Let us remember

 

 

“We’re all pioneers. Across the years, and across the miles, we blaze our trails through our personal wild frontiers. In a wide variety of circumstances, we cross our plains, sing our songs, bury our dead, deal with our personal sorrows, bear one another’s burdens, visit, comfort, and show compassion. Blessed, honored pioneers!” Mary Ellen Edmunds

 

“As we pioneer into any endeavor, we have the benefit of those who have pioneered before us. We have the gospel plan to follow, which needs no experimentation, but we must plan and work to accomplish the goal we seek-eternal life.”

 

N. Eldon Tanner

 

“There are lessons for us in every footstep they [the pioneers] took–lessons of love, courage, commitment, devotion, endurance, and, most of all, faith.”

 

“No matter how difficult the trail, and regardless of how heavy our load, we can take comfort in knowing that others before us have borne life’s most grievous trials and tragedies by looking to heaven for peace, comfort, and hopeful assurance.”

Let us remember that the Savior is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and there can be no greater promise than to know that if we are faithful and true, we will one day be safely encircled in the arms of His love. He is always there to give encouragement, to forgive, and to rescue. Therefore, as we exercise faith and are diligent in keeping the commandments, we have nothing to fear from the journey.

Three of my grandsons stood with me on the crest of the hill known as the Eminence last summer. Looking down at the Sweetwater where the Willie Company was stranded, cold and starving, we read from their journals of the joy of their rescue. As John Chislett wrote: “Just as the sun was sinking beautifully behind the distant hills, … several covered wagons … were seen coming towards us. The news ran through the camp like wildfire. … Shouts of joy rent the air; strong men wept till tears ran freely down their furrowed and sun-burnt cheeks. … That evening, for the first time in quite a period, the songs of Zion were to be heard in the camp. … With the cravings of hunger satisfied, and with hearts filled with gratitude to God and our good brethren, we all united in prayer, and then retired to rest.”

At that moment, standing on the same hill from which the Willie Company first saw their rescuers, I contemplated the joy that will fill our hearts when we fully come to know the eternal significance of the greatest rescue—the rescue of the family of God by the Lord Jesus Christ. For it is through Him that we have promise of eternal life. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of spiritual power that will give you and me the assurance that we have nothing to fear from the journey. I know the Lord Jesus Christ lives, and our unwavering faith in Him will see us safely along our journey through life, to which I humbly testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

M. Russell Ballard

 

The Grace of God

The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions.

But then one day after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stung with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you knowI was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal" they replied.

Just when things look bleakest, hang in there a little while longer. The next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

Author Unknown

 

 

Heaven's Help will attend you

It is entitled She Will Find What Is Lost, by Brian Kershisnik.

By Emily Freeman

I wonder what memory or experience this painting evokes in you?

Perhaps you are thinking of a lost ring, or a purse, or maybe even a set of keys…that is me most days.

But not today.

Today I wondered if it was a child.

Her child.

Lost.

Spiritually.

And I thought of the mothers everywhere who are praying for a son or a daughter who is struggling right now.  And I wonder if that mother knows that Heaven is there with her?

That just there, on the other side of the veil, loved ones are helping.  Looking desperately for answers.  Reaching to offer comfort.  Just as consumed with the finding as she is.

Does she feel their strength in those moments when it seems all is lost?  Does she hear whispers of guidance when she wonders where to turn next?  Does she feel the support of generations of mothers who are there to offer more when she questions if what she has to offer is enough?

Because finding the lost can be exhausting.  Fraught with complication.  And some days find you with a heart broken, and tears spilling over, and soul poured out.

If you are that mother remember this…

You are not alone.

Heaven’s Help will attend you as you seek to find the lost one.

And Heaven never sleeps.

In both your day lit and your darkest hours they will attend you…on your right hand and on your left…round about you…to lift you up.

Because your work is urgent.

And Heaven’s attention will be constant.

Until you have found what is lost.

No matter how long it takes.

Without end

 

 

 

 

 

And CHARITY suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 

And LOVE suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 

And CHRIST suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not his own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 

 

Grace: noun

1.      The exercise of love, kindness, or good will disposition to benefit or serve another.

2.      The divine favor toward man, the undeserved kindness or forgiveness of God, divine love or pardon

3.     Beauty, physical, intellectual, or moral, easy elegance of manners, perfection of form.

 

You have all kinds of trials to pass through, and it is quite as necessary for you to be tried even as Abraham, and other men of God," and, said he, "God will feel after you, he will take hold of you and wrench your very heartstrings, and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Kingdom of God.

 

Joseph Smith

 

 

 

Faith: noun

1.      unshakable belief or trust in something, without proof.

2.      Complete confidence or trust in a person, remedy

 

Remember that each of us is being tested, just as the finest cars and planes are tested before they are put into service. They are tested for weaknesses; they are tested for flaws. Can you stand the test? At the bar the Judge will not look us over for medals, degrees, or diplomas, but for scars.

 

Hugh B. Brown

 

 

Because He Lives All Fear is Gone

 

 

Courage: noun

1.     The power or ability to deal with or face danger, fear, pain.

2.      The courage of one's convictions, the confidences to act in accordance with one's beliefs.

 

Where love is, there God is also

 

He Loved, us first

 

"Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish? Who, who can understand? He, only One." ... "He answers privately, reaches my reaching in my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend. Gentle the peace He finds for my beseeching. Constant He is and kind, love without end."

 

 
 

You will always remember

 

 

The watchman wrote that the boys, each about 7 or 8 years old, had come early one morning to Temple Square, pulling their brothers in little carts. One of the boys told the watchman that it was the birthday of his little brother Joe, and explained, "'He is two years old today, and I want him to touch the temple so that when he gets to be an old man he will remember he touched the temple when he was two years old.' "

The boy pointed to the other toddler and said that his name was Mark, and that he was two years old, also.

The watchman's note continued: "Then with a solemn, reverent attitude rare in children so young, he asked, 'Can we go over and touch the temple?' I replied, 'Sure you can.' They pushed their little carts over to the temple and lifted the infants up, and placed their hands against that holy building. Then as I stood there with a lump in my throat, I heard the little boy say to his infant brother, 'Now, Joe, you will always remember when you were two years old you touched the temple.' They thanked me and departed for home"

        

 

He always remembers us

 

“To be in control of your life, to be a success regardless of your situation whether happily married, unhappily married, a single parent, a widow, or a wife of an inactive husband, I recommend that you come to know your Father in Heaven. Come to love Him, and always remember that He loves you and will give you guidance and support if you will but give Him the chance. Include Him in your decision making. Include Him when you take inventory of your personal worth. “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God;

yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men and women to perform their labors.”

 

Marvin J. Ashton

 

“The Savior’s atonement in the garden and on the cross is intimate as well as infinite. Infinite in that it spans the eternities. Intimate in that the Savior felt each person’s pains, sufferings, and sicknesses. Consequently, he knows how to carry our sorrows and relieve our burdens that we might be healed from within, made whole persons,

and receive everlasting joy in his kingdom.”

 

Merrill J. Bateman

 

At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten.

But always remember you matter to Him!

 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

The sacrament prayers dictated by the Lord himself should keep us constantly

reminded of the gospel covenants we have entered into with the Lord.”

 

Whether or not you choose to keep your covenant to always remember Him, He always remembers you.

 

"Prayer unlocks the powers of heaven in our behalf. Prayer is the great gift which our Eternal Father has given us by which we may approach Him and speak with Him. Be prayerful. You cannot make it and reach your potential alone.

You need the help of the Lord."  

 

Gordon B. Hinckely

 

 

It is thyself, just thee

Jesus is showing us how completely the Father has remembered the promises he has made to his children, showing us how completely the Father has turned his heart towards us.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son."

by Jeffery G. Chapman

 

"Happiness follows effort.  It occurs when the mind is at peace with the soul and the heart, when we are one with ourselves.  It frequently occurs in the midst of hardship, trial, poverty, pain. It is frequently absent in the midst of wealth, ease, comfort and physical pleasure." 

The poem tells of a young husband and father, who has gone into the mountains near his home to have solitary communion with his Heavenly Father in prayer.

The young man has a plea:

"What gift can I give dear Father,

To show my love for thee?"

The Father responds:

"There is no gift that thou canst bring

Except thyself just thee"

The man is perplexed and seeks to probe further, but the response, "only thyself just thee" is all he receives that morning and he must head down into the fields of his day's work, pondering over this message from the Lord.  Near the end of his day, weary and worn, he returns home and coming up the path is greeted by shouts of joy and hugs from his small child.

The heart of this young father is filled near to bursting with love for his child. Slowly, with his little one clasped in his arms, the father turns and looks again at the mountain where earlier that day he had poured out his heart regarding something holy he could offer to the Heavenly Father he loved so much. It seemed to the young man as the last stream of sunlight hits the mountain peak that he felt an answer pierce his heart.

Yes, go to the mountain for comfort,

Go to the mountain to pray

Yet it's here in the valley you're shaping

The gift you will offer one day

Work while that day is offered

Give to the task at hand

Serve with a heart that is open

With love for your fellowman

Yes, go the mountain for comfort

Go to the mountain to pray

But remember my son it's the valley

Where you're forging your life for that day

President Holland described a scene he chanced upon while walking through the Salt Lake International Airport following a lengthy trip he had just completed. In those pre-9/11 days you could accompany a friend or family member right to the boarding area before they departed or be present at the gates to greet loved ones who had just flown home. President Holland said that as he came into the terminal that, it was clear there was a missionary returning home due to all the "conspicuous-looking missionary friends and missionary relatives" around the terminal.  He says:

I tried to pick out the immediate family members. There was a father who did not look particularly comfortable in an awkward- fitting and slightly out-of-fashion suit. He seemed to be a man of the soil, with a suntan and large, work-scarred hands….There was a mother who was quite thin, looking as if she had worked very hard in her life…she seemed filled with anticipation only the mother of a returning missionary could know. There was a beautiful girl who—well, you know about girls and returning missionaries. She appeared to be on the verge of cardiac arrest…Two or three younger brothers and sisters were running around, largely oblivious to the scene that was unfolding. I walked past them all and started for the front of the terminal. Then I thought to myself, 'This is one of the special human dramas in our lives. Stick around and enjoy it.'

Slipping into the back of the crowd and watching as passengers started coming off the plane,

President Holland said he soon:

Found himself starting to bet as to who would make the break first. I thought probably the girlfriend would want to most of all, but undoubtedly she was struggling with discretion. Two years is a long time, you know, and maybe one shouldn't appear too assertive. Then a look…convinced me that the mother was probably the one. She obviously needed to hold something, so the child she had carried and nurtured and gone down into the valley of the shadow of death to deliver would be just what the doctor ordered.

Of the many magnificent purposes served in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, one great aspect of that mission often goes uncelebrated…It is the grand truth that in all that Jesus came to say and do, including and especially in His atoning suffering and sacrifice, He was showing us who and what God our Eternal Father is like, how completely devoted He is to His children in every age and nation. In word and in deed Jesus was trying to reveal and make personal to us the true nature of His Father, our Father in Heaven."

Jesus is showing us how completely the Father has remembered the promises he has made to his children, showing us how completely the Father has turned his heart towards us. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son."

Do you remember earlier we left then-President Holland standing in an airport terminal? He is still there wondering who will greet this returning missionary. Suddenly the missionary appears, exiting the plane.

He looked like Captain Moroni, clean and handsome and straight and tall…his suit was worn but clean, his slightly tattered raincoat was still protecting him from the chill his mother had so often warned him about. He came to the bottom of the steps and started out across…toward our building and then, sure enough, somebody in the crowd of family and friends couldn't take it any longer. It wasn't the mother, and it wasn't the girlfriend…It was the father. That big, slightly awkward, quiet and bronzed giant of a man put an elbow into the ribcage of a flight attendant and ran, just simply ran, out onto that airfield and swept his son into his arms.

The elder was probably 6′2″ or so, but this big bear of a father grabbed him, took him clear off his feet, and held him for a long, long time. He just held him and said nothing. The boy dropped his briefcase, put both arms around his dad, and they just held each other very tightly. It seemed like all eternity stood still, and for a precious moment the Salt Lake City Airport was the center of the entire universe. It was as if all the world had gone silent out of respect for such a sacred moment.

And then, Pres. Holland said:

I thought of God the Eternal Father watching his boy go out to serve, to sacrifice when he didn't have to do it, paying his own way, so to speak, costing everything he had saved all his life to give. At that precious moment, it was not too difficult to imagine that father speaking with some emotion to those who could hear, 'This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' And it was also possible to imagine that triumphant returning son, saying, 'It is finished. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.'

"Oh Father, what gift can I offer,

To show my love for thee?"

My Son, you have given the one gift that matters

It is thyself, just thee.

…. may we all give of ourselves and seek diligently to turn hearts, beginning with our own, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

 

Tender Mercies

 

 

Prayer turns problems into promises and possibilities.

 

“You never know what good may come from a little thing you do.”

 

 

God allows each of us to make our own choices, good and bad.

Because that is the only way GOOD can be in us, if we freely

Choose it over all else.

 

 

If today you are a little better than you were yesterday, then that’s enough.

 

David A. Bednar

 

 

"Trouble itself can be your way to strengthen and finally gain unshakable faith."

 

Henry B. Eyring

 

 

 

"We should not need a hurricane or other crisis to remind us of what matters most...

What matters most is what lasts longest."

 

M Russell Ballard

 

 

All of us are in the middle of  a very personal mortal experience.

 

Julie B. Beck

 

 

“Decide to do something that will have eternal consequences… Anywhere you are in the world, with prayer and faith, determination and diligence, and some sacrifice, you can make a powerful contribution.”

 

Richard G. Scott

 

 

Tender Mercies are “very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support and spiritual gifts which we receive

from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

David A. Bednar

 

I love the shadow of Angel Moroni

 

 

 

The Spirit will come.

By Emily Freeman

I made breakfast today for a good friend. Egg sandwiches.  Bacon.  Smoothies.

Oh, that every day could start that way…right?

In the midst of the making we talked.  This friend is good at conversation.  A deep thinker.  With ideas that are bold, creative, and wise. You probably wish you could have come to breakfast.  For the conversation …and because this friend makes the best egg sandwiches you’ve ever seen.

My friend is not just good at frying eggs.  This friend is good at building.  Creating.  Envisioning things my mind wouldn’t even imagine until they are drawn out there on the paper.

I watch and see the gifts that can come from a creative mind, especially when they are backed by a bold heart and it fills up my soul with wonder anticipating the great things that God holds in store for this builder who I ate breakfast with today. We talked about waking up.  Sometimes it’s hard.  Especially if you don’t have anything to look forward to.  Something to anticipate.  A reason.

The hardest mornings are the mornings when it feels like everything is going wrong.  The sky is falling.  Someone knocked down all your blocks.

Seriously…who wants to wake up on those days?

Because it’s hard to put that first block into place.  And really, the finished project so far from complete seems daunting.  And the work it’s going to take to get there feels overwhelming.

Unless you are a builder.  A creator.

Because then putting those blocks in place becomes the passion of your life.  And imagining the finished project becomes the motivation for your waking moments.  And you become someone who can envision things that others haven’t even thought to dream.

And then…waking up is no longer an issue.

Not for a builder. Not for a creator.

Maybe this is you right now.  If so…perhaps you wonder how you might begin to envision the finished project so you can start to build.

The Spirit will tell you how.

All you have to do is let it fill up your heart and your mind and your whole being until you experience creativity and insight and direction in a way you never have before.

Maybe you are wondering how to fill up your whole heart and your mind and your soul with the Spirit.

Turn to the scriptures.  The Spirit will come.

Expect it.  And then you can start to build.

In the past three days I have come to love the word expect.  I have spent a lot of time studying it and thinking about it.

Expect: verb - to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of:

Expect.  Believe.  Imagine.  Anticipate.  Look for.  Hope for.  Look forward to.  Envision.

A reason to wake up every morning.  Filled with the Spirit.  With great expectation.

And you will build.

And you will create.

Simply because that is the person you are.