Wednesday, July 24, 2013
BEING HAPPY, AS A 'SINGLE' MEMBER OF THE CHURCH
Reading everything that I could on this topic made it quite clear what I needed to do for myself. Instead of feeling deeply discouraged, I need to forget myself and go to work. I know my Heavenly Father has promised me certain blessings, and I am too impatient. Almost every talk given it says to serve, develop your talents, and that you play a vital role in the Church. I am very grateful for the talents my Heavenly Father has blessed me with. I also see His hand helping me to create new talents, where there wasn't before. Very simply, I need to remember the words of Gordon B. Hinckley's father, when President Hinckley was discouraged on his mission, "Forget yourself and go to work."
"We shouldn't wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available- all the time! Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. "This is the day which the Lord hath made..." the Psalmist wrote. "Rejoice and be glad in it."
2012 October General Conference, Of Regrets and Resolutions, Saturday morning session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"I feel sorry for any man who hasn't yet made the choice to seek an eternal companion, and my heart weeps for the sisters who haven't had the opportunity to marry. Some of you may feel lonely and unappreciated and cannot see how it will be possible for you to have the blessings of marriage and children or your own family. All things are possible to the Lord, and He keeps the promises He inspires His prophets to declare. Eternity is a long time. Have faith in those promises and live to be worthy of them so that in His time the Lord can make them come true in your life. With certainty, you will receive every promised blessing for which you are worthy."
2011 April General Conference, The Eternal Blessings of Marriage, Sunday afternoon session- Richard G Scott
"I close with a final example of a desire that should be paramount for all men and women-those who are, currently married and those who are single. All should desire and seriously work to secure a marriage for eternity. Those who already have a temple marriage should do all they can to preserve it. Those who are single should desire a temple marriage and exert priority efforts to obtain it. Youth and young singles should resist the politically correct but eternally false concept that discredits the importance of marrying and having children"
2011 April General Conference, Desire, Saturday afternoon session- Dallin H Oaks
"Some of you, unfortunately, will never marry in this life. That turns out to be the case sometimes. If that happens, do not spend you life grieving over it. The world still needs your talents. It needs your contribution. The Church needs your faith. It needs your strong, helping hand. Life is never a failure until we call it such. There are so many who need your helping hands, your loving smile, your tender thoughtfulness. I see so many capable, attractive, wonderful women whom romance has passed by. I do not understand it, but I know that in the plan of the Almighty, the eternal plan which we call God's plan of happiness, there will be opportunity and reward for all who seek them."
2003 October General Conference, To the Women of the Church, General Relief Society Meeting- Gordon B. Hinckley
"The prophets of the Lord have repeatedly promised that no blessing will be denied to the righteous single sisters of the Church if, through no fault of their own, they have not been married in this life and sealed to a worthy priesthood holder. They will be able to enjoy that blessing, forever in the next world. "On occasions when you ache for that acceptance and affection which belong to family life on earth, please know that our Father in Heaven is aware of your anguish, and that one day he will bless you beyond your capacity to express."
2002 October General Conference, You Are All Heaven Sent, General Relief Society Meeting- James E. Faust
"We all long for peace. Peace is not just safety or lack of war, violence, conflict, and contention. Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, even and especially amid life's devastating trials and tragedies."
2013 April General Conference, Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness, Saturday afternoon session- Quentin L. Cook
"But even though we may feel lost amidst of our current circumstances, God promises the hope of His light- He promises to illuminate the way before us and show us the way out of darkness."
2013 April General Conference, The Hope of God's Light, Sunday morning session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"You are just as important as any others in the scheme of our Father in Heaven, and under His mercy no blessing to which you otherwise might be entitled will forever be withheld from you. You are precious and important to Him. You are precious and important to the Church. You are precious and important to all of us."
1989 June, Single Adults fireside satellite broadcast, To Single Adults- Gordon B. Hinckley
"Permit me now to say a word to those who have never had the opportunity to be married. I assure you that we are sensitive to the loneliness that many of you feel. Loneliness is a bitter and painful thing. Our hearts reach out to you with understanding and love....There are so many out there who need you. You are needed. There are young people to be taught in the organizations of the Church. Refine your skills. Accept every challenge and assignment. Put time and effort into the preparation of your lessons. Keep your spiritual batteries at full charge and light the lamps of others. It is better to light one candle than curse the dark."
1989 June, Single Adults fireside satellite broadcast, To Single Adults- Gordon B. Hinckley
"The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. To you wonderful young women I send a charge to reach beyond the routine of your daily work to serve in the Church, in the community, in the society of which you are a part. Though your talents be meager, polish them. Increase your skills, extend you love to help those who need you lifting hand."
1989 June, Single Adults fireside satellite broadcast, To Single Adults- Gordon B. Hinckley
REACHING FOR THE FUTURE WITH HOPE
We need to be happier. The adversary would have us be discouraged and depressed all the time. In that sort of state, it's easy to blame everyone else for your trials and woes. We were put on the earth to be happy! Our Heavenly Father wouldn't want it otherwise. Sometimes our paths do get dark, but there are others who are put in our way with light, to help guide us through. We need not sit and think of all the wrongs in our lives. Turn around and count all the happy times instead. We are divine beings; eternal creations of an omnipotent Father. We were sent here to fulfill a wonderful purpose. There are so many blessings and so much joy in store!
"We need not live in fear of the future. We have every reason to rejoice and little reason to fear. If we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we will be safe, whatever the future holds. We will be shown what to do."
2009 April General Conference, The Cloven Tongues of Fire, Saturday morning session- Boyd K. Packer
"Let us resolve to follow the Savior and work with diligence to become the person we were designed to become. Let us listen and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, Heavenly Father will reveal to us things we never knew about ourselves. He will illuminate the path ahead and open our eyes to see our unknown and perhaps unimagined talents."
2012 October General Conference, Of Regrets and Resolutions, Saturday morning session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Be obedient to the prophetic teachings Christ would have you follow. Don't rationalize away future happiness by taking shortcuts instead of applying sound gospel principles. Remember: little things lead to big things. Seemingly insignificant indiscretions or neglect can lead to big problems. More importantly, simple, consistent good habits lead to a life full of bountiful blessings."
2013 April General Conference, For Peace at Home, Saturday afternoon session- Richard G Scott
"I see so many good people everywhere—and there’s so much of good in them. And the world is good. Wonderful things are happening in this world. This is the greatest age in the history of the earth. …
"We need not live in fear of the future. We have every reason to rejoice and little reason to fear. If we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we will be safe, whatever the future holds. We will be shown what to do."
2009 April General Conference, The Cloven Tongues of Fire, Saturday morning session- Boyd K. Packer
"Let us resolve to follow the Savior and work with diligence to become the person we were designed to become. Let us listen and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, Heavenly Father will reveal to us things we never knew about ourselves. He will illuminate the path ahead and open our eyes to see our unknown and perhaps unimagined talents."
2012 October General Conference, Of Regrets and Resolutions, Saturday morning session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Be obedient to the prophetic teachings Christ would have you follow. Don't rationalize away future happiness by taking shortcuts instead of applying sound gospel principles. Remember: little things lead to big things. Seemingly insignificant indiscretions or neglect can lead to big problems. More importantly, simple, consistent good habits lead to a life full of bountiful blessings."
2013 April General Conference, For Peace at Home, Saturday afternoon session- Richard G Scott
"I see so many good people everywhere—and there’s so much of good in them. And the world is good. Wonderful things are happening in this world. This is the greatest age in the history of the earth. …
We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. … You can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen"
1995 June Ensign, Stalwart and Brave He Stands- Gordon B Hinckley
Sunday, July 21, 2013
SELF WORTH
One of the quotes I liked the most from this section, was the one by President Uchtdorf, that states that we need to have a relationship with ourselves. It is very true, yet not talked about too much. I think it is so said when people "can't get along with themselves" They become over critical and demeaning at times. We are not perfect. We are here to try to become perfect. Nothing happens overnight. We each have talents and someone needs you! We are His instruments. We need to use our talents to help and lift one another. There is so much joy in serving others. I know that if we do that, help one another using our strengths, our cups will overflow with blessings. By reaching out, you will actually find who you are. You will feel value, love, and acceptance. Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us. We all play a very vital role. You are valued and needed.
God has designed this mortal existence to require nearly constant exertion. I recall the Prophet Joseph Smith’s simple statement: “By continuous labor [we] were enabled to get a comfortable maintenance”. By work we sustain and enrich life. It enables us to survive the disappointments and tragedies of the mortal experience. Hard-earned achievement brings a sense of self-worth. Work builds and refines character, creates beauty, and is the instrument of our service to one another and to God. A consecrated life is filled with work, sometimes repetitive, sometimes menial, sometimes unappreciated but always work that improves, orders, sustains, lifts, ministers, aspires.
2010 October General Conference, Reflections on a Consecrated Life, Saturday morning session- D. Todd Christofferson
"I know what it is to love a daughter of God with grace and devotion served with the full feminine splendor of her righteous womanhood. As a husband, consistently tell your wife how much you love her. It will bring her great happiness. As a son, tell your mother how you love her. It will give her great joy. Let us be grateful to our Father in Heaven for His precious daughters. Let us help them as much as we can. Then let us encourage every woman who questions her value to turn her Heavenly Father and His glorified Son for a supernal confirmation of her immense individual worth. I testify that as each woman seeks it in faith and obedience, the Savior will continually prompt her through the Holy Ghost. That guidance will lead her to fulfillment, peace, and a consuming joy through magnifying her divinely appointed, sacred womanhood."
2000 April General Conference, The Sanctity of Womanhood, Priesthood session- Richard G. Scott
"When you feel worthless, "remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." Refrain from repeatedly thinking or saying negative words about yourself- there is a clear difference between humility and humiliation. Identify and use your unique talents rather than dwelling on your weaknesses."-
2006 October General Conference, The Great and Wonderful Love, Sunday morning session- Anthony D. Perkins
"The fourth key relationship is with ourselves. It may seem odd to think of having a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can't get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves. May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. Walk in nature, watch a sunrise, enjoy God's creations, ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you- as His precious daughter or son with divine potential."
2010 October General Conference, Of Things That Matter Most, Saturday morning session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"By work we sustain and enrich life. It enables us to survive the disappointments and tragedies of the mortal experience. Hard earned achievement brings a sense of self-worth. Work builds and refines character, creates beauty, and is the instrument of our service to one another and to God."
2010 October General Conference, Reflections on a Consecrated Life, Saturday morning session- D. Todd Christofferson
"Sometimes the unfortunate actions and unkind comments of others can diminish our feelings of self-worth. Many adults experience the emotional turmoil that follows personal rejection or fractured relationships. Some worry that they are simply "not good enough, " a feeling that may be reinforced by carping comments from unkind and unthinking spouses....The adversary is also at work. President Ezra Taft Benson taught, "As the showdown between good and evil approaches with its accompanying trials and tribulations, Satan is increasingly striving to overcome the Saints with despair, discouragement, despondency, and depression." The adversary knows that if he can prevent us from recognizing our divine potential, he will have scored a major victory."
2007 August Ensign, Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy- David S. Baxter
"A characteristic of a depressed spirit is an over concentration on cares and concerns- an unwise wallowing in feelings of foreboding. What a difference it would make if, instead, we took account of our strengths, raised our eyes off the ground, and gave ourselves credit for how far we have already come and how much we have already achieved. Let us recognize and make use of our talents, abilities, skills, and capacity instead of allowing these traits to be buried through self-criticism, forgetfulness, and disuse. Let us name our blessings one by one."
2007 August Ensign, Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy- David S. Baxter
"I know what it is to love a daughter of God with grace and devotion served with the full feminine splendor of her righteous womanhood. As a husband, consistently tell your wife how much you love her. It will bring her great happiness. As a son, tell your mother how you love her. It will give her great joy. Let us be grateful to our Father in Heaven for His precious daughters. Let us help them as much as we can. Then let us encourage every woman who questions her value to turn her Heavenly Father and His glorified Son for a supernal confirmation of her immense individual worth. I testify that as each woman seeks it in faith and obedience, the Savior will continually prompt her through the Holy Ghost. That guidance will lead her to fulfillment, peace, and a consuming joy through magnifying her divinely appointed, sacred womanhood."
2000 April General Conference, The Sanctity of Womanhood, Priesthood session- Richard G. Scott
"When you feel worthless, "remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." Refrain from repeatedly thinking or saying negative words about yourself- there is a clear difference between humility and humiliation. Identify and use your unique talents rather than dwelling on your weaknesses."-
2006 October General Conference, The Great and Wonderful Love, Sunday morning session- Anthony D. Perkins
"The fourth key relationship is with ourselves. It may seem odd to think of having a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can't get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves. May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. Walk in nature, watch a sunrise, enjoy God's creations, ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you- as His precious daughter or son with divine potential."
2010 October General Conference, Of Things That Matter Most, Saturday morning session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"By work we sustain and enrich life. It enables us to survive the disappointments and tragedies of the mortal experience. Hard earned achievement brings a sense of self-worth. Work builds and refines character, creates beauty, and is the instrument of our service to one another and to God."
2010 October General Conference, Reflections on a Consecrated Life, Saturday morning session- D. Todd Christofferson
"Sometimes the unfortunate actions and unkind comments of others can diminish our feelings of self-worth. Many adults experience the emotional turmoil that follows personal rejection or fractured relationships. Some worry that they are simply "not good enough, " a feeling that may be reinforced by carping comments from unkind and unthinking spouses....The adversary is also at work. President Ezra Taft Benson taught, "As the showdown between good and evil approaches with its accompanying trials and tribulations, Satan is increasingly striving to overcome the Saints with despair, discouragement, despondency, and depression." The adversary knows that if he can prevent us from recognizing our divine potential, he will have scored a major victory."
2007 August Ensign, Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy- David S. Baxter
"A characteristic of a depressed spirit is an over concentration on cares and concerns- an unwise wallowing in feelings of foreboding. What a difference it would make if, instead, we took account of our strengths, raised our eyes off the ground, and gave ourselves credit for how far we have already come and how much we have already achieved. Let us recognize and make use of our talents, abilities, skills, and capacity instead of allowing these traits to be buried through self-criticism, forgetfulness, and disuse. Let us name our blessings one by one."
2007 August Ensign, Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy- David S. Baxter
Monday, July 1, 2013
PERSONAL REVELATION
To receive personal revelation, I think it comes down to those plain and simple principles of the gospel; prayer, scripture study, and attending church meetings. I think it's so important to keep your mind clear and free of "clutter", in order to receive revelation. Pray and scripture study are a wonderful way to invite the Spirit in. By inviting Him in, you also want to keep things out. I find that if I'm having trouble and need answers to prayers on a trial I'm having, keep my mind open by not busying it with too much T.V., loud music, or spending to much time on the computer. Although they can be good things, to me it would be like calling for an ambulance and not answering the door when they came. Though answers to prayer come on the Lord's time, we need to show that we are ready and willing to receive it.
"Let us earnestly seek the light of personal revelation. Let us plead with the Lord to endow our mind and soul with the spark of faith that will enable us to receive and recognize the divine ministering of the Holy Spirit for our specific life situations and for our challenges and priesthood duties."
2011 April General Conference, Your Potential, Your Privilege, Priesthood session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Think of what a glorious thing it is to reach beyond our earthly limitations, to have the eyes of our understanding opened and receive light and knowledge from celestial sources! It is our privilege and opportunity as bearers of the priesthood to seek personal revelation and to learn how to know the truth for ourselves through the sure witness of the Holy Spirit."
2011 April General Conference, Your Potential, Your Privilege, Priesthood session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"There are some practical principles that enhance revelation. First, yielding to emotions such as anger of hurt defensiveness will drive away the Holy Ghost. Those emotions must be eliminated, or our chance for receiving revelation is slight."
2012 April General Conference, How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration in Your Personal Life, Saturday afternoon session- Richard G Scott
"When I am faced with a very difficult matter, this is how I try to understand what to do. I fast. I pray to find and understand scriptures that will be helpful. That process is cyclical. I start reading a passage of scripture; I ponder what the verse means and pray for inspiration. I then ponder and pray to know if I have captured all the Lord wants me to do. Often more impressions come with increased understanding of doctrine. I have found that pattern to be a good way to learn from the scriptures."
2012 April General Conference, How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration in Your Personal Life, Saturday afternoon session- Richard G Scott
"The Holy Ghost communicates important information that we need to guide us in our mortal journey. When it is crisp and clear and essential, it warrants the title of revelation. When it is a series of promptings we often have to guide us step by step to a worthy objective, for the purpose of this message, it is inspiration."
2012 April General Conference, How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration in Your Personal Life, Saturday afternoon session- Richard G Scott
"If we are not seeking to use this channel of revelation, we are living beneath our priesthood privileges. For example, there are those who believe but don't know that they believe. They have received various answers by the still, small voice over an extended period of time, but because this inspiration seems so small and insignificant, they do not recognize it for what it really is. As a result, they allow doubts to keep them from fulfilling their potential as priesthood holders."
2011 April General Conference, Your Potential, Your Privilege, Priesthood session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"I emphasize the phrase, "apply unto it" in relation to the spirit of revelation. In the scriptures, the influence of the Holy Ghost frequently is described as "a still small voice" and a "voice of perfect mildness". Because the Spirit whispers to us gently and delicately, it is easy to understand why we should shun inappropriate media, pornography, and harmful addictive substances and behaviors. These tools of the adversary can impair and eventually destroy our capacity to recognize and respond to the subtle messages from God delivered by the Spirit."
2011 April General Conference, The Spirit of Revelation, Sunday morning session - David A. Bednar
"In our learning, let us not neglect the fountain of revelation. The scriptures and the words of modern-day apostles and prophets are the sources of wisdom, divine knowledge, and personal revelation to help us find answers to al the challenges in life. Let us learn of Christ; let us seek out that knowledge which leads to peace, truth, and the sublime, mysteries of eternity."
2009 October General Conference, Two Principles for Any Economy, Priesthood Session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Revelation from God is always compatible with His eternal law. It never contradicts His doctrine. It is facilitated by proper reverence for Deity."
2009 October General Conference, Ask, Seek, Knock, Sunday morning session- Russell M. Nelson
"To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to "ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in Jesus Christ." "Real intent" means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given. The next requirement is to study that matter diligently. This concept was taught to leaders of this restored Church when they were first learning how to gain personal revelation. The Lord instructed them, "I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right."
2009 October General Conference, Ask, Seek, Knock, Sunday morning session- Russell M. Nelson
"Let us earnestly seek the light of personal revelation. Let us plead with the Lord to endow our mind and soul with the spark of faith that will enable us to receive and recognize the divine ministering of the Holy Spirit for our specific life situations and for our challenges and priesthood duties."
2011 April General Conference, Your Potential, Your Privilege, Priesthood session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Think of what a glorious thing it is to reach beyond our earthly limitations, to have the eyes of our understanding opened and receive light and knowledge from celestial sources! It is our privilege and opportunity as bearers of the priesthood to seek personal revelation and to learn how to know the truth for ourselves through the sure witness of the Holy Spirit."
2011 April General Conference, Your Potential, Your Privilege, Priesthood session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"There are some practical principles that enhance revelation. First, yielding to emotions such as anger of hurt defensiveness will drive away the Holy Ghost. Those emotions must be eliminated, or our chance for receiving revelation is slight."
2012 April General Conference, How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration in Your Personal Life, Saturday afternoon session- Richard G Scott
"When I am faced with a very difficult matter, this is how I try to understand what to do. I fast. I pray to find and understand scriptures that will be helpful. That process is cyclical. I start reading a passage of scripture; I ponder what the verse means and pray for inspiration. I then ponder and pray to know if I have captured all the Lord wants me to do. Often more impressions come with increased understanding of doctrine. I have found that pattern to be a good way to learn from the scriptures."
2012 April General Conference, How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration in Your Personal Life, Saturday afternoon session- Richard G Scott
"The Holy Ghost communicates important information that we need to guide us in our mortal journey. When it is crisp and clear and essential, it warrants the title of revelation. When it is a series of promptings we often have to guide us step by step to a worthy objective, for the purpose of this message, it is inspiration."
2012 April General Conference, How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration in Your Personal Life, Saturday afternoon session- Richard G Scott
"If we are not seeking to use this channel of revelation, we are living beneath our priesthood privileges. For example, there are those who believe but don't know that they believe. They have received various answers by the still, small voice over an extended period of time, but because this inspiration seems so small and insignificant, they do not recognize it for what it really is. As a result, they allow doubts to keep them from fulfilling their potential as priesthood holders."
2011 April General Conference, Your Potential, Your Privilege, Priesthood session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"I emphasize the phrase, "apply unto it" in relation to the spirit of revelation. In the scriptures, the influence of the Holy Ghost frequently is described as "a still small voice" and a "voice of perfect mildness". Because the Spirit whispers to us gently and delicately, it is easy to understand why we should shun inappropriate media, pornography, and harmful addictive substances and behaviors. These tools of the adversary can impair and eventually destroy our capacity to recognize and respond to the subtle messages from God delivered by the Spirit."
2011 April General Conference, The Spirit of Revelation, Sunday morning session - David A. Bednar
"In our learning, let us not neglect the fountain of revelation. The scriptures and the words of modern-day apostles and prophets are the sources of wisdom, divine knowledge, and personal revelation to help us find answers to al the challenges in life. Let us learn of Christ; let us seek out that knowledge which leads to peace, truth, and the sublime, mysteries of eternity."
2009 October General Conference, Two Principles for Any Economy, Priesthood Session- Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Revelation from God is always compatible with His eternal law. It never contradicts His doctrine. It is facilitated by proper reverence for Deity."
2009 October General Conference, Ask, Seek, Knock, Sunday morning session- Russell M. Nelson
"To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to "ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in Jesus Christ." "Real intent" means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given. The next requirement is to study that matter diligently. This concept was taught to leaders of this restored Church when they were first learning how to gain personal revelation. The Lord instructed them, "I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right."
2009 October General Conference, Ask, Seek, Knock, Sunday morning session- Russell M. Nelson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)