Firm in Our Faith

Dear Sisters,

What a fun week of celebrating our wonderful pioneer ancestors.  I love that we do that around here! (Even though the fireworks keep my kids up all night.)  Maybe it's silly, but I got teary during the parade, as I watched a young mother dressed in pioneer clothes, carrying a sleeping baby in her arms.  

That image has stuck with me, as I have reflected on my blessings and wonderful heritage!  Those pioneers sacrificed so much for us to enjoy the comforts we do today.  I stumbled onto a powerful talk by Elder Faust given 15 years ago, where he mentions the rapid technological advancements that have been made in recent years, but with that, he said,

"Now comes the challenge to prevent the scientific, technical, and intellectual from stifling the spiritual enlightenment in our lives. As someone once said, “The greatest of undeveloped resources [in our country] is faith; the greatest of unused power is prayer.”  Technology may help us communicate with each other and the world, but not with God.

I wish to sound a voice of warning to this people. I solemnly declare that this spiritual kingdom of faith will move forward with or without each of us individually. No unhallowed hand can stay the growth of the Church nor prevent fulfillment of its mission. Any of us can be left behind, drawn away by the seductive voices of secularism and materialism."

Sisters, I testify the Kingdom of God is rolling forward.  Heavenly Father is at the helm and directs this work through a living prophet.  I hope you heed that "voice of warning" and make sure you are on board, and not getting caught in Satan's snares.  Put down your phone, and develop your faith! 

As Elder Faust said, 

"Never before in the history of the world has the need for faith in God been greater."

I testify this is true!  Open the scriptures, attend your meetings, talk to your bishop, turn to God in prayer and do what you know will strengthen that faith.  Be an active part of this great work!

I love you sisters!  I have great faith in each of you and your ability to participate in the gospel.

Sincerely,

Lydia

Hope through the Atonement of Christ

Dear Sisters!

I hope you had a good Sunday.  I am trying to make my Sundays more of a “delight” and I just picked a bowl of black berries, and I think I am there. J  If you’re not feeling delighted with life, come over and have a couple of my blackberries, and they will fix that.  I believe they will cure anything!

Actually, I want to talk about the real cure… the real reason we have hope.  I love my Savior!  He gives me hope.

"And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise." (Moroni 7:41)

This last week, my son, Seth, asked me a question that I’ve been pondering.  After he had done something wrong and was feeling bad, he said, “Mommy, did Jesus ever make any mistakes?”  It gave me a wonderful opportunity to talk about how perfect the Savior is.  No—he never made a mistake, but he willingly paid for all our mistakes, conquered death, and made it possible for us to return to Heavenly Father.  

What unbelievable love and compassion he must have for us, and what love, humility, and deep respect we should have for him.  Part of that love and respect is shown by using the gift he offers us.  When we repent, we show our gratitude and appreciation for his great sacrifice.

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"The Savior wrought the Atonement, which provides a way for us to become clean. Jesus Christ is the resurrected Christ. We worship and recognize Him for the pain He suffered for us collectively and for the pain He endured for each of us individually, both in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross. He bore all with great humility and with an eternal understanding of His divine role and purpose.

Those who will repent and forsake sin will find that His merciful arm is outstretched still. Those who listen to and heed His words and the words of His chosen servants will find peace and understanding even in the midst of great heartache and sorrow. The result of His sacrifice is to free us from the effects of sin, that all may have guilt erased and feel hope.” (Elder Packer)

As I visit with you sisters, I am truly amazed by the strength and faith that often, you don’t even realize you have.  You overcome big obstacles and you press on, very much like our Pioneer ancestors as they endured their journey across the plains.  I just want to remind you to turn to your Savior.  Use his gift, and when you are down, remember there is ALWAYS HOPE!  I want to quote our ward missionary, Elder Taylor, who is famous for saying, “The Atonement even covers that.”  It’s true!  It really does.  Pour your heart out to the one who knows you best.

President Ellis’s words in sacrament meeting today rang true to me, that “there is no aspect of our lives that the atonement doesn’t affect or improve.”

Please remember there is always hope, because of the atonement. 

Have a wonderful week!  Happy Pioneer Day!

Sincerely,

Lydia

Awake! No Longer Droop In Sin!

Dear Sisters,

It’s Tuesday!  Where is the week going?! Hope you are doing well. You have been in my thoughts.

My Dad is a Professor of Horticulture and Floral Design, and I married a Horticulturist and Landscape Architect, so I blaim them for my deep thoughts and analogies during my scripture study yesterday. J

I love 2^nd Nephi, chapter 4.  It is full am many gems, but as I came to verse 28, and got caught on the word “droop.”  It made me think of a plant; perhaps because I had just watered some of my flowers that were “drooping” and begging for much needed water in the heat. 

Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

I cross referenced this verse with Psalms 42:11

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why are thou disquieted within me? hope though in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

God is the “health of our countenance” or “soul”.  I started thinking about those plants drooping for water, and how much our souls are ready to "awake."  Sin in our life causes our souls to “droop”.  We should be thirsting for that “healing balm” and light that only the Savior can provide.

If you continue reading in 2 Ne 4:33, again I caught the plant-like word: hedge (a boundary formed by shrubs).  Is there any hedge-like problem in your life that is blocking your path?

Nephi pleads with the Lord to make his path straight and not to hedge up his way, but to hedge the way of his enemies. 

 

Did you know that as we make a conscious choice to be “encircled in the robes of righteousness” the Lord will hedge, or set a boundary AROUND US?!  In other words, as we make good choices, Satan's influence decreases, or even stop all together, we are protected, and able to receive the “health of our countenance”.

If there is something in your life that is causing your soul to “droop,” turn to the Lord, ask him to do some pruning, and make your path straight.  I love you sisters and I want you to be able to take part in all the blessings he has available for you.  I testify his hands are outstretched.  

We had an awesome lesson from Sister Phipps about the blessings of the temple.  Take advantage of those blessings.  If you have never been to the temple, find out what you need to do to be worthy of a recommend.  If your recommend is not current, take steps to make it current.  If you have a current temple recommend, use it and attend the temple regularly.  If you already go to the temple often, go more often.  There are things each of us can to do improve, no matter what stage we are in.

I really do love you and I am cheering for you!  Hope you have a lovely week!

Sincerely,

Lydia

In faith we'll rely on the arm of Jehovah

Dear Sisters-

I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day!  I had the privilege of standing next to a veteran soldier as the National Anthem was sung, and somehow it meant so much more, knowing him and that he was willing to leave his young family to defend what we stand for.  

Don’t you feel so grateful for our freedoms?  What a blessing it is that we live in this good land, and that we have brave men and women willing to form and defend it!  I missed you today, but I was able to attend a Sacrament Meeting in Mountain Home, and just felt so grateful for freedom to worship, and for a place to partake of the sacrament, even in our travels.

I missed Marilyn’s lesson in RS, but I read the article from the Ensign she was going to study in preparation, and I LOVED this thought about the Book of Mormon coming forth:

“This treasure would signal that after centuries of general spiritual darkness and confusion, the heavens were again open. This treasure would show that Jesus’s ministry was far more expansive in both doctrine and geography than the Christian churches of that day could possibly know. This treasure would affirm that, in miraculous fashion, God is sweepingly active in the affairs of men across time, languages, and continents. And this treasure would promise teachings so pure and powerful that if you planted them deep into your soul, you could personally be transformed, tasting of something so delicious as to make it the ultimate and unmatched feast of your desires.” (The Path to Palmyra)

I testify that God is active in the affairs of man.  I know he works through a living prophet to guide us.  I know that this gospel and the Book of Mormon really are treasures.  We need to treat them as such.  Be active!!!  Come to Relieve Society!  We need you there.  Be actively reading and studying the Book of Mormon.  I know we live in troubled times, but I was comforted today listening to the words of this hopeful hymn:  “In faith we'll rely on the arm of Jehovah to guide thru these last days of trouble and gloom.”

I feel confident that as we remain faithful and active in the gospel,

 “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28

You have been called!  You committed at baptism to “bare one another’s burdens,” comfort, and stand as a witness of Christ, and the Lord will help you fulfill those promises.  Please fulfill your call as a visiting teacher.

Enjoy your week and I look forward to seeing you soon and love each of you!

Sincerely,

Lydia