The Two Great Commandments

This week’s reading really hit home, more so then usual, which I think happened because the phase of life my little family is in.  There is so much in this reading, but I did have specific points hit home and I wanted to share them with you all.

The first point that stood out to me is in Matthew 11:25-27.  “….; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. “.  This solidifies that we need to draw closer to Christ, in order to draw closer to the Lord. This is pretty simple in context, but as always we need to work hard in applying this to our life.

The second point that stood out to me is in Luke 11:23- “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” When I read this, I started to wonder if I am helping to gather or am I helping to scatter? I know that our actions speak louder than words, so what are my actions saying to others? I want them to say that I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father who loves us. I want them to say that I work hard to uphold my covenants. I want them to say that I work harder every day to become the Best wife and mother that I can be. I want them to testify of my beliefs. I want all these things and am working hard each day to reach that goal. I don’t want my actions to scatter those that would otherwise have come unto Christ. Do you?

The third point I felt touched by was in Luke 11:9-10. This is the scripture that talks about knocking and receiving.  The scripture reads as follows- “ 9. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” I want to add a thought to these two verses. That thought is “We have to seek and knock first; answers wont just come to us on their own.” This thought has been a constant in my mind since reading this section.  Yes the Lord will provide us with answers and guidance, but we need to seek for it. We need to knock on that door by reading our scriptures, saying our prayers, taking the sacrament, and of course all the other seminary answers. 

Our life is in a time rampant with Satan’s influence all around us. We need to remember to draw unto the Savior and we can do that by seeking Him, trying to act like Him, and praying for His help. Life will never be easy, but it will be guided and enjoyable if we work constantly at having the Lord by our side.  

Posted by Sister Amanda Stewart

"I am the Light of the World"

As the only girl in a household full of boys led by a father who is happiest when out exploring one beautiful wilderness after another, I often find myself hiking, crawling, climbing, and, more often than I would like to admit, falling down, over, and under places I have never imagined. On one such adventure, we took another family and ventured  out to explore some caves. Farther and deeper we walked. As we left the bright sunshine behind, the warmth faded as well. Very quickly we found ourselves dependent on the light we had brought with us. As we had not really planned on finding any caves that were quite so deep, we were not well prepared and had to share the flashlights between us. Far back in the cave we came to a point where the only way to continue on into the next chamber would be to crawl and then lay down on the floor and scoot forward.

No. way.

The other mother and I decided we were no way, no how going to proceed any further. The rest of the group thought that since we would be staying in one place they could go ahead and use our flashlights, and they would "be right back."

We actually let ourselves be talked into this plan.

We watched as the last pinpoints of light disappeared in the tunnel and we were left in total, complete blackness. Cold fingers of darkness wrapping themselves around my skin. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face or the person sitting right next to me. I remembered my cell phone in my pocket and took it out to turn on the screen. It was pitifully dim and the battery would not last long. Even so, that meager light brought comfort. Any light was better than none.

What thoughts run through the mind of a wife and a mother at times like these?
Besides the obvious, "None of us are ever going to make it out of here alive," and "How do I get myself into these things?" also came the thought, "How can I find and save my family when I don't even have enough light to get out myself?!"  I didn't really think we were all going to die, but the longer and longer we waited for them to return, the more the little scaredy cat in the back of my head said ......"We just might!"

The world in which we live grows darker day by day. Now, just like in my deep, dark cave, we must depend  more than ever on the light we carry with us. Is our light strong enough to sustain us through the darkness? Are we able to shine for those who need us?
We can no longer afford not to. The world has become a much too spiritually damaging place. Treacherous. Its dark, cold, filthy influence snakes its way into our very homes grabbing at our families through our music and the same televisions and internet we watch General Conference on. Dangerous, spiritually devastating influences surround us on every side. We MUST seek to have the light of Christ burning bright and strong within us. 

Darkness cannot exist where light shines.

Have you ever noticed that even the smallest light seems to shine more powerfully the darker it gets? 

And even the tiniest light in the darkness brings comfort.

We are those lights

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of the world. …”  “Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do.” “Therefore, let your light so shine before this world, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

 (Matthew 5:16,18, Inspired Version.)  (3 Nephi 18:24.)

Every effort we make to invite the spirit of the Lord into our lives and to strengthen His light that burns within us and our families, matters. Every effort we make is worth it, no matter how small we may think it is. We have been given every tool we need to fortify ourselves; every weapon needed to defend our families and homes at our fingertips. Spiritually nourishing and healing influences surround us on every side. Gifts from a loving Father in Heaven. But, for a gift to be useful it must be received. What are we doing with the gifts that  we have been so abundantly blessed with at just the time they are so urgently, desperately needed?!

There are more temples on the earth today than ever before in all of history. Coincidence?

 Inside those walls lies the most powerful protection available to us:

Covenants

Making them

Being worthy to stand in Holy places

then

Keeping them

Making the places that we stand holy.

Bringing His light into the darkness

We can feel the same spirit we feel when we enter the House of the Lord in our homes. Even with the dirty dishes piled in the sink and the dirty socks on the floor that we have just not quite found the time to wash yet.

Immaculately clean floors and perfectly dusted shelves do not make a happy home. The spirit that we invite each time we open our scriptures, kneel in personal and family prayer, gather together for family dinner and family home evening, are the things that make a happy home. A safehaven in the darkness of the world. A refuge filled with good works and love. A place were the light of the Savior shines.

We are His light

He sees your good works

Let your light shine!

Posted by Sister Montgomery

The Transfiguration of Christ

"Till death do us part"

Those are five of the saddest words I have ever heard.

I can't imagine the grief and despair of a spouse who has lost one loved so deeply, knowing that their relationship has truly come to an end when their mortal life is over. Because it is, when we do things according to the way of the world. 

The Lord's way is so much better. He can make so much more of our lives than we can. 

Marriage and family relationships were established by and are ordained of God.  

They are sacred. 

These relationships we establish here on earth are meant to be eternal and can continue after this life. (Family Proclamation)

How is this possible??

Priesthood power. Delegated authority. Keys

The same priesthood keys that were given to Peter, James, and John by the Savior, Moses, and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration were restored to the earth again by these same heavenly messengers when they appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey in the Kirtland temple April 3, 1836. Power to bind on earth and in heaven. To seal families together eternally. (Matthew 16:19, 18:18)

The very first thing the Lord did after the creation was to establish a pattern of eternal marriages and families. He joined Adam and Eve together in marriage and commanded them to have a family. They were taught that they were part of each other, "one flesh," neither of them whole without the other. (Genesis 2:24)

We have been promised that when we are resurrected our bodies will be made whole and perfect without the loss of even one hair. Because couples married in the Lord's house, under covenant in the Holy Temple, become "one flesh" just as he made Adam and Eve, we will continue to be "one flesh" in heaven just as we are on earth. Unless we are resurrected exactly as the Lord has made us here, we would not be whole or perfect. What is bound on earth by priesthood power and authority will be bound in heaven for all eternity. Our marriages will continue and we will have our families with us. Always.

This is one of my greatest joys - to be a wife and a mother; to have a family. 

This is what heaven looks like to me

  A beautiful, peaceful place filled with faces I love. 

The most beautiful words we could possibly ever hear while on earth 
are those that are spoken in the House of the Lord. 

"For time AND eternity"

Those are the happiest words I have ever heard

Posted by Sister Montgomery

That Which Defiles a Man

"As the ministry of Jesus progressed in power and testimony, the hatred of scribes and Pharisees for Jesus increased. At this point in the life of Jesus, this hatred had grown to such a point that the Jews were plotting to take his life. Frustrated in an attempt to get Jesus to Jerusalem so that they might fulfill their plans, the Jews sent a delegation from Jerusalem to try to trap the Lord into saying or doing something that would give them license to seek his life. When these Jews saw some of the disciples of Jesus eating without first washing their hands, they accused Jesus of not following the law of Moses. In his reply to their accusation, Jesus said, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” (Matthew 15:11.)"lds.org

For quite a while, I have been working on what comes out of my mouth. It has been a daily struggle to watch what I say and let the spirit guide me, in my thought and speech. When I read these passages, it reminded me in my endeavor. It is quite the quest to speak and think like the Savior. As I practice daily; I am reminded how much I need to practice on how I react to those around me, how I need to be thoughtful, compassionate and patient.

In James chapter 3, Apostle James teaches that, "By governing the tongue we gain perfection". We need to be humble and teachable, so that we may create a heart that is soft and not easily provoked to anger. By small and simple things, great things come to pass. Our ability to be prayerful, before we speak, listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, so that the Holy Ghost can open up our minds the words to speak, will bless us. As we practice this principle we can become an instrument in Heavenly Father's work. We will be better wives, mothers, sisters, teachers, and neighbors. This doctrine has blessed me in my relationships. I will continue to practice everyday to let the Holy Ghost guide me in my thoughts and words, through prayer, faith, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and grace.

Posted by Sister Kaye Berg