Showing posts with label Mormon. Show all posts

I am out for a bargain; the object should be

desirable from the standpoint of its social

value, and at the same time should want me,

considering my overt and hidden assets and

potentialities. Two persons thus fall in love

when they feel they have found the best

objects available on the market, considering

the limitations of their own exchange values.

Often, as in buying real estate, the hidden

potentialities which can be developed play

a considerable role in this bargain.

from: The Art of Loving

by: Erik Fromm

Many of we Stephensons have been talking a lot about marriage around here. We belong to a spectacular family and extended family. And we have marriages…as our darling nieces and nephews find loved ones. Marriages are joyous occasions and a cause for reflection. Last weekend dear Mikele and Seth were sealed….for time and all eternity. It’s a beautiful thing…for I do believe that when we bring God into this ‘contract’ we broaden our chances to have an enduring marriage…we see that our purposes are higher than just outward appearances.

Do we realize how unique we Mormons are? Very few religions teach the truth or even believe that marriages can be eternal. So few teach that that is what God intends for us….for our families to be eternal. We aim for the eternities!! At the risk of sounding over the top…we aim for thrones, principalities and powers in eternal worlds. I think most folks do believe that we are all made in the image of God who is eternal…so why not us!!??

But I stray from the subject at hand. Pondering marriage. Theories abound about what makes a good marriage and what qualities are required for the best mate. My thoughts are always drawn back to the idea of arranged marriages. I realize that this is a strange platform to begin with …for it seems such a foreign concept this day and age. But the ‘ancient’ practice gets one to thinking about what it is that makes a marriage successful. What are the elements of a good marriage? (please note—this post if for ME!! I have much to improve on)

We all want happiness.

I have learned that it is NOT my spouses responsibility to bring me happiness. I am in charge of my own happiness. And the only way to find real happiness is to serve one another. Service in marriage should be easy!! There are so many diverse ways!! When we serve Love grows. We must always be on guard for our acts of selfishness. Arranged or not…we can always serve. ..and love will grow.

Did you know that one can literally become addicted to the state of unhappiness……..or to happiness.

Did you know that our thoughts are real, tangible objects, not just fluffy, ethereal stuff? Here’s what I have come to understand. A Dr Pert did some studies, and found that every thought you have has an unique neuropeptide associated with it, and your body, in turn, produces that unique neuropeptide every time you experience that particular thought, and the emotion associated with it. A neuropeptide is a simple, protein based amino acid and is produced by your hypothalamus, the “control center” at the base of our brain. So every time we have a thought, our hypothalamus ‘translates’ that thought into billions of neuropeptides that are uniquely associated with the emotion you are experiencing because of that thought. And then our bloodstream is flooded with billions of the unique neuropeptides associated with the emotion you have just been experiencing. My thought, translated into a neuropeptide, literally becomes a molecular messenger of emotion. When in my bloodstream, these neuropeptides are physically assimilated by your body’s cells. The neuropeptides join with your cells by inserting themselves into a special receptacle on each cell’s membrane- like a key fitting into a keyhole. Each neuropeptide receptacle on a cell’s membrane is specifically designed to fit just that one particular peptide and no other. So once that peptide finds the right receptacle on the cell membrane, that amino acid is absorbed into the cell.

Over time, this Dr Pert found that our cells develop more and more unique receptacles on their membranes to capture the neuropeptides to which they are most often exposed. Dr Pert also found that over time, our cells begin to crave the neuropeptides to which they are most often exposed (and have built the unique receptacles to receive.) In fact, she found that our cells become so accustomed to the unique peptides to which they are most often exposed that the cells cover their membranes with nothing but those receptacles for those neuropeptides!! Which in turn actually shut down other vital functions, and our cells become nothing but vessels to ingest the unique peptide they most often experience. This means that our cells start ‘telling’ our hypothalamus to produce these particular neuropeptides because they have developed an actual physical need for them. Many, many times I have become addicted to Pepsi; to the point of breaking the Sabbath to obtain one. This is how these cells feel towards their neuropeptides!! Its daunting to think now with this information, that the only way our hypothalamus can produce the peptides that my cells are now physically addicted to is for me to experience the emotions that will create them!! And the only way my brain can experience the emotions necessary to create those neuropeptides is for it to see and experience a physical reality that will create for those emotions. If I have felt sad these last several years….my cells are now essentially dictating to me what Im experiencing is indeed sad, because they are controlling my emotional state. My body may actually be physically addicted to this emotional state…even though I know these emotions are painful for me.

Here’s to building new peptides and receptacles!! And Im guessing service builds amazing, new neuropeptides too!!

Next there is loyalty in marriage.

Loyalty means to be faithful and true. It means fidelity in all we do. A marriage before God calls us to be both loyal and true. The world would have us not worry about such things. Being virtuous and responsible for our actions is not encouraged.

We should be the best we can be. To ourselves and to our love. May I quote here: “ We are spinning our own fates, good or evil, and it’s never to be undone. Every small stroke of virtue or of vice leaves its never-so-little scar. The drunken Rip Van Winkle, in Jefferson’s play, excuses himself for every fresh misdeed by saying, ‘I won’t count this time.’ “ A psychologist has this to say about our justifying our actions especially those actions of least resistance, and us believing it doesn’t really count- “You may not count it, and a kind Heaven may not count it; but it is being counted nonetheless. Down among our nerve cells and fibers the molecules are counting it, registering and storing it up to be used against him when the next temptation comes. (our physical bodies are such a wonder!!) Nothing we ever do is, in strict scientific literalness, wiped out. Of course, this has its good side as well as its bad one. As we come permanent drunkards-as in Rip's case, by so many separate drinks,(acts of omission in case of marriage) we become saints(do-gooders) in the moral sphere, and authorities and experts in the practical and scientific spheres, by so many separate acts and hours of work (good deeds). Let no youth have any anxiety about the upshot of his education (or marriage) whatever it may be. If he keeps faithfully busy each hour of the day, he may safely leave the final result to itself. He can with perfect certainty count on waking up some fine morning, to find himself one of the competent ones of his generation, in whatever pursuit he may have singled out. ( a good marriage) Silently, between all the details of his business (marriage) the power of judging in all that class of matter will have built itself up within him a possession that will never pass away. Young people should know this truth in advance. The ignorance of it has probably engendered more discouragement and faint-heartedness in youth embarking on arduous endeavors than all other causes put together. (Psychology William James Henry Holt 18920

My dumbed down version: Marriage is work. Put in the time and effort…lots of effort…and you will wake up many a morning and be ever so grateful for and more in love with the one you love. It will be worth it. It will bring much joy and satisfaction. Send good and positive vibes down to those very molecules that make beautiful you!! Be loyal to thyself and to the one you love. If your marriage was arranged…you worked at it every day!! There was no other option!! The same applies today!!

Next helpful tip: Continue the wooing!

Just because there’s a ring and a sealing doesn’t mean the fun can end. Wooing should never cease. Have fun together. Keeping dating. Remember kind words, and appreciation expressed often, and courteous acts mean so much. It is always about the small things. Love feeds on kindnesses and courtesy.

And you ladies remember- Dr Laura is oh so wise when she counsels us to LOVE them, intimately, feed them and tell them how great they are. It is that simple!!

Next is practicing self-control.

My mother and your mother taught you that ‘if you don’t have anything good to say, then don’t say anything at all!’ Biting ones tongue becomes a fine art…if practiced!! If we refrain from saying hurtful words..we gain much happiness in our marriages.

So in the end what is it that this old lady wants you to know?

-we overthink

-we underthink

-have faith

-we need to practice the Golden Rule

-we are responsible for our own happiness…even in marriage.

-when we serve…love grows….and grows…and grows.

-work at it!

-find out what your lovers Love Language is. Then shower it upon them!!

-be true to yourself

-remember, God is there to help

-take Hollywood and the world out of marriage mores. Bring God in.

-Glory in the wonder of it all!!

From the Files of Grandma Sharp

My dear mom...our grandma Sharp...left two file cabinet drawers brimming with lessons, talks and thoughts saved since 1977. I thought I would have no problems deep sixing all that paper and effort...for everything can be found on Pintrest these days right!!?? Wrong!! As I began flipping through those files I realized there was a treasure trove of insight seen through my mothers eyes. And I determined right there and then that I would share what I could from the things she saved. We'll call it...FROM THE FILES OF GRANDMA SHARP

The words given voice inside the mind are

not always clear, however, they can be

gentle and elliptical, what the prophets

called the "bat gol" the daughter of the

voice of God, she who speaks in

whispers and 'half-seen images.

from: The Beekeepers Apprentice

by: Laurie R King

The first lesson I came upon was entitled...What Do You Have to Declare?

Grandma asked- "How many of us have been through customs after taking an international trip?"

She answers her own question by reflecting on her experiences with Russian customs in the early 1980's. The Cold War was in full swing...and so we can only imagine how painstaking, thorough and troublesome customs must have been. Who likes having ones luggage rummaged through by strangers..made even worse by it being a grumpy Russian official?? She made the comment that she was grateful that her clothes were clean and that there were no embarrassing items to be ashamed of to be found among her things.

Wise travelers, who like to expedite the length of time one has to stand in line for customs can make a list of all valuables they carry with them. This helps when the question arises, "what do you have to declare?"
Grandma would have us think about our destination after this earthly trip and what we will have to declare when we reach those pearly gates.
Apostle Paul states that our list wont be written in ink..but with "the spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but in the fleshy tables of the heart." 2 Corinthians 3:3
I think we all know what Grandma Sharps 'list' looked like. We are asked to be full of Christlike love..check. A good heart...check. have Unconditional love...check. Compassion....check. Mercy...check. Courage...check. What do we wish our list to contain?

Who is our customs official?
"Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it by the gate: for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. 2 Nephi 9:41

Being free from sin is requisite as well. As is having a repentant heart. Grandma Sharp found a wonderful quote from Orson Whitney on the subject of sin.
"Sin is the transgression of divine law as made known through the conscience or by revelation. A man sins when he violates his conscience, going contrary to the light and knowledge. Not the light knowledge that has come to his neighbor but that which had come to himself. He sins when he does the opposite of what he knows to be right."
We need to listen to our own inner conscience. Thats doable right?
Our 'trip' here on earth is more treacherous than it is carefree. But we have been given a gift...an inner light and knowledge. We need to use it. We need to learn from our mistakes. We need to 'go within' and listen to our heart. And follow it.

"There was an old and very large inch cape rock. It got its name from being located just one inch below the water's surface where it couldnt be seen and it lay dangerously in the path of the mariners returning from sea. Many seamen had lost their ships and their lives because of the rock, especially in times of storm. There was an abbot in the small seashore town of Aberbrothok who devised a solution to this life threatening hazard. With great care and in the face of considerable danger, the abbot fastened a buoy with a large bell on it to the inch cape rock. From then on the bell rang continuously and faithfully with the motion of the waves of the sea. Ralph the Rover was a bit of pirate and he disliked the praises the abbot received from the mariners whose lives he spared. So one day, Ralph the Rover cut the bell from the inch cape rock."

"Down sank the bell with a gurgling sound,
The bubbles rose and burst around,
Quoth Sir Ralph. "The next who comes to the rock,
Won't bless the abbot of Aberbrothok."
Sir Ralph the Rover sailed away,
He scoured the seas for many a day."

"On his way back it was night and the sea was high and he thought the moon would be up. In the darkness, he said with great anxiety but only to himself, "I wish I could hear the bell of the inch cape rock." and the rhyme continued:

Sir Ralph Rover tore his hair,
He cursed himself in deep despair.
The waves rushed in on every side,
The ship sinking beneath the tide."

(The Inch Cape Rock, Robert Southey)

Grandma wants us to listen to our inner bell. Sometimes its difficult to listen and do what that inner bell would have us do. And sometimes we wish we could hear it more clearly.
For life is a journey...and in the end we must all pass through those pearly gates..and just as we have to declare our possessions at customs..we will be asked what we can declare to let us pass through to God and his Kingdom.

There are 'riches' to declare that help us to pass through to God. Listening to the still small voice, 'the bell,' and acting upon what we know we should be doing will get us there.

Welcome Jaycee Sharp!!!

When we ask for God's blessing, we're not

asking for more of what we could get for

ourselves. We're crying out for the wonder-

ful unlimited goodness that only God has

the power to know about or give to us.

from: The Prayer of Jabez

by: Bruce Wilkenson

Joshua, Jordan and Jaycee Sharp

Blessing day

December 21,2014

While eating dinner together the other night, My Builder, my Rock, my wise one, summed up our new life in our tiny home perfectly. He said, "I think we're comfortable in our cozy tiny house, but we're not yet satisfied."
I agree with this statement...because I am indeed grateful for what we have right now...our tiny home in our tiny mobile home park. It is a blessing, for now. (more on our tiny home to follow) BUT...on the other hand we must remain convinced that there are still better things to come for us in the future. We live and breathe hope.
(How's this for a long-winded preamble to last Sunday's blessed event?)
One of the very best things about living in Utah happened again last Sunday. My Builder and I traveled south for an easy hour and 45 min drive to Highland to take part in the blessing of the newest baby Sharp!! Chubby, cherubic Jaycee was given a name and a blessing by her newly devoted and darling daddy!! It was a momentous occasion for dear Joshua. First time Mormon daddies dream of the day they will someday bless their children. It a beautiful tradition we have...blessing and welcoming babies into the world and into families by pronouncing blessings that they wish for their children upon their sweet, innocent heads. Asking for God's watchful care, protection, and guidance on divine little spirits that are entrusted to us to care for and nurture while here on earth is a wonderful thing. What a joyous occasion...having dozens and dozens of family and friends surrounding you and you small infant to supplicate God for His richest blessings on a newborn!! It is a beautiful thing indeed!!! We were so blessed to be apart of it!!
Merry Christmas Jaycee!!
Welcome to this world and to the family!!!

Bro Joe...the newest Grandpa in the family!!

SUNDAY MUSINGS

“The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested

the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which

prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight;

they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the

day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful

anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of

this our day."

-Joseph Smith

Already Im missing sitting out there in the backyard at the patio table...
I studied best out there in the warm sun.
Its a yard full of peace and warmth..in the summer.
Sunday School lessons seemed to come easier there.

Next weeks Sunday School lesson is on Zion.
I wish that meant that I'd be teaching a lesson about Zion National Park. That would be a cinch!!
Instead it means that I'll have to teach a lesson on something that means many things to many people.
Thus far I have seen that Zion means...
....a state of mind.
....a dwelling place where God resides.
.....a pure heart.
....a journey and a destination.
....having one heart and one mind.
.....unity

(and Zion is NOT in my back yard this day)

“I do believe in God. I think God has given so much power

to people, and intelligence, and said, 'Well, you are on your

own. Maybe I'm tired, I need a nap. You are mature.

Why don't you look after yourselves?'

And I think He's been sleeping too much.”

from: Strength In What Remains

by: Tracy Kidder

This is me again..being an infant on the subject of prayer.
I visit this topic frequently.

So here it goes.... again.

I doesnt matter what I want, or what it is I think I need. It seem futile to me to 'ask' for anything. For as I understand things, God knows best, and I do not. God has the big picture. I do not.
So what is prayer?
The other day..while attending Stake Conference, I heard the speaker make an analogy for prayer. He used the symbol of a racquetball. He asked us to picture hitting a racquetball softly against the wall of the court, and to imagine how slowly the ball would then return to us. Then he asked us to picture us hitting that ball with all the force we could muster, and to then imagine how quickly and forceably the ball would come back at us. His comparison went on...as he asked us to envision us lying down at night and mumbling a prayer without heart or intent..a weak plea, a weak hit. How would the return look? Then he asked us to think about an ardent and forceful, humble prayer...and couldnt we then imagine a 'return' with greater force?

Im asking....Does deliverance influence God in any way?
How does one pray with force when one already knows that its served back to us on the 'opponents' terms? (I cringe at the term 'opponent' for I dont believe on any level that God is an opponent. But go with me a bit more on this) So Im thinking that prayer isnt so much like racquetball as it is like tennis. We are in control of the velocity of the racquetball we hit...but the wall is inademate. In the game of tennis, we are at the mercy of our opponent and how he decides to lob the ball back at us.
Personal example:
Asking with force, fervor, tears, pain to have our business grow enough to support us, has been an on going battle of wills for 2 years now. As a matter of fact...4 'players' are sending up that plea. God is listening. I believe that He is. And yet He serves to us what He pleases.
And can you picture the pleading and anguish that God hears every night as we plead for the cure for cancer, or for help with struggling kids?! I suppose the return serve comes back..but its unrecognizable most times... its out of our league, and its never usually a forceful, record setting event.
Prayer is so very, very, very, very hard for me. Im not a fan of vain repetitions. Im not much of a conversationalist either. If God already knows the answer before I ask...why ask, I ask? I know He knows my heart, and I feel confident that He has already decided what to do in my "game." No amount of pleading is going to make a difference. (and what if I were to ask amiss!!!??)
I already know that Im here on this earth to learn patience, humility and more patience. I've known this for a very long time. My game seems to be learning how to be happy in each moment, even though these moments look nothing like I expected or planned on.
Again,..will my asking God to help with kids who struggle have an affect on the kids who also have a game plan not of my understanding...who have the right and gift to choose what they want? They have choices and God has a plan for them. My prayers wont and maybe shouldnt change their 'game'.
My best attempts at prayer are always the thankfulness prayers, the gratitude prayers. Those come easily for me, and I suppose its important to be thankful.
Its the asking thats so very difficult. Its just like asking anything of my earthly father...its difficult. ( Counseling may be order)
Life is what it is. I suppose Im a bit of a fatalist. God has set me on a course, to prove and to try me. I have to make my way through...with as much gratitude as I can muster and with some flavor of hope.
Shall I pray for hope? Maybe thats the answer.
Stop praying for change; for money or puppies, or trips ...seriously though..I dont pray for these things...just success and happiness. Instead I should pray for the feelings of hope, and for peace where Im at. I could probably hit that prayer/ball right out of the park!!!
God...please grant me hope. Hope in the future..hope for the kids, and hope for friends who struggle with insurmountable trails and battles with cancer.

H-O-P-E

I think Im going to find a ball,...and write in great big letters with a Sharpee across it....H-O-P-E, and tuck it under my pillow.

Let there be music. Let there be a bountiful feast.

Let there be dancing in the streets. Let the misbegotten

sons of peasants who inhabit this dreary

place pay homage to a Princess.

from: Papa Married a Mormon

by: John Fitzgerald

My Builder and I took a lovely 24 hour jaunt to Salt Lake on Friday after work. Saturday morning was the baptism of and celebration for Amber. We weren't going ;miss that happy occasion!! And oh what a joyous event it was! Amber is 8 yrs old going on 15. A wise and beautiful soul with the tenderest of hearts. Her parents have raised her well; as she has raised them well too. I am blessed to have such a tender niece. I am blessed to belong to such a wonderful family. Im so grateful my mom and dad would travel up for this occasion as well. I miss them.
Baptism is a big deal. Its a lot to take in and understand for 8 yr olds. But I feel certain that this particular 8 yr old understands more than most. Her big brother, Josh, gave a beautiful and personal talk on the importance of baptism. And her dad gave a thought provoking talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost. I plan on remembering some of the things he said- Like when you want Gods advice in your life, all you need to do is ask and then get up off your butt and go serve! In the process of serving others, that is when our answers will come. Genius!

I spent a few tearful moment on the phone on Sat with my son Joe. He and his family are moving back to St George...lucky them...and Saturday was the first leg of moving day. They loaded a trailer with a load of things and headed out. I had been hoping to see them and see the boys before they left...but it didnt happen, and it broke my heart. Natalie and the boys will be back...for a while. Joe needs to find a place to live down there and then they will join him. And I will make every effort to get back to Salt Lake to see those boys...and perhaps kidnap them for a few days and bring them back here with me before they all leave for good. But on Sat. I was just plain sad about it all...and Joe heard me cry.

Its amazing to me how much fun one can cram into a little over 24 hours of time though. Friday night was spent with Clark and Jenna and Brian and Mericar. I wanted pizza...and boy oh boy did I get pizza and a good time. A favorite place of Clarks is The Pie...up by the University. So we all piled into a borrowed mini van and headed up there to satisfy my need. Can I just say...YUM!!!
Then we rented a James Bond movie-Skyfall- and went back to 'Hotel Ehlert' and watched it on their big screened tv and ate popcorn. FUN!!

Saturday evening I landed 2 tickets from a very generous lady...you know who you are ...mother of Jordan...Ms Margo!!...for the Relief Society general Meeting in the Conference Center downtown. I looked over at my mom and just knew I needed to take her down there with me and attend. The 3rd ticket materialized...and so I called Brians girlfriend, Mericar...who is thankfully a spontaneous soul, and she joined us too!! We were all spiritually fed ...and the train ride home was a fun adventure. Way to go mom for jumping in and going along with the craziness!! It'll go down as a most memorable night.

Happy Sabbath

SABBATH WHINING

“Oh, mercy. If it catches you in the wrong frame

of mind, the King James Bible can make you want

to drink poison in no uncertain terms.”

from: The Poisonwood Bible

by: Barbara Kingsolver

Picture this...
Today, a new ward..
strangers everywhere...
Said strangers coming up and introducing themselves...all of them telling us that they are so happy that we moved into the ward.
People telling us that they 'prayed' us into the ward....or that we were answers to prayers.
There were jokes about handing over the keys to the Relief Society closet, to me.... today.
(First off, let me just say that my daughter who's 9 months pregnant would be a far better Relief Society President than I ever could be...and so I wish they were picking on her...but they won't...she will be out of commission for quite some time now.)
UGH!!

HELP!!

NO!!!!

I'M OUT OF HERE!!!

And thats just what I did...I fled. I walked home, put on some jeans and walked to the corner market and bought myself a cold Pepsi.
Yes its true..I fell off the wagon and I broke the Sabbath all in one fatal hour. (I've been enjoying Pepsi again for a month or so.) Then I came home and sat in our lovely back yard and tried hard not to cry. I forced myself to think about other things.
What came to my desperate mind was how great it would be and how badly I'd love to dig a deep hole out there, not to hide/die in, though its not a bad idea right now...but a deep hole for a lovey, relaxing, therapeutic koi pond....that's what I would love.
Is an old lady like myself, past the prime of life, still able to have some simple dreams and wishes come true? I would dearly love to have a real Koi pond.
I also dream of one more family trip with ALL the kiddies..to a beach somewhere. And a hot tub for the Logan winters would be nice too. And how about a bunch of zinnias planted everywhere.
All these lovely thoughts...and then my mind was pulled right back to the here and now...and the responsibilities that are looming just 3 doors down at the church building....where my family was still faithfully sitting in their classrooms learning about enduring to the end.
I just want to have fun.
I want to entertain friends in our new back yard.
Oh, lookie at me...Im in a "me" mood.....again.
Aint this a dandy way to spend a Sabbath?
My Builder...who is the best dad to our children (Happy Fathers Day babe) ...promises to 'protect' me from the new bishop. He's kind, but he lies.
When a call comes...I'll long to throw myself in the wished for hole in the backyard...and then I'll probably accept what comes.

Sabbath Musings

“It is true that I do not speak as well as I can think.

But that is true of most people, as nearly as I can tell.”

from: The Poisonwood Bible

by: Barbara Kingsolver

(Last week I had to speak in Church..along with my whole Relief Society Presidency. This is what I said. Its a little out in left field..but I guess thats nothing new.)

In 2009 a new element was added to our church’s mission statement. And I have now also learned that it is now no longer called the mission statement but rather its now referred to as our 4 “purposes.”

This fourth component is : to help the poor and the needy

There are times in our life when helping others looks different than at other times… Sometimes our circumstances make us feel less able to help others or to help in ways we are accustomed. Lately I personally take comfort in the scripture found in Mosiah 4:24

 And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have
sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who
deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your
hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would
give.

But as I began preparing for this talk I immediately I came across another lovely scripture. Mostly this scripture is used when talking about fasting…but I have found it most helpful in thinking about helping others in addition to fasting …which I believe are two practices that are tightly knit together.

So here is Isaiah…which of course I have completely overlooked all these years..for in the past it has been easy to just skip over these difficult chapters.

Isaiah 58:6-11 It reads like this:

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

8 ¶Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.

9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am

10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Look at that…I must be becoming a grown – up…I understood a lot of this!

And even though it sound like its all about the blessings of fasting …. I just haven’t been able to let it go. All I heard are the blessing and promises for us, if we fast and make fast offerings to the Lord.

We all have heard it once if not a million times that we should lift our fellow man. Just the other day at a RS training meeting we heard it again from our dear Stake President that our main duty in this life is to lift one anothers burdens and to help those whose arms hang down. We know that that was Jesus’s main ministry while on earth…He mainly went about helping the downtrodden and the lowly at heart. We know what is expected of us. But here are some vrs of scripture that sound new and fresh and full of promises.

Here is what I heard in my head when I read these verses:

In verse 6-7 6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Here are four clear actions ; (1) giving bread to the hungry, where bread represents food in a general sense of course; (2nd) assisting the poor is always a good thing; (3rd) would be covering the naked, meaning providing the destitute with clothing; and (4th) helping family members in need, or in Isaiah's words, "[hiding] not thyself from thine own flesh." These are four actions which also happen to be the essence of pure religion..or as I’ve read Pres McKay words, these are acts of a spiritual person. Those who do these things will receive God's blessings. Isaiah lists some of those blessings. For example, our fasting (or helping others) will be recognized and our prayers will be heard for doing so.

In verse:11 we read:

And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

This verse describes four blessings to those who live this true law before the Lord:,

The Lord will guide us, he will satisfy our souls in drought, he will make fat our bones, and he will make us like a watered garden or spring of water. The Lord can and does provide living water in times of spiritual drought if we help others. And did you know that bones were and are considered the gauge of the body's vitality—they become dry and brittle with age and illness but are moist and supple with youth, health, and vigor. My bones seem to creak now…a sensation I suppose I need to get used to. So I wouldn’t mind some fat bones at this point in my life, some vigor and suppleness would be a great blessing. Bones that are made fat are renewed .("Make fat thy bones" might also refer to the resurrection, when dead bones will be renewed with life.) I would certainly appreciate these blessings! And if lifting others burdens is the requirement for such blessing…Im happy to do my part!!

The metaphor that Isaiah uses also says the righteous-or the givers of help- will be like a "watered garden" and a "spring." In a garden, water, the source of life, often comes from the outside. This can also be said for the righteous, who receive sustenance from the Lord or give service for the Lords sake. Jesus said, in John 7:38 "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" It is my desire to be an instrument of the Lord and share what I have been blessed with to help our Savior….to try and be His hands.

So,,, if caring for and about the poor and the needy first begins in our hearts…even if starts with just having a desire to help…then I hope to take the next leap of faith and find solace in the idea that paying ones fast offerings and tithes, which might be the only thing we can do at some points in our lives…. If we do this with our hearts set on helping instead of just ‘going without food’…then we are truly helping and lifting others. We will indeed truly help. ..with the added benefit that we cant help but grow spiritually ourselves for acting with such faith. Thus we will, in part, be fulfilling the 4th purpose of the church. …Lifting others and helping the poor and needy…Acting in this way will plant us firmly on the path to what Pres McKay taught ….-when he said…

“The development of our spiritual nature should concern us most. Spirituality is the highest acquisition of the soul, the divine in man….There is more spirituality expressed in giving than in receiving. The greatest spiritual blessing comes from helping another” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1936).

What a blessing it is to be able to help and fulfill our baptismal covenants by mourning with those that mourn and to comfort those that stand in need of comfort.

President Uckdorf said:

“As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus didnt just speak about love; He showed it every day of His life. He did not remove Himself from the crowd. Being amidst the people, Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

It is my prayer that we can all find our own individual ways to reach out and help the poor and the needy. There are as many ways to help as there are needs and individuals to help. May we look to our talents and abilities and magnify them in ways that will help others and in turn our acts of service will help us develop our own spirituality. Truly that is one of our main purposes for life here on earth…to lift others and to learn to be more selfless

SABBATH MUSING

…for everything which inviteth to do good, and to persuade

to believe in Chirst, is Sent forth by the power and gift of

Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.”

Moroni 7:16

All people are capable of receiving spiritual guidance. This spiritual influence begins with the Light of Christ, which is given to every man, that he may know good from evil.” Moroni 7:16

The Light of Christ is just what the words imply; enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, preserving influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ…

“The Light of Christ should not be confused with the personage of the Holy Ghost,for the light of Chirst is not a personage at all. Its influence is preliminary to and preparatory to one’s receiving the Holy Ghost. The light of Christ will lead the honest soul who ‘hearkeneth to the voice’ to find the truth.

Boyd K Packer said, “It is important for a teacher to know that the Holy Ghost can work through the Light of Christ. A teacher of gospel truths is not planting something foreign or even new into an adult or a child. Rather, the teacher is making contact with the Spirit of Christ already there. The gospel will have a familiar ‘ring’ to them.”

If you would like to read more about the Light of Christ on the snowy Sabbath day…please go Here, Here and Here to learn more.

Revisiting That Old Nemesis....Prayer

"...its true that I really had, I still do have all these

problems. There is no way that they will go away

for me. But I deal with them the way I can." He lifted

his chin. "And Im very happy with the way I deal with them.

from: Strength In What Remains

by: Tracy Kidder

My heart and soul speaks to God..or "prays" to Heavenly Father. But...I guess we are not just 'wraith- like' souls who happen to be stuck in bodies for a while; we are human beings, made of body and soul, and whatever we do, we should do with our whole beings. This may be something unique to Mormonism, this belief we are only 'whole' with both body and soul together. (Christ came to the earth to experience life with a body, with all its foibles and challenges.)

So when I pray, I should try to pray with my body as well as with my mind and heart. Kneeling in prayer is an obvious way to do this....though always such a challenge for me. (why is this!!!!???) And I've mentioned this before...in finding another way to pray.... praying with some already written prayers that I have been collecting....I'm thinking I should now say the words out loud.

I’ll admit that this is sometimes inconvenient. There are many times I can’t very well go into my closet, as Jesus tells us to do, a pray aloud. I cant/wont climb up on a tower as Nephi did and shout my prayers to heaven... but I can at least whisper them under my breathe...or..say the words silently, but really say them. I can move my lips. It still feels odd to me, but I hope to get used to it. This way I’m really praying with my body. And, there are two more advantages to this technique. First, I find if I read the prayers silently to myself, in my head, its easy to skim them; moving my lips slows me down and helps me to pay attention. Second, if someone walks in while Im praying and sees me moving my lips while looking at my 'prayer book', they can easily guess that Im concentrating on something important and I may be be left alone until Im finished. At least, that’s the hope.

That's two more cents from me on the subject.

Happy Sabbath to you.

Sunday Rant

...in the last several years my life had begun to

feel shapeless, like underwear with the elastic

gone, the days down around my ankles.

from: Three Dog Life

by: Abigal Thomas

So this is my life... most of the time I make the best of the situation...usually my glass is always half full.
My son is marrying the Perfect girl for him...
I put geraniums by my front door..
Mrs Bennett and her downy sisters are growing right before our eyes!
Old time farmers here in town are swearing that winter wont arrive here this year until after Christmas.

BUT...in reality..
my front door is a pathetic entrance; Im glad you cant see the light fixture..
I now abhor 1" blinds,
the color of the building should be band from God's color wheel,
and we are surrounded by terrible wood chips.)
I also think Old Time Farmers tell lies!! This week the temps dropped to the mid 20's!! Liers!!!
I no longer even recognize my own body..its gone soft and weak. Im sure Old Main Hill would now take me down.
I miss my boys.
Im a Relief Society President...and should be behaving like an adult.
I miss my former life.
I meet wonderful folks from all over the country..who are enjoying fabulous road trips to places like Jackson Hole, Yellowstone and St George. Our conversations reduce me to tears most times..(I wash the dirty soda cups when this happens. We have VERY clean soda cups.)
Oh how I long for a road trip..or even the possibility of a road trip.)

And then there was last Sunday's phenomenon.
I woke up convinced I'd play hooky from church. I didnt have any responsibilities that day. I wouldnt be missed. And yet, I ended up dressed and ready to go. ..and I went. out of habit I suppose. I had tithing in hand to turn over to the bishop. 10% of my hard earned tip money..a wad of ones mostly. I suppose I had people to see and had people that needed to see me..( I know that may sound strange..but example is a powerful thing.) And now I find myself trying to analyze my behavior..my motives. I'd like to learn...and I'd love to wax profound. (though I dont think it'll happen this time.)

Im sad.
You can see that.
My hiking spa is hiring..and its autumn in St George. (a glorious time to be in Zion)
My hair dryer broke...it literally went up in flames.
The sun shines...but I rarely get to partake..for Im indoors working.
The dress I wore Sunday is the same dress I made and wore some 15 yrs ago.
Im tired and would love to sleep in...but I cant, for my brain seems to now be programmed to wake up early.
My body feels old.
And yet I still go to church. FOR THREE HOURS!

BUT TODAY... Today.... we get to stay in our cozy, comfortable clothes and watch General Conference from the comfort of our own homes and soft couches. Blessed tender mercies! If you are interested..click and watch along with me!! Happy Sunday to you!!!

Sabbath Reflections

All things whatsoever God in his infinite wisdom has seen fit and proper to reveal to us, while we are dwelling in mortality, in regard to our mortal bodies, are revealed to us in the abstract... revealed to our spirits precisely as though we had no bodies at all; and those revelations which will save our spirits will save our bodies. (TPJS) The voice of the Spirit is described in the scriptures as being "neither loud, nor harsh" (3Nephi) "It is not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of great tumultuous noise," but rather, " still and small, of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper," and it can, " pierce even to the very soul." (Helaman5:30) and cause the heart to burn."
Remember Elijah found the voice of the Lord was not in the wind, nor the earthquake, nor the fire, but was a still small voice. (1Kings)

from: The Divine Center

by Stephen R Covey

Eric Lafforgue

Some men say, "We must find God before we can love our fellow men." Is it not

more nearly in keeping with the truth to say: "We shall find our God by living and

loving our brethern"? I think it is. Shall we say that a man first loves God and then

spontaneously will love his neighbor? The New Testament reverses that order.

"For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom

he hath not seen?" (1 John 4:20) Shall we say that a man first is forgiven by God and

then naturally overflows into magnanimous relations with his fellows? The New Test-

ament puts it the other way around. "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither

will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matt 6:15) Shall we say that the worship of

God comes first and love of man inevitably follows? The New Testament states the

contrary: "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the alter, and there rememberest that thy

brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the alter, and go thy way; first

be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." (Matt 5:23-24) Shall we

say that the right attitude toward Christ is the precedent condition of a right attitude to-

ward men? The New Test- ament says it is impossible to take a right attitude toward Christ

with- out taking an unselfish attitude toward men. "Insomuch as ye have done it unto one

of the least of these my brethern, ye have done it unto me." (Matt 25:40) We may think as

we please, but there is no question about what the Bible thinks. In the New Testament

there is no road to the heart of God that does not lead through the heart of man.

-Spencer W. Kimball

SABBATH REFLECTIONS

One of the chief purposes in life is to overcome

evil tendencies, to govern appetites, to control

our passions - anger, hatred, jealousy, immorality.

We have to overcome them; we have to subject

them, conquest them because God said: "the

Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples,"

nor will it "...always strive with man..." (2Nephi26:11)

-David O McKay

THE FAMILY

A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

The First Presidency and Council of the TwelveApostles of the Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-Day Saints

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

SUNDAY REFLECTIONS

After all, in her cosmology, this life is boot camp. If you dont

persevere through all its obstacles and all the wounds that it

inflicts, you cannot move on to your next life of high adventure,

which she calls 'service,' or eventually to your third life, which

she assumes will be filled with pleasures and glories far

greater even than a bowl of coconut cherry chocolate chunk.

from: Odd Thomas

by: Dean Koontz

Instead of longing for a Koi / turtle pond or for my grandkids or for life as it used to be...
Instead of wishing for that white picket fence around a home, or for Orderville Canyon to be in my back yard once again...
Instead of wishing for the beach, or the good company of a particular Young Woman from St George...
I should be pleading for a 'reboot' or attitude adjustment instead. Im praying that I can put my worldly desires aside and refocus on what's truly important. My new 'job' at church will definitely help me fulfill this goal. My stewardship is vast and overwhelming...but I think Im going to like the challenge and the change of pace. This week Im already out caring for those that mourn..and for the down trodden. I know Im not supposed to expect anything in return for these 'services'..but in a way I do expect something..I expect to succeed in changing my heart. We all know that serving others is the best way to forget oneself. That is my goal and desire.

More holiness give me, more strivings within.

More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.

More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care.

More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord.

More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word.

More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.

More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.

More purity give me, more strength to o'ercome,

More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.

More fit for the kingdom, more useful I'd be,

More blessèd and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.