Showing posts with label Covenants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Covenants. Show all posts

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Always Remember Him

Dear Sisters,
Today, the sacrament meant a lot to me.  
Image result for sacrament lds
I was so grateful for the opportunity I had to partake of the bread and water and think about the words that were said.  There are some goals I have set for myself, and some natural man tendencies I am working to overcome, and so it was meaningful to be reminded that I am making a covenant to be more like the Savior. How wonderful if felt to be reminded that if I try to be like him, I'll "always have his spirit to be with me."  Those words are so comforting to me.  Ironically that companionship of the spirit is precisely what I need with me in order to make those changes.  I almost slipped again this last week, and then I was reminded to look at the situation through a spiritual lens.  It helped me take a step back and make course corrections before things escalated.  I am excited that I can change myself. These bad habits that have taken years to develop.  The atonement is powerful!

“The miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can go home but that—miraculously—we can feel at home there. If Christ did not require faith and repentance, then there would be no desire to change. Think of your friends and family members who have chosen to live without faith and without repentance. They don’t want to change. They are not trying to abandon sin and become comfortable with God. Rather, they are trying to abandon God and become comfortable with sin. If Jesus did not require covenants and bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost, then there would be no way to change. We would be left forever with only willpower, with no access to His power. If Jesus did not require endurance to the end, then there would be no internalization of those changes over time. They would forever be surface and cosmetic rather than sinking inside us and becoming part of us—part of who we are.” 
― Brad Wilcox

This week, I would encourage you to take a close look at yourself.  Find some small thing you can work on.  Pray for the companionship of the Holy Ghost to help you over come, and notice the meaning words of the sacrament prayer this coming week. ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM.
These are simple steps, but they will help you draw closer to a God who loves you very much.
I hope you have a wonderful week and know that I love and pray for you!
Sincerely,
Lydia 
PS. Happy Autumn Time!  Go find some leaves to jump in!

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Joy in the Fruit of My Labors

Dear Sisters,
I hope you are having a lovely week and enjoying the last fruits of summer before school starts.
Speaking of fruits, we’ve been enjoying blackberries at our house.  My mom was recently in town and she picked with the kids.  When she came in, she showed me a picture of a beautiful bunch of berries and she said, “I’m calling this picture ‘Just out of reach’.” 
It made me laugh, but then I asked if she had used the ladder in the garage.  She hadn’t.  And then of course, a metaphor came to me. :) I think very often our growth in the gospel is like this.  Sometimes, the very best fruits take a bit more effort.  If we really need to grow our testimony, we might need “a ladder” or we might need to exercise faith and work.
I could even take this analogy a bit further, when I was picking with the ladder, and as I was reaching for a beautiful bunch, I came crashing down into the bushes. My girls snapped a picture while I was desperately hanging there.

Even still, it didn’t stop me.  Once I recovered myself, and my pride, I adjusted my ladder, and I was able to reach the best berries at the top.  My smashing of the bushes even made it easier for me to position that ladder.  So it is with our struggles as we work to grow our testimony.  Sometimes we go through rough patches or have questions, but with faith, eventually they can help lead us to more light and knowledge.

Alma 36:24-25
“I have labored without ceasing … that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste. …Yea … the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors.” 
I just testify that if we really want to understand a principle of the gospel, we will receive the “fruit” when we put in the labor.
Hope you have a great day!
Sincerely,
Lydia

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Be Not Entangled

Hello Sisters!
This last week, I took my kids to the river to play.  I joined them for a little bit, and then watched them along the river bank.  While I sat there, I noticed some huge spider webs spun between the tree trunks next to me.  

I must confess, I'm not very keen on spiders, but I was mesmerized as I watched a small ant that had fallen into the web.  He dangled from a strand for about one second.  The huge spider sat watching a waiting in it's lair, but he immediately rushed to it, snatched it, and took it right back into it's lair.

I'm not sure what the little ant was doing up in the tree near the web in the first place, but I was reminded of this experience as Sis. Herbert read Galatians 5:1 during the lesson on Obedience on Sunday.

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

"True freedom lies in obedience to the councils of God." (Proverbs 6:23)

I really believe that.  I think that Satan truly wants to drag us down.  We have to keep the commandments and watch ourselves.

3 Nehpi 18:18-20
Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name; And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.
Don't forget that nasty spider waiting in the wings.  Find freedom in obedience. Smile, and keep the Holy Ghost near you!

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Hope you have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,
Lydia

Sunday, June 11, 2017

An Influence for Good

Dear Sisters,
I sat in sacrament meeting today, and couldn't help but notice a cute little girl in front of me watching her mother closely.  As her mother crossed her legs, so did she.  As her mother ran her fingers through her hair, so did she.  As her mother took the sacrament, so did she.  It made me smile.  Then I noticed a little later a young boy watching his Grandma.  His eyes were full of love and admiration, and he gently rested his head on her shoulder.  These two images touched me.  This quote from Elder Uchtdorf came to mind:

"I hope that my dear sisters throughout the world—grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and friends—never underestimate the power of their influence for good, especially in the lives of our precious children and youth!"

President Heber J. Grant (1856–1945) said, “Without the devotion and absolute testimony of the living God in the hearts of our mothers, this Church would die.”  And the writer of Proverbs said, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

President Gordon B. Hinckley counseled the women of the Church:
“It is so tremendously important that the women of the Church stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord. …
“We call upon the women of the Church to stand together for righteousness. They must begin in their own homes. They can teach it in their classes. They can voice it in their communities.” 2
Never under estimate the power of your influence!  Your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends are watching you.  Be an influence for good.  Be an example of the believers.  Be a source of light and truth for them.  Don't be afraid to share your testimony with them.  They are watching you, and need your example of faith.
Find someone you can influence for good this week!
Sincerely,
Lydia

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Stay on the Path

Hello Dear Sisters!
Isn’t summer wonderful!  I hope you are enjoying the sunshine and making happy family memories.
Speaking of memories, I can remember a summer as a young teenage girl when I got to spend a week with my grandparents in Salt Lake City.  It was really fun for me to have that one on one time.  I had just gotten my license and my Grandpa let me drive while he took me home to Idaho.  I think I was reminded of this drive, because Doug and I just made it as we dropped our kids off for a few days with Grandparents.  One part of that drive with Grandpa really stuck with me.  I can remember we had just made it over the Malad pass and could see the valley below, but in the far distance, we could see a billowing cloud and a wall of gray.  
​We continued on our course, singing silly songs and talking together, but we noticed the wall getting closer and closer.  It was confusing because it was such a lovely, sunny day, and everything seemed fine.  As we got a little closer we could see it was a very thick wall of rain.  As a new driver, I was a little nervous.  My wise Grandpa suggested that I pull off to the side of the highway.  I did so just in time.  The wall hit with intense force.  Hail, wind, and rain pounded the car and impaired the view.  The intense storm blew over pretty quickly, and it was almost surreal the way it returned to a lovely sunny day again.  I’m not sure what would have happened if I hadn’t heeded my Grandpa’s wise council to pull over.  I think it would have been very easy to lose control of the car and drive off the road.
We have a wise prophet that has a very clear view of what lies ahead.  He is experienced and in-tune, and he and his apostles issue warnings and give wise council regularly.  If we are not careful to heed this council, our view may become impaired and we could very easily drive of the path.

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I would encourage all of us to listen to and obey our prophet’s council.  He recently asked us to read the scriptures every day.  Here are his words:

This morning I speak about the power of the Book of Mormon and the critical need we have as members of this Church to study, ponder, and apply its teachings in our lives. The importance of having a firm and sure testimony of the Book of Mormon cannot be overstated.
We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in the world today? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true—and I solemnly testify that it is—then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Isn’t that perfect council?  It’s simple, but so important.  Read your scriptures every day and follow the prophet!
I hope you have a lovely week!  Stay on the path.
Sincerely,
Lydia

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Fellowship One with Another

Dear Sisters,
Sometimes I'm amazed at the opposition we experience in the world.  In one moment, I can feel so happy as I walk out my front door and see and smell beautiful spring blossoms.  Then in the next moment, I can turn on the news and feel despair for all the sadness and corruption in the world.
This week, during our family scripture reading, I came across a couple scriptures that gave me comfort:

Helaman 6:2-3
2 For behold, there were many of the Nephites who had become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked, insomuch that they did reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them.
3 Nevertheless, the people of the church did have great joy because of the conversion of the Lamanites, yea, because of the church of God, which had been established among them. And they did fellowship one with another, and did rejoice one with another, and did have great joy.
I noticed in these verses, that many of the people had become very wicked, however, those who were in the church "fellowshipped" and strengthened each other and even amid the wickedness of the world, they were able to experience joy and rejoice.
The scriptures reminded me that we can also experience joy as we keep the commandments, and I loved the reminder to fellowship.  I think that is much of why we visit teach.  We share our friendship with sisters because we want to strengthen each other, lift one another's burdens, and spread joy.
I know there are terrible things going on in the world today, but don't be overcome with fear and despair.  Remember that we can be a joyful people because we have the fullness of the gospel.
Sincerely,
Lydia

Sunday, March 19, 2017

A Tremendous Force for Good

Dear Sisters,
Happy Spring!  What a lovely week full of sunshine and springtime smells!  I hope you found a minute to get outside and soak it in!
I read a quote by President Hinckley that keeps running through my head from Marlene’s lesson today.  I felt some of you sisters need to hear it, in case you missed it.
“No one can calculate the tremendous force for good that you can become. … I charge you to stand tall and be strong in defense of those great virtues which have been the backbone of our social progress. When you are united, your power is limitless. You can accomplish anything you wish to accomplish. And oh, how very, very great is the need for you in a world of crumbling values where the adversary seems so very much to be in control.
I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass.
You really are remarkable.  Remember that yours is “the errand of angels.”
“If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.” (Joseph Smith)
The Lord loves you, you are of great worth to him. You make a difference!
I hope you have a wonderful week and remember your divine worth.
-Lydia

Sunday, June 12, 2016

In this there is Safety and Peace

Dear Sisters,
I meant to get an email out all last week, and the time just got away from me, but you have been in my thoughts and prayers.

I thought I would just share a few thoughts from my lesson last Sunday.  I apologize if you are hearing it for the second time, but I miss you primary and young women sisters, too. J

With our ward Relief Society theme of “Faith to Follow the Prophet”, I have felt impressed for some time that I needed to emphasize the importance of keeping the commandments, especially since that was the title of one of our prophets most recent talks.  He reminded us that the commandments are not restrictions that keep us from being happy, but are in fact they way to happiness.

This spring, we were able to enjoy the fruit of our fall planting labor, as we watched the beautiful bulbs pop up. 
At one point, I noticed a plant growing around the tulips.  I didn’t recognize it, so I decided to leave it and see what it might turn out to be.  I described it to my husband and asked what it was, and he warned me not to pull it out, but let him spray it or it would come back more aggressively.
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I soon found out he was right.

This weed craftily bound itself around the nearby tulips and choked them out.  It curled itself around the stems to climb high, but in the end, they all fell.

This experience caused me to ponder how, like the weed, Satan tried to bind us and take away our precious gift of agency.  And also, how sometimes, when the weeds are really bad, we might need "an expert" or “the Savior” to help us remove them.
·         2 Ne 2:27: (Note the way Satan is described in this verse.)
o    27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
Sisters, just as the song says, I testify that there is great “safety and peace” in keeping the commandments.

“When we keep the commandments, our lives will be happier, more fulfilling, and less complicated. Our challenges and problems will be easier to bear, and we will receive His promised blessings.” 
(Pres. Monson)

I hope each of us will "choose liberty and eternal life" by clinging to the Savior.  Please take a moment this week to reflect on how keeping the commandment has made your life happier, more fulfilling, and less complicated, and express gratitude to the Lord for giving you commandments to live by.

I love you and hope you have a wonderful sunshiny week!

Sincerely,
Lydia

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Keep the Commandments

Dear Sisters,
I think I might be more ready than my kids are to begin Summer Vacation.  Aren’t we all ready for a break and some sunshine?!  Hope you had a good Memorial Day weekend.  It is nice to have a day that reminds us to take a moment to think of those loved ones who have passed, and those good men and women who have fought bravely to defend our freedoms.

I am looking forward to teaching the Relief Society lesson this coming Sunday.  I would be grateful if you would take a moment to ponder what blessings have come into your life from keeping the commandments and following the Prophet.

Yesterday, for Memorial Day, as a family, we read some passages from my Grandpa Juan’s Navy Journal.  He was a pilot during World War 2 for the Navy Air Corp.  
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​Wasn't he handsome! :)
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He wrote of an experience he had during his pilot training, while he was at a base in California.  He and a friend were practicing what they called “hedge hopping” or low flying. His friend was in the plane above him and flew over a canyon.  In a moment of foolishness, my Grandpa thought, “I can do that, too.”  So, flying low to the ground, he headed into the canyon as well, but quickly panicked as he discovered how narrow the canyon was becoming, which meant he would not be able to gain enough altitude to get out.  In his moment of desperation, he offered a humble prayer for help because he knew he would not be able to fly out of that canyon without the Lord’s help.  He said it was as if his life flashed before his eyes and in his words,

“The thoughts of my striving to live His commandments flashed quickly before me.  I had always paid tithing, obeyed the word of wisdom, and honored the Priesthood, and I knew that he knew I loved Him and I had faith that He would help me.”

As he climbed a little higher, he noticed that the canyon widen a little.  He thought maybe he would be able to fly close enough to one side of the canyon to make a sharp turn and head right back down the canyon.  As he attempted, his wing nearly clipped the edge of the cliff and he knew it wouldn’t be possible, but he did discover that as he continued to make that “S” motion leaning from one side, then to the other, he was able to gain just enough altitude to clear the canyon, which he miraculously he did, and just in time.  A few minutes later, he was joined by his friend, who had circled back to see where his buddy’s plane had crashed in the canyon because he was certain he wouldn’t make it.

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My Grandpa said, “Surely the Lord did answer my prayers that day. … I have thanked my Heavenly Father countless times for his saving influence that afternoon long ago in the hills of California. The miracle was real. The Lord helped me with an idea which didn’t turn out as I planned, but which made possible His saving me from destruction.”

 He then shared the scripture found in D&C 82:10

“I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, when ye do not what I say, ye have not promise.”

This beautiful scripture applies to each of us.  If we keep the commandments, we will be able to call on the Lord in our hour of need, and feel confident in that promise.  Keep the commandments—in this there is safety and peace!

Sincerely,
Lydia

Sunday, November 15, 2015

This Life is the Time...

Dear Sisters-
I had such a neat opportunity to attend a Leadership Training Meeting yesterday, where I was taught by Elder Nelson's wife, and some other amazing women.  I had each of you on my mind, as I pondered how I could better serve you.  I thought it was interesting that much of what was said revolved around the temple and that we are in the last days.

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Sis. Nelson encouraged us to think about what she referred to as our "pre-mortal commitments," and consider what we are busy doing.  She urged us to filter out the time-wasters.  We don't want to look back on this earth life thinking, "Oh, I was suppose to be doing that?"  If we are prayerful, I feel certain the Holy Ghost can direct us to the meaningful things we should be doing.


Alma 34 comes to mind:
 32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.
 33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
 34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.
We talked a lot about missionary work in our meetings today, I feel sure that there truly is a "hastening of the work" taking place right now.
I hope that we can all do our part to assist the Lord in building His Kingdom and preparing for His second coming.

Wishing you a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Lydia

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Making the Sabbath a Delight

Hello Sisters!

Happy Fall!  Isn’t it glorious?!  I love this season so much that I couldn’t help but name my daughter Autumn.  We took a family drive up the canyon today and the colors were breathtaking.  


It was the first time in a while that I felt like the Sabbath really was a delight for me.  Don’t get me wrong, I always enjoy Sundays.  I love mingling with good people like you, learning about the gospel, and especially being able to take the sacrament, but that Sunday drive felt good, and delighting in Heavenly Father’s glorious creations as a family felt like an extraordinary opportunity that broke from the routine.
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“The Sabbath is His gift to us, granting real respite from the rigors of daily life and an opportunity for spiritual and physical renewal. God gave us this special day, not for amusement or daily labor but for a rest from duty, with physical and spiritual relief.”


In recent ward council meetings, our General Authorities trained us on Sabbath Day observance at home and during our meetings.  Their hope is that we will share what we learned and try to set an example.  It is something I have been working on and thinking a lot about.  Elder Nelson’s talk "The Sabbath is a Delight" is a great reference.  He said:

“My conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, “What sign do I want to give to God? That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear."

We often hear the phrase “Show me a sign?!” usually uttered to the skies, but have you ever thought God might like to see some action from us?  So much so that he offers us an entire day for to demonstrate our love?  Isn’t it neat to think that what we choose to do on Sunday can reveal to our Heavenly Father who we are or what is in our hearts?  It almost acts as a covenant or contract of our love and commitment.  I think looking at it that way might make it easier to keep the Sabbath Day holy, which IS a commandment, by the way. :)

“Faith in God engenders a love for the Sabbath; faith in the Sabbath engenders a love for God.”

Somehow, it always comes back to faith.  As I mentioned, delighting in the Sabbath Day is something I am working on.  I would like to challenge you to work on it with me.  Maybe together, we can think of new “signs” of our love and obedience that we can offer the Lord on His special day.

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I love you sisters and hope you find some time this week to "be still" and enjoy the beautiful world around you!

Sincerely,
Lydia

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Remember...

Dear Sisters,

As I have been reading through Alma in the Book of Mormon, I find it interesting that most of his sermons begin with a brief history of their forefathers.  (See Alma 5:3-6) 
I think this is very intentional.  These people needed a call to repent, and what better way than to urge them to remember their ancestors, who, not so long ago, were in captivity and losing battles because they would not repent.  He is encouraging them to change their ways so that history does not repeat itself.  He follows the account with a series of questions:

 6 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?

Alma’s “history lesson” and questions are good for us to ponder today.  Our ancestors and history are important.  Remembering is vital to salvation.

Elder Marlin K. Jensen said:

“If we pay close attention to the uses of the word remember in the holy scriptures, we will recognize that remembering in the way God intends is a fundamental and saving principle of the gospel. This is so because prophetic admonitions to remember are frequently calls to action: to listen, to see, to do, to obey, to repent. When we remember in God’s way, we overcome our human tendency simply to gird for the battle of life and actually engage in the battle itself, doing all in our power to resist temptation and avoid sinning” (emphasis added “Remember and Perish Not,” Ensign, May 2007, 36–38).


I am grateful for Alma’s bold invitations to “remember” our history.  We are richly blessed, living in a good land, but if we don’t remember our pioneer ancestors and consider our family history, we might forget the sacrifices that were made for us to enjoy this good life.

Take some time this week to remember your ancestors.  Perhaps we could even take it a step further, and do some family history research, or record some memories.  I know our lives will be happier and fuller by “remembering.” (And I think nothing would delight our good Bishop more.)


Spencer W. Kimball said:

“When you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is? It could be ‘remember.’ Because all of [us] have made covenants…our greatest need is to remember. That is why everyone goes to sacrament meeting every Sabbath day—to take the sacrament and listen to the priests pray that [we] ‘may always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given [us].’ … ‘Remember’ is the word” (Circles of Exaltation [address to religious educators, Brigham Young University, 28 June 1968], 8).


I love you sisters and hope you have a wonderful week “remembering” your blessings!

Sincerely,
Lydia

Monday, August 3, 2015

Oh, how we need each other!

Dear Sisters,
Oh, how I need you! 

Sis. Marjorie P. Hinckley once said, “Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young. And, hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old. It is a sociological fact that women need women. We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other.”

What a blessing your friendships and associations have been in my life already!  I was thinking that this last week, when my daughter interrupted my sleep, yet again, upset from a bad dream.  I had tried several different things to comfort her and get her back to bed, but there she was again, and just as I was about to slip into “angry mom” mode, I remembered an experience Sis. Prawitt had shared in Relief Society about how she was having a hard time getting her son to sleep in his bed, and then she tried playing primary songs, and he went right to sleep.  Her experience gave me an idea.  I know it sounds silly, but I suggested that my daughter sleep with her scriptures.  I didn’t see her again until the next morning, when she told me how much it had helped, but that she didn’t want to bend the pages so she kept them on her night stand, and if she ever felt scared, she could touch them. :)

Long story short, we need each other.  I so appreciate you amazing sisters.  You inspire and lift me.  Your selfless service is so encouraging.  Thank you to the sweet sister who made a thoughtful anonymous gift for my family this last week. 

Sisterhood is such a great blessing, that I hope each of you take advantage of.  (Certainly visiting teaching gives us an opportunity for that.)  I was grateful for Sis. Hughes’s lesson yesterday on the blessings of sisterhood, with the powerful example of Ruth and Naomi.  I also recently read a beautiful talk “Sisterhood, Oh How We Need Eachother.” by Sis. Linda K. Burton.  There were a couple paragraphs I wanted to share:

“The fact of the matter is, we really and truly need each other. Women naturally seek friendship, support, and companionship. We have so much to learn from one another.
Sisters, there is no other group of women in the world who have
access to greater blessings than we do as Latter-day Saint women. We are members of the Lord’s Church, and regardless of our individual circumstances, we can all enjoy the full blessings of priesthood power through keeping the covenants we have made at baptism and in the temple. We have living prophets to lead and teach us, and we enjoy the great gift of the Holy Ghost, which serves as a comfort and guide in our lives. We are blessed to work hand in hand with righteous brothers as we strengthen homes and families. We have access to the strength and power of temple ordinances and so much more.

In addition to enjoying all of these magnificent blessings, we have each other—sisters in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have been blessed with tender and charitable natures which enable us to render Christlike love and service to those around us. As we look beyond our differences in age, culture, and circumstance to nurture and serve one another, we will be filled with the pure love of Christ and the inspiration which leads us to know when and whom to serve.”
Sisters, I need and appreciate you so much.  I hope we can look beyond differences, and be united through the powerful atonement of Christ.
Have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Lydia