TO PLANT A SEED

Fourteen years ago Victor and Devlyn were baptized as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  A year later Victor and I were sealed in the Saint George, UT temple.  We were also sealed to our children: Devlyn, Evan and Aislyn.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a  fertile seed and will continue to grow eventually into a mature Olive Tree.  The fruits of that tree are the precious souls that are saved through the sharing of the Gospel. 

That tiny seed that was planted 14 years ago has continued to grow.  All of our children have been baptized, except one, as members of the church.  The branches have grown out and blessed the lives of Victor's family.  Sandy, Victor's older sister, joined the church over a year ago along with her son, Nico and her daughter, Raquel.

Nico has been a worthy and faithful priesthood holder who loves to attend church.  He has been a great example for his older brother, Rogelio.

The blessings of the Gospel continue to pour out on our family.  Evan was ordained a Priest at church yesterday.  Yesterday evening, Evan was given the opportunity to exercise his priesthood by baptizing his cousin, Rogelio.  Next Sunday, Evan and Victor will exercise their priesthood by blessing the sacrament together.

Rogelio, will soon be ordained and hold an office in the priesthood.  An added blessing to his family when they move to Lancaster this weekend. 

I have seen the hand of God working on Victor's family and have seen it present in the lives of his extended family living in Santa Maria and Lompoc.  There are cousins in his family who have family members who are also members of the church.  I know these little seeds will continue to grow and that Victor's family will be an orchard of strong Olive Trees. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ can not be forced upon others.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is patient and kind.  It is tolerant and forgiving.  As we continue to live as Christ, we are the examples that are necessary to touch the hearts and minds of our family members who are not yet members of His true church.

ETERNAL TRUTHS

I really enjoy reading the scriptures.  My favorite standard work is the Book of Mormon.  My favorite book is the Book of Enos.  My favorite chapter is chapter 1.  My favorite verse... well, they are all good.

I was reading the Book of Enos the other day and was touched again by the power of Enos's testimony.  I believe that any person who has experienced a mighty change can relate to the feelings of Enos.  Each time I read his account I reflect on my own life and the blessings of the atonement.  As I read his words this week there were several verses that meant more to me than any others I had read before:

"And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

"And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.

"And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away."

-Enos 1:4-6

Many years ago I had a similar experience and I remember asking the question "Have you forgiven me?"  The answer returned was a warm and distinct "Yes."

I felt the burden of my past mistakes and errors lift from me.  Each time I read the testimony of Enos I am reminded of the love and compassion my Heavenly Father had toward me.

I have also known that "God could not lie" and that I have no reason to doubt.

Heavenly Father blesses each of us "Because of thy faith in Christ," whom we have never seen or heard.  He has promised:  "I will grant unto thee according to they desires, because of thy faith."

Faith in Christ is the key to unlocking so many Eternal Truths.  Faith being the first principle of the Gospel brings us unto Christ.  Believing Christ helps us to gain a remission of our sins and to hear the loving, compassionate words of our Heavenly Father "go to, thy faith hath made thee whole."

With the experiences, trials and tests of the past year and a half I have come to rely on the words spoken by Heavenly Father:  "Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it."  I have the same faith as Enos:  "I had faith, and I did cry unto God..."

Enos testifies:  "And I, Enos, knew it would be according to the covenant which he had made; wherefore my soul did rest."

When we are right with God and we make and keep sacred covenants we will find peace and rest for our souls.  I am grateful that I was prompted to turn to the Lord and to the scriptures during those times in my life that were so difficult.  I am grateful that I found peace where none was seen.  So many unbelievers counseled me to cut my losses and just give up.  I am glad that I did not listen and that I chose to turn to the Lord.  The blessings are much sweeter and more meaningful when you understand and learn the lessons taught through trials.  I am much stronger as a person.  I trust Heavenly Father in everything and turn to him often.  He knows better than any one my personal needs and what will bring happiness into my life.  I know he loves me and wants me to be happy.

ANSWER TO PRAYERS

Most of us pray regularly.  If you are like me you express your gratitude for the abundant blessings from a loving Heavenly Father.  I have found that I am grateful for a great many things.  An average person would probably find some of the things that I am grateful for trivial.  I have found that expressing my gratitude for all things, whether great or small, keeps me grounded.  I am able to discern what is needed vs. wanted.

When I pray for guidance or blessings I often check myself before the request is uttered in supplication to Heavenly Father.  I have never doubted that He hears and answers my prayers.  Often times the answers are found in my scripture study.  The answers are sometimes direct and to the point.  Other times the answers require further study and pondering during my daily scripture reading.

During my prayers today I expressed my sincere desires for the financial well-being of my family.  The pleas to continue to find favor with my employer and for Victor to find work have been the greatest of my desires.  These have been in my prayers for over a year. 

Today while reading in Jacob chapter 7 my answer came again as it usually does:

"Now, this thing was pleasing unto me, Jacob, for I had requested it of my Father who was in heaven; for he had heard my cry and answered my prayer."

Sometimes all we need to know is that Heavenly Father hears our cries and that because we asked he answers.

I may not know how or when my pleas will be satisified.  I do know that Heavenly Father hears me and he will bless me and my family with what we need.

THE GREATEST HUNGER

"The greatest hunger in life is not for food, money, success, status, security, sex or even love from the opposite sex.  Time and again people have achieved all of these things and wound up still feeling dissatisfied -- indeed, often more dissatisfied than when they began.  The deepest hunger in life is a secret that is revealed only when a person is willing to unlock a hidden part of the self.  In the ancient traditions of wisdom, this quest has been likened to diving for the most precious pearl in existence, a poetic way of saying that you have to swim far out beyond shallow waters, plunge deep into yourself, search patiently until the pearl beyond price is found.

"The pearl is also called essence, the breath of God, the water of life, holy nectar -- labels for what we, in our more prosaic scientific age, would simply call transformation.  Transformation means radical change of form, the way a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly.  In human terms, it means turning fear, aggression, doubt, insecurity, hatred, and emptiness into their opposites.  Can this really be achieved?  One thing we know for certain:  The secret hunger that gnaws at poeple's souls has nothing to do with externals like money, status, and security.  It's the inner person who craves meaning in life, the end of suffering, and answers to the riddles of love, death, God, the soul, good and evil.  A life spent on the surface will never answer these questions or satisfy the needs that drive us to ask them."

-written by Deepak Chopra

One of the greatest Tender Mercies provided by a loving Heavenly Father is the knowledge that we are divine.  We are sons and daughters of diety.  We know that we existed before we were born on this earth.  We know that we came here to obtain bodies and to learn and grow.  We have been given agency to choose.  We know that when we die that there is continued life.  The purpose of life and the Plan of Salvation give us hope.  We know the meaning in life.  We can find peace in the face of suffering and trials.  We understand the mysteries of love, death, God, the soul, good and evil.

There are many in this world who hunger b ecause they have not been introduced to the gospel.  There are many who have no hope and who can not find peace because they don't know of the divine Plan of Salvation.

There are others who have been taught and have forgotten or have fallen away.  They hunger and thirst.

We need to share what we know so that peace and hope can spread.  We can offer solace and refuge to the broken heart by sharing the gospel.

FIRST PRINCIPLES

I have had many opportunities to teach the gospel in many different settings.  Over the years I have learned that the gospel is based on the very basic principles and ordinances of faith, repentance, baptism and the Holy Ghost. 

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first step to understanding the deeper lessons taught by our Savior.  Without Faith many of us would not be able to find peace in this world.  Faith helps us to rely upon and understand the great power and miracle of repentance and forgiveness.  Faith helps us to accept the cleansing and healing power of the Atonement.

My patriarchal blessing counsels me to teach my children of the great love that Jesus Christ has for each of them.  You can only teach what you know.  I know how great the love that Jesus Christ has for each of us.  His unending patience and tolerance with our faults and weeknesses.  As my children, spouse and siblings have encountered temptations and have made poor choices I have learned to love them and accept them for who they are.  My family will learn of the great love that the Savior has for them through my meager example of emmulating him by acting as he would.  As I have tried to do as the Savior would I have grown closer to Him and to my Heavenly Father.  I appreciate more the great sacrifice.  I love my family even more than I did before.  Remember Faith, Hope and Love.  The great being Love.

MESSAGE OF HOPE

A friend sent me this utube link and I thought that it was worth sharing with my family and friends.  I tried to add the video directly to this blog and discovered I did not have enough techinical expertice.  I hope the message touches you as much as it did me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTVECvTYpN0&feature=player_detailpage

http://youtu.be/jTVECvTYpN0

LINE UPON LINE; PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT

This morning while I was reading in 2 Nephi 28 I came across a couple verses that I have read many times before.  Yet, this time it meant a little bit more to me and my understanding was broadened.

2 Nephi 28:26-31

26Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!


27Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!

28And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.

29Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!

30For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

31Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

A couple thoughts came to mind: 1) We receive counsel every six months from the Prophet and General Authorities of the Church 2) We have been counseled to read the scriptures daily - specifically The Book of Mormon 3) We have been counseled to pray continually.

What if we decided that we didn't need to listen to or read the Conference Talks?  What if we decided that we didn't need to read our scriptures or say our prayers?  What if we didn't head the counsel of our Priesthood leaders?  What if we decided that we had learned all that we needed to learn?

Every April and October I eagerly anticipate the messages given during General Conference.  I am excited to hear the messages that have been specifically prepared for me.  The messages are meant to inspire us to do good; make ourselves better; give us needed counsel; and sometimes it is designed to repremand.  It is given to each of us to glean from these messages those things that we are required to do; to change and to act upon.  Each step we take is added upon six months later. 

If we choose to not participate in the normal activities afforded Latter Day Saints we will lose the knowledge; comfort; peace and assurance that the Gospel brings.  Basically we start from scratch when we decide to participate again.  What we have learned so far needs to be protected and nourished so that it stays with us; preparing us to gain more wisdom and knowledge in this life.

Heavenly Father desires for us to be better than we are.  He desires for us to have everything he has.  We can't have it all at once.  We gain it a little at a time; when we are ready to receive more.

FRUITY FOLKS

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."  - Galatians 5:22-23

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;"  - Col. 3:12

The fruit of the "Spirit" or the mission of the Holy Ghost is to help us attain God-like qualities.  We are to wear these qualities as attire befitting royalty.  We have been commanded to merciful, kind, gentle, meek and longsuffering.  We should practice patience, humbleness and tolerance.

When we begin to develop these God-like qualities we develop our unique individual personalities.  The fruit of the Spirit is indeed characteristics of Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.  However, we exhibit them in our own unique personalities.  Whether we are like bananas with sensitivie skin protecting any easy-to-bruise interior or the coconut with a hard-as-a-rock exterior covering seet meat within, when we are alive in the Spirit, Heavenly Father's nature is exhibited through the person he has made us to be.

As a mother I need to teach my children how to put on the holy and beloved characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulnees, gentleness and self-control.  My words aren't enough.  I need to pattern my life after the Savior and teach through example.

My fruit basket will be full as will my joy.

THE POWER OF A POSITIVE HEART

God has given us a tool to keep ourselves

 radically happy and peaceful. 

All we have to do is believe.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Hebrews 11:6

A positive, believing heart is one of the heart attitudes that is absolutely vital in our relationship with God.  That may sound funny, since we are called believers.  Don't we all have a believing heart?  No, we don't.  The church is full of "unbelieving believers."

In Matthew 8:13, Jesus says that it shall be done for you as you have believed.  It is amazing how much we can do if we believe we can do it.  We need to get up and start every day by saying over and over, "I believe I can; I believe I can."

When the adversary starts screaming in our ears that we can't get what we are believing God for, we need the heart oand mind of Joshua and Caleb that says, "Let's go and take the Promised Land because we are well able to do so."    We need to have the kind of believing heart that says, "What do You want me to do, Lord?  Whatever it is, I'll do it!"

To live as God intends us to live, the first thing

 we need to do is truly believe that it is God's will for us

 to experience continual joy.  Joy and peace are found

 in believing, and nowhere else.