"The “good life” is not a “pleasure hunt.” If we want to be happy we must pursue happiness, not pleasure. The measure of a happy person is his ability to be tough with himself and tender with others.” (David O. McKay, Man May Know for Himself, pg. 246)

My family was having fun with an email thread about keeping a journal and the different ways to do it. My sister, Becky, has a lesson on Sunday and was asking for input. Another sister, Emily, sent us some journal entries from our Grandfather. It is really great to read the journal entries from him. They are a log of costs of things and actual events. Everyone keeps journals or family histories a little differently.
Some ideas from our emails:
Keep a steno pad by your bed for each child so that you can write down the events for them or your thoughts about them.
Keep photo albums and add some comments about the pictures and events.
Keep a family blog.
Take your pictures and entries from your blog and publish them in a family book.
Make videos of events and then put them on disks or keep them for the family.
Keep your own journal and record things in there about family events and your feelings and thoughts about the people in your life.
Make mini photo albums for children to see their grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, etc. You can take that in the car or to church or wherever and you have a great memory maker for them early on.
Keep a journal next to your scriptures and books you're reading so that you can record your thoughts as you read certain things that influence your life and impress you.
Our brother, Jonathan, got into the terms "journaling" and "scrapbooking" and stuff so we had some fun with the words. I loved the play on Journaling that they did in the emails. It made the word "Journey" come to my mind. Now I think I have a whole new perspective. I think that the word must come from keeping track of journeys. So that being the case or at least for me, I can see that keeping a record of my journey (including events and opinions, feelings and inspirations) and the early journeys of my kids is worth a lot to someone, even if it's my children and their children and not me. I really find a huge amount of value in the journal entries that my Mom and Grandparents had. It shows their style of writing and their thoughts and exposes their character traits. I'd do that for my children and theirs out of love and respect for them and their need for an understanding of where they came from and who they are. I know it's a priceless gift because these things are priceless to me.
New saying:
Record the journey. . . the treasure of time.

There are many kinds of ways that we can be brought into captivity or bondage. One is the captivity from leaders of lands. There are many who would like to have the power over a group of people just for the sole purpose of exercising control and gaining accolades even if they come fraudulently because they are demanded.

The two groups that handled similar situations of captivity almost simultaneously were the people of Limhi and the people of Alma in the Book of Mormon. Their stories are very interesting and leave some real room for thought.

Mosiah sent 16 men, one of which was Ammon to try to find the people of Zeniff that had left Zerahemla, the capitol, in search of the original land where Nephi and Lehi and their families has been. Because the people of Zarahemla hadn't seen or heard from the people that went with Zeniff, they pressed to have some answers.

Ammon found Limhi and his people who were from the group that left with Zeniff. Here is a little background:
"21 And ye all are witnesses this day, that Zeniff, who was made king over this people, he being ^aover-zealous to inherit the land of his fathers, therefore being deceived by the cunning and craftiness of king Laman, who having entered into a treaty with king Zeniff, and having yielded up into his hands the possessions of a part of the land, or even the city of Lehi-Nephi, and the city of Shilom; and the land round about—

22 And all this he did, for the sole purpose of ^abringing this people into subjection or into bondage. And behold, we at this time do pay ^btribute to the king of the Lamanites, to the amount of one half of our corn, and our barley, and even all our grain of every kind, and one half of the increase of our flocks and our herds; and even one half of all we have or possess the king of the Lamanites doth exact of us, or our lives.

23 And now, is not this grievous to be borne? And is not this, our affliction, great? Now behold, how great reason we have to ^amourn." (Mosaih 7:21-23)

What happened in Mosiah 9-18 tells us that Zeniff ruled well and battled the Lamanites with success and then passed the leadership to his son, Noah, who was all about the party and the money and the power and not about ruling the people righteously. He sent his armies to battle because they (Noah's Nephites) were attacked on the outskirts by Lamanites and killed. That battle was won by the Nephites. They got really proud. This is where we have the split and we have the two examples of how to handle our challenges, in this case, bondage or captivity.

Abinadi, the prophet came to warn the people. Noah and all but one of his priests had Abinadi burned to death for teaching about the Savior and calling on them to repent. Alma, the one priest who listened and believed Abinadi, fled for his life and then started to teach whoever was interested about the gospel.

"1 And now, it came to pass that Alma, who had fled from the servants of king Noah, ^arepented of his sins and iniquities, and went about privately among the people, and began to teach the words of Abinadi—

2 Yea, concerning that which was to come, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the ^aredemption of the people, which was to be brought to pass through the power, and sufferings, and ^bdeath of Christ, and his resurrection and ascension into heaven.

3 And as many as would hear his word he did teach. And he taught them privately, that it might not come to the knowledge of the king. And many did believe his words.

4 And it came to pass that as many as did believe him did go forth to a ^aplace which was called Mormon, having received its name from the king, being in the ^bborders of the land having been infested, by times or at seasons, by wild beasts.

5 Now, there was in Mormon a fountain of pure water, and Alma resorted thither, there being near the water a thicket of small trees, where he did hide himself in the daytime from the searches of the king.

6 And it came to pass that as many as believed him went thither to hear his words.

7 And it came to pass *after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word, to hear him. And he did ^ateach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord" (Mosiah 18:1-7)

Once the King caught wind of the things that Alma was doing, he was very angry and ordered that he be killed:

"32 But behold, it came to pass that the king, having discovered a movement among the people, sent his servants to watch them. Therefore on the day that they were assembling themselves together to hear the word of the Lord they were discovered unto the king.

33 And now the king said that Alma was stirring up the people to rebellion against him; therefore he sent his ^aarmy to destroy them.

34 And it came to pass that Alma and the people of the Lord were ^aapprised of the coming of the king’s army; therefore they took their tents and their families and ^bdeparted into the wilderness.

35 And they were in number about ^afour hundred and fifty souls."(Mosiah 18:32-35)

So there goes that first group. They were with Alma, a former leader and now believer in Jesus Christ.

The second group is actually led by King Noah's son, Limhi. King Noah was killed by some of his own people for his cowardess while in battle against the Lamanites.


"25 And it came to pass that the king of the Lamanites made an ^aoath unto them, that his people should not slay them.

26 And also Limhi, being the son of the king, having the kingdom conferred upon him ^aby the people, made ^boath unto the king of the Lamanites that his people should pay ^ctribute unto him, even one half of all they possessed.

27 And it came to pass that Limhi began to establish the kingdom and to establish ^apeace among his people.

28 And the king of the Lamanites set ^aguards round about the land, that he might ^bkeep the people of Limhi in the land, that they might not depart into the wilderness; and he did support his guards out of the tribute which he did receive from the Nephites.

29 And now king Limhi did have continual peace in his kingdom for the space of two years, that the Lamanites did not molest them nor seek to destroy them." (Mosiah 19: 25-29)

For a little while but really not long, the Nephites of Limhi were able to pay their taxes/tributes and all was well. But there were some real problems because the Lamanites inherently hated the Nephite because of the relationship dating all of the way back to Nephi's relationship with his brothers, Laman and Lemuel. Things started to be really difficult:


"3 Now they [Lamanites] durst not slay them, because of the ^aoath which their king had made unto Limhi; but they would smite them on their ^bcheeks, and exercise authority over them; and began to put heavy ^cburdens upon their backs, and drive them as they would a dumb ass—

4 Yea, all this was done that the ^aword of the Lord might be ^bfulfilled.

5 And now the afflictions of the Nephites were great, and there was no way that they could deliver themselves out of their hands, for the Lamanites had ^asurrounded them on every side." (Mosiah 21:3-5)

Here is a very tough situation. Limhi's people, as you read further, really get angry and put on their armor to go fight the Lamanites. The Lamanites are so numerous that Limhi's people are driven back and things just get worse. Limhi's people went to war 3 times! They wouldn't back down. They were evidently so feisty and angry that they thought that they could fight their way free. The Lord had other plans.

Finally they became humble.

"13 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the ^ayoke of bondage, ^bsubmitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies.

14 And they did ^ahumble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would ^bdeliver them out of their afflictions.

15 And now the Lord was slow to ^ahear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their ^bcries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage.

16 And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees in the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks, and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger.

17 Now there was a great number of women, more than there was of men; therefore king Limhi commanded that every man should ^aimpart to the support of the ^bwidows and their children, that they might not perish with hunger; and this they did because of the greatness of their number that had been slain.

18 Now the people of Limhi kept together in a body as much as it was possible, and secured their grain and their flocks;

19 And the king himself did not trust his person without the walls of the city, unless he took his guards with him, fearing that he might by some means fall into the hands of the Lamanites." (Mosiah 21:13-19)

This is about the time that Ammon came into the picture. Remember, he was sent to see what he could find out for the people of Zarahemla in regards to Zeniff and the people that left with him.

Once Limhi and his people found out who Ammon was, they were so happy "And now all the study of Ammon and ^ahis people, and king Limhi and his people, was to deliver themselves out of the hands of the Lamanites and from ^bbondage." (Mosiah 21:35) The people were able to come up with a plan, Gideon being the one who devised it, and were able to escape from the Lamanites' control.

Alma and his people faced bondage from the Lamanites, too. They had fled from their own people in order to exercise their religious freedoms and found a place that they thought would be a good place to settle and live a place that they called, Helem. The people, being accustomed to kings, asked Alma to be their king. He refused. He said that it wasn't right to have a king because a king could influence the wickedness or righteousness of the people too much. The wrong king would be horrible like King Noah-issuing high taxes, causing the people to forget their God, and making it impossible to live freely without persecution. So Alma was the High Priest and helped the people spiritually.
When looking back at the story of King Noah, we remember that King Noah and his priests had to flee for their lives because the Nephites were angry with their leaders. Well, King Noah was captured and burned to death (fulfilling Abinadi's prophecy) and the other priests got away. These wicked men saw some of the Lamanite daughters, captured them and then took them to wife in the wilderness. The Lamanites then found them all and didn't kill the priests because they saw that the women were with them at that point.
The problem is that Amulon, the leader of these priests, and former associate of Alma, was with the Lamanites when they, the Lamanites, found the city of Helem in their search for Limhi's people. Amulon (Mosiah 24:9) hated Alma and so things got very trying when "the Lamanites promised unto Alma and his brethren, that if they would show them the ^away which led to the land of Nephi that they would grant unto them their lives and their liberty.

37 But after Alma had shown them the way that led to the land of Nephi the Lamanites would not keep their promise; but they set ^aguards round about the land of Helam, over Alma and his brethren.

38 And the remainder of them went to the land of Nephi; and a part of them returned to the land of Helam, and also brought with them the wives and the children of the guards who had been left in the land.

39 And the king of the Lamanites had granted unto Amulon that he should be a king and a ruler over his people, who were in the land of Helam; nevertheless he should have no power to do anything contrary to the will of the king of the Lamanites."(Mosiah 36-29)

Amulon "exercised authority over them, and put ^btasks upon them, and put ^ctask-masters over them."(Mosiah 24:9)

Things were so hard that the people began to pray and "cry unto the Lord" for help. But Amulon "commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he ^aput guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.(Mosiah 24:11)

So the people, instead of fighting openly, prayed in their hearts. And the Lord heard their prayers.

We read in Mosiah 24:13-23:

And it ^acame to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

14 And I will also ease the ^aburdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as ^bwitnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their ^cafflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did ^astrengthen them that they could bear up their ^bburdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with ^cpatience to all the will of the Lord.

16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.

17 And he said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go ^awith thee and deliver this people out of ^bbondage.

18 Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in the night-time gathered their flocks together, and also of their grain; yea, even all the night-time were they gathering their flocks together.

19 And in the morning the Lord caused a ^adeep sleep to come upon the Lamanites, yea, and all their task-masters were in a profound sleep.

20 And Alma and his people departed into the wilderness; and when they had traveled all day they pitched their tents in a valley, and they called the valley Alma, because he led their way in the wilderness.

21 Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their ^athanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their ^bburdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God.

22 And they gave ^athanks to God, yea, all their men and all their women and all their children that could speak lifted their voices in the praises of their God.

23 And now the Lord said unto Alma: Haste thee and get thou and this people out of this land, for the Lamanites have awakened and do pursue thee; therefore get thee out of this land, and I will stop the Lamanites in this valley that they come no further in pursuit of this people"

What a huge difference in the two groups of people and their reactions to dealing with unjust captivity. Both were subject to evil, mean groups of people. Both groups had to pay the people that were over them or work for them. Both had the gospel of Jesus Christ. Both wanted their freedom.
Yet one went on the offensive 3 times without the support of the Lord. They were beaten back and compelled to be humble. While the other group, when faced with bondage, went peacefully and prayerfully through their trials and waited on the Lord's time for their certain deliverance.

The contrasts are stark and cause me to stand back and think about my life. I wonder if at times, I am too prone to have "knee jerk" reactions to problems or am I slower and more steady in dealing with them. As my life has gone on, I find that the best way to beat the wickedness out of my life is through fasting and prayer. The power that comes from "being still" and knowing that the Savior is the I AM and will deliver me on His terms, is completely humbling. This knowledge causes deep gratitude.

I know that He knows me. I know that He knows my loved ones and friend. I know that He has only our best interests in mind during our mortal probation. And with this knowledge, I can calm down in the middle of the storms that rage. I think that is what I love about this saying:

"Sometimes the Lord Calms the storm.
Sometime the Lord lets the storm rage
and calms His children"
Author Unknown"

How will we handle our captivity?

"When you are filled with the Spirit of God, and the Holy Ghost rests upon you . . . do you have any trials? I do not think you do. For that satisfies and fills up every longing of the human heart, and fills up every vacuum. When I am filled with that spirit my soul is satisfied; and I can say in good earnest, that the trifling things of the day do not seem to stand in my way at all. But just let me lose my hold on that spirit and power of the Gospel, and partake of the spirit of the world, in the slightest degree, and trouble comes; there is something wrong . . . And is it not our privilege to so live that we can have this constantly flowing into our souls?" (Eliza R. Snow, September 1873)

Rooted Tom Ellsworth

We live in a valley on the coast of Los Angeles County. There is a stream that flows past the north end of our property, makes a wide loop, and then passes on past the south end of our property. Close to the wide loop of that stream there used to be a giant oak tree, probably sixty feet high and about that circumference. The trunk was about eight feet in diameter. Its giant roots had anchored it in the sandy soil of the valley for hundreds of years. It survived drought and fire, disease and insect pests, and the periodic floods that rose 10 to 15 feet around it. One year the stream changed course. The new course brought the stream to the edge of the roots of that great tree. There was a little erosion. The next year, when the rains came, there was more erosion. So it continued for about eight years, until, late one night after many hours of rain, there was a loud cracking rumble in the valley, and that might oak fell. We have often been counseled to sink our own roots deep in the gospel. Securely grounded, the droughts and fires, the pests and floods of life cannot topple us. But, if we allow some of our roots to be exposed, eroded by expediency, selfishness, and lassitude, we put ourselves in peril. Gospel roots are familiar to us all: faith, obedience, repentance, fidelity at home, following the prophets, activity, service, prayer, and scripture study. Tom Ellsworth, 9/2009

To Be Like Him

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." (Moroni 7:45-58)

Can Satan Control our Thoughts?

A friend of mine asked a really good question. I'm not sure if I answered it well enough but it sat in my mind last night. So I looked up a couple of things that might help clarify the idea.

The question was about a comment in class last Sunday. We were discussing some things and I mentioned that Satan doesn't have power over our minds. We are more like the temple than we think. Satan has no power on the Temple grounds. He cannot come there. Likewise, when we are doing things that are right and keep our minds on the Lord's errand, we cannot be influenced or controlled by Satan.

President James E. Faust said, ". . . However, we need not become paralyzed with fear of Satan’s power. He can have no power over us unless we permit it. He is really a coward, and if we stand firm, he will retreat. The Apostle James counseled: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”27 He cannot know our thoughts unless we speak them. And Nephi states that the devil “hath no power over the hearts” of righteous people.28 We have heard comedians and others justify or explain their misdeeds by saying, “The devil made me do it.” I do not really think the devil can make us do anything. Certainly he can tempt and he can deceive, but he has no authority over us that we do not give him.

The power to resist Satan may be stronger than we realize. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not. The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power.”29

He also stated, “Wicked spirits have their bounds, limits, and laws by which they are governed.”30 So Satan and his angels are not all-powerful."
(James E. Faust, January 2007)

It's interesting how much power we really have. It seems like many of us don't realize the strength within us. When we are under the influence of good things and have been listening to good music of all kinds, reading our scriptures, keeping a prayer in our heart, serving others and fasting on occasion, we find ourselves in a place where we can discern good from evil easily. You might have found this to be true for yourself and maybe even wondered why others you know don't see the evil around like you do. Well, we're all in a different place in our abilities.

I found these scriptures that might help in understanding how important it is to keep a clear and righteous mind. What is very interesting is how important the mind is in all of this.

Serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind, 1 Chr. 28: 9. Love the Lord thy God with all thy mind, Matt. 22: 37. To be carnally minded is death; to be spiritually minded is life eternal, 2 Ne. 9: 39. The voice of the Lord came into my mind, Enos 1: 10. The word had a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, Alma 31: 5. I will tell you in your mind, D&C 8: 2. Study it out in your mind, D&C 9: 8. Let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds, D&C 43: 34. Your minds in times past have been darkened, D&C 84: 54. Retire to thy bed early, arise early that your bodies and minds may be invigorated, D&C 88: 124. Satan knew not the mind of God, Moses 4: 6. The Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, Moses 7: 18.

The thing that jumps out at me is that the mind is a central concern for our Father in Heaven.
We can communicate through our minds with Him. We don't even have to open our mouths. We can ponder on the things in our lives without disturbance all in our minds. What a great gift and protection.

So when we hear good people around us and at church talking about the importance of good music, good movies, good computer games, good books, good anything that has influence in our lives over our minds, we might take a stronger notice to the truth of these points. We are the ones with the agency to choose. It's evident that we choose our level of progress and the level of blessings and protections. We chose what interferes with the good in our minds.

We are the ones with the power over evil, over Satan. It's the battle we can win every day.

Peace Power

Isaiah said, “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” (Isaiah 32:17).
That peace is also promised in the revelations in which the Lord declares, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30).


I've been watching the news and trying to keep up with the chaos and corruption in the world. I am surprised at the level of anti freedom activities in our country among other things like the growing immorality, increased animalism in our culture and the acceptance of all of this. I've gotten a little worried (or a lot, really) wondering why others don't seem to notice.

So when I read these two scriptures, I thought about the feelings that I was having while thinking about all of the problems that are going on. I have been thinking that it's good to be active in protecting our freedoms like Captain Moroni. It's good to know what is going on and ask questions like Moroni and other great warriors when Pahoran was in trouble. (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/59)

I also realize that nothing is more powerful than righteous "warriors". People who focus on living righteously and seek peace not to hurt or harm or control their fellow human beings, their brothers and sisters.

A description of Moroni: "19 But behold, this was not the desire of Moroni; he did not delight^• in murder or bloodshed, but he delighted in the saving of his people from destruction; and for this cause he might not bring upon him injustice, he would not fall upon the Lamanites and destroy them in their drunkenness."
and more about Moroni: "11 And Moroni was a strong^• and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding^•; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;

12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare^• and safety of his people.

13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn^• with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.

14 Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never^• to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.

15 And this was their faith^•, that by so doing God would prosper^• them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger;

16 And also, that God would make it known unto them whither^• they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding^• of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity.

17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni^•, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil^• would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.

18 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon^•, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God.

19 Now behold, Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable^• unto the people than was Moroni; for they did preach the word of God, and they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would hearken unto their words.

20 And thus they went forth, and the people did humble themselves because of their words, insomuch that they were highly favored^• of the Lord, and thus they were free from wars and contentions among themselves. . ."(http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/48)

What is the power? Where does the peace come from? Where is their strength?
Faith, Scripture reading, Prayer
They stay humble and serve others.
They trust the Lord.
They love their friends AND enemies

The Gospel is peace. It's a way of life.

And, if we need to be prepared and we study, pray, serve others fast and learn, we'll be prepared for the things ahead. We'll know what to do and we'll be able to do it. After all, the Lord wouldn't give us something we can't handle, right? (Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Nephi 3:7)

Looks like a great time to dive into the patterns of the Book of Mormon one more time!

As an adult I have always noticed when people around me use God and Lord and Jesus Christ in a profane way. It bothers me. I know it's breaking a commandment. I know it's disrespectful. But I really like what I gained in this thought process through reading this one paragraph from a talk by Pres. Henry B. Eyring, ". . . I had learned from my parents and from the Savior’s teachings that we must address our Heavenly Father in the reverent language of prayer. “Our Father … in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9). I knew that we never profane His sacred name—never. Can you imagine how the prayers of a child are harmed by hearing a parent profane the name of God? There will be terrible consequences for such an offense to the little ones." (President Henry B. Eyring, That They May Write Upon Our Hearts, Liahona, April 2009)

What seems to be important when we first look at the "Lord's Prayer" from the New Testament, is how He spoke of His Father's name. He referred to His Father's name as hallowed. In seeing this I think immediately that this is an important fact. Heavenly Father's name is hallowed so it must be treated with the utmost respect. It means that using the name of God, surely is disrespectful and a very unhallowed act.
Once in my growing up years, someone asked if when I was mad, did I say my sister's name out loud or my brother's or my Dad's name? Of course that would be silly, right? It would sound strange to yell out my sister's name if I stubbed my toe or had someone cut me off in traffic, right? She didn't do anything! I thought so myself. So then, if God the Father is much more important and His name is much more hallowed, how much sense does it make to use his name when cursing in anger or swearing at people? He has nothing to do with our getting cut off in traffic or the door slamming on our finger.
So how about not only worrying about our innocent children and the impact we are making on them in our selfish, disrespectful actions, but let's worry about the statement it makes about us and our characters. We are children of God. He is our Father and loves us more than anyone else ever can or will. He has our sole interests in His heart. In all of the love for us, He just asks for our love and respect to shine through in the things we do and say with our fellow beings every day. It's but a small thing we can do for Him.


More on the Savior:
http://jesuschrist.lds.org/?cid=wpats2

"Kindness, love, patience, understanding, and unity will increase as we serve, while intolerance, jealousy, envy, greed, and selfishness decrease or disappear. The more we give of ourselves, the more our capacity to serve, understand, and love will grow."
--Carlos H. Amado, "Service, a Divine Quality", Ensign, May 2008, 35–37

Marriage and Divorce

I have to admit that I am not the perfect spouse and I do not have the perfect marriage. I have never met anyone who is or has either. BUT I have met many many people who work very hard to have or be both.

When we fall in love and "know" that the person we are in a relationship with is THE one that we would like to spend the rest of our life with, we have a level of love that has been developed.
We are very interested in continuing that development. We talk about our goals and watch for characteristics that would be positive or negative and make worthwhile decisions as to whether or not marriage is an option. This life changing decision should never go without sincere prayer by either party.

Prayer. When to start? Yesterday. I remember one time a woman at church teaching a few of us young teenagers that she had been praying for her future spouse for many years before they had met. She had prayed for his well being, for his spiritual development, and for whatever else might need to be happening before they met. She felt strongly that this kept her in the right frame of mind as well as that it blessed him. I took her advise and found myself receiving promptings at times as to my future husband's well being. One time in particular, I didn't feel calm, I had a worried anxious feeling and prayed more for him. I did find out later that he had some things he went through at the time. Interesting, huh?
What did this do for me? It taught me that I had someone that I needed to work on being prepared to meet someday. It taught me that the world didn't/doesn't revolve around me. It gave me an eternal perspective, one that confirmed to me that there was a life plan for me and that I was actively involved in it.

Before we meet. Many people assume that what they do previous to meeting Mr or Mrs Right doesn't have much bearing on the outcome of finding that wonderful person. Wrong. Everything we do from childhood into adulthood has everything to do with being prepared to participate in a healthy marriage and create a loving family. Some things to consider: Learn patience in your home growing up and in college with roommates and on missions with companions. Learn to serve others (for a myriad of reasons). Learn about yourself, your personality, your strengths, your weaknesses. Work on yourself so that you get in the habit of changing you and loving others for being who they are.

When you meet. Communicate with that person. Observe the habits and characteristics that they have. Pray daily or more for a confirmation that they are the Mr or Mrs Right of your life. Have faith that you'll know. And when you have that confirmation, hold on to that moment in your mind and heart for the rest of your life. That confirmation should be your personal scripture on your heart, your "iron rod" of your family helping you to hang on through the good and bad times-they come and go like the ebbing tide of the ocean.

When you Court. Keep positive. Keep Prayerful. Keep learning and growing. This is the time to learn to work together in planning, in praying, in working, etc. There is so much to learn throughout life and this is the exciting beginning of the process. Keeping strong in prayer individually and as a couple will help you have the spirit to know this person better and to have healthy instincts in your relationship develop. Being sexual at this time will interfere with your ability to have the spiritual guide. Be watchful that you protect this most wonderful tool in your developing relationship.

Marriage. Marriage is not just a promise between two people. It is a sacred covenant between the Savior and these two people. This new couple promises the Lord certain things and He also has endless promises for them as they keep this eternal covenant.

After the honeymoon is over. There is a much needed time of joy and rejoicing, of celebrating this life moment. After the glittery dust settles, breath and start your journey! As much as you should have been praying before, you should double your efforts now. This is not about changing your new spouse to fit your demands. This prayer time is for YOU to work on YOU. You need to change. You need to improve. You need to be one with the Lord as you become the best you that you can be in the challenges that will most assuredly come.

Know this. At at least one time in your married life will have to carried what seems like 100% of the family burden. YOU WILL and YOU CAN. A sweet spouse can get laid off of a job, become very ill, get in an accident, go through rigorous schooling, etc. etc. etc. Just because you have to work harder for a short or long time doesn't mean that the other spouse has failed you. I know of a family who's very healthy father had a stroke at a very young age. The mother had to work for years and years and still does! They are a large family and so loving and supportive of each other. No they couldn't have a lot of money but they hung in there and served each other, served others readily, and worked hard together. Many many sacrifices were made. She never gave up on him and he never gave up on her. NEVER. So just because you might not have the "cookie cutter" life now, doesn't give you license to break up your family.

My father once told me in all of his wisdom, "Unless the Lord gives you permission, you don't have permission to break His covenant". Think, like I did, long and hard about this. In the Bible we read in aMatthew 19:7-8 (King James Version) that divorce is not of God, but was given to man because of their hard hearts. When things are so bad that ending a marriage seems like the only way to save the family member from harm, then there is much prayer and fasting that will need to happen as well as some wise counseling to gather. There is always more that just oneself to consider in these serious matters.

Nowadays, our community would tell us that it's ok to start over in a new marriage. Why not? We've grown apart? Hogwash. That's the biggest cop out ever. It's selfish and egotistical to assume that when we don't "feel" the honeymoon excitement that we "deserve" to have someone else.

What has happened? Well, you need to think about it. What are you doing to build up your spouse and family? What are you doing without condition? What are you doing to show your family that YOU are willing to stick out the hard/bad times? What are you doing to show them how it's done? YOU have that responsibility. Don't look to others to teach your loved ones. You promised them that you would carry this "cross" before you even got to this earth. You promised them that you would be their guide and advocate and friend. You promised them that you would be a healer in their life not a destroyer.

The toilet seat won't always be where you want it. The money will not always be there in abundance (and maybe never). The kids won't always pick of their rooms (call me if they do). You won't always feel successful and fulfilled. But when you look back on the hard times from the watchtower of the better times, you will see the growth and the majesty of a developing life. You will have something more valuable that riches to take with you when this life is over. It will be that you will come to know that you are changing, you are strong, you are capable, and that you have the strength of the Lord at your side.

If you have tried the Lord in all your life's activities and decisions, you will find that your path will be His path and His path your path. You will find joy DURING your journey.

None of this is spoken from a perfect spouse nor from a perfect person. But I have and continue to try the Lord in everything in my life. I have and continue to face serious challenges.

His ways are proven. His ways bring the most joy and the most indelible success that can be found.

a. "7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a ^awriting^• of ^bdivorcement^•, and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the ^ahardness^• of your hearts suffered you to put away your ^bwives^•: but from the beginning it was not so." Mathew 19:7-8

My Father Dwelt in a Tent

So many times over the years from my childhood and through my children's youth, this scripture from First Nephi has brought on some pretty good laughter. Mostly the giggles come when we would try to find the shortest scripture we could while being asked to recite a scripture for a devotional or in Family Home Evening on Monday night or in Seminary. The scripture reads: "And my father dwelt in a ^atent." (1 Nephi 2:15). Can you see what I mean? It's short and simple, so simple that you'd wonder why the author, Nephi, would even include it! I have always had that little bit of curiosity in the back of my head.
A little background on the story of Lehi (Nephi's Father) and Nephi and family: First of all, Lehi was a very wealthy business person in Jerusalem. They had silver and gold attractive enough to be chased by King Laban's guards when they brought a lot of it hoping to bargain for the genealogical records of Joseph that King Laban had. King Laban saw it all and sent them away with the intention that the guards would kill and keep the riches. (1 Nephi 3:25)
When Lehi had his dream that we read of in the first chapter of First Nephi(1 Nephi 1:5-15, http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_ne/1), we read this about his experience in following the Spirit:
"that after the Lord had shown so many marvelous things unto my father, Lehi, yea, concerning the ^adestruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people, and began to ^bprophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard.

19 And it came to pass that the ^aJews did ^bmock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their ^cwickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a ^dMessiah, and also the redemption of the world.

20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had ^acast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also ^bsought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender ^cmercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of ^ddeliverance." (1 Nephi 18-20)
What a difficult moment for Lehi's family. When we read on into the second chapter of Nephi, we find that the Lord told Lehi to take his family and flee Jerusalem because there were people who wanted to kill Lehi. So their family up and left with very little, leaving their riches, that they had enjoyed and worked for for presumably a very long time, behind. All of this because Lehi was willing to follow the Lord. Some people would reason their way out of a big move brought on by following the promptings of the Spirit because they couldn't define a good, solid, tangible reason why the Lord would want them to leave their work, family, connections, wealth and community behind. After all hadn't He blessed them with all of this prosperity in the first place? But Lehi and Sariah were righteous and full of the faith that there was a very good reason to take their family from the forewarned danger and out into the unknown.
We read that they traveled down by the Red Sea where at this point Nephi Says those words, "and my Father dwelt in a tent."
Just recently, maybe a month or two ago (time flies around here), I read this yet one more time in my quest to read the Book of Mormon and enjoy the great feelings and wisdom that I continue to gain in my readings of the scriptures. As a sidebar, my Father and Mother always told me that every time I read any of the scriptures no matter how young or old, I would always have new things inspire me. So when I did read again, something was different. This particular scripture jumped out at me. It wasn't funny, it seemed to have something important to tell me.
And then the light bulb went off. There was real meaning to this one sentence. The one that alluded any real analysis on my part, until now.
Could it be that Nephi was paying his father, Lehi, a highly successful businessman in the very large city/kingdom of Jerusalem who had everything a man at that day and age could want, a wonderful wife, great sons, money, spirituality, comfort and associations, the highest complement that a son could give a righteous father? Remember that living in a tent meant that you had the life of a nomad, wandering from place to place. Home was not as secure neither were your basic necessities. It was for many, the most humbling, modest form of living-really considered my many to be uncivilized. Could it be that without mincing words Nephi was really saying, "My most devoted father as the Patriarch of our family and as a Son of God gave up just about everything to follow the commandments of God"? Could it be that we see the love of a righteous son shining through in 6 words?
In this day and age where many who have had much have lost much and where righteous people everywhere have been asked to do "different" and "strange" things on behalf of the Lord and His work (like obeying the 10 commandments, moving, sharing the gospel, following a living prophet, live in wisdom and sobriety, etc.) with the understanding that they would be mocked, scorned, threatened, and driven out (of their homes, sports teams, community centers, social groups), isn't this most simple of all sentences saturated with deep love and respect actually quite inspirational?
It's like one of those treasured Father's Day cards hand written by a child speaking the simple truth about what their Father means to them and what he's done for them. It's always more priceless than any store-bought gift.
In this sentence we now see Lehi as the man of God that he was. We can also see that his son recognized this and wanted so badly to acknowledge the greatness he saw in his Father, the great Patriarch.
So simple.
So very grand.
So now when this scripture is brought up because it's short and sweet, I will not giggle but swell with respect for great men living great lives who have inspired me so deeply and in yet one more way.

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, "Oh Crap, She's up!"

-author unknown

The most important idea for any of us is that this life, with all its advantages and disadvantages, is only temporary. It is part of a larger whole, Our challenge is to develop the perspectives to realize and the strength to act upon the realization that the really important achievements of this life are those that carry enduring, favorable consequences for the eternities to come.

Dallin H. Oaks, "Values." Clark Memorandum, Spring 1991, 10-15.

A Man

I have read this talk over and over again through the years. It's been so inspiring to me especially in trying to raise 3 great boys into manhood. I hope it's as inspirational for others as it's been for me:

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=e3aa6a4430c0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1