Patriarchal blessing thought

Inspired declaration of how that person should live the gospel.

~Susan Easton Black

Preparing to Establish a Christ-centered Home

I loved the principles discussed in Elder Richard G. Scott's talk titled "For Peace At Home"

For Peace At Home

Many voices from the world in which we live tell us we should live at a frantic pace. There is always more to do and more to accomplish. Yet deep inside each of us is a need to have a place of refuge where peace and serenity prevail, a place where we can reset, regroup, and reenergize to prepare for future pressures.

The ideal place for that peace is within the walls of our own homes, where we have done all we can to make the Lord Jesus Christ the centerpiece.

Be certain that every decision you make, whether temporal or spiritual, is conditioned on what the Savior would have you do. When He is the center of your home, there is peace and serenity. There is a spirit of assurance that pervades the home, and it is felt by all who dwell there.

I’m sure you can identify the fundamental principles that center your home on the Savior. The prophetic counsel to have daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture study, and weekly family home evening are the essential, weight-bearing beams in the construction of a Christ-centered home. Without these regular practices it will be difficult to find the desired and much-needed peace and refuge from the world.

Not long ago you came to mortality with all of those magnificent capacities and endless possibilities. Yet there is real danger in the environment surrounding you. Your great potential and ability could be limited or destroyed if you yield to the devil-inspired contamination around you. However, Satan is no match for the Savior. Satan’s fate is decided. He knows he has lost, but he wants to take as many with him as he can. He will try to ruin your goodness and abilities by exploiting your weaknesses. Stay on the Lord’s side, and you will win every time.

Be wise in how you embrace technology. Mark important scriptures on your device and refer back to them frequently. If you young people would review a verse of scripture as often as some of you send text messages, you could soon have hundreds of passages of scripture memorized. Those passages would prove to be a powerful source of inspiration and guidance by the Holy Ghost in times of need.

 One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds.

We need not worry if we can’t simultaneously do all of the things that the Lord has counseled us to do. He has spoken of a time and a season for all things. In response to our sincere prayers for guidance, He will direct us in what should be emphasized at each phase of our life. We can learn, grow, and become like Him one consistent step at a time.

I bear testimony that living an obedient life, firmly rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, provides the greatest assurance for peace and refuge in our homes. There will still be plenty of challenges or heartaches, but even in the midst of turmoil, we can enjoy inner peace and profound happiness. I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the source of that abundant peace.

Thoughts on being Self-Reliant

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What does it mean to be self-reliant?

When we are self-reliant, we use the blessings and abilities God has given us to care for ourselves and our families and find solutions to our own problems. As we become self-reliant, we are also better able to serve and care for others. The Lord wants us to become both spiritually and temporally self-reliant.

“When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision.”
Elder Richard G. Scott, Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer, April 2007 General Conference

"It is not expected that you go through life without making mistakes, but you will not make a major mistake without first being warned by the promptings of the Spirit. This promise applies to all members of the Church."
President Boyd K. Packer, Counsel to Youth, October 2011

When we are consistently praying morning and night, studying our scriptures daily, having weekly family home evening, and attending the temple regularly, we are actively responding to His invitation to “come unto Him.” 

Elder Richard G. Scott, Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority, October 2014

Remember, no one can reach upward on your behalf. Only your faith and prayers will cause you to lift yourself and have the mighty change of heart. Only your resolve to be obedient can change your life. Because of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice for you, the power is in you.  You have your agency, you have strong testimonies if you are obedient, and you can follow the Spirit that guides you.

In the Savior’s parable of the prodigal son, the son had many blessings awaiting him, but before he could claim them, he had to look closely at his life, his choices, and his circumstances. The miracle that happened next is described in the scriptures with a simple phrase: “He came to himself.”  May I encourage you to come to yourself? In the Church, when important decisions must be made, we often hold council meetings. Family councils serve a similar purpose. You may want to conduct what I’ll call a “personal council.” After praying, spend some time alone. Think about what is ahead. Ask yourself: “What areas of my life do I want to strengthen so that I can strengthen others? Where do I want to be a year from now? two years from now? What choices do I need to make to get there?”

Just remember, you are a pilot, and you are in charge. I testify that as you come to yourself, your Heavenly Father will come to you. By the comforting hand of His Holy Spirit, He will help you along.

Elder Robert D. Hales, Meeting the Challenges of Today’s World, October 2015

Sometimes the right answer is the wrong one!

 I was talking to one of my daughters the other day and she was telling me about one of her friends that she saw at school.  I was surprised because I had heard that she was going to a different college to play on a sports team.  She had gone but then, a couple weeks later, changed her mind because the environment wasn't to her liking.  That was probably disappointing to her, but it was probably a good thing.  She went for her dream.  She realized it wasn't what she wanted and now she is likely much happier where she is now.  But if she hadn't gone it, she might have always wondered what might have been.  Therefore, the right answer for her was the wrong answer.  She might not have been content where she is now without the previous experience.

This made me think about some of the choices I have made in my life.  I had a similar experience.  After I graduated from college, I left to to go make my way in California.  I had prayed about it and felt good about going.  I hadn't been home from my mission  too long and felt strongly that I should live somewhere else besides Utah.  However, after a few months in California, things were just not working out.  I started to not have good feelings about being there anymore.  So, after a while, I moved back to Utah.  Because of my experience, I felt happier to be in Utah.  I felt content to even think that this is where I could put down my roots.  And I have been happy here.  I know this is where God wants me to be.  This experience isn't to say that nobody should live in California!  It isn't even to say that I will never live in California or any state other than Utah.  What it did help me to see is that there was a place for me here and this is where God wanted me to be.  If I hadn't gone I might not have been able to live contentedly in Utah.

These two experiences also caused me to remember this video from Elder Holland that I saw a while back.  It gives you something to think about.  Heavenly Father is so good to us and wants to help us.  That help comes in many different ways and through different means:

My Kindness shall not depart from thee

A few weeks ago, I was introduced to this song. I love it. It is inspirational and soothing. It has caused me to think about how kind God and His son, Jesus Christ are. The words to this are taken from Isaiah 54:10-

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

Of all the wonderful attributes that God possesses, kindness is a favorite.  He is kind and wants us to be kind, too.  I love the phrase "My kindness shall not depart from thee."  What a beautiful and comforting thought!

One of my favorite talks from Elder Wirthlin on kindness:


The Virtue of Kindness


And here is a talk from Elder Holland that talks about being kind among other things:
The Laborers in the Vineyard

It reminds me of the song from Primary that I learned years ago:
I want to be kind to everyone,
For that is right, you see.
So I say to myself,
Remember this.
Kindness begins with me.

I was so happy with the movie, Cinderella, that came out a few months ago.  I loved the motto that the mother gave Cinderella:

Have Courage and Be Kind.  

And, last by not least, one of my favorite scriptures that speaks of kindness:

Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.