal experience has taught me that no matter how I feel about a calling initially, when I give it my all, I always benefit. I'm sure it will be the case with this new calling as well. I can't imagine right now for what purpose I've been given this new call because I honestly don't feel like I belong there. I don't feel like I'm the best person for the job. Well, we do what we're asked in this church. I intend to give it my usual 100% and we'll see what happens.

Stay tuned.

Family Home Evening Help

I just happened to see that the church has released a new Nursery Lesson Manual. It is called Behold Your Little Ones and I'm sure you can find it at Distribution if you want to purchase your own copy. Of course you can also access the manual on the LDS web site and print off pages you want to use as you use them. Go to www.LDS.org and then click on Gospel Library. From there click on Nursery Manual and you can download the lesson you want in PDF or HTML. It also has the option to download just the pictures and print them off. I've been frustrated because I've been unable to find a really good FHE help that was geared towards toddlers and have just been trying (somewhat unsuccessfully) to make up lessons for James to keep his attention and hopefully teach him something. But this new manual is full of lesson plans designed for toddlers that could easily be adapted to Family Home Evenings. Hope this helps!

We are all Followers

Tonight in my scripture study I came across a scripture I just love. It's found in Alma 3:26, "And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one." Here's why I like that scripture: sometimes, people of our faith are criticized for following blindly like sheep. We are accused of not being free to think, choose or act for ourselves but are merely following strict rules meant to control and restrict us. This of course is not true. I could go off on that for quite a while but it isn't the point tonight. The point is, as the scripture clearly states, everyone obeys one spirit or another. Whether they obey a good spirit or a bad is up to them. We are all followers.
I for one am thankful to be a member of a church which has given me rules and regulations governing every aspect of my life which have been designed to provide me with safety, peace, happiness and ultimately exaltation. I have the opportunity countless times every day to choose which spirit I want to obey and then recieve the rewards or consequences of that choice. The important thing to me is that I am now aware that when I choose not to follow the Savior and the council of his prophets, I am choosing to obey Satan and his servants. In 2 Nephi 2:11 we read "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things" and then in verse 16 "Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other." And so we see that we are acted upon by opposing spirits who try to entice us to follow them.
Ultimately, we are given more freedom when we choose to follow the Savior. What some "free thinkers" seem to miss about sin is how much more restrictive sin is compared to the freedom that comes with following the rules. For instance we only have to look at addiction in its numerous varied forms to see how sin eventually leads to loss of will and ability to choose for one's self. In John 8 the Savior told the Jews "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." And conversely, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin", (Verses 32 and 34). So there you have it. You can choose to follow the Savior and be free or you can choose to follow a different spirit and be in bondage. But the point I want to make tonight is that we are all followers - our agency simply allows us to choose who we wish to follow.

Now as an addendum to the side note in my previous post I am happy - thrilled - to announce we didn't lose any families in our ward boundary change tonight. We gained about 15 or 20 new families. I'm excited for the growth. It will be such a nice change to teach to a Relief Society congregation of more than a few dozen sisters.

Every Member a Missionary

I have to admit I feel a little hypocritical writing this post. I'm not the best member missionary, or really a missionary at all. I could give you a hundred reasons for why I am not but I won't waste your time or mine with excuses. The missionaries in our area spoke in our Sacrament meeting today and one of the elders gave us some very interesting statistics (which a have no source to verify, but no reason to doubt). He said that only about 1 in 1000 converts who came to the gospel by way of proseletysing remained active in the gospel but about 1 in every 3 converts who were referred and welcomed by a member missionary (a friend, neighbor, family member, co-worker, etc.) remained active. He then shared a personal experience to illustrate the point. He and his companion had a referral in North Ogden and when they approached her, she became extremely angry at them, yelling and telling them never to come to her home again. So they approached her neighbor who was a member. The neighbor said she would invite the friend into her home to recieve the discussions from the missionaries, which she did. The friend accepted the invitation, recieved the discussions, and was baptised three weeks later. I don't get out much and probably 99.9% of the people I see on a regular basis are already LDS but I'm sure there are other things I could be doing to share the gospel.

On a side note, they announced in my ward this afternoon that they will be creating a new ward in our stake and as a result, every ward in the stake will be having their boundries realigned. I'm terrified. I hate change and I LOVE my ward. They will announce the change next week. It will be a long week for me. :(

Book Recommendation

Dreaded Isaiah has been a little bit easier for me to understand in my Book of Mormon studies with "Isaiah Made Easier in the Bible and Book of Mormon" by David Ridges. My mother-in-law recommended this book and it has been very helpful. The book analyzes every chapter of Isaiah both in the Bible and Book of Mormon verse by verse with in-the-verse notes and translations. It's cleared up a lot of the confusion for me about who is speaking at what time, who they are speaking to, and what all the symbolism really means. Here's an example so you can get an idea of how the book flows:

2 Nephi 7

Note: This chapter speaks of the future as if it had already happened.

1 (The Lord asks the question, "Did I divorce you or did you divorce me" i.e., "Did I leave you or did you leave me?") Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away (divorced you), or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I sold you (i.e., Was it I who sold you)? Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves (i.e., you brought it upon yourselves!), and for your transgressions is your mother (your apostate nation; Hosea 2:2) put away.

There may be better Isaiah helps out there - I don't know because this is the first I've ever tried. But it has been helpful and is worth my recommendation. You can find it for about $14 at Deseret Book.

The Growth of the Church by Stakes

Four years after the church was organized Wilford Woodruff attended a meeting with several of the Priesthood brethren and the prophet Joseph Smith. He recalled that they were all called upon to bear testimony and that at the conclusion of the meeting the prophet remarked "Brethren, I have been very much edified and instructed in your testimonies here tonight, but I want to say to you before the Lord, that you know no more concerning the destinies of this Church and kingdom than a babe upon its mother's lap. You don't comprehend it...It is only a little handful of Priesthood you see here tonight, but this Church will fill North and South America - it will fill the world." We are witnesses to the continued fulfillment of that prophecy today.
The attached video shows the growth of the church by stakes represented by a flash of light and if you've never seen it you have to check it out. Even if you have seen it its worth watching again. Because this video was produced in 2007 the official numbers are off. As of the April 2008 General Conference the number of stakes is 2,790 not 2,745. Also, the total church membership as of the same date was 13,193,999 instead of 12,868,600. Just goes to show how quickly the church is growing.
The video is found on http://www.videos.lds.org/ if you want to download it and save it on your own computer...its a little more impressive when viewed on a full screen as opposed to this little tiny one.

Under the Umbrella

Tonight I got to escape the house for a little while and go to Relief Society Enrichment Night. This is a rarity for me. I think the last time I got to go was just before Valentine's Day. The theme was "Under the Umbrella" and it was all about preparedness. We had progressive hors d’oeuvres at three different homes and at each stop we learned something about a different kind of preparedness.
At the first stop we had chips and salsa from Chili's (that right there was worth leaving the house for) and a yummy frozen slush punch. The subject at that home was emergency preparedness and food storage. I actually learned some new things but honestly, when it comes to food storage, I still feel really overwhelmed. Where do you even begin? They had some good ideas and hopefully I can put them to good use. Probably the best suggestion is not a new one, and that is to store what you use on a regular basis and simply rotate your supply. Turns out they are also learning now that food lasts a lot longer than previously thought. The nutrients diminish over time but the calories stay the same and when you are eating to survive, you need calories.
At the next stop we learned about spiritual preparedness and there were no surprises there. Pray, read the scriptures, obey the commandments, attend the temple, have faith - pretty much everything that directs us to the Savior. She did have a really great analogy that I hadn't heard though. She likened our lives to the sacrament prayer which we all know has to be exact. But every once in a while, the Priest will get the prayer wrong and then the Bishop will nod and the Priest has to start over again. And sometimes he gets it wrong again and has to start over once more. And what happens if he gets it wrong again? The floor doesn't open up and swallow him. He's allowed to try again and keep trying until he gets it right. The Savior gives us the opportunity through the Atonement to keep trying until we get it right. She also reminded us that getting it right is a continual process which we begin here and will finish up in the eternities. At that house we sampled fresh fruit and veggies with dip.
At the third house we learned about emotional preparedness. We started off with out-of-this world homemade spinch artichoke dip with french bread. The sister centered her presentation from a talk by Elder Ballard in which he talked about all the things in life that are required of us and how we have to keep them all in balance. Too much of any one thing can throw us off just the same as not having enough of the things that are really important. She gave the easy-to-understand analogy of likening our lives to a car which when all four tires are balanced will take us down the road smoothly. But if just one tire is off or is flat the road is bumpier. She also mentioned how Elder Ballard spoke of being grateful for the trial of going through cancer because it forced him to take a look at where he was compared to where he should be in his life. I too have learned over the last few years to be grateful for trials. Some of the greatest blessings in my life have come through the most difficult trials.
We had a pretty good-sized group of sisters and I really enjoyed getting out and visiting with them. If there's one thing I'm learning about the women in my ward its just how strong and smart they all are. It seems for every trial I've gone through someone in my ward has been there and done that or at least something similar and they are always willing to offer advice but more importantly, support and friendship.