With the Help of the Lord

Dear Sisters,

I want to share a precious letter written by my Great-Great Grandpa, Edward Hunter Snow, that I found in the LDS Family Search records. (Which is such an incredible resource by the way!)  The document is a handwritten letter accepting his mission call in 1886.  

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In case you can’t read his lovely penmanship, I’ll quote the part that really touched me,

“…though my health is poor, and my finances low, I will to the best of my ability, with the help of the Lord, fill the mission allotted to me honorably.”

I am strengthened by the powerful example of faith my ancestors possessed.  I love this humble response, and have read it over several times in the last week as I have approached new challenges and opportunities in my life.  I hope someday my children and grand-children will be inspired by my example of faith and willingness to serve.  I’m not there yet, but I’m grateful I can lean on the faith of my fathers while I strengthen my own.

As we approach challenges, change, or new opportunities to serve, I hope we can ponder Edward’s humble response, even admitting to our weaknesses, but trusting that “with the help of the Lord” we will be able to do all that is required.

Sincerely,

Lydia

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

Endure to the End

Dear Sisters-

I got lost in Family Search last night, and before I knew it, it was time for bed.  That “Spirit of Elijah” is real!

I have really enjoyed visiting with some of you during our visiting teaching interviews.  I am impressed with your strength and testimony.  You really are remarkable women.

We have had some heartache in our ward this last week, as we have hurt for sweet Kelsey Christensen, who lost her precious 2 month old Kimber to SIDS.  I am so impressed with Kelsey’s faith and perspective through this insurmountable trial.  It has caused me to pondering “endurance.”  

I have almost finished 2^nd Nephi, and I latched on to the word “endure,” in this appropriate verse 2 Ne 31:20, that fits Kelsey so well:

“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

Sometimes we almost don’t know what to do when we come across bumps in our road, but it really is that simple.  That hope and focus on Christ is key!  Are you reading the Book of Mormon every day?  Remember our challenge to try to finish by Christmas—or atleast to read everyday.   I firmly believe that “feasting on the words of Christ” will actually allow us to “endure to the end.” 

Be faithful, sisters! We need to love each other, as that scripture suggest.  Open your arms to the sisters around you.  Thank you to those who are so willingly doing that, as you share meals and offer service and relief to some of these sisters who are struggling or hurting.  Reach out and press forward.  I love you and feel so grateful for you!

Sincerely,

Lydia

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