IT IS BETTER TO LOOK UP!

Dear Sisters,

Do you have any idea how much I love you?  Truly my capacity to “mourn with those that mourn” has been expanded with this calling because I care so much about you.  Certainly, I am given ample practice.  There are times when I feel weighed down by your burdens, and then I remember that that isn’t really my job.  The Savior has already done that through the atonement.  I’m learning to leave my cares at his feet and pray that he will also lighten your loads.  What a loving, kind, merciful Savior he is.  Our loads would be too heavy without him.

I was feeling particularly heavy during my scripture study this last week, and a scripture and thought struck me that I want to share.

In 2 Ne 9:3 it says:

"Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children."

At first, I read that and was really cheered, right up until the last two words, selfishly thinking, “Now wait a minute!  Why not bestowed on me?  I could really use those blessings.”

Then I thought of my pioneer ancestors.  This promise must have been what kept them going.  Their vision was for the future, for their children.  Many of their blessings weren’t realized in their life-time. 

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I recently read of a pioneer family that buried an infant son in a violin case along their journey across the plains.  They settled in Brigham City in a make-shift cellar dug-out covered with poles and willow branches.  They nearly starved, and after a year, the father walked the whole way to Salt Lake City to buy a pound of nails so that he could build a home for his family.  They were so grateful for their new “palace”.  The trials and sacrifices of our Pioneer forefathers were great, but they pressed on and “lifted up their heads” because they knew that the Lord would bless their posterity—they had hope that better times were coming, even if it wasn’t during their life-time.  Certainly the Lord has fulfilled his promises—we don’t have to look very hard to realize how abundantly we’ve been blessed.  I thought of that brother walking the SLC for a pound of nails when I made a quick ten minute run to Home Depot for my husband.  We have it so good, don’t we?

A great talk was given a few years back by Elder Carl B. Cook.  He shared the experience he had after his first week of serving as a General Authority.  He felt weighed down and troubled about how he could possibly accomplish the task at hand.  He looked down at the floor of the elevator, thinking about his troubles.  President Monson boarded, but he didn’t look up to notice.  He was soon asked, “What are you looking at down there?”  Then the Prophet told him, pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!”  He said:

"Experience has taught me that if we, like President Monson, exercise our faith and look to God for help, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens of life. We will not feel incapable of doing what we are called to do or need to do. We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled with peace and joy.³ We will come to realize that most of what we worry about is not of eternal significance—and if it is, the Lord will help us. But we must have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction."

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I know the Lord loves you.  He is mindful of each of us, and if we rejoice, look up, and seek him, he will help us through any difficulty.

Sincerely,

Lydia

Deepen Your Roots

Dear Sisters,

Here I am again. J  I’m trying to get back on schedule.

I was inspired by the excellent talks and lessons today!  I learned a lot about what it means to “fear God”—how it is more of a reverence than being scared.  I learned that being valiant means not only believing in Christ, but actuallyBelieving Christ and how he has told us he is might to save—that his atonement actually applies to us.

Sis. Whetton taught a great lesson about adversity.  Our discussion on the need for adversity reminded me of a recent conference talk called “Spiritual Whirlwinds”.  Elder Anderson encouraged us to deepen our roots so that we stand firm through the “whirlwinds,” emphasizing that the world may change its stance on important things, but the church stands firm.  I loved his analogy about how the young trees need the wind, so that they will know how to deepen their roots and be prepared for stronger winds to come.  We need trials and adversity so that we can grow and be stronger.

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On another note…

As always, the Church’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect politicians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral in matters of party politics.  Additionally, we are encouraged to be responsible citizens and stay informed about political matters.  

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I have felt a prompting to encourage you to stay politically informed, especially with up-coming elections.  I believe we are in the last days, and I feel strongly that we need to get on our knees and pray for this great nation.  We need to pray for the leaders, and that God will bless and guide us.  We especially need to pray that people will choose righteous leaders to guide our country.  I am sometimes haunted by the scriptures in Mosiah 29:26-27 that read:

 26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.

 27 And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.

Research candidates and make sure their values and plans for our country align with your own.  Deepen your roots and stand firm while you face whirlwinds of adversity.

 5 Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.

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I am praying for you!  Happy Valentines Day!  (I promise you are loved!) Have a wonderful week!!!

Sincerely,

Lydia

The Still, Small Voice

Dear Sisters,

Just a simple thought this week.  I had the opportunity to join my son for a school field trip to a museum last week.  During their free-time, I was sitting on a bench, reading, when a grandmother sat next to me.  After a while, her grandchildren came to her very upset, saying that they had spent all their playtime looking for their cousin, even enlisting the help of the workers to find her, only to discover that she had purposely been hiding from them.  The accused girl sat next to the grandma pretending to cry and claiming that the other kids wouldn’t play what she wanted to play.  The grandma didn’t seem to know how to handle the situation, and eventually ended up taking the little girl’s side and said the other kids were being mean.  When they tried to apologize, she proceeded to lecture and shout at them.  There was no validation, and everyone went away crying and upset. 

Really, I had no business eavesdropping, (how embarrassing!) but I felt like I was right in the middle of the drama, due to my seating position, so of course I sat pondering over what happened, after they had gone.  Certainly, I’m no parenting expert, but several times I wanted to lean over and whisper to the grandma, “ask clarifying questing,” “just listen,” “validate,” and “forgive.”  I just kept thinking of little things I wish I could have said, and suddenly it occurred to me that that is probably how the Holy Ghost feels working with me sometimes.  There are probably several times that I could easily find solutions to problems or challenges in my life if I would just tune into that still small voice that could give me little pearls of wisdom, especially in my family relationships.

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“Carefully listen to learn from the Lord through the still small voice—the Holy Spirit—which leads to truth. Listen to learn by studying scriptures that record His holy mind and will. Listen to learn in prayer, for He will answer the humble who truly seek Him.

The wise listen to learn from the Lord. I testify of Him and certify that as we “hearken and … hear the voice of the Lord,” we will be blessed.”

-Elder Russell Nelson

As we take time to listen and act on promptings from the Holy Ghost, we are richly blessed.  The Lord hasn’t abandoned us.  He has blessed us with a guide, comforter, and constant companion, if we will “receive” his gift.

I’m grateful we have the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and hope we can listen to those “still small whisperings” this week.

Sincerely,

Lydia

Counsel With Your Councils

Dear Sisters,

I have been thinking a lot about the amazing 5^th Sunday lesson given by our good bishopric.  They taught us about ward and family councils. At first, that seemed like a bit of an odd topic.  When it was mentioned in ward council, I even asked if that was in the church handbook.  I have since been quite humbled as I have come across several talks on the subject.  One of my favorites was a conference talk given by Elder Ballard.  He urged leaders to “make wise used of committees and councils,” because when they do, “they move the work of the Lord forward much faster and farther.”  

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I am certain the same is true within our own homes.  When we gather, and prayerfully discuss challenges and solutions as a family, there is more unity and the Lord can inspire and direct us, touching the hearts of our family.

As I have read the Book of Mormon this past week, I have been fascinated how often Lehi gathered his family and counseled with them, prophesying, warning, and directing them as they faced challenges.

  

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Almost all of 2^nd Ne. Chapter 1 is filled with his teachings to his family council.  He taught and prophesied “according to the workings of the Spirit” which was in him, pleading with his children to “remember to observe the statutes and the judgments of the Lord; behold, this hath been the anxiety of my soul from the beginning."

Elder Ballard told us that:

“This is the miracle of Church councils: listening to each other and listening to the Spirit! When we support one another in Church councils, we begin to understand how God can take ordinary men and women and make of them extraordinary leaders. The best leaders are not those who work themselves to death trying to do everything single-handedly; the best leaders are those who follow God’s plan and counsel with their councils." 

This was a quote I needed to hear.  I am working on being a better leader and using my council more effectively… so as not to work myself to death. ;)  We are also trying to follow this direction in our own home.  I’m trying to listen more—I tend to like to do the talking. (Shocking, I know.) J  It’s a work in progress, but I can already feel blessings come into our home as we try to follow the prophet and the counsel of our bishopric.

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Hope you have a wonderful week and take a moment to prayerfully counsel with your families.

Sincerely,

Lydia

Confession and a Testimony

Dear Sisters,

I have a confession to make.  It’s been weighing on me…  So I issued a challenge last year to read the Book of Mormon, and it got so busy for me with the holidays and sick bugs etc., that I JUST now finished the Book of Mormon.  Shame on me for not practicing what I preach! :)  I know I’m a little late here, but I guess this is just real life. Be patient with me. ;) 

I just wanted to share my testimony of the Book of Mormon.  I LOVE that book!  I know it’s true!  I have prayed about its truthfulness when I have finished it before, but this time, I just knelt and wept with gratitude for that beautiful book.  I just told Heavenly Father that I know it’s true.  I feel it every time I open it. 

That last chapter is particularly beautiful- read it in you have a moment. (Moroni 10)  It covers everything from spiritual gifts to coming unto Christ.  Moroni really packed in the doctrine there, and he seems so real to me.  I can just picture this lonely man, compiling records, while observing the devastating destruction of his people who dwindled in wickedness and unbelief.  On the other hand, a spiritual giant, walking and talking with the Lord, and weighing every word he wrote, hoping it would mean something to us and change our hearts today. 

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I have received such an outpouring of knowledge and guidance as I have read the Book of Mormon this last year.  I have found great comfort in “likening” the scriptures to my life.  I am so grateful for the prophets who took so much time to chisel and painstakingly record their prophesies, revelations, and histories that are amazingly applicable today.  They knew our time, and Heavenly Father knew that we would need that record and the second witness of the Savior in order to overcome the obstacles of these last days.  I am SO thankful for the peace, guidance, and direction the Book of Mormon has given to my life.  I have no doubt that it is true and good.  I continue to urge each of you to keep reading and studying the Book of Mormon.  It will bring light and truth to your life that you can't find in any other place!

Sincerely,

Lydia 

Preparing Drop by Drop

Dear Sisters,

A few years back, when I lived in Moscow, Idaho, we had to travel about 2 hours to get to the Spokane, Washington Temple.  

It took a lot of planning, scheduling, and coordinating.  We would usually try to find a couple to trade with us, while we switched off watching kids and attending sessions.  We had to pack food, schedule a room in the church next door so we had a “home-base”, and prepare for naps.  Basically, it was an all day affair, but it was always such a spiritual feast when we did make the sacrifice to attend.  Aren’t we blessed to have a temple so close?!

As I was thinking back on those times, I remembered one time that was pretty unforgettable for me.  I had worked very hard to coordinate a temple trip with eight other couples.  It took a lot of planning and effort, and during the last couple minutes of the drive, I stressfully checked my bag, pulling out my temple recommend, only to find that it had expired 3 days prior.  I was crushed!  I felt like I had worked hard to get there, and now I had come all that way, and wouldn’t be able to go.  I spent the day tending children, and I was glad I could help the other couples, but I also felt a little sorry for myself.  

As I watched these couples, and my own husband enter the temple doors, I was reminded of the parable of the ten virgins found in Matthew 25.  Maybe it was a little dramatic to think of it like that, but I really felt like I was being shut out and left behind.

I think it is interesting that in this parable, it makes it clear that all of the virgins remembered to bring their lamps, even the five foolish virgins; however, they “took no oil with them.”  And when they were told that the bridegroom was coming, even those foolish virgins trimmed their lamps to prepare.  It was just in that last crucial moment that they realized they hadn’t prepared enough and had no oil for their lamps.

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I’m sure you are familiar with the rest of the parable.  While they were rushing to buy oil, the bridegroom came.  Those that were ready, went with him and “the door was shut.”  And when the foolish virgins tried to enter, he said, “I know you not.”

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My experience at the temple, reminded me that I needed to prepare myself spiritually as well as temporally for attending the temple, and especially for the Savior’s coming.  I don’t ever want to be cut off, shut out, or left behind.  I committed that I would never let my recommend expire again, and I am blessed every day that I try to serve, keep my covenants, and study the gospel to add oil to my lamp. 

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Just as we are reminded in that scripture, we don’t know when the Savior will come again, but it may not be far off.  The simple, kind, good things we do add oil to our lamps and prepare us for the second coming, and for attending the temple, His Holy House. 

“Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity—these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps.”

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), Faith Precedes the Miracle(1972), 256.

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Sisters, add some oil to your lamps this week!  I love you!

Sincerely,

Lydia