Running

"let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith"

part of Hebrews 12:1-2

How do I suppose I can lay aside every weight and sin?  Not by what I can do alone, only what I can do with Christ's love and mercy for me.  RUN with patience.  I love running.  I love races.  To me, running can mean interest and urgency in the cause.  There is a race or a path set before me of righteousness, and for me running the path means that I am "anxiously engaged in a good cause"

Patience, Affliction

James 5:10-11

10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

As I have read these words I am reminded of all that the prophets have done for the people on the earth and how grateful I am for all of them, and for our living Prophet today, President Monson.  Joseph Smith is an example of "suffering affliction, and of patience" as he was persecuted and eventually martyred. Elder Holland's talk Lessons from Liberty Jail  has taught me much about the principle of how suffering afflictions can become a sacred, spiritual experience. 

As I have been faced with trials throughout my life, the Lord has never left me helpless or alone, only I have chosen to feel that way.  I have been happy as I have endured, and I have seen the Lord's hand in my life as I have worked to develop patience and be patient, and even when I haven't been so patient.  He has blessed me and truly is "very pitiful, and of tender mercy".  Elder Bednar's talk    The Tender Mercies of the Lord has helped me to recognize the Lord's tender mercies in my life and show gratitude for them, because no matter what happens, I am a very, very blessed person.

‎* You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

* You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

* You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.

* You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.

* You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.

* You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.

* You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.

* You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.

* You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.

* You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.

Rev. William John Henry Boetcker, 1916

"If you want a blessing, don't just kneel down and pray about it. Prepare yourselves in every conceivable way you can in order to make yourselves worthy to recieve the blessings you seek." -Harold B. Lee

Very appropriate for today

We Can Live with God Again 





As I went on lds.org today, this is not what I was looking for. I was looking for something totally different, but in hopes of what I would find would bring me the same feelings and peace that this video did.  For those of you, whoever you are, that read this blog, you'll notice I don't do a whole lot of actual "blogging"...it's more quotes and occasionally funny stuff.  Not a whole lot about my thoughts or feelings, for my own personal reasons.  (If you need to know why, email me, maybe I'll tell you).  Anyhow, today being one month since my Grandma passed away, this video was very appropriate for today. I know that the truths shared in this video are real. I know what the Prophet testified of is true. I know that "Our lives will not end when we die. Our future lives are determined by the way we live our lives now." I know that death is part of God's plan, that family relationships can continue beyond the grave and that because of our Savior Jesus Christ, we will all be resurrected.

Although through this last month things have been hard and they have been sad, I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life blessing both me and my Mom. Through the passing of my Grandma, I have been so blessed and I have learned so much, and for that I am grateful.  I have had priceless spiritual experiences. Don't get me wrong.  It's been hard.  But I have not (and I will not) be alone as I continue on with my life without my Grandma on earth.  I know where she is.  I know she's okay. And I'll be okay.

Relief Society

President Henry B. Eyring said:

“This society is composed of women whose feelings of charity spring from hearts changed by qualifying for and by keeping covenants offered only in the Lord’s true Church. Their feelings of charity come from Him through His Atonement. Their acts of charity are guided by His example—and come out of gratitude for His infinite gift of mercy—and by the Holy Spirit, which He sends to accompany His servants on their missions of mercy. Because of that, they have done and are able to do uncommon things for others and to find joy even when their own unmet needs are great.”

Henry B. Eyring, “The Enduring Legacy of Relief Society,”Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2009, 121

Doctrine and Covenants 63:20

Nevertheless, he that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth when the day of transfiguration shall come

Albert Einstein

Everybody is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.

2012

Keep this in mind New Years Resolution-ers:
"Vision without execution is hallucination.” Thomas Edison