Yesterday, to introduce our lesson to our 5-year-old Sunday School class, I taught them the song When We're Helping We're Happy. Do you know it? The words go like this:
When we're helping we're happy
And we sing as we go!
For we like to help Mother
For we all love her so!
As I taught those little children this simple song, I had such a strong feeling about the truthfulness of its message. "When we're helping we're happy." It's so true! Serving others brings us joy.
The Primary Theme for this month is "My family and I can serve others." The scriptures is Galations 5:13 "By love, serve one another."
I can't help but think that it is sometimes hard to find joy in the service we do in our own homes. I'm not talking about the big service stuff - the raising children and cultivating marriages stuff - I'm talking about the every day chore stuff. It's hard for me to feel happy when I look at a sink full of dirty dishes or a hamper full of soiled clothes. And I remember times growing up when I felt less than happy about my weekly chore assignment.
I have learned that it is important, though, to look at these mundane chores as service to your family and not just chores. Julie B. Beck, the Relief Society General President, said: "Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home." So, by doing those things, I am really nurturing my family and creating a place (a home) where the Spirit can dwell.
"By love, serve one another"...
So today, as I prepare to tackle the mountain of laundry in my laundry room, I am going to try to fill my heart with love and recognize that in doing this small task, I am nurturing and serving the people I love most. Maybe to help me along, I'll hum "When we're helping we're happy", and I really will find joy in this kind of service.
Will you do the same? And let me know how it goes?
Monday, November 2, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
That Our Children May Know
I'm back (after a long blogging hiatus)! I'll only say this about my absence...I had a wonderful, busy summer spent with family and friends.
We had the missionaries come to our home last week. They shared with us some thoughts I would like to pass on.
1 Nephi chapter eight records Lehi's vision of the tree of life. Verses 10-12 read: 
10.And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
11.And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
12.And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy...
The Elders asked us what the fruit represents in these scriptures. We replied, "The love of God", and "The Atonement". They nodded their heads and said that to them, the fruit represents the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Then we read the rest of verse 12 through verse 16:
12....Wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.
13. And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, I beheld a river of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit.
14. And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your mother, Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go.
15. And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit.
16. And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also.
After reading these scriptures, we talked about the some of the wonderful blessings we have received because we have a knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Then the Missionaries said, "Because of the blessings of the Gospel, as we gain a knowledge and testimony of the Gospel, we desire to share it! Particularly with our family."
The Missionaries said they love verse 15, where Lehi not only beckons his family to the tree, but he calls out to them "with a loud voice" inviting them to come to him. He's making sure that his family knows where to go and what to do.
I think we can learn something from this little insight about Lehi. Elder Holland says:
"Live the gospel as conspicuously as you can. Keep the covenants your children know you have made. Give priesthood blessings. And bear your testimony! Don’t just assume your children will somehow get the drift of your beliefs on their own. The prophet Nephi said near the end of his life that they had written their record of Christ and preserved their convictions regarding His gospel in order “to persuade our children … that our children may know … [and believe] the right way.”
Nephi-like, might we ask ourselves what our children know? From us? Personally? Do our children know that we love the scriptures? Do they see us reading them and marking them and clinging to them in daily life? Have our children ever unexpectedly opened a closed door and found us on our knees in prayer? Have they heard us not only pray with them but also pray for them out of nothing more than sheer parental love? Do our children know we believe in fasting as something more than an obligatory first-Sunday-of-the-month hardship? Do they know that we have fasted for them and for their future on days about which they knew nothing? Do they know we love being in the temple, not least because it provides a bond to them that neither death nor the legions of hell can break? Do they know we love and sustain local and general leaders, imperfect as they are, for their willingness to accept callings they did not seek in order to preserve a standard of righteousness they did not create? Do those children know that we love God with all our heart and that we long to see the face—and fall at the feet—of His Only Begotten Son? I pray that they know this.
Brothers and Sisters, our children take their flight into the future with our thrust and with our aim. And even as we anxiously watch that arrow in flight and know all the evils that can deflect its course after it has left our hand, nevertheless we take courage in remembering that the most important mortal factor in determining that arrow’s destination will be the stability, strength, and unwavering certainty of the holder of the bow" (A Prayer for the Children, Ensign, May 2003).
I love that first line, "live the Gospel as conspicuously as you can". I think Lehi did that. I know my parents did that. I'm trying to do the same, "that my children might know...and believe the right way" and reap the blessings this Gospel brings into our lives.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Other Prodigal
Today I read the story of the Prodigal Son. It is found in Luke 15: 11-32. After reading the scriptural account, I remembered a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland that I wanted to read again. Here are a few things he says in his talk The Other Prodigal:
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland says:
"But being caught up in this younger son’s story, we can miss, if we are not careful, the account of an elder son, for the opening line of the Savior’s account reads, “A certain man had two sons”—and He might have added, “both of whom were lost and both of whom needed to come home.”
The younger son has returned, a robe has been placed on his shoulders and a ring on his finger, when the older son comes on the scene. He has been dutifully, loyally working in the field, and now he is returning. The language of parallel journeys home, though from very different locations, is central to this story. . .
This son is not so much angry that the other has come home as he is angry that his parents are so happy about it. Feeling unappreciated and perhaps more than a little self-pity, this dutiful son—and he is wonderfully dutiful—forgets for a moment that he has never had to know filth or despair, fear or self-loathing. He forgets for a moment that every calf on the ranch is already his and so are all the robes in the closet and every ring in the drawer. He forgets for a moment that his faithfulness has been and always will be rewarded.
No, he who has virtually everything, and who has in his hardworking, wonderful way earned it, lacks the one thing that might make him the complete man of the Lord he nearly is. He has yet to come to the compassion and mercy, the charitable breadth of vision to see that this is not a rival returning. It is his brother. As his father pled with him to see, it is one who was dead and now is alive. It is one who was lost and now is found. . .
Who is it that whispers so subtly in our ear that a gift given to another somehow diminishes the blessings we have received? Who makes us feel that if God is smiling on another, then He surely must somehow be frowning on us? You and I both know who does this—it is the father of all lies. It is Lucifer, our common enemy, whose cry down through the corridors of time is always and to everyone, “Give me thine honor.”
It has been said that envy is the one sin to which no one readily confesses. . .The parson in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales laments it because it is so far-reaching—it can resent anything, including any virtue and talent, and it can be offended by everything, including every goodness and joy. As others seem to grow larger in our sight, we think we must therefore be smaller. So, unfortunately, we occasionally act that way.
How does this happen, especially when we wish so much that it would not? I think one of the reasons is that every day we see allurements of one kind or another that tell us what we have is not enough. Someone or something is forever telling us we need to be more handsome or more wealthy, more applauded or more admired than we see ourselves as being. We are told we haven’t collected enough possessions or gone to enough fun places. We are bombarded with the message that on the world’s scale of things we have been weighed in the balance and found wanting. Some days it is as if we have been locked in a cubicle of a great and spacious building where the only thing on the TV is a never-ending soap opera entitled Vain Imaginations.
But God does not work this way. The father in this story does not tantalize his children. He does not mercilessly measure them against their neighbors. He doesn’t even compare them with each other. His gestures of compassion toward one do not require a withdrawal or denial of love for the other. He is divinely generous to both of these sons. Toward both of his children he extends charity. . .
One observer has written: “In a world that constantly compares people, ranking them as more or less intelligent, more or less attractive, more or less successful, it is not easy to really believe in a [divine] love that does not do the same. When I hear someone praised,” he says, “it is hard not to think of myself as less praiseworthy; when I read about the goodness and kindness of other people, it is hard not to wonder whether I myself am as good and kind as they; and when I see trophies, rewards, and prizes being handed out to special people, I cannot avoid asking myself why that didn’t happen to me.” If left unresisted, we can see how this inclination so embellished by the world will ultimately bring a resentful, demeaning view of God and a terribly destructive view of ourselves. Most “thou shalt not” commandments are meant to keep us from hurting others, but I am convinced the commandment not to covet is meant to keep us from hurting ourselves.
How can we overcome such a tendency so common in almost everyone? For one thing, we can do as these two sons did and start making our way back to the Father. We should do so with as much haste and humility as we can summon. Along the way we can count our many blessings and we can applaud the accomplishments of others. Best of all, we can serve others, the finest exercise for the heart ever prescribed. But finally these will not be enough. When we are lost, we can “come to ourselves,” but we may not always be able to “find ourselves,” and, worlds without end, we cannot “save ourselves.” Only the Father and His Only Begotten Son can do that. Salvation is in Them only. So we pray that They will help us, that They will “come out” to meet and embrace us and bring us into the feast They have prepared.
They will do this! The scriptures are replete with the promise that God’s grace is sufficient. This is one arena where no one has to claw or compete. Nephi declares that the Lord “loveth the [whole] world” and has given salvation freely.
“Hath [He] commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness?” Nephi asks. No! “All … are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden [at His hand].”
“Come unto me all ye ends of the earth,” He pleads, and buy milk without money and honey without price. All are privileged, the one like unto the other. Walk peacefully. Walk confidently. Walk without fear and without envy. Be reassured of Heavenly Father’s abundance to you always.
As we do this, we can help others, calling down blessings on them even as they make supplication for us. We can cheer every talent and ability, wherever it is bestowed, thus making life here more nearly what it will be like in heaven. . . We will always find it easier to be generous when we remember that this person being favored is truly one of our own.
Brothers and sisters, I testify that no one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. I testify that He loves each of us—insecurities, anxieties, self-image, and all. He doesn’t measure our talents or our looks; He doesn’t measure our professions or our possessions. He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other. I know that if we will be faithful, there is a perfectly tailored robe of righteousness ready and waiting for everyone, “robes … made … white in the blood of the Lamb.” May we encourage each other in our effort to win that prize is my earnest prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
(The Other Prodigal, Ensign May 2002).
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland says:
"But being caught up in this younger son’s story, we can miss, if we are not careful, the account of an elder son, for the opening line of the Savior’s account reads, “A certain man had two sons”—and He might have added, “both of whom were lost and both of whom needed to come home.”
The younger son has returned, a robe has been placed on his shoulders and a ring on his finger, when the older son comes on the scene. He has been dutifully, loyally working in the field, and now he is returning. The language of parallel journeys home, though from very different locations, is central to this story. . .
This son is not so much angry that the other has come home as he is angry that his parents are so happy about it. Feeling unappreciated and perhaps more than a little self-pity, this dutiful son—and he is wonderfully dutiful—forgets for a moment that he has never had to know filth or despair, fear or self-loathing. He forgets for a moment that every calf on the ranch is already his and so are all the robes in the closet and every ring in the drawer. He forgets for a moment that his faithfulness has been and always will be rewarded.
No, he who has virtually everything, and who has in his hardworking, wonderful way earned it, lacks the one thing that might make him the complete man of the Lord he nearly is. He has yet to come to the compassion and mercy, the charitable breadth of vision to see that this is not a rival returning. It is his brother. As his father pled with him to see, it is one who was dead and now is alive. It is one who was lost and now is found. . .
Who is it that whispers so subtly in our ear that a gift given to another somehow diminishes the blessings we have received? Who makes us feel that if God is smiling on another, then He surely must somehow be frowning on us? You and I both know who does this—it is the father of all lies. It is Lucifer, our common enemy, whose cry down through the corridors of time is always and to everyone, “Give me thine honor.”
It has been said that envy is the one sin to which no one readily confesses. . .The parson in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales laments it because it is so far-reaching—it can resent anything, including any virtue and talent, and it can be offended by everything, including every goodness and joy. As others seem to grow larger in our sight, we think we must therefore be smaller. So, unfortunately, we occasionally act that way.
How does this happen, especially when we wish so much that it would not? I think one of the reasons is that every day we see allurements of one kind or another that tell us what we have is not enough. Someone or something is forever telling us we need to be more handsome or more wealthy, more applauded or more admired than we see ourselves as being. We are told we haven’t collected enough possessions or gone to enough fun places. We are bombarded with the message that on the world’s scale of things we have been weighed in the balance and found wanting. Some days it is as if we have been locked in a cubicle of a great and spacious building where the only thing on the TV is a never-ending soap opera entitled Vain Imaginations.
But God does not work this way. The father in this story does not tantalize his children. He does not mercilessly measure them against their neighbors. He doesn’t even compare them with each other. His gestures of compassion toward one do not require a withdrawal or denial of love for the other. He is divinely generous to both of these sons. Toward both of his children he extends charity. . .
One observer has written: “In a world that constantly compares people, ranking them as more or less intelligent, more or less attractive, more or less successful, it is not easy to really believe in a [divine] love that does not do the same. When I hear someone praised,” he says, “it is hard not to think of myself as less praiseworthy; when I read about the goodness and kindness of other people, it is hard not to wonder whether I myself am as good and kind as they; and when I see trophies, rewards, and prizes being handed out to special people, I cannot avoid asking myself why that didn’t happen to me.” If left unresisted, we can see how this inclination so embellished by the world will ultimately bring a resentful, demeaning view of God and a terribly destructive view of ourselves. Most “thou shalt not” commandments are meant to keep us from hurting others, but I am convinced the commandment not to covet is meant to keep us from hurting ourselves.
How can we overcome such a tendency so common in almost everyone? For one thing, we can do as these two sons did and start making our way back to the Father. We should do so with as much haste and humility as we can summon. Along the way we can count our many blessings and we can applaud the accomplishments of others. Best of all, we can serve others, the finest exercise for the heart ever prescribed. But finally these will not be enough. When we are lost, we can “come to ourselves,” but we may not always be able to “find ourselves,” and, worlds without end, we cannot “save ourselves.” Only the Father and His Only Begotten Son can do that. Salvation is in Them only. So we pray that They will help us, that They will “come out” to meet and embrace us and bring us into the feast They have prepared.
They will do this! The scriptures are replete with the promise that God’s grace is sufficient. This is one arena where no one has to claw or compete. Nephi declares that the Lord “loveth the [whole] world” and has given salvation freely.
“Hath [He] commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness?” Nephi asks. No! “All … are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden [at His hand].”
“Come unto me all ye ends of the earth,” He pleads, and buy milk without money and honey without price. All are privileged, the one like unto the other. Walk peacefully. Walk confidently. Walk without fear and without envy. Be reassured of Heavenly Father’s abundance to you always.
As we do this, we can help others, calling down blessings on them even as they make supplication for us. We can cheer every talent and ability, wherever it is bestowed, thus making life here more nearly what it will be like in heaven. . . We will always find it easier to be generous when we remember that this person being favored is truly one of our own.
Brothers and sisters, I testify that no one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. I testify that He loves each of us—insecurities, anxieties, self-image, and all. He doesn’t measure our talents or our looks; He doesn’t measure our professions or our possessions. He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other. I know that if we will be faithful, there is a perfectly tailored robe of righteousness ready and waiting for everyone, “robes … made … white in the blood of the Lamb.” May we encourage each other in our effort to win that prize is my earnest prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
(The Other Prodigal, Ensign May 2002).
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Mothers
I love the book I Am a Mother by Jane Clayson Johnson. My Mom gave it to me for Mothers Day a few years ago. Here is one of my favorite excerpts from the book:
What I have learned...is that God's definiton of motherhood and the world's definiton are vastly different. And sometimes - probably all too often - the challenges, daily physical and emotional exhaustion, and occasional self-doubt that come along with being a mother cause many of us to buy into an inaccurate and destructive understanding of our role. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of joy - or fulfillment - associated with the world's interpretation of motherhood.
But when we trust in the arm of the Lord rather than the voices of the world, everything changes. Neil A. Maxwell observed, "When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?"
I see no "justs" when I read those words. Instead, I feel something: Honor. Responsibility. Awe. Hope. I begin to understand what the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been quietly reminding mothers for years, that "motherhood is near to divinity," the "highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind" (J. Reuben Clark).
President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, "God planted within women something divine". It is that divinity that makes women nurturers, that encourages a woman to pursue motherhood - even when that means sacrificing her own comforts for those of her children. . . and loving those children with a fierceness and loyalty that is incomparable.
What power we would possess if every mother would turn off the voices of the world and instead truly believe what President Hinckley and all the prophets have taught - and the Lord has promised!
Monday, April 13, 2009
An Apostle's Easter Thoughts
Youtube now has a channel called Mormon Messages. These messages are wonderful! I found this one this morning and thought I'd share it this Easter season.
Monday, April 6, 2009
My Home More Holy
I loved General Conference this weekend. One of the talks I liked the most was by Gary Stevenson of the Quorum of the Seventy. He quoted the Bible Dictionary which says: "The temple is the most holy place on earth. Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness."
When my husband and I were married in the temple, our sealer quoted that same verse to us and encouraged us to strive to make our home a holy place. It was nice to hear that reminder in conference.
I loved that Elder Stevenson said to take a "spiritual tour" of your home and look for areas to make improvements. As my husband and I made comparisons between our home and the temple, we thought of one thing I'd like to share.
Positioned at all entrances to the temple are temple workers. There is at least one priesthood holding brother and at least one sister. It is the job of these temple workers to make sure that those people entering the house of the Lord are worthy to be there. They are the watchmen at the doors. Those wishing to enter the temple must present temple recommends, signed by their bishop and stake president, to the temple workers who then check the recommend and invite the worthy brother or sister inside.
I think that we as heads of households, as husbands and wives, and as fathers and mothers have the job of those temple workers. We are the watchmen at the doors of our homes, guarding each entrance and checking to make sure that those influences entering our homes are worthy of the spirit we want to have there.
I think I need to be more watchful of the television programs and internet sites we select in our home. Are there areas you could be watching more closely?
I am so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I'm grateful for living prophets and apostles who are literally the watchmen on the hill, sounding warnings and giving advice to those of us who don't quite have their vision or understanding. May we all heed their counsel and make our homes and lives more holy.
When my husband and I were married in the temple, our sealer quoted that same verse to us and encouraged us to strive to make our home a holy place. It was nice to hear that reminder in conference.
I loved that Elder Stevenson said to take a "spiritual tour" of your home and look for areas to make improvements. As my husband and I made comparisons between our home and the temple, we thought of one thing I'd like to share.
Positioned at all entrances to the temple are temple workers. There is at least one priesthood holding brother and at least one sister. It is the job of these temple workers to make sure that those people entering the house of the Lord are worthy to be there. They are the watchmen at the doors. Those wishing to enter the temple must present temple recommends, signed by their bishop and stake president, to the temple workers who then check the recommend and invite the worthy brother or sister inside.
I think that we as heads of households, as husbands and wives, and as fathers and mothers have the job of those temple workers. We are the watchmen at the doors of our homes, guarding each entrance and checking to make sure that those influences entering our homes are worthy of the spirit we want to have there.
I think I need to be more watchful of the television programs and internet sites we select in our home. Are there areas you could be watching more closely?
I am so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I'm grateful for living prophets and apostles who are literally the watchmen on the hill, sounding warnings and giving advice to those of us who don't quite have their vision or understanding. May we all heed their counsel and make our homes and lives more holy.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Gifts of the Spirit
Last week my husband and I were asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting. Our topic was based on a talk given by Elder Robert D. Hales, entitled Gifts of the Spirit. I thought I would share my remarks with you here.
I’d like to review with you what Spiritual Gifts are and the blessings that come as we use them to help others.
Elder Hales says: “The gifts of the Spirit are encompassed by the gift of the Holy Ghost”. They’re not the same thing. We receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost after we are baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When we are confirmed, we are promised that if we are faithful and obedient, we will have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, and, among other things, that we will be given gifts of the spirit.
These gifts of the spirit are a special group of blessings. Among them are the gift of faith, the gift of healing, the gift of wisdom, the gift of prophecy, and the gift of charity, to name a few. As Brad and I talked about this, we came to conclude that these gifts of the spirit are really attributes of God. I like that idea. Our Heavenly Father gives us bits of Himself by way of these gifts of the Spirit.
We are blessed to receive these gifts as we are obedient to God’s commandments and as we keep our covenants with Him. Gifts of the Spirit are given to help us live enriched spiritual lives and to help us serve others.
I’d like to focus my remarks today on a few scriptures found in Doctrine and Covenants section 46. Verses 11 and twelve read:
“For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.”
Elder Hales says: “We are clearly instructed that each of us is given a gift or gifts. Do we know what gift we have been given? Are we seeking to find our gifts? . . . as we consider each of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, remember the counsel of Heaven is to “seek…earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given.”
From what I have studied on this topic, a huge reason spiritual gifts are given is the last phrase in the scripture I just read: “That all may be profited thereby”.
Elder Hales says, “The phrase that all may be profited thereby is a very important concept to understand about the gifts of the Spirit.” He says, “The gifts given to each individual are given not only for the one who receives, but also for those who can benefit when the gift is shared with others.”
I think that is so interesting! As I studied the scriptures and the gifts mentioned there, I noticed that there are many of gifts that simply won’t work without sharing them.
For example, the scriptures say: “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God…To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.”
The gift to believe on another persons words will not work unless the person with the gift to know, shares his gift.
I love this idea. It’s almost as if the Lord is encouraging us, even pleading with us to work together for the good of us all. We need to bear one another’s burdens. We need to be more Christ-like. We need to have charity. The gift of Charity is really what this is about. Using our gifts in order to help others is charity. Maybe that is why charity is often called the greatest gift of all.
Elder Hales said his wife has a favorite saying. It goes: “Thee lift me, and I’ll lift thee, and we’ll both ascend together.”
I think this is wonderful doctrine for us to understand, particularly in this ward. Most of us are fairly newly-married. We need to understand this doctrine as we begin our lives together and as we welcome children in to our families. We need to understand the spiritual gifts we have been given. We need to look for the gifts our spouse possesses. We need to help our children recognize and develop their gifts of the spirit. “That all may be profited thereby.”
My husband and I received some good advice from our Stake President as we were preparing to be married. He said: “Marriage is a partnership; a companionship. You might be equally yoked together, but throughout your life together, you won’t always be pulling the same amount of weight. There will be times in your life when spiritually, one of you will be stronger and better equipped to handle something than the other. Don’t think that is a bad sign and don’t run ahead of one another. Just slow down. Help lift one another up and steadily push along.”
I’ve reflected on that advice at times in our marriage. I don’t think my husband has ever been the weak one. But I have. And I have been so grateful that when I am feeling a bit weak spiritually, my husband has always been there to patiently lift me up and pull me along.
“There are times when we need to be lifted,” says Elder Hales. “There are times when we need to be strengthened. Be that kind of friend and that kind of person. Never make someone have to choose between your ways and the Lords ways. And always make sure that you are making it easier to live God’s commandments for those who are by your side.”
I think that as we earnestly seek to know what gifts of the Spirit we individually possess, as we share them with others, our marriages, our families, our homes, our wards… all these things will be better for it.
In conclusion, I would just like to share a gift of the Spirit that I have been seeking over the past couple of months and the blessings I have seen from that.
Elder George Q. Cannon wrote:
“How good a gift it would be for a mother to have the gift of governing her children, the gift of wisdom to train them and to point out to them the path that they should pursue. The mother who seeks after these gifts and exercises them before the Lord will have great joy in her children and will get amply rewarded for all the faith that she has exercised and the prayers she has offered in their behalf.”
It was around Christmas time and I found myself thinking a lot about Mary and her role as the mother of Jesus Christ. I wondered how in the world she raised Him so that by age twelve, He was teaching doctors and scholars in the temple knowing that it was His mission to teach people about our Father in Heaven and show us the way back to Him. I wondered how she got Him to that point. I thought she must have had a lot of help from Heavenly Father.
Then I realized that I think the Lord is just as willing to help me raise my children as He was to help Mary raise His Son. Ultimately, in my motherhood I am in an eternal partnership with Him. My work here with my children is really His work and His glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. I just need to seek His help and seek after those gifts that will help me rear my children and bless the lives of my family.
Elder Hales says: “How can we accomplish this goal? I know there is a loving Heavenly Father who wishes to help. He has made available sacred gifts—even the gifts of the Spirit. As we exercise and magnify these gifts, we will be able to accomplish the callings and responsibilities that come into our lives.”
I can testify to you that as I have earnestly sought to magnify my gifts as a mother, I have been extremely blessed. But my family has been blessed also. My husband and daughter are happier. I am more patient. The Spirit is more prevalent in our home. Our family together has become a little bit more Christ-like through our collective efforts.
I know Heavenly Father has provided us with gifts of the Spirit to bless and enrich our lives and the lives of those we love, and that as we earnestly seek to develop and use our gifts, particularly charity, “that all may be profited thereby”, it will make all of us more like our Heavenly Father. It will draw us into His love so we can return to His presence.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I’d like to review with you what Spiritual Gifts are and the blessings that come as we use them to help others.
Elder Hales says: “The gifts of the Spirit are encompassed by the gift of the Holy Ghost”. They’re not the same thing. We receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost after we are baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When we are confirmed, we are promised that if we are faithful and obedient, we will have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, and, among other things, that we will be given gifts of the spirit.
These gifts of the spirit are a special group of blessings. Among them are the gift of faith, the gift of healing, the gift of wisdom, the gift of prophecy, and the gift of charity, to name a few. As Brad and I talked about this, we came to conclude that these gifts of the spirit are really attributes of God. I like that idea. Our Heavenly Father gives us bits of Himself by way of these gifts of the Spirit.
We are blessed to receive these gifts as we are obedient to God’s commandments and as we keep our covenants with Him. Gifts of the Spirit are given to help us live enriched spiritual lives and to help us serve others.
I’d like to focus my remarks today on a few scriptures found in Doctrine and Covenants section 46. Verses 11 and twelve read:
“For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.”
Elder Hales says: “We are clearly instructed that each of us is given a gift or gifts. Do we know what gift we have been given? Are we seeking to find our gifts? . . . as we consider each of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, remember the counsel of Heaven is to “seek…earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given.”
From what I have studied on this topic, a huge reason spiritual gifts are given is the last phrase in the scripture I just read: “That all may be profited thereby”.
Elder Hales says, “The phrase that all may be profited thereby is a very important concept to understand about the gifts of the Spirit.” He says, “The gifts given to each individual are given not only for the one who receives, but also for those who can benefit when the gift is shared with others.”
I think that is so interesting! As I studied the scriptures and the gifts mentioned there, I noticed that there are many of gifts that simply won’t work without sharing them.
For example, the scriptures say: “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God…To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.”
The gift to believe on another persons words will not work unless the person with the gift to know, shares his gift.
I love this idea. It’s almost as if the Lord is encouraging us, even pleading with us to work together for the good of us all. We need to bear one another’s burdens. We need to be more Christ-like. We need to have charity. The gift of Charity is really what this is about. Using our gifts in order to help others is charity. Maybe that is why charity is often called the greatest gift of all.
Elder Hales said his wife has a favorite saying. It goes: “Thee lift me, and I’ll lift thee, and we’ll both ascend together.”
I think this is wonderful doctrine for us to understand, particularly in this ward. Most of us are fairly newly-married. We need to understand this doctrine as we begin our lives together and as we welcome children in to our families. We need to understand the spiritual gifts we have been given. We need to look for the gifts our spouse possesses. We need to help our children recognize and develop their gifts of the spirit. “That all may be profited thereby.”
My husband and I received some good advice from our Stake President as we were preparing to be married. He said: “Marriage is a partnership; a companionship. You might be equally yoked together, but throughout your life together, you won’t always be pulling the same amount of weight. There will be times in your life when spiritually, one of you will be stronger and better equipped to handle something than the other. Don’t think that is a bad sign and don’t run ahead of one another. Just slow down. Help lift one another up and steadily push along.”
I’ve reflected on that advice at times in our marriage. I don’t think my husband has ever been the weak one. But I have. And I have been so grateful that when I am feeling a bit weak spiritually, my husband has always been there to patiently lift me up and pull me along.
“There are times when we need to be lifted,” says Elder Hales. “There are times when we need to be strengthened. Be that kind of friend and that kind of person. Never make someone have to choose between your ways and the Lords ways. And always make sure that you are making it easier to live God’s commandments for those who are by your side.”
I think that as we earnestly seek to know what gifts of the Spirit we individually possess, as we share them with others, our marriages, our families, our homes, our wards… all these things will be better for it.
In conclusion, I would just like to share a gift of the Spirit that I have been seeking over the past couple of months and the blessings I have seen from that.
Elder George Q. Cannon wrote:
“How good a gift it would be for a mother to have the gift of governing her children, the gift of wisdom to train them and to point out to them the path that they should pursue. The mother who seeks after these gifts and exercises them before the Lord will have great joy in her children and will get amply rewarded for all the faith that she has exercised and the prayers she has offered in their behalf.”
It was around Christmas time and I found myself thinking a lot about Mary and her role as the mother of Jesus Christ. I wondered how in the world she raised Him so that by age twelve, He was teaching doctors and scholars in the temple knowing that it was His mission to teach people about our Father in Heaven and show us the way back to Him. I wondered how she got Him to that point. I thought she must have had a lot of help from Heavenly Father.
Then I realized that I think the Lord is just as willing to help me raise my children as He was to help Mary raise His Son. Ultimately, in my motherhood I am in an eternal partnership with Him. My work here with my children is really His work and His glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. I just need to seek His help and seek after those gifts that will help me rear my children and bless the lives of my family.
Elder Hales says: “How can we accomplish this goal? I know there is a loving Heavenly Father who wishes to help. He has made available sacred gifts—even the gifts of the Spirit. As we exercise and magnify these gifts, we will be able to accomplish the callings and responsibilities that come into our lives.”
I can testify to you that as I have earnestly sought to magnify my gifts as a mother, I have been extremely blessed. But my family has been blessed also. My husband and daughter are happier. I am more patient. The Spirit is more prevalent in our home. Our family together has become a little bit more Christ-like through our collective efforts.
I know Heavenly Father has provided us with gifts of the Spirit to bless and enrich our lives and the lives of those we love, and that as we earnestly seek to develop and use our gifts, particularly charity, “that all may be profited thereby”, it will make all of us more like our Heavenly Father. It will draw us into His love so we can return to His presence.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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