Women of Faith

Dear Sisters,

My older sister just sent me a picture that I hadn’t seen in years.  The shocked, fearful expression on my little baby face made me laugh out loud when I saw it.

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On a more serious note, this got me thinking about fear.  We are facing troubled times in the world.  My heart goes out to the poor people in Belgium, who recently experienced the terrible terrorist attacks.  I have been encouraging my children to pray for them, and I think Brigham must have heard me pray that they would comforted, because last night during his bedtime prayers, I heard him pray “that the people in Belgimum will be comfortable.” J He probably doesn’t understand what is taking place, but I am grateful he wants to follow my example. 

I had a similar experience as I was taking notes during the General Women’s Conference, and my girls kept moving my hand so they could copy what I wrote word for word.  At first I was going to get after them and tell them to take their own notes, and then I felt humbled by how they were watching me so closely and trying to be like me.  It was a powerful reminder for me that we must make sure we are teaching our little ones and giving them a good example of faith to follow, and they will not fear, because “their mother’s knew it,” just as the Son’s of Helaman said of their mothers. 

Be women of faith, not fear.  

“Fear and faith cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time.” 

(Elder Andersen)

These beautiful scriptures found in D&C 50:40-42 seem especially applicable:

 40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.

 41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;

 42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.

We cannot carry our load alone, so let us put our faith and trust in our beloved Savior, who has paid the price and overcome all things, and we will not be lost.  I have faith in His ability to rescue us, and I know HE LIVES!!!

Sincerely,

Lydia

Cleave Unto God

Hello Sisters!

Hooray for Spring!  Doesn’t that sunshine feel wonderful!  I love watching new flowers open every day.  It reminds me of the Savior’s resurrection and rebirth.

I am trying to read my scriptures earlier in the morning.  It is a real sacrifice for me, (especially since day-light savings time change) but I have sure felt like the Lord is rewarding my efforts as I gain understanding.  I have never loved or understood Jacob 5 and the “Allegory of the Olive Tree” like I did this last time through.  

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One thing that really struck me was the follow chapter, where Jacob explains why he included that parable. He wanted his people to know that the Lord will come again, and that if they didn’t bring forth good fruit/works, they would be cut off and cast into the fire.

Jacob 6:5-8

  5 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts.

 6 Yea, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts; for why will ye die?

 7 For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye must be hewn down and cast into the fire?

 8 Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you?

The word cleave jumped out to me.  I was fascinated as I looked up the word, that it’s two definitions have such opposite meanings.  One means “to split or sever” and the other (which is definitely the applicable one in this case) is “to stick fast to or adhere strongly to.”

How strongly do you adhere to the Lord?

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This made me think about how the He is so merciful, understanding, and forgiving to us.  He gives us every opportunity to succeed and doesn’t give up on us.  I think it is sad that sometimes, as soon as we hit a trial, a doctrinal question, or a controversial issue, we distance ourselves from Him and the gospel, when we should be “cleaving unto God as He cleaves unto us.” 

I like how verse 6 says, “today”—choose to cleave today!  We’ve been nourished by his good word, and surely we don’t want to reject it and be “cast into the fire.”

I’m going to work on “coming with full purpose of heart” and “cleaving” to the Lord like he cleaves to me.  He’s pretty good to us, isn’t he?  He deserves our loyalty, and I believe we are always blessed for giving it.

Sincerely,

Lydia

"Christ will tell you all things"

Dear Sisters,

I really appreciate today's Sunday School lesson, where Bro. Nelson encouraged us to “feast on the words of Christ” as we seek for answers to our questions.  He reminded us that “the Holy Ghost will tell us the truth of all things” if we “follow Christ with FULL PURPOSE of heart.”

These are some scriptures I am going to “ponderize” this week as I try to feast on the words of Christ and receive answers to my questions and concerns.

2 Ne 31:13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

2 Ne 32:3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

I know we will be blessed to know “all things that we should do” as we study and apply what we learn from the scriptures.

Sincerely,

Lydia

"Forgive One Another"

Dear Sisters,

I was just thinking today about what a blessing forgiveness is.  Letting go of a grudge is truly empowering.  I am going to get just a bit personal here, so bare with me…

During my early teen years, I had a bit of a firey temper, not unlike “Anne of Green Gable’s.”  There was one school boy in particular that could really set me off, and I him.  Our personalities and opinions strongly clashed.  He sort of became my nemesis.  We could barely stand to be in the same room.  One day, when the teacher left the classroom for a moment, this boy was walking down the aisle and tripped over my foot.  Thinking I had intentionally tripped him, he picked himself up, turned around, and decked me.  Somewhat shocked, but highly defensive, I decked him back… and quite possibly this pattern would have continued had friends not intervened.  (I’m kind of embarrassed about this… but moving on.)

Feelings of passionate anger and even hatred began to stir inside me.  When I finally opened up to my mom about what had happened, I’m sure she felt some disappointment in me, and probably some of her own anger at this boy for punching her daughter, but I will be forever grateful for the lesson she taught me, as she set her own feelings aside.

She listened, and busied herself making cookies.  When the cookies were done, she informed me that we were taking them to this boy’s house.  I was completely mortified!  It probably took some serious coaxing, but I relented.  I can remember ringing the doorbell while awkwardly balancing the plate of cookies.  The boy answered the door, and I simply said, “I think we should bury the hatchet.” (Probably my mom’s words.)  He agreed.  We both made quick apologies and parted ways.  I wish I could have heard his explanation to his mother as to why a girl was bringing him cookies. J 

The main thing I remember about all of this, was how I felt afterwards.  I remember skipping—almost floating back to the car, because that sick, fiery feeling was gone.  I’m so grateful that my mother recognized my need to forgive and heal, and that she was willing to take the time to teach me the contrast between those two feelings.

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I didn’t know then how much I would later need this lesson of forgiveness. Just a couple short years later, I experienced some minor sexual abuse.  Again, I am grateful for my sweet mother, who listened and didn’t “sweep it under the rug” when I confided in her.  When the person approached me in humble apology, I was able to frankly forgive them, and apply that early lesson of “letting go of bad feelings”.  I know the power of the atonement healed my hurt and removed my guilt, and blessed me with the ability to forgive.  It was empowering to let go of that heavy burden, and also allow that person to progress as well.

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I testify that there isn’t a trial the Savior hasn’t suffered.  He has descended below all things.  If you have been mistreated or are carrying a grudge, I urge you to set it at the Saviors feet.  Approach the person in forgiveness and allow Christ’s atonement to heal all that is unfair in your life.  Life really is too short to hold grudges.

Sincerely,

Lydia 

"With us is the Lord our God to help us"

Dear Sisters,

It was so special to see sweet Sis. Daniels sealed to her husband this last week.  The sealer mentioned something that has stuck with me for the last couple days.  He encouraged them to "lean of the Lord and not the arm of flesh," suggesting that sometimes we think we can "do it all by ourselves," but we need the Lord's help in everything we do.

I have been struck a couple times in my recent readings as I have come across scriptures with a similar message.  I think the Lord is trying to tell me something. ;)  I wanted to share a couple of these scriptures with you.

2 Ne 12:22:

Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?

(Meaning, to me, "Quit relying on man, for what is he compared to the Lord.")  Kind of reminds me of when Nephi gets after his brothers when they fear Laban and his armies (the arm of flesh) and Nephi urges them to head back to Jerusalem and "be faithful in keeping the commandments" because the Lord is "mightier than Laban and his fifty". 

2 Chronicles 32:8

With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles.

I know we all have struggles and battles we are going through.  How amazing is it that the Lord has offered to help us and fight our battles?  Who wouldn't want him on their side?

And lastly, I love this section of scripture in D&C 1:19-

 19 The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh—

 20 But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;

 21 That faith also might increase in the earth;

 22 That mine everlasting covenant might be established;

 23 That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers.

 24 Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding.

 25 And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known;

 26 And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed;

 27 And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened,that they might repent;

 28 And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time.

Those scriptures remind me that Heavenly Father wants us to grow and gain knowledge, and if we ask and rely on the Lord, though we are weak, we will be instructed and receive knowledge from time to time. (Which is also a good reminder, too, because sometimes we are anxious for a steady stream, but it comes "line upon line.")

I want to testify of the blessings that come into our lives as we lean on the Lord.  He won't fail us.  With him, we can do all things.

We need that faith to "increase on the earth" now more than ever, and if we trust in the Lord, faith WILL grow.  So trust in the Lord this week-- no more of that "leaning on the arm of flesh." ;)

Sincerely,

Lydia