His

 

A few weeks ago I got a letter full of pictures of one of the most beautiful things I could ever see, my brand new niece. As I looked at the images my eyes fill with tears of joy. She was perfect with her tiny nose, eyes, and fingers. This little baby was sent from a Heavenly Father who loved her so much. It always amazes me how much important we are to God. There are so many of us yet He loves us individually. There is a quote from Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdor that goes along with this:

"Brothers and sisters, the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love. God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him."

I know that each of us are a child of God and that He loves us.

For a great video about this click here.

Warming Prayers

Over and over, day after day, time and time again. Prayer. I have said thousands and yet I am still learning how to. We had a meeting with Elder Christofferson and something he quoted really stood out to me. "Prayer is like a fire in winter- you don't have to do anything to let it warm you." I kneel, I speak, I get up. Something in my prayers is missing. I don't let let them "warm" me. I struggle just clearing my mind and listening. But when I take the time to listen and have a conversation with my Heavenly Father, those are the best prayers. I hear what His will is and find peace. My life is so much better. 

Sorry if it seems as all I post about is prayer but it keeps coming back!

I Know this Bucket is True

Something I do often is testify of what I teach. But how do I know that what I say is true? How did I gain my testimony? Well there is a scripture from the Book of Mormon that has the answer. 

"And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?
Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me." (Alma 5:45-46) 

So I learned that what I teach is true by praying and asking God. He has all truth and knowledge. If we desire to know we must ask Him. So when I post about something and know that it is true, it is because I have asked my Heavenly Father and He has let me know through the Holy Ghost. The great thing is you can do this too. You don't have to automatically believe all I say or anyone else. Take it to the Lord and ask Him.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" 

(Matthew 7:7) 

It Is Better to Look Up

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It seems that life carries themes and lately that theme has been prayer. I recently posted about making my prayers more sincere and just a few days later I heard a talk from General Conference that was just what I needed. There is a story that was told that I want to share.

"At the end of a particularly tiring day toward the end of my first week as a General Authority, my briefcase was overloaded and my mind was preoccupied with the question “How can I possibly do this?” I left the office of the Seventy and entered the elevator of the Church Administration Building. As the elevator descended, my head was down and I stared blankly at the floor.

The door opened and someone entered, but I didn’t look up. As the door closed, I heard someone ask, “What are you looking at down there?” I recognized that voice—it was President Thomas S. Monson.

I quickly looked up and responded, “Oh, nothing.”

But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!”

The past week had been a difficult one. I had been asking, "How can I possibly do this?" The advice from President Monson is just what I needed. I had been looking down but "it is better to look up." I have not been "looking up" and calling upon God because I have not had the faith that such a simple thing could help me. I was like the children of Israel who looked beyond the mark and failed to be healed by simply looking at the brass serpent. I love the scripture that was quoted later in the talk, "Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." (Mosiah 4:9) God does have all power and as I turn to Him and rely upon Him, He helps me. So I have been trying to look up and oh how wonderful it is. Yes I still face struggles but things are better. I know how I can do this, I can look up.

If you want to listen to the full talk just click here.