The Atonement in Our Everyday Lives

"President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, testified that we can apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ to remove our guilt: 'For some reason we think the Atonement of Christ applies only at the end of mortal life to redemption from the Fall, from spiritual death. It is much more than that. It is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life. When we are racked or harrowed up or tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, He can heal us. While we do not fully understand how the Atonement of Christ was made, we can experience ‘the peace of God, which passeth all understanding’ [Philippians 4:7]. . . .We all make mistakes. Sometimes we harm ourselves and seriously injure others in ways that we alone cannot repair. We break things that we alone cannot fix. It is then in our nature to feel guilt and humiliation and suffering, which we alone cannot cure. That is when the healing power of the Atonement will help. The Lord said, ‘Behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent’ [D&C 19:16]. . . . “The Atonement has practical, personal, everyday value; apply it in your life. It can be activated with so simple a beginning as prayer. You will not thereafter be free from trouble and mistakes but can erase the guilt through repentance and be at peace” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2001, 28–29; or Ensign, May 2001, 23–24)." -Book of Mormon Institute Manual, pg. 207

This can lead us to a sincere appreciation of the Atonement in this life, not just at Judgment Day. Also, I truly begin that things always begin with prayer. When we are lost or have fallen, prayer is how we reach out and are able to be lifted up. At the front of my copy of the Book of Mormon I have written, "If you're lost, PRAY!" It is one of the most powerful gifts in our lives.

"Hope is the thing with feathers" -Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops – at all -

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet – never – in Extremity,

It asked a crumb – of me.

Books to Read

I'm been keeping little sticky notes in my mind of books I want to read someday, so I figured I would deposit them here...hopefully this list will get longer...

books
-The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
-The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
-Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
-Counseling with Our Councils by Elder M. Russell Ballard
-The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
-The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis...and basically everything by C.S. Lewis
-The Enoch Letters by Elder Neal A. Maxwell
-Visions of Glory by John Pontius
-Journey to the Veil by John Pontius
-The Miracle of Forgiveness by President Spencer W. Kimball

movies
-White Christmas
-The Cowboys

_______________________

Plus, I would like to keep a list of things to give to strengthen my future family. Here there are:

books
-The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
-Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
-The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
-Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
-Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
-Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

television
-The Andy Griffith Show
-...that's basically it

movies
-Tuesdays with Morrie
-Gandhi
-Chariots of Fire
-17 Miracles
-Ephraim's Rescue
-A Little Princess
-Unbroken
-all the classic Disney movies (Lion King, Hercules, Pocahontas, etc.)

talks
-Stay By the Tree by Elder Kevin W. Pearson
-Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
-Things as They Really Are by Elder David A. Bednar

songs
-lots of classical music
-lots of Mormon Tabernacle Choir
-At the Edge by Jonathan Elias
-David Tolk
-Paul Cardall
-EFY music
-The Lamb of God and Saints and Pioneers by Rob Gardner
-Gabriel's Oboe by Jenny Oaks Baker
-Jon Schmidt

hobbies and talents
-family history
-running
-gardening
-calligraphy
-spiritual creation and affirmations
-cooking
-piano
-singing
-tennis
-drawing

places
-Nauvoo. For sure. No doubt.
-Temple Square

traditions
-family Skype
-family dinners
-tender mercies
-board games

Scripture Power

"Your gospel study is most effective when you are taught by the Holy Ghost. Always begin your gospel study by praying for the Holy Ghost to help you learn. He will bring knowledge and conviction that will bless your life and allow you to bless the lives of others. Your faith in Jesus Christ will increase. Your desire to repent and improve will grow. This kind of study prepares you for service, offers solace, resolves problems, and gives you the strength to endure to the end." -Preach My Gospel, pg.

The scriptures are a very powerful way to help you do what is right. It is what helped me to come to Virginia. I remember one day needing courage to follow through with the prompting, and so I just opened the Book of Mormon and flipped randomly, page after page. Phrases like "blessed are they who will...hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; for these are they that shall be saved", "they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them", and even the warning stories of people who pridefully "depended upon their own strength" and "did walk after the desires of [their] own heart[s]"--these phrases gave me the courage and the perspective to act. I am so grateful for the scriptures. I feel like just reading them alone helps me to do what's right, even if I'm not aware of it. I know that they keep me on-track every day, remembering the things that matter most. They are the spiritual compass that helps me see where I may be getting off-course in my life so I can make course corrections. They are a spiritual measuring stick as I ask myself introspective questions. They invite the Spirit so that if there is more specific counsel just for me, I can hear it. They are my spiritual nourishment, and I will never stop reading them.

The Reality of Angels

From Elder Holland: “I am convinced that one of the profound themes of the Book of Mormon is the role and prevalence and central participation of angels in the gospel story. . . .One of the things that will become more important in our lives the longer we live is the reality of angels, their work and their ministry. I refer here not alone to the angel Moroni but also to those more personal ministering angels who are with us and around us, empowered to help us and who do exactly that (see 3 Ne. 7:18; Moro. 7:29–32, 37; D&C 107:20). . . .I believe we need to speak of and believe in and bear testimony of the ministry of angels more than we sometimes do. They constitute one of God’s great methods of witnessing through the veil, and no document in all this world teaches that principle so clearly and so powerfully as does the Book of Mormon” (“For a Wise Purpose,” Ensign, Jan. 1996, 16–17)." -Book of Mormon Institute Manual, pg. 195

This is such a comforting thought, such a good affirmation to tell myself in hard times. There are angels all around us to bear us up through our hardest times, just as they comforted and strengthened the Savior during the Atonement. I have SO many angels on this side of the veil, and I believe that there are more than I know on the other side. I also believe that those angels who are given charge over us are loved ones we know who have passed on. And I believe that angels are given special charge over children. :) One of my goals is to be an angel for the loved ones in my life. My mama is definitely my angel, and an angel to everyone around her. She is one of the purest, happiest, most selfless women I know, taking me by the heart and the hand since I was a toddler--and she will continue to for eternity!

"Obedience always involves self-discipline." -President Kimball

I have been praying for help to be more valiant, and my prayer was answered last night at a fireside when I was thumbing through my scriptures. Deep in the heart of my Topical Guide was this quote! It was exactly what I needed. It was empowering to me because it reminded me that I'm in the driver's seat.

"Self-control, self-mastery, can be substituted for the dominion of sin, and the sinner can move by his own agency toward God rather than under the control of sin toward Satan...What is needed is self-discipline. Can we imagine the angels or the gods not being in control of themselves in any particular? The question is of course ludicrous. Equally ridiculous is the idea that any of us can rise to the eternal heights without disciplining ourselves and being disciplined by the circumstances of life...Obedience always involves self-discipline. So does repentance, which is the way to annul the effects of a previous lack of obedience in one's life. The dividends from both obedience and repentance amply repay the effort." -President Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness

Also, I had a few other great insights this weekend and I don't want to lose them!

-I got to go to the temple this weekend and I was reminded that I need to focus all my efforts on building His kingdom. If I'm not building His kingdom, I'm building my own, and it will all come to naught. I know that His kingdom will only get bigger!

-In church yesterday an idea stood out to me: as we remember Him always, we will have His Spirit to be with us. So, maybe that means that the things we do that bring the Spirit are a form of remembering Him.

-The wise man and the foolish man: one built his house upon the Rock, the other did not. I like to think that both of them had a blueprint for how to build a strong home, but only one followed through. It made me think of the counsel I receive today: do I just hear it, or do I apply it?

Becoming

Elder Dallin H. Oaks: "It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2000, 41; or Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32). -Book of Mormon Institute Manual

Our Spiritual Responsibility

"Sister Sheri L. Dew, then a counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, taught: “‘Unto whom much is given much is required’ (D&C 82:3), and at times the demands of discipleship are heavy. But shouldn’t we expect the journey towards eternal glory to stretch us? We sometimes rationalize our preoccupation with this world and our casual attempts to grow spiritually by trying to console each other with the notion that living the gospel really shouldn’t require all that much of us. The Lord’s standard of behavior will always be more demanding than the world’s, but then the Lord’s rewards are infinitely more glorious—including true joy, peace, and salvation” (“We Are Women of God,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 98)." -Book of Mormon Institute Manual, pg. 185-186

The Power of Fasting

"Alma fasted to prepare his mind and soul to preach to the inhabitants of Ammonihah. Fasting often indicates to the Lord the seriousness of our request. President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency taught: “At times fasting is appropriate as a strong evidence of our sincerity. . . . When we fast we humble our souls, which brings us more in tune with God and His holy purposes” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2002, 68; or Ensign, May 2002, 60). Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin enumerated some of the blessings that flow into our lives when we add prayer to an appropriate fast: “Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation. Fasting and prayer can help develop within us courage and confidence. They can strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline. Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power. Testimonies grow. We mature spiritually and emotionally and sanctify our souls. Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions. . . . Fasting in the proper spirit and in the Lord’s way will energize us spiritually. It will strengthen our self-discipline, fill our homes with peace, lighten our hearts with joy, fortify us against temptation, prepare us for times of adversity, and open the windows of heaven” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2001, 95, 97–98; or Ensign, May 2001, 73, 75)." -Book of Mormon Institute Manual, pg. 185

When You Feel Weak

"Commenting to those who sometimes feel that their best efforts are not enough or that they have failed, President Thomas S. Monson stated: “Should there be anyone who feels he is too weak to change the onward and downward course of his life, or should there be those who fail to resolve to do better because of that greatest of fears—the fear of failure—there is no more comforting assurance to be had than these words of the Lord: ‘My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them’ [Ether 12:27].'" -Book of Mormon Institute Manual

How to Be Built Upon the Rock

Another really insightful article from the Ensign! I'm so grateful for the insights I've gained from the Ensign. (One of my favorites is from an article about living our lives based around our covenants: "Are you a covenant keeper? Are you living your life by covenant or simply by convenience? ... Pray fervently for the strength to live true to your covenants. This provides spiritual protection.")

"In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Helaman teaches his sons that they must build their spiritual foundation on Jesus Christ in order to withstand the whirlwinds of life (see Helaman 5:12). In the October 2014 general conference, Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about four spiritual tools that help us build this foundation: prayer, scripture study,family home evening, and temple worship. These four tools help us hearken unto the words of Christ and build our testimonies, lives, and homes “upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God” (Helaman 5:12; see also Matthew 7:24–27).

“When these tools become fundamental habits,” Elder Scott said, “they provide the easiest way to find peace in the challenges of mortality.”1 They help us to withstand the mighty winds of the adversary, so that they have “no power over [us] to drag [us] down to the gulf of misery and endless wo” (Helaman 5:12). As Elder Scott taught, “The more we develop these habits, the more anxious is Satan to harm us but the less is his ability to do so.”2

These essential habits bring us closer to God and help us build on “a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12). Elder Scott declared, “As we actively come unto [Christ], we can endure every temptation, every heartache, every challenge we face.” Ultimately, as you use these four tools, you will be drawing closer to Christ and “securing your life in the power of [His] Atonement.”"

The Time Is Far Spent, Hymn #266

Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you;

The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.

Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you;

His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.

His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.

How to Improve Your Prayers

'The phrase “mighty prayer” indicates powerful, faith-filled communication with God. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles suggested ways we can evaluate and seek to improve the strength of our prayers: May I ask you today to consider the effectiveness of your prayers? How close do you feel to your Heavenly Father? Do you feel that your prayers are answered? Do you feel that the time you spend in prayer enriches and uplifts your soul? Is there room for improvement? There are many reasons our prayers lack power. Sometimes they become routine. Our prayers become hollow when we say similar words in similar ways over and over so often that the words become more of a recitation than a communication. This is what the Savior described as ‘vain repetitions’ (Matthew 6:7). Such prayers, He said, will not be heard. . . .Do your prayers at times sound and feel the same? Have you ever said a prayer mechanically, the words pouring forth as though cut from a machine? Do you sometimes bore yourself as you pray? Prayers that do not demand much of your thought will hardly merit much attention from our Heavenly Father. When you find yourself getting into a routine with your prayers, step back and think. Meditate for a while on the things for which you really are grateful” (“Improving Our Prayers,” in Brigham Young University 2002–2003 Speeches [2003], 160)' -Book of Mormon Institute Manual, pg.184

Another thought I had while I was studying: when I was so so conflicted about coming to SVU, the thought came to me that Heavenly Father would not abandon me if I was really trying to follow a prompting, even if I was mistaken. That gave me a lot of comfort. Even if I flew across the country, studied the wrong thing for a year and a half, wasn't where I was supposed to be, if I was doing it because I really thought it was a prompting, Heavenly Father wasn't going to leave me high and dry. That thought gave me courage I needed to make the decision.

How to Make Big Decisions

Man, I have posted a lot of talks lately. Because they are so good! And they keep coming! And I don't want to lose them! This one is from Elder Anthony D. Perkins, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy, and it's from this month's Ensign. (I'll have to go through and pick out some of my favorite parts later.) Enjoy!

"You young adults are now living in what has been called “the Decade of Decision.” You are making many of the most important choices of your life, such as “going to the temple, serving a mission, getting an education, selecting an occupation, and choosing a companion and being sealed for time and for all eternity in the holy temple.”1

I speak particularly to those who are struggling with one or more of these important decisions—some perhaps almost paralyzed from fear of making the wrong decision or needing reinforcement to remain confident in a decision made previously.

Four lessons of inspired decision making by Nephi, if applied, can reduce your fears and increase your confidence to move forward.

1. Obey the Commandments

The last verse of Nephi’s sacred record encapsulates his life: “For thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey” (2 Nephi 33:15).

Nephi’s faith in and love for the Savior is exemplified in his obedience to God’s commandments. He prayed (see1 Nephi 2:16). He read the scriptures (see 1 Nephi 22:1). He sought and followed direction from a living prophet (see 1 Nephi 16:23–24). Such obedience permitted theHoly Ghost to powerfully accompany Nephi throughout his life and yielded ongoing personal revelation.

You too must stay close to the Lord by keeping God’s commandments. I testify that consistent obedience to small things such as reading the scriptures, praying daily, attending Church meetings, heeding the counsel of living prophets, and serving others will qualify you for the Spirit—and the revelation it brings.

Perfection is not a prerequisite to personal revelation. The prerequisite is daily repentance (see Romans 3:23). If your repentance is sincere and thorough (see D&C 58:42–43), the cleansing power of the Atonement will bring the Spirit to guide you in the weighty decisions of life.

2. Move Forward in Faith

Put yourself in Nephi’s sandals. Your father tells you the Lord has commanded your family to leave your wealth and depart for the wilderness. Wouldn’t you like to know about your journey and destination?

I suppose Nephi would have been thrilled had the Lord clearly revealed his future. But that is not how God worked with Nephi, and it is not how He will work with you.

As Nephi’s family traveled through the wilderness, instructions came to him only “from time to time” (1 Nephi 16:29; 18:1). Viewing his life’s journey with certainty up front would not have provided him the soul-stretching and faith-forming experiences that helped him become a more Christlike man.

If you are waiting for God to reveal what academic major to pursue, whom to marry, what job to accept, where to live, whether to go to graduate school, and how many children to bear, you will likely never leave your apartment. I testify that personal revelation will come only “from time to time.”

Our Heavenly Father wants us to grow, and that includes developing our ability to weigh facts, render judgments, and make decisions. But He also invites us to bring our decisions to Him in prayer (see D&C 9:7–9). Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught that answers to our prayers come “in one of three ways.”2

Confirming Assurance

“First,” Elder Scott said, “you can feel the peace, comfort, and assurance that confirm that your decision is right.”3My wife, Christy, and I have found that assurance for critical life-affecting decisions can be communicated through the scriptures, often after temple worship.

For example, after much pondering and praying, we decided to abandon our new dream home in Texas, accept a job transfer, and move with six young children to Beijing, China. But we desperately desired spiritual confirmation for such a momentous move. Divine assurance did come to us—in the temple—as we read these words in the Doctrine and Covenants: “It is my will that you should … tarry not many days in this place; … think not of thy property. Go unto the eastern lands” (D&C 66:5–7).

The voice of Jesus Christ in the scriptures, accompanied by powerful feelings from the Holy Ghost, confirmed that our decision to move to China was right.

Unsettled Feeling

The second way Heavenly Father answers prayers is through an “unsettled feeling, the stupor of thought, indicating that your choice is wrong.”4

After my mission to Taiwan, I thought international law would be a good career choice. As Christy and I considered that possible future, we understood that five more years of expensive education lay ahead.

The U.S. economy was in a deep recession and our funds were limited, so we reasoned that joining the Air Force ROTC would be a wise choice to pay for my schooling. But as I took the required tests and filled out the paperwork, we just could not get comfortable making that commitment. No stupor of thought or dark feelings came—only an absence of peace.

That seemingly illogical financial decision was inspired, in part, because I would have been a horrible lawyer!

Divine Trust

God answers prayers a third way: no response. “When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior’s teachings and you need to act,” Elder Scott said, “proceed with trust.”5

Nephi’s final attempt to obtain the brass plates illustrates how we should proceed with divine trust. He recorded:

“I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.

“Nevertheless I went forth” (1 Nephi 4:6–7).

Moments will arrive during your decade of decision when you cannot procrastinate any longer and must act. I have learned that, as Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught, “we will get promptings of the Spirit when we have done everything we can, when we are out in the sun working rather than sitting back in the shade praying for direction on the first step to take.”6

As with Nephi, the Spirit will in due time confirm or warn of your chosen path.

3. Live in the Present

Nephi’s commitment on the journey to the promised land stands in stark contrast to that of his brothers Laman and Lemuel. They made the decision to go, but their hearts never left Jerusalem. Nephi was fixing his broken bow to hunt for food and mining ore to build a ship while his brothers seem to have been lounging in a tent.

Today the world has many Lamans and Lemuels. But the Lord needs committed men and women like Nephi. You will experience greater progress in life when you wholly commit to your decisions and strive to excel in your current circumstances even while you have an eye open to the future.

Nephi exemplifies the wise counsel of President Thomas S. Monson: “Daydreaming of the past and longing for the future may provide comfort but will not take the place of living in the present. This is the day of our opportunity, and we must grasp it.”7

4. Draw on the Strength of Others

Even after we have sought the Spirit, moved forward with our decision, and are wholly committed to it, doubts may still arise and cause us to question our decision. In such circumstances a trusted family member or friend can provide counsel and strength to stay the course. I suggest that along his journey, Nephi’s bride became his trusted anchor.

An appreciation for Nephi’s wife came to me while visiting the Church History Museum. I was transfixed by a painting there of Nephi lashed to the mast of a ship, soaked to the skin in a driving storm.8

At Nephi’s side were his wife and one of his children. She was experiencing the same storm and challenges as Nephi, but her eyes were defiant and her strong arms were protectively wrapped around his shoulders. In that moment I realized that I too was blessed to have a loyal spouse offering strength in my times of trial. I hoped that I was a similar strength to her.

Brethren, preserving and enhancing the spiritual strength you developed (or will yet develop) as a missionary or in other righteous service is your best asset in becoming a desirable husband and father. Sisters, spiritual sensitivity, faith, and courage to follow Jesus Christ are among your best qualities as a wife and mother.

I invite you to become the type of person your current or future spouse can draw on for wise counsel and strength. A virtuous man and a worthy woman, sealed for time and all eternity in the temple, can do difficult things as equal partners.

I promise that if you will apply the lessons learned from Nephi and modern prophets about making decisions, you will be led along with personal revelation “from time to time.” As you progress through your decade of decision, may you, as did Nephi, have the faith to say:

“I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.

“Nevertheless I went forth” (1 Nephi 4:6–7)."

How to Be More Valiant

I've been trying to figure out the essence of being valiant. With the Spirit and my roommates' help, I think I'm on to something. Being valiant is directly proportionate to how you respond to promptings and how strongly you feel the Spirit in your life. So, for me to be valiant, I need to (1) follow the promptings that I have received, (2) do what I can to fine-tune my capacity to feel the Spirit and (3) come to love and trust and seek after those promptings. Such an answer to prayer! This gives me hope. :)

Silence and Succoring

"Elder David R. Stone of the Seventy discussed how techniques used in the construction of the Manhattan New York Temple provide an example of how to remove oneself from the influence of the world: 'Too many of the people of the world have come to resemble the Babylon of old by walking in their own ways and following a god ‘whose image is in the likeness of the world’ [D&C 1:16].

One of the greatest challenges we will face is to be able to live in that world but somehow not be of that world. We have to create Zion in the midst of Babylon. . . . 'My involvement with the building of the Manhattan Temple gave me the opportunity to be in the temple quite often prior to the dedication. It was wonderful to sit in the celestial room and be there in perfect silence, without a single sound to be heard coming from the busy New York streets outside. How was it possible that the temple could be so reverently silent when the hustle and bustle of the metropolis was just a few yards away? 'The answer was in the construction of the temple. The temple was built within the walls of an existing building, and the inner walls of the temple were connected to the outer walls at only a very few junction points. That is how the temple (Zion) limited the effects of Babylon, or the world outside. 'There may be a lesson here for us. We can create the real Zion among us by limiting the extent to which Babylon will influence our lives. . . ." -Book of Mormon Institute Manual

I can't find the source, but I also remember reading a really good thought once (from one of the Quorum of the Twelve, I believe) about how changing our standards to match the world's is like flying on a plane and changing your outfit depending on which countries you flew over! We are celestial material and we cannot conform to the "outfits" of the world. It is not our divine nature.

I also really liked this image: "Teaching about the word succor, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland stated: '[Succor] is used often in the scriptures to describe Christ’s care for and attention to us. It means literally ‘to run to.’ What a magnificent way to describe the Savior’s urgent effort in our behalf. Even as he calls us to come to him and follow him, he is unfailingly running to help us' (“Come unto Me” [CES fireside for young adults, Mar. 2, 1997], 7, www.ldsces.org)." -Book of Mormon Institute Manual

How to Have Courage to Do What is Right

During our forum yesterday, the speaker told a really important insight. He said that not choosing the right is basically not having the courage to choose the right. He asked how we can increase in courage. What makes some people flee while others fight? There was a large study done of soldiers to see what made the difference between people who stayed through battles and others who fled. They checked everything from where they grew up to if they were raised by both parents to if they played sports. They found one thing that separated the two. Those who had courage were those who had clear goals before them and wrote them down. Now, you may know how I feel about the word "goal." It has a negative connotation for me of choosing random measurable tasks and (normally) failing at them or abandoning them within a week. So. I'm going to cross out goal and write purposes. Because I do have purposes. And that word alone makes it seem a lot more meaningful. OKAY. NOW THEN.

My purposes, the things that will help me do right in hard situations, are:

-To always remain a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

-To be valiant, not casual, in my covenants so that my family and I can live in the celestial kingdom.

-To be worthy of and equally-yoked with a valiant son of God.

-To have a rock-solid testimony for my children, and for my life--past and present--to be an example that they can model their lives after.

P.S. I keep having this thought and I need to do something about it: Elder Bednar gave one of the most powerful promises I have ever heard. He said, "As you respond in faith to this invitation [to do family history]...your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives." Folks, this is why I do family history. I need those blessings. We all do. So. I'm going to do something about it, because what I'm doing now isn't sufficing.

Valiant Spirits

Just a new thought that was sparked from Elder Pearson's talk: there are no casual disciples in the celestial kingdom. The souls there feel comfortable being surrounded by men like Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice anything for the Lord. Valiant spirits are in the celestial kingdom. I need to be that valiant spirit. I really believe that the starting point, no matter where you are, is prayer. A prayer that says "Heavenly Father, right now, I really don't want to do what's right. Please help me to overcome that." is a prayer that gets answered. It's like reaching out to a rope so Heavenly Father can help pull you in. All that is required for a prayer to be heard and answered is sincerity. Tell Heavenly Father exactly where you are and ask for help. There is no counsel more oft-repeated in the scriptures than "ask and ye shall receive." He means it.

"Stay by the Tree"

Man, Conference was so good! One idea my bishop gave me is to listen to one talk several times in a row, so that you can catch different things you might otherwise miss. I think it's better to hone in on one talk you need than to try to lightly cover all of them. My favorite talk is by Elder Kevin W. Pearson, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy. My favorite talk last Conference was by Elder Jorg Klebingat, and Elder Pearson's talk reminded me of it. They are both really bold, practical, have six suggestions, and they even both served as mission presidents! There were a ton of powerful one-liners from Elder Pearson, and I'm going to mention some of the thoughts that were most powerful to me.

-"Shortly before President Heber J. Grant passed away, one of the Brethren visited his home. Before he left, President Grant prayed, 'O God, bless me that I shall not lose my testimony and keep faithful to the end!' After nearly 27 years as President of the Church, this was his fervent prayer. His example is a striking reminder that no one, at any age, is immune from Satan’s influence." - A good reminder to me that it's not over til it's over, and that we always need to be praying for the ability to stay strong. If the president of the Church needs to pray for it, I definitely need to.

-"Let me be clear: to 'hang in there' is not a principle of the gospel." - I love how bold this statement is. The statement after it expounds on it: "Enduring to the end means constantly coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him." - Coming unto Christ an active pursuit, while enduring sometimes has the connotation of waiting. Everyone endures, just by the passing of time. But will we endure it well? Will we fulfill the purpose of our lives, to become like God, or are we just trying to wait it out?

-"If enduring to the end is essential to eternal life, why do we struggle to be faithful? We struggle when we are caught between competing priorities." - I've realized these last few weeks that scripture study and prayer are never really an "urgent" matter to the natural man. Sure, homework is urgent because of the deadlines. Eating is urgent for obvious reasons. But there are no earthly-imposed deadlines for spiritual strengthening, which is why I think it can be so easy for them to get pushed aside. These things may not even seem urgent to those who are slipping away. Thus, we have to make it a priority - our first priority - to strengthen ourselves.

- "Casual obedience and lukewarm commitment weaken faith." - Such a good thought, because we would normally think that casual and lukewarm mean neutral, not negative. But here he's saying that it does weaken faith. We cannot be neutral in the gospel. Heavenly Father does not want His children to be casual in the battle around us!

-"Obedience builds faith in Christ." - I once read a quote that said something along the lines of "where there is no obedience, there is no faith." I really liked that, because obedience is something you can actively measure.

-"Search the Book of Mormon and the words of the living prophets every day, every day, every day! It’s the key to spiritual survival and avoiding deception. Without it, we are spiritually lost." - I love practical applications. This is a practical thing I can do with huge blessings promised.

-"Only the Savior has 'the words of eternal life.' Everything else is just words."

-"Apostasy is the reverse of conversion." - For me, this means that if I'm not moving into a greater concentration of conversion, I'm moving on the continuum down towards apostasy. If we're not progressing, we're regressing.

-"If you lose the Spirit, you are lost." - How bold is that! How true is that! How important is that to always remember! Not to say that being lost means that you could never be found again, but that you have let go of the iron rod. Holding on to the iron rod is more than studying the scriptures. It's living those words. And it includes words of Christ personal to you - personal revelation. We need to follow those commandments as well.

-"Once we enter into covenants with God, there is no going back. Giving in, giving up, and giving out are not options." - Covenants are the most serious promises we will ever make. I need a greater understanding of covenants.

-"In the kingdom of God, there is a standard of excellence for exaltation. It requires valiant discipleship!" - This makes me think of the standard of excellence on my mission. They were goals for us to aim for, and our mission president always promised us that where the Lord commands, the Lord provides.

-"If you are struggling, confused, or spiritually lost, I urge you to do the one thing I know will get you back on track. Begin again to prayerfully study the Book of Mormon and live its teachings every day, every day, every day!" - Again, a very practical application with a very powerful promise. I feel like he is throwing a rope that people can immediately grab on to!

-"Our daily discipleship will determine our eternal destiny. "

Okay, so I basically just quoted the entire talk, but can you blame me? So powerful! I have had the word "valiant" on my mind a lot lately. I want to be valiant, not casual. This talk was so good for me.

Discipleship

Another very good, precise talk by Elder Maxwell. I need to look up more of his talks, they are so insightful! Part of this is from: Neal A. Maxwell, “The Pathway of Discipleship,” Ensign, Sep 1998,  7, from a talk given at a Church Educational System fireside at BYU on 4 January 1998.

"...the taking of Jesus’ yoke upon us constitutes serious discipleship. There is no greater calling, no greater challenge, and no greater source of joy—both proximate joy and ultimate joy—than that which is found in the process of discipleship. This process brings its own joys and reassurances. We must not, however, expect the world to understand or to value our discipleship; they will not. In a way, they may admire us from afar, but they will be puzzled about the priorities resulting from our devotion.
Shouldering the yoke of discipleship greatly enhances both our adoration and knowledge of Jesus, because then we experience, firsthand, through our parallel but smaller-scaled experiences, a small but instructive portion of what the Savior experienced. In this precious process, the more we do what Jesus did—allow our wills to be 'swallowed up in the will of the Father'—the more we will learn of Jesus (Mosiah 15:7). This emulation directly enhances our adoration of Jesus."

"[W]hile knowledge is clearly very important, standing alone it cannot save us. I worry sometimes that we get so busy discussing the doctrines in various Church classes that talking about them almost becomes a substitute for applying them. One cannot improve upon the sobering words of King Benjamin, who said, 'Now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them' (Mosiah 4:10). Such is still the test. Deeds, not words—and becoming, not describing—are dominant in true discipleship...So it is that discipleship requires all of us to translate doctrines, covenants, ordinances, and teachings into improved personal behavior."

"Any serious disciple yearns to go home to Heavenly Father and to be welcomed there by Jesus. But the Prophet Joseph Smith declared we cannot go where They are unless we become more like Them in the principles and attributes and character They possess (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 216)."

"Yes, Jesus is the generous Lord of the expansive universe, but He is also Lord of the narrow path!"
"The ravines on both sides of that narrow path are deep and dangerous. Moreover, until put off, the shifting, heavy, unsettling burden of the natural man tilts us and sways us. It is dangerous."

"A vital, personal question for each of us, therefore, is, Are we steadily becoming what gospel doctrines are designed to help us become? Or are we merely rich inheritors of an immense treasure trove of truth but poor investors in the process of personal development so essential to discipleship?"

"What is it that we are to deny ourselves? The ascendancy of any appetites or actions which produce not only the seven deadly sins but all the others. Happily, self-denial, when we practice it, brings great relief. It represents emancipation from all the “morning after” feelings, whether caused by adultery or gluttony. Being concerned with tomorrow, true disciples are very careful about today! Self denial also includes not letting our hearts become too set on any trivial or worldly thing. Then we can learn the great lessons about the relationship of righteousness to the powers and the joys of heaven. The fundamental fact is that if we do not deny ourselves, we are diverted. Even if not wholly consumed with the things of the world, we are still diverted sufficiently to make serious discipleship impossible."

"the natural man...is so very selfish in so many ordinary ways"

"[T]he lingering question should not be, How many imperfections do I have? but rather, Is my discipleship sufficiently serious that I am working patiently and steadily to overcome my weaknesses, perhaps even changing some of them into strengths?"

"Given all you and I yet lack in our spiritual symmetry and character formation, no wonder God must use so intensively the little time available to develop each of us in this brief second estate."

"God is very serious about the joy of His children! Why should we be surprised?"

"One of the dangers we face in discipleship is drifting. This can occur when we become 'wearied and faint in [our] minds,' to use Paul’s phrase (Heb. 12:3). This is one of the tragedies of failing to be serious disciples; not that we become necessarily wicked, but rather that those who drift merely exist and are not truly alive in Christ."

"I have found that the Lord gives more instructions than explanations." [when it comes to promptings]

"The road of discipleship … requires sturdy, all-weather souls who are constant in every season of life and who are not easily stalled or thrown off course."

"So it is in the process of discipleship. There are more meaningful moments than we use profitably ... President Brigham Young taught, 'There is not a single condition of life … [and] not one hour’s experience but what it is beneficial to all those who make it their study, and aim to improve upon the experience they gain' (in Journal of Discourses, 9:292). I hope we realize that. We may fritter away our time, but life is always drenched with more opportunities for discipleship than we use. Therefore, all the minutes and hours and moments can be, at least incrementally, defining moments." [reminds me of Preach My Gospel, chapter 6, about how become like Christ one decision at a time]

"We must look carefully, therefore, not only at life’s large defining moments but also at the seemingly small moments. Even small acts and brief conversations count, if only incrementally, in the constant shaping of souls, in the strategic swirl of people and principles and tactical situations. What will we bring to all of those moments small and large? Will we do what we can to make our presence count as a needed constant in such fleeting moments, even in micro ways? Do you and I not sometimes say appreciatively of individuals who have helped us, 'They were there when we needed them'? Will we reciprocate?"

"If we are thus determined, then we are emulating yet another quality of our Lord, of whom we read, 'And there is nothing that the Lord thy God shall take in his heart to do but what he will do it' (Abr. 3:17). True disciples are meek but very determined."

"[C]ertain taste buds of our souls may have been burned over by sin, and our Father desires that we regenerate these by repentance. Our Heavenly Father also desires the development of what are presently the many other neglected taste buds of our souls. These, when they are really developed, will bring even greater happiness and true joy."

"Wickedness is not the only mortal failure. Yes, the avoidance of wickedness remains ever important, but the sins of omission also represent a haunting failure. How often, may I ask you, do we speak about the need for repentance concerning our sins of omission? Or how often do we make personal confessions of them to God?"

"Promptings for us to do good come from the Holy Ghost. These promptings nudge us further along the straight and narrow path of discipleship. The natural man doesn’t automatically think of doing good. It isn’t natural."

"It is sadly true, as we all know, that many on this planet hunger for bread, but many also hunger deeply to experience the reassuring eloquence of example. This represents a desperate need which is incumbent upon us to provide as part of our discipleship."

"We can be of so much service to others in many 'thou shalt' ways. Of course, the problem is that rendering such service takes time and we are all so busy ... The 'thou shalts' are so convenient to put off. Who will notice the procrastination anyway? After all, we are not robbing a bank."

"In each of life’s situations, large or small, if you and I will bring fixed principles and strive to be more like Jesus, including his generosity, then we will be living abundantly and not just existing."

"Not shrinking is more important than surviving, and Jesus is our exemplar."

"[I] plead that each of us might not deflect these [promptings from the Spirit] but might receive them as indicators of how much more we could do if we were more serious disciples".

This is one of the most powerful talks I have ever read.

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." -James 1:27

This is a really good article. I believe it's from Elder Neal A. Maxwell, posted on ldsliving.com? I took some quotes from it...and by some quotes I mean basically the whole article because it was so good. :)

"The noblest aim in life is to strive to live to make other lives better and happier." 

"In the first two great commandments we are adjured to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. How very difficult these duties are when people become selfish. The more they become self-centered, the more their interest in God wanes; if some think of Him at all, it is only in an attitude of 'What has He done for me lately?'"

"Serving others is one of the best ways to nourish our testimonies..."

"[Giving service] is somewhat like flicking a light switch from "off" to "on"—lighting up a room so that we see more clearly (or for the first time) all the possibilities for service that we simply did not see in the darkness of devotion to self." (realize that there are infinite number of ways to do service - for each person you see, there is a way to serve them) 

"Giving genuine companionship to the malnourished mortals who have known so little love and so few friends is as vital as food for the starving. So often what people need so much is to be sheltered from the storms of life in the sanctuary of belonging."

"We should balance our service between those who give us immediate response and gracious appreciation and those who are grumpy—so grumpy they almost dare us to love them."

"...selfish people are forever taking their own temperature, asking themselves, 'Am I happy?'"

"We lose ourselves in righteous service and in wise and good causes through a thousand deeds rather than one single spectacular act." 

"Think for a moment how different it would be if people took on that physical appearance which would reflect distinctly how well they are doing spiritually. How would some of today's so-called beautiful people really look?"

"Let us, therefore, define service to others as including genuine listening—a listening that is more than just being patient until it is our turn to speak; rather, a listening that includes real response, not simply nodding absorption. Let us think of service not only as giving, but also as receiving righteously. Parenthetically, one of the many reasons some of today's children have not learned to give is that some parents do not know how to receive. Let our service, at times, include a willingness to hold back in conversation when what we would have said has already been said—and perhaps better. To contribute, not money, but time and space, so that another can expand is to reflect a quiet nobility. There are so many times when to forgo is to make way for another."

"We can serve by enduring well, for our steadiness will steady others who are otherwise on the verge of giving up."

"We can serve by giving deserved, specific praise."

"The righteous and serving will feel when others are 'past feeling.' They will love when the love of others has waxed cold. They will have also been different enough to have made a real difference in the world. They will know inner peace when fear envelops others. They will go on serving while others are lost in raging selfishness. Service softens, not hardens, our hearts. The gospel gentles us and tames us—it does not make us more wild. Service keeps indolence at bay. Pure love keeps us from all manner of lasciviousness. Service keeps us from forgetting the Lord our God, because being among and serving our brothers and sisters reminds us that Father is ever there and is pleased when we serve, for while the recipients of our service are our neighbors, they are His children."

"At several points the scriptures speak of bearing one another's burdens that they may be light. (Mosiah 18:8; Galatians 6:2.) Paul clearly connects this form of service with the keeping of the second commandment. (Galatians 5:13- 14.) The lessening of the load of another comes, in part, from our very expression of genuine concern transmitted to the burdened. Empathy expressed can do much to lift the heart of another. Objectively, in fact, the burden (the loss of health, a loved one) may remain, but the capacity to cope and to carry on is increased by our administering the adrenalin of affection."

"...carried within each soul born on this planet is the Light of Christ, which can illumine the landscape of life, even if the carrier does not understand that light within. (D&C 93:2.)"

"Jesus loved people enough to teach them specific things. He did not merely live among people as so many of us do, for co-existence is not real brotherhood. Teaching is a significant form of service, just as is witnessing to one's neighbor."

"Just as He has told us to do, He found and fulfilled Himself by losing himself in the service of others. But we must lose our life for His sake—not just any cause. There are those carefully masqueraded versions of service to others that are really ego exercises coated with a thin layer of public interest."

#healthyliving #hashtag

Alright, I'm kind of proud of something, so I'm going to shout it from the cyber rooftops: I made the healthiest shake of my life this morning. Go on, ask me what was in it. :D

Vanilla coconut almond milk, ice, ground flaxseed, a banana, strawberries, apple, grapes, a handful of leafy greens, mango, avocado, ginger, and the tears of Grandmother Willow (don't worry, tears of joy). #micronutrients #keepitup #alldayeveryday #hashtagsdontworkonblogs #hashtag

Spiritual Pollution

“In a recent conference, Elder Boyd K. Packer said, ‘As we test the moral environment, we find the pollution index is spiraling upward’ (in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, p. 91; or Ensign, May 1992, 66). The Apostle Paul foresaw ‘that in the last days perilous times shall come’ (2 Timothy 3:1). And speaking of the last days, the prophet Moroni declared, ‘Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth’ (Mormon 8:31). “Sadly, the effects of this great pollution are perhaps most evident in the mass media, films, television, and popular music. Of this, Senator Robert D. Byrd said, ‘If we in this nation continue to sow the images of murder, violence, drug abuse, . . . perversion, [and] pornography . . . before the eyes of millions of children, year after year and day after day, we should not be surprised if the foundations of our society rot away as if from leprosy’ (in Michael Medved, Hollywood vs. America [New York: Harper Perennial, 1992], p. 194). “. . . In most areas of the mass media there seems to be a declaration of war against almost everything the majority treasures most: the family, religion, and patriotism. Marriage is degraded, while premarital and extramarital relations are encouraged and glamorized. Profanity and the foulest of vulgar gutter language bombard the ears of all who listen. . . . Human life itself is trivialized by the constant barrage of violence and killings” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 12; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 11)." (Book of Mormon Institute Manual)

I completely agree with this! I know that what we watch and listen to does have an effect on us and can change us. I know that we have to really seek after virtuous things. They can be hard to find. But I also believe that there is no shortage of good media. Even as the adversary is increasing the amount and intensity of spiritual pollution, Heavenly Father is increasing the amount and intensity of beautiful things. And we have time on our side - we can reach back into time and find media that is wholesome. I LOVE the Andy Griffith Show for that self-same reason. Even in our media today, there are soul-striking songs yet to be found and books that can expand my mind. (As for movies...I've basically decided that it's not worth it to go to the theaters anymore, because it has basically all become junk food or toxic.) I am sure that things will continue to slide downhill, and when my children start to choose for themselves the media they'll watch, I want them to have a testimony of the power of media for good or ill, and to have grown up with a strong foundation of virtuous things. Again, I bring up John Bytheway's marinade analogy - saying that you're not affected by what you surround yourself with is like saying a piece of chicken is not affected by the marinade it's surrounded by. Luckily, we get to choose our marinade. We do not, however, get to choose to not be affected by it. I hope to make my home a refuge from the storm, full of good books and music and conversations, a place where people can be uplifted and strengthened.