Obedience

I have been thinking about scriptural accounts of people following the counsel of the Lord and their leaders. It has got me thinking how things work out for the people that are obedient and it doesn't work out for those who are disobedient. 

For example:

-Daniel prayed even when it was forbidden and the Lord protected him in the Lion's den.
-Jonah ran away from the the Lord's assignment. That didn't work out for him- which he learned from the stomach of a whale. However, once he repented and was willing to be obedient, the Lord blessed him.
-The Israelites who were willing to look to the serpent were healed, those who were unwilling, died.
-Laman and Lemuel wouldn't be obedient to Nephi and Lehi's counsel and because of their disobedience, they were about to be swallowed up in the sea. Fortunately, they repented and the Lord spared them.
-The early saints headed west, as commanded, and they were finally able to live in peace without being persecuted.

I testify that when we are obedient, the Lord blesses us and things work together for our good.

--Jashley

Come

I had the privilege of attending a Youth Conference as an adult leader this last weekend. The theme of the conference was “Come Unto Christ,” which is the 2014 Youth theme. 

Our conference was held in Nauvoo, Illinois, the historic site of departure for the Mormon Pioneers. This group of people were facing intense persecution by those around them, and were eventually forced out in order to find religious freedom. Having grown up in Illinois, I’ve been to Nauvoo nearly every year that I can remember. I have found this “City of Beautiful” to be a place of solace, pondering, incredible personal growth, and deep admiration. The pioneers had such a desire to follow God that they, quite literally, “came” unto Christ. They left most of their belongings, their jobs, their friends and family, in order to find a place that they could worship their God in peace.

When I think of the phrase “come unto Christ,” I immediately picture the statue, the "Christus.” 

Christ is standing there with His arms wide open, beckoning us to Him. When I think of this statue and the Mormon pioneers, a lot of symbolism comes to my mind. When the pioneers of old were asked to leave their homes, they did so with a strong & unshakeable hope of something even better to come. They would endure hardships, disease, and even death in order to get to their sacred destination, but their hope and faith in Christ sustained them.

At times, when I am striving to “come unto Christ” and become more like Him, follow His commandments, and do what He would have me do, I too have many hardships–trials that seem unbearable at times. And yet, because of my Hope in my Savior, I continue to take the steps (tiny as they may be) towards Him.

As apart of the conference, we also had a theme song which we sang every day. It quickly became one of my all-time favorite songs. The following are lyrics that particularly touched me:

So let Him in, and He will take away your pain.

When you feel His love You'll never be the same.

Come unto Christ. Come unto Him,

And by His grace Be made holy again.

He's calling your name. He's waiting for you

With arms open wide. Come unto Christ.

{Link to the music video HERE.} 

I have felt of His love many times in my life. Even at times when I did not feel deserving of His love–or any love at all. But it was His healing, the healing of my soul, that gave me the strength to overcome. I recently heard that the prayer for strength is one that is always answered & I know this to be true.

He really can heal all wounds. He is calling your name, pleading for you. To come. Come unto Him. He knows that it is His rest we so desperately need, and so He is waiting for us­—to Come unto Him.

--Aubrey 

Choose to accept His healing grace

I was reading in Mark a few days ago and was reminded of the huge miracle in Mark 6:56, "And whithersoever [Christ] entered into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment; and as many as touched him were made whole." I realized that I'd never considered just how literal the comparison is between Jesus and the brass serpent that the children of Israel need only LOOK at to be healed. And I wondered, "How many people just didn't bother to touch Jesus? How many just didn't even try to bring their loved ones? How many were just as stubborn as the Israelites that perished, rather than lift the tent flap?" But then it struck me - how often do I deny the miracles Christ can work in my life? How many times a month/week/day do I think "I'll do this myself!" instead of saying that brief prayer to invite divine guidance and support? 

There are certainly days where I find I am just going through the motions of motherhood, and the day ended up feeling empty, so much went unaccomplished, and there was contention and selfishness in our home all day. I might as well have been lying sick in bed for all the good I did anyone. Why do I have to get through, and make my family suffer through, an entire day before realizing I could've said a prayer or two at several key points during the day, could've sung a hymn instead of what I said, or could've just thought "what would the Savior say to this child?" before confronting them? Why am I so slow to invite Him into my life when I KNOW it is the Savior's healing and empowering grace that makes all the difference on the days that go well? Am I any less stubborn than those who remained in their homes or tents?

The time to be happy is now

 My sister is serving a church mission in South Korea and sent this along (how's that for a citation?:D - I have no idea where she found it/heard it/etc). Short, but truly inspired!

The time to be happy is now.

The place to be happy is here.

The way to be happy is to make someone else happy,

And have a little heaven right here.

-Lisa

 

Complimentary Opposites

Last week I was visiting my family in Provo, and my lovely younger sister who lives there invited me to attend a meeting she was hosting in her home with the mayor and many of the women in her neighborhood.  The topic she wanted to address was the role of women in city politics.  I was curious to see how the meeting would unfold, because my sister is pretty into the feminist movement, and quite vocal in her opinions.  The meeting had originally come about because she had seen a photo on the mayor's blog of a large breakfast gathering where there were ONLY white males in attendance.  She had expressed concern via email to the mayor that women and minorities did not appear to be adequately represented in city councils and events.  I was pleasantly surprised at how delightful the meeting turned out.  There was a great turnout, the questions were well thought out, and there was a general feeling of goodwill and mutual respect, and a desire to bring about positive changes without being overbearing.  I came away from the meeting feeling inspired and empowered as a woman.

For the past several months, as women and their roles have become a more prominent topic in the media and within church circles, I have pondered a lot about what truly empowers a woman, and the benefit and gift her God-given role as a mother offers to humankind.  While volumes could be written on this topic, I would just like to share a few of my thoughts.

First, what empowers a woman?  I think the most important thing is to truly recognize, deep down, that we are daughters of God, who wants the same blessings and gifts for each of His children, regardless of gender.  He has endowed us as women with unique gifts and talents, which can either be stifled and pushed aside (which our society seems to be trying to do), or it can be rejoiced in and embraced.  I still remember from college something one of my religion professors said.  This particular professor was fluent in Hebrew and had advanced degrees in the subject.  He had also been to the Holy Land many times.  He pointed out that the word "helpmeet" in the Genesis account of the creation was "Ezar Kinegdo" in the original Hebrew.  (Isn't it weird that I remember that?!)  Its literal translation is "complimentary opposite."  I remember our professor explaining that roles of men and women were much like the wings of a plane--they are definitely NOT the same, but both are necessary for complete functionality. Complimentary opposites.

Secondly, what do our unique roles as women as mothers and nurturers have to offer?  I had an epiphany on this some time ago, which was very enlightening to me as a mother. Think for a moment of all the major ills in our society; crime, contention, bullying, obesity, addictions, premarital sex and the resulting consequences of abortion, or single (teenage) parents, etc.  If all women everywhere embraced their roles as mothers and nurturers, all these devastating ills would be almost completely eradicated!  Think of it!  If that is not true power, I don't know what is!  Let me expound.  If all kids were to come home from school to a home with an engaged mother present, down would go the premarital sex.  Down would go our abortions.  Down would go our single teenage parent statistics.  If mothers embraced their role in the home, and made nurturing their primary concern, down would go obesity and attendant illnesses as more healthy food choices were provided, rather then the fast food/convenience store fare that is causing so much disease in our society.  As women gave their best effort in their capacity as a mother, down would go the violence that is so prevalent, as there would be less unsupervised t.v. and violent video games viewed, and more engaging and creative alternatives offered.  You get the idea.  Can you see why there is such an effort put forth by the adversary to demean and devalue the roles of women?  Can you see why he entices people with the argument that women should be the same as men?  Because he knows the astounding power that women can have!

 I deeply hope all of us as women can find ways to be actively engaged in our communities, in our churches, in our societies, in politics, and other things where our powerful and God-given roles will be recognized and utilized to bring about some amazing changes in our world.  Let us show our daughters and sons role models of powerful, good women who rejoice in being women!  We don't have to be "equal" to men--equality is not the issue here.  Let us rejoice in being "complimentary opposites!"

-Anna

Tender Mercies

In April my visiting teaching companion made “Tender Mercy” journals for each of the women we visit, as well as one for me. On the inside cover was this thought:

“At times, it’s easy to hyper focus on our own faults. We forget that we are of such great value that our Savior, Jesus Christ, not only died for us, but he continues to show us his love through his tender mercies. Let us never forget to look for the tender mercies in our own lives. If we are aware, these small gifts continue to testify to our hearts of our Savior’s love.”

This sweet companion encouraged each of us to look for the small tender mercies each day and write them down. I’ve been thinking about this lesson since then, and although my journal is still empty, I had a very specific experience last week where I felt like Heavenly Father blessed me with multiple small tender mercies.

My husband has meetings before church so I am left to get myself and my 11 month old ready. This really should be a simple task, I do it every day, but every Sunday no matter how much I try to hurry I feel like I get further behind. I didn’t need to wash my hair that day and I only needed to touch up a few pieces so I really felt like that was the week I would be early. Instead of touching up the few pieces I attempted what I thought would be a quick, different hairstyle…It ended up taking way longer than I thought. When I was finished I still felt like it looked ridiculous but I couldn’t spend any more time on it. I quickly threw on a dress and looked in the mirror…it was one of those days where I felt like nothing looked right.   

After scrambling to get my daughter dressed and get the diaper bag packed, we were on the way. I live four miles from the church and although it isn’t a long distance there are 15 traffic lights (definitely WAY too many but I can’t control the traffic light placement) to go through to get to the church. I only had seven minutes before church started; I knew I wouldn’t make it anywhere close to the beginning. As I was driving I noticed all the lights ahead were green. I could see quite far down the road and all of them were green. I thought, “I’m not going to hit all the green lights, that just doesn’t happen on this road.” Sure enough, every light stayed green until I went through. I couldn’t believe it! I made it to church and made it in to sit by my husband before the opening song had finished.

I sat down and although I was happy to have made it in such a short amount of time I still feeling thrown together and annoyed because of why I was late, my hair and dress frustrations. I sat their concentrating on that for a minute when I heard a whisper behind telling me I looked really pretty. Believe me, I didn’t feel pretty. This was coming from my visiting teaching companion, the same girl who made the tender mercy journal. She had no way of knowing about my morning or how flustered and frumpy I was feeling. At that moment, all of me calmed. It was like a peace washed over me and I could then concentrate on the meeting. I was so grateful for her kind words and her willingness to share them. I wanted to thank her for them after sacrament meeting but when I turned back she was gone already. I learned later she had only come for the passing of the sacrament that day but she went home right after because she didn’t feel well.

Sunday morning, Heavenly Father blessed me with two very small but very precious tender mercies. He allowed me to make it through all the green lights and then he had one of his precious daughters there to lift my spirit at just the right moment. I didn’t know when this girl gave me the journal to write down my tender mercies she would be one to help grant me one of those sweet moment. That morning was one of those moments where I knew Heavenly Father cared about me and was watching out for me and He loved me. What a precious reminder that is. I know as we strive to reflect on our days and search for those little moments of recognizing His hand in our lives we will more fully learn of His love for us. 

-Mallory