Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice - and Hear the Word of God

It's been just over a month since President Russell M. Nelson was set apart as the 17th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Hopefully most of you were able to watch his first message to Church members on January 16th, and then the press conference just after that. They were awesome!!

Before that day, I had still been feeling sad about the loss of President Thomas S. Monson and his incredible example. He is the prophet I can remember for most of my life. His life and legacy had a huge effect on me and so many others.

Last spring, I was deep in the New Testament, trying to finish it before the end of the school year to fulfill my seminary credits. I still read the Book of Mormon sometimes, maybe once or twice a week, but I figured that between my seminary reading and family scripture study, I was getting plenty of the scriptures in my life already. I didn't have time to be reading the Book of Mormon, too!

But I had been wondering for awhile if I needed to start reading the Book of Mormon more often. Then President Monson gave his talk. I resolved right then and there that I would read it every day. And I saw the blessings he promised appearing in my life!

After that experience, I determined to always follow the prophet - no matter who he is - because I know he does speak for God. As I listened to our new prophet speak to us on January 16th, I was filled with excitement for this new chapter in the Church's history. I felt the Spirit testifying that President Russell M. Nelson is the prophet that Heavenly Father has chosen and prepared for this time. His life story and experiences are markedly different from President Monson's, but both of their paths were directed by the Lord, and both were willing to serve the Lord where and when they were needed most.

So while I will miss President Monson, I know that President Nelson is the one the Lord has chosen as His prophet today, and his words will be the ones that Heavenly Father wants me to hear and obey. I am so grateful that the Lord cares about His children enough to send the gospel of Jesus Christ and to have a living prophet on the earth to whom we can turn for guidance and truth!

How have you gained assurance that the Lord calls His prophets and speaks through them? When have you seen God's blessings from following the prophet?

Until We Meet Again...

President Thomas S. Monson

We love and miss you!

As many of you have heard by now, President Monson passed away a few days ago. He left us an incredible legacy of love, kindness, service, and going to the rescue. He challenged us to read the Book of Mormon every day. He reminded us to choose the harder right, instead of the easier wrong. He asked us to be more kind and charitable - more like the Savior. He taught us the importance of listening to the Spirit. In his lifetime of service to the Lord - including the last 54 years as a General Authority! - he made a difference in the lives of others around the world, both on a general level and on a personal level. He was truly beloved.

One of my very favorite stories about President Monson was told by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in the Oct. 2014 General Conference:

"In that regard, I pay a personal tribute to President Thomas Spencer Monson. I have been blessed by an association with this man for 47 years now, and the image of him I will cherish until I die is of him flying home from then–economically devastated East Germany in his house slippers because he had given away not only his second suit and his extra shirts but the very shoes from off his feet. 'How beautiful upon the mountains [and shuffling through an airline terminal] are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace.'²⁰ More than any man I know, President Monson has 'done all he could' for the widow and the fatherless, the poor and the oppressed."

Though we will miss President Monson and his gentle way and wonderful example, he is now reunited with his wife, Frances, whom he has been missing for the past four and a half years. (He paid a lovely tribute to her in this October 2013 conference talk.) 

A few Several of my favorite quotes from President Monson:

"Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."

"So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment. We can't direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails."

"The purpose of mortality is to learn and to grow to be more like our Father, and it is often during the difficult times that we learn the most, as painful as the lessons may be."

"The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it."

"Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees."

"If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself."

"May we show increased kindness to one another, and may we always be found doing the work of the Lord."

"Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, He is with us. He has promised that this will never change."

"A man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder."

"What is most important almost always involves the people around us."

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."

"One of God's greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final."

"Our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance. I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives."

"Stick to a task till it sticks to you. Beginners are many; finishers few."

"May we ever choose the harder right, instead of the easier wrong." 

"There is no need for you to sail uncharted seas or to travel unmarked roads in search of truth. A loving Heavenly Father has plotted our course and provided an unfailing guide - even obedience."

"Decisions determine destiny."

"Hope is putting faith to work when doubting would be easier."

"Dare to be a Mormon, dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose firm, dare to make it known."

"Of this be sure: you do not find the happy life. You make it."

"Fill your mind with truth. Fill your heart with love. Fill your life with service."

"Prayer is the passport to peace."

"Faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other."

Please share in the comments your favorite story, quote, or memory of President Monson. :)

Find Courage to...

President Monson recently posted the following on his Facebook page:

Courage may be necessary for you to believe; it will at times be necessary as you obey. It will most certainly be required as you endure until that day when you will leave this mortal existence.

I have spoken over the years with many individuals who have told me, “I have so many problems, such real concerns. I’m overwhelmed with the challenges of life. What can I do?”

I have offered to them, and I now offer to you, this specific suggestion: seek heavenly guidance one day at a time. Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it’s a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day—and then one more and then one more after that—until we’ve lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness.

The Savior promised, “Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.”

This was excerpted from President Monson's talk "Believe, Endure, and Obey" from the April 2012 general conference. I know that for me, personally, this is a good reminder that can be applied to not only believing, but other things Heavenly Father wants us to do to obtain blessings.

Sometimes I know I need to ask Heavenly Father to help me be better and grow a stronger testimony, but I hesitate because I feel unable or perhaps not really willing to do my part. Everyone struggles with things that they know they need Heavenly Father's help for, but feel like they will have to do so much themselves that it isn't really worth it. But President Monson says right there that you just need to do it one day at a time! Have the COURAGE to ask Heavenly Father each day in your morning prayers to help you see just one or two ways that day that you can improve. At night, think about your day and where you've seen how you've improved. Then thank Heavenly Father! At the end of a week, two weeks, a month, a year, look back and see how much Heavenly Father has helped you accomplish goals, become better, and BELIEVE! Then keep going! This is a wonderful pattern for life.

In Alma 37:6-7, it says, "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." This is so true! If we try to reach greater heights one step at a time, it will be so much more effective and be much easier than attempting to do it all at once!

Have a wonderful evening!

Conference!

The 186th Annual General Conference was held last week, and boy, wasn't it fantastic?! It was sooo nice to feel uplifted and loved and peaceful for eight whole hours. Some of my favorite talks All the talks were great and they definitely resonated with me. And NO, I am not just 'saying that'. It's just a bit hard to describe, you know?

The "book-end" talks were perfect: President Eyring and Elder Holland. Both were a bit emotional and I think that helps the members to realize/internalize that they are really loved and thought about and prayed about by the leaders of the Church, as well as bring the Spirit.

I loved the talks about the temple: Elders Quentin L. Cook and Elder Kent F. Richards.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson spoke to the youth specifically (LOVE it when they do that!!!!!!!!!!) and Elder Mervyn B. Arnold talked about going to the RESCUE. I hadn't heard him before and really enjoyed his talk.

And, of course, President THOMAS S. MONSON gave an inspired, though brief, talk that has a good message and reminder to each of us. Good to hear his deep, assured voice.

Then today I was reading MMM's conference summary (awesome; check them all out!) for the priesthood session, which I didn't have the opportunity to watch this go-around. I searched up President Uchtdorf's talk from that session and skimmed over it. There were humorous parts, because that's President Uchtdorf, but the meat of the talk--wow. Wow. It was directed towards the husbands of today, but I sure hope that all of the future husbands were listening, because it was pretty impressive. Link! Great reminders and tips in that talk.

That's all for today!

Value Video of THIS Month: Integrity

I don't want two late videos in a row, so I'll just do the February video now! I love the topic of integrity! Have you ever heard this story of President Monson? He stood for what was right, even when it seemed he'd be alone, and found that there were others doing the same thing! Heavenly Father truly blesses us when we stand for Him!

Dare to Stand Alone

"To Love is to Serve"

I'm not sure where I originally heard this saying. I searched it on lds.org but couldn't find the exact quote. There were, however, some re-wordings of it, so I will post links to some of those articles in a few minutes.

But what does it mean? The answer is simple. When my mother willingly serves someone, she does it because she loves them and is concerned about them. When the Relief Society president goes out and serves her sisters, she does it because she loves them and is concerned about them. When President Monson or any of the brethren who lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serves a person, it is because they love them. They show their love for others by serving them. To love our fellowman is to serve our fellowman. Service=Love. Love=Service. 

But why do they love them? Because, as a certain familiar theme states, "We are [children] of our Heavenly Father, who loves us and we love Him." Our Eternal Father loves us so so so much! And the feeling is mutual. But how can we show our love for Him? After all, He's definitely got us beat! He shows us in the beautiful world around us, in His daily tender mercies, in miracles, in scriptures, in everyday things. 

Well, in Mosiah 2:17 it states that "ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Jesus expounded on this concept when He taught His followers the famous and familiar Matthew 25:35-40: 

"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

"Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

"Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

 "When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

 "Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

 "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

So yes, if we want to show our love to our Father above, we need to show it to His children below. To love our Father is to serve His Children. Service=Love. Love=Service. Btw--I've said that twice. You should understand it by now. :)

I hope you will go about your Sunday afternoon loving and serving your family, and look forward to a post sometime soon about some Personal Progress I've been working on! Don't forget to let me know in the comments your thoughts on loving and serving! 

I hope your Sabbath is a Delight!

“Press Forward With a Steadfastness in Christ”

Just a few days ago, Church leaders announced the 2016 theme for Mutual! (Can you believe that it's time for that already?!?!) The full theme is 2 Nephi 31:20, which says, "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." The shortened version of the theme is "Press Forward With a Steadfastness in Christ". 

I love this verse and it is perfect for the 2016 theme! With the recent legalization of gay marriage by the Supreme Court, plus all the other temptations and evil throughout the world, youth need to hear this message that Nephi wrote so long ago. 

I know that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet on this earth, and I sustain him with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I know that he and the other leaders of the Church were inspired to choose this theme after many hours of prayer, both in groups and personally. I know our leaders care for the youth of the Church and they want what is best for them--me!--and they share our Father's vision of what we can become--what our potential is.

So, remember what message our leaders are passing on from heaven to the youth for 2016:

"Keep moving. With Christ as your compass, with hope as your torch, with love in your heart, with scriptures in hand, endure to the end and you will have eternal life."

Let me know in the comments how you will "press forward in Christ"!

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Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet...

President Thomas S. Monson

I hope you all got a chance to watch the 185th Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!!! It was awesome!!! Seriously, best thing on TV since last October, when conference was last held. ☺

I am not going to write about the talks, it's WAAAAY better if you go back and review them yourself!!!!! But here is a link to it...General Conference

Did any of you hear the opposing votes when the First Presidency was presented for a sustaining vote? Didn't it just make you feel absolutely sick????? I think that the intermediate hymn, We Thank Thee O God, For a Prophet, was certainly an inspired pick. Thank you so much to whoever was guided to choose that song!!

I was so excited when they announced the THREE new temples in the Ivory Coast, Haiti, and Thailand! The work is rolling forward.

We are so very blessed to have living prophets to guide us through this sometimes frightening 21st century. We thank thee, o God for a prophet--YES!!!!
Tell me in the comments what you liked about conference!

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