Faith

When we make a decision to follow the prompting or peaceful urge in our heart just to follow without understanding in completion we are making the strongest decision and setting a sure pattern for blessing to flow in our lives. That doesn't mean that east and comfort will follow but it does mean that the ever loving tutoring of our Father in Heaven, who knows us oh so well, can take place bringing us to unimagined moments of joy and accomplishment.

Your Power for Good

"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it" Proverbs 3:27

Testimony vs Conversion

OK this is really interesting to me. I have understood the difference in definition for forever! :) But after this last week, I hadn't thought about it in this way:
Testimony.
I find that I can have a testimony of many principles and many things in this life. I know that certain things are true. I have felt the Spirit tell me. I live these principles the best I can and go through life day in and day out believing that certain things will bring happiness or safety or whatever I can apply that knowledge to.

Conversion.
Until I am converted to that principle and have it written on my heart, I will have a great possibility to sway from that principle at some time. But with real conversion, I have found that I can't deny the truth of that principle.

I understood this best when we were at a RS evening event and talking about VTing:
VTing and having a testimony of it can mean that you make your visits every month and you might even have a lesson every time.
But being Converted to VTing would mean far more. You'd learn to love those you visited and talk to them often to see how they were doing and pray for their well being. You'd have them as friends not just a task to check off once a month but someone to have fun with, invite to be a part of your life.
Big difference, huh? I've done both. There is a huge difference in how well things go in either case.

I have applied this in the past to other principles like repentance, tithing, fasting, prayer, service, fulfilling callings, scripture reading, and on and on. Some of these things I just really know in my heart and can't deny their significance. Now other principles are there in fact and even in testimony for me but I really don't have a full conversion. I don't have them written on my heart like the others.

Life is a process. So I will have opportunities to work on this. Just thought that it was so obvious and so well described last Thursday night. Great job ladies!

2 Chronicles 34:31 "And the king stood in his place, and made a ^acovenant before the Lord, to ^bwalk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul. . ."

Helaman 15:7 "And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth . . . and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a ^achange of heart unto them—"

Two great quotes. My sister sent the first one and my Dad the second:

"For every complex problem there is a simple solution . . .

and it is wrong."

H. L. Mencken

"You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot further the brotherhood of men by encouraging class hatred.
You cannot help the poor by discouraging the rich.
You cannot establish sound security by spending more than you earn.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves."
Rev. William J. H. Boetcker, 1916

True Religion-James in the New Testament

 "This may be interpreted as meaning that a person who is religious is thoughtful to the unfortunate, and has an inner spirit that prompts to deeds of kindness and to the leading of a blameless life; who is just, truthful; who does not, as Paul says, think more highly of himself than he ought to think; who is affectionate, patient in tribulation, diligent, cheerful, fervent in spirit, hospitable, merciful; and who abhors evil and cleaves to that which is good. The possession of such a spirit and feeling is a true sign that a person is naturally religious." (President Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p121)

“The world today speaks a great deal about love, 

and it is sought for by many. 

But the pure love of Christ differs greatly from what the world thinks of love. 

Charity never seeks selfish gratification. 

The pure love of Christ seeks only the eternal growth and joy of others.” 

Ezra Taft Benson

This Year For Christmas

Author Unknown
I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving
The thrill just wasn't there
No pictures taken with Santa Claus
My decorating has no flare
His presents are shirts, shoes and ties
Two suites and socks. . . .no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because
This year I'm giving Christ my son.
I've spent more time in the temple,
Felt strength come from His words.
I've reread November's Ensign,
And my testimony stirred.
Our family prays more frequently
My tears more freely run.
Abraham seems closer
Because this year I'm giving Christ my son.
I wonder how those Lamanite Mothers
Gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion
Their sacrafice was so much more
My loss will be his presence
I'll miss his smile a ton.
For two years we will pray for him
I'm giving Christ my son.
I stare at his face when he's not looking.
I memorize his eye, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him
That makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard
His choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand
This year, I'm giving him my son.
Past gifts have lost their glitter,
I think I finally understand,
Christ's birth should be celebrated
By giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns,
That all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make.
This year . . . I'm giving Christ my son.