Challenges = Experience

Okay I am going to start out with the quotes from Elder Hales from the May 2009 Ensign:

"Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions, are part of our test in mortality. Let me assure that your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. Through Him, every struggle can be for our experience and our good (see D&C 122:7). Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. The Lord will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can endure (see 1 Corinthians 10:13)."

D&C 122:7-9
"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon the; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."

1 Corinthians 10:13
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

I am so glad that I read this today! I have really been feeling bogged down. My feet hurt all of the time, I can't loose this weight that I have put back on the easy way by just walking. This time it will be harder, the challenge is harder. But not so much that I can't overcome it with the Lords help. I have been feeling so bad about myself that I haven't been able to feel guidance from the Lord. Well I am not going to be shackled any more. The Lord knows exactly what I am going through and I know that He will help me. There is a way to escape and if I will rely on God, He will be with me forever.

One last quote from Elder Hales:
"I testify that the appetite to possess worldly things can only be overcome by turning to the Lord. The hunger of addiction can only be replaced by our love for Him. He stands ready to help each one of us. 'Fear not,' He said, 'for you are mine, and I have overcome the world' (D&C 50:41)."

Did you think to pray?

Here is a quote from the Ensign (May 2009) President Monson:
"Adam prayed; Jesus prayed. We know the outcome of their prayers. He who notes the fall of a sparrow surely hears the pleadings of our hearts. Remember the promise: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.'
To those within the sound of my voice who are struggling with difficulties large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer."

I was thinking that maybe the only miracle that I will see is the strength to endure my challenges but it will be enough because I know that Heavenly Father loves me and one day all of my sorrows will be swallowed up and I will see the Savior.

I have a quote to share from the Ensign (May 2009) President Eyring said in Priesthood Session:

"You will show by your face and manner that you care for the people. They will see that your love for them and the Lord makes you unafraid. And you will be bold enough to bear your testimony to truth. Your humble, simple and perhaps brief testimony may touch the heart of a person more easily that your more experienced companion."

He was talking about home teaching and fulfilling priesthood responsibilities but I think that this applies to all of us who wish to serve the Lord and help to lift our fellow brothers and sisters. Maybe even in our own families.

Forever a Family

Here are a couple of quotes from the Ensign (May 2009) by Elder Cook:
"It is equally important that we be loving and kind to members of our own faith, regardless of their level of commitment or activity. The Savior made it clear that we are not to judge each other. This is especially true of members of our own families. Our obligation is to love and teach and never give up. The Lord has made salvation 'free for all men' but has 'commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.'"

"A loving Father has provided a comprehensive and compassionate plan for his children 'that saves the living, redeems the dead, rescues the damned, and glorifies all who repent.' Even though our journey may be fraught with tribulation, the destination is truly glorious."

I just really liked these thoughts. It is good to remember, sometimes I think that we can be the hardest on our family when we should be being the kindest. I will never give up on my family, I know that we can be together forever!

Help in Tough Times

Here is the quote from the Ensign today. In the talk by Elder Rafael E. Pino:
"...when adversity arrives in our lives, the only true source of comfort is God. 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid' (John 14:27)."

"Living the gospel does not mean that we will everlastingly escape adversity. Rather it means that we will be prepared to face and endure adversity more confidently."

I think that there is a lot of adversity out there today. The economy is failing and prices are rising. It seems that the blight on society is overtaking those parts that are good. I am glad that there is the gospel. If I didn't have a basic understanding of the plan of happiness it might be really easy to lose hope when times are tough.

I read in the conference issue of the Ensign (May 2009). I have a quote from Elder Holland:

"Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly along, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path--the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone or unaided, even if sometimes we may feel we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: 'I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you]' (John 14:18; see also v. 23)."

I know that this is true I have felt comfort through many trials and loneliness. I am so grateful that we have leaders who remind us of sacred truths. Sometimes things here are hard, without these reminders we might lose our way.

I love the General Conference talks!

I was reading the scriptures today and I came across a couple of things in 2 Nephi 9:3, 20
"Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children"

This is a very hopeful scripture to me. The scriptures are there for us to read and learn from and the things that we learn (if we live them) will cause us to rejoice and lift up our heads forever because they will bless our children. If we live what we believe and try to teach our children, the Lord will bless our children.

"O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it."

The Lord knows everything. Especially me. He knows how I think and feel. He knows how I respond to certain things and he knows exactly how I learn and how to teach me. What a blessing to be known!

One other thing from the conference issue of the Ensign. This time I was reading Elder Neil L. Andersen's talk:
"I know that I am not what I must become. I pray that I might be willing and moldable to the Lord's tutoring and correction. I take comfort from the words of President Monson last night in the priesthood session that the Lord will shape the back to fit the burden placed upon it."

"Above all, we proclaim our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. All that we are--all that we ever will be--we owe to Him. While we gaze in awe at His majesty, He does not ask us to stay our distance but bids us to come unto Him. 'I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him' (Revelation 3:20)."

The Lord will shape my back to fit the burden, what a relief that is! He won't keep me away from Him. He wants me to come to Him. He is there to help me always!

Thoughts for Today!

Today I read the scriptures and in the D&C 50:41-42
"Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;
And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost."

I really like this reminder. I think that because of the Saviors sacrifice none shall be lost except the son of perdition. This is a big comfort to my heart.


I was also reading in the Ensign and I have a couple great quotes from Elder Ballard:
"The voice of the Lord is clear and unmistakable. He knows you. He loves you. He wants you to be eternally happy. But according to your God-given agency, the choice is yours. Each one of you has to decide for yourself if you are going to ignore the past and suffer the painful mistakes and tragic pitfalls that have befallen previous generations, experiencing for yourself the devastating consequences of bad choices. How much better you life will be if you will follow the noble example of the faithful followers of Christ such as the sons of Helaman, Moroni, Joseph Smith and stalwart pioneers--and choose, as they did, to remain faithful to your Heavenly Father's commandments."

"And how do you get such a testimony? Well there's no new technology for that, nor will there ever be. You cannot do a Google search to gain a testimony. You can't text message faith. You gain a vibrant, life-changing testimony today the same way it has always been done. The process hasn't been changed. It comes through desire, study, prayer, obedience and service. That is why the teachings of the prophets and apostles, past and present, are as relevant to your life today as they have ever been."

These are just the ones that stuck ou tot me today. I am so grateful for living prophets and apostles that remind us of the way that we should go. That guide us toward the path of true happiness.