The Passport to Peace

President Monson said that, "Prayer is the passport to peace."

In the 31st chapter of Alma, the Zoramites built a tower called Rameumptom.  They climbed to the top of the tower and repeated a prayer. It was the same prayer that everyone used.  It was repetitive and without emotion.



This made me ponder on my own prayers.  Have I become repetitive, without emotion?  Am I using the same prayers every day?

In the talk called "Pray Always" by Elder Bednar, he give three suggestions that will help our prayers become more meaningful.

1.  Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all our doings.
     The Bible dictionary states, “As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part”  We should share our day with Him.  We should share our struggles with Him.  As a loving Father, He wants to help us.  
2. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we express heartfelt gratitude.
Elder Bednar suggests periodically saying a prayer only expressing thanks and gratitude.  He says, "The most meaningful and spiritual prayers I have experienced contained many expressions of thanks and few, if any, requests."
3.  Prayer becomes more meaningful as we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart.
Do our spouses, children, and other family members likewise feel the power of our prayers offered unto the Father for their specific needs and desires? Do those we serve hear us pray for them with faith and sincerity? If those we love and serve have not heard and felt the influence of our earnest prayers in their behalf, then the time to repent is now. As we emulate the example of the Savior, our prayers truly will become more meaningful.

Pure Testimony

In the 4th chapter of Alma, Alma who is the cheif judge over the land and the high priest in the church, decides to give up cheif judge.  He appoints Nephihah to be cheif judge.  He continues to be high priest over the church but gives up the other position so that he can go forth among the Nephites and preach to the people.  He feels like the only way to reach them is through "pure testimony" against them.  So he goes forth in prophecy, revelation and in the testimony of the word.  

Pure Testimony-

What is a testimony?  Elder Ballard defines it as this:

"A testimony is a witness or confirmation of eternal truth impressed upon individual hearts and souls through the Holy Ghost, whose primary ministry is to testify of truth, particularly as it relates to the Father and the Son. When one receives a testimony of truth through this divinely appointed process, it immediately begins to have impact on that person’s life."

"Simply stated, testimony—real testimony, born of the Spirit and confirmed by the Holy Ghost—changes lives. It changes how you think and what you do. It changes what you say. It affects every priority you set and every choice you make. To have a real and abiding testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to be “spiritually … born of God,” to “[receive] his image in your countenances,” and to experience a “mighty change in your hearts” (Alma 5:14).

The restoration and Atonement are wonderful.  But we will be strengthened by sharing our testimonies of these things.  Sharing how these things have impacted our lives.  Others will feel the spirit by listening to us bear our "pure testimonies" of the Savior.  

I would like to bear my testimony.  

I know that the Heavenly Father is our father and that His son, Jesus Christ, atoned for my sins.  I know that through his grace, I can be saved.  I know that on my own, I would never have been able to do enough to achieve this on my own.  This has been something I have thought about a lot lately.  I am very independent and want to achieve things on my own.  A few weeks ago, I tried to fix the sprinklers.  I did everything that I could think of, yet it didn't work.  I finally humbled myself and asked for help.  My dad came and replaced the box.  Easy fix, yet I couldn't do it.  Heavenly Father wants to help us.  He is waiting for us to ask for His help.  I know that the true church is restored again on this earth.  I am grateful to be a member of it. 

 I also know that the Book of Mormon is true.  I feel so blessed to be able to study it this semester.  I have gained so much knowledge and spiritual strength by learning and applying its teachings.  

Service

Mosiah 2:17

When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Righteousness should be at the heart of all Service.

“Continue to seek opportunities for service. Don’t be overly concerned with status. … It is important to be appreciated. But our focus should be on righteousness, not recognition; on service, not status. The faithful visiting teacher, who quietly goes about her work month after month, is just as important to the work of the Lord as those who occupy what some see as more prominent positions in the Church. Visibility does not equate to value” Howard W. Hunter

The Greatest Example

Jesus is the greatest example of service.  He gave all that he had, including his life,  for others.  He always focused on the needs of others.

Matthew25:40

Conversion

“Conversion means consecrating your life to caring for and serving others who need your help and sharing your gifts and blessings.”

Isn’t the measure of the level of your conversion how you treat others? The person who does only those things in the Church that concern himself alone will never reach the goal of perfection.

◦Elder Robert J. Whetten

How many people did you help?

Last January President Thomas S. Monson taught Brigham Young University students that their student days should include “the matter of spiritual preparation,” including service to others. “An attitude of love characterized the mission of the Master,” President Monson said. “He gave sight to the blind, legs to the lame, and life to the dead. Perhaps when we [face] our Maker, we will not be asked, ‘How many positions did you hold?’ but rather, ‘How many people did you help?’ In reality,” President Monson concluded, “you can never love the Lord until you serve Him by serving His people.”

Press Forward

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. (2 Nephi 31:20)

Steadfastness in Christ:
In the topical guide, steadfastness is described as : Commitment; Dedication; Perseverance; Steadfastness; Walking with God.  We must be dedicated to Christ.  As we press forward we must always have Christ as our focus and in our hearts.

Perfect Brightness of Hope:


Sometimes in life, all that we have is that small bit of light.  That may be all that we have to hold on to but we must keep it in our sights and continue towards it.  It reminds me of a race that I did that was through some tunnels.  As I entered the tunnel, it was pitch black.  I'm afraid of the dark!!! As I was about to turn around, I looked ahead and saw a small piece of light.  It wasn't enough to light the tunnel, but if was enough for me to know where I was going.  I knew where my goal was.  I think sometimes in life, when we aren't surrounded by the light, we have to take hold of that small bit of light and work towards it.   It will eventually become brighter and fill us with light.

Love of God and all men:
" And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31
As we serve and love others, our lives will be brighter and we will be happier.

Feasting upon the words of Christ:
Reading the scriptures is very important in learning about and being closer to Christ. President Kimball said,   “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 135).
Endure to the End:
I love the example of enduring to the end told in this story by Elder Robert D. Hales, "In 1968 a marathon runner by the name of John Stephen Akhwari represented Tanzania in an international competition. “A little over an hour after [the winner] had crossed the finish line, John Stephen Akhwari … approached the stadium, the last man to complete the journey. [Though suffering from fatigue, leg cramps, dehydration, and disorientation,] a voice called from within to go on, and so he went on. Afterwards, it was written, ‘Today we have seen a young African runner who symbolizes the finest in human spirit, a performance that gives meaning to the wordcourage.’ For some, the only reward is a personal one. [There are no medals, only] the knowledge that they finished what they set out to do” (The Last African Runner, Olympiad Series, written, directed, and produced by Bud Greenspan, Cappy Productions, 1976, videocassette). When asked why he would complete a race he could never win, Akhwari replied, “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; my country sent me to finish the race.”

He knew who he was—an athlete representing the country of Tanzania. He knew his purpose—to finish the race. He knew that he had to endure to the finish, so that he could honorably return home to Tanzania. Our mission in life is much the same. We were not sent by Father in Heaven just to be born. We were sent to endure and return to Him with honor.

If we do all these things as we press forward, we will obtain eternal life.  What a wonderful Blessing.

The Plan of Happiness

There is a plan of happiness.  One that leads to eternal happiness.  Imagine that, eternal happiness!!!! In studying this week in 2 Nephi 9, verse 13 stood out to me."O how great the plan of our God!" and in verse 28, "O that cunning plan of the evil one!"
The Atonement is essential to the Plan of Salvation.  President Faust said,
“Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement. Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more fully. The Atonement advances our mortal course of learning by making it possible for our natures to become perfect. …"
As I tried to understand the Atonement more fully this week, a few things stood out to me.
1.  The Atonement wasn't just about atoning for our sins.  He took upon Himself our afflictions, sorrows, griefs, illness, and infirmities.  He did this so He would know how to succor his people.  (Alma 7:12).  There is not anything we will go through that He hasn't already suffered.  At a time when I thought that no one could possibly understand my pain, I watched a video with Elder Holland.  He talked about how salvation isn't cheap.  "The road to salvation always goes through Gethsemane.  And it will always require a journey to the summit of Calvary. " He said if we are true disciples of Christ than how can we not be willing to do as He did and suffer as He did.  It is a comfort to know that my Savior has experienced all that I do so that he can comfort me.  How grateful indebted to Him I feel.



2.  We are not required to be perfect and we will not be in this life.  My husband talked quite a bit about dying and he wasn't afraid.  I always asked him how he could be so ready.  I surely did not feel ready to account for everything I have done.  I didn't know if I would ever be.  He just kind of shrugged and smiled.  I know that he didn't think of himself as perfect.  I was watching a Mormon Message by Elder Nelson.  He said, "Be patient with yourself.  Perfection comes not in this life but in the next life.  Don't demand of yourself things that are unreasonable but demand improvement.  The Lord will make the difference."  Through the atonement, we don't have to be perfect.

I am so grateful to know of this wonderful plan of happiness.  I know that my Savior loves me and I will be forever grateful for all that he did to atone for me.  I am blessed to have a body and blessed to have this spirit.  I look forward to the day when I die, and I will run into Neil's arms and rejoice that our marriage and family will continue on together through eternity.  This gives me daily motivation to try and improve and better myself each day.  To hopefully be worthy of this wonderful blessing and to be forgiven of those things that I do wrong.

Hiking with my boys

Yesterday, Layron, Seth, and I went on a hike in Red Rock.  It was a great day.  The weather was beautiful.  There were a lot of people on the trail.  (Which isn't the best.)  We found out on our way, that it was free admission day at the park.  Oh well, these guys are great hikers.  Thanks for the hike boys!  

  I even got Layron to be in a picture. Yay!!! (Notice he is trying to back out.) 

Tender Mercies

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 the power of deliverance."

In a general conference talk in April 2005, Elder Bednar gave a talk called "The Tender Mercies of the Lord."  In that talk he says:  

” Through personal study, observation, pondering, and prayer, I believe I have come to better understand that the Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, the Lord suits “his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men” (D&C 46:15).

As I read this scripture, I read the word "chosen"  Why would I be chosen?  And then I read this quote:  

"Some individuals who hear or read this message erroneously may discount or dismiss in their personal lives the availability of the tender mercies of the Lord, believing that “I certainly am not one who has been or ever will be chosen.” We may falsely think that such blessings and gifts are reserved for other people who appear to be more righteous or who serve in visible Church callings. I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are available to all of us and that the Redeemer of Israel is eager to bestow such gifts upon us.

To be or to become chosen is not an exclusive status conferred upon us. Rather, you and I ultimately determine if we are chosen. Please now note the use of the word chosen in the following verses from the Doctrine and Covenants:

“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

“Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men” (D&C 121:34–35; emphasis added).

I believe the implication of these verses is quite straightforward. God does not have a list of favorites to which we must hope our names will someday be added. He does not limit “the chosen” to a restricted few. Rather, it is our hearts and our aspirations and our obedience which definitively determine whether we are counted as one of God’s chosen."

 We are all chosen. He wants to bless us all with his tender mercies.   

As our family goes through the trial of losing Neil, we reflect often on the tender mercies of the Lord.  They are personalized gifts given to us from a loving Heavenly Father.  We have had several and they are very personal.  I'm sure you all know how hard it is to share my feelings but I have decided to share some of our personal and tender mercies.

The kids and I packed up to go on our trip to Idaho for a family reunion.  Neil was packing up and leaving a few days later for his “trip of a lifetime” on his motorcycle to Alaska.  He couldn't wait to stick his toes in the Arctic Ocean.  We would be apart several weeks.  The night before we left, life got in the way.  I was gone late and didn’t get to say goodbye before he fell asleep.  Life was hectic that night, kids were ornery and it was just a frustrating night.  Neil left for work early the next morning, and we all woke up later and left for our trip.  Before we even made it out of town, my Erik got sick.  Oh well, I told the kids, “We may never know why Heavenly Father doesn’t want us to leave today but I believe there is a reason.” He was fine that day and was never sick again. Neil came home from work that night and we had a great night.  We all kneeled together for family prayer.  We said our goodbyes and expressed our love and went to bed feeling much better than the night before.  We left on our trip the next morning.  Neil left on his adventure the day after.  My kids and I talk a lot about that tender mercy of the Lord.  We are so glad that we got to say our goodbyes.  I know I would have felt so much regret and guilt if things had been different.  Now, I have that wonderful last evening to remember. 

I believe Heavenly Father, through tender mercies, prepared me to be able to forgive.  Months before, I read an article in a Utah paper about a girl who was hit on her long board by a young man.  She wasn't expected to make it through the night.  Her family forgave and prayed for her and the young man.  She had a miraculous healing.  At the time, I had no idea why this story meant so much to me.  I have never had a problem forgiving.  I had a strong impression that this girl was healed because her family chose to forgive.  I talked to Neil about it constantly and shared it with other people.  I even wrote about it in my journal.  The morning after the accident,  this story came to my mind.  I instantly knew that if I would forgive, my kids would be ok.  That they would be able to be healed.  I gathered the kids and we prayed.  And we prayed for the guy who caused the wreck.  And we continue to pray for him, today.  I was able to forgive almost instantly because I was prepared.

The last experience is Erik's.  He seemed ok when it happened.  A little too ok.  And then one day, several months later, it hit.  And he was sad.  And he missed his Dad. He thought he was forgetting Neil.  We found some pictures which helped and my mom had found a teddy bear at her house that had a recording of Neil saying, "Goodnight buddy, I love you."  And we were able to give it to Erik.  It was from when he was much younger and he didn't remember it.  He plays it every night.  The Lord is aware of us each individually and knows our needs.

I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father.  He loves each of us and wants to bless us. He also wants us to recognize these blessings.  Nephi's journey in life was not easy.  He had many, many challenges and trials.  He kept on being obedient and he was able to see through it all the tender mercies of the Lord.  He is a great example to me.  This has been a very challenging time,  but our family has felt His love and we know that he is aware of us.  

Well, it's been 5 years since I last posted.  Wow, a lot has changed.  I chose to start blogging again as part of an assignment for school. The kids have all grown soooo much since my last posts.  I'm going to catch you up on all of them.
                      

Layron(15)  -  Loves to run.  I mean really LOVES it.  Not like the "when I'm done I love it" (like me).  I love to pick him up after a run and see that sparkle in his eyes.  I know that's not manly but I don't know how else to describe it.  He is over 6 ft. tall now.  He is very witty and loves current events, and music.  He made it to State in cross country last season and is looking forward to track season.  He is going to be getting his drivers permit soon and is beyond excited for that!                                            

Michael-(13) -  I always call Mikey my little ray of sunshine.  (I know...not real manly either).  He is almost always happy.  He loves to give me hugs and is always grateful. (Even for the little things.)  He will tell you his favorite thing to do is play video games.  Although he does play soccer and even made the all-star team this year.  He is getting tall as well, and his goal in life is to be taller than Layron.
                      

Diamond(13)-  Loves music.  She always has earbuds in listening to her music.  She enjoys playing volleyball and played all three years of middle school.  She also works on the yearbook at school. She loves a party!  And most times can turn anywhere she is into a party.  She is lots of fun.  She is extremely helpful and a hard worker.  She loves animals and hopes to have a career working with them.
                      


Seth-(11) -  My inventor.  Seth always has an idea to make something better or invent a new project to help with our problems.  He is very handy and loves to fix and build.  His responsibility in our family is to fix sprinklers when they break.  He loves soccer.  He made the all-star team after waiting 3 years.  He loves guns and playing outside with his cousins.

Erik-(8)-  My little boy has turned sweet.  He is very sweet to his mommy and after years of speaking his mind, has learned to be kind.  He has struggled a little bit these past few months and misses his Dad.  But he has found ways to feel close to him and that has helped.  He loves video games and playing with his cousins.  He played soccer and ran his first 5k this year.  He has entered the spelling bee at school and is studying hard.  All he wanted for Christmas was a knife and he was not disappointed.  He has been whittling sticks and cutting up his own apples.

I have just been busy trying to keep up with these 5 kids.  I decided to go back to school and started classes last week through the Pathways program.  I love my kids and I am so grateful for the blessing to be their mom.  We are pressing forward and are optimistic for this new year.  My favorite quote is a daily inspiration to not give up.  It brings me peace.  Everything will work out.  I know good things will come.

Family Pinewood Derby Race

Thanksgiving

We had family from Dayton and Las Vegas out for Thanksgiving this year. It was a lot of fun. We were all just getting over the stomach flu but the food tasted pretty good anyway. The cousins had a good time. The weather was beautiful and the kids spent most of the time outside playing. They all made pinewood derby cars and we had a big race one day. They played Ninja Destruction and watched some good movies.