Have you heard the song "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran? It's a good one.
As Sam and I listened to that song on Saturday night while he swept the floor and I did the dishes, the line "maybe we found love right where we are" resonated with me. Since having kids our relationship has had to evolve a little bit. We don't spend as much time alone as we used to, but we are able to use the time we do have together (even if it's cleaning or doing home projects) to talk and joke and help our relationship grow.
"It is so rewarding to be married. Marriage is wonderful. In time you begin to think alike and have the same ideas and impressions. You have times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences together."
"Without Christ, there would be no Christmas. Without Christ, there can be no fulness of joy. Without His birth and Atonement, we would have no Intercessor, no Advocate with the Father, and no Mediator who makes it possible for us to return to the presence of our loving Heavenly Father and live together as eternal families."
"This Christmas, as the spirit of the season permeates our hearts, let us do something that expresses our feelings in an outward way, showing that we understand that the babe born in Bethlehem is the real Redeemer."1
"This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again."2
I am so grateful for the Savior, who came into this world the same way all of us do: as a tiny, newborn baby. And I am so grateful that because He was born that day, and because He died for us, we can live with God again. I know this to be true.
"The joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction."
"Even if you cannot
always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very
source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He
hears your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His
own the tears His children shed...
"No, it is not without a recognition of life’s tempests
but fully and directly because of them that I testify of God’s love and the
Savior’s power to calm the storm. Always remember in that biblical story that
He was out there on the water also, that He faced the worst of it right along
with the newest and youngest and most fearful. Only one who has fought against
those ominous waves is justified in telling us—as well as the sea—to “be
still.”Only one who has taken the full brunt of such adversity could ever be justified in telling us in such times to “be of good cheer.”Such
counsel is not a jaunty pep talk about the power of positive thinking, though
positive thinking is much needed in the world. No, Christ knows better than all
others that the trials of life can be very deep and we are not shallow people
if we struggle with them. But even as the Lord avoids sugary rhetoric, He
rebukes faithlessness and He deplores pessimism. He expects us to
believe!"
"He knows that for the faithful, things will be made right soon enough. He is a King; He speaks for the crown; He knows what can be promised. He knows that “the Lord … will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble...
"Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t
come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they
come."
I'm sure many of you wonder why I choose to be so open with sharing my religious and personal beliefs with you. In the October 2014 session of General Conference, a talk was given by David A. Bednar called "Come and See." He articulated my thoughts much better than I ever could on my own, so I want to share his words as well as some of my own to answer this question.
1. I am not trying to sell you anything.
I don't know about you, but one of my least favorite things in the world is being used as the target of a sales pitch. Like you, I hate feeling like I am being duped into buying a product because of the risk of offending the seller. I despise it when my friends just view me as a ticket to their next pay raise. And I definitely don't like finding out that an advertisement's promise was too good to be true.
Lucky for you, you don't have to worry about any of these three things.
"When we invite you to
attend church with us or to learn with the full-time missionaries, we are not
trying to sell you a product. As members of the Church, we do not receive
prizes or bonus points in a heavenly contest. We are not seeking simply to
increase the numerical size of the Church. And most importantly, we are not
attempting to coerce you to believe as we do. We are inviting you to hear the
restored truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ so you can study, ponder, pray,
and come to know for yourself if the things we are sharing with you are true."
And if you decide not to take this invitation, then you don't need to worry about offending me or compromising our friendship.
2. I am not trying to put you or your beliefs down in any way.
By sharing my beliefs with you I am in no way putting yours down, nor am I saying that I am somehow better than you because of what I believe. I am simply sharing with a hope that something I say will resonate with you.
As Elder Bednar says, "Some of you may
respond [to the invitation in the above quote], 'But I already believe in Jesus and follow His teachings,' or 'I am
not sure if God really exists.' Our invitations to you are not an attempt to
diminish your religious tradition or life experience. Bring all that you know
is true, good, and praiseworthy—and test our message. Just as Jesus beckoned
two of His disciples to “come and see” (John 1:39), so
we urge you to come and see if the restored gospel of Jesus Christ enlarges and
enriches that which you already believe to be true."
3. Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings me joy, and I want to share that joy with you.
Above all, the reason I share my beliefs with you is because of the great joy living them has brought to my life. "...[My] desire to share the
restored gospel of Jesus Christ with you is a reflection of how important these
truths are to [me]... [I] also have experienced the cleansing, the peace of conscience, the spiritual
healing and renewal, and the guidance that are obtained only by learning and
living the principles of the Savior’s gospel.
"The
Atonement of Jesus Christ provides the cleanser necessary to be made pure and
clean, the soothing salve to heal spiritual wounds and remove guilt, and the protection
that enables us to be faithful in times both good and bad."
Unlike many of the sales pitches of today, I can promise you that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is in no way too good to be true. "...His Church has been restored in its fulness in these latter days," and there is so much peace, love, and joy to be found in its teachings.
Again, I invite you to "come and see." Come and see what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has to offer. Read the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. You can request a free copy hereor read it online here. What have you got to lose? At the very least, it is a book full of interesting and uplifting stories from ancient times. But it could also change your life. I know it has changed mine.
If you decide to read the Book of Mormon, send me an email! I would LOVE to hear your thoughts! To learn more about Jesus Christ, locate a Mormon church close to you, (visitors ALWAYS welcome) meet with the Mormon missionaries, learn more about Joseph Smith, or chat with Church representatives, go here.
I think we sometimes forget that there is no need to be loud, forceful, demeaning, or coercive to be powerful. Often the greatest power or influence can be felt quietly - in a kind word, a thoughtful act of service, an understanding glance, a hug.
I have never known a situation to be made better by unkindness, but I have felt the opposite to be true many, many times.
After all, "What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?"
The movie "Meet the Mormons" comes out in theaters today! This movie is not a proselytizing effort, and there will not be missionaries anywhere near the theaters. It is simply a look into the lives of 6 devout "Mormons" or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Those who have seen it say it is uplifting, inspiring, and brings your thoughts to Jesus Christ. The description from the Mormon Newsroom says: "This film is an opportunity for people to meet — in a very personal way — members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Filmed on location around the globe, “Meet the Mormons” takes viewers on a journey into the day-to-day lives of six Church members in the U.S., Costa Rica and Nepal. From their individual passions to their daily struggles, each story paints a picture as rich and unique as the next while challenging stereotypes that surround the Mormon faith." So if you have ever wondered what we "Mormons" are like, you can get tickets to the movie here. All proceeds from "Meet the Mormons" will go to the American Red Cross.
And if you think I'm a little overzealous about sharing my beliefs (and maybe I am), read this article. It explains my reasoning perfectly for sharing with you. I hope you can find comfort in the words we will hear this weekend.
In this post yesterday I shared a little bit about what "Mormon" General Conference is and who will be speaking. Because it is coming up this weekend, I thought I would share some of my favorite teachings from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints through snippets from the most recent General Conference that took place in April 2014.
The first teaching I will talk about is that we are all children of God.
In Genesis 1:26-27 it says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over ... all the earth... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
"Mormons" believe that we (everyone, not simply members of our faith) are literal sons and daughters of God, which is why we also refer to Him as our Heavenly Father.
"One eternal truth that I have come to know is that God lives. He is our Father. We are His children... Of all the other titles that He could have used, He chose to be called 'Father.'" ~ From a sermon given by a modern-day apostle of Jesus Christ, President Boyd K. Packer, entitled The Witness.
I echo the truths shared through word and song in April. I know that we are each children of God, and that He loves us. He is mindful of us. If we are mindful of Him we will see that He is in the details of our everyday lives.
This video was also shared at the conference in April. I love it because it shows God's children from all over the world, in many different languages, testifying of their divine heritage through song.
Here are the lyrics to the song they are singing:
1. I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.
2. I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.
3. I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I'll live with him once more.
4. I am a child of God.
His promises are sure;
Celestial glory shall be mine
If I can but endure.
Chorus
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
We can communicate with Him through prayer. I know He listens. He waits anxiously to hear from us, and He always answers our prayers.
We will be hearing His word through His prophets this weekend. Please join us!
The upcoming session of this conference will be held on Saturday, October 4th at 10am - 12pm MDT and 2pm - 4pm MDT, as well as Sunday, October 5th, 2014 at 10am - 12pm MDT and 2pm - 4pm MDT. (MDT = Mountain Daylight Time)
This weekend is the 184th Semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
What is this General Conference? Well, as "Mormons," or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that just like in Biblical times, God has chosen prophets and apostles to speak His will in modern times. These prophets and apostles, along with other men and women in leadership positions in the church who have sought heaven's help in preparing their sermons, speak to us semiannually (each April and October) in what we call "General Conference."
As it says in the Bible, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) I know this to be true. God does not leave us alone in this difficult world. He continually provides us with direction and peace through the words of His latter-day prophets. To read the words from past General Conferences all the way back to 1971, go here.
The upcoming session of this conference will be held on Saturday, October 4th at 10am - 12pm MDT and 2pm - 4pm MDT, as well as Sunday, October 5th, 2014 at 10am - 12pm MDT and 2pm - 4pm MDT. (MDT = Mountain Daylight Time)
This video tells more about this conference:
I always find comfort in the words shared at these meetings, and I invite you to share in that comfort with me. Watch or listen to the program live here. It will be broadcast in 26 different languages, and it is completely free, with no strings attached.
The meetings consist not only of beautiful sermons, but of uplifting music. No matter your situation in life, there will be something for you. So please, join us!
A few nights ago we finally finished reading The Book of Mormon for the first time as a family. It took us quite awhile since we can only read a little bit per night, you know, since toddlers aren't that great at sitting still for more than about 10 verses.
At the end of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, if offers this promise:
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."
I have taken this challenge - several times, actually. I have asked my Heavenly Father in prayer if what I have read in the Book of Mormon is true, and I have received an answer. I know, without a doubt, that it is true.
As Jeffrey R. Holland said in his talk given in 2009, Safety for the Soul: "Love. Healing. Help. Hope. The power of Christ to counter all troubles in all times...That is the message with which the Book of Mormon begins, and that is the message with which it ends, calling all to 'come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him.'"
I love this message from the Book of Mormon. No matter what our struggles are, we can find comfort through coming to Jesus Christ. He loves us. He is always listening, and His arms are always outstretched, waiting for us to come back to Him. No matter how far we feel we have strayed from His love, it is never too far.
