Small & Simple

Yesterday someone asked me how I felt about the Book of Mormon. My response? It is my best friend. Strange that a book can be my best friend but tis true. I can't even begin to count the number of times I have needed answers or comfort or help and the Book of Mormon has supplied. Page after page of inspiration and solutions just waiting. When I was young I heard the saying, "If you want to talk to God pray and if you want God to talk to you read the scriptures." I think from the moment I first heard that I believed it. If the Book of Mormon is the word of God of course it would be a way of Him communicating with me. Like letters and stories God wrote to me to help me along the way. I just love it.

But the Book of Mormon is my best friend for another reason. It is how I know that Christ's church on this earth is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book comes with a promise. If you read it, ponder what it says, and sincerely ask God if it is His word then He will answer you. Well, I took the challenge and followed the instructions. And the Holy Ghost, as promised witnessed to me that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. That meant that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God, was called to be God's prophet, and restored Christ's church on this earth. Crazy that I can know all this because of one little book but hey "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" (Alma 37:6). I got my answer and it carries me through all trials, tempests, and doubt. So here is my commitment to you: try it for yourself. Read the Book of Mormon (click here to get one for free), ponder what it says, and then get on your knees and through prayer ask God yourself. It is that simple. I promise that you will get an answer if you are sincere. God loves you and does answer prayers. And when He does you will have a new best friend.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

My mother was a wonderful piano teacher and I was not a very good student. So after the many years and lessons I can only play a few songs successfully. One of those is the hymn, "Sweet Hour of Prayer". It is quite simple yet I have had to practice it hundreds of times. So you would think that in one of those times I would have really read the words. But no, I was just focused on the notes. Then we sang it at Family Home Evening this past Monday and I finally listened. The words that had been right in front of me for years touched my heart as they never had before. And so I share them with you today.

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!

That calls me from a world of care

And bids me at my Father’s throne

Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief,

My soul has often found relief

And oft escaped the tempter’s snare

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

And oft escaped the tempter’s snare

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!

Thy wings shall my petition bear

To him whose truth and faithfulness

Engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since he bids me seek his face,

Believe his word, and trust his grace,

I’ll cast on him my ev’ry care

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

I’ll cast on him my ev’ry care

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Oh how sweet prayer is. I invite you to take time to pray today. Talk to Him who bids us to seek Him. Find the relief that only our Heavenly Father can give. 

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Now or Later

There are two attributes I have always wanted to have: charity and humility. I can't even count the number of times I have prayed to be more charitable and humble. Year after year I pleaded for Heavenly Father to help me know how to attain them and make them a part of me. Many times He has helped me but I always felt like I just wasn't getting there. Sometimes I wondered if I would ever improve. But I continued to try and seek God's help.

Then I was given the opportunity to spend a lot of time with a person who was extremely charitable and humble. As I watched her it greatly influenced me. I found myself caring more and serving others. I thought less of myself and more of others. I was willing to share and sacrifice. I had charity and humlity. It was wonderful! God had given me an amazing opportunity to improve and grow.

I still have a lot to improve with being charitable and humble, yet I know God will help me. He will answer my prayers but it will be in His time and in His way. I just have to be patient.

To read the rest of the speech by Robert D. Hales, click here. 

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.