Security for Children

"We come to know the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ not simply by the exercise of intellect or the process of logic but by acting on what we learn. Through faith and obedience, the validity of gospel doctrine can be etched upon our hearts.

If our faith is rooted in the sandy soil of reason and logic, it will be swept away by a rising tide driven by the escalating winds of opposition. A faith founded in Jesus Christ and on the rock of revelation will endure through the fiercest storms of life. "

-Elder Kenneth Johnson
Of the Seventy
July 2008 Ensign

I really love this article in the July Ensign. It is titled "Coming to Know for Ourselves. I really suggest everyone read it. There is so much in this article that really helps us understand how to make our Faith stronger.

I hope you all have a happy day.

Standing Firm in Our Faith

"Never forget that you are a son of God. He loves you. Live by your standards. Stand up for what you believe in. Sometimes it is not easy, and you may be standing alone for awhile. Look for friends with integrity and character, then go to them and express appreciation for their examples. You might even find someone who has been feeling as lonely as you."

"It requires courage to make good choices, even when others around us choose differently. As we make righteous choices day by day in little things, the Lord will strengthen us and help us choose the right during more difficult times. The teachings and values we cherish the most are not embraced by a secular world. To maintain a firm stance for ourselves and our children, the message of the restored gospel must be firmly planted in our hearts and taught in our homes."

-Elder Craig Zwick
Of the Seventy
April 2008 General Conference

Sometimes it is hard to feel alone in the world, I think it really helps to remember others feel like they are fighting alone, too. We all need to look for those that are like-minded and cling to their friendship and love. It will make our lives better and happier, as well as blessing others.

Happy Day!
-Jeri

Tithing

"When we keep the law of the tithe, the Lord’s promise is sure: blessings will come to us both temporally and spiritually, according to the wisdom and timing of the Lord."

"Regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, if we first pay our obligation to the Lord and then use wisdom and good judgment, the Lord will help us manage the resources He has given us."

"If you always pay an honest tithing, the Lord will bless you. It will be the best investment you will ever make."

Elder Sheldon F. Child
Of the Seventy

Created in God's Image

“There are many who think their bodies are their own and that they can do with them what they will, but Paul makes it plain that they are not their own, for they are bought with a price, and that ‘If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are’ [1 Corinthians 3:17]”.
-Elder LeGrand Richards, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Ensign, 7/2008

My Visiting Teachers came by today (Thanks Brooke & Suzi!) and we talked about this quote. The thought that came to mind is that we should see our bodies as a library book. We have only borrowed this body for a time but it really belongs to the Lord. When we return to our Heavenly Father, we are going to return our bodies to him. Just as with a library book, we will have to make reparations for the damage that we have done to our "Book". I think that we should try to return our "Book" in the same condition that we received it.

Happy Day!
-Jeri

Celestial Living

I have been using a Sunday School Manual called Teach Them Correct Principles during my recent scripture study. The second lesson is called "Living by the Spirit". Part of the lesson discusses what level we are on spiritually in our daily lives and gives a chart.

Celestial Level of Thought and Behavior

• Totally avoid anger
• Avoid lust, and think pure thoughts continually
• Love all, no matter what they do to you

Terrestrial Level of Thought and Behavior

• Thou shalt not kill
• Thou shalt not commit adultery
  
• Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy

Telestial Level of Thought and Behavior

• Kill or accept killing
• Commit or accept adultery
• Hate anybody for any reason

I know that I have work to do to get to a Celestial Level of thought and Behavior. This chart helped me to understand that Celestial living is one step above following the commandments. It is embracing the commandments with our spirit and our will. It is doing more than is required.

Have a happy day!
-Jeri

Testimony or Conversion?

"Testimony is to know and to feel, conversion is to do and become."
-Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

"My Conversion did not fully come until I wove gospel principles into the fabric of my life."
-Elder Kenneth Johnson of the Seventy

"If our faith is rooted in the Sandy soil of reason and logic, it will be swept away by a rising tide driven by the escalating winds of opposition. A faith founded in Jesus Christ and on the rock of revelation will endure through the fiercest storms of life." -Elder Kenneth Johnson of the Seventy

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty strom shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." -Helaman 5:12

A Promise and a Warning

In Alma, Chapter 38, Alma is talking to his son Shiblon.

Verse 5:
And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Verses 11-12:
See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength. Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.

I love the words of Alma in this whole chapter. It shows his love for his son and gives us a great example of how to be a good parent. In the 1st part of the chapter, he compliments his son on everything he is doing right and then gives him warnings and advice for the future.

Have a happy day!
-Jeri

A New Beginning

In the past few months, I have been trying to read the Ensign and the scriptures daily. There are so many blessing we receive by daily studying the Words of our Heavenly Father, His Prophets and Apostles.

So, to keep myself motivated to continually read and study, I thought I would start a blog and each day post a comment or quote. I hope that you enjoy reading what I post and I look forward to your comments.

Today's quote:
"Whatever our challenges in life may be, our burdens may become light if we not only believe in Christ but also in his ability and His power to cleanse and console our lives. Our lives are healed as we accept his peace" -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, July 2008 Ensign

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord." -Timothy 1:7-8