Some Thoughts from Church

Making us into new creatures is not a DIY job

Great talk by President Hunter:
Master the Tempest is Raging

When the Savior stilled the storm
Mark 4:36-41

-Maybe they should have woken him up and asked for help before they got to panic level
-Maybe they should have prayed for help and he would have woken and said "blessed are ye because of your faith"
-We don't need to wait until the situation is desperate to get the Lord's help, he can help us all along the way, from the very beginning.
-Don't panic, trust the Lord, ask for help, trust that his help will come

The Apostles of the Lamb

Today we had a wonderful sacrament meeting. Our neighbors the Ensign's spoke. First Lisa gave a wonderful talk - I wasn't able to take notes because I had two little girls on my lap and Corey was home sick. But I remembered her sharing that she was talking to some youth, family members I think, who were not on the side of the church with regards to recent policy changes. Lisa defended the church so much so that they apologized for making her mad. She said "I'm not mad, I'm terrified!" She is passionate because she is terrified that the adversary is leading away these loving and tender hearts from the truth because of their desire to show tolerance and not offend. They are trying to love the best they know how, but they need to hold to the rod and not leave the church or fight against the Lord's apostles. She then share how she recently learned something new from the story of the tree of life. She used to think the great and spacious building represented the pride of the world. But there is a reoccurring phrase from 1 Nephi 11 that gave more insight as to what the building represents:

34 And after he was slain I saw the multitudes of the earth, that they were gathered together to fight against the apostles of the Lamb; for thus were the twelve called by the angel of the Lord.

35 And the multitude of the earth was gathered together; and I beheld that they were in a large and spacious building, like unto the building which my father saw. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying: Behold the world and the wisdom thereof; yea, behold the house of Israel hath gathered together to fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

36 And it came to pass that I saw and bear record, that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying: Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The great and spacious building represents those who fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And the great fall of the great and spacious building was a representation of the destruction to come upon all nations, tongues, and people that fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Don't fight against his apostles. I guess I was thinking of Mr Snuffer and Mr. Malone again and how they believe Joseph Smith was a prophet, but the heavenly gift has since been lost and we are not led by a living prophet anymore. I don't know if their opinions constitute fighting against the apostles, and I don't follow their blogs now, but do still pray for them to return to full fellowship with the Saints.

BYU Devotionals

Have I ever said how much I love watching the 11 o'clock devotionals? (I love them.) I loved these two devotional talks today - both were awesome and it was the first time I'd heard both of them, which was a treat. Many times the devotionals are repeats of one's I've already heard, so I really enjoyed these. First was:

R.Bruce Money - "The Lord's Country and Kingdom - Your Passport" Read here, watch below.



And right after that was this great talk by David Hart entitled "Be Excellent: Becoming Who You Are in Today's World." Read here.

Screwtape Letter 15

I was talking to one of my wonderful neighbors today about our life as mothers - we talked a little about things we should do to enjoy the present moment (and help our children to do it, too.)

Reminded me of Letter 15 from Screwtape - I got out my old book and re-read it. These are some quotes from it that I love:

• Tortured fear and stupid confidence are both desirable states of mind
• (Speaking of the present moment) ~ in it alone freedom and actuality are offered them. He (God) would therefore have them continually concerned either with eternity, which means being concerned with Him, or with the Present--either meditating on their eternal union with, or separation from, Himself, or else obeying the present voice of conscience, bearing the present cross, receiving the present grace, giving thanks for the present pleasure. 
• It is far better to make them live in the Future, (because) in making them think about it we make them think of unrealities. In a word, the future is, of all things, the thing least like eternity. 
• Nearly all vices are rooted in the future. Gratitude looks to the past and love to the present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead.
• To be sure, the Enemy (God) wants ment o think of the Future too--just so much as is necessary for now planning the acts of justice or charity which will probably be their duty tomorrow. 
• He does not want men to give the Future their hearts, to place their treasure in it. We do.
• We want a whole race perpetually in pursuit of the rainbow's end, never honest, nor kind, nor happy now, but always using as mere fuel wherewith to heap the altar of the future every real gift which is offered them in the Present. 

(...so be "here"!)

Stake Women's Conference with Elder Christofferson

We are very blessed to have Elder D. Todd Christofferson and his wife in our stake. We are extra lucky to have them in our ward too and as neighbors on our street. Today he spoke to the women of our stake in a Women's Conference. Here are some notes from his and Sister Christofferson's talks:

Theme: D&C 88:63 - Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Introduction from Sister Christofferson. He teased her later about her giving all the dry facts. Said that he appreciated all her efforts in largely raising their family as he was often gone. Said that he told her recently, "Dear, I'm here now!" to which she replied "I don't need you now!"

Allegory of the pianos: She went to visit a dear friend (they had written roadshows together) who was a Julliard trained musician in Nashville. The friend had a music room with two grand pianos and an organ. She had recently had her two grand pianos re strung and was anxious to hear how they sounded together. The friend attempted to persuade Kathy to play with her. Kathy declined, citing her lack of piano training (a few years of lessons). But the friend prevailed and Kathy agreed to play some hymns, even if it was just with one hand. Her friend played amazing arrangements and together they made beautiful music. Kathy said it was one of the greatest musical experiences she's ever had - said they could have made a CD out of the music. She then drew a parallel to Christ and the power of his atonement - that whatever meager melody we play, he will make into a beautiful symphony.

Elder Christofferson:
- D&C 88:63 is a warm invitation with no demand.
- To draw near to Christ is to align ourselves to His will and His commandments
- Turn our whole being to Him
- Christ tells us "repent and I'll work with you. I'll walk with you. I'll send my Holy Spirit. If you draw near unto me, I will draw near unto you.
- Learn to seek to pray according to His will
- D&C 46, 3 Nephi 19 "Pray what is given me to pray"
When you are praying for something that is expedient (when the need is substantial):

• pray to give thanks for very specific blessings - this will invite the Spirit to the praer
• have time for an extended prayer (example of a time when he felt this way, spent extended time in prayer - invited the Spirit - was given what to pray for)

atonement - yes forgiveness - AND justification

BUT also sanctification - made pure - ride ourselves of guilt/stain. We CAN be made guiltless an spotless. His grace achieves this. The vehicle is the Holy Ghost. (He will bring grace to us through the Holy Ghost) (See Sheri Dew, Amazed by Grace)

Story of when he was asked to interview a sister who had applied to receive a restoration of blessings. She had previously been excommunicated. He reviewed her file and saw what she had done in her life. He could hardly believe one person could have done so much evil. He even questioned that she should be there to be interviewed. But when he went into the room to meet with her, he could see the purity in her countenance. He knew he was in the presence of one of the most pure people he had ever met. Even since that moment, he has never questioned the far-reaching ability of the atonement. 

D&C 20 - Elder Christofferson's testimony that the atonement is REAL. IT is adequate. It is sufficient. 

HE is real. 

His resurrection is real. 

Apostolic blessing (the spirit came into the meeting, tangible feeling, the chapel was so quiet you could hear a pin drop) Elder Christofferson spoke with such quiet, and calm, and steadiness and power. he gave very specific blessings and promises. Same as a talk at Education week last year by Elder Andersen when he promised that in this time of increased wickedness,, there would be an outpouring of the Spirit to those who were striving to be obedient, and that the outpouring would be directly proportionate to our efforts to obey. 

That our faith will grow in this promise. That our willingness to apply it in our lives with grow. That hope will grow in our hearts that this promise extends to each of us personally. Give us faith to DO what we need to do to grow closer to Christ. That we will know what it is we need to do to draw closer. That we will have answers to our prayers. That we will e guided by the Spirit very often as we do pray. That the spirit will be a source of comfort more that it ever has been. That we will learn to recognize His voice. That it will be easier to receive answers. 

I left the meeting with so much love and gratitude for Elder and Sister Christofferson - for their service, their sacrifice, their example, their friendship. I feel so grateful for the leadership of the prophet and his apostles in this day. 

God Will Bless You

I totally loved the devotional by Dean M. Davies today ~ especially what he said about how God answers our prayers in miraculous ways so that men can't say that we did it on our own but will know that it was the work of God and that we will give the glory to Him. Really gave a lot of insight to questions and thoughts I've been having about prayer. Loved it!

read/print here

Character Development

I have so much I wish I could write. I don't do much these days except nurse Owen and read books or watch tv. We watch PBS Kids and BYUtv during the day. I am loving the BYU devotionals and the BYUtv episodes of Turning Point especially. I have so many thoughts after the devotionals and wish I could write them all down. I'm way behind though and don't have time at the computer much (Owen has been having a rough week - really fussy, possibly colic?) But this past Tuesday I watched the live devotional with BYU President Worthen. He talked about character and becoming. It went along with so many thoughts that Corey has shared with me lately, about how hard work is and how "he wasn't in this for the personal growth." He wanted to have, but God wants him to become, hence all the opportunities afforded him for character development. That's what we're all here for. On Tuesday I also finished reading the book "Preemptive Love" (recommend!)

The author, Jeremy Courtney, seems to have righteous desires and just wants to do some good and help, but wow, even with his heart already in the right place he still had a ton of growing experiences! (...and some of his make ours not seem so bad!) Everyone has trials, and they seem to be perfectly tailored to us. And just when one trial ends, there is another situation ready to take it's place. And that's because that is what we are here on earth for. I also loved these Turning Point episodes that are using cars (Naskarz), construction (Hana Build), ballet, parkour, rowing, etc, as a means to help youth and people BECOME. That is God is doing too - that's what we are here on earth for - to have these experiences that will help mold our character to hopefully become like our Savior and our Father in Heaven.