a self-reliant people

In the October 2011 General Conference President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave a talk on being more self reliant. In this talk he shared a story that really made an impact on my heart. The story follows..

"In 1941 the Gila River overflowed and flooded the Duncan Valley in Arizona. A young stake president by the name of Spencer W. Kimball met with his counselors, assessed the damage, and sent a telegram to Salt Lake City asking for a large sum of money. Instead of sending money, President Heber J. Grant sent three men: Henry D. Moyle, Marion G. Romney, and Harold B. Lee. They visited with President Kimball and taught him an important lesson: “This isn’t a program of ‘give me,’” they said. “This is a program of ‘self-help.’”

As I have studied the teachings of the Savior through the scriptures I see the importance of being self reliant. Sure times get hard and things trials are all around us but if you weren't taught how to fish and only given fish... how will you ever get through these moments of stress? When we learn the these principles now, we will be more able to help ourselves later.

Robert D. Hales said “Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions, are part of our test in mortality. Let me assure you 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).”

I am grateful that my parents have taught me the importance of hard work and self-reliance. I am grateful for my Savior who taught the people to be self-reliant. I know that this is the way to help us progress. Our Father in Heaven loves us and although He wants us to be more independent He will never allow us to fall.

The Lord has provided many helps and resources as we seek to be more independent. Go to http://www.lds.org/topic/self-reliance/index.html, or http://www.providentliving.org/  and learn more.

an inspired book

Recently I had the opportunity to see an old cherished friend. Someone that I love and care for very deeply. We learned together and we grew together. But this last visit just wasn't the same as they used to be. Heart broken and teary eyes I walked away wishing I could do more.

So what happened? What changed? When once we used to be so close and feel the warmth of the Spirit running deep in our veins. The answer is simple and so profound. She stopped reading the Book of Mormon. One of the biggest life changing events in our lives. Reading from it changes our lives just as much as letting it collect dust on our shelf's does. Elder David A. Bednar said "Regular reading of and talking about the Book of Mormon invite the power to resist temptation and to produce feelings of love within our families." I would be scared to see what would happen if I set my copy aside, the blessings that come from reading it can come from no other source. That is a promise given by the Prophet Joseph Smith, quoted in the introduction of the Book of Mormon. “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

Dearest readers I know that the Book of Mormon is true. With it I am never in the dark. I will never stop soaking up the Spirit that just seems to ooze off its pages. I will defend and stand right next to this truly inspired work forever. "I testify that one cannot come to full faith in this latter-day work—and thereby find the fullest measure of peace and comfort in these, our times—until he or she embraces the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland) It was written for our day and our lives. It is the word of God!

consequences

A week or so ago my companion and I were driving back to Florida. I sat there looking at all the cars driving with us down the long straight road. I couldn't help think about each of these cars... Who are they? Where are they going? What are they doing? My curiosity now pinched I began to ponder even more. Why are they going there? Why are they keeping the laws and driving safely? What keeps us from just stopping right where we are or turning around into another car? Silly question huh? Consequences keep us from doing something dangerous and life threatining like that. So we just kept plugging along down the endless highway headed where our heart's desire.

Why do we harm ourselves with Spiritual consequences? Drinking a little beer may not seem as obvious as hitting another car going 70mph. But it is against the Word of Wisdom. Skipping one Sunday of Church may not seem as bad as Speeding 100mph on a 55mph road. But each of these things hold Consequences just the same. There is always a reaction for something that we do.

James E Faust said "Sometimes we make poor choices. . . . Unfortunately, some of our poor choices are irreversible, but many are not. Often we can change course and get back on the right track. Getting back on the right track may involve the principles of repentance. . . . Learning by experience has value, but the 'school of hard knocks' is deserving of its name. Progression comes faster and easier by learning from our parents, those who love us, and our teachers. We can also learn from the mistakes of others, observing the consequences of their wrong choices."

We don't need to stop traffic to see what would happen. We shouldn't think that we need to break God's commandments to see how we would feel, or what would happen. He loves us and has given us the power to choose for ourselves. We should take care of that gift and not fall into a desicion that would take away this agency. As the famous scripture in Joshua says "choose you this day whom ye will serve... as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Every choice we make has a consequence, whether it be bad or good.

too busy?

Dearest readers it sure has been awhile since I was able to post!  I am sorry that it has taken me so long. I have been so blessed to be kept busy. "Busy" what a crazy word.

It amazes me that people can get so wrapped up in what they are doing that they forget to do the littlest things. One thing I have noticed that gets pushed aside a lot is prayer and scripture study. It makes me sad to think that people are too "busy" to talk with our Father. I can't go a day without thinking of Him and thanking Him for His infinite love! He is always there for us. I have felt this so often in my crazy life. Even when we think we can do it without Him, He is standing right there waiting for us to call upon Him for the help we need. President Gordon B. Hinckley said "It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out.  Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." We are literally His children and He loves us. Why would He leave us to deal with our busy lives on our own? He doesn't, and He will not.

I pray that each of us will not forget our Father. The Creator of the world takes time to listen to us and help us with the struggles in our lives. We can take a moment out of our day to pray to Him, to share His message with those around us and to be obedient to the commandments He has established.  In doing these small things our "busy" lives can turn around. We will find peace in this life. I will not let my busy life get in the way of what my Father in Heaven expects of me.