...A shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you..." (Alma 5:37)

Over the past several weeks I have spent a lot of time watching our children play water polo. It is an intense, fast-paced, and aggressive sport and a ton of fun to watch, especially if the teams are good at what they are doing. One weekend we were in Cedar City, Utah, watching 2 of our children  play with the High School team in the Summer Games tournament. It has 2 games going on at the same time, which means there are two sets of whistles, two sets of refs, 4 teams cheering, and tons of people, all inside. It is very loud.

Some of my responsibility during this weekend was to keep track of 6 teenage boys, one of which included my 14 year old son. At one point in time I needed to get the boys attention across the inside of the pool area. It is impossible to yell and try to have them hear me because there is so much noise. I needed to get them fed before their next games and I didn't want to walk all the way around the pools. So, I did what I do to get my children's attention. I whistled. I can whistle, without my fingers in my mouth, nice and deafening if you are too close. Remember, it is really loud and noisy in this place. The odds of them hearing me are pretty slim. I whistled once...and was hopeful that my son would hear our family sound that I use when I want to get our kids attention anywhere. He didn't notice. I tried again a second time. He immediately looked up in my direction and looked around for me. I moved around and waved for him to come to me. He waved back and I could see him tell the other boys they needed to come to me. It was awesome to watch this take place-the fact that my son had heard this "call" through the "wilderness" above all the noise was amazing. It was a bonus that I didn't have to walk all the way around the pool to get them.

As I have pondered this experience I have come to the conclusion that the Lord has a "whistle" or a "call" for us as well and we have to learn to discern it through all the noise that is around us. My children didn't just know this, I told them what to listen for over the years. We can be anywhere now and I can whistle and they will come to me. The Lord is the same way. He is calling us all of the time, He has said, "Come unto me" (see Matt. 11:28 , Alma 5:34.) How can we know what to listen for? How do we know it is His voice? He has said,

"Behold, that which you hear is as the voice of one crying in the wilderness—

in the wilderness, because you cannot see him—

my voice, because my voice is Spirit; 

my Spirit is truth; truth abideth and hath no end; 

and if it be in you it shall abound." 

D&C 88:66

Practice listening. Everyone can learn to discern the voice of the Lord. Everyone can learn to discern truth. Just as my children have learned to hear my whistle through the noise of two water polo games, two sets of whistles, 4 refs, and 4 teams cheering, and follow me to where I can feed them, we too must learn to listen to the Voice of Truth, the voice of the Lord, which is the Spirit and He will feed us. (See John 21:16, D&C 112:14) We just have to practice listening. Sometimes it is harder to hear and pick out that "call", but it is there. "Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ..." (Alma 5:38) 


If there is one thing I have learned this polo season, it is to listen. There is a ton of noise out there. But there is really only one true Referee who can see all and knows all and in Whom I can totally trust. It is the best feeling ever to know that I don't have to rely on the other refs, who are so inconsistent, who make calls that are in favor for one team or against another. Every call from this Referee is fair, honest and truthful. I have to listen for His voice, the voice of Jesus Christ, because His "voice is truth" (D&C 88:66.) "Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come; And whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning." (D&C 93:24-25) Now that is powerful. That is honest and an incredible definition of truth, and of what to listen for in the "wilderness". I am working on listening. It isn't easy, but it sure is worth it. It makes life much easier when there is so much noise going on in this crazy life of mine. And I promise you, He is calling to you, too. God loves you and is calling to you, always. And as you listen, you will hear, amidst all the whistles, other calls, and  distractions, and nonsense, because when you are ready to hear, it is a voice that is "of one crying in the wilderness" and can't be missed. This I testify. 

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

Over the years I have had many people talk to me about the "Word of Wisdom" (D&C 89) and there is always this debate about how come we don't drink coffee and tea. . I have heard it from members of my own faith as well as from people who aren't of my faith about why we don't drink coffee and tea, and it has frequently been said that it has to do with caffine or the way coffee is processed, that it contains tar and all sorts of "bad stuff" that you would never consume. Well, some of those things are true, but that isn't why we don't drink coffee and tea. It actually has nothing to do with caffine.

Let me tell you of an experience I had that helped me have an undertanding about why we don't drink coffee and tea. One Sunday, my family (meaning my family I grew up with) was sitting around talking about movies we had recently seen.  My sister mentioned a movie that was rated R she had seen and talked about how good it was and said the reason it received that rating was because it had the "F" word in it, a bunch of times, repeated over and over. But the message the movie had was incredible. I went home and thought about some of the rated R movied I had seen years ago that were really good and had great messages and haven't seen for a long time, such as "Shawshank Redemption", or "Schindler's List". My favorite movie, which has no good meaning, but I still love, but haven't watched in a long time, is "Die Hard". Yes, I admit it is...my favorite Christmas movie.  But I have chosen to not watch rated R movies...why?

As I continued to ponder this issue of "good movies" or even ratings at all, the thought came to me, we have a prophet and the Lord has spoken to our prophet. The prophet has told us to "not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable" (For the Strength of Youth). Perhaps the issue isn't about a rating at all. And the issue isn't about what is in the drink at all. The issue is more about whether or not I believe we actually have a prophet who talks with God and receives revelation that is for our good and for our benefit. And if I believe this, then am I going to follow what the prophet teaches and says is right?

What is so beautiful about the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that is gives us the choice, the opportunity to choose for ourselves whether or not we even believe our prophet talks with God, or receives revelation for the Church, or the world for that matter. We can have the Spirit confirm truth to us and we get to choose for ourselves (see Moses 3:17) whether or not we want to follow the truth. It is an incredible plan to be able to choose for ourselves whether we want to follow Christ and His prophets. We do have a prophet today. Christ loves us enough to guide us just as He led the Hebrew children out of Egypt "on dry ground" by a prophet (Exodus 14). And He loves us enough to let us choose whether or not we will continue to follow Him through being obedient once we know the truth. He says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). It really is that simple. The Word of Wisdom thing is about obedience and showing our love for God. We don't need to complicate it with all the gobblydigook of caffine or processing or whatever. Just simply state, the facts. We have a prophet who talks with the God. And I choose to follow our prophet. And because I have chosen to live my life this way, I have found great peace. This I testify.

P. S. You can learn more about the organization of our church here: Organizational Structure of the Church (You will need to scroll down to that heading)

"...They did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron..." 1 Nephi 8:30

This week has been a bit stressful to say the least. It is interesting to me to see what some people perceive as stressful and others do not. One person said to me, "What is the big deal, it's not that much." But the reason why they would say this is because they can only see a small portion of what I am dealing with and trying to accomplish or have to get done this particular week. Her view is limited because I have only shared a portion of my stress with her. I know I have done the same thing to other people with my limited view point. It is easy to judge how one should behave or respond to a situation with only a portion of the facts.

As my stress level has risen and I was not able to take a shower yesterday, (SO not like me because I love taking showers!) I realized that something needed to change today. So today, I set everything aside and went to the temple. And before I went, I took a shower. I love showering- I already said that- it is relaxing and warm and a place to think and ponder. And today the words to the Hymn, "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" Hymn#220 kept going through my head.

"Who am I to judge another

When I walk imperfectly?

In the quiet heart is hidden

Sorrow that the eye can’t see.

Who am I to judge another?

Lord, I would follow Thee."

You know, we have no idea what people are suffering or what they are going through. The reason they may swear at me or treat me poorly or whatever it may be, is because I may be the last thing on their list of bad things that day that they just couldn't deal with any more. I know the ideal is to be Christ like all of the time...and I wish I could be Christ like all of the time. But I am not- no one is. But the whole point of this life to to keep trying. We repent, which means we return or even better, we turn to God, and we keep trying. We never give up hope. And some days I am able to be nice when some one swears at me, and others...well, I come home and repent and try again the next time to be a little more patient and a little more kind or understanding.

Here is the scripture that makes me say, I can keep loving those who are having a bad day, and have hope for myself when I have a stressful and bad day:

"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."2 Nephi 31:20

Isn't that awesome? A perfect brightness of hope- why? Because Christ and our Father in Heaven love us and are there for us. Love God by keeping His commandments. Love all men, not just the ones who are nice to me. Press forward because it's not easy, but it is worth it. I do know it is worth it. Through all the stress and all the "stuff" it is worth it. I have this quote on my pantry door by Elder James E. Faust. It says: "Look at everything though the lenses of eternity." It's all about perspective.

Life is good, and it can be hard, and it's worth it. And we are loved beyond comprehension!!! That's why we can press forward holding fast to the word of God- which is the iron rod.1 Nephi 15:23-24 This I testify.

P.S. Keep hanging on...it's worth it.

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer" Proverbs 30:25

I have so much on my mind that I can't sleep. So, what am I thinking about at this hour, besides all the stuff that isn't getting done and needs to be getting done? Well, I will just mention only one and then hopefully I can go to bed and actually sleep.

Ants... I woke up this morning to a kitchen sink full of them. At least they were mostly in the sink and I could easily wash them down. I had to wipe down our counter and then sweep our floor really well. But yes, ants. Ant can actually teach us about Christ and lead me to thinking about Him. There is even a scripture about ants. It reads:

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."

Proverbs 6:6-8

Isn't that great?! I need to hear and listen to that because I am a bit of a procrastinator. I can learn from the ant. It has no guide, or ruler to tell it how to spend it's precious time. I must choose wisely how to spend my time. The Lord says, "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things" D&C 58:26. He's not going to tell me how to spend every minute of every day. He's also not going to send me a Divine prompting every single second to make sure I am doing everything right all of the time. And He won't zap me if I choose not to do something either.

So, if the Lord won't command me in everything, how am I to know how to spend my time? How can I be wise as the ant and use my time well? The Lord continued by saying, "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." D&C 58:27-28 There is the answer-"anxiously engaged in a good cause", "do many things of my own free will" which means my own choice, and "bring to pass much righteousness" or in other words do good stuff! He says, "DO GOOD". The reward can be as simple as that good feeling of knowing that I have done good in the world today. And I sure love that feeling. If feels a heck of a lot better than having just watched TV all night.

I guess ants aren't so bad, I can always be a little more wise from watching them...but I would rather they stay outside. You know what? All things do lead me closer to Christ. They testify of Him who is the Creator of all the earth. This I testify:)

Now I am going to go to sleep.

"He is not here, but is risen" Luke 24:6

Today is Easter. I love Easter for many reasons.  I love watching our children search for eggs that aren't filled with anything-that's right. We hide empty eggs. Even our 16 year old likes to look for them. I enjoy watching our children see what kind of candy we put in their Easter baskets. Okay, it was my husband who did it. I am pretty bad at planning that stuff. My husband is awesome and remembers everything when it comes to the holidays. Our kids would probably have a can of nuts like I did growing up if it was left up to me:) Good thing I have Mr. Slack to save the day (understatement.)

I also love Easter because it is the looking forward to spring, the beginning of new birth and growth, the resurrection of life symbolized in everything around me. All the flowers and trees are singing of the resurrection and renewal of life-they are not dead, but are only sleeping. I can hardly wait for spring and the hope it brings with it of warmer weather. I love warmer weather. Did I say I LOVE warmer weather?

Which leads me to thoughts of Easter and Christ. First, everything around me is reminding me that Christ is alive! "He is risen" is what Easter is all about for all of us Matt. 28:6. Not only physically, but spiritually as well. No matter how dark our days are, "Sunday will Come", the day Christ was resurrected. (see this awesome talk by Joseph B. Wirthlin) It is a great metaphor for our lives. We all have black days, but Sunday always comes. Jesus Christ has promised us that it will come. He has said,"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25

As I partook of the sacrament today, the sacrament table is an alter, with the symbols of Christ's body on it covered in a white clothe, just as He was laid in the tomb. He is resurrected in each of us as we partake of these emblems and "take upon [us] the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given [us]".D&C 20:77 This is a powerful symbol and reality in which we choose to live. Christ makes us whole through His atonement and His resurrection. What an incredible gift to us. Our gift to him is our love for him. We show our love to him through our obedience to his commandments John 14:15. We are so loved!!! "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 He is risen. And we can too. We don't have to stay where we are if we choose to change and become something more or different. It is an incredible and beautiful plan. It is a perfect plan. This I testify.