Week 21: What Have I Done For Someone Today?

Back in March I told you of a wonderful, spiritual experience I had at my Stake Conference. I learned a lot, took many notes as the spirit prompted me, and I have begun to apply those things in my life more fully. It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today as this is all that is left of my beautiful stake center...

I live in the Joplin Missouri Stake and as many of you have already heard in news report after news report Joplin has suffered a devastating tornado which has left this beautiful city in shambles. Joplin has been reduced to rubble, even our dear sweet Stake President Creed Jones was unable to escape the devastation. However, with eternal perspective in mind his family is together, safe and sound. Right now that's what matters most.



In thinking about what occurred in Joplin on Sunday afternoon I felt like there were 2 things I could share with you this week.

The first is the website www.ldstornado.org

This is the website the church uses to assign out work orders in helping the victims of this horrific tornado. If you are able to help in anyway possible please check this website first.

The second is a beautiful talk by our Prophet President Thomas S. Monson which reminds us that our hands are the Lord's hands. Have you done any good today?



Read the talk HERE

I would like to challenge you this next week to remember those that are down trodden, those that have lost their homes, clothes, pets, friends, family members, schools, meetinghouses and so much more. Though far or near the people of Joplin could use your prayers and your service. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart.

Week 19: Daughters of God

This week my grandfather passed away. With the emotions from that I haven't really felt up to finding a talk for the week. I was thinking about my memories of him though and remembered how he always seemed to be a champion for women. My grandmother passed away 18 years ago. He has always shared how much he loved and missed her. I remember each time I saw him while I was pregnant he seemed to be particularly gentle and at awe. This memory of him has helped me feel more self confident and important as a woman, mother and wife. I appreciate and will always remember his love and care for our family. I posted the following talk a few years ago and thought it was perfect for the topic of the importance of womanhood.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and be sure to give your loved ones a special hug and kiss.

(I found this and had to share it today as well)

I have been learning a lesson this past year about motherhood. In a conversation with my mother this past week I mentioned to her that I am finally seeing that being, "just a mom" is enough. In fact I feel that to be the mother I want to be, being a mother is all I can and want to do. There is no room for a much more. This has been a very hard lesson to learn. Heavenly Father has been trying to teach me this for a very long time! I am in no way saying that I have perfected this lesson. I am saying that I am finally seeing a slice of the big picture and this big picture is one that at times is hard for me to grasp!

I stumbled across this talk yesterday and have to admit that when I first heard it I felt a little frustrated. I realize now that my feelings stemmed from my own personal self doubt and even pride thinking that being a mother was not enough. As the years go by I get busier and busier with all sorts of good things. I am noticing that the things that bring me the most peace and joy are the things that relate to motherhood. Who knew that washing and folding laundry could bring a sense of peace and calm to ones heart! Well, let me tell you that it has for me. As much as I dread doing the mundane tasks of motherhood when I finally make time for them and I do so with a grateful or willing heart I feel wrapped up in a joy that feels as though heavenly arms are surrounding me, reassuring me that these tasks do in fact matter.

I hope you will enjoy this talk and I pray that you will listen to it with a grateful and willing heart so you can hear the things that are meant for you. Even if you are a husband, child, or mother of grown children this talk has a special message for all to hear.

Have a wonderful week enjoying the blessed tasks of mortality.

All my Love,
Shauntell

MP3 Link

Daughters of God
Elder M. Russell Ballard Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood.

Week 16: Finding Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ **Repost**

Hey there! 

As I read and listened to this talk - these words pierced me ... "If I had lived in the days of these prophets of old, would I have believed on their words?  Would I have had faith in the coming of our Savior?"   
WOULD I?
Would you?
“To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.“To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.” 3

Enjoy this talk!  May we all come to deeply believe and then KNOW that HE is the Son of God and our personal Savior!

Your Sister in Christ  - 

MP3 Link

Finding Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

Robert D. Hales

Only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement can bring us peace, hope, and understanding.

Believing in the Savior and His mission is so essential that it is the first principle of the gospel: “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 What is faith? In his epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul taught that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” 2 And how do we gain faith? How do we gain evidence of our Savior, whom we have not seen? The scriptures teach us:
“To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.
“To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.” 3
From the beginning of time, prophets have known that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, of His mortal mission, and of His Atonement for all mankind. Sacred records give the prophecies of thousands of years, not only of the first coming of our Savior but also of the Second Coming—a glorious day that will most assuredly come.
If we had lived in the days of these prophets of old, would we have believed on their words? Would we have had faith in the coming of our Savior?

Read the rest of this talk HERE

Week 13: The Holy Ghost

I have found that having the Holy Ghost as a Constant Companion is something that I have sometimes taken for granted. In light of the work that I need to do to prepare myself and my family to return to Heavenly Father, I have recommitted myself to live up to my "privilege of having the Holy Ghost with me at all times. I want the blessings that Joseph Smith promised the Sisters in the first Relief Society meeting:


“If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates. “

Here are two of my favorite talks on the Holy Ghost. Enjoy!

1. "Receive the Holy Ghost", David A. Bednar, Nov. 2010 Ensign, pg 94
   
   Read HERE

          MP3
     
   2.    Rise to Your Call” November 2002 Ensign by Henry B. Eyring.


           Read HERE
     
           NO MP3

Week 12: Don't Leave for Tomorrow What You Can Do Today

Recently, my husband and I were blessed to attend an adult session of our Stake Conference. I say blessed because finding a babysitter for 6 children on a night when everyone else would also be needing a babysitter is a big feat. I entered into the stake building, and found a seat towards the very front of the chapel. There were many people in attendance and I wanted to make sure I heard every word that was spoken, grasped every small detail, and that I could truly feel the spirit as it whispered truth into my soul. Of course, I know that I didn't need to be right upfront to accomplish this, but somehow it made me focus harder and listen longer. Much of the conference focused on the family, on rearing children in righteousness, and bringing them up in truth and light. Basically, they pounded the principle that “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.” (Family: A Proclamation to the World, 1995)


I took so many notes! I wrote down ideas as they came to me, little treasures that stood out to me in each talk, and quiet whisperings of the spirit.

I won't share all of my notes, that's a whole post all by itself, however a few of the most important things were:

"Being a mother is the highest calling I can have!!!!!!!!!" (Yes, I put that many exclamation points in my notes...)

Go forth with faith (maybe put a sign on the door that says this, so the kids see this it as they leave the house each day)<---this was a little bit of inspiration I received as I listened

Agency is not the right to do as we please but the right to do what is right

The home is the basis of righteous living.

I went home so filled with inspiration, with thoughts and ideas. I was filled to the brim with love for my children and love for the gospel. Then I got home. Somehow in the few short weeks since Stake Conference I've kind of forgotten the urgency I had to get home and put some of the thoughts I had into practice. I just keep putting of till tomorrow! To reinforce those thoughts, I decided to make the topic of my post this month, Family, more specifically raising children in light and truth and bringing our families to the gospel. I must have have read over a dozen talks trying to find just the right one to share with all of you, I finally chose the talk "Don't Leave for Tomorrow What You Can Do Today" given by Claudio R. M. Costa of the Seventy in the October 2007 General Conference. While the title of this talk may not sound like it's about family, it truly is. He explains the urgency we have to teach our children today, to offer acts of love and kindness to our family today because we never know what tomorrow might bring.

Don't Leave for Tomorrow What You Can Do Today

Claudio R. M. Costa

Read HERE

MP3 Link

Watch

Week 9: Follow the Prophet

Hello Friends!


As I have pondered what to share for this Week's Talk of the Week, I felt impressed to share two brief talks from the October 2010 General Conference which both emphasized President Benson's "Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet ." I have thought it significant that two of the Seventy felt impressed to repeat what an earlier Apostle and future Prophet of the Church, Elder Ezra Taft Benson, taught about living prophets. Elder Duncan spoke at our Stake Conference just a couple of weeks before the October Conference and knew that he and Elder Costa would both be sharing the same "14 Fundamentals," yet the impression and urgency to testify of these truths burned within him. This past week, our missionary son began teaching a new investigator. As they showed him pictures of the Prophets of this Dispensation the man exclaimed about President Monson, "And he is living?!!"

As I have pondered these talks, I have wondered what I might do to better follow every word of the Prophet and how to prepare to quickly follow what future things he may ask us to do. I am grateful to know that "surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) Elder Duncan teaches that one of the crowning blessings of membership in this Church is being led by living prophets of God. I think the title of his talk is also significant "Our Very Survival."

"For his work ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.

"For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory." (D & C 21:5-6)

How grateful I am for living Prophets and Apostles who teach us all things that are needful for us to know for our particular time and circumstances. I know that they speak for God and that as we heed their words we will be safe.



Love and Blessings,

Obedience to the Prophets 

 Claudio Costa

Listen HERE

Our Very Survival

 Kevin R. Duncan

Listen HERE

Week 6: My Peace I Give Unto You

Since last month the topic of peace has been on my mind. I was planning on sharing something regarding peace this month and then I had an experience where I was granted the gift of peace during a trial that many women face and I wondered why I was so blessed. While listening to this talk I learned two specific things for me. First, how we arrive to peace doesn't matter and second, peace is rooted and comes from our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I want to add my personal testimony that through our faith and hope in the Lord, Jesus Christ we can have peace in our hearts for even the most troubling personal issues. Turn to Him in prayer, seek for Him in scripture, look for the good He is giving you now and in the darkness of pain you will find Him. He will give you light, He will replace the pain with joy and He will give you peace. I know by personal experience that this is true. I have felt the Savior's caring and healing touch. I KNOW He lives.

May you be able to see your blessings,

My Peace I Give Unto You

Elder David A. Bednar

Mp3 Link

Transcript

Week 4: The Best is Yet To Be

We're four weeks into a brand new year. 27 days down....648 hours...38,880 minutes. As you read this, seconds are ticking into the past. The New Year for me always signifies a fresh start, a new day, an exciting look towards the future. I recently read something that said, "Do you know why a car's windshield is so large and the rearview mirror is so small? It's because what's behind us isn't as important as what's ahead of us...so look ahead, move on and enjoy the journey" We are going through some major transitions in our home right now. We're adjusting to a new baby, 6 kids, a new city, a new home (8 people in a small 3 bdrm duplex), my husband returning to school for his Master's and living as "students" but with a huge family. With all these changes bring uncertainty, I don't know what lies ahead for us. I'd rather not admit it but I've spent the better part of the month wishing for yesterday. Wishing I could turn back the hands of time and change the last 4 months of craziness. Somedays I go farther back and dwell in the glory of days past and wallow in self pity of where I stand now. As I searched for comfort and prayed for guidance I found these words by Jeffrey R. Holland, "...faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives." I realize I need to exude more faith in the Lord. More faith in his plan for me and my family. More faith in the fact that he guided us here and we are in his hands. I need to stop doubting the Lord's ability to give me something more, something better than I've already had. In his time. I'm starting to feel like my future is bright...the best is yet to be.

My contribution this week is two part. First, please watch this Mormon Message entitled "New Year's: Look Not Behind Thee". Then listen to or read Jeffrey R. Holland's talk entitled, "The Best is Yet to Be"

**Before you play the video be sure to pause the music player on the right side of the blog**





MP3 and PDF text here



Text of talk here

Week 3: Come unto Me with Full Purpose of Heart and I Shall Heal You

This week's talk is from the Priesthood Session October 2010. Yes, I love Elder Kearon's accent, but I also love the impact his talk has had on my life as well as that of my oldest son. Elder Kearon reminds all of us that when we come unto the Savior with FULL purpose of heart we can be healed. We have to listen and obey the council of those who are leading us (that means not wearing flip flops in the desert among other things). We must not respond with laziness and rebelliousness when it comes to living the gospel.



Have you been stung by a scorpion? If so, return to HIM for healing and peace.

 
 
MP3 Link
 
 

Come unto Me with Full Purpose of Heart, and I Shall  Heal You

Elder Patrick Kearon

 

Tonight I would like to share a message of comfort and healing with any of you who feels alone or forsaken, has lost peace of mind or heart, or feels that you have thrown away your last chance. Complete healing and peace can be found at the feet of the Savior.....

Read the rest HERE



Volume III Week 1: A Gift Worthy of Added Care

Hello friends! Happy New Year!

As I look to the year ahead and consider changes I need and want to make in my life, spiritual changes are those I most desire. I was very impressed by "A Gift Worthy of Added Care," by Elder Neil L. Andersen in the December 2010 Ensign. I am grateful that the Ensign provides a medium for us to frequently read from Prophets and Apostles. I appreciate Elder Anderson's witness that the Holy Ghost:

• enlightens our minds and fills our souls with joy
• shows us what we should do
• sanctifies us
• can influence seekers of truth
• is a gift for all if we diligently seek our way back to our heavenly home.

 Elder Andersen counseled us to make the gift of the Holy Ghost a conscious, daily, prayerful part of our lives. He encouraged us that even in our weaknesses, we can feel him and that we must pray, ask, and seek and then not be afraid when answers come into our mind and heart. We need to keep our hearts open to this gift. Elder Anderson cautions us to be vigilant about what we allow to influence our spirits and to provide quiet, reflective times for us and our children. He counseled us more than once to never postpone a prompting. He quotes the Lord, in speaking of His Second Coming, who emphasized that the gift of the Holy Ghost must be powerfully active among His Saints: "For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived--verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day" (D&C 45:57) He closes with a promise that as evil increases in the world, there will be a compensating power of the gift of the Holy Ghost for the righteous.

Wonderful promises and blessings for each of us,

MP3 Link

A Gift Worthy of Added Care

Neil L. Andersen

It has been more than 50 years, but I vividly remember Christmas morning 1959. With childish anticipation, I hoped desperately for a new bicycle. My older brother and sister and I shared the same bicycle, a 24-inch (61 cm) antique we had each used to learn to ride. It had long been less than stylish, and I had appealed to my parents for a new bicycle. Looking back, I am a little embarrassed that I did not have more sensitivity to the cost of such a present to a family with limited income.

Christmas morning came, and I leaped up the stairs from our basement bedroom. Running into the living room, I looked in vain for a bicycle. My heart dropped as I noticed a small present under my stocking, and I tried to control my disappointment.

As we sat as a family in the living room, my father asked me to get a knife from the adjoining kitchen so we could open a box holding a present for my brother. I walked into the small kitchen and fumbled for the light switch to find my way. As the light illuminated the room, my excitement soared. Right before me stood a beautiful black 26-inch (66 cm) bicycle! For many years I rode that bicycle, took care of it, watched over it, and befriended it—a gift long appreciated and treasured.

Read the rest HERE

Week 49: A Prayer for the Children

This talk was inspired by a repentant heart, mine. Have you ever gone somewhere with your children that you thought was harmless only to reflect later on the eternal implcations that it might produce. That happened to me this week.


I am recommitted to looking at all aspects of my choices - Who will be there? What will it look like to others? What will my kids think of the experience? and on and on!

I am grateful for new beginnings and the Atonement and I pray that my children will make great choices in their life!

MP3 Link

A Prayer for the Children

Jeffery R. Holland

At the close of His first day teaching among the Nephite faithful, the resurrected Jesus turned His attention to a special audience which often stands just below the level of our gaze, sometimes nearly out of sight.
The sacred record says: “He commanded that their little children should be brought [forward]. . . .
“And . . . when they had knelt upon the ground, . . . he himself also knelt . . . ; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, . . . so great and marvelous [were the] things . . . [He did] speak unto the Father. . . .
“. . . When Jesus had made an end of praying . . . , he arose; . . . and . . . wept, . . . and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and [again] prayed unto the Father for them.
“And when he had done this he wept again; . . . [saying] unto the multitude, . . . Behold your little ones.”

We cannot know exactly what the Savior was feeling in such a poignant moment, but we do know that He was “troubled” and that He “groaned within himself” over the destructive influences always swirling around the innocent.1 We know He felt a great need to pray for and bless the children.
Read the rest HERE.

Week 45: For God Did Send Me

This week's talk is one I used for a talk I gave in my ward a few weeks ago. One of my favorite parts is the analogy of a puzzle and how our lives are just like one.

"Our lives are a little like a jigsaw puzzle. The Lord has the finished picture on the box, but we don’t. We can begin turning pieces over and putting in place the corners and edges that make up the framework already revealed to us through the words of prophets, ancient and modern. Then we might start to guess at how the middle pieces should go together. If we get our mind set on the picture we envision, we may completely miss the picture the Lord intends. Although we can do much to discover which pieces fit where, we need His guidance to complete the picture. As we work on the puzzle and struggle trying pieces together for a fit, He guides us as he helps us see a fit here or there that we hadn’t noticed before. Occasionally He will show us that an entire section of the puzzle fits at the top of the picture, not at the bottom as we had imagined. Then we keep working."

 I've had so many questions come up lately in my own mind. Questions like why are my finances not as blessed as so and so, why have I had to have so much struggle in my life, even why am I not famous yet! :) Today I had a very humbling experience as I went to a Single Mothers Seminar as a guest. As I listened to the stories of these dear single mothers I felt gently chastised and was humbly reminded of all that I DO have. My puzzle according to me was not fitting together well but God knew exactly how beautiful my puzzle was and tonight He showed me that I needed to rearrange some of my pieces or the way I thought about my life experiences to match the picture on the box He created for me.

I dare say we all go through moments like this, where we question our life's path. I can say that the Lord does answer our questions.  I know He sends each of us EXACTLY where we need to be, gives us exactly the challenges or blessings we need to DO the work or fill the empty spot in someone elses puzzle. I am so grateful for this knowledge and for all of you who have been a piece of my puzzle, completing the beauty and complexity of my life. I am also so grateful to have a loving Father in Heaven and Savior who are so patient with my stubborness and so gently encourage me to rearrange my puzzle pieces now and then.

All my love and prayers,

NO MP3

For God Did Send Me

Casey Hurley

Read the Talk HERE



Week 44: The Constitution--A Glorious Standard

This week's talk is "The Constitution--a Heavenly Banner" a devotional given by President Ezra Taft Benson 16 September 1986. I recently read this talk and felt there is much more I must do to follow a prophet of God. Here are a few points that especially impressed me. The following are quotes from President Benson:


The war that began in heaven over this issue (agency) is not yet over. The conflict continues on the battlefield of mortality. And one of Lucifer's primary strategies has been to restrict our agency through the power of earthly governments.

Freedom as we know it has been experienced by perhaps less than one percent of the human family.

In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Savior declared, "I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose" (D&C 101:80). These were not ordinary men, but men chosen and held in reserve by the Lord for this very purpose.

The Lord approved the Constitution.

A constitution was therefore designed to limit government to certain enumerated functions, beyond which was tyranny.

"Our constitution," said John Adams (first vice-president and second president of the United States), "was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

In the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer, given on March 27, 1836, the Lord directed the Prophet Joseph to say: "May those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever" (D&C 109:54).

For the past two centuries, those who do not prize freedom have chipped away at every major clause of our Constitution until today we face a crisis of great dimensions.

We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said:

Even this Nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground and when the constitution is upon the brink of ruin this people will be the Staff up[on] which the Nation shall lean and they shall bear the constitution away from the very verge of destruction.

Will we be prepared?

Will we be among those who will "bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction"? If we desire to be numbered among those who will, here are some things we must do:

1. We must be righteous and moral. We must live the gospel principles--all of them.

2. We must learn the principles of the Constitution and then abide by its precepts. Have we read the Constitution and pondered it? Are we aware of its principles? Could we defend it? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound?

3. We must become involved in civic affairs.

4. We must make our influence felt by our vote, our letters, and our advice.

I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church--men and women who will subscribe to and abide by the principles of the Constitution.

We, the blessed beneficiaries, face difficult days in this beloved land, "a land which is choice above all other lands" (Ether 2:10). It may also cost us blood before we are through. It is my conviction, however, that when the Lord comes, the Stars and Stripes will be floating on the breeze over this people. May it be so, and may God give us the faith and the courage exhibited by those patriots who pledged their lives and fortunes that we might be free..." (End President Benson's quotes.)

I am grateful for Prophets of God and pray that each of us might step up to protect the Constitution.


Much love,

The Constitution--A Glorious Standard

President Ezra Taft Benson

Read the article HERE



Week 42: What is Your Calling in Life?

My Top 5 Takeaways from this talk were:


1. Be anxiously engaged in a good cause...for the POWER is in them! D&C 58:27-28

2. Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in capacity. Just because they are not listed in D&C 46:11-12 does not mean that you do not have a certain gift or that you can not seek to develop a gift. Come to KNOW yourself and define yourself by your gifts and not by the JOB that you do or the title you hold. Develop and show others the VALUE of your gifts. Serve others.

3. Some days will be full of sacrifice.

4. KNOW that the world may not take notice of the work you have been called to do. That does not mean that God does not notice. Live and work to glorify God and amplify your gifts.

5. Meaningfulness at work MUST NOT distract us from the more important things of eternal value.


Hugs -

MP3 Link
 

What is Your Calling in Life?

Jeffery Thompson

 



 Read the talk HERE.

Week 38: When My Prayers Seem Unanswered

I have shared this talk before but recently I have been hearing about this topic again. I wanted to share this talk once more because of its wonderful counsel and help in understanding the way the Lord answers our prayers.

I recently experienced an answer to a prayer that I have been asking for more than 18 years! While traveling alone from an appointment. In the solitude of my van the Lord answered my hearts prayer peacefully and quietly. I felt overwhelmed by the simplicity of the answer. Then as if to prove further the answer was true, my mind was filled with memories of experiences I have had over the past years that have prepared me to receive and accept the words sent to my heart and mind at this time. Little did I know that over the years, my prayers were indeed being answered by the Lord. He was preparing a "holding place in my heart to put the answer". I will never be able to look at my past again without deep gratitude and humility.

I know the Lord Jesus Christ lives! I know He loves us. I know that more than anything He wants to rescue us from our mortal strife and He has through his atoning sacrifice. Never ever give up. When things get to where they seem to hard to bear remember that somewhere somehow He is answering your prayer and that you are deeply and personally known and loved.

All my love,

MP3 Link

When My Prayers Seem Unanswered

S. Michael Wilcox

No Text



Week 37: Blessings Upon our Heads

Hello Friends,

This week's talk is "Blessings Upon our Heads" by John S. Tanner,
husband of Susan W. Tanner and author of the text for Hymn 138 "Bless
Our Fast.". The start of the school year is a second new beginning for
us. We set goals in January, but also enjoy a new start in the Fall as
our family returns to a bit more of a schedule and we try more
diligently to incorporate things we hope will bless our family. I love
the Hymns and have a testimony of their power to lift, inspire, and
comfort. Now we are striving to use them even more frequently to bless
our family. Throughout my days, it is often the words of hymns that come
to mind as I ponder solutions to challenges or seek encouragement. I
know of no faster way to invite the Spirit than through listening to
sacred music.

Our family enjoys singing a Hymn as we begin our scripture study. This
consistently gives me a spiritual and emotional boost. We sing through
the Hymn book and it has been wonderful to become familiar with each of
the Hymns. They are powerful teachers of truth. I love the promise that
the song of the righteous is a prayer and will be answered with a
blessing upon our heads. (D&C 25:12) I feel those blessings!

I am grateful for the medium Hymns provide us to worship as they best
communicate my feelings for our Father and His Son. I appreciate
Brother Tanner's teaching that "music doubles the delight and deepens
the power of words to teach...music brings the message home to our
hearts." Truly the Hymns do bring blessings upon our heads.
How grateful I am for the them--for their power to teach, elevate and
edify.I am especially grateful for the medium they provide for us to
express our adoration for Our Heavenly Father and for the Savior.

Love and Blessings,

Note: Hymns can be downloaded on-line at THIS link or CD's of the Hymns can be

purchased through distribution centers. Giving a Hymnbook and the Hymn

CD's have become my favorite wedding gifts to share.

NO MP3 link

Blessing Upon our Heads

John S. Tanner

In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord declares that He delights “in the song of the heart” and that He will answer “the song of the righteous … with a blessing upon their heads” (D&C 25:12). The Lord has surely showered blessings upon me and my family as we have sung hymns to Him with all our hearts. Through hymns, I have taught and been taught lasting and life-changing gospel lessons. The hymns have moved me to “repentance and good works,” strengthened my “testimony and faith,” comforted me, consoled me, and deepened my determination to endure. 1 I have felt the Spirit through the hymns in powerful ways. Indeed, some of my sweetest and most tender spiritual experiences are associated with hymn singing.


I recall a precious family experience on a Sunday evening not long ago, when my wife, Susan, and I spontaneously gathered around the piano with our teenage children and a few of their friends to sing the songs of Zion. This scene has been repeated often in our family. On this occasion, I went to the living room by the piano and started to sing. Soon I was joined by Susan, who sang with and accompanied me. One by one our children joined us. One daughter brought her friends. As we sang, the Spirit came tangibly into the room, filling our hearts with love for the Lord and for each other. We each chose favorite hymns. The texts let us speak of truths that lay close to our hearts, while the music let us express tender feelings of testimony and joy which, in contemporary culture, parents and teenage children rarely share so openly or without embarrassment.

As I looked around the room, my heart swelled with joy, and I felt the urge to seize this precious moment in time, for “the fugitive moment refuses to stay.” 2 So I fixed the scene in my mind as a treasure for future reflection, like Wordsworth’s jocund daffodils, 3 and will remember always that tender tableau of loved ones gathered around the piano, fervently singing hymns from our hearts as the sun cast its soft, fading glow on a peaceful Sabbath. Surely this moment was a taste of heaven on earth and a foretaste of what joys await us in heaven when we shall sing a new song before the throne of God (see Rev. 5:9; Rev. 14:2–3). We lifted our hearts in song to God, and He answered with a blessing upon our heads.
Read the rest HERE.

Week 34: Christlike Attributes-The Wind Beneath Our Wings **Repost**

**Reposted from THIS week**

As I thought about what I should share with you this week I was completely at a loss until my October Ensign arrived on Monday afternoon. As if an answer to my prayer I began to read it hoping to receive some direction. I was so happy when I found President Dieter Uchtdorf’s talk entitled “Christ-like Attributes-the Wind Beneath our Wings,” which was originally given in the October 2005 session of general conference. THIS WAS IT!


In July, I was asked to give a talk in Sacrament meeting in front of my brand new ward (in a brand new state) on the topic of DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE ATTRIBUTES. I was excited, I was scared, and I was an emotional wreck! I am a fairly good writer but when speaking in front of large groups I sometimes find it hard to put two sentences together without stumbling over my words. Along with the Preach My Gospel manual I used the above-mentioned talk to help guide me through what I needed to say. Through much prayer and preparation the thoughts came easily and I was able to deliver my talk.

After reading it again, listening to the mp3 and re-watching it on my computer through lds.org (don’t you just love the internet?!) I felt doubly impressed to share it with all of you as you too strive to live according to the basic gospel principles and develop Christ-like attributes.

CHALLENGE: This week I suggest choosing a specific attribute you would like to work on. Write it down and include a definition and a description of the attribute. Search your scriptures for passages that teach about the attribute you are working on. Apply that in your life and pray for the Lord to help you more fully draw closer to Christ as you develop the attribute. As you do so, it will become easier to emulate Christ in all your doings. Remember, that learning to be Christ-like is a lifelong pursuit!!!! : )


MP3 Link

Christlike Attributes—the Wind beneath Our Wings

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 My dear brothers and sisters, my dear friends:

During my professional life as an airline pilot, I sometimes had passengers visit the cockpit of my Boeing 747. They asked about the many switches, instruments, systems, and procedures and how all this technical equipment would help such a huge and beautiful airplane fly.

As with all pilots, I enjoyed the fact that they were impressed by the apparent complexity of this plane and that they wondered what kind of magnificent and brilliant person it takes to operate it! At this point of my story, my wife and children would kindly interrupt and say with a twinkling in their eyes, "Pilots are born with a great measure of natural humility!"

To the visitors in my cockpit, I would explain that it takes a great aerodynamic design, many auxiliary systems and programs, and powerful engines to make this flying machine equal to the task of bringing comfort and safety to those joining the flight.

To simplify my explanation by focusing on the basics, I would add that all you really need is a strong forward thrust, a powerful upward lift, and the right aircraft attitude, and the laws of nature will carry the 747 and its passengers safely across continents and oceans, over high mountains and dangerous thunderstorms to its destination.

In recent years, I have often contemplated that being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites us to ask similar questions. What are the basics, the fundamental principles of our membership in the kingdom of God on earth? After all is said and done, what will really carry us at times of greatest need to our desired eternal destination?
Read the rest HERE.

Week 33: Zion is the Pure in Heart

I heard this talk and just had to share it!

Have a loving and blessed week,

MP3 Link

Zion Is the Pure in Heart

Elaine S. Dalton

It is a privilege to stand before you this evening. I want to thank everyone in the choir for that beautiful music. Thank you so much for the spirit that you brought. And thank you for the beautiful prayer. I am happy and humbled to be here, and I pray that tonight each of you will know how much the Lord loves you. I want you to know how deeply I love you.



I am happy that my husband, Steve, and members of my family are also here. I love my husband. He and I attended Brigham Young University, and it is here where we made the decision to marry. I think it is interesting that I am standing before you on our wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary, dear! You know, we have been married as long as it took to build the Salt Lake Temple! Or for the children of Israel to wander in the wilderness! And everything we have to show for it is sitting right here on the front row. Our children are our treasures. I love them. I love being their mother. I have watched them grow in the gospel and be tutored from pulpits of the Church. And I am grateful that they have chosen to heed the counsel of prophets, seers, and revelators.



I have watched the youth of the Church grow in the gospel. I have a unique and special connection with the young women because of the years in which I have served as a member of the Young Women general presidency. We have essentially gone through the Young Women years together. We’ve earned our Young Women medallions together. We have stood every week and repeated the words of the Young Women theme together: “We are daughters. … We will ‘stand.’ … We believe … , we will be prepared.”1 I think of you as my young women. And I have seen many of you young men as you have received and advanced in the priesthood, honored your covenants and priesthood power, and prepared for and served missions throughout the world. I have met many of you in your mission fields. You are my heroes! You are amazing in your strength and courage and desire for righteousness. 
Read the rest HERE.

Week 30: Good, Better, Best

Today is another 5th week, so the talk comes from one of our club members, Becky Church. She shares this:

I thought I would send one of my all time favorite talks.  It was given in the October 2007 Conference.  It is by Elder Dallin H. Oaks called "Good, Better, Best".  This talk is dear to my heart.  As a mother of 5 children I struggled to find a way to decide what kinds of activities to have my kids involved in...and as you know there are more activities than time.  Anyway, this talk was a real inspiration in helping me realize what is really important and then prioritize the rest.  I don't know if you have already used it...but here it is...one of my favorites...

Becky Church

Thanks for sharing with us Becky! Remember if you run across a talk that you just love and would like to share you can email a little message and the talk title or link to the talk to talkoftheweek@gmail.com and we will take care of the rest!


MP3 Link

Good, Better, Best

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.
Most of us have more things expected of us than we can possibly do. As breadwinners, as parents, as Church workers and members, we face many choices on what we will do with our time and other resources.
I.
We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives.

Jesus taught this principle in the home of Martha. While she was "cumbered about much serving" (Luke 10:40), her sister, Mary, "sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word" (v. 39). When Martha complained that her sister had left her to serve alone, Jesus commended Martha for what she was doing (v. 41) but taught her that "one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (v. 42). It was praiseworthy for Martha to be "careful and troubled about many things" (v. 41), but learning the gospel from the Master Teacher was more "needful." The scriptures contain other teachings that some things are more blessed than others (see Acts 20:35; Alma 32:14–15).

A childhood experience introduced me to the idea that some choices are good but others are better. I lived for two years on a farm. We rarely went to town. Our Christmas shopping was done in the Sears, Roebuck catalog. I spent hours poring over its pages. For the rural families of that day, catalog pages were like the shopping mall or the Internet of our time.

Something about some displays of merchandise in the catalog fixed itself in my mind. There were three degrees of quality: good, better, and best. For example, some men’s shoes were labeled good ($1.84), some better ($2.98), and some best ($3.45).1

As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all.

Read the rest HERE

Week 28: Continue in Patience

Dear Friends,

Is it just me or do you WANT WHAT YOU WANT and YOU WANT IT NOW? Patience is sometimes - ok more often than not - hard for me! Among other things President Uchdorf's talk taught me that patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. It is ACTIVE - working, hoping, exercising faith even when the desires of our heart to not come when we want them too. The character traits of Godly patience will help us in our leadership in callings, parenting, and in the service to the people in our sphere of influence. I pray that I will employ in my life the things he taught in this talk - especially not giving up on myself or on those we love most.



Enjoy your week!

MP3 Link

Continue in Patience

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

In the 1960s, a professor at Stanford University began a modest experiment testing the willpower of four-year-old children. He placed before them a large marshmallow and then told them they could eat it right away or, if they waited for 15 minutes, they could have two marshmallows.

He then left the children alone and watched what happened behind a two-way mirror. Some of the children ate the marshmallow immediately; some could wait only a few minutes before giving in to temptation. Only 30 percent were able to wait.

It was a mildly interesting experiment, and the professor moved on to other areas of research, for, in his own words, “there are only so many things you can do with kids trying not to eat marshmallows.” But as time went on, he kept track of the children and began to notice an interesting correlation: the children who could not wait struggled later in life and had more behavioral problems, while those who waited tended to be more positive and better motivated, have higher grades and incomes, and have healthier relationships.

What started as a simple experiment with children and marshmallows became a landmark study suggesting that the ability to wait—to be patient—was a key character trait that might predict later success in life.
Read the rest HERE