Hymn Phrases

As I was contemplating the words of Jesus the Very Thought of Thee, it made me think of other phrases from hymns that I love and that are wonderful to comtemplate.

I want to make this blog entry a place where I can record these phrases in one place.

Hymns #2 The Spirit of God

"We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of Heaven."

Hymns #6 Redeemer of Israel (one of my very favorite hymns)

"Our shadow by day and our pillar by night."
"How long we have wandered as strangers in sin, and cried in the desert for thee! Our foes have rejoiced when our sorrows they've seen but Israel will shortly be free."

Hymns #26 Joseph Smith's First Prayer

"But, undaunted, still he trusted in his Heavenly Father's care."

Hymns #85 How Firm a Foundation
"As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be"

#335 Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy
I love ALL the words in this hymn!!

Brightly beams our Father's mercy from His lighthouse evermore,
But to us He gives the keeping of the lights along the shore.

CHORUS:
Let the lower lights be burning; send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman you may rescue, you may save.

Dark the night of sin has settled; Loud the angry billows roar.
Eager eyes are watching, longing, for the lights along the shore.

Trim your feeble lamp, my brother; Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,
Trying now to make the harbor, In the darkness may be lost.

The relationship between choices and our character

Here's a thought I had when thinking about things:



What we are doing is who we are becoming.


Our daily choices make us who we become.

Being Consistent, Dependability

There is one clock in the house that I use as my main source of knowing what time it is. In the last year, it has not been working well. It works just fine for a few weeks and then, without warning, it stops. Sometimes it will start working again after I reset the time, but other times it won't.

I noticed that it started up again but now the time is wrong. I realized that that is how I am. Instead of consistently moving forward, I tend to go in big spurts and then stop and then go in a big spurt again. I guess that is better than nothing, but I realized when I saw that the clock was working again and the time was wrong, that if I am not consistent, then it is hard for the Lord or others to rely on me. Even though the clock is now working, I can't rely on it for the time. It is useless to me. I guess that's why they say "Slow and steady wins the race." It also reminds me of an article by Elder David A. Bednar.

A spurt may appear to be impressive in the short run, but steadiness over time is far more effective, far less dangerous, and produces far better results. Consecutive days of fasting, ultimately, may not be as spiritually edifying as successive months of appropriate fasting and worship on the designated fast Sunday. An attempt to pray one time for several hours likely will not produce the same spiritual results as meaningful morning and evening prayer offered consistently over several weeks. And a single scripture-reading marathon cannot produce the spiritual growth of steady scripture study across many months.

David A. Bednar, “Steadfast and Immovable, Always Abounding in Good Works,” New Era, Jan 2008, 2–6

Speaking of the tortoise and the hare, this is what Elder Bednar says about that in the same article:

In order to better understand this principle, please consider Aesop’s fable “The Hare and the Tortoise.” After being taunted repeatedly for being slow, the Tortoise challenged the Hare to a race. As the race began, the two started off together. However, the Hare ran rapidly towards the goal and, seeing that he could easily win, lay down and fell asleep a short distance in front of the finish line. The Tortoise maintained a slow but steady and consistent pace toward the finish line. When the Hare awoke from his nap, he started running as fast as he could, only to find that the Tortoise had won the race. The Tortoise is a classic illustration of steadiness and persistence. The Hare, on the other hand, is an example of a “spurter”—one who is given to short bursts of spectacular effort followed by frequent and lengthy periods of rest.

This is such a good article that I will try to include the link to the whole talk:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=f339f44804d17110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

Fault Finding and Having Charity

I have been thinking about the temptation and sin of criticizing others and finding fault. I usually try to be positive and keep unkind thoughts to myself, but there have been a few instances lately when it has been hard for me not to join in a little, because of peer pressure. Peer pressure at my age! I am uncomfortable when people are critical but I don't want to get up on a soapbox. I am realizing that I can do better in standing up for others, even if it might make others uncomfortable. I know it really can make a difference. I remember a talk Bonnie Parkin gave about being patient with others. I will try to find it and quote from it here. While looking for that talk, I found another one that she gave where she said this:

We also lose sight of that good part when we compare ourselves to others. Her hair is cuter, my legs are fatter, her children are more talented, or her garden's more productive—sisters, you know the drill. We just can't do that. We cannot allow ourselves to feel inadequate by focusing on who we aren't instead of on who we are! We are all sisters in Relief Society. We simply cannot criticize, gossip, or judge and keep the pure love of Christ. Can't you hear the Lord's sweet injunction: "Martha, Martha . . . ?"

Elder Marvin J. Ashton beautifully observed: "Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other."14

In exercising charity, we come to know a sister's heart. When we know a sister's heart, we are different. We won't judge her. We will simply love her. I invite you to not only love each other more but love each other better. As we do this we will come to know with a surety that "charity never faileth."15
October 2003, Choosing Charity: That Good Part

I found the quote from Sis. Parkin that I was looking for. She is talking about Relief society here but I think this relates to all aspects of the church.

Be supportive of our Relief Society presidencies and teachers—let them learn on our time (just as we will learn on theirs). Forgive more and judge less. Be a caring, consistent visiting teacher. Attend home, family, and personal enrichment meeting with enthusiasm. Look for what's good about Relief Society and build on it.
October 2004 Belonging Is Our Sacred Birthright

These comments remind me of two times Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin has said this sort of thing in General Conference:

Except for the Lord, we have all made mistakes. The question is not whether we will trip and fall but, rather, how will we respond? Some, after making mistakes, stray from the fold. This is unfortunate. Do you not know that the Church is a place for imperfect people to gather together—even with all their mortal frailties—and become better? Every Sunday in every meetinghouse throughout the world, we find mortal, imperfect men, women, and children who meet together in brotherhood and charity, striving to become better people, to learn of the Spirit, and to lend encouragement and support to others. I am not aware of any sign on the door of our meetinghouses that reads “Restricted Entrance—Perfect People Only.”

Because of our imperfections, we need the Lord’s Church. It is there that His redemptive doctrines are taught and His saving ordinances are administered. The Church encourages and motivates us to be a better and happier people. It is also a place where we can lose ourselves in the service of others.

April 2008 Concern for the One

I often wonder why some feel they must be critical of others. It gets in their blood, I suppose, and it becomes so natural they often don’t even think about it. They seem to criticize everyone—the way Sister Jones leads the music, the way Brother Smith teaches a lesson or plants his garden.

Even when we think we are doing no harm by our critical remarks, consequences often follow. I am reminded of a boy who handed a donation envelope to his bishop and told him it was for him. The bishop, using this as a teaching moment, explained to the boy that he should mark on the donation slip whether it was for tithing, fast offerings, or for something else. The boy insisted the money was for the bishop himself. When the bishop asked why, the boy replied, “Because my father says you’re one of the poorest bishops we’ve ever had.”

The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father.

Each one of us will travel a different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate. Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths that you possess may seem impossible to another.

Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don’t be upset because someone can’t sew as well as you, can’t throw as well as you, can’t row or hoe as well as you.

We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Virtue of Kindness,” Ensign, May 2005, 26

New First Presidency and new apostle

In General Conference yesterday, we were privilieged to sustain a new first presidency. Our prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Thomas S. Monson. His first counselor is Henry B. Eyring and Second Counselor is Dieter F. Uchtdorf. We also sustained a new apostle. His name is D. Todd Christofferson. There was a wonderful spirit and I have faith and confidence that these men are called of God and will have His help as they are on the Lord's errand. They will be in my prayers.


Here is the list of the First Presidency and Apostles in order of seniority and their ages:

Thomas S. Monson,80, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and President of the Church.
Henry B. Eyring,74, First Counselor
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 67, Second Counselor


1. Thomas S. Monson, 80
Ordained Oct. 10, 1963
2. Boyd K. Packer, 83
Ordained April 6, 1970
3. L. Tom Perry, 85
Ordained April 11, 1974
4. Russell M. Nelson, 83
Ordained April 12, 1984
5. Dallin H. Oaks, 75
Ordained May 3, 1984
6. M. Russell Ballard, 79
Ordained Oct. 10, 1985
7. Joseph B. Wirthlin, 90
Ordained Oct. 9, 1986
8. Richard G. Scott, 79
Ordained Oct. 6, 1988
9. Robert D. Hales, 75
Ordained April 7. 1994
10. Jeffrey R. Holland, 67
Ordained June 23, 1994
11. Henry B. Eyring, 74
Ordained April 6, 1995
12. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 67
Ordained Oct. 7, 2004
13. David A. Bednar, 55
Ordained Oct. 7, 2004
14. Quentin L. Cook, 67
Ordained Oct. 11, 2007
15. D. Todd Christofferson, 63

Come Unto Me and General Conference

As stated in my previous post about "Come Unto Me", I have been amazed that each Conference the scripture from Matthew 11:28-30 is quoted by somebody in part or whole. I am going to keep track of each time somebody quotes it.



April 2008



October 2007
Elder Bruce D. Porter, A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit

April 2007
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Point of Safe Return
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Broken Things to Mend


October 2006
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, He Heals the Heavy Laden
Elder James E. Faust, Discipleship
Elaine S. Dalton, Look Towrd Eternity!
Anthony D. Perkins, The Great and Wondrous Love
General RS Meeting
Kathleen H. Hughes, Remembering the Lord's Love

April 2006

Classic General Conference Messages

I thought this would be a good place to keep track of General Conference Messages that have especially spoken to my soul.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks
October 2007
Good, Better, Best http://http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-38,00.html

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
October 2007
The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou Hast Sent http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-15,00.html
Elder Richard C. Scott
April 2007
The Supernal Gift of Prayer http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-690-4,00.html

Elder Jay E. Jensen
April 2007
The Nourishing Power of Hymns http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-690-5,00.html

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
April 2007
The Tongue of Angels http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-690-7,00.html

Elder Henry B. Eyring
April 2007
This Day http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-690-32,00.html


Elder Dallin H. Oaks
October 2006
He Heals the Heavy Laden http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-646-2,00.html

Elder M. Russell Ballard
October 2006
O Be Wise http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-646-7,00.html

Elder Robert C. Oaks
October 2006
The Power of Patience http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-646-6,00.html


Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
April 2006
Broken Things to Mend http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-602-22,00.html

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's Messages

Elder Wirthlin's messages always seem to speak to my soul. I want to keep track of his messages over the year, so I can remember them easier. I want to keep a running list.

October 2007 Message
The Great Commandment http://http//lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-10,00.html

April 2007 Message (Priesthood Session)
Life's Lessons Learned http://http//lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-690-18,00.html

October 2006 Message
Sunday Will Come http://http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-646-11,00.html

April 2006 Message
The Abundant Life http://http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-602-32,00.html

October 2005 Message
Journey to Higher Ground http://http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-559-5,00.html

April 2005 Message
The Virtue of Kindness http://http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-520-10,00.html I really loved this message. I especially love this quote from this message.

The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father.