"...thou hast done this with such unwearyingness..." (Helaman 10:5)

I just want to point out a cool word I came across in the Book of Mormon. Unwearyingness. The definition for weary is "exhausted in strength, endurance, vigor, or freshness" (Merriam-Webster). So, to be unweary is to have strength and endurance- to be able to continue forward without tiring. Another way to describe being unweary is to be dedicated and committed to what you are doing.

Nephi is described as being unweary. As you read these verses, I invite you to personalize it, asking the Lord to reveal to you what you have done "with unwearyingness".  Or perhaps ask what you might do "with unwearyingness":

"Blessed art thou, [insert your name], for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will" (Helaman 10:4-5). 

Here is a summary of what Nephi did with unwearyingness:
- declared the word, which was given him from God, to the people
- did not fear the people
- did not seek his own life (sometimes we have to give up the life we think we are "supposed to have", which can then free up the way for God to give us the life He is preparing for us, even eternal life)
- he kept the commandments of God

Here is a brief summary of the blessings Nephi received because of his unwearyingness:
- blessed forever
- made mighty in word
- made mighty in faith
- made mighty in works
- all things should be done unto Nephi according to God's word. In other words, anything Nephi asks of God will be done because Nephi would not ask anything that would be contrary to the will of God.

Life is not always perfect. Often, it is filled with adversity, trials, pain and suffering. But these experiences need not stall us or make us weary in well doing (see Galatians 6:9). Rather, God wants a powerful people (see Sheri Dew's talk about this). God gives us the strength to do all things (Philippians 4:13) and He provides a way for us to do all things that we are commanded to do (see 1 Nephi 3:7). I know God will bless you and guide you as you seek the spiritual gift of unwearyingness. This I testify.

This is a video of the Tabernacle singing: If the Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not

These are the words for the chorus:

"Do not weary by the way,

Whatever be thy lot;

There awaits a brighter day,

To all, to all who weary not."

"...bear one another's burdens..." (Mosiah 18:8)

*Editors note: I wrote this shortly after my mom passed away. I'm ready to share it now.

I have been kind of a bad driver this week. Not intentionally by any means. But mostly because I have been distracted. As I have been driving I have been thinking about my mom. She passed away 3 days ago.

As I pulled into a parking spot today, I could hear my sweet mother's voice say, "Good job! How did you learn to do that so well?" I chuckle at it now. I didn't understand then why she would say that, but now that she is gone, I think I understand a little more. She was trying to look for the good in what I was doing...even if it was complimenting me on my parking job.

I have pondered driving and being distracted and it has brought me to a scripture:

 "...And now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called His people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort..." (Mosiah 18:8-9). 

What does driving have to do with bearing one another's burdens, even making them lighter? or mourning with others? or comforting others? Well, sometimes I also get upset at other people who I deem to be "bad drivers". But, maybe..., they aren't trying to be a bad driver. Maybe their mother just passed away, too. Or maybe they are just having a really bad day. I think that we can make another's burden lighter just by being a little more patient with them. I believe we could all use a little more patience...I know it makes my burden lighter.

The day of my mom's service

This whole funeral experience is kind of difficult- making arrangements, communicating, and trying to do what seems good for everyone...all while mourning the loss of my mother. One of the really difficult part comes when others tell me that their way is better. Or they continually ask, "Why are you doing this and not that"? or "Why in the world did you choose to have so-and-so do that?" I tell you, I sometimes want to just scream, "I'm trying to do the best I can!" But then I realize that maybe they have also lost their mother recently. And so I can help bear and make their burden lighter by being a good listener, forgiving them quickly, by being patient with them. And even forgiving myself!

My mother's compliment on my parking has reminded me to say, "Thank you for your help", and to look for the good in the simple acts of service others give me and my family. I know that God helps us as we seek to mourn with and comfort each other. Families are definitely the best place for us to practice forgiveness, being patient, and being kind. But I think driving is a pretty close second when it comes to practice time. These simple acts are one way we can make another's burden light and mourn with them. They can also give great comfort. I know it has for me.

"...that ye may learn wisdom..." (Alma 32:12)

Learning wisdom...

Do you ever feel like you are having experiences in life in which...well, that you got the short end of the stick? I have been feeling like this off and on since I got diagnosed with CRPS (March of 2016; learn more about CRPS here and here). But today I have had to stop and think a bit after having a new insight from this scripture:

"I say unto you, it is well that ye [have ...insert challenge here], that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye [have...said challenge], that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble" (Alma 32:12)

 When I read it like this, "it is well that ye have CRPS, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom"...I wanted to say, "What?! It isn't well. This really, really stinks (to put it mildly)!" Sometimes I get caught up in, "...but I can't do such and such" thinking, especially, I can't ride my trike or go on hikes anymore! To say nothing about all the shoes and boots in my closet that I can't wear!

Then I had to pause.

I have to be still. "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still." (Psalm 4:4). I really like that...stand in awe...be still. I have found that when I am still, when I am calm and not all whiny or mad, or full of self pity, it is then that I receive answers, or peace, and I understand better what I need to do...or not do. Sometimes it takes me a bit to be still. But when I finally get there I realize that life is more than the doing or the getting.

I believe that this life is "a time to prepare to meet God..." (Alma 34:32). And to prepare I must learn how to be godly, which includes learning patience, long-suffering, spiritual endurance, being quick to forgive, healing, sorrow, joy, peace, being still...you get the idea.

It is not "necessary" that I ride a bike. But it is "necessary that I learn wisdom" (see Alma 32:12). "Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished" (Ecclesiastes 4:13). Admonished is to be "warned of something to be avoided" (Dictionary). Another favorite about wisdom: "O be wise, what can I say more? (Jacob 6:12).

I invite you to pause, to be still. Take time to think about what godly attribute or quality you are learning. I know life isn't fair, but it sure is worth learning wisdom.

This is an interesting photo to me as I can see the "shine" on my left foot where my nerves have been damaged. And the "tan" is not really a tan at all, but rather, it's kind of a "burn" from the heat of the sun, not the light of the sun, if that makes any sense at all. Indeed, I am so grateful for my feet, as I can still walk -not for exercise, but for function- and that's enough for now.

"...be of good cheer..." (John 16:33)

My mom, a woman of great strength and good cheer

As thoughts of my mom distill  upon my heart and mind, I hear her voice in my head call out, "Be of good cheer!" She would enthusiastically say it, frequently, as I was leaving her home. Rather than saying good-bye on her answering machine, she ended the message with, "Be of good cheer". Those were words of comfort she afforded me when I was seeking support and understanding. I believe it was her motto, and she truly lived it.

Those same words were spoken by Jesus Christ. He said it while talking to his disciples shortly before the agonies He would suffer in Gethsemane, before being betrayed by Judas, and before He would endure an unjust trial which would lead to His crucifixion and death. He said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). I believe that Christ knew life ahead would be challenging for the twelve apostles as He used the phrase, "ye shall have tribulation".

In modern revelation He offers comfort to us through this same declaration. "And ye cannot bear all things now (again, Christ is letting us know we will have trials and life won't be easy); nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along." (D&C 78:18). I love the word, nevertheless. It means, " in spite of that" (nevertheless). Thus, in spite of the trials. In spite of the worry. In spite of betrayal. In spite of hardship or pain. In spite of the monotony of daily life, which can be its own curious type of pain..."be of good cheer".

Even though my mom got weaker and less independent,
she always chose to be of good cheer.

I have learned over the years that we never know what someone is suffering or going through at any given time. No one gets out of this life without trials, pain, sorrow, or loss. Life for my mom was not easy- she definitely had her fair share of tribulations.

Nevertheless, she was one of the most optimistic, cheerful, and positive persons I have ever known. She quietly lived the gospel, which spoke volumes of lessons for me. She did "submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord" (Mosiah 24:15). She embodied the words of Pres. Thomas S. Monson in which he encourages us to "be of good cheer". He said, "This attitude is what will pull us through whatever comes our way. It will not remove our troubles from us but rather will enable us to face our challenges, to meet them head on, and to emerge victorious." He continues, "I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us." Pres. Monson ends with, "My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith" (Be of Good Cheer).

I testify of the power of being of good cheer. It is real- even life changing. I testify that God is with you. He hears and answers your prayers. We have nothing to fear. This I testify.

"...arouse the faculties of your souls..." (Jacob 3:11)

I love seeing beautiful flowers!
They are soul satisfying. 

I have been pondering what it means to live, and how to really participate in life. I found two ways (I am sure there are others, but these are the two that were very clear to me).

First way: "And others will [the devil] pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say; All is well in Zion; ye, Zion prospereth, all is well- and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell" (2 Nephi 28:21).

I love greeting this man with a kiss every time he comes home
...and then some. 

Second way: "O my brethren, hearken unto my words; arouse the faculties of your souls; shake yourselves that ye may awake from the slumber of death" (Jacob 3:11).

What I noticed is that the devil is sneaky. He will "lull us into carnal security". Carnal means "1. relating to the physical and especially sexual appetites. 2. Worldly or earthly; temporal. 3. Of or relating to the body or flesh; bodily." (Carnal). This kind of living relies on physical and temporal experiences. I see it as an "eat, drink, and be merry" (2 Nephi 28:8) way of living.There is no real use of one's senses in this situation. The devil "carefully" leads one "down", making one think that, "all is well", when in reality one will miss out on that which is real, even light (see Alma 32:35).

In contrast, Jacob invites us to "hearken", which is a call to action. I love the invitation to "arouse the faculties of your souls". For me, this is using all of my senses, my thoughts, actions, physical as well as spiritual faculties to learn and experience life. This is another way of saying, Wake-up! Living life in this way is powerful, fulfilling, and offers many light filled moments. When I choose to live this way my experiences are rich and satisfying, calming in a way that leads me to want to experience and share the joy I receive with others.

I keep thinking about these ideas. What parts of my life need waking up? What faculties do I need to arouse that involves my whole soul? Am I being "lulled" to sleep or am I "awake"? I keep thinking that the world would have me believe that if I am busier then I am more awake. I can tell you from first hand experience that is not really being awake, it's just being busy.

Enjoy my food!

I invite you to take time to ponder what you need to do to "awake and arouse your faculties" (Alma 32:27). Perhaps it's taking time to notice God's beautiful creations (see 1 Tim. 4:4) , taking time to listen (see Moroni 8:8) , tasting your food (see Proverbs 24:13) , enjoying the harvest of the season (see Revelations 14:15), greeting your spouse with a kiss (see 2 Cor. 13:12), being "still" (which is so very different that being lulled to sleep) (see D&C 101:16, Psalms 4:4), choosing to spend time with loved ones (see Lev 25:10). These are some thoughts that come to my mind. What does your heart tell you?

"...now it is high time to awake out of sleep." (Romans 13:11). Indeed, we must wake-up!

Awaking to the touch of a bee on my leg. It was so light and gentle.

More joy to my soul

I love spending time with Hershey...instant love and acceptance.

Rosie...such a gentle and sweet dog. I'm so grateful God made these creations!

I love peach harvest time!

I took time to bottle some of the peaches...my mom taught me how to do this. How I miss her!
Through this process I felt closer to her and had a satisfied feeling of working hard, preparing and preserving, and a deep appreciation for all that God has created for me to enjoy.