Every night our family does what we call "Scripture, Song, and Prayer", but not in that order. We each have a night that we get to choose a "Primary Song" and then we say family prayer together and then the family member whose night it is gets to pick a scripture that we have memorized or we are working on memorizing to recite together. This has become a nightly family tradition. Over the past few years we have been doing it we have learned, or sung some of our children's favorite primary songs or hymns. Now, it hasn't always been love and harmony. There have been some nights when a child or two were fighting with each other and they would refuse to sing. So, the penalty that the kids came up with was the offender had to sing a solo. That usually made that child's mood change...from angry to calm. Not necessarily all cheery, but markedly better. Music has a profound effect on people. It has the power to calm the soul or to rile the spirit. Throughout the years there have been a couple of primary songs that are my favorites. Here are the words to them:
"My life is a gift, my life has a plan. My life has a purpose, in heaven it began.
My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth,
and seek for God's light to direct me from birth.
I will follow God's plan for me holding fast to His word and His love.
I will work, and I will pray; I will always walk in His way.
Then I will be happy on earth, and in my home above."
(I Will Follow God's Plan #144)
I want to be kind to every one, for that is right, you see.
So I say to myself, "Remember this: Kindness begins with me."
(Kindness Begins With Me #145b)
I share this with you because music has the power to influence our lives in a very powerful way. It can bring peace to our souls and minds. In the scriptures we are taught: "The song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads" (D&C 25:12.) When you are in need of help, want peace, or need answers as a parent or as a child, but perhaps don't know exactly what to ask for or even how to pray about it, sing a hymn or a primary song. Sing from you heart and soul because you are praying to God, our Father in Heaven who loves you and desires to help you.
Before Christ went out to with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, or the mount of Olives, "they had sung an hymn" (Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26.) The Savior of the world was united in singing with His disciples before the greatest event that would ever take place, unbeknownst to His disciples at that time. I wonder if they sang for strength for Christ or if Christ sang for strength for them?
I did a scripture search for "sing" and there are 196 results. We are to "Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises" (Psalms 47:6.) So the next time you are in church and you hold back because you are afraid someone will hear you actually sing, sing louder. Sing to God, sing those praises! You need those prayers answered! And the Lord wants to hear from you. Where else can you be loud and wonderful and, by golly, who cares if your voice cracks? I know that the Lord sure doesn't. He LOVES it when we sing hymns. In our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we get to sing often. Think about what a blessing that is to be able to audibly "pray" in that way to our Father in Heaven, "united in mighty prayer" (3 Nephi 27:1.)
Music can be powerful and is a gift from God. It can be a beautiful way of worshiping Him who is "mighty to save" (Alma 34:18.) The Lord says: "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (D&C 88:63.) We can draw nearer to Him as we sing praises to Him during our church services as well as in our minds and in our hearts. Have our minds filled with Hymns, words of praise and worship. This I testify will bring greater peace and joy in your life.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me...and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matt. 11:29
I have always had a hard time saying that I am an artist because I don't sell my art. I make art, but I don't sell it. But then again, there are many things I enjoy doing that I don't make money at and I call myself by those names, such as: I am a mother. I am a cook. I am a teacher. I am a wife. I am a maker of vessels. There are many things. But my point of all this actually has to do with art and "rest".
I have always been fascinated with women and mothering and how we are caretakers of many, yet, too often we forget to take care of ourselves. So, for one of my projects, many years ago, I did a series about "Women at Rest". I made over 100 women and all of them were in, on or a part of various types of cradles. The idea was as women we need to "rest" at times, or we would end up "resting"...i.e. dead. The cradles were symbolic of the care women need and provide.
Over the years I have continued to be a little fixated with the idea of "rest", not just for women, but for everyone. I have studied it in the scriptures a great deal and have it highlighted throughout my scriptures. I love the idea of being in "The rest of the Lord". In the scriptures this means "the fulness of his glory" (D&C 84:24). I have always had it in my mind that we don't need to wait until we are "at rest" to be in His glory. We can be in His rest now.
I have always been fascinated with women and mothering and how we are caretakers of many, yet, too often we forget to take care of ourselves. So, for one of my projects, many years ago, I did a series about "Women at Rest". I made over 100 women and all of them were in, on or a part of various types of cradles. The idea was as women we need to "rest" at times, or we would end up "resting"...i.e. dead. The cradles were symbolic of the care women need and provide.
Over the years I have continued to be a little fixated with the idea of "rest", not just for women, but for everyone. I have studied it in the scriptures a great deal and have it highlighted throughout my scriptures. I love the idea of being in "The rest of the Lord". In the scriptures this means "the fulness of his glory" (D&C 84:24). I have always had it in my mind that we don't need to wait until we are "at rest" to be in His glory. We can be in His rest now.
Jesus Christ says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).
The Latter-day prophet, Joseph F. Smith defined God's rest like this: "The ancient prophets speak of 'entering into God's rest'; what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive. We know of the doctrine that it is of God, and we do not ask any questions of anybody about it; they are welcome to their opinions, to their ideas and to their vagaries. The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into 'God's rest.'...rest from doubt, from fear, from apprehension of danger, rest from the religious turmoil of the world..." (Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 58.)
Put that definition in the scripture: "...and I will give you rest." That is a peace beyond description. The Lord is wanting to bless us with His peace, and with His happiness. This is how we can be happy in the midst of crisis. I have felt it and lived it in my own life. Even when things have been very difficult and emotionally challenging, I knew that His way was the right way.
The world my not define me as an artist because I don't make money selling my art work, or they may not value me as a woman because I am a stay at home mom and don't make any money. But I know that what I am doing is beyond measurable value. God knows what is important and man's ways are not God's ways (Isaiah 55:8-9.) There is only one way to find true rest in this life and in the life to come, and that is "Come unto [Christ], and [He] will give [us] rest." (Matt. 11:28) Follow Him (2 Nephi 31:10; Matt. 9:9) , Learn of Him (Psalms 119:71; D&C 19:23) and you will have true rest, God's rest. This I testify.
Monday, October 03, 2011
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7
A very dear friend of mine and family member shared with me his experience of joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had been attending The Church for approximately 6 years and had finally decided he either needed to join or stop attending. He spent many hours on a rock by the sea waiting for an answer about whether or not it was true. I asked him about this experience because I wanted to know if he had received an answer to his prayers that day. He remarked that he didn't receive an answer that day, but joined The Church anyway. He then said the answer came after he joined.
I continue to ponder this experience of my friend. He was willing to change his entire life without a "clear answer." He sacrificed a great deal to join The Church. He was rejected by his family and his mother never spoke to him again before she died. He did all of this on an act of faith. He ended up receiving his answer. It was after he was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He told me that sometimes you receive answers "after the trial of your faith".
We all want our prayers to be answered. And wouldn't it be so wonderful if they were answered in miraculous ways and clearly laid out so there was no mistaking what God wanted us to do? Not really, because we would be short changed of the growth that comes from exercising faith in our Father in Heaven and in His Son, Jesus Christ. "...The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth" (1 Peter 1:7). More precious than gold. You can't buy faith. And faith is more valuable than gold.
You know, people pay a lot of money for education, especially a private education. A private elementary education can cost as much as college tuition. That's pricey. There is a way to get a private education though, with no cost to you, except your time, and sacrifice of heart. That private education is of course from the Lord.
I continue to ponder this experience of my friend. He was willing to change his entire life without a "clear answer." He sacrificed a great deal to join The Church. He was rejected by his family and his mother never spoke to him again before she died. He did all of this on an act of faith. He ended up receiving his answer. It was after he was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He told me that sometimes you receive answers "after the trial of your faith".
We all want our prayers to be answered. And wouldn't it be so wonderful if they were answered in miraculous ways and clearly laid out so there was no mistaking what God wanted us to do? Not really, because we would be short changed of the growth that comes from exercising faith in our Father in Heaven and in His Son, Jesus Christ. "...The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth" (1 Peter 1:7). More precious than gold. You can't buy faith. And faith is more valuable than gold.
You know, people pay a lot of money for education, especially a private education. A private elementary education can cost as much as college tuition. That's pricey. There is a way to get a private education though, with no cost to you, except your time, and sacrifice of heart. That private education is of course from the Lord.
"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend and ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."
(2 Nephi 28:30; see also Isaiah 28:10)
He wants us to learn of Him (D&C 19:23) and sometimes the only way to be educated about Him is to have a "trial of our faith", for His people will be a "tried in all things" (D&C 136:31), and this includes our faith. Having had my own faith tried and knowing that I am being educated by the Master, this I testify, is what makes life good, filled with joy, and "more precious than gold", even when it is hard.
Sunday, October 02, 2011
"...every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." Moroni 7:33
Sometimes as I am pondering what I need to share with my children a phrase will get stuck in my head, or I will read something and it just stays there. So, I go to the scriptures or lds.org and do a search on the phrase or topic or idea that is going through my head. The phrase that has gotten stuck tonight is this: DO GOOD. I looked it up...and there were 52 matches in the scriptures for that phrase! I will share only a couple of scriptures with you and then let you do your own search and study.
Do good is such a simple phrase (I like simple). It speaks volumes with two words. It can be applied to our behavior, our thoughts, our attitude, our lifestyle, how we choose to spend our time.
I'll let the scriptures and the Spirit do the teaching~ (italics added)
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
"Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward."
"But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."
We get to choose how we spend out time and our attitude and how we treat other people. We get to choose to do good. What a gift to choose whether or not we want to do it. Growing up my dad always said, "Make it a great day, and if you don't it is your own fault." That is a true statement. I think another way of saying it is, "Make it a great day~ do good, no matter what". That's the power that is in us, to do good, This I testify.
Saturday, October 01, 2011
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you."" (Ezekiel 36:26)
A few years ago when we had purchased a brand new minivan I was backing up and had looked over my shoulder to make sure there was nothing behind me, but then looked forward because there were some little girls in front and to the right of me that I didn't want to hit. All of a sudden I felt a very large thump or perhaps it was more of a CRUNCH!!! (Yeah, it was a crunch.) I had hit a lamp pole that I hadn't noticed and totally damaged the whole back of my brand new van! (It was less than a month old.) I did have my kids in the van as well as their cousins. I think the kids were more shocked by my language than by the CRUNCH!!! I was so embarrassed and felt really horrible. I didn't want to go home and tell my husband...but I had to do it, that I had wrecked our brand new van.
Well, the short story of it is, we got the van fixed and it looked brand new again. I was so relieved! You would never know that I had wrecked it unless I told you. We had auto insurance for a reason, for those accidents that are going to happen, or might happen. And we have a choice if we want to file a claim or not and actually use the coverage we pay for to make the car look brand new and perfect again. I was so happy to have my brand new van back! It was nice to not have that big CRUNCH!!! permanently there, but completely gone.
Our Father in Heaven knew we would make mistakes and have accidents in our lives and so He gave us the Perfect Insurance Policy, His Son, Jesus Christ. It is up to us to "file a claim" and actually make the decision to use the Policy. How we pay for the policy is to sacrifice, put our heart on the alter, "a broken heart and a contrite spirit" (see 3 Nephi 9:20). Through faith we must lay down our "broken heart" and get a "new heart" (Ezekiel 36:26) through the atonement of Jesus Christ. It is our choice of course, if we want to keep our old heart and in so doing we keep the damage and we can't be repaired. It takes faith and a "contrite spirit" or a repentant spirit, to lay our "broken heart" on the alter. The rest is covered, Full Coverage if you will, by Jesus Christ!
We are "made whole" by first exercising faith in Jesus Christ. There are many examples in the scriptures of people who first believe that Jesus can either make them or a loved one whole through touching Christ, or the hem of His garment, or asking Christ to heal them or their loved one (see Mark 6:56, Matt. 15:28, John 5:14, Mark 10:52, 3 Nephi 26:15). He can and does make us completely whole from sin and past transgressions when we repent and put our hearts on the altar (see 3 Nephi 9:13). Just like my van after it was repaired and you could not tell that it had had a problem or been damaged in anyway, the Lord is the same way. He heals us completely! He makes us whole!!! He wants us to "come unto Him" today and every day.
So I ask myself, how can I come unto Christ today? What do I need to do, look for, stop doing, do differently, renew, or perhaps start doing? How have I tried to "touch Christ" through my faith today? It is a daily process for me to be healed, and thankfully so, because I know that I need as much Insurance Coverage as I can get. Gratefully, I am reminded weekly as I partake of the sacrament that we all have "full coverage" through Christ as we exercise faith in Him and "come unto Him" (Matt. 11:28). Jesus is the best coverage of all, because guaranteed, accidents are going to happen, but this I testify, they don't need to be permanent.
Well, the short story of it is, we got the van fixed and it looked brand new again. I was so relieved! You would never know that I had wrecked it unless I told you. We had auto insurance for a reason, for those accidents that are going to happen, or might happen. And we have a choice if we want to file a claim or not and actually use the coverage we pay for to make the car look brand new and perfect again. I was so happy to have my brand new van back! It was nice to not have that big CRUNCH!!! permanently there, but completely gone.
Our Father in Heaven knew we would make mistakes and have accidents in our lives and so He gave us the Perfect Insurance Policy, His Son, Jesus Christ. It is up to us to "file a claim" and actually make the decision to use the Policy. How we pay for the policy is to sacrifice, put our heart on the alter, "a broken heart and a contrite spirit" (see 3 Nephi 9:20). Through faith we must lay down our "broken heart" and get a "new heart" (Ezekiel 36:26) through the atonement of Jesus Christ. It is our choice of course, if we want to keep our old heart and in so doing we keep the damage and we can't be repaired. It takes faith and a "contrite spirit" or a repentant spirit, to lay our "broken heart" on the alter. The rest is covered, Full Coverage if you will, by Jesus Christ!
We are "made whole" by first exercising faith in Jesus Christ. There are many examples in the scriptures of people who first believe that Jesus can either make them or a loved one whole through touching Christ, or the hem of His garment, or asking Christ to heal them or their loved one (see Mark 6:56, Matt. 15:28, John 5:14, Mark 10:52, 3 Nephi 26:15). He can and does make us completely whole from sin and past transgressions when we repent and put our hearts on the altar (see 3 Nephi 9:13). Just like my van after it was repaired and you could not tell that it had had a problem or been damaged in anyway, the Lord is the same way. He heals us completely! He makes us whole!!! He wants us to "come unto Him" today and every day.
So I ask myself, how can I come unto Christ today? What do I need to do, look for, stop doing, do differently, renew, or perhaps start doing? How have I tried to "touch Christ" through my faith today? It is a daily process for me to be healed, and thankfully so, because I know that I need as much Insurance Coverage as I can get. Gratefully, I am reminded weekly as I partake of the sacrament that we all have "full coverage" through Christ as we exercise faith in Him and "come unto Him" (Matt. 11:28). Jesus is the best coverage of all, because guaranteed, accidents are going to happen, but this I testify, they don't need to be permanent.
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