Heavenly Father, the Perfect Parent

Dear Sisters,

This week, during my scripture study, I noticed such a great pattern for excellent parenting.  In Alma 12:27-34, Alma does a beautiful job of laying out the doctrine behind the Fall of Adam, and Heavenly Father's plan.   God is such a perfect parent.  To begin with, he had an excellent plan, then he allowed his children to fall and make a mistake.  He used that as an opportunity to teach.  "He sent angels to converse with them" and "he conversed with them", taught them his plan according to their faith, and checked for understanding.  Once he felt they understood, he gave them commandments, and allowed them "to act according to their will and pleasure" -- in other words, he let them exercise their agency.  But knowing they would make poor choices from time to time, in his mercy, he provided them with a Savior, who would make it possible for them to repent and return to him.

These steps are fairly simple and familiar to us, but it occurred to me as I was reading them, how great it would be if I tried to follow his example a little closer in my own parenting.  Sometimes I get short with my kids or I focus on their short comings, and I'm quick to correct their mistakes.  

This week, I'm going to try to be more understanding when my children make mistakes.  I'm going to take time to teach and check for understanding, so that my expectations are clear.  And if they still make mistakes, I'm going to teach and remind them about repentance.  

I'm so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, who, in his great wisdom, created such a beautiful plan for us to return to Him.  I like to think that I was one of the ones who "shouted for joy" when I learned of this plan.  He is so merciful and good to us.  I'm grateful he has given us a living prophet and apostles.  Wasn't General Conference wonderful?!  I was inspired to do and be better, and I look forward to studying the talks closely.

I hope you take advantage of the tools God has made available to you to be successful in keeping his commandments.  Study the scriptures and conference talks.  Follow his excellent example this week!

Hope you have a lovely week!

Sincerely,

Lydia

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

"By the Voice of My Servant"

Dear Sisters,

Hope this letter finds you warm and happy during this wonderful time of year.

I was grateful to be able to attend Stake Conference today.  I thought it might be helpful to recap a few of the topics mentioned.  I can’t remember all the names exactly, but here were a couple things that stuck out to me:

Youth Speakers – Message of light regarding the “Light the World” campaign.  I loved how the brother mentioned how every definition of “light” could apply. (Gives sight or makes things visible, gives understanding, easy to lift, and delicate or gentle—the Savior does all of these things for us.)

Mission President and Wife – Shared conversion experiences and how accepting and patient people had been.  She encouraged us to continue to “Be good examples” but to go a step further and invite people to church or tell people about our religion.  He had the Elders share a first discussion focused on Christ and the plan of happiness.

President Tuck – Shared an experience from his youth when he was waiting in the car for his mom to get off work, and he decided to take the car for a spin in the snow and got it stuck.  He tried everything he could, but couldn’t get out.  It was dark and he needed to get back.  He prayed and the moment he said “amen” a car showed up and helped him out.  He was able to make it back just in time.  He testified of how he felt God’s love and awareness of him, and testified he cares and is aware of all of us, even when we make mistakes.

Elder Randal – Beautiful talk on how simple missionary work is.  We make it too hard, and we as members really need to be working better with the missionaries.  It comes down to 1. Praying for missionary opportunities. 2. Using “Mormon language” in our everyday conversations with people.  3. Inviting people to church and activities.  He also testified of the blessings that come from paying tithing.  Those things that work against us will be thwarted.  He used the example of a decrease in doctor bills or car problems, things that use up our resources.  We will find great blessings as we pay our tithing.  He also encouraged us to set a goal to work on a Christ-like attribute each year.

I know I didn’t capture everything.  There were also some sweet testimonies shared, but I was just thinking how important it is for us to listen to and ponder on these messages.  I know the tabernacle is large, but I’m amazed at how many empty seats there are at stake conferences.  The whole building should be full to overflowing.  I think of how far people travel in other countries to hear from their church leaders.  My brother and his family in Michigan have to travel over two hours to go to stake conference.  

I don’t want to send anyone on a guilt trip, but I do hope that when an opportunity presents itself to hear a servant of the Lord speak, that you will prepare and prioritize to hear the message the Lord has for you.  If we want more light, we have to make room for it in our heart.  I testify that blessings will come as you make a sacrifice to attend and listen.  (This “opportunity” could be sacrament meeting this coming Sunday… just sayin’.) ;)

D&C 1:38

What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

I'm praying for you sisters.  I love you dearly, and desire for your faith in Christ to be growing ever firmer.

Merry Christmas!

Lydia

"We Need Never Feel Lost or Alone"

Dear Sisters,

Wasn't General Conference beautiful?!  I always feel like maybe they had a special meeting before, and said something like, "There is this Lydia Stewart lady who lives in Ogden and could use some help on these topics.  Lets each address her needs.  Ok, ready, break..." :)  I needed all the great talks and there were several that I felt were specifically for me, so thanks for patiently sitting through them. ;)  If you missed Conference, you can still tune in on lds.org and rewatch or listen, and we will look forward to getting the next Ensign!

I noticed several of the talks mention prayer.  This is something I am personally going to focus on improving.  My Heavenly Father has been so patient with me and my half-hearted efforts lately, with a busy schedule.  He still does his best to inspire and direct me, but I know I have potential to be so much more in-tune if I would put more time and effort into speaking with my Father in Heaven.

"Prayer is a gift from God.  We need never feel lost or alone.  I testify that every moment of prayer can be holy time spent with the Father, in the name of the Son, by the Holy Ghost."

-Carol McConkie

I would encourage each of you to select a talk that resonated with you, and set a simple goal to improve on that principle.  We are so fortunate to be able to hear inspired leaders.  I think our Father in Heaven loves us very much.  I certainly sense His love for each of you!  I hope you feel it throughout this coming week!

Sincerely,

Lydia

Faith is like a Little Seed. If Planted it Will Grow!

Dear Sisters-

What a spiritual feast!  Wasn’t General Conference wonderful?  I have a lot to study and “ponderize”.  We have such inspired leaders!  My son, Seth, was so excited when he saw those beautiful children singing in the Saturday Afternoon Session.  He said, “Finally!  A Child Conference that I have been waiting for all my life!!!” J

I literally planted bulbs and pansies all day yesterday.  I couldn’t sleep last night because my arms and back were so sore.  I am kind of the “pansy,” really. J  While I was whining to my husband about how hard it all was, he smiled at me and said, “Planting bulbs and pansies really is a faith based work, isn’t it?” I am really hoping it will be worth that effort in the Spring. J

My thought this week is simple and probably familiar, but fit in nicely with my planting adventures.  I was so happy this morning to see all the moisture we received, just after all my hard work yesterday.  It made me feel like the Lord was meeting me half way by opening the heavens.  Some of those pansies seemed so limp and dry, like they weren’t going to make it, but they have perked right up with the rain.

Do you recall what Alma taught us about faith and planting seeds? (Alma 32)

26 Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.

 27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

 28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

 29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.

 30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.

 31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.

Now for the connection:  We have heard some powerful words from living witnesses of Christ this last weekend.  

I testify that as we act in faith, experimenting on their words, and plant those seeds deep in our hearts, the Lord will allow our testimonies to flourish and our faith to increase, until we can know that what they say is true, eventually with a perfect knowledge. (That will be the pretty flowers that come up in the springtime. J)

I urge each of us to give a place for those conference messages in our heart.

I love you sisters.  You fill my thoughts and prayers.  I desire happiness and strong faith for each of you!

Sincerely,

Lydia 

A Change of Heart

Dear Sisters-

On to "Matters of the Heart". 

 

No, really.  I came across an interesting scripture chain that I wanted to share, so watch for what it says about the heart.

To set the stage, Abinadi is attempting to convince the people to repent of their sins and change their ways:

(Mosiah 11)

 23 And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God.

 24 Yea, and it shall come to pass that when they shall cry unto me I will be slow to hear their cries; yea, and I will suffer them that they be smitten by their enemies.

 25 And except they repent in sackcloth and ashes, and cry mightily to the Lord their God, I will not hear their prayers, neither will I deliver them out of their afflictions; and thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me.

The “sackcloth and ashes” were used in ancient times as an outward sign of one’s inward condition.  It acted as a symbol that visibly demonstrated grief, repentance, and a change of heart.  Now skip ahead a couple chapters to see how they responded to Abinidi’s teachings.

(Mosiah 13)

 32 And now, did they understand the law? I say unto you, Nay, they did not all understand the law; and this because of the hardness of their hearts; for they understood not that there could not any man be saved except it were through the redemption of God.

So rather than changing their hearts as Abinidi had previously urged, they “hardened their hearts” and as a result, they “did not understand.”  I believe that when our hearts become hard, we doubt the truth and the gospel becomes difficult for us to understand.  The opposite is also true: as our hearts are softened, the truths of the gospel become easier to understand and the Holy Ghost can testify and teach us.

Now jump forward even further to see what happen to these “hard hearted people.”  If you recall, they were attacked and captured by the Lamanites.  They basically became their slaves, giving them half of everything.  This became so difficult that they decided to fight for their freedoms; however, they lost…. FOUR TIMES!  And they lost big—they buried thousands and suffered greatly.  They were forced to humble themselves and admit defeat:

(Mosiah 21)

 13 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies.

 14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions.

 15 And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage.

These words should be familiar.  Do you remember what Abinadi had warned against in the beginning?  It all happened just as he prophesied.  The point I wanted to make was that once they finally “changed their hearts” the Lord actually softened the hearts of their enemies.  He didn’t take their problems away, but he lightened their load. 

 

Sisters, soften your hearts so that you can understand, and so that the Lord can ease your burdens.  I testify that He will do this.  God does not lie.  He has given us a modern day “Abinadi” through Thomas S. Monson, and we need to heed his words to avoid the terrible heartache that results from hard hearts.  I am looking forward to General Conference.  Let’s all try to prepare our hearts for the messages so that we can understand.  I know this is true, and I hope you will ponder these scriptures and make discoveries of your own.  I look forward to hearing about them.

I love you and hope you have an excellent week!

Sincerely,

Lydia

We Believe

Dear Relief Society Sisters-

Just wanted to encourage you sisters to tune into General Conference today and tomorrow.    As you listen, consider the people of King Benjamin, who after hearing their leader's words, they "cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

I have been praying for each of you, and hope that you will find the answers you are seeking as you listen to the messages of our good leaders and living prophet.  May we also "cry with one voice" and be united as sisters through our Savior, Jesus Christ.  What a special time to ponder on His life and ministry!

Happy Easter!

-Lydia