"...They taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good" (Moses 6:55)

The other morning as I walked in the cold weather, my heart was very heavy. I was having a difficult time focusing on anything positive and was feeling a bit sorry for myself after an incident that had taken place with family the night before. I wanted to quit thinking about it and focus on something else. I really wanted to run away from the problem, but that would do no good and be very selfish. So, as I walked, I looked around at the stark contrast between the white of the snow and the dark branches of the trees. I thought of how the trees go dormant during the winter and that eventually spring always comes after what seems like such a cold and deathly winter; buds appear and bloom into flowers, leaves poke their heads out and grow. Most definitely, "there is an opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:11).

I started to make a mental list of all the things that I was grateful for, of oppositions as I walked. This helped me focus on something else other than the heavy heart that I didn't want to keep carrying in the bitter, cold morning. I have to be honest, the "bitterness" came from my foul mood, and the "sweetness" was an effort to change my attitiude. There is not a particular order to this list of oppositions, but each, both the bitter and the sweet, has brought a blessing into my life. I hope you will come up with your own list of oppositions. If we "should never have bitter [or opposition we] could not know the sweet" (D&C 29:39). As the Lord said to Adam, "...they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good" (Moses 6:55).  Truly, opposition blesses our lives with bitterness so that we may recognize the sweetness of the Lord and His "tender mercies" (1 Nephi 1:20). Without bitterness, we would not recognize what is sweet. Some of these may not make any sense to you, but this is my list of oppositions...and they need only make sense to me. I share them because I have grown from them, and have tasted the bitter and the sweet, and the sweet is "the most sweet, above all that I ever tasted" (1 Nephi 8:11).

My Short Blessing list of Oppositions 

• being hungry and thirsty in opposition to having enough food and water to eat and drink; not only physically but spiritually as well (see Matt 5:6)
• being bitterly cold in opposition to being warm, especially when I return home to the "warm hearts" of loved ones (see D&C 121:9)
• having a sick child in opposition to having a child become well or my children healthy all the time (see D&C 42:48)
• icy roads that I fall on and have to pick my self back up in opposition to roads that have been cleared and are easy to follow so that I don't stumble and fall (see 2 Nephi 4:32)
• being tired and exhausted in opposition to being awake and alert (see 1 Cor. 15:34)
• feeling alone and abandoned in opposition to feeling totally loved and surrounded by loved ones (see D&C 6:20-21)
• being in excruciating pain in opposition to having no more pain or free from pain (see Alma 36:19; Revelations 21:4; Mosiah 27:29) 
• tears of sorrow in opposition to tears of joy (see Psalms 126:5)
• darkness and night in opposition to sunshine and daylight (see Moroni 7:15) 
• making enemies in opposition to making and having friends (see Matt 5:44; 3 Nephi 12:44)
• barren, no growth in opposition to planting trees, pruning shrubs and  bushes and watching the beauty of these grow (see Alma 33:23)
• impatience, fretting, and worrying in opposition to waiting patiently, being calm, filled with faith (Psalms 37:5-11)

As I pondered these oppositions, and looked around me at the cold of winter that covered the earth, I realized that all these things testify of Christ. They all call us to Him, "He that ascended up on high, as also He descended below all things, in that He comprehended all things, that He might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ" (D&C 88: 6-7). As we go through opposition, which gratefully we do, even though it is difficult and hard and sometimes we desperately don't want to, we can look to Him, the One who knows how to succor us according to our infirmities (see Alma 7:12) and heal our all our wounds and our souls and thus, we may know "to prize the good".

"And my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them" (Ether 12:27)

The other day, I showed up at my mom's house to see what I could do to help get my sister-in-law and 10 of her 14 children ready go to the airport. When I arrived I asked what I could do to help and my sister-in-law took me to the laundry room, showed me two boxes that were, in my opinion, already full and then said she needed my help loading the rest of the clothes from the dryer, a laundry basket, and a drying rack. Now, these clothes weren't just socks; they were jeans, and sweaters, and sweater dresses, and bulkier clothes. The thought ran through my head of, "there is no way these things are going to fit", but I didn't verbalize it. I just said, "Okay" and she left the room.

Sometimes, we are asked to do things that seem impossible. They might be minor tasks but are truly life saving for someone else, and we feel completely inadequate, insecure, and unsure of our abilities. Gratefully, the Lord knows better. He always does. The Lord has promised us that He will sustain the righteous. For forty years he sustained the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. "Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not" (Nehemiah 9:21). He not only sustains the righteous, but also will carry their burdens: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved" (Psalms 55:22). What great comfort in a world where there is turmoil and challenges to be faced, great and small, on a daily basis.

As I looked at the boxes I knew my sister-in-law needed them filled. I then said out loud, and kind of to myself, "Okay, if the Lord can feed five-thousand and have baskets of food left over, He can definitely help me make these clothes fit. I need a miracle". I then silently prayed for a miracle to make it all fit. I just got to work. I rolled clothes, jeans, shirts, dresses, socks, more jeans, and more dresses. I opened the dryer and was surprised how many clothes there were in there. But I just kept working. My sister-in-law came in and put a hairdryer and a cosmetic bag in of the boxes. She even brought in more socks and undergarments from some where else. All the clothes fit, and more. I called for my nephew to come and help me tape it shut. I call it the miracle of the boxes.

Sometimes I do feel very inadequate, and I am. I am not saying that I don't have talents or that I am not good at things, that's not the point. The point is, He makes up the difference because He is the difference! We all have weaknesses and need the Lord's help no matter who we are and whether or not we recognize it. The pride of man makes us think we can do it all on our own; that we can be perfect, or that we can handle it all without help, even the day to day stuff. Thankfully, we are so loved, that we don't have to, nor are we expected to do it alone. "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them" (Ether 12:27). When we are called to serve or do what seems to be an impossible task, He is the One that will fill the already full boxes just as surely as He fed the five thousand with two barley loaves and five fishes and "filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten" (John 6:5-13).

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16)

I have an original painting I got with gift money which has brought me great joy. It is of the resurrected Christ standing next to Mary just outside the garden tomb. Mary hasn't yet seen or noticed Him. I have often pondered on this event captured in this painting. 

(Painting by J. Kirk Richards click here to see more of his work)

There must have been such grief for so many who had lost their Lord and Master, a Beloved Friend, Teacher, Family Member, Leader, Loved One. The depths of sorrow, I can't comprehend. I then ponder the joy that must have filled Mary as she recognized her Master, her Beloved Jesus Christ (see John 20:13-18). His promise to rise again in three days (see Mark 8:31) had been fulfilled, which I can only imagine, had been hoped and was then comprehended. He had "finished the work" of his Father ( John 17:4).

Jesus Christ is truly resurrected, lives, is whole, and complete. He is the Gift to us from our Father in Heaven. We must choose whether or not we want to receive this Gift through faith, for there is no other way to receive Him. I think Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926-2004) said it eloquently when he stated: "Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus" (Settle This in Your Hearts)!

The words to a Children's Primary song, "He Sent His Son" (#34) teaches many principles of sacrifice, love, hope, and enduring, that come from the Gift of our Savior which Heavenly Father gave to all the world. The words are as follows:

How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?

He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.

How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?

He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know.

How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?

He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.

What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?

Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.

What does He ask? Live like his Son.

(Words by Mabel Jones Gabbott, 1910-2004)

We are all God's children, and Heavenly Father needs to teach and have us learn of perfection (see Matt. 5:48). So He sent us a perfect example, because He loves us- perfectly. "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). Our Heavenly Father gave us the Gift of Christ, He sacrificed his Son for us that we might live again with them if we exercise faith in Jesus Christ. Faith takes action, and sometimes that action is to willingly sacrifice.

At Christmas time, it is a time for giving gifts, which brings great joy. My Children often give me gifts that are a sacrifice of time and money for them. I appreciate these small sacrifices for me, which brings joy to both of us. In a small way, they are expressions of their love. Heavenly Father wants us to receive the joy of giving gifts (see 2 Nephi 2:25). He sometimes may ask us to sacrifice or offer things we may not want to give up or aren't ready to part with, such as time, money, habits, grudges, loved ones, just to name a few. We often think of these things as our possessions or our "substance, which [does] not belong to you but to God" (Mosiah 4:22). When we willingly offer them to Him as gifts and we put our faith in His time table and His plan for us, then our joy will be fuller and deeper. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" (Psalms 126:5). The Lord has also said: "I will order all things for your good, as fast as ye are able to receive them" (D&C 111:11). And Paul testified: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

"What does the Father ask of us? Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way" (#34). What beautiful and simple gifts to give our Father in Heaven and our Savior this year: faith, hope, love, kindness, forgiveness, peace. Christ is the perfect example, the perfect Gift. Mary, in the garden tomb, was joyful at the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At this time of year, each of us gets to decide if we will turn and see the resurrected Christ; or in other words, "if there is room for Jesus".

"Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world" (3 Nephi 18:24)

We decorated our Christmas tree this past weekend. I do enjoy decorating the tree and putting on the ornaments that hold many memories. Some of the ornaments are cherished gifts filled with love and care. I have three such ornaments that I want to share with you in particular. These three ornaments are hand made by three different friends and to me, each resembles a star. The women who have made and gave me these ornaments have left a lasting impression upon my heart, my life, and my spirit. They are women of God in faith, in action, and in how they live; and each woman is unique, just like the ornament they created for me. 

 As I have pondered these stars and their creators, I think they are a great representation of all women of God, each unique in our gifts, talents, shape, and size. No two are exactly alike. Yet, each woman is beautiful and shines in her own way. We are taught: "...the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God" (Alma 40:25); "and they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament" (Daniel 12:23); "then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matt. 13:43).

The world would have women believe their value is reflected in what they wear, in riches (see Alma 4:6), in how much one weighs, how much she knows, in the "vain things of the world" (3 Nephi 6:15). But women of God know they are more than "stuff" or "labels". I like what Sister Elaine S. Dalton, the General Young Women's President stated when she said, "I wish every...woman...would know and understand that your beauty- your "shine"- does not lie in makeup, gooey cream, or the latest clothing or hairstyles. It lies in your personal purity. When you live the standards and qualify for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, you can have a powerful impact in the world. Your example, even the light in your eyes, will influence others who see your "shine", and they will want to be like you" (Now is the Time to Arise and Shine!). The "shine" she is talking about is the Spirit which "giveth light to every man that cometh into the world" (D&C 84:46). The women who gave me these ornaments look nothing alike, come from very different back grounds, and a wide range of income. But, each of them "shine" with the Spirit because they "have all things common among them; therefore there [are] not rich and poor, bond and free, but they [are] all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift" (4 Nephi 1:3). Notice, it doesn't say all things in common, but "all things common"- which is a state of the heart and when lived after this manner, it is reflected in all areas of our lives.

I love the words from these two primary songs: "I am like a star shining brightly, smiling for the whole world to see. I can do and say, happy things each day, for I know Heavenly Father loves me" (Primary Song #163).  And the other: "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam to shine for Him each day" (Primary Song #60). Each one of us is unique, with special gifts to give. What a great blessing to be a woman, a daughter of God and "shine" for the whole world to see; not in a vain or self centered way, but in a confident way that comes from knowing individually, I am "a beloved daughter of God" (Sister Linda K. Burton) with individual gifts and talents to offer; most precious being a testimony of Christ and His power. This knowledge comes as we go forth in faith, and as Christ said: "Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up- that which ye have seen me do" (3 Nephi 18:24).
I am truly blessed by great women and men who hold up their Light by doing and living. The interesting thing of it all...it is in the small things of life that their Light is reflected and most of them have no idea how far reaching their light really is. It pierces the dark and makes life brighter. Today is the day~Shine on!

"...to be spiritually minded is life eternal" (2 Nephi 9:39)

As I drove my son to school the other morning I must have cut a man off or something because when we stopped at the light the man just glared at me and did not smile. He appeared to be extremely angry, or at least that is what his look told me. I looked back at him and smiled a big smile, like this (I was in these clothes, and wearing my sunglasses, took this photo shortly after for full effect): 

My smile then melted into a genuine smile: 

The man then relaxed and actually smiled back. My son commented to me that the man must have been pretty angry. He asked me what I had done to tick him off. I said I didn't know, and I hadn't done it on purpose. It's not like I try and go around making people angry; that doesn't feel good. If anything, I prefer peace and definitely a smile back.

As I drove home I pondered the smile and what a difference it made. In 2 Nephi 9:39 it states: "Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually minded is life eternal". Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal- there is your S.M.I.L.E. When we focus on "the things that matter most" (Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf), the things that can be felt with the heart, then we are being spiritually minded. This may mean that "we have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families"(Elder Dallin H. Oaks). Spiritually minded things develop our faith and strengthen our families. Letting go of anger, forgiving, being patient, just to name a few things, can be felt with the heart and help develop faith and strengthen our families.

The Romans were reminded the importance of being spiritually minded, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is peace" (Romans 8:6). There is peace in our busy lives when we "seek this Jesus of whom the apostles and prophets have written" (Ether 12:41) in all we do and say. It can be a challenge to do this in a world filled with tight schedules, stress, and so many choices of how to spend our time, let alone our money. As we look back over our lives, the things that last the longest are the memories we create, our relationships we have with others, and our testimony of Jesus Christ, "The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6; 2 Nephi 19:6). Pres Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught: "Diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world" (Of Things That Matter Most) and thus we will S.M.I.L.E.


Enjoy a short video: "Moments That Matter Most"