I went with Heather to New Beginnings last night where I had the opportunity to introduce her. I brought her marshmallow shooter and warned the Bishop that you have to really watch the quiet ones.One of the young women talked about the values, this year they are adding the value of virtue to the other seven values (faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works and integrity). Something that she said really stuck out in my mind, it was a comment about individual worth, the Lord wants me to be a strong and confident woman. That way He can use me as an instrument for good in building up His kingdom. If I am always down on myself and beset with insecurities how can He use me? I know that I am a daughter of God, I want to be useful, I need His help to overcome myself and be what He wants me to be.
The bishop used an analogy in his talk. He likened steps in our progress to a bouquet of flowers. Beginning with our blessing as infants, learning to pray and love God, getting baptized, completing the young women personal progress program, getting our patriarchal blessing, attending seminary, these are all flowers or elements of the bouquet that is our life. All of these elements support the crowning bloom, temple covenants, all of these steps prepare us to enter the temple. Then he talked about the vase which is the vase of virtue. With out the vase the bouquet falls apart. Virtue is needed to hold everything together. I really liked the visual that this created in my mind and in that moment I realized that I need to make sure that Heather is prepared. I know where the focus of our family home evening lessons need to be, in that moment I knew that that is what Heavenly Father wants me to do. I know that He will help me to know what I need to do to prepare Heather.
The mutual theme this year is 1 Timothy 4:12 "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity"
President Spencer W. Kimball testified that "good women of the world...will be drawn to the church in large numbers" in the last days. "This will happen to the degree that the women of the church reflect righteousness...in their lives and ...are seen as distinct and different...in happy ways...from the women of the world"
We reflect on the story of Queen Esther, who saved her people through her faithfulness. President Lorenzo Snow once suggested that the day might come when Latter Day Saint sisters would act the part of Esther. This is a sobering thought, how can we act the part of Esther and save our people if we know nothing of faith, virtue and purity. Needless to say I was very glad that I went and supported Heather. I feel like I have been reminded of my great responsibility and I love Heather so much I am determined not to let her down or my Heavenly Father.
The bishop also challenged us to read D&C 109, it's the dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland temple. I read it this morning and I feel invigorated and encouraged. I want to share just a small part of what I read today:
verse 13 "And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord’s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness."
I am hoping that this may be true of a temple just prior to its dedication too. The Draper temple is completed and we are planning to go to the open house and our son Brian and his fiance Heather want to go and see the temple. I really believe in this promise, I pray that hearts may be softened so that they can feel that it is the house of the Lord.
verse 24-26 "We ask thee, Holy Father, to establish the people that shall worship, and honorably hold a name and standing in this thy house, to all generations and for eternity;
That no weapon formed against them shall prosper; that he who diggeth a pit for them shall fall into the same himself;
That no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house;"
I feel the strength in these promises, they apply to us.
verse 37-38 "And let thy house be filled, as with a rushing mighty wind, with thy glory.
Put upon thy servants the testimony of the covenant, that when they go out and proclaim thy word they may seal up the law, and prepare the hearts of thy saints for all those judgments thou art about to send, in thy wrath, upon the inhabitants of the earth, because of their transgressions, that thy people may not faint in the day of trouble."
As we faithfully attend the temple we will be prepared to proclaim the gospel and be prepared for the day of trouble. Wow!
verse 54 "Have mercy, O Lord, upon all the nations of the earth; have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever."
Some times I think that things look rather bleak for our country, I read this and I feel hopeful. I know that I am on the winning side, as long as I am true to my covenants. The Lords work will not fail, His promises will all be fulfilled. I am so glad that I can read things, that maybe I have read before, and take them more fully into my heart and make a New Beginning. Ah the gospel, it really is the good news!
