There is a scripture that my husband and I refer to quite frequently. It’s embedded in the “war chapters” and is one of those if-you-blink-you-might-miss-it kinds of scriptures. Its message is simple and profound. Read the rest of this entry »
Such was the theme of this year’s BYU Women’s Conference. Some of the talks are now available online. I have been listening to some of the talks the past week or so, and have been inspired and moved by several of them. Tonight, I listed to Elder and Sister Holland, two of my favorite speakers. For any woman needing a boost of inspiration, reasurrance in their roles and goals, and perspective on the Atonement and God’s love, I highly recommend this talk.
Another talk that greatly inspired me was by Sister Fogg’s talk: “Touch Our Eyes That We May See.” What an message (and example) of faith, courage, endurance, and service she gives! The principles she discusses are so powerful. I found my eyes really were opened a bit by what she had to say.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for that talk and other talk links. Come back and share what you found inspiring or helpful!
I never cease to marvel at how amazing visiting teaching can be. I rarely (if ever) feel like going, but always end up feeling uplifted, strengthened, fed.
This month, the lesson is on being an instrument in God’s hands by helping the poor and the needy. I must confess that I have a sort of gut reaction to this topic — not because I don’t care about helping the poor and the needy, but because sometimes I care too much. I can so easily feel overwhelmed, because I don’t have the spare cash I would like to have and because there is always so much need. Sometimes my heart can’t handle the pain that people are constantly in. I’m grateful for church funds that help many in such effective ways, but still, there is always more to be done. Read the rest of this entry »
When I met Daniel, I was in love with another man. I was pretty sure I was going to marry this other guy and when my mom practically begged me to give Daniel a chance I remember thinking: “Why bother? I’ve already found my true love.” When that man asked me to marry him and I prayed about his proposal, it became very clear to me that I should not marry the guy that I’d known for 8 years; if Daniel chose to love me, he was the one I should be with and could love forever. I recognized Daniel’s great potential and I knew that together, Daniel and I had the potential to be a powerful force for good in building the kingdom of God.
My own revelation was reinforced by my grandmother who was afflicted with Alzheimer’s. She met Daniel the day that I met him and the first thing she said to me was: “Isn’t it wonderful that you have found your true love? I know what it’s like to be married to my true love for 50 years!” At the time I felt mortified. I didn’t even know Daniel, let alone love him! She had met the guy I was dating multiple times and said nothing of this sort to him! She met Daniel again a few weeks later, on his birthday and said to him: “Isn’t it wonderful that you’ve found the person you’re going to spend the rest of your birthdays with?” It turns out that people with Alzheimer’s can sometimes be quite lucid and inspired. Just last week we celebrated Daniel’s birthday together, the ninth such celebration.
Some of us have not had the opportunity to find an eternal companion. Some of us have divorced and are alone. Some of us are married to people who do not believe as we do. Some of us are married for eternity in the temple, yet we are still unhappy in our relationships. I have many dear friends who have found their expectations of marriage unfulfilled.
For people who never have the opportunity to marry, Elder M. Russell Ballard explains: “Through your faith and personal righteousness in keeping the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ, you can qualify for all of the blessings our Heavenly Father has promised to His obedient children. Some of you may not have an opportunity in mortality to fulfill every righteous desire of your heart. But you can be certain that no eternal blessing will be denied you if you remain faithful and live the principles of the gospel throughout your earthly life.”
There is also hope for those in challenging marriages. Working with unhappy couples for LDS Family Services has opened my eyes to the myriad things that can go awry in our relationships. But President Spencer W. Kimball said: “While marriage is difficult and discordant and frustrated marriages are common, yet real lasting happiness is possible and marriage can be more an exultant ecstasy than the human mind can conceive.” Read the rest of this entry »
I had a visiting teaching appointment last night. As is often the case, I was rushed to get things done for my family, get myself presentable, and prepare the lesson. But reading the message almost stopped me in my tracks. It helped me remember the tremendous blessing that the Spirit can be in our lives. I was moved by all of the excerpts, but particularly appreciated this from Sister Eliza R. Snow:
When you are filled with the Spirit of God, … that [Spirit] satisfies and fills up every longing of the human heart, and fills up every vacuum. When I am filled with that spirit my soul is satisfied. … The Spirit of God will impart instruction to your minds, and you will impart it to each other. … Remember that you are Saints of God; and that you have important works to perform in Zion” (Woman’s Exponent, Sept. 15, 1873, 62).
Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave a talk called “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness” in the October 2006 General Conference.
Have you noticed how much a theme peace is in General Conference talks? Having peace enables us to go on to other things that we need to do. Read the rest of this entry »
Thanks to Irene, one of our guest writers, for this piece.
I have been looking at 1 Nephi 1:1- “[H]aving seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days….”
I was astonished to see that the footnotes for “afflictions” send me to the Topical Guide under the heading of “Blessings” and “Gifts of God.” The whole phrase, as quoted, has to be taken together. I started making a list of my afflictions and suffering and how I have been highly favored of the Lord in the process of them or as a result of them. I felt truly humbled. I was able to go on for pages writing them down and I came to the conclusion that I could have gone on and on. What a wonderful new perspective for me! Read the rest of this entry »
I found an amazing article in the September 1980 Ensign that talks about the significance of the geography of Israel, the promised land, in the Old Testament (and, in fact, all the scriptures). The article, by D. Kelly Ogden, is titled “The Testing Ground for the Covenant People.”
Geography isn’t something we think much about when we study the scriptures, yet maps are bound with our scriptures, and knowing where the towns and cities are located and what the lay of the land is and what type of climate is there can open up some of the scriptural writings to our understanding. Read the rest of this entry »
Recently, President Packer gave a wonderful talk about Lehi’s vision of the tree of life. (I love President Packer!) He counseled his listeners to “read [Lehi’s dream] carefully; then read it again.” (Isn’t it amazing how we can read scriptures over and over again and still learn new things? It’s one reason that I know the scriptures are true, because of their endless layers of meaning.)
I’ve read this dream countless times. But clearly President Packer has let us know that there is much to be gleaned from this account. I’d like to share two insights (not mine) that have recently helped me appreciate and learn more from Lehi’s dream.
Take, for example, one word that President Packer focuses on. It’s not what you might expect. Read the rest of this entry »
In the October 2006 General Conference, President Faust spoke about “Discipleship.” What is discipleship? What does it mean to be a disciple?
Read the rest of this entry »