Knowledge of a Personal Savior

During this Christmas season, many of our hearts are turned to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful for the knowledge that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints gives me of Christ so that I can develop a personal relationship with him.   This knowledge includes:  

1.  Christ is a separate being from Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost although they work together for the same purpose.

2.  Christ has a body of flesh and bone.

3.  Christ was the Jehovah of the Old Testament and the Messiah of the New.

4.  He was born in a stable in Bethlehem.

5.  He gave us the perfect example to follow.

6.  He bled from every pore in the Garden of Gethsemane and died on the cross in Calvary.

7.  He was resurrected after three days in the tomb.

8.  After His resurrection Christ appeared to the Nephites in America.

9.  He suffered for every sin we would commit.   All we have to do is repent.

10.He suffered for every sorrow that we would ever experience and so He knows what we are going through and can provide strength and courage in difficult times.

11. Christ provided a way (the only way) that we can make it back to our Heavenly Father.

12. He will one day return to the earth and rule as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords". 

12.  All will stand before Christ to be judged.  He will be the perfect judge because He has experienced everything we have.  

I am so grateful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and for the atonement.   I can turn to Him when in despair, fear, or sorrow, and I know I will find peace.  I  am forever indebted to my Savior for the price he paid for me.   Knowing a personal Savior helps me want to do better and try to become more like Him not only during the Christmas season but throughout the year. 

Knowledge that the Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ

I am so grateful for the blessings that the Book of Mormon brings to my life daily.  As I try to read it each day, it brings strength,  peace and joy to my life.

I know that it is truly another testament of Jesus Christ, and that it goes hand in hand with the Bible.  I know that the Book of Mormon was translated by the prophet Joseph Smith, and that no human being could have written this book without God's help.   I testify that the Book of Mormon is true and by reading it, it will bring each of us closer to Jesus Christ.   I know this because I have read it and tested out the promise in Moroni 10: 4-5.  "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true;  and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

Today and every day, I thank my Heavenly Father for the gift of the Book of Mormon in my life.  It is a gift that continues to make my life better every day, and I am so grateful for that precious treasure.

Many Blessings

At this Thanksgiving time, I am reminded of so many, many blessings that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with.  Let me just name a few.

1.  Knowledge of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ

2.  The power of Christ's Atonement

3.  The Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants that testify of Jesus Christ.

4.  A living prophet who receives revelation from the Savior for our needs today

5.  Opportunities to pray to Heavenly Father and receive answers 

6.  Family that makes life so worthwhile

7.  Opportunity to live in a free country and worship as I choose

8.  Free Agency to choose which way I want to go

9.  Opportunities to learn and grow

10. Friendships of good people

11.  Food on my table

12.  A warm home during cold winters

I am so grateful for the bounteous blessings my family receives daily from a loving Heavenly Father.   In gratitude for these blessings, I hope to do everything I can to do His will.

Knowledge of a Loving Heavenly Father

I have often pondered the blessings that come to my life because of the knowledge I have of a loving Heavenly Father who has a body of flesh and bones and whose image I am created in. Yesterday as I was returning from a conference trip, I was reminded again of this great blessing.  As I was driving home, in the dark, the roads started to get snowy, and I started feeling all alone.  I  said a prayer and tried to drive as slow and safely as I could.  I felt peace and love that I wasn't really alone, and that all would be fine.   

Also when I go to these conferences around the state, I meet good people who are trying to make a difference in the lives of kids.   I quite like these people, and I often ponder how much happier their lives would be if they had the full gospel of Jesus Christ, and what part I could play in sharing what I know with them.    Many times except for standing up for what I believe, this doesn't work out.   So it is comforting to know that Heavenly Father is no respecter of persons but loves all of his children the same.  He has provided a way that all will be able to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life or the next, and have free agency to accept or reject it.  I am comforted to know that these good people will have the same opportunity as anyone else to receive all the blessings of the gospel if they so choose.   

So today I am thankful for the knowledge and testimony I have of a kind and loving Heavenly Father, that I get to know personally through prayer and keeping the commandments.  I am so grateful for all of the many blessings my Father in Heaven bestows on me daily.  

Good People Making a Difference

There are so many good people around me and my family that bless my life every day.  This includes extended family, friends, youth, church leaders, and ward members.  From the many kind deeds to setting a Christ-like example, these people make my life so much better from associating with them.    A few of these kind  deeds are listed below.   

1.  Attending children's birthday parties and other family events.

2.  Sending birthday cards, emails, and family newsletters. 

3.  Spending hours  listening to a teenage son.

4.  Encouraging my children to do great things.

5.  Sharing uplifting comments  of gratitude and love.

6.  Bringing cookies by just to say thank you.

7.  Praying for my family.

8.  A smile or a hello.

9.  Holding the door at a store when my hands are full.

I also benefit so much each day by watching good people become better.  Here's a few things that bless my life by watching others.

1.  Seeing good people deal with challenges so valiantly.

2.  When they make mistakes, like all of us do, repenting, moving on and trying again.

3.  Standing up for what is right in difficult situations.

4.  Choosing to be alone instead of following the crowd.

5.  Bearing testimony of truth by how they conduct themselves.

The simple acts of kindness  and Christ-like examples of those around me bless me and my family every day.   This support system is truly empowering.  It helps my children do good things that a mother hoped they would do, but wasn't able to convince them of.  It brings hope, joy and courage to carry on.    

 

Christ-like acts of service

Sunday after a busy day of church work and setting up for a special young women program, I was exhausted.  Many that would have usually helped me had legitimate family difficulties such as; helping a daughter in labor, visiting a father out of town, and sick kids so I was left alone to set up.  It took so much longer to set up than I had planned even though everything was ready to go before hand. 

I was grateful this day for two sweet acts of kindness.  First of all of my boys (11 and 7) who willingly helped me set up tables and chairs.  I appreciate so much their enthusiasm and help with this task that to most is very ordinary.

 Secondly I appreciate the bishop and his counselor for their acts of kindness.  These two good men must have sensed that I was exhausted,  and they filled the need  extremely well.  They put away tables, chairs, wooden easels, hymn books, microphone and they even took my things out to my car.  They stayed around til I left to make sure everything was alright.   I'm sure these men had been serving in the church and away from their families most of the day, and they were probably more exhausted than I was.  However, like the Savior who took the time to bless the children even when he was exhausted, these men did a wonderful  service . Because of this act of kindness, I was able to spend more time with my children once I got home, and my heart was filled with joy.  I felt the love of my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ that day,  and I knew that I could make it through.  I will be forever grateful for my bishop and his counselor who by doing a simple thing made a huge difference in my life that day. 

Families Can Be Together Forever

Two days ago my youngest child turned two.  Time sure flies.  As I look back at all of my other children growing up, I am reminded how grateful I am for them and what a joy and blessing they have all been in my life.  I am so thankful to know that these children and my good husband can be mine forever because of the sealing blessings of  the temple.   

When my husband and I were married, we were married in the temple pictured at the beginning of this blog.  In this marriage, we made covenants and promises with God and with each other.  If we keep these promises, we can be husband and wife for an eternity instead of  only "til death do we part" like civil weddings state.  My husband and I can also have all of our children forever.  This is one of the greatest blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I am so thankful for this and the peace and joy it brings to my life every day.

Blessings from Serving the Lord, Jesus Christ

For the past 3.5 years, I have been serving in a calling in my church that works with girls 12-18 years old.  This includes finding ways to help each young lady come to know the Savior and be more like him by teaching gospel lessons on Sunday,  providing activities on Tuesdays and also praying and worrying about how to help each individual girl.  Though very tiring at times,  and sometimes difficult on my family  (especially my good husband who takes care of my children during this time), I have seen many blessings come from serving my Savior, Jesus Christ.

1.   My testimony of the Savior and his gospel has been strengthened immensely.

2.   My family has been blessed in many ways. 

 My husband has gained a special relationship with our two year old daughter.

My children have realized that they have to help out and do their part.

Getting to work with my own daughter in this group, I have had the opportunity to watch her testimony of the gospel grow.

 My husband has more compassion for what I go through as a mother.

I have gained more admiration for my husband who does so much to help our family. 

3.  I have learned to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost so much better than before.

 4. I have had an open mind to be able to learn and do more than I ever could without  serving the Lord.

Many times I have noticed that I have been able to do things in a shorter amount of time than it usually would have taken.

I have had so much help with my college classes, and been able to write papers so much better than I ever could have on my own.  (My talent has never been with writing papers and being able to pull things together very well.)  However, when I was writing my Literature Review for an action research project, I felt my Heavenly Father's help in pulling this together.  Though it still took a lot of time and work, I can't even imagine the time it would have taken without the help of a loving Heavenly Father guiding me along the way.

  

5.  I have been blessed to have the strength and energy to still be able to have the time to take care of my family even though my time is limited.

    

I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father and my Saviour, Jesus Christ for giving me opportunities to serve and see the blessings that come to my life and the lives of others because of this service.  Nothing can compare to the joy that I feel when serving  the Lord.  This joy (which includes raising my own children in the gospel) is greater than any worldly accomplishment I have achieved or will ever achieve.

The Power of the Atonement

As I reflect upon last Sunday, and some of the mistakes that I made, I am reminded again of the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life.  When I make mistakes,  I lose the peaceful feeling that I usually have, but when I repent of these sins, I am able to receive this peace again. I know that it is only through our Savior Jesus Christ that this blessing can occur. 

I am grateful to my Savior for the sacrifice he made for me in suffering for every sin I would ever commit and every sorrow I would ever feel.   I am so grateful that all I have to do is repent for my sins, and I will be forgiven and clean once again.   With out the Savior and the power of his atonement, no one would be able to make it back to our Heavenly Father.   Thank goodness that a loving Heavenly Father who knew we would make mistakes provided a way that all can make it back to Him if they truly accept the atonement and use it in their daily lives.  What a wonderful blessing to know that Jesus Christ who has gone through everything we will ever go through is the one who will be our judge.  What a perfect judge he will be.  This gives me hope!

I know that if I strive every day to become a little bit better, and continue to repent each day that Jesus Christ will make up the difference.  That when I see the Savior I can be worthy to stand before him and hear the words, "Well done thy good and faithful servant."    For this wonderful blessing I will always be grateful.

Personal Revelation

Last night I was reminded again of the power of personal revelation in my life.  As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, when we are baptized, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  This means if we keep God's commandments and stand in holy places that we can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.  Through this, we can receive daily direction and guidance in our lives.   

There have been so many times when I have felt the Holy Ghost testify of truth, comfort during times of sorrow, let me know that everything will be alright, give guidance for protection, put thoughts in my mind on a direction to go or an answer to a question. Often times I am just doing what I'm supposed to be doing, and a good thought pops into my head that I would never have thought of.  This thought is an answer to a concern or a question, and when I follow it, my life and the life of others are blessed.  Other times it is a warm feeling of peace and enlightenment.  My mind is clear instead of confused.   

Last night this happened again as I received another answer.  I am amazed how often God directs us to do good, but in his way that is so much more effective than ours.  I am so grateful for personal revelation in my life.  

It is through the Holy Ghost that I know without a doubt that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true and has the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is through the Holy Ghost that I know the Book of Mormon is true, and I am blessed with peace every time I read it.  It is through the Holy Ghost that I know Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God who under the direction of Jesus Christ leads and guides Christ's church today.  It is through the Holy Ghost that I can know that every principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ is true.  The testimony of these things has come line upon line-precept on precept in trying my best to keep the commandments and follow God's laws.   Today  I am so grateful for personal revelation that brings so much joy to my life every day.  I would truly be lost without it.

Prophet and Apostles Who Exemplify the Savior

Yesterday as I watched the end of the last session of General Conference, my heart was overflowing with joy. Joy not only from the Spirit I felt from the words that were said, but also from what I felt as I watched the prophet and apostles conduct themselves with goodness and humility. It was very touching to watch President Monson as he was leaving the Conference Center. While walking next to his wife and leading the group of apostles with their wives, he stopped and took a few moments with the people.

I watched as a prophet of God waved to the conference attendees as they waved back. President Monson motioned to a young boy to come here, and with the help of those on the main floor they lifted this boy up to see the prophet. President Monson held the boys hands together and spoke to him and let him know how important he was. President Monson then did the same with another young man. The leaders following behind him were smiling and grateful instead of rushing to get out the door or worrying about how hungry and tired they might be. They all seemed to know what was most important. As the prophet turned to leave again, he waved to the people, and you could see love in his eyes for them. The people reciprocated this love by waving back with a sincere appreciation in their eyes.

As I watched this, I felt sure that this is exactly what the Savior would do in this situation. Just like Christ did when he was on the earth as he suffered the children to come unto him. I am so grateful for a prophet and apostles who not only preach God's will, but live God's will, and do all that they can to exemplify the Savior, Jesus Christ.

A Living Prophet Today

In a troubled world that sways back and forth on what is right and wrong, I am so grateful for a living prophet that leads and guides us in these latter days. A prophet who speaks for God and testifies of Jesus Christ. This weekend, Latter Day Saints have the opportunity to listen to a prophet and twelve apostles in General Conference. The cool part is that we can know for ourselves if these men are called of God and if what they are saying is from God. The first time I heard our new prophet Thomas S. Monson speak, the Holy Ghost testified that he was called of God. When I hear these great men speak, often times I feel a burning in the bosom, and I know that what they are saying is true. Also when I obey their instruction, I see many blessings come into my life. So today, I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who has not left us alone in a world full of turmoil, but instead has provided a mouth piece to speak His will to the problems of today.