Sacrament Talk

Once upon a time there was a Father, he had many children and he loved them each greatly. He taught them in his home for a period and then it was time to send them out on their own. He hoped that he had taught them everything they needed to know so that they could succeed and receive the gift he had promised them. It was frightening sending them away….knowing it wouldn’t be easy, but also understanding it is part of growing up to leave home, experience new things, and make choices for oneself.


Once upon a time there was a mother, she knew the day had come and there was no turning back. This is what she had prayed for. Years of teaching, preparing and loving and now it was time to let him go. She hoped she had taught him everything he needed to succeed. It was frightening sending him away…knowing it wouldn’t be easy, but also understanding it is a part of growing up to leave home, experience new things, and make choices for oneself.

Once upon a time there was a Son, he had left his mother and father after they had taught him well. He knew he would miss them, but he knew it was what he must do, to leave home, experience new things, and understand everything the world had to offer. He had many brothers and sisters and he loved them each greatly. He would serve them and care for them. He hoped he could teach them all they must know to succeed and receive the gift he would give them.

July 5, 2006 I learned the meaning of torture…We pulled up to the light brick building, unloaded the bags, and stood uncomfortably on the sidewalk, not sure where or even how to proceed. People were everywhere; they looked just as uncomfortable as we did. We managed though and after getting the bags into the room, found our seats. Our emotions were taken from laughter and joy to pain and heartache, not just once, but multiple times as the presentation unfolded before us. The tension in the room was palpable…the climax of the day was soon to transpire. Before we knew it…before we wanted it …the time had come. Cody walked down the line hugging each of us, it was time to go…I could see his heart welling up in his throat….one daughter wanted one more hug…but he was at the breaking point and I told him to just go. She was hurt, I felt like Hitler, and it was time to leave the Mother’s Torture Chamber….more affectionately knows as the MTC. As we pulled away with our hearts in shreds, even though I knew Cody was where he was supposed to be…I couldn’t imagine how this could be a blessing to our family. Amazingly we turned around two years later and did it all again.

It has now been four years and I have two missionaries home safe and have been given the opportunity to express how our family has been blessed.
Ezra Taft Benson
What a privilege it is to serve in the kingdom of God. In this work it is the Spirit that counts – where ever we serve….Let us obtain that Spirit and be faithful members of the Church, devoted children and parents, effective home teachers, edifying instructors, inspired ward and stake leaders. God bless you all for your noble labors in building the kingdom.

There is no greater joy than bringing souls to Christ. Participating in this great work blessed the convert, blesses the missionary, and blesses those who support the missionary.
There is no doubt our family has been blessed. There is no doubt our ward has been blessed. Not just but my son’s serving missions, but by every young man and every couple who have served from or in this ward.

I asked friends LDS and those who aren’t….
How has your family been blessed by missionary efforts?
One young man who isn’t much older than my boys and isn’t LDS said
“I find it whole heartedly amusing when missionaries come over... the ability of these young minds to debate theological positions intelligently is a constant amazement. As for being personally blessed I would say that as a whole the community is blessed by the positive works these individuals do.”

How is this possible? How can YM age 19 and YW of 21 debate theological positions intelligently? To re-quote Pres. Benson…. “In this work it is the Spirit that counts”

As I would read our weekly emails, it was apparent that the Spirit of our Heavenly Father is what sustained my boys. It was the Spirit that helped them through the rough times, testified of the truthfulness and value of the work they were doing, and whispered joy and peace to them when all was going well.

Also, how is it possible for parents to see their sons and daughters leave, for those sons and daughters to put schooling, careers, and families on hold all to serve the Lord?

The same holds true...The Spirit helped us through the rough times...etc.

Grant Barton
That sense of mission is one of the most characteristic features of the restored church. Almost from the moment of birth, we prepare for and engage in missionary service; Babies are blessed by their fathers to grow up faithful and fulfill an honorable fulltime mission; mission savings accounts are opened; and lessons at church and at home constantly encourage missionary work. One of the crowning moments of a Latter Day Saints life – young or not so young – is to stand before one’s congregation and bear testimony of the restored gospel on the eve of leaving for full time missionary service. Perhaps even more momentous is the homecoming following such service; it is a time of reunion, of glorifying in God’s goodness, of rejoicing in the truths shared and in the spiritual growth experienced. For young men and women, a fulltime mission initiates them into adulthood and prepares them for a lifetime of gospel service. For older members it reenergizes and caps their lifelong devotion to the Lord.

I have a dear friend who in May of 2005 had the privilege w/ her husband of traveling to Croatia to pick up her parents from their first mission. In her words..."Neither one of us had been that far away from home before and we were just so excited to see my parents. As we were about to board the last airplane that would take us to Croatia, the woman checking our tickets gave us the funniest look and said, "I thought only Croatians went to Croatia." We just smiled at her and told her we were about to see our parents and that it bad been avoer a year and a half since we had seen them last. In the Coratia airport yoiu had to wait and collect your luggage before you were allowed out to where the people were waiting. I about died when I found out you had to wait and get your bags first. My husband could tell I was about to burst so he told me to go. I tried not to run too fast. I also tried not to run over too many people. What happen when I turned the corner, was I caught a glimpse of what I think the reunion in heaven might be like. I could see my mom and dad waiting behind the partition. WHen I fianlly got to them, we hugged and cried and hugged and cried some more. I do believe teh joy I flet at that moment made up for all the sadness I felt when I missed them while they were serving the Lord in Crotia."

So in answer to the question, How has my family been blessed by missionary efforts? More specifically from having two young men serve a mission….

Just as my friend observed....missionary work has given me a glimpse into the plan of Salvation. What greater blessing can I hope for my family?

So here is the happily ever after endings to the three stories I started at the beginning...

Heavenly Father sent each of us to earth – to grow to learn and to experience life. To be faced with opposition and find the true measure of our souls. He sent his Son to serve and give us the gift of the Atonement that we may return to him.

Tom and I sent our sons to Korea and Connecticut – to grow to learn and to experience life. To be faced with opposition and find the true measure of their souls. We sent our sons to serve and to give the gift of the Atonement so others may return to God.

Our sons left their mother and father…hopefully we taught them well…they missed us, but knew what they must do to grow and to experience life outside of Idaho, and understand all the world had to offer…both pain and joy, opposition and support. They had brothers and sister who loved them greatly, but they knew they had other brothers and sisters who were waiting to hear of a Father who loves them also…They served and cared for the people of Korea and Connecticut and taught them how to succeed and receive the gift of the Atonement.

and most importantly....there was a Son, he had left his mother and father after they had taught him well. He knew he would miss them, but he knew it was what he must do, to leave home, experience new things, and understand everything the world had to offer. He had many brothers and sisters and he loved them each greatly. He would serve them and care for them. He taught them all they must know to succeed and receive the gift he would give them.

We met with the Stake Presidency and High Council this morning for Thomas to report...here is the letter he received "returning" him to us. I hope our return letters sound like this also....

"Your child ends his labors on earth and will return home for his release. The people of the world have been greatly blessed by his presence. Your child has served well the investigators and members, and is loved and admired by them. In addition he has taken the opportunity to be a source of great strength to the Elders and Sister of this mission. He has served faithfully.
We appreciate your child's diligence in bringight the gospel to many of our Heavenly Father's Children. We return him home to you with the prayer that he will continue the efforts to emulat the life of the Savior

Repentance

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me

Confused at the grace that so fully he profers me

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified

That for me a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died

I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine

That he should extend his great love unto such as I

Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify

I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt

Such mercy, such love, and devotion can I forget?

No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,

Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet

Oh it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me

Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me…

LDS Hymn #193

Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns.

They can fill our souls with heavenly thoughts and bring us a Spirit of Peace. 

Hymns can help us withstand the temptations of the adversary.

They have the ability to lift our spirits, give us courage, and move us to righteous action.

Hymns build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end.  Hymns move us to good works and repentance.

During a particularly difficult time., the Sacrament hymns took on greater meaning for me.  I recall sitting in Sacrament as tears of peace, joy, and understanding streamed down my face. The songs testified to me so strongly of the power of the Atonement.

What it means to me….

            That I can be forgiven

            That I am loved beyond measure

            That my trials can be made bearable

And also to my husband and children…

            They have these same blessings…

                        They can be forgiven

                        They are loved beyond measure

                        Their trials can be made bearable…

                                    I learned I can have an impact on their lives as I have faith in the

Atonement and trust in Christ’s redeeming love…

I understood the need for personal repentance and unconditional forgiveness

Fourth Article of Faith

We believe the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are 

First faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 

Second repentance…

Faith comes first.

Faith in the love Jesus offers

Faith to live the Gospel

Faith in the power of the Atonement

It is the little seed planted in our hearts that, if nourished will grow and expand and beg for action to be taken so it’s beauty can be felt by others.

Faith in Jesus Christ naturally leads to repentance. There has been the need for repentance in the world from the time of Adam to the present day. The Lord instructed Adam, “Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence” (Moses 6:57). (Gospel Principles)

As we develop faith, several things can happen as we act on that faith

1.     We learn…line upon line…precept upon precept,

2.     As we learn, we have a desire to follow our Saviors example by serving others.

3.     As we serve, we are given an understanding of God’s profound love for each of us, Our dependency on Christ, The importance of the Atonement, and therefore the need for repentance. 

2 Nephi 25:23, 26

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophesies, that our children may know that source they may look for a remission of their sins. 

Last week we had the Gospel Doctrine lesson from Alma 5… Have ye received, his image in your countenances.

Bro Haroldsen posed the question….If the people were keeping the commandments, why were they called to repentance? 

I have thought about this question all week long, and the more I pondered and studied, and prepared for today… answer that came strongest to my mind was

Repentance means we understand the Atonement.

It is our way of dynamically showing we understand that “it is by grace we are saved, after all we can do.”

We are not repentant if we do not sustain the authorities of the Church and do not love the Lord and our fellowmen. If we do not pray and are unkind to others, we are surely not repentant. When we repent, our life changes.(GP)

Years ago I was given a book called, “Songs of Redeeming Love”

The title of that book stuck with me more than the content.  Now when I study the scriptures, the “Songs of Redeeming Love” seem to pop off the page for me.

Nephi

Alma

Heleman

Mosiah

King Benjamin

Moses.

The Psalms of David

All have as Song of Redeeming Love and all have an eloquent Spirit of Repentance

In Psalms 25…

I would like to pick out some of the blessings of Repentance found in this Song of Redeeming Love

Souls are lifted and Dwell at ease

Trust is Gained

We can stand unashamed

Learn that God is unchanging, Good, and upright.

Sins and transgressions are forgiven and forgotten,

Brought out of distress

God sees us and our pain

Inherit the earth and receive salvation.

President Spencer W. Kimball declared: “There is no royal road to repentance, no privileged path to forgiveness. Every man must follow the same course whether he be rich or poor, educated or untrained, tall or short, prince or pauper, king or commoner” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 38; italics in original).

We Must Recognize Our Sins

To repent, we must admit to ourselves that we have sinned. If we do not admit this, we cannot repent.

Alma counseled his son Corianton, who had been unfaithful in his missionary calling and had committed serious sins: “Let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance. … Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point” (Alma 42:29–30). The scriptures advise us further not to justify our sinful practices (see Luke 16:15–16).

We cannot hide any act of our lives from ourselves or from the Lord.

We Must Feel Sorrow for Our Sins

In addition to recognizing our sins, we must feel sincere sorrow for what we have done. We must feel that our sins are terrible. We must want to unload and abandon them. The scriptures tell us, “All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and … have truly repented of all their sins … shall be received by baptism into his church” (D&C 20:37).

                  • Study 2 Corinthians 7:9–10 and Mormon 2:10–14. In what ways do you think “godly sorrow” is different from expressions of regret?

We Must Forsake Our Sins

Our sincere sorrow should lead us to forsake (stop) our sins. If we have stolen something, we will steal no more. If we have lied, we will lie no more. If we have committed adultery, we will stop. The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them” (D&C 58:43).

We Must Confess Our Sins

Confessing our sins is very important. The Lord has commanded us to confess our sins. Confession relieves a heavy burden from the sinner. The Lord has promised, “I, the Lord, forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts” (D&C 61:2).

We must confess all our sins to the Lord. In addition, we must confess serious sins—such as adultery, fornication, homosexual relations, spouse or child abuse, and the sale or use of illegal drugs—which might affect our standing in the Church, to the proper priesthood authority. If we have sinned against another person, we should confess to the person we have injured. Some less serious sins involve no one but ourselves and the Lord. These may be confessed privately to the Lord.

We Must Make Restitution

Part of repentance is to make restitution. This means that as much as possible we must make right any wrong that we have done. For example, a thief should give back what he has stolen. A liar should make the truth known. A gossip who has slandered the character of a person should work to restore the good name of the person he has harmed. As we do these things, God will not mention our sins to us when we are judged (see Ezekiel 33:15–16).

We Must Forgive Others

A vital part of repentance is to forgive those who have sinned against us. The Lord will not forgive us unless our hearts are fully cleansed of all hate, bitterness, and bad feelings against other people (see 3 Nephi 13:14–15). “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin” (D&C 64:9).

We Must Keep the Commandments of God

To make our repentance complete we must keep the commandments of the Lord (see D&C 1:32). We are not fully repentant if we do not pay tithes or keep the Sabbath day holy or obey the Word of Wisdom. We are not repentant if we do not sustain the authorities of the Church and do not love the Lord and our fellowmen. If we do not pray and are unkind to others, we are surely not repentant. When we repent, our life changes.

President Kimball said: “First, one repents. Having gained that ground he then must live the commandments of the Lord to retain his vantage point. This is necessary to secure complete forgiveness” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 43).

(Gospel Principles)

As we apply these steps we can grow closer to our Heavenly Father and have a greater understanding of the love He has for us. We will more fully understand the Atonement of His Son Jesus Christ, and have a greater desire to align our lives to His teaches.  

Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

All Things According to His Will

I have been trying a little harder to remember God's will this week in my life and again find I fall short! So I turned to the Book of Mormon Class Member Study Guide to see the question posed...
What can you learn from Nephi about how to make your heart more receptive to the teachings of the prophets.
1 Nephi 2:16, 19 reads...
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.  


And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.

Could it really be that simple?
Nephi sought out the Lord, softened his heart, and did not rebel.
Maybe the key is a soft heart, tender to the mercies God is willing to bestow upon each of us if we will just seek Him out.

1 Nephi 1:20
...But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto deliverance.

Goal for the coming week...
Be mindful of the Tender Mercies of God.
Seek for them
List them
Express gratitude for them.
Try to be a Tender Mercy for others.

New Year...New Posts

I don't know why I don't write more often.  I really love placing my thoughts, goals, and beliefs on the page.  There is something very healing about writing, it reminds me of what is in my heart, that there is more to life then just the busy run around of my daily schedule.  

This year in Sunday School we are studying the Book of Mormon.  

I love this Book and know it is of God.  

I would like to share my love for it with anyone 

willing to read my ramblings.

In Relief Society we are studying the words of George Albert Smith. 

I will also add my lesson thoughts since 

I teach the third Sunday each month.

(my dream calling)

I hope to spend more time studying the Scriptures this year.

I see my dear husband reading every day and know I fall short. Please comment, share your thoughts, and help keep me on task.  I know the gratification I get from lessons learned should be enough motivation. But, in reality, it truly helps to be accountable to others who are willing to study also and push me to be a better person.  

I will start with the upcoming Sunday School lesson and see if I can explore it throughout this week...by Sunday I hope to also have my lesson up.

Lesson 2: All Things According to His Will

Book of Mormon Class Member Study Guide poses the question:

Why do some people today rebel against the Lord and his Servants?

Nephi states that "the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center."

Hard truths are never easily faced but readily ignored.  None of us like to believe we are wrong, or living in a way that would disappoint our Lord, or even our parents or loved ones. It is easier to rationalize and believe we are right, doing our best. 

I remember when I was younger I had someone dear in my life tell me that I had to live with who they were, they wouldn't change. It seemed like such a strange concept to me. 

Aren't we here on earth... 

to change? 

to grow? 

to perfect ourselves here on earth? 

As time has passed, it seems more often than not that people want to just be accepted as is...no refunds...this is who I am...deal with it.  Such people may not even feel they are rebelling, just living their lives and want to be left to do so.  When in fact, it is as rebellious as those who deny the laws of God...in truth, it is it the same. 

I find I often fall into this trap and others. 

Life is so busy, there isn't time to do all that is required in the Gospel.  

How can I 

raise a family

work

clean house

pay bills

do laundry

cook

AND 

fulfill my church responsibilities? 

The solution is 

COMMITMENT

  

Much of Stake Conference this week spoke of commitment.

That which we commit to, we accomplish. 

No commitment, no accomplishment.  

   

1 Nephi 3:7

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way that they may accomplish the things which he commandeth them.  

The question now lies before me...Will I go and do?

He Is Not Here, For He is Risen!

This July has been an unusual month for me. My family had a wonderful reunion over the Fourth of July weekend, surrounded by the people I hold most dear.  Unfortunately, not everyone was able to attend.  My dear sister and her family had other commitments and my loving brother is no longer with us. His children were there. Grown, with children of their own. They represented him well with their joy for life and sense of humor.  Two days later was the 21st anniversary of  his death and another six days brought his birthday.  

The reunion seemed to bring a deeper sorrow at losing him. Seeing his grandchildren the age of his children when they lost their father, watching his characteristics appear on their faces and come out their mouths... I miss him even greater.  It is as if I just heard the words, "your brother has been killed in an accident..."  He was my only brother, so there was no question as to who my father meant.  

While reading the lesson for Sunday School last week, "He is not here, for he is Risen!", I ached for the women who went to wrap Christ's body is spices and found He was not there. Few things parallel the loss of a loved one.  How they must have felt, the fear, uncertainty, and despair coupled with their sorrow! Such overwhelming emotions could hardly be contained. But even in sorrow, Mary found peace and teaches me how I can find peace if I will just open my eyes and listen for Christ's voice as she did.

John 20 tells us that Mary found the tomb empty, the stone rolled away and ran to tell the disciples. They ran to the sepulcher and believed her words, yet did not understand that Christ would rise from the dead and each returned home ~

11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

His love for her was so great that he spoke to her, questioned her weeping, and desired to ease her pain.

Her love for him was so great that she recognized the way he spoke her name.

I believe his love for each of us is as strong.  

He desires to ease our pain and sorrow, increase our joy and peace.

We must in turn love him enough to recognize his call. If we continue reading we will find out what we are to do when he calls us...

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Christ testified to Mary that he was going to his Father and God, who is her Father and God, and is our Father and God.  Then Mary did what Christ would have each of us do...she spread the word.  

"He is not here, for He is Risen!"