He held the precious flame

 

“The incomprehensible suffering of Jesus Christ ended sacrifice by the shedding of blood, but it did not end the importance of sacrifice in the gospel plan. Our Savior requires us to continue to offer sacrifices, but the sacrifices He now commands are that we ‘offer for a sacrifice unto Him a broken heart and a contrite spirit’ He also commands each of us to love and serve one another in effect, to offer a small imitation of His own sacrifice by making sacrifices of our own time and selfish priorities.”

 

Dallin H. Oaks

 

Words can be motivating.

Sometimes one simple word can act as a catalyst for change.

Even a small phrase can prompt action.

Live like you Believe!

Practice, Reflect, Remember, Inspire!

Leave better all that you find.

Let your light so shine.

Live in this world with a smile.

Find something you would die for and live for it.

Live your best life!

Emily Freeman

I met a stranger in the night, whose lamp had ceased to shine;
I paused and let him light his lamp from mine.
A tempest sprang up later on, and shook the world about,
And when the wind was gone, my lamp was out.
But back came to me the stranger his lamp was glowing fine;
He held the precious flame and lighted mine.

Author Unknown

“Perhaps the moral of this poem is simply that if you want to give a light
to others, you have to glow yourself.”

Thomas S. Monson

“When we face…temptations in our time, we must declare, as young Nephi did in his,

I will give place no more for the enemy of my soul.’

We can reject the evil one. If we want it dearly and deeply enough, that enemy can and will be rebuked by the redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, I promise you that the light of His everlasting gospel can and will again shine brightly where you feared life had gone hopelessly, helplessly dark.”

Jeffrey R. Holland

 

We must be more like him

 

“We laugh, we cry, we work, we play, we love, we live. And then we die. And dead we would remain but for one man and his mission, even Jesus of Nazareth. He was born in a stable, cradled in a manger. His birth fulfilled the inspired pronouncements of many prophets. He was taught from on high. He provided the life, the light, and the way. Multitudes followed him. Children adored him. The haughty rejected him. He spoke in parables. He taught by example. He lived a perfect life. Through his ministry, blind men saw, deaf men heard, and lame men walked. Even the dead returned to life.”

 

Thomas S. Monson

 

“Jesus spoke frequently of having hearts that could know and feel, ears that were capable of hearing, and eyes that could truly see… Each of us knows those who do not have sight. We also know many others who have their eyesight but who walk in darkness at noonday. These in this latter group may never carry the usual white cane and carefully make their way to the sound of the familiar ‘tap, tap, tap.’ They may not have a faithful seeing-eye dog by their side nor carry a sign about their neck which reads, ‘I am blind,’ but blind they surely are. Some have been blinded by anger, others by indifference, by revenge, by hate, by prejudice, by ignorance, by neglect of precious opportunities. Of such the Lord said, ‘Their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.’ [Matt. 13:15]”

Thomas S. Monson

“You can describe a man in inches, pounds, complexion, or physique.

But you measure a man by character, compassion, integrity, tenderness, and principle.”

Richard C. Edgley

“Spiritual healing…comes from bearing and hearing humble testimonies. A witness given in a spirit of contrition, thankfulness for divine providence, and submission to divine guidance is a powerful remedy to help relieve the anguish and concerns of our hearts.”

James E. Faust

Many of us do not have a full awareness of what we really know. Even though we have been taught the gospel, we may not be fully aware of what the Lord has put in our “inward parts” and written in our hearts.

…..I have come to know with certainty the divinity and authority of this Church. This came to me gradually, line upon line and precept upon precept. I now know that I know, just as you can come to know that you know. .”

 

James E. Faust

 

 

“’Inasmuch as long-suffering, patience, and mercy have ever characterized the dealings of our heavenly Father towards the humble and penitent, I feel disposed to copy the example, cherish the same principles, and by so doing be a savior of my fellow man.’  The Prophet’s words admonish each of us to learn the ways of our Heavenly Father and copy his example. In so doing, we will bring peace and contentment into our lives and perhaps influence others to come back to the Lord.”

Roderick J. Linton

“It is serving God and others persistently with full heart and soul that turns

testimony of truth into unbreakable spiritual strength.”

Henry B. Eyring

 

“We all need to take advantage of every opportunity to love with tenderness and sincerity. This will determine our eternal joys and progress. Ponder the truth that it is more important to love than to be loved.”

 

Marvin J. Ashton

 

“What power, what tenderness, what compassion did our Master and Exemplar…demonstrate! We, too, can bless if we will but follow His noble example. Opportunities are everywhere. Needed are eyes to see the pitiable plight, ears to hear the silent pleadings of a broken heart. Yes, and a soul filled with compassion, that we might communicate not only eye to eye or voice to ear, but in the majestic style of the Savior, even heart to heart.”

 

Thomas S. Monson

 

“Sooner or later, and we pray sooner than later, everyone will acknowledge that Christ’s way is not only the right way, but ultimately the only way to hope and joy. Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that gentleness is better than brutality, that kindness is greater than coercion, that the soft voice turneth away wrath. In the end, and sooner than that whenever possible, we must be more like him.” 

Howard W. Hunter

 

He learned by doing

Charity Never Faileth

Hilary Weeks

When I think of charity, Moroni chapter seven comes immediately to mind.  It is a perfect and thorough description of what charity is.  It is a fool-proof place to turn when we need a little charity refresher course.  It is where we can go to re-connect with that much needed quality. A concise 108 word explanation of what charity looks and feels like.

"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, beaerth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  Wherefore my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, yea are nothing, for charity never faileth.  Wherefore cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail - but charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."

Moroni beautifully recorded this description of charity – which he was taught by his father, Mormon.  Mormon had instilled in his son a deep understanding of what it meant to have charity.  Kind of makes you wonder how Mormon learned so much about it.

He learned by doing.  His was a hands-on experience.

Mormon grew up in troubled times.  Mormon describes the world in which he lived in these words:

"Wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land." Mor. 1:13

"The people had willfully rebelled against God." Mor. 1:16

"Because of the hardness of their hearts the land was cursed for their sake." Mor. 1:17

"There were sorceries, and witchcrafts, and magics; and the power of the evil one was wrought upon all the face of the land." Mor. 1:19

"A continual scene of wickedness and abominations has been before mine eyes ever since I have been sufficient to behold the ways of man." Mor. 2:18

The people noticed Mormon’s strength and sober nature and they made him the leader of their army.  Because he loved them he did his best to lead them to victory in the battles they fought.  He loved them so much, he wanted to teach them the Lord’s ways, but  because of the wickedness of their hearts, Mormon was forbidden.  Mormon said, “I loved them, according to the love of God which was in me, with all my heart.”

Wow.  If it had been me, I probably would have taken the first train out of there and found a different group to hang out with.  I probably wouldn’t have liked them.  I really don’t think I would have loved them.  I definitely wouldn’t have baked fresh bread and taken it to my neighbors. 

But not Mormon.  He loved them.  Even with everything they did wrong, he loved them.  Even when they were steeped in sin, he prayed for them and wept for them. I think that is remarkable.  The person who taught us one of the greatest lessons on love learned it while surrounded by those who seem unlovable.  That has to mean something.

It makes me want to try a little harder to be a little more charitable.  It makes me want to think twice about how I treat others.  We all get frustrated by the people in our lives, but I would be surprised if any of them fit the same description of the Nephites in Mormon's day.  More likely, they have flaws just like the rest of us.  Maybe they are always late.  Or maybe they don't ever pick up after themselves.  Perhaps they don't tell us they love us.  Maybe they hurt our feelings now and then.  It seems like charity might be just the answer we need.  Maybe in those moments we can think of Mormon and draw on his strength and example and maybe that will help us to suffer a little longer, be a little kinder, not envy, not get mad easily…

I like the thought that if we are found possessed of charity at the last day, it will be well with us.  It makes me want to keep trying because truly, charity never faileth.

One of the most important things we do

 

“One of the most important things we do through the gospel of Jesus Christ is to build people. Properly serving others requires effort to understand them as individuals their personalities, their strengths, their concerns, their hopes and dreams so that the correct help and support can be provided.”

M. Russell Ballard

 

Two Brothers And A Carpenter

 

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work" he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?" "Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence -- an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow." The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work -- handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand.

 

They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."

The name of Christ

 

Remember Your Name

By Emily Freeman

Helaman 5:1 – Helaman 6:37

Each of my children was named after someone they can look up to.

Greg and I felt just as Helaman did when he explained to his sons Lehi and Nephi, “Behold, I have given unto thou the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may  remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how it is said, and also written, that they were good.  Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.”  (Helaman 5:6-7)

Our children were each given two names… one with a scriptural background, and one of a friend or family member we admire.  They enjoy hearing the stories behind their names and the qualities we admire about the person they were named after.

In our home we have a quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley.  

It reads, “Be true to who you are, and the family name you bear.”

Shortly after we hung the quote we talked about what it meant to be true to a name.  We wanted our children to be reminded that everything they do outside our home represents the entire family.  Their actions bear the name Freeman.  Their choices determine whether or not they bring honor to our family, and also to the person they were named after.

Have you ever taken the time to think about the name you were given?  Your first name or your last name.

What about the name that each of us has been given?

…the name of Christ.

King Benjamin taught, “I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ…” (Mosiah 5:8)

I think of this name as I reread the verse in Helaman…

Behold, I have given unto thou the name…and this I have done that when you remember your name ye may  remember him; and when ye remember him ye may remember his works; and when ye remember his works ye may know how it is said, and also written, that he was good.  Therefore, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of him.”  

(Helaman 5:6-7)

I would that ye should do that which is good.

Bring honor to His name.

 

There is One who cares

From His Tower

By Emily Freeman

What burdens does he carry? What weighs heavy in his heart?

What keeps him up at night?

…a tender peek into the prayer of a prophet.

A prayer of pleading in behalf of the wicked people who rejected him time and time again.

Interrupted by a gathering crowd, Nephi speaks openly from a broken heart.

“I have gotten upon my tower that I might pour out my soul unto God, because of the exceeding sorrow of my heart, which is because of your iniquities!

“How could you have given way to the enticing of him who is seeking to hurl away your souls down to everlasting misery and endless wo?

“Ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd…”

“O, how could you have forgotten your God…”  (Helaman 7:15-20)

These chapters really do make me sad.  I am in no position to relate to the sorrowing of the president of the church, but I bet in one degree or another all of us have been here.

“Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something

other than God which will make him happy.” 

C.S. Lewis

The same story continues.

I have seen my good Bishop weep because of the choices of ward members.

I have heard the anxious cries of parents over their rebellious children.

I have seen the disappointment in the eyes of fellow teachers and leaders as they learn about their students outside of class. Sometimes my wife will watch a horrible story on the news and then ask,

“When is He coming back? I’m ready!”

All of these situations are only a reflection of the tears that flow in heaven for the same souls.

And perhaps that is the healing balm in all of this.  There is One who cares even more than we do.

In the words of one of our living Nephi’s on the tower:

“In the private sanctuary of one’s own conscience lies that spirit, that determination to cast off the old person and to measure up to the stature of true potential. In this spirit, we again issue that heartfelt invitation:

Come back.

The world can at times be a frightening place in which to live. The moral fabric of society seems to be unraveling at an alarming speed… None—whether young or old or in-between—is exempt from exposure to those things which have the potential to drag us down and destroy us.

We are waging a war with sin, my brothers and sisters, but we need not despair. It is a war we can and will win. Our Father in Heaven has given us the tools we need in order to do so. He is at the helm. We have nothing to fear. He is the God of light. He is the God of hope. I testify that He loves us—each one.”  

Thomas S. Monson

 

High Priest of Good things to Come

“…Hold on a little longer even when things look bleak. Know and remember this: the Lord loves you. He remembers you. And He will ever sustain those who ‘endure in faith to the end’ (D&C 20:25).”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Have you ever wondered what blessings the Lord has in reserve for you?

The Bible Dictionary teaches that there are blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them.  Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them.  Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.” 

(Bible Dictionary, Prayer)

Sometimes, in the moments when we find ourselves on our knees, it is important to remember that another name for Jesus Christ is an High Priest of Good things to Come.  (Hebrews 9:11)

Emily Freeman

“When you feel overwhelmed by expectations and challenges, do not fight the
battle alone. Follow the example of small children, and drop to your knees in prayer.”

Anthony D. Perkins

“Prayer is the pulsation of a yearning, loving heart in tune with the Infinite. It is a message of the soul sent directly to a loving Father. The language is not mere words.”

David O. McKay

“Each of us, in the journey through mortality, will travel his own Jericho Road. What will be your experience? What will be mine? Will I fail to notice him who has fallen among thieves and requires my help? Will you? Will I be one who sees the injured and hears his plea, yet crosses to the other side? Will you? Or will I be one who sees, who hears, who pauses, and who helps? Will you?”

Thomas S. Monson

“…Be not deceived. God loves you. He cares about you. He wants you back in
his paths, where there is comfort, companionship, and purpose.”

Marvin J. Ashton

“…You are the bright hope of the Lord’s Church. My purpose… is to help you believe that is so. If that belief can become a deep testimony from God, it will shape your daily and hourly choices. And then from what might appear to you to be small choices, the Lord will lead you to the happiness you want. Through your choices He will be able to bless countless others.”

Henry B. Eyring

“The happy life is not ushered in at any age to the sounds of drums and trumpets. It grows upon us year by year, little by little, until at last we recognize that we have it. It is achieved … by a body of work done so well that we can lift our heads with assurance and look the world in the eye.”

Thomas S. Monson

“In a world that is being darkened by evil images and dishonest messages, you have been blessed to recognize more easily the flashes of light and truth. You have learned for yourself that light grows brighter as you receive it gladly. It will become brighter and brighter until the perfect day

when we will be in the presence of the Source of the light.”

Henry B. Eyring

 

We seek to be like him so that we can always be with Him

 

 

“Women, you are of great strength and support to the men in your lives, and they sometimes need your help most when they are least deserving. A man can have no greater incentive, no greater hope, no greater strength than to know his mother, his sweetheart, or his wife has confidence in him and loves him. And men should strive every day to live worthy of that love and confidence.”

N. Eldon Tanner

“Our women are not incredible because they have managed to avoid the difficulties of life—quite the opposite. They are incredible because of the way they face the trials of life. Despite the challenges and tests life has to offer—from marriage or lack of marriage, children’s choices, poor health, lack of opportunities, and many other problems—they remain remarkably strong and immovable and true to the faith. Our sisters throughout the Church consistently ‘succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.’… Though they are not perfect and all face individual struggles, their faith in a loving Father in Heaven and the assurance of the atoning sacrifice of the Savior permeates their lives.”

Quentin L. Cook

“Your criticism may be worse than the conduct you are trying to correct.”

James E. Faust

Christ is our pattern, our guide, our prototype, and our friend.

We seek to be like him so that we can always be with Him.

Spencer W. Kimball

We are living for eternity and not merely for the moment.

Joseph F. Smith

We need to remove UNWORTHY from our vocabulary and replace it with HOPE and WORK.

Marvin J. Ashton

Live so as to have a quiet conscience.

Richard L. Evans

Progress is not created by contented people.

Russell C. Taylor

We ought to say in our hearts, let God judge between me and thee, but as for me I will forgive.

Joseph F. Smith

God will judge you by the way you make use of all your possibilities.

Marvin J. Ashton

A blessing always carries with it a responsibility.

J. Reuben Clark Jr.

Perfection is our ultimate destination.

Righteousness, or goodness, is the chariot to carry us there.

Michaelene P. Grassli

When men stop praying for God’s Spirit, they place confidence in their own unaided reason, and they gradually lose the Spirit of God, just the same as near and dear friends,

by never writing to or visiting with each other, will become strangers.

Heber J. Grant

 

I assert with confidence that the law of success, here and hereafter,

is to have a humble and prayerful heart, and to work, work, WORK.

 

Heber J. Grant

 

 

“if you and I ever get into the celestial kingdom, we have got to keep the law of that kingdom.

Show me the law that a man keeps and I will tell you where he is going.”

 

 

 

“The way we live outweighs any words we may profess to follow.”

 

Delbert L. Stapley

 

 

“I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey – now.”

 

Thomas S. Monson

 

 

“To build a house straight and strong, you do not choose crooked boards. So to build your eternal destiny, you cannot-you must not-limit lessons only to those warped to exclude revelation from God.Choose what you will learn and whose purposes you will serve.

 

But don’t place all your intellectual eggs in one basket of secular learning.”

 

Russell M. Nelson

 

 

 

“There is a refining process that comes through suffering, I think, that we can’t experience any other way than by suffering. . We draw closer to Him who gave His life that man might be. We feel a kinship that we have never felt before. . He suffered more than we can ever imagine. But to the extent that we have suffered, somehow it seems to have the effect of drawing us closer to the divine, helps to purify our souls, and helps to purge out the things that are not pleasing in the sight of the Lord.”

 

Harold B. Lee