Book Review - Upheld: Ordinary Women Discovering an Extraordinary God

If you want to feel uplifted and hopeful, I have the book for you....

Upheld: Ordinary Women Discovering an Extraordinary God

Grace Lane is a pen name. This book was actually written by five women with the common goal of sharing their experiences and hopefully uplifting others. One of the authors is my dear friend who I have known since elementary school. I witnessed her trials from an outsider's perspective. Reading this book helped me to learn how she truly felt and what she learned. I admire how she relied on the Lord and had such strong faith throughout her experiences. I can only hope I would have been that strong had I been in her place.

Rebekah: 

Writing about motherhood and her husband’s health struggles, Rebekah lives true to the meaning of her name—to bind. Life’s experiences have shaped her into a wise, steadfast daughter of God who has the beautiful ability to make others laugh through her clever wit.

Jeni: 

Jeni’s stories revolve around the loving care of her son with special needs. Knowing that he will not live out his childhood, she’s armed with strength and determination to give him the best life possible. The bright hope Jeni finds through the Savior will encourage the lowest of hearts.

Elizabeth:

Elizabeth is passionate about sharing the Light of Christ. You’ll feel this in reading about the challenges she faces with her spouse’s addiction and divorce. Through sophistication, uplifting words, and a touch of spunk, she’s a modern-day disciple “gathering in the fold” and feeding His sheep.

Faith:

A woman of intuition, Faith has a distinctive gift for understanding people. Her personal goal in life is to help women recognize their potential in whatever role they fill. She writes about her battle in overcoming abuse as a child and her fight with low self-esteem.

Dawn:

A single mom for ten years, Dawn not only believes the motto “Light trumps darkness”, but she lives it every day. Her short stories are about finding God after a heart-crushing divorce. Dawn touches many lives through her unwavering testimony and simple ways.

I love that they use the grapefruit as a symbol for their common project and goals.  Of course grapefruits smell wonderful and are good for you but that wasn't the reason they were selected. Grapefruits don't grow alone. They grow together clustered on trees. This was symbolic to the Grace Lane Authors because it represents the power of women working together. Their challenges differ but they share the fact that they are women of God doing the best they can. I know I have drawn strength and encouragement from my tribe of women. By reading this book you will join their cluster.

They also have a Grace Lane Authors Blog that has wonderful posts.

Click HERE if you want to buy a copy of their book and/or sign up for their newsletter.  You'll be happy you did.

Talk - Developing Christlike Characteristics

Here is a talk that my son gave at church today.  He was the companion speaker for a high council speaker.

Today I will talk about how to develop Christlike characteristics.

In Preach My Gospel, there is a section titled “How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes.”  Much of my talk will come from this book. Writing this talk has been good preparation for my mission, since Preach My Gospel is an essential tool used by missionaries every day. I know it’s not a coincidence that I was asked to speak about this topic, and I’m very thankful for this opportunity to study about Christ and share my testimony with all of you.

At the beginning of His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and called out to two fishermen named Peter and Andrew.  He said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. The Lord invites each of us to follow His example and to become like Him. The restored gospel allows each of us to become like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The Savior has set the perfect example, and He commands us to become as He is. We can try hard to learn of Him and seek to incorporate His attributes into our lives. Through the power of His Atonement, each of us can achieve this goal and help others to achieve it also.

In Preach My Gospel focus there is a lot of focus on HOW to do things —how to study, how to teach, how to manage time wisely. Just as vital as what you do, however, is who you are.  Preach My Gospel says “You need to BE a Christlike missionary, not just DO missionary things.” This applies not only to missionaries but to everyone.  Each of us needs to learn to BE Christlike members of the church and not just DO Mormon things.

Youth Talk - Faith and the Pioneer Trek

This talk was given at church on Sunday 11/22/15 by an awesome young man in my ward named Mitchell. He gave me permission to share it on my blog after I told him how much I enjoyed it.

Good morning brothers and sisters. I was asked by Brother Richins to share some experiences that I had personally on Trek. I’d like to start out by sharing a story from Brother Fielding, the resident cameraman that was taking video all throughout Trek. Throughout the weekend our family had become pretty well acquainted with him, and one night he decided to share a personal experience to us. When Brother Fielding was a teenager, he decided to go on a Joseph Smith-esque journey to figure out if his church (The LDS Church was true). Trying to believe in the Mormon faith was hard for him mainly because he couldn’t read. Brother Fielding had severe dyslexia, and couldn’t really read anything. He had only heard bits and pieces of The Book from stories told by others. But, he decided to make an effort to try to read The Book of Mormon. After much trial, Brother Fielding had finally been able to read the fullness of the gospel. At that time, the Book of Mormon was the only book he could read. He said to us that we may not have the same experiences and miracles that he experienced, but our Heavenly Father is watching us, and he will answer our prayers, and we will be able to be fully converted. He certainly touched the hearts of everyone in my family. This is a great example of how the impossible can be reached through the work of the lord. Prior to Trek, I (for a lack of a better term) was terrified. I’m not in that great of shape, and I don’t really do a lot of exercise.

The first day of trek when we all met at the Stake Center, I was worried out of my mind, and I didn’t eat a good lunch, which I now regret, considering we didn’t eat again that night til 1 am. Though Trek wasn’t nearly as bad as I was making it out to be, I still struggled. The first night was really tough for me, and at times I felt like quitting. While going over Rocky Ridge - a stretch of trail that was littered with boulders, rocks, and other obstacles - I felt like I couldn’t go on for much longer. But, through my faith in the lord and constant prayer in every moment that I could spare, I made it! I knew I was going to make it eventually, but I made it in one piece. This, for me, was overcoming the impossible. Trek was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I did it! This trial was not nearly as great as Brother Fielding’s tremendous challenge, but for me, this was an amazing example of how the Lord touches our lives at all times. Russell M. Nelson said in the April 1988 General Conference this: “If any tasks ever deserved the label impossible, those would seem to qualify. But, in fact, our Lord had spoken: ‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible’”.

He continued on to say that Faith is the foremost requisite for overcoming the impossible. He quoted the New Testament in the book of Matthew which said “If ye have faith, nothing shall be impossible unto you.” President Nelson said “Faith is nurtured through knowledge of God. It comes from prayer and feasting upon the words of Christ through diligent study of the scriptures”. He continued to proclaim this to the congregation: “You who may be momentarily disheartened, remember, life is not meant to be easy. Trials must be borne and grief endured along the way. As you remember that ‘with God nothing shall be impossible’, know that He is your Father. You are a son or daughter created in His image, entitled through your worthiness to receive revelation to help with your righteous endeavors”.

As said in Ether 12:27, “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them”.

This has played a huge part in my life, not just on Trek. I’ve gone through many experiences that I thought I wasn’t capable of doing, but I made it, and I know when we put our faith in the lord, that everyone can do the same. I’d like to thank everyone that worked on Trek, and a big thank you to all of the kids in my family, as well as my Ma, Pa, and Big Brother and Sister for helping me along the way. I know that Jesus Christ lives, and through the power of god, we can make it through all of our trials, and make the impossible possible. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Thoughts on Conference Talk - "I Have Given You an Example"

Love this article entitled "I Have Given You an Example" by Elder Richard G. Scott.

After reading it several times, I have been contemplating the many examples I have had in my life that have helped me become a stronger person.

Elder Scott said, "... I have reflected on loved ones whose tender influence helped me find the divinely appointed path that aided my spiritual progression.  At vital times in my life, Father in Heaven blessed me with someone who cared for me enough to help guide my choices in an appropriate direction."

I appreciate those people in my life (and there are many) who have loved me, trusted me, taught me, encouraged, provided questions, shared principles, testified, served me, etc.  I want to be the type of person who can be a positive influence on others and I know the Lord puts people in my path who help me and that I can help.

I am compiling a list of people who have been an example to me and influenced me for good.  This list will keep growing.  I know it is important to see the tender mercies in our life when people teach us things and love us.

By sincerely loving each other, we can help them feel God's love which is the most important thing, right?

Talk - Our Own Personal 9/11 Experiences - "Face the Future with Faith"

When I realized that we’d be speaking on 9/11, at first I felt a little worried. But upon reflection, I saw how perfectly it related to our assigned topic.

I still remember that fateful Tuesday, September 11, 2001 when we first learned about the terrorist attacks. We lived in Northern California and our oldest child, Zach, was in kindergarten. Our alarm clock went off, in radio mode, and as I half consciously went to hit snooze, I heard something about a plane hitting the WTC. I jolted up in bed and turned on the TV. I called my parents and said, “Turn on the news.” My dad asked me what channel and I replied, “Any channel.” My heart sank even further as we learned more and more details about the tragedy and saw the second plane hit. At the time, Thane commuted to work in San Francisco on the BART public transit system, but he stayed home that day because we were afraid the bustling city of San Francisco could be a terrorist target too. When we took Zach to school, all us kindergarten parents stood around and talked about the horror of this event. We were all scared of what might come next. We were in mourning for all those who were suffering, dying, or losing loved ones. We were bound by a collective grief and fear. But I remember the unity I felt with my family, friends, neighbors, and fellow Americans.

As I was preparing for this talk, a realization came to me. Every one of us have “9/11 experiences” in our own lives. Some of us may have health challenges. Some deal with wayward children. Others deal with divorce, death, unemployment, addictions. The point is, we all have challenges.

When dealing with these personal 9/11 experiences, there is a difference from the day the world stood still for all of us together as we faced a common tragedy. In our personal 9/11 moments, we may feel very alone in our fear and sadness, we may feel embarrassed, abandoned, downtrodden, worried, and scared.

Parable - The Wolf You Feed

The Wolf You Feed

An elder Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, "A fight is going on inside me… it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith."

"This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too", he added.

The Grandchildren thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied... "The one you feed."

Things Always Work Out

I've been thinking about adversity and challenges lately. While hardships will always be a recurring part of our lives, I think the important thing is how we face them.  Everyone has their own set of problems.  The severity of our adversity tends to ebb and flow.  The truth is, we never really know what another person is struggling with.  But we all are struggling each day with something, rather big or small.  And if we think we have no struggles, then we have the struggle of pride, right?

Here are some of the ways I personally deal with challenges.

Have faith and hope, not fear and worry.  Our natural-man tendencies lead us to fear.  Having faith instead of fear is a choice and must be worked for.  Everyday.  Try to look at things optimistically instead of focusing on the negative.  Think about all the wonderful things in your life and all the wonderful things yet to be.  Don't allow yourself to mope, stay in bed, wallow in self-pity, or embrace depression.

Trust Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  They love us and wants to help us.  They will never abandon us.  Unfortunately (or fortunately), humility is key to learning to trust Heavenly Father.  I attempt to be one of those people who chooses to be humble, but it is really hard to keep pride out of our lives.  Challenges compel us to be humble and therefore should be valued.  Humility leads to trusting God and increasing faith.

Pray, pray, pray.  Pray for patience and to be faithful.  Pray for the Lord's will to be done.  I have the tendency to be bossy and have to be careful when I am praying that I don't try to tell the Lord exactly how to answer my prayers.  I am constantly facing the battle of "MY will be done" versus "THY will be done."  This concept has changed the way I pray.  Life experience has taught me that I don't have the full picture.  He does.  It seems logically smart to listen and be guided by someone who knows what I need and when and how I need it. 

Thought of the Day - Refiner's Fire

Here, then, is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. In this way the divine image can be mirrored from the soul. It is part of the purging toll exacted of some to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen better to the faint, godly whisperings of the Divine Shepherd.

Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. The Apostle Paul referred to his own challenge: “And lest I should be exalted above measure … , there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.

The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process.

To whom can we go? Elder Orson F. Whitney (1855–1931) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles asked and answered this question:

“To whom do we look, in days of grief and disaster, for help and consolation? … They are men and women who have suffered, and out of their experience in suffering they bring forth the riches of their sympathy and condolences as a blessing to those now in need. Could they do this had they not suffered themselves?

“… Is not this God’s purpose in causing his children to suffer? He wants them to become more like himself. God has suffered far more than man ever did or ever will, and is therefore the great source of sympathy and consolation.”

Refined in our Trials, Pres. James E Faust.

Thought of the Day - God will Guide our Steps

In many of the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives, God requires us to do our best, to act and not be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26), and to trust in Him. We may not see angels, hear heavenly voices, or receive overwhelming spiritual impressions. We frequently may press forward hoping and praying—but without absolute assurance—that we are acting in accordance with God’s will. But as we honor our covenants and keep the commandments, as we strive ever more consistently to do good and to become better, we can walk with the confidence that God will guide our steps. And we can speak with the assurance that God will inspire our utterances. This is in part the meaning of the scripture that declares, “Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God” (D&C 121:45).

As you appropriately seek for and apply unto the spirit of revelation, I promise you will “walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5; 2 Nephi 12:5). Sometimes the spirit of revelation will operate immediately and intensely, other times subtly and gradually, and often so delicately you may not even consciously recognize it. But regardless of the pattern whereby this blessing is received, the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding (see Alma 5:7; 32:28), and direct and protect you and your family.

 

David A. Bednar Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Ensign, May, 2011

Thought of the Day - Make This Day a Happy One

I will keep always in mind that today is my sole concern, and that I will make it as good a day as I can.  This one small span of time is mine, and I will use it to do the things that need doing, and have a little time over for enjoyment and reflection.  

 

Living one day at a time, and consciously dividing my time into useful and satisfying activities, can give me the variety that is said to be the spice of life. This has the added benefit of keeping my mind off my problems which often proves the easiest and most logical way to solve them!

 

“I will make this day a happy one, for I alone can determine what kind of a day it will be. Let not my thought fantasies (vain imaginations) lead me into anticipating trouble, since I cannot know what the future may bring.”

Developing Divine Dependency

Allowing our lives to become negatively impacted as a result of the behaviors of others is unhealthy and damaging but learning to completely rely upon our Father in Heaven is essential. We learn to say, on my own I can’t, but God and I together can. Divine dependency replaces codependency. We detach from fear, frustration, and hopelessness and attach to God, seeking His strength and grace to guide and comfort our lives. Elder Richard G. Scott taught this form of dependence upon the Lord when we are “completely willing to be taught by the Spirit and committed to apply consistently the lessons learned. . . . Be ‘easy to be entreated’ . . . and you will be amazed at the problems and challenges that will be avoided or dissipated.”

Both prayer and love are needed when addiction is present within the family unit. “The intent of mighty prayer is to accept the Lord as the changer of the human heart. When we are frustrated with a loved one, it is hard to focus on loving instead of criticizing . . . In mighty prayer we can take our frustration to God; then we can take our love to our loved ones. The Father will intervene.”

We always remember to not interfere with God’s plan through codependent behaviors. “Only with God’s way is there a promise that those who are faltering can come back. Suffice it to say that unrighteous dominion, improper criticism, and coercion are not the Lord’s way.  We can bind the Lord with a promise that in doing things His way . . . we will not be tied down in resentment but lifted by the Spirit.”

An unknown author said, “Do not be afraid of tomorrow; for God is already there.” Surrendering to God frees us from the worry and fear of what the future may hold and provides the strength to “endure all things”.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell explained, “With enduring comes a willingness, therefore, to ‘press forward’ even when we are bone weary and would much rather pull off to the side of the road.”  His invitation is and always will be to, “look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” (D&C 6:36)

Thought of the Day - Refinement

Behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.  1 Nephi 20:10

 

Followers of Christ in all dispensations are no strangers to sorrow.  They know pain and are well acquainted with affliction.  The crucible of life gives us opportunities to become better or bitter, refined or rebellious, submissive or stiff-necked.  The tempered steel of faith is forged in the flames of suffering.  Ease does not call forth greatness or strength of commitment.  When the fires of sickness, failure, disappointment, and even tragedy engulf us, if we are spiritually prepared, God’s peace can carry us through safely.  That doesn’t mean we try to ignore the heartache or deny the reality of the pain.  Rather, we take an authentic look at it, enlarging our perspective by believing that some good can come from crucible experiences.  When they come—as they surely will—we can rise above them by setting our hearts on everlasting things.  Isaiah promised, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles: (Isaiah 40:31)

Time Out for Women - Holiness in Motherhood

Linda Eyre and her daughter, Shawni Eyre Potheir, shared some fabulous insights about motherhood.

They talked about moms and dads getting together (without kids) each month to evaluate the how the kids are doing physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.  I love that idea and plan on implementing it.

They also gave the following things for mothers to remember as they embark on the journey of having holiness in motherhood:
1) Remember who your children really are
2) Remember who you really are (take an alone day to re-evaluate yourself on occasion; involve yourself with other women; don't be COMICALLY OVER-COMMITTED! - yep that last part was for me!)
3) Remember who the Savior really is (let the Savior be involved in your day, invite Him to come with you)

Ask yourself these questions:
How can I invite the Savior to be part of my life?
How can I have more faith through my tribulations?

Story - Helen Keller (Excerpt from A Place of Knowing by Emma Lou Thayne)

A LOVELY STORY ABOUT HELEN KELLER

This is an excerpt from A Place of Knowing by Emma Lou Thayne (Emma Lou also wrote Hymn # 129, Where Can I Turn for Peace ...)


Many years into my adulthood, when asked by a Jewish poet friend why I stay in my Mormonism, I explained it with a story, the details recounted by my mother. It is my mother’s story transposed into an allegory about my believing.


When I was a little girl, my father took me to hear Helen Keller in the Tabernacle. I must have been about eight or nine and I’d read about Helen Keller in school, and my mother had told me her story.

I remember sitting in the balcony at the back of that huge domed building that was supposed to have the best acoustics in the world. Helen—everybody called her that—walked in from behind a curtain under the choir seats with her teacher, Annie Sullivan. Helen spoke at the pulpit—without a microphone—but we could hear perfectly, her guttural, slow, heavily pronounced speech. She spoke about her life and her beliefs. Her eyes were closed and when it came time for questions from the audience, she put her fingers on her teacher’s lips and then repeated for us what the question had been. She answered questions about being deaf and blind and learning to read and to type and, of course, to talk. Hearing that voice making words was like hearing words for the first time, as if language had only come into being—into my being at least—that moment.

Thankful for the Ride!

This wonderful piece was written by my dear friend Carmen who is going through a divorce (not by her choice). I love her positive attitude and the way she faithfully handles adversity. She asked me to post this on my blog in the hopes that it would comfort those in similar situations.

 As a child, I always spent the months of summer at the beach with my family. I loved the summer. I loved being at the beach with my cousins and close friends. I loved everything about it.

It seems to me that there were hard times, like fights and not liking what was cooked for dinner and having to eat it anyway. Some adult wanting to teach you something, but as the time goes by, all I remember is how much fun and happiness there was. I find myself wanting to go back and have it all again. I loved my childhood summers at the beach on the coast of Brazil.

When I got home and it was time to go back to school and reality, I just wish my summers would never end and I could stay in that moment of happiness forever.

The trick was to cherish the good times and to be thankful to God that you had them, that you had the family there, and the sun, and the laughter and the love and that God made it all possible for you to have many memories for the hard months of winter ahead of you.

Talk - "Let Him Do It with Simplicity" Part 2

Here is the talk that my husband gave right after I spoke.

I would like for you to listen for a few words during my talk, and when you hear them, listen to the message, and what they are saying to you. The words are: Plainness, Simplicity, Generosity, Spiritual Fuel.

Orson F. Whitney “A speaker's first duty is to make himself understood, to speak with plainness, and he must also be in earnest, must mean what he says, and say what he means, or he can never impress the hearts of his hearers. If he be sincere, earnest, and plain in his instructions, eloquence will take care of itself. A man is never eloquent when he tries to be. Eloquence comes from being earnest, from having IN OUR hearts a desire to bless the people and feed them with the bread of life. It is my desire, during the few moments I shall stand before you, to speak plainly, to make myself understood, and reach your hearts by the power of the Spirit of God.” (Conference Report, Apr. 1910, p. 59) Nearly 100 years ago… but the gospel is plain and simple and true.

L. Tom Perry’s talk is titled; let him do it with simplicity. In my preparation for this talk, I came across this exact phrase in the New Testament, Romans 12:8: … : he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; … which really, if put in context, could mean “let him give with generosity.”

To me, this provided for an interesting parallel. Let him do it with simplicity. Let him give with generosity. Vs. Let him do it with simplicity. The spiritual benefits of a simplified life. When we’re generous, we’re giving of our excess. If we’re spiritual, we’re living a simplified life. We’re giving away our excess. So generosity and spirituality hold a very strong correlation.

To my boys, I’m always telling them, Boys… follow your mom’s good example, and be kind and giving with what you have. I’m thankful to my wife for the good example she is to them and to me about kindness and giving… Which really means, thanks for being a good spiritual example. So together, as husband and wife, hopefully we can key on each other’s strengths and lead our sons in a more spiritually focused life.

Pam shared some wonderful examples and insights about Thoreau, and what he came away with from his 2 years at Walden Pond. First, food.. Second, clothing. Third, shelter. The final necessity is fuel. The fuel elder Perry chose to discuss was spiritual fuel.

Let me share a personal story… about 6 years ago, I remember a good friend in our CA ward sharing his testimony, and how he and his family had just finished reading the B of M from beginning to end. Shock… impressed… awe… It was about that same time that as a family, we were experiencing some trials, and needed to have a more spiritually focused life. We wanted more spiritual fuel. Part of our dedication was a family goal to read from the B of M each night. Nothing extravagant, just 5 or 10 minutes, usually about a page. For us, we come together for family prayer each night, so right before we pray, we read for a few minutes. I’ve heard it takes 30 days of an activity to form a habit. And we’re living proof that not only can you get some daily scripture study in, but you can make it through the Book of Mormon. At a slow pace, it takes about 2 years. And it’s a great family goal.

So this past month, we’ve been plowing through the Isaiah chapters of 2 Nephi. Pam picked up a good book to add some insight as we read: Isaiah for Dummies. During our reading this wee, I came across this verse in 2 Ne 25:4: Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the aspirit of bprophecy. But I give unto you a cprophecy, according to the spirit which is in me; wherefore I shall prophesy according to the dplainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father; for behold, my soul delighteth in eplainness unto my people, that they may learn.

I’ve never been one who can just take the scriptures and share deep insights. I blame that on the fact that I served a foreign mission. My theory is that when you serve a foreign mission, you spend a lot of effort learning the language and culture. When you serve an English speaking mission, you have time to study and become a real scriptorian. Either that, or you have to teach Seminary for a number of years and simply delve into the scriptures on a daily basis.

That said, every once in a while I slow down enough to really take a verse of scripture and soak in some of its meaning. And this scripture was one of them for me. First about Isaiah: the words of Isaiah…are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy

Nephi had no trouble understanding Isaiah. Likewise, Joseph Smith’s commented about his ease in understanding the book of Revelation. He said, “the book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 290). I would never put me on the same level as a prophet, hence, it’s hard for me to understand these writings, but for them, they had both seen in vision the things that Isaiah and John the Revelator saw.

Nevertheless, this is no excuse for us. The Lord has specifically commanded us to study Isaiah, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah (3 Ne 23:1). We must seek the spirit of prophecy in order to understand Isaiah. The gift of prophecy is one of the gifts of the spirit (1 Cor 12:10). It is through this gift that Isaiah can be understood. We should seek this gift as with the other gifts of the spirit, seek ye earnestly the best gifts (DC 46:8).

Now the real meat of what I pulled from this verse as it relates to our topic today, “let him do it with simplicity.” The end of this verse says: my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn.

I hope this isn’t too much of a stretch, but to me, simplicity is synonymous with plainness. The Lord does not intend to teach us things we cannot understand. Rather, He gives us line upon line, depending on our spiritual preparation, until we understand the mysteries of the kingdom. From 2 Ne 31: 3: For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.

Something that was strongly impressed upon me as a young missionary was the idea of that the gospel is very plain and simple. If we would devote our time and energy to study and practice of the 4th Article of Faith, and living it, I don’t think we would ever stray. QUOTE or SING the 4th Article of Faith.

The Gospel is simple: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Elder Perry mentions the parable of the 10 virgins. If you really want understand this parable, and learn from a prophet, read Spencer W. Kimball’s, Faith Precedes the Miracle. Pages 121-123. Let me share one paragraph from those pages that made me think of, Simplified Life/Spiritual Fuel. “In the parable, oil can be purchased at the market. In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living. Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity—these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps.”

Who better to conclude with than Moroni, and his simple promise that every person who humbly and sincerely reads the Book of Mormon may know by revelation that it is true. Read Moroni 10:4 if time permits.

Brothers and Sisters, I bear my testimony:
• That The Gospel is plain and simple.
• That there is joy in a simple lifestyle.
• And that when we focus on the spiritual fuel, and the things we’ve talked about today… We can live eternally as families, and perhaps as a ward family… together with our friends. Like the city of Enoch lifted up.

And to my testimony, I add that of Elder L. Tom Perry in his closing paragraph:
“In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives. May we comply with the inspired counsel and direction the Lord has given us in the great plan of happiness. May we be worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost and follow the guidance of the Spirit as we navigate this mortal journey. May we prepare ourselves to accomplish the ultimate purpose of this mortal test—to return and live with our Heavenly Father—is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

Sunday School - Book of Mormon Lesson 46

Book of Mormon Lesson #46: “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled”
Ether 7-15

1. John H. Groberg: [Ether 12:4 – hope] The basis of all righteous hope is the person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Him all hope has its existence. Without Him there is no hope. But because He was and is and ever will be, there was, is, and ever will be hope. In Christ who lives and loves and works miracles now, there is always hope. Hope, p. 48.

2. Bruce R. McConkie: Hope is not merely wishful thinking, fantasizing, or emotional escapism. It is a moving confidence and a firm expectation of eternal life that comes from trusting in and following the Savior. The hope that is an anchor to the souls of men is riveted to the infinite and eternal sacrifice of the Lord. It is by reason of the Atonement that we have hope for a better world. … It is an inner peace that results from a personal relationship with Deity. Mormon Doctrine, pp. 365-66.

3. Henry B. Eyring: [Ether 12:6 – witness after trial of faith] When you’re experiencing a severe trial, ask yourself this question: “Am I trying to do what the Lord would have me do?” If you’re not, then adjust your course. … I bear you my testimony that the Lord will always prepare a way for you to escape from the trials you will be given if you understand two things. One is that you need to be on the Lord’s errand. The second thing you need to understand is that the escape will almost never be out of the trial; it will usually be through it. If you pray to have the experience removed altogether, you may not find the way prepared for you. Instead, you need to pray to find the way of deliverance through it. Draw Closer to God, pp. 86-87.

4. Spencer W. Kimball: Just as undaunted faith has stopped the mouths of lions, made ineffective fiery flames, opened dry corridors through rivers and seas, protected against deluge and drouth, so in each of our lives faith can heal the sick, bring comfort to those who mourn, strengthen resolve against temptation, relieve from the bondage of harmful habits, lend the strength to repent and change our lives, and lead to a sure knowledge of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Indomitable faith can help us live the commandments with a willing heart and thereby bring blessings unnumbered, with peace, perfection, and exaltation in the kingdom of God. Faith Precedes the Miracle, p. 12.

5. Joseph Smith: Let us here observe, that three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation. First, the idea that he actually exists. Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes. Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is in accordance to his will. For without an acquaintance with these three important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive. Lectures on Faith, Lecture Third, 2-5.

6. Bruce R. McConkie: Miracles without number have been wrought by faith by the prophets and saints of all dispensations. And always faith precedes the miracle; always the power of faith performs the miracle; always the miracle proves that faith was present and in active operation. New Witness, p. 199.

7. Howard W. Hunter: [Ether 12:27 – weakness] Obviously, the personal burdens of life vary from person to person, but every one of us has them. Furthermore, each trial in life is tailored to the individual’s capacities and needs as known by a loving Father in Heaven. General Conference, Oct. 1990.

8. Bruce R. McConkie: Our Eternal Father knows all of his spirit children, and in his infinite wisdom, he chooses the very time that each comes to earth to gain a mortal body and undergo a probationary experience. Everything the Lord does is for the benefit and blessing of his children. And each of these children is subjected to the very trials and experience that Omniscient Wisdom knows he should have. The Millennial Messiah, p. 660.

9. Boyd K. Packer: Some are tested by poor health, some by a body that is deformed or homely. Others are tested by handsome and healthy bodies; some by the passion of youth; others by the erosions of old age. Some suffer disappointment in marriage, family problems; others live in poverty and obscurity. Some (perhaps this is the hardest test) find ease and luxury. All are part of the test. And there is more equality in this testing than sometimes we suspect. Gen. Conference, Oct. 1980.

10. Chieko N. Okazaki: Strengthen yourselves by seeking the source of true strength – the Savior. Come unto him. He loves you. He desires your happiness and exults in your desires for righteousness. Make him your strength, your daily companion, your rod and your staff. Let him comfort you. There is no burden we need bear alone. His grace compensates for our deficiencies. Gen. Conference, Oct. 1984.

11. Neal A. Maxwell: Indeed, when we are unduly impatient with an omniscient God’s timing, we really are suggesting that we know what is best. Strange, isn’t it – we who wear wristwatches seek to counsel Him who oversees cosmic clocks and calendars. Because God wants us to come home after having become more like Him and His Son, part of this developmental process, of necessity, consists of showing unto us our weaknesses. Hence, if we have ultimate hope we will be submissive, because, with His help, those weaknesses can even become strengths. It is not an easy thing, however, to be shown one’s weaknesses. … Nevertheless, this is part of coming unto Christ, and it is a vital, if painful, part of God’s plan of happiness. Besides, as Elder Henry B. Eyring has wisely observed, “If you want praise more than instruction, you may get neither” (1993 Annual University Conference, BYU, 42). Gen. Conference, Oct. 1998.

12. C.S. Lewis: When a man turns to Christ and seems to be getting on pretty well (in the sense that some of his bad habits are now corrected), he often feels that it would now be natural if things went fairly smoothly. When troubles come along – illnesses, money troubles, new kinds of temptation – he is disappointed. These things, he feels, might have been necessary to rouse him and make him repent in his bad old days; but why now? Because God is forcing him on, or up, to a higher level: putting him into situations where he will have to be very much braver, or more patient, or more loving, than he ever dreamed of before. It seems to us all unnecessary: but that is because we have not yet had the slightest notion of the tremendous thing He means to make of us. Mere Christianity, p. 172.

13. H. David Burton: A missionary district leader was wondering why Elder Parker, who was about to conclude his mission, was successful in spite of his inability to memorize the discussions. To understand, he teamed with Elder Parker to give a discussion. Elder Parker’s presentation was so disorganized that by the end of the formal lesson, the district leader was confused and surmised that the family being taught felt the same way. It was then that “Elder Parker leaned forward and put his hand on the arm of the family’s father. He then looked him straight in the eyes, told him how much he loved him and his family, and bore one of the most humble and powerful testimonies that the district leader had ever heard. By the time he finished, every member of the family, including the father, and both elders had tears running down their cheeks. Next, Elder Parker taught the father how to pray, and they all knelt down while the father prayed that they might receive testimonies of their own and thanked Heavenly Father for the great love that he felt. Two weeks later the whole family was baptized.” Later, Elder Parker apologized to his district leader for not knowing the discussions. He said he struggled with memorization, even though he spent hours each day working on it. He said that he knelt in prayer before teaching each family and asked Heavenly Father to bless him when he bore his testimony so that people would feel his love and the Spirit and know they were being taught the truth (see Burgess & Molgard, “That Is the Worst Lesson I’ve Ever Heard!” in Sunshine for the Latter-day Saint Soul, pp. 181-83). Gen. Conference, Oct. 2004.

14. Bruce C. Hafen: Inadequacy is not the same as being sinful – we have far more control over the choice to sin than we may have over our innate capacity …. A sense of falling short or falling down is not only natural but essential to the mortal experience. Still, after all we can do, the Atonement can fill that which is empty, straighten our bent parts, and make strong that which is weak. The Broken Heart, pp. 19-20.

15. N. Eldon Tanner: [Ether 13:13-15 – reject the living prophets] A man said to me, “You know, there are people in our state who believe in following the Prophet in everything they think is right, but when it is something they think isn’t right, and it doesn’t appeal to them, then that’s different.” He said, “Then they become their own prophet. They decide what the Lord wants and what the Lord doesn’t want.” I thought, how true! We will be led astray, because we are false prophets to ourselves when we do not follow the prophet of God. No, we should never discriminate between these commandments, as to those we should and should not keep. Gen. Conference, Oct. 1966.

16. Ezra Taft Benson: If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord, let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain. How closely do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed – the living prophet, the President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency? May God bless us all to look to the prophet and the presidency in the critical and crucial days ahead is my prayer. 1980 BYU Devotional Speeches of the Year.

17. Bruce R. McConkie: The Lord and his prophets are one, and no one can believe in Christ and reject his prophets. The Mortal Messiah, vol. 2, p. 79.

18. James E. Faust: The gap between what is popular and what is righteous is widening. … Revelations from the prophets of God are not like offerings at the cafeteria, some to be selected and others disregarded. Gen. Conference, Oct. 2003.


Next week: Moroni 1-6 “To Keep Them in the Right Way”

Sunday School - Book of Mormon Lesson 45

Book of Mormon Lesson #45: “Never Has Man Believed in Me as Thou Hast”
Ether 1-6

1. H. Donl Peterson: The book of Ether was discovered by the Nephites about 92 BC, and translated by the prophet Mosiah with the aid of the Urim and Thummin. The 24 plates containing Ether’s abridgement appear to have been passed down, along with Mosiah’s translation of them, from prophet to prophet, until they came into Mormon’s hands. … Moroni completed the abridgement of the book of Ether on the plates of Mormon, which we often call the Gold Plates. The Book of Mormon, p. 241.

2. George Reynolds: While residing in Kirtland, Elder Reynolds Cahoun had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the baby the name of Mahonri Moriancumr. When he had finished the blessing he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoun he said, the name I have given your son is the name of the brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown it to me. Elder William F. Cahoun, who was standing near, heard the Prophet make this statement to his father; and this was the first time the name of the brother of Jared was known in the Church in this dispensation. The Juvenile Instructor, vol. 27, p. 282.

3. Alvin R. Dyer: The Jaredites began their migration to this land at the time when the great tower of Babel was under construction. This occurred in about the year 2200 BC. … This tower has been identified in our modern time at a place called Hillah in modern Iraq, southwest of the city of Bagdad, on the east bank of the Euphrates River. Here is found a ruin known as Birs Nimrud, standing like a watchtower on a vast plain. Inscriptions on the pyramid-shaped ruins were found by Professor Rawlinson to bear the name of “The Temple of the Seven Planets.” This ruin was supposed to be what is left of the tower of Babel. General Conference, Oct. 1968.

4. Daniel H. Ludlow: What does it mean when the record states that the Lord “did not confound the language of Jared”? Does it mean the same as saying that the Lord did not change the language of Jared? If so, Jared and his people apparently spoke and wrote the language of Adam, because so far as we know there was only one language before the “great tower” of Babel. A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, p. 309.

5. Spencer W. Kimball: [Ether 1:43 – because this long time ye have cried unto me] The Lord does answer our prayers, but sometimes we are not responsive enough to know when and how they are answered. We want the “writing on the wall” or an angel to speak or a heavenly voice. … There must be works with faith. How futile it would be to ask the Lord to give us knowledge, but the Lord will help us to acquire knowledge, to study constructively, to think clearly, and to retain things we have learned. … Do you get answers to your prayers? If not, perhaps you did not pay the price. Do you offer a few trite words and worn-out phrases, or do you talk intimately to the Lord? Do you pray occasionally when you should be praying regularly, often, constantly? … When you pray, do you just speak or do you listen? Your Savior said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20) … The Lord stands knocking. He never retreats. But he will never force himself upon us. If we ever move apart, it is we who move and not the Lord. And should we ever fail to get an answer to our prayers, we must look into our lives for a reason. New Era, March 1978.

6. George Washington: [Ether 2:7-9 – choice land] No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States. … The foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality. … The propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven itself has ordained. Harvard Classics, vol. 43, pp. 226-27.

7. Gordon B. Hinckley: I hope that there is not a day that passes that you and I, every one of us, does not get on our knees and pray for this land of which we are a part and those who preside here, that they may be guided and blessed to do that which the Lord would have done. Discourses of President Gordon B. Hinckley, vol. 2, p. 524.

8. Hugh Nibley: [Ether 2:16-17 – barges] The Bible is not the only ancient record that tells about the ark. … There are various versions of the Flood story floating about, all of which tell some of the story. The oldest accounts of the ark of Noah, the Sumerian ones, describe it as a “magur boat,” peaked at the ends, completely covered but for a door, without sails, and completely covered by the waters from time to time, as men and animals rode safe within. The remarkable thing about Jared’s boats was their illumination. … The rabbis tell of a mysterious Zohar that illuminated the ark, but for further instruction we must go to much older sources: the Pyrophilus is traced back to the Jalakanta stone of India, which shines in the dark and enables its owner to pass unharmed beneath the waters; this in turn has been traced back through classical and Oriental sources to the Gilgamesh epic, where Alexander’s wonderful Pyrophilus stone turns up as the Plant of Life in the possession of the Babylonian Noah. Echoes and Evidences of the Book of Mormon, p. 473.

9. Daniel H. Ludlow: [Ether 2:20] In providing a solution for the difficulty of obtaining air, the Lord informed the brother of Jared: “Behold thou shalt make a hole in the top thereof, and also in the bottom thereof; and when thou shalt suffer for air, thou shalt unstop the hole thereof, and receive air. And if it so be that the water come in upon thee, behold, ye shall stop the hole thereof, that ye may not perish in the flood.” This quotation is taken from the first edition of the Book of Mormon because the four thereofs underlined above appear in the early editions, but for some unexplainable reason were deleted from the 1920 edition and all subsequent editions (perhaps the revising committee thought they were superfluous). A careful reading of this verse in the first edition seems to indicate that the terms “in the top” and “in the bottom” do not refer to the barge itself. Rather, they refer to the top and bottom of something else such as a chamber or cylinder (designated here as “thereof”) which could be used to admit air. A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, pp. 313-14.

10. Andrew C. Skinner: [Ether 3:1 – shining stones] The King James Version of the Old Testament reports that Noah’s ark was to have a “window” for a light: “a window shalt thou make to the ark” (Gen. 6:16). However, some modern Jewish translators of the Hebrew text render this passage: “a light shalt thou make to the ark.” The word in question, tsahar, in the dual form means “noon” or “midday.” Ancient Jewish legend relates that it was not just a light in the ark but was actually a “precious stone which illuminated the whole interior of the ark.” (Hertz, Pentateuch and Haftorahs, p. 26-27). Studies in Scripture, p. 265. [See also the footnote to Gen. 6:16 in the LDS Bible regarding the tsohar.]

11. Joseph Smith: [Ether 3:9 – because of thy faith] Are you not dependent on your faith, or belief, for the acquisition of all knowledge, wisdom, and intelligence? Would you exert yourselves to obtain wisdom and intelligence, unless you did believe that you could obtain them? Would you have ever sown, if you had not believed that you would reap? Would you have ever planted, if you had not believed that you would gather? Would you have ever asked, unless you had believed that you would receive? Would you have ever sought, unless you had believed that you would have found? Or, would you have ever knocked, unless you had believed that it would have been opened unto you? In a word, is there anything that you would have done, either physical or mental, if you had not previously believed? Are not all your exertions of every kind, dependent on your faith? Or, may we not ask, what have you, or what do you possess, which you have not obtained by reason of your faith? Your food, your raiment, your lodgings, are they not all by reason of your faith? Reflect, and ask yourselves if these things are not so. Turn your thoughts on your own minds, and see if faith is not the moving cause of all action in yourselves; and, if the moving cause in you, is it not in all other intelligent beings? Lectures on Faith, Lecture First, #11.

12. Sidney B. Sperry: [Ether 3:15 – never have I shown myself unto man] The Lord’s statement may have to do with the principle that he does not reveal himself to men, (meaning “sons of men,” unbelieving men); he only reveals himself to believers, to those who trust in and rely on him, who like Moriancumr, become redeemed from the Fall. Answers to Book of Mormon Questions, p. 49.

13. Daniel H. Ludlow: Another possible interpretation is that Jesus Christ is essentially saying in Ether 3:15 that he has never had to show himself unto man before. A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, p. 318.

14. Joseph Fielding McConkie & Robert Millet: Perhaps the matter [in Ether 3:15] is simpler than we had supposed. Could it be that the pronouncement is a relative statement, that it pertains only to the Jaredites? That is, it may be that Jehovah was explaining, in essence, “never before have I showed myself to anyone in your dispensation, the Jaredite dispensation.” Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol.4, p. 278.

15. Jeffrey R. Holland: [Ether 4:13-15 – rend the veil of unbelief] The Book of Mormon is predicated on the willingness of men and women to “rend the veil of unbelief” in order to behold the revelations – and the Revelation – of God. It would seem that the humbling experience of the brother of Jared in his failure to pay and in his consternation over the 16 stones were included in this account to show just how mortal and just how normal he was … at least in some ways so much like ourselves. His belief in himself and his view of himself may have been limited – much like our view of ourselves. But his belief in God was unprecedented. It was without doubt or limit. … Ordinary individuals with ordinary challenges could rend the veil of unbelief and enter the realms of eternity and Christ would be standing at the edge of that veil to usher the believer through. Sperry Symposium, 1995.


Next week: Ether 7-15 “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled”