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).
The woman who is described in Proverbs 31:10-31 is a most accomplished woman. We do not know whether she was a real woman, or an ideal woman described by King Lemuel’s mother, but it’s safe to say that what this woman accomplished was very possible in that day and age–otherwise, it is unlikely she would have been held up as an example of a virtuous woman.
Proverbs 31:
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She ariseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
I just got an email from one of my visiting teachers, with a link to this video. It is about both how to and how not to do your visiting teaching and is both heartwarming and hilarious.
It appears that the video link is not available anymore. We are working to find another active link to share with you.
My children were watching it with me, and, at the point where it moves from hilarious to heartwarming, there’s a picture of the Savior visible. When he saw it, my darling three-year-old little boy whispered in the most gentle and reverently loving voice, “That’s Jesus; we *always* remember Jesus.”
Out of the mouths of babes, my sisters. In regard to Visiting Teaching or otherwise, we should always remember Jesus.
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 »
This piece was written by Irene, one of our guest writers.
I have been aware for a long time of how fearful I am. The Lord has been showing me how deep-seated, pervasive and problematic fear is in my life.
Fear keeps me from trusting in the Lord and exercising faith in Him. Without exercising faith in him I am not going anywhere and I risk putting myself in Satan’s power. I have also seen that fear is a manifestation of pride in my life, which can lead to spiritual death. According to Pres. Benson, hostility to or opposition to God is a manifestation of the sin of pride. When I don’t like or don’t want something in my life (and fear fits both scenarios) I am saying that I know a better way for me than God does; I am essentially saying that I can’t trust the Lord to direct and save me. 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 »
If perhaps you are dancing with doubt, it’s important to remember that the gate swings both ways. Sure, commiseration feels good, and *nothing* feels quite like having your own feelings validated by seeing them articulated by someone outside yourself. You might even find someone who tripped along the same path where you find yourself caught and pick up their breadcrumb trail. You also might inadvertently snag someone else and land them in your quandary. Make sure you leave a trail of your own breadcrumbs for them to follow out.
Sure, as you pass through the trail you might pick up a few stragglers and be able to help guide them out having found some crumbs that they missed. You might also leave some stragglers from your own party you brought with you. As on any wilderness trail you might hike, ‘pack it in, pack it out.’ Be true, be honest, leave no crumb unshared. Where two worlds meet with nothing but agency between them, never forget that the gates swing both ways. Make sure you’re not holding the gate open for someone hitting the trail unprepared.
If it’s your hand that’s on the gate as they pass through, it’s your head their loss could be on if they don’t make it back.