Song: Reverently And Meekly Now click here
April 2018 Conference Talk David A. Bednar clilck here
April 02, 2018
March 29, 2018
Every Soul is Free to Choose
March 26- April 1
Song:
Ponder: As members of this church, we believe in obedience, sacrifice, consecration, sustaining leaders, bearing one another's burdens, and making covenants with God to remember Him and obey these commandments. Which, quite frankly, requires a lot of repetition. In return the Lord promises us His Spirit. I propose that in keeping our covenants and puzzling through this life in a spirit of obedience, there are two important elements that need to come together--repetition and thinking.
All this repetition is a puzzle. How we approach the repetition matters for the disciples of Jesus Christ we aim to become. Simple repetition is important, but iteration can accelerate growth, help us continually learn, and produce greater beauty and understanding.
Song:
Video: Puzzling Through The Repetitions of Life by Jackie Nyguard
Ponder: As members of this church, we believe in obedience, sacrifice, consecration, sustaining leaders, bearing one another's burdens, and making covenants with God to remember Him and obey these commandments. Which, quite frankly, requires a lot of repetition. In return the Lord promises us His Spirit. I propose that in keeping our covenants and puzzling through this life in a spirit of obedience, there are two important elements that need to come together--repetition and thinking.
All this repetition is a puzzle. How we approach the repetition matters for the disciples of Jesus Christ we aim to become. Simple repetition is important, but iteration can accelerate growth, help us continually learn, and produce greater beauty and understanding.
March 20, 2018
2017 photos of my family
Mason-18, Brigitte, Max (dog Molly in front) Natalie-15
Phoenix-11 Nick, Jasmine, Isis-16
Luke-17, Sally holding Joel-4, Andy, Lily-15
Mabel-13, Samuel-6, Paul-8, Nell-11
"One in Charity"
Song: ( Hymn 293)
click here to listen with LDS music player or click here to watch music video or watch below
Lyrics
1. Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.
2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.
3. When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.
4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.
Text: Karen Lynn Davidson, b. 1943. (c) 1985 IRI
Music: A. Laurence Lyon, 1934-2006. (c) 1985 IRI
Talk: "One in Charity" by Sandra Rodgers click here to watch
Story from the Talk: "The Netherlands Potato Project"
click here or watch below
Ponder: (Sister Rodgers testimony)
"May we discover needs close at hand we never knew before."
"I do believe that as we serve healings will take place."
"I do believe that others will come to know the Savior better because of our service in His holy name."
"I do believe that we as sisters will become a stronger force of peace and goodwill in a world so in need of understanding, respect and safety."
"I do believe that when our hearts are knit unity and love the Lord's power...we will be able to accomplish miracles and every purpose of the Lord will be fulfilled."
click here to listen with LDS music player or click here to watch music video or watch below
Lyrics
1. Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.
2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.
3. When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.
4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.
Text: Karen Lynn Davidson, b. 1943. (c) 1985 IRI
Music: A. Laurence Lyon, 1934-2006. (c) 1985 IRI
Talk: "One in Charity" by Sandra Rodgers click here to watch
Story from the Talk: "The Netherlands Potato Project"
click here or watch below
Ponder: (Sister Rodgers testimony)
"May we discover needs close at hand we never knew before."
"I do believe that as we serve healings will take place."
"I do believe that others will come to know the Savior better because of our service in His holy name."
"I do believe that we as sisters will become a stronger force of peace and goodwill in a world so in need of understanding, respect and safety."
"I do believe that when our hearts are knit unity and love the Lord's power...we will be able to accomplish miracles and every purpose of the Lord will be fulfilled."
March 12, 2018
How Vast is Our Purpose? (March 12-18)
Song: As Sisters in Zion
click here for LDS interactive player or watch below
Talk: How Vast is Our Purpose
click here to read the talk or watch below
"Women bring with them into the world a certain virtue, a divine gift that makes them adept at instilling such qualities as faith, courage, empathy, and refinement in relationships and in cultures."
"Women are given gifts that allow them to see the details as well as the big picture, often at the same time."
"We are full partners with the priesthood in the work of salvation—the saving of the souls of men and women—which is the focus of allour efforts."
"As I work to express the Savior’s love through serving them (others) in ways that are meaningful to them, their hearts soften and they often become
receptive to the Spirit."
"Whether your “work of salvation” is largely in the home at this time in life or your influence extends to a global scale, or somewhere in between, the Lord is pleased with your efforts when you are focused on serving God’s children and the eternal goal of returning to Him as a “new and improved” version of your spiritual self."
More inspiring songs: Improve The Shinning Moments
Go Forth With Faith
click here for LDS interactive player or watch below
Talk: How Vast is Our Purpose
click here to read the talk or watch below
Quotes to Ponder:
"Women are given gifts that allow them to see the details as well as the big picture, often at the same time."
"We are full partners with the priesthood in the work of salvation—the saving of the souls of men and women—which is the focus of allour efforts."
"As I work to express the Savior’s love through serving them (others) in ways that are meaningful to them, their hearts soften and they often become
receptive to the Spirit."
"Whether your “work of salvation” is largely in the home at this time in life or your influence extends to a global scale, or somewhere in between, the Lord is pleased with your efforts when you are focused on serving God’s children and the eternal goal of returning to Him as a “new and improved” version of your spiritual self."
More inspiring songs: Improve The Shinning Moments
Go Forth With Faith
March 05, 2018
I Think the World is Glorious
Song: I Think the World is Glorious (March 4-11)
click here for song from the Children's Songbook or watch & listen to the Tabernacle Choir
Talk: Growing Together (Music & the Spoken Word. February 26, 2017)
by Lloyd D. Newell
click here to listen to talk or read the talk below
Many years ago, a young boy visited his uncle who worked in the lumber business. They were looking at the trees in the lumber camp when the boy noticed a very tall tree standing alone on the hilltop. Full of excitement, the boy showed his uncle the towering tree. “Look at that big tree!” he exclaimed. “It will make a lot of good lumber, won’t it?”
To the boy’s surprise, his uncle shook his head. “No,” he said, “that tree will not make a lot of good lumber. It might make a lot of lumber but not a lot of good lumber. When a tree grows off by itself, too many branches grow on it. Those branches produce knots when the tree is cut into lumber. The best lumber comes from trees that grow together in groves. The trees also grow taller and straighter when they grow together.”1
It is true of trees, and it is true of each of us. We grow into better people when we grow together rather than alone. While there’s value in independence, there are also critical lessons to learn from interdependence. The personal growth that comes from giving and receiving help can happen in no other way.
We were not meant to be solitary, to stand alone, apart from one another. We need other people to love and care about, and we thrive when others love and care about us. Each one of us is needed, and each one of us has something to offer. Together we are better than we would be alone.
All around us are those who are lonely—those who need a friend, a word of encouragement, a kind outreach. So many people are looking for the light of love, the warmth of friendship. We can resolve not to let them stand alone in the dark or the cold. We can reach out to them. We can take an interest in them and include them. We can help them stand taller and grow straighter, and like trees that grow in groves, we will find that we too can stand taller and grow straighter. This is what happens when trees—and people—grow together. -Lloyd D. Newell
I made the cutest snow penguin over the week-end.
Hope it brings you as much joy as it does me.
February 26, 2018
Lord, Is it I ? ( February 26-March 4)
Song: Improve the Shinning Moments
click here for LDS interactive music or watch video below by Madison Barton
Talk: Lord Is It I ?
click here for similar talk by Robert L. Wahlquist
Ponder:
"Lord, is it I? Do I need be better at praying in the morning?"
Consistently say your morning prayers
Find a place and a way to say your personal prayers out loud
Pray using Thee, Thou, Thy, and Thine
"Lord, is it I? Do I need to be more consistent at reading the scriptures every day? Do I need to feed my spirit as well (or perhaps better) than I feed my body?"
Read every day
Read at the same time
Before you read, make sure you pray
"Lord, is it I? Do I need to be better at keeping the world out of my Sabbath worship? Do I need to work harder to stay focused on the Savior during sacrament meeting?"
February 19, 2018
Feb 19-25 For the Joy of Human Love
Song: For the Beauty of the Earth
click here for Mormon Tabernacle choir version or watch the song sung by Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School below:
Talk: For the Joy of Human Love by Bruce C. Hafen
click hear or watch the video below
click here for the text
Consider this:
Now what must you DO to make your family dreams become a reality? Someone once said that a vision without work is dreaming, and work without a vision is drudgery. But vision and work together bring joy and fulfillment. Some young Latter-day Saints may believe in the vision of a happy eternal family, but they aren't willing to do the work and pay the price to fulfill the dream. Without the heavy lifting-the work--of preparation and obedience, even a wondrous vision of a celestial family is just dreaming.
Today I made something fun out of one of God's beauties of the earth SNOW. We have been needing snow all winter and yesterday it finally arrived. Here is my 1st 2018 snow creation made with love for my neighborhood's enjoyment.
February 11, 2018
Be a Valentine & Remember Who You Are this week! (February 12-18)
Song: Walk Tall You Are a Daughter of God
click here for music played by strings & flute or watch below for music video with words
Talk: Value Beyond Measure by Joy D Jones
click here to read the talk or watch below
These words touched by soul: Let me point out the need to differentiate
between two critical words: worth and worthiness. They are not the same. Spiritual worth means to value ourselves the way Heavenly Father values us, not as the world values us.
Our worth was determined before we ever came to this earth. “God’s love is infinite and it will endure forever.”
On the other hand, worthiness is achieved through obedience. If we sin, we are less worthy, but we are never worth less! We continue to repent and strive to be like Jesus with our worth intact. As President Brigham Young taught: “The least, the most inferior
spirit now upon the earth . . . is worth worlds.” No matter what, we always have worth in the eyes of our Heavenly
Father.
Despite this marvelous truth, how many of us struggle, from time to time, with negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves? I do. It’s an easy trap. Satan is the father of all lies, especially when it comes to misrepresentations about our own divine nature and purpose.
Thinking small about ourselves does not serve us well. Instead it holds us back. As we’ve often been taught, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” We can stop comparing our worst to someone else’s best. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” In contrast, the Lord assures us that when we have virtuous thoughts, He will bless us with confidence, even the confidence to know who we really are.
click here for music played by strings & flute or watch below for music video with words
Talk: Value Beyond Measure by Joy D Jones
click here to read the talk or watch below
These words touched by soul: Let me point out the need to differentiate
between two critical words: worth and worthiness. They are not the same. Spiritual worth means to value ourselves the way Heavenly Father values us, not as the world values us.
Our worth was determined before we ever came to this earth. “God’s love is infinite and it will endure forever.”
On the other hand, worthiness is achieved through obedience. If we sin, we are less worthy, but we are never worth less! We continue to repent and strive to be like Jesus with our worth intact. As President Brigham Young taught: “The least, the most inferior
spirit now upon the earth . . . is worth worlds.” No matter what, we always have worth in the eyes of our Heavenly
Father.
Despite this marvelous truth, how many of us struggle, from time to time, with negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves? I do. It’s an easy trap. Satan is the father of all lies, especially when it comes to misrepresentations about our own divine nature and purpose.
Thinking small about ourselves does not serve us well. Instead it holds us back. As we’ve often been taught, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” We can stop comparing our worst to someone else’s best. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” In contrast, the Lord assures us that when we have virtuous thoughts, He will bless us with confidence, even the confidence to know who we really are.
February 05, 2018
February 5-11
Day 1 - Monday
Ponder:
There are distinct fruits of spiritual vulnerability. These may include:
Increased gratitude
Confidence that leads to whole-hearted obedience and service
Increased desire to willfully repent
Increased empathy and charity for others.
An increased wonder in the Atonement of Christ.
These will help you be spiritually vulnerable:
1. Commune with God with real intent.
2. Be fully present.
3. Have courage to be imperfect
Day 2 - Tuesday
Consider this:
"Another face of pride is contention. Arguments, fights, unrighteous dominion, generation gaps, divorces, spouse abuse, riots, and disturbances all fall into this category of pride.
Contention in our families drives the Spirit of the Lord away. It also drives many of our family members away. Contention ranges from a hostile spoken word to worldwide conflicts. The scriptures tell us that “only by pride cometh contention.” (Prov. 13:10; see also Prov. 28:25.)
The scriptures testify that the proud are easily offended and hold grudges. (See 1 Ne. 16:1–3.) They withhold forgiveness to keep another in their debt and to justify their injured feelings.
The proud do not receive counsel or correction easily. (See Prov. 15:10; Amos 5:10.) Defensiveness is used by them to justify and rationalize their frailties and failures. (See Matt. 3:9; John 6:30–59.)"
Day 3 - Wednesday
Song: pg (172) Hymns In Humility
watch & listen to a lovely video below or click here for music and words
BYUI Speech: How Can These Things Be? by Richard Clifford
click here to watch video click here to read the talk
Ponder:
There are distinct fruits of spiritual vulnerability. These may include:
Increased gratitude
Confidence that leads to whole-hearted obedience and service
Increased desire to willfully repent
Increased empathy and charity for others.
An increased wonder in the Atonement of Christ.
These will help you be spiritually vulnerable:
1. Commune with God with real intent.
2. Be fully present.
3. Have courage to be imperfect
Day 2 - Tuesday
Talk: Beware of Pride by Ezra Taft Benson read by Gordon B. Hinkley
watch below or click here to read the talk
Consider this:
"Another face of pride is contention. Arguments, fights, unrighteous dominion, generation gaps, divorces, spouse abuse, riots, and disturbances all fall into this category of pride.
Contention in our families drives the Spirit of the Lord away. It also drives many of our family members away. Contention ranges from a hostile spoken word to worldwide conflicts. The scriptures tell us that “only by pride cometh contention.” (Prov. 13:10; see also Prov. 28:25.)
The scriptures testify that the proud are easily offended and hold grudges. (See 1 Ne. 16:1–3.) They withhold forgiveness to keep another in their debt and to justify their injured feelings.
The proud do not receive counsel or correction easily. (See Prov. 15:10; Amos 5:10.) Defensiveness is used by them to justify and rationalize their frailties and failures. (See Matt. 3:9; John 6:30–59.)"
Day 3 - Wednesday
Think on This:
Humbly submitting our will to the Father brings us the empowerment of God—the power of humility. It is the power to meet life’s adversities, the power of peace, the power of hope, the power of a heart throbbing with a love for and testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ, even the power of redemption. To this end, the Savior is our supreme example of the power of humility and submissiveness. After all, His submitting His will to the Father brought about the greatest, and even the most powerful, event in all of history. Perhaps some of the most sacred words in all the scriptures are simply, “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).
Day 4 Thursday
Day 4 Thursday
Talk: To Walk Humbly With Thy God by Marlin K Jensen
click here to read the talk or watch below
Day 5 Friday
Talk: A Humble and a Contrite Heart by Gordon B. Hinkley
click here to read the talk or watch below
Think on this: Let us lower our voices in our homes. Let love abound and find expression in our actions. May we walk the quiet ways of the Lord, and may prosperity crown our labors.
Day 6 & 7
Review the talks and thoughts above.
It is a great challenge for me to do this blog every day. I find myself spending more time on the blog than being humble. Next week I will choose a song and one talk to help me become more like the Savior.
It is a great challenge for me to do this blog every day. I find myself spending more time on the blog than being humble. Next week I will choose a song and one talk to help me become more like the Savior.
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