Power Within

"Thus, the enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity." - David A. Bednar

(You can read the whole article in the April 2012 Ensign).

Making Easter More Meaningful

Growing up in a Jewish family, Easter never really was a tradition for me. Also, as a result of growing up in a Jewish family, I think that if families celebrate religious holidays, then children should be taught their meaning.

So, this year, instead of overdosing your children with sugar, how about an Easter egg hunt in which they learn something about Jesus Christ, the central figure in the Easter story? (No, it's not the Easter bunny...I promise you).

OK, so here's my idea. Take however many plastic eggs you plan to hide and inside each one, write one of the approximately 200 names by which Christ is known. Hide the eggs. Let the little ones gather them up. And then....explain to them the significance of Easter and what those names mean. And then....if you must have candy, have at it!

What are some of those names? Here's a partial list...

Advocate
Almighty
Alpha and Omega

Ancient of Days
Anointed One
Atoning One
Author
Beginning and the Ending
Beloved Son of God
Bread of Life
Bridegroom
Bright and Morning Star
Carpenter's Son
Chief Cornerstone
Chosen One
Comforter
Cornerstone
Counsellor
Creator
Deliverer
Divine Son
Emmanuel
Exemplar
Father of Heaven and Earth
Finisher
Firstborn
Firstfruits
God of Abraham
God of Isaac
God of Israel
God of Jacob
God of Whole Earth
God's Anointed
Good Shepherd
Governor
Great I AM
Head of the Church
Healer
Holy Child
Holy Messiah
Holy One
Holy One of Israel
I AM
Image of God
Immanuel
Jehovah
Jesus
Jesus Christ
Jesus of Galilee
Jesus of Nazareth
Joseph's Son
King of Israel
King of Kings
King of Zion
King of the Jews
Lamb
Lamb of God
Life
Light of the World
Living Bread
Living Stone
Living Water
Lord
Lord of Hosts
Lord of Lords
Lord Omnipotent
Master
Mediator
Meek and Lowly
Messiah
Mighty God
Mighty One
Mighty One of Israel
Mighty One of Jacob
Minister
Most High God
Only Begotten of the Father
Only Begotten Son
Physician
Prince of Peace
Prophet
Rabbi
Redeemer
Redeemer of Israel
Redeemer of the World
Resurrection and the Life
Rock, the
Savior
Savior of the World
Shepherd
Son of God
Son of Man
Son of Mary
Son of Righteousness
Son of the Blessed
Son of the Eternal Father
Son of the Everlasting God
Son of the Highest
Son of the Living God
Son of the Most High God
True Vine
Truth, the
Way, the
Well Beloved
Wonderful
Word, the

Gems of Truth

Twice each year, the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and anyone else who cares to tune in) have the opportunity to hear from the prophet and other leaders of the church, in what is called General Conference. In five separate 2 hour sessions over a 2 day period, selected leaders speak on a variety of gospel-related topics. The most recent General Conference was this past weekend.

I always love listening to the talks of General Conference. They are uplifting, thoughtful, thought provoking, insightful, informative and calming. You don't have to be a member of the church to listen to or benefit from these talks. And, a side benefit is that you get to listen to the amazing Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing.

I have many "favorites" from the sessions this weekend. One thing for sure, though, is that my "favorites" can change over time depending on what's going on in my life. I often refer back to the talks at some later time and find new bits of wisdom, new gems to glean, new inspirations that fit my current circumstances.

One of my favorite talks from this weekend, though, was from Dieter F. Uchtdorf. In reference to "hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, wanting to cause harm",  his simple advice: "Please apply the following. Stop It!"

He went on to quote a bumper sticker he had seen, which truly was one of my favorite quotes of the weekend. It said "don't judge me because I sin differently than you". We could all take that advice, couldn't we?

These and many other gems of truth can be found by clicking HERE.

(Yes, I know...the photos are totally random...or maybe not. Maybe I feel like this horse, nibbling away at the little bits and pieces that nourish my soul.) ;)

Words of Wisdom

Gordon B. Hinckley reciting a teaching of Harold B. Lee: "President Lee told us on more than one occasion to survey large fields and cultivate small ones. He was saying that we must know the big picture and then assiduously work on the particular niche assigned to each of us, and that in doing so we concentrate on the needs of the individual."

Wynn R. Dewsnup: "With tradition comes responsibility."

No spiritual complacency allowed.

All Creatures

Yesterday, while out getting dog food, I met Cule. She's quite a remarkable bird. It's not everyday that I get to see such a magnificent creature up close and personal. 


It reminded me of the hymn, All creatures of our God and King, which I love. The words go as follows: 

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Oh, praise Him
Alleluia
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
Oh, praise Him
Oh, praise Him
Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia

Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in heav'n along
Oh, praise Him
Alleluia
Thou rising moon in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening find a voice
Oh, praise Him
Oh, praise Him
Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia

Let all things their creator bless

And worship Him in humbleness

Oh, praise Him

Alleluia

Praise, praise the Father praise the Son

And praise the Spirit three in one

Oh, praise Him

Oh, praise Him

Alleluia

Alleluia

Alleluia

Praise, praise the Father praise the Son

And praise the Spirit three in one

Oh, praise Him

Oh, praise Him

Alleluia

Alleluia

Alleluia

On a More Serious Note...

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we use the Old and New Testament, along with two other books of scripture, The Book of Mormon and The Doctrine and Covenants with the Pearl of Great Price, the four volumes comprising what is referred to as the standard works. Each year, members of the church embark on a course of study of one of the four volumes, cycling through the entire set every four years. The year that just finished covered the New Testament. This year's study will center on the Book of Mormon.

Our local church leaders have asked that we begin with a new, unmarked copy of the Book of Mormon and keep a journal of our thoughts, impressions, inspirations, questions, lessons learned, etc. as we read. (Actually, they just asked that we keep a journal - they didn't suggest what we write in it, so the specifics listed were my addition). 

I love this idea and suggest that any religious/spiritual/interested person, whether you are a Latter-day Saint or a Catholic or a Southern Baptist or a Jew or a Muslim, can benefit from doing this. Whatever scriptures you are reading, whatever books you read for inspiration, if you have a tendency to mark them as you read, underlining words that are meaningful to you or leaving notes in the margin, start with a clean fresh copy this year. My scriptures are well worn and well marked...they have become my cliff notes. Starting with a fresh set will likely cause me to read all the words, not just re-read the ones that I've already deemed as "important". And who knows what new meaning I will get from them? 

Keeping a journal is not my forté, for sure. I have kept journals in the past - words written in anger or frustration or hurt or sorrow as a catharsis, but not necessarily meant to be re-read. I've kept journals that are running streams of inconsequential daily events with no hint of how those events made me feel...more like a collection of old calendar pages. Many of these pages filled with empty thoughts sit on my bookshelf collecting dust. I was thinking I needed some motivation to make it work better this time around.

As we were discussing this idea in our Relief Society meeting yesterday (the church's women's organization which meets each Sunday along with our congregational worship and Sunday school) an idea popped into my head. What if I thought of a family member, a friend, or a loved-one with whom I wanted to share my thoughts and inspirations, with whom I wanted to share my love for the Savior, and wrote my journal as if it were a letter to that person? What if I presented my "journal" to them as a gift next Christmas or for their birthday or when I feel they need it most?

And so, a new blog is born. Not a public blog. Not a blog open for comment. Not a blog with followers.  Just a private place to record those thoughts and feelings...for now, for my eyes only. Someday, when the time is right, to be shared with that person or persons for whom it is intended. 

So, on this, the first Monday of the year, I begin a new journey in the blogoshpere...a spiritual journey. We'll see where it takes me...and with whom I travel. 

For those of you wondering, yes, of course, I'll continue to blog here too...and from time to time, maybe, just maybe, I'll let you know how the journey is going over in my private corner.

Scripture Study

We try to get together as a family each morning and read scriptures for a few minutes. It's a nice calming way to start the day.

...even for the dogs.

You can see that they are listening intently, right?! NOT.

Are we done? Can I turn on Animal Planet yet, Mom?

Declarations from Dad

It’s Alphabe-Thursday and today we’re talkin’ about the Delightful letter D? And....

‘Dis Daughter Decided to Draw from Discussions with a Dear Departed Dad

Today would have been my Dad’s 94^th birthday. He passed away in 1998, so I won’t have the pleasure of celebrating it with him as I might were he here. Nonetheless, it’s a prefect opportunity to share some thoughts about this wonderful man whose influence I feel in my life Daily. So, here are some “Declarations” from Dad.

Don’t Doubt, Denigrate or Deny the Divine, a.k.a. Devotions Define Decorations... My Dad wasn’t a religious person, at least not in the strict sense of the word. However, he had his beliefs that ran deep and he was true to them.  It being the holiday season, decorations always come to mind for me. As a child growing up in a Jewish family, I often felt slighted because my non-Jewish friends (oh, did I mention? That would be ALL my friends!!) had beautifully decorated homes with lights and Christmas trees and such. When my brothers and I asked why we couldn’t do the same, we were told in no uncertain terms that it made no sense for us to have Christmas decorations since we didn’t celebrate Christmas.  Not even a Hanukkah bush was allowed.

When I moved out and became an independent adult, I went hog wild on Christmas decorations of every kind…but the fascination didn’t last long. Now, having come full circle and having converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, if I do decorate, I pretty much limit it to showing my devotion to the one whose birth we actually do celebrate.

Do things that make a Difference. My Dad didn’t often say “leave this world a better place than you found it.” He didn’t have to; the way he lived his life and expected us to do the same shouted this unspoken Declaration loud and clear.

Some other Declarations from Dad that need no explanation:

Dare to Dream

Don’t Deceive

Drink of life 'cuz it's simply Delicious

Don’t Doubt yourself or your Decisions

Don't Dilly Dally Because Desire along with Doing Drives Destiny and there is a Declining # of Days left in this life...

…and many other things… Happy 94th, Dad. Love and miss you! 

Hop on over to Mrs. Jenny’s place to see what other folks are Doing with that Dastardly D…

Such a Privilege

We had a rare opportunity today...to attend a conference in which we heard Thomas S. Monson, the living prophet who currently presides over the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The conference was held at Weber State University with approximately 10,000 people in attendance and a further broadcast audience of 90,000 in remote locations across northern Utah. 

His message was one of reaching out to those around us who need our help. He loves history, especially military history of the 20th century, it seems and, at 89 years of age, he's lived plenty of it. He told a story about lost battalions in the war, and then used it metaphorically in reference to those who have lost their way in one way or another, and our responsibility to help rescue them. 

One example he used, referring to how we should view and treat others who are struggling, came from Clinton Duffy, who was warden of San Quentin State Prison in N. California 1940 - 1952. Warden Duffy is best known for turning the prison around from a violent and degrading place which had terrible conditions for the prisoners and an extremely dangerous work environment for the guards to one where he would walk amongst them unarmed. When told by one skeptic that a leopard doesn't change its spots, referring to the seemingly unchangeable nature of the prisoners, he responded, "I don't work with leopards, I work with people."  President Monson admonished that in order to convince those you wish to change to do so, you must demonstrate that you are a sincere friend. Warden Duffy won the trust and respect of the prisoners because he showed his genuine concern for their well-being by making much needed changes to their living conditions; he treated them with the respect and dignity of one human being to another. 

In addition to President Monson's talk, we also heard from Neil L. Anderson, from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  Everyone laughed when he stood and said that he had not reviewed his talk with President Monson, because he knew if he had, President Monson, being a humble man, would have made him change it. The title was "Spiritual Lessons I Have Learned from Pres. Monson."

I loved his talk which included the following ideas. 

1. He could sum up what Pres. Monson is all about with a single scripture found in Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

2. Never let your youth be an excuse. President Monson was called to be an apostle at age 36. He certainly didn't have much experience at that time, but he fully relied on his relationship with the Lord to help him in whatever he was asked to do - then and now.

3. President Monson believes three things: Whom the Lord calls, He qualifies. The Lord shapes the back to bear the burden placed upon it. When on the Lord's errand, you are entitled to His help.

4. Kindness and loyalty are essential.

5. When speaking as a young man with an earlier prophet, he was asked if he liked Shakespeare. Not sure where the conversation was heading, he said "yes" and then had to respond to the next dreaded question about his favorite writings from the Bard. Quickly he summoned from memory the quote from Cardinal Wolsey in Henry VIII, "Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my King, He would not in mine age have left me naked to mine enemies", and then was relieved when the next question to him was "would you pass the potatoes, please?" The point of this was to enjoy all aspects of whatever you do.

6. Life is full of choices. Choose your love; love your choice.

7. Regarding successful marriages, Pres. Monson allows his wife to be who she is and visa versa. They can do this because there is complete trust and loyalty between them.

8. Understand the difference between need and greed and do not allow yourself to think the latter is the former. Pres. Monson counseled against second mortgages long before the mortgage industry went haywire in 2007.

9. Care for one another. Never postpone responding to a spiritual prompting. Elder Anderson told a rather lengthy story about Pres. Monson having taken the time to visit with a family that had suffered a personal tragedy even when he was under a very tight schedule and ran the risk of missing a flight, and the impact that had had on the family. The story was typical of many similar stories I have heard of the kindness and selflessness of the wonderful man.

10. And finally, referring to Pres. Monson's role as prophet of the Lord, "Whosoever receiveth my word receiveth me, and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those, the First Presidency, whom I have sent, whom I have made counselors for my name’s sake unto you", saying that those who follow him will have the Lord's blessing for doing so.

We also heard from Marlin K. Jensen and Rosemary Wixom, two other church leaders. Their talks were terrific, the former on the significance of the Holy Ghost and the latter on the responsibility to teach children. I won't go into detail on them at this time. Perhaps later...

After, we changed out of our Sunday clothes and went to visit my mother-in-law who has been in the hospital for the past couple days. She seems to be improving and should be returning home in the next day or two. So, all in all, a terrific day.

Great Are the Gifts

For my friends who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and (anyone else who cares to listen and learn), the gift of General Conference is of immeasurable value.

 Not everyone is open to the messages that are given, although I fail to understand why, since they are of love, of peace, of inclusion, of hope. I wonder what the "inspiration" for this young man's message is. What has provoked him to anger, to cynicism?

Personally, I prefer to look up...even if it is at the clouds.