Daily Thought

"We must see ourselves as His.  We will put Him first in our lives.  We will want what He wants rather than what we want or what the world teaches us to want."
President Henry B. Eyring

Daily Scripture

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Romans 6:16

Daily Thought

"Give your child a compliment and a hug; say, 'I love you' more; always express your thanks.  Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.  Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on.  It's so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they're gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of 'what if' and 'if only'…
 
  "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey and share our love with friends and family.  One day, each of us will run out of tomorrows.  Let us not put off what is most important."  
President Thomas S. Monson

Daily Scripture

"As King Benjamin taught:  "I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ…Whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ"
(Mosiah 5:8-9)

Daily Thought

 "Make up your mind to live by the spirit. Make up your mind to live humbly and in such a way that you will alway have the spirit of the Lord to be your friend, to make suggestions to you from time to time as shall be needed under the peculiar circumstances in which you may be placed...I do desire, and it is something that you should desire, to have the humility, and that meekness, and that simplicity, to enjoy the spirit of revelation it is your privilege everyone of you to have a enough of the spirit of revelation to know what is proper for you to do. It is your privilege to know when men speak by the spirit of God and whether the counsel they give is proper or not."
 -Lorenzo Snow, Teaching of Lorenzo Snow.

Daily Scripture

…that ye might  be filled
Col. 1:9-11

Tell Me The Stories of Jesus

Tell Me The Stories of Jesus

Neil L. Andersen

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

General Conference, April 2010

Tell Me The Stories of Jesus

Daily Thought

"The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of our Heavenly Father's most precious gifts.  Through the power of the  Holy Ghost we can feel God's love and direction for us."    
Preach My Gospel, page 65

Daily Scripture

….treasure up these words in thy heart,
D&C 6:20

Daily Thought

""No one of us can survive in the world of today, much less in what it soon will become, without personal inspiration."
President Boyd K. Packer

Daily Scripture

But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils.
D&C 46:7

Daily Thought

"As we obey God, He blesses us, He gives us power to meet life's challenges.  He helps us change the desire of our hearts.  Through our faith in Jesus Christ, He can heal us, both physically and spiritually."
Preach My Gospel, page 62

Daily Scripture

And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.
3 Nephi 17:6

"You Are My Hands"

You Are My Hands

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

General Conference, April 2010

"You Are My Hands"

Daily Thought

 Christlike Attributes

Patience

  Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious.  It is the ability to do God's will and accept His timing.  When you are patient, you hold up under pressure and are able to face adversity calmly and hopefully.  Patience is related to hope and faith - you must wait for the Lord's promised blessings to be fulfilled.

  You need patience in your everyday experiences and relationships, especially with your companion.  You must be patient with all people, yourself included, as you work to overcome faults and weaknesses.
 Preach My Gospel, page 120
(President Buie had asked us to look this up when he spoke in our Sacrament meeting)

" Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature.  There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all.  Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required."

- President Thomas S. Monson - "Patience - A Heavenly Virtue" Ensign, Nov 1995

President Jensen's Message

  We live in an amazing time in the history of the world.  The technology advancements of today were not even comprehended several years ago.  That I am sharing my thoughts on a blog for others to read is way “outside the box” for me.

  As fast as we have these advancements in technology the downward spiral of our cultural values seems just as fast.   There is little in the world that seems to be sacred anymore.  The media and “learned” are changing the definition of what a marriage and family are.  Morales, personal integrity, virtue and hard work are being replaced with there is no sin, as long as I get what I want it doesn’t matter, I am entitled to it and intimacy between consenting people is normal.

  This world was created by a loving and caring God.  We are spirit daughters and sons of a loving Heavenly Father.  Each of us have divine nature and because of our spiritual pedigree have the ability to overcome all obstacles and live with Him again with our loved ones.

  He has not left us alone but has provided us with the gift of the Holy Ghost and the power of His Priesthood.  We have also been given a plan that will bring us back to Him.  This is the Plan of Happiness and it includes a personal Savior for each of us if we will just follow His plan.   Gift and power have no value if they are not used.  Listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and having Priesthood Blessings are incredible tools.

  August is a time to prepare for the new school year and the anticipation, excitement and fear that it brings.   As we look forward to the new school year each of our children need a Priesthood Blessing to provide comfort, strength and to fortify them as they go forward in the world.  Many of the parents and other adults need Priesthood Blessings to provide peace and solace as they work through the issues of everyday life.   Now is the time to enhance our relationship with our Savior. 

  Ask for Priesthood Blessings from worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders.  Let us live worthy and have courage to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  May each of our homes be rededicated as a holy place to gather together in.

I testify the Gospel is the Plan of Happiness.  There is joy in the journey.

Rick Jenson
Counselor in the Olympus Stake Presidency

Daily Scripture

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:4

Daily Thought

"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Successful marriage and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."    
Preach My Gospel, page 3

Daily Scripture

Keep my commandments; hold your peace; appeal unto my Spirit;
D&C 11:18

Daily Thought

"All that will come may be "clasped in the arms of Jesus." ( Mormon 5:11)  All souls can be healed by His power.  All pain can be soothed in Him, we can "find rest unto (our) souls." (Matthew 11:29)  Our mortal circumstances may not immediately change, but our pain, worry, suffering, and fear can be swallowed up in His peace and healing balm. 
 Elder Kent F. Richards

Charity Never Faileth

Charity Never Faileth

Thomas S. Monson

President of the Church

General Conference, October 2010

Charity Never Faileth

Daily Scripture

But the fruit of the Spirit is clove, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal. 5:22

Daily Thought

"As we draw near to Heavenly Father, we become more holy.  And as we become more holy, we will overcome disbelief and our souls will be filled with His blessed light."
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Daily Scripture

Abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free; entangle not yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean, until the Lord comes.
D&C 88:86

Daily thought

Today's Family: Proclamation Still a Clarion Call

“Read it and strive to align your marriage and your family to its inspired, revealed direction from the Lord,” he says. “Then be the very best and act the very best you can. God will give you strength beyond your own as you strive daily to fulfill the most sacred mortal responsibility He gives to His children. Listen to the voice of the Spirit and the counsel of the living prophets. Be of good cheer. God did not place you on earth to fail, and your efforts as parents will not be counted as failure unless you give up.”
Elder Ballard - Today's Family: Proclamation Still a Clarion Call.

Daily Scripture

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
2 Corinthians 5:7

Daily Thought

"Perfect people don’t need a savior. He came to save his people in their imperfections. He is the Lord of the living and the living make mistakes. He’s not embarrassed by us, angry at us, or shocked. He wants us in our brokenness, in our unhappiness, in our guilt and our grief.”

Chieko Okazaki  Lighten Up, p. 176

“Adversity is frequently a call to do something great with our lives.”

Chieko Okazaki  Aloha, p. 154

I Believe in Being Honest and True

I Believe in Being Honest and True

Ann M. Dibb

Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

General Conference, April 2011

I Believe in Being Honest and True

Daily Scripture

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2 Corinthians 4:17

Daily Thought

"The more we know the Savior, the longer our view becomes.  The more we see His truths, the more we feel His joy."   
Camille Fronk Olson (Associate Professor of Ancient Scripture, BYU)

Cathy Stringham's Message

    Each of us knows someone who makes serving and loving others look so easy, so natural, almost like breathing.  I was blessed to have a second mother after I lost my own mom to leukemia when I was 14.  Many of you have experienced and witnessed similar situations, and know it is not an easy task to blend existing families.  My second mother had 4 children of her own which she cared and provided for after she lost her first husband to cancer.   She and my father met on a blind date and decided to unite his five, and her four.  It was quite a feat, with many daunting and overwhelming challenges, which I am still learning to understand and appreciate.  I am certain there were many, many days and nights she wondered if she had made the best decision. 

  There are many lessons I have learned from Mom #2, but probably the most obvious is that serving and breathing are two things she does simultaneously and unconsciously.  I tend to mull over the idea of serving in my head – will it be convenient, can I fit it in, will it be uncomfortable, what will I have to give up, will it cost me and on and on.  Not Mom #2.  She acts on the thought or suggestion immediately.  Before the idea has left the source, she is on it – making plans, making it happen, it is a done deal.   She always found the widows and single mothers who needed a little extra and asked them to bake, sew, clean, iron – she found out what each could do and then compensated them for their services.  Then she often turned around and gave what she had purchased to someone else who needed it.  There was always extra for the little lady up the street, or a little something for the single mother across the way.  She was so aware and so willing.  I now know that the Spirit made her aware because she was so willing.  I should not be writing in the past tense.  Mom #2 is still going strong.  She cared for my sightless aging father for many, many years before his passing, with much patience and tenderness.  She continues to serve and breathe simultaneously – thinking she can still unload the truck when her grandchildren move to a new home, feed the 100+ children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, or provide a home for a displaced family or ward member.  Why do I share this with you?

  Sisters, as a stake we have traditionally sponsored some kind of activity in conjunction with the General Relief Society Broadcast in September.   Messages from the recent General Conference have inspired us to look closer to home to find those who need a helping hand – to try to serve and meet the needs of our own friends and neighbors.  We’re hoping we can continue to catch the vision of the early sisters who created this wondrous sisterhood as they cared for one another, shared one another’s burdens, and lifted the hands that hang down (Hebrews 12:12).  Your wards will be sponsoring a Day of Service in the next couple of months.  As a stake Relief Society presidency we have encouraged the ward Relief Societies to be very involved in this service, perhaps initiating their own unique projects.  We hope each of you will make yourselves aware of this effort and choose to be involved.  It is a Win – Win proposition.  Great blessings will be yours. 
 

  I really want to get to the place where serving is as natural as breathing.  I am so in awe of each of you – daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves you, and you love Him.  You truly are ministering angels as you go about loving and serving those within your spheres of influence, and I am so grateful to be in your midst and learn at your feet.
  
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass . . . And by very small means the Lord . . . bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37: 6-7).

“When one knows that somebody cares, she keeps a small corner of her soul clean and lit.”
  (from The Power of One)   

                            With love and affection,
                                  Cathy Stringham