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Peter's Denial of Jesus Christ

2015-09-13T08:31:00.004-07:00

Peter the apostle, also known as Simon Barjona or Cephas or Peter the Rock, was a simple fisherman. He was uneducated and led a simple life yet he grew to be the presiding apostle and leader of Christ’s church after the crucifixion. What brings a man of such humble beginnings to such greatness? There is only one answer, and that is Jesus Christ.

When Christ chose his apostles he picked the best possible men. He knew them and their potential but he also knew that they would need to be taught and refined. I have spent a lifetime learning the gospel and dare say that I know more than a lot of people because of my years as a seminary teacher however, I still feel like an infant in many ways. These men had three short years that they would learn. True, they had the ultimate teacher, but three years is not a long time to learn all that they needed to know about this “vast gospel plan”*.

This humble apostle of the Lord walked away from his profession, the very means he had to support his family, and never looked back. He placed all of his trust in the Lord that his family would be provided for and he accepted the call to serve. What incredible faith he demonstrated right from the beginning! We read of him healing the sick, escaping from prisons, raising the dead, prophesying, and walking on water. Later he was threatened, beaten, and eventually murdered. This was a man of deep spiritual and prophetic fortitude. And yet some see him as weak because, in a terribly frustrating and violent time, he denied the Christ. It is important to note that he did not deny the divinity of Christ but only his own association with Jesus. There is a big difference!

Some people have speculated that Jesus actually commanded Peter to deny him for his own safety. He needed Peter to be alive and unharmed so that he could be the president of the church. They say that he wept bitterly because he hated denying his association with Jesus even though he KNEW that Jesus was the Christ. I don't know if that is the truth or if he simply denied him out of fear or something else. The important thing to learn is that Christ proved that he knows us. It's also important to know to feel the Godly sorrow of sin is the first step back to repentance. Peter wasted no time on his repentance. So often we procrastinate our repentance. I know I have.

One of Peter’s amazing qualities is how quickly he progressed in the gospel. I am inspired by his resilience and ability to learn from his mistakes and quickly jump right back into the work. Some may say he lacked faith as shown when he attempted to walk on water. What I see is a man who DID walk on water.

Peter’s leadership, faith, endless devotion to the Lord and his church, as well as his courage, and spiritual strength are all qualities that I greatly admire in this humble apostle of the Lord. Just as Peter was tried and tested, so have I been tried and tested in my own life. Just as Peter felt the spirit burning and testifying of Christ, so have I felt this same testimony. Just as Peter slipped and stumbled as he learned the gospels, so have a stumbled and fallen. However, we have both picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off through the repentance process, and grown stronger. Peter truly is a shining example of faith and turning ones weaknesses into strengths. He is a man who has earned his place on the right side of the lord to “judge the nations” with his brethren, the Twelve apostles and the Savior of all mankind.

*All quotes come from Elder Spencer W. Kimball’s “Peter, My Brother” article found in Appendix D of The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ and His Apostles (old student manual).

To Him That Overcometh

2015-09-12T08:03:00.002-07:00

In Revelation chapters 2–3, the Lord’s counsel to each of the seven branches of the Church in Asia follows a pattern:

He told the members of the branch what they were doing that pleased Him.
He told them in what ways they needed to repent.
He told them of the blessings that would come if they were faithful.

Here is a chart to show specifically what the Lord taught the people in each branch:

City	What They Did That Pleased the Lord	How They Needed to Repent	Promised Blessings
Ephesus (2:1-7)	They were patient, shunned evil, cast out false apostles, and served the Lord	Return to missionary work and repent	Eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God
Smyrna (2:8-11)	They worked hard and endured tribulations	Endure their tribulations and not be afraid of what they might suffer in this life	They will not be hurt of the second death (spiritual death)
Pergamos (2:12-17)	They held fast to their faith and did not deny Christ	They are falling back into old traditions of sacrifice and fornication	Temple blessings were promised
Thyatira (2:18-29)	They had charity and served each other as well as faith and patience and good works	They were committing fornication and adultery as well as sacrificing to idols	Power over nations and the morning star
Sardis (3:1-6)	The Lord was not pleased with them	They needed to strengthen each other and remember what they had been taught about the gospel	Clothes in white and reside with Christ in the next life. The Lord will defend their names to the Father.
Philadelphia (3:7-13)	They had a little strength and obeyed the commandments and not denied the Lord	They were doing well and were not chastised to repent	They will have a place with the Father and the Son
Laodicea (3:14-22)	They were neither cold nor hot but lukewarm	Because they were lukewarm the Lord was not impressed	They need to let the Lord into their lives and be more passionate about the gospel

So how does the council and warnings of the seven branches of the Church in Asia apply to us today? Are we guilty of the same things that these early church members were guilty of? Do we put more emphasis on our idols (smart phones, cars, RVs, big homes, big screen tvs, social media, etc.) then we do on service, love, missionary work, and magnifying our callings? Are we lukewarm in the gospel or do we live the commandments with passion?

There is some council found in these verses to return to the basics of faith, charity, and service. Hidden in the text is also references to the temple work that needs to still be done. Again I ask, are you lukewarm when it comes to your activity and devotion to the covenants you have made and if so what will you do to light the spark again within your heart?

Several times in these scriptures we read the phrase “to him that overcometh”. Doctrine and Covenants 14:7, 63:20 gives additional insight and meaning to this phrase. From these scriptures we learn the simple truth of the gospel that we must endure to the end in order to obtain eternal life with the Father.

I encourage you to find the key to your own heart that will light a fire of faith and give you the strength to serve the Lord with all your heart so that you can have the strength to endure all of the trials and tribulations that will come in this life. If you are able to do this the Lord has promised you blessings beyond your comprehension.

The Savior’s Instructions about the Holy Ghost

2015-09-09T19:54:00.002-07:00

The Savior taught many things while he was among the people. Today we will focus on what he taught about the Holy Ghost. Here is a list of several verses and what the Lord said about what the Holy Ghost does and what the disciples must do to receive the Holy Ghost:

John 14:15–17: As we keep the commandments we will be blessed with the companionship of the Holy Ghost
John 14:26–27: The Holy Ghost comes from the Father and teaches us the truth of all things. He will also help us remember what we have learned from the scriptures and prophets. Finally, he will bring peace and comfort to us. We have the council to not be troubled or afraid.
John 15:26–27: The Holy Ghost will testify of Christ. We are to also testify of Christ.
John 16:7–8: The Holy Ghost could not dwell with the disciples as long as Christ was there. Only one member of the Godhead is necessary for one to feel the spirit. They did not have need of the Holy Ghost while Christ was with them but once he left them then he would send the Spirit to be with them.
John 16:13–14: The Spirit will guide us in all truth as well as help us see clearly that which is to come.

When the Savior left the Apostles and disciples were seemingly without a spiritual guide. They needed the Spirit with them to help strengthen, uplift, and comfort them through the coming years. Things would become almost unbearable as the Apostles are killed and the gospel is taken from the earth. The faithful believers were blessed to have the comfort and peace that the Spirit could bring to them during their trials.

For many years I was a seminary teacher. I loved that assignment and learned so much from the scriptures. Even today I am surprised at the things I can remember that I studied years and years ago. I know it is the Holy Ghost that brings those things to my remembrance when I need them.

Today we have trials of all kinds. When we are scared or troubled we can call upon the Spirit to help us through our challenges. I remember a time when I was struggling with severe depression. I had seen a doctor and received medication but was still unable to shake the deep darkness I was feeling. Thankfully, the Spirit came to me like a cool summer breeze when I was at my very darkest hour. I could feel the comfort and peace and hope. It saved me in every way possible.

Abide in the Doctrines of Christ

2015-09-09T19:31:00.001-07:00

There have always been those who profess to know the truth when what they are really spreading is lies. They purposely set out to deceive believers and bring them to their side which is not the side of Christ. One example of this is the warning that John gives in 2 John 1:7 “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” The story behind why John was warning the people of these deceivers is quite interesting.

The deceivers were the Docetists. They were Gnostick heretics who persisted in teaching that Christ was a phantom. The said that all of the miracles and ministering that he did were in appearance only. They believed that matter is evil and therefore Christ could not have been a material being because that would make him evil. I find it a little ironic that Christ organized matter in order to create the world. By their reasoning even the very earth that Christ created would be evil.

John warns the people to not believe anyone who says that Christ did not come in the flesh. At the time this was a good litmus test to know if they were teaching false doctrine. If they taught this doctrine, that Christ did not come in the flesh, then the proverbial well was poisoned and they should not trust anything that this group of people preached because they were the antichrist.

Had the people believed his doctrine it would have undermined the whole atonement. If Christ was not of the flesh then he would not have actually suffered in Gethsemane. It would only “seem” like he suffered. If that is true then the whole purpose of him coming to earth to save us all would have been in vain.

John goes on to council the people on how to detect if someone is or is no of God. The first test, and this even works today, is to look at their life. Do they follow the teachings of the doctrines of Christ? If they do then they are most likely of God. But if their acts be contrary to the doctrines of Christ then they should not be welcomed into our homes and lives.

We have the responsibility to protect ourselves from evil and avoiding those who do not follow the doctrines and commandments of Christ in their everyday living is one way we can protect ourselves and our families.

The Savior’s Instruction about the Holy Ghost

2015-09-06T10:12:00.003-07:00

Today I am studying about the Holy Ghost in John 14-16. There are many things listed about what the Holy Ghost does and what the disciples of Christ must do to receive the Holy Ghost. Here is a list that touches on each of these points:

John 14:15–17 –Jesus will pray to the Father to give us the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We are expected to keep the commandments so that we may be worthy of this gift.
John 14:26–27 – The Holy Ghost will help us remember the things that we have been taught. He will also teach us all things that we need to know. Finally, the Holy Ghost will bring us peace. All that is required of us is to receive this gift and to not get caught up in the troubles and fears of the world; or in other words to have faith.
John 15:26–27 – The Holy Ghost comes from the Father and is the spirit of truth. He testifies to us in our hearts and in our minds of the truthfulness of the gospel and of Christ. To be worthy of this gift we must share our witness of Christ and testify of Him.
John 16:7–8 – The disciples of Jesus did not have the Holy Ghost with them when Jesus was with them. There was no need to have two members of the Godhood there at that time. The Lord promised that when he was gone the Holy Ghost would then be their companion. This is for their own good and ours. Without the companionship of the Holy Ghost we would be left in darkness.
John 16:13–14 – The Lord teaches us here that the Holy Ghost is a guide that will direct us to truth and help us see what is to come so that we can be prepared. The Holy Ghost’s mission and purpose is to testify of Christ. We need only to listen to his promptings and follow them.

Further insight can be gained from the Institute Manual for the New Testament.

“The gift of the Holy Ghost adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.

“In the presence of such persons, one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of a sunbeam. Their very atmosphere diffuses a thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy, to the heart and nerves of others who have kindred feelings, or sympathy of spirit.” (Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p. 101.)

As we keep the commandments we can trust the Holy Ghost to be our companions throughout our lives on earth. He will instruct, enlighten, bear witness of the truth, and reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of God to us. He will protect us and encourage us as we face the trials and challenges of this world.

When the Savior was crucified the apostles and disciples were left without a member of the Godhood and would have quickly fallen into apostasy had it not been for the Holy Ghost. He was their constant companion when they taught the gospel, when they were imprisoned, and when they were challenged and tested. He helped to strengthen them and helped them to remember what they had learned at the feet of the Savior so that they could fulfill their mission.

We too need to live worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I remember, as a young married girl, a time when my husband was out to sea. I was all alone for months on end and it was a very lonely time for me. I struggled emotionally and physically. One day while my husband was out to sea, I was outside sweeping the garage. I must have twisted wrong because I suddenly felt this strong pain in my back. I dropped the broom and hobbled into the house. Nothing seemed to ease the pain so I laid down on the floor in the living room. Suddenly this made my back lock up and I could not move.

This was a time before cell phones so I had to inch my way to the phone that hung on the wall. It took me almost 2 hours to go about 10 feet. The pain was unimaginable! I finally knocked the phone down so I could call someone but could not remember a single number. I could not even remember to dial 911.

I said a prayer asking for peace and to help me remember the phone number of my visiting teacher. Instantly my soul was comforted. I knew everything would be ok and I remembered her phone number. Although I spent the next few months in a wheel chair I knew that I was not alone and was able to endure the pain with the help of the Holy Ghost. I know that I was not alone when I hurt my back and that all I had to do was call upon the Spirit for help and he was there.

The Trial of Our Faith is More Precious than Gold

2015-09-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

Let’s face it, life just isn’t fair! I cannot even count the times I have said this. For some, the question is often asked, “Why do I have to have so many trials?” And others cry out, “I’m tired of being ridiculed by those who do not keep the commandments!” This post is directed at myself and others who have had similar thoughts and frustrations.

For years I have struggled with the heartache of being unable to have a child. Infertility can be especially challenging when you belong to a church that puts so much emphasis on family, posterity, and parenting. It can be a trial of faith when you see drug addicts and child abusers able to conceive and yet you remain barren. In 1Peter 1:6-7 we read “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”.

To me, this scripture means that our trials are just for a season (although for me this season is my entire earthly existence). I love how Peter recognizes the “heaviness” of our load and that this is a “trial of your faith” for indeed it has been heavy and an incredibly challenging trial of my faith.

However, I know that there is a bigger plan and that, if I continue to live worthy, the Lord will bless me for my faith and patience through this trial. As I become stronger and endure it well I will receive all of the blessings the Father has in store for me including the opportunity to have children in the next life. There are some days when eternity seems so very far away but I still hold fast to my faith.

Enduring our trials is one thing but what of those who ridicule or mock us especially when they are not perfect in keeping the commandments themselves? For guidance on this we need look no further than the Savior himself. How many times was he mocked or ridiculed by those who professed to know more than him and yet he bore their constant attacks with patience and charity. 1 Peter 2:23 reads “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously”. The Lord never retaliated against those who reviled or threatened him and neither should we.

So what do these two things have in common? Once, many many years ago, someone once told me that I was infertile because of some sin I had committed and that this was the Lords way of punishing me. I don’t think any words have ever stung me quite like these did.

A few months later it came out that this same person was having an affair. I could have been smug and undignified and confronted the person about judging me while doing what she was doing but that is not the Lord’s way.

My heart ached for her and what her family was going through. Her children and husband were humiliated. Her reputation was destroyed. It was a heartbreaking mess to be sure. However, they were able to push through the challenge and so was I.

Bad things happen to good people. And sometimes very smart people make stupid choices. We’re all on this ride together and the more we can show love and compassion to those who are struggling the better the ride of life will be for us and those with whom we associate. May we all strive to be more Christ-like in our thoughts, words, and deeds. May we all recognize that the trial of our faith is more precious than gold.

What Can I Give

2015-09-02T19:43:00.002-07:00

In Mark 14:3-9 and Matthew 26:6–13 we are taught about a woman who anointed the Savior with “very precious” (costly) ointment. Why did she do this? What did she understand about the Savior? Why did some of the disciples feel indignant and call her action a “waste”? To understand this story we must start at the beginning.

There are some people who recognized Jesus as the Savior of all mankind. They were familiar with the scriptures and knew that he would be sacrificed to save us all. The woman in this story understood this. She recognized Jesus and the role he would play for the world. Because of this she came and anointed his head with very expensive oil. In those days it was the tradition to anoint the body with oil after death. This was her way of honoring the Lord and acknowledging her testimony of him.

Some of the disciples were upset with her actions because they did not understand not only why she did what she did but also that Jesus was the Christ. This lack of clarity caused them to jump to conclusions and to even judge the woman. They accused her of not caring for the poor by selling this valuable oil and donating the funds to a good cause.

Jesus explained to his followers that she had done a good thing and she would be remembered for it so the whole world could learn from her example. So what can we learn from this humble woman? Perhaps the lesson is to give to the Lord through our tithes and offerings. This shows our faith in him and allows his stewards to care for his kingdom on earth as is needed.

Jesus made a point of saying that they poor would always be with them but he would not always be there. To me this means that there will always be a good cause that we can contribute our time and money to but the most important cause is remember Christ in all we say and do and making him the focus of our lives. We do this by devoting our time, money, and talents to building his kingdom.

For me, my time and my money are of value. I can show my love for the Savior by paying a full and honest tithe of ten percent of all my income. I can also pay a generous fast offering so that my bishop can use those funds to help others. I can share my time and talents with my family and community to help bring the gospel into their lives through my example. I can spend my time doing as the Savior would have me do including serving others and showing love. How will you emulate the woman who anointed the Savior?

Hebrews 13 - An Exercise in Scripture Study

2015-09-02T18:33:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, when I study the scriptures, I like to have a format or theme to work within so I can focus my thoughts in a particular direction. Hebrews 13 give us a great opportunity to look for answers to specific questions. Paul concluded his epistle to the Hebrews with some brief teachings and statements of counsel.

As we read Hebrews 13 let’s find statements about the following questions:

• How should we treat strangers and those “in bonds”?

In verses 1-3 Paul gives us council to show love and compassion to strangers, those in bonds, and those who suffer adversity. He reminds us that we all have our own struggles and that we should love each other no matter what our circumstances. So what does he mean by “bonds”? I can think of a few forms of being in bondage. Perhaps we know someone who struggles with addition to a substance or activity such as pornography or gambling or even their sexual orientation. Perhaps we know someone who is in the bonds of debt. Perhaps we know someone who is bound up in a body that is sick or wearing out. Perhaps we know someone who is in bondage to a mental or physical infirmity.

No matter what other people struggle with, we should love them anyway.

• How is marriage looked upon?

Marriage is honorable but comes with many responsibilities. When you have entered into the covenant of marriage you are commanded to remain faithful to your spouse. Those who violate the laws of chastity will be judged by God. There is no room for error here. Adultery and whoremongers will have to answer to God one day for their actions.

• What warnings are given about covetousness?

When we covet we put in jeopardy our relationship with the Lord. He has promised to always be with us and not forsake him. Therefore, if we live in a state of coveting what we do not have we run the risk of losing that constant companionship of the Lord.

• What is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever”?

We are creative creatures. We are constantly coming up with new ideas and new ways of doing things. “New and Improved” is a common tag line used to sell goods and services. However, when it comes to the Lord and his gospel, there is no such thing as “New and Improved”. His laws are the same today as they were thousands of years ago and they will not change over time. Some will look to the things taught in church as old fashioned or irrelevant to our day and time. This is complete foolishness and should never be given even an ounce of your time. The Lord’s ways will never be old fashioned and irrelevant.

• How are we sanctified?

We are sanctified through the atonement of Jesus Christ. It is by his sacrifice in Gethsemane and on the cross in Calvary that our sins were atoned for. He suffered so that we could one day return to our Father.

• How do we respond to those who rule over us?

First we must look to the footnotes to see who Paul is referring to here as our rulers. Reference 17a notes TG Sustaining Church Leaders. Therefore if our rules are our church leaders and we sustain them then we are saying, with our sustaining vote, that we will support them in any way that they need us to help them fulfill their callings. So how should we respond to the council and loving guidance we receive from them? With submissiveness and humility.

• Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?

Paul finished up this chapter by calling upon the members to pray for him and the other leaders of the church. These were perilous times and their lives were in constant danger. Is today any different? I don’t think so. Although the threat of death may not be plaguing our leaders today they certainly still need our prayers for strength, guidance, and to continue to lead us in righteousness.

Now that we have explored Hebrews 13 with certain questions in mind can you see how this way of studying the scriptures can add more depth and meaning to the words you read? I hope you have enjoyed this exercise.

Preparing for the Savior’s Second Coming

2015-08-30T15:02:00.003-07:00

In Mark 13 Jesus uses the words “take heed” and “watch” many times. You can find them in verses 5, 9, 23, 33, 35, and 37. To me, this is the Savior’s way of saying “pay attention, this is important”. So what was the important message he was giving to his apostles and to us in this chapter? There are at least three main points that I was able to find. These three points are guides to help us prepare to meet the Lord:

First, he warns us to not be deceived. We must look to the authorized priesthood holders in our Church to guide and instruct us. We must stay close to the prophet and apostles and take the time to hear and read and study their words that they give to us in our lesson manuals, the Ensign, and in General Conference. If we stick close to the mainstream of the church it will be more difficult for us to be deceived and led away.

Second, the Savior teaches us that it’s not going to be easy. He mentioned physical beatings but in our day it is more often emotional beatings and social pressures that we must overcome. Regardless, Jesus gives us comfort in knowing that if we stand by his side and defend his teachings he will also stand by us and help us through.

Finally, the Lord teaches us that we do not know when he will come again but that we have been given stewardship and authority to watch over his kingdom until his return. He trusts us to do his work and to bring in his lost sheep. He warns us that he does not want to return to find us sleeping or shirking our duties. We need to do our part to help strengthen and grow his kingdom.

So how else can we prepare for his second coming? Here are a few scriptures that help guide us:

Doctrine and Covenants 87:8 – We are told to stand in holy places. This can be our homes, our churches, our temples, and even our own minds.
Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:32 – There will be an “abomination of desolation” concerning the destruction of Jerusalem.
Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37 – Again we are warned to not be deceived by false teachings. We can avoid this by treasuring up his words, or in other words reading and studying the scriptures and words of our modern prophets.
Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:46–50 – Just as a man who knows the hour that a thief might break into his house will be prepared and ready so must we be awake and ready for the coming of the Lord.
Doctrine and Covenants 33:17 – Be faithful to the covenants and commandments, pray always, and be ever ready for his return. This scripture makes a reference to the 10 virgins and how we should not procrastinate the day of our repentance.
Doctrine and Covenants 45:56–57 – This scripture also makes a reference to the 10 virgins and how we should not procrastinate the day of our repentance. We are cautioned to receive the truth, take the Holy Spirit for our guide, and be not deceived.

I know that if we are faithful to the commandments and the covenants that we have made that we will be prepared for the day that the savior comes again. Within those covenants and commandments can be found all of the guide points and maps we would ever need to return to our Father in Heaven and be saved.

The Rest of the Lord

2015-08-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

In Hebrews 3:8 – 4:16 the apostle Paul writes to the Hebrews about entering into the rest of the Lord. He wrote about the children of Israel who were with Moses in the wilderness. They lost their faith and provoked the Lord’s anger because of the sins they were committing. The Lord declared, through Moses, that they would not enter into his rest because of their apostasy and stiffneckedness. They hardened their hearts and fell prey to the deceitfulness of sin. Because their hearts were far from God they were cursed to never enter into the rest of the Lord.

Moses was trying to plainly teach them about the higher order of the priesthood. Without the ordinances of the Melchizedek priesthood man cannot “see the face of God, even the Father, and live” (D&C 84:22). Moses wanted the children of Israel to have the fullness of the gospel including all of the saving blessings of the temple but the people were not ready to receive it. In Doctrine and Covenants 84:24 it is further explained they the people “hardened their hearts” and “could not endure his presence”. This helps define more clearly what it means to enter into the rest of the Lord. It is simply entering into his presence, either in this life or the next, and covenanting with him with faith.

Paul repeatedly warned against hardening our hearts and turning away from the Lord so we would not have to incur this same punishment. He preached about having faith and listening to the Lords voice. We can listen to the Lord today by reading our scriptures, attending church, and preparing for, watching, and studying the talks from General Conference.

In Hebrews 4 we are taught that we must forsake our sins and devote ourselves to God. He goes on to teach about the power of the word of God and how it can pierce our very souls. When allow the word to take root in our hearts we will be more inclined to keep the commandments so that someday we can enter in the rest of the Lord.

In Matthew 7:21-23 the Lord tells us that there will be many who expect to be welcomed into his kingdom because of the good works they have done. However, they will be sadly surprised when the Lord turns his back on them because of their secret evil acts. In John 7:17 Jesus teaches that we must be doers of the word and not just talk about it. James 1:22 further clarifies that if we only hear the word and do not act on it we are only deceiving ourselves. The Lord knows our thoughts and actions. It takes both good thoughts and obedient actions to be worthy to enter into the rest of the Lord.

When you think of your own life are your actions in line with the doctrines you have been taught? Is there room for improvement? I know there always is in my life. I challenge you to not only be hearers of the word but doers also so that you too can enter into the rest of the Lord which he has prepared for you.

The Widow's Mites

2015-08-26T19:37:00.000-07:00

In Mark 12:28–30 the Lord gives his greatest sermon. He teaches us that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord thy God with all they heart and soul and mind and strength. He then goes on to say that the second greatest commandment is to love others as we love ourselves. Upon these two great commandments hang every other commandment of God. We can see an excellent example of this in the story of the widow’s mites.

Jesus was watching the people “cast money into the treasury”. He noted that the wealthy people cast in a lot of their money. Then he saw a poor widow come forth and toss in two mites. A mite is a Roman coin of the lowest value. I would compare this to someone tossing in two pennies. The Savior was very impressed with the sacrifice of this widow and pointed out this humble act to his disciples. The reason being that the wealthy people were only giving of their abundance. They were keeping most of their wealth for themselves. However the widow gave all that she had. This made her sacrifice so much greater because this spoke of her great love for the Lord. She was obeying the first commandment by giving her entire worldly wealth to the Lord. It is also important to note that she did this willingly and with a humble heart.

Finding Solutions in the Scriptures to Life’s Challenges

2015-08-26T18:55:00.001-07:00

We're all faced with problems in this life. The trick is to learn to find solutions in the scriptures to help you through the troubling times.

PROBLEM:
People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week (see Philippians 2:1–8, 14–15)

ANSWER:
Church should feel like a safe place where you can escape from the petty conflicts of the world. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Sometimes members will argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week. Gossip, judging, and offensive things can be said that can do untold damage to the feelings of others. As members of Christ’s church shouldn’t we be above the pettiness of the world? We should, of course, but sometimes we slip.

While Paul was imprisoned in Rome he heard of the petty conflicts happening among members and wrote a letter to the Philippians to help resolve the issue and guide the saints. Some of the counsel Paul gave included instruction to seek to be like-minded, to have love for each other, to be of one accord and mind. He cautioned them to let nothing be done out of strife or vainglory.

He taught that it was important to try to put yourself in the shoes of the other person and to try to understand why they did what they did or said what they said. He wanted the saints to give each other the benefit of the doubt, to not murmur against each other, and to stop fighting. But mostly he wanted them to feel love for each other in the same way that Jesus Christ loves each one of us. This love comes from being humble and obedient to the commandments.

He promised that if they would do these things they would be blameless before God. He said as they separated themselves from the worldly bickering they would be a light in the world.

PROBLEM:
Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength (see Philippians 2:12–15 and institute student manual commentary for Philippians 2:12, “Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling” [pp. 361–62]).

ANSWER:
First, I think it's important to clarify what "fear and trembling" mean. This does not mean that the Lord expects us to be afraid or worried. Instead, he meant that we should serve the Lord with awe and reverence. There is a big difference here! So what does this have to do with leaning on the testimony or spiritual strength of others? Let's look at what Paul had to say: "work out your own salvation".

So does that mean we are on our own? Of course not! If so then we would not have any reason to lean upon the atonement for our salvation. However, the Lord does expect us to do the very best that we can so that our acts will allow the Lord to work within us and help build and strengthen us. He cannot do this if we are not learning, growing, and allowing our own testimonies and spiritual strength to be growing within ourselves as well.

PROBLEM:
An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does (see Philippians 3:7–16; 4:13).

ANSWER:
The Lord loves us and he knows that we love our families and friends. Sometimes new converts risk losing those relationships if they join the church. That is so very unfortunate! My heart aches for those who have been in this situation and I know that the Lord feels much pain over it as well. However, we are counseled by Paul to forget "those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before" (vs13). Sometimes our conversion creates a fork in the road and we have to choose to leave behind some things that were once precious to us - even loved ones. Nevertheless, choosing the Lord is always the right thing to do and we will be blessed for it. We can continue to pray for those we have left behind and hope that someday their hearts will be softened. This may seem like a difficult, almost impossible thing to do, however if we choose the Lord first He will bless us and strengthen us. With Christ we can do all things just as Paul declared.

PROBLEM:
How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3?

ANSWER:
In 2 Nephi 32:3 we read "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." The principle found in this verse is simply that if we ready the scriptures and truly study them and learn them then they will tell us what we should do in all situations.

In this blog post I have given you just a sampling of how you can find the answers to life's questions from the scriptures. However, if you're not studying them and constantly learning from them then it might be difficult for you to know where to turn. A lot of the challenges we face today have been experienced by others and recorded in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Bible. I know that as we study and become more familiar with the scriptures we will find the answers to all of the problems we are faced with in this life.

How did you and what did you do to complete the assignment?
I prayerfully read the scripture blocks and assigned reading in the manual then wrote this blog post.

Why did you decide to do the assignment you did?
I didn't give it much thought. There were two assignments to choose from so I just picked the first one.

What do you think is the best thing about your assignment, and how do you think it could it be improved?
I really like how I was able to answer the questions directly from the scriptures and manual. They are not my opinion. It could possibly be improved by sharing some examples.

Romans 6 and Baptism - from an LDS perspective

2015-08-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

Before we are baptized we must first understand why we are baptized. First and foremost it is so that we can take upon us the sacred name of Jesus Christ. We covenant with the Lord that we will enter into the law of obedience and thus covenant to be of His kingdom. In order to do this we must repent of our sins and forsake them. If we are baptized when we are a young child, around the age of 8, our sins are fairly minimal. This is why we renew the covenant we made at baptism each week by partaking of the sacrament. Each week we recommit ourselves to the law of obedience. We do this by repenting and forsaking our sins.

There is an important event in Christ’s life that symbolized baptism; this being his death and resurrection. Just as we go down into the water and rise up out of the water, so does the body go down into the ground in burial after death only to rise again on the morning of the resurrection.

When we consider this symbolic act it is clear to see why sprinkling a little water on our heads does not meet the true symbolic act of baptism. Jesus gave us the example when he was baptized by John the Baptist. We know that he went straightway into the water and rose out of it again. We read in Mark 1:10 about Jesus “straightway coming up out of the water”. It is by the example of Jesus Christ that we know the correct way to preform baptisms. Just as you would not sprinkle a little dirt on the dead to bury them so should we not sprinkle a little water on someone to baptize them.

After baptism we receive a “newness of life”. We are free from the bonds of sin and are pure and clean. We can maintain this newness by attending sacrament meeting and renewing our baptismal covenant when we partake of the sacrament. We can repent of our sins and forsake them. It is during this sacred ordinance each week that we can regain that newness of life and strive harder to live as Christ would have us live.

In Mosiah 3:19 we are taught that “the natural man is an enemy to God”. We can overcome the natural man by “yielding to the enticings of the Holy Spirit”. When we do this we become “as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon (us)”. Ideally, the natural man within each of us would die at baptism. However, this is the not case which is why partaking of the sacrament each week is so vital to our spiritual survival.

It is through our sins that we become slaves to the natural man and to Satan. If we are to truly be free we must overcome those carnal temptations and always try to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

An easy example of this is addiction. We can be addicted to harmful substances that will dull our spirit. We know what these are. Things like food, caffeine, tobacco, drugs, pornography, video games, internet, certain people, electronic devices, too much sleep, and even too much exercise can all lead us down a path that pulls us further from the spirit. These things will lead us to a spiritual death. These addictions, and I have not listed them all by any stretch of the imagination, eventually causes us to “surrender later freedom to choose” (“Addiction or Freedom,” Ensign Nov. 1988) However there is always hope. Always. This hope is found in the salvation offered by Jesus Christ.

Because Christ died for us we are able to repent of our sins and find our way back to Him. It is because he loves us so very much that He wants us to be free from our sins and live a life of peace and joy. He sacrificed His life for us. Without this ultimate sacrifice there would be no way for us to return to our Father in Heaven. I am so thankful for the atonement so that I can be free of my own addictions and harmful behavior and choices that drive away the spirit. I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Zendala Dare #48

2013-05-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

So this is my first attempt at a Zendala Dare. You can learn more about them here.

All in all I'm pretty satisfied with it. Especially considering it is my first one. :-)

(if you click on the picture you can see a larger version of it and all the glorious detail. LOL )

A soft place to land...

2011-05-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

My parents love me. That is pretty amazing. Honestly! If you knew what a brat I was in my teenage years you'd know it's a miracle that they are even still speaking to me let alone willing to let me stay in their home for a few months. :-)

I am so blessed to have parents who lovingly provide a soft place for me to land after my life throws me up in the air.

I have brought a few treasures from home with me and mixed them with a few treasures I found at garage sales (like the desk) here.

I have picked up a few new friends along the way...

But it is Madi & Jack (and Millie) that I miss the most. They are always on my mind. They are always in my heart. They are still my whole world...

Reasons.... :-)

2011-05-24T11:16:00.001-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love my kids. Words cannot express how much I love them. They are the greatest blessing I have ever received in my life. They bring me joy, teach me so much, fill my life with love and have given my life purpose.

Some have judged me harshly for leaving my family this summer. They do not comprehend how I can shirk my responsibilities as a wife and a mother and run north to Idaho. I can understand their frustration, confusion, and questions. How can they possibly know what has brought me to this point? To them all I can say is look at the big picture. You know me. You know how much I love Madi and Jack. You know how much I love Jeff. Knowing this.... how miserable must I have been to make this decision?

I have tried for three long years to make the best of an increasingly frustrating and hurtful situation. As I grew more unhappy I grew more demanding, I escaped in my computer for hours on end, and I ate and ate and ate to the point I have almost killed myself with food alone. This is not who I am.

I needed a break from the constant feelings of worthlessness and loneliness. I needed a break from being angry all of the time. I needed a break from eating myself to death.

And honestly, they need a break from me.

There are many things Jeff and I need to work on if we are going to stay together. I will not list his shortcomings here. Just know that neither one of us are innocent in this much needed break.

Where things will go from here are completely up in the air. But the love I have for Madi, Jack, and Jeff has never been the question. I love them with all my heart and always will no matter where I am. So with many prayers, the Bishop's approval, and most importantly the Lord's approval I have headed north to heal, learn, grow, and to find out where to go from here. :-)

Packing

2011-05-17T08:08:00.000-07:00

Today I am loading up my life in the back of my Durango and preparing for my summer trek to Idaho. I have such mixed emotions!! I will miss my family here more than words can express. I am worried about the kids. But I am also so excited! I can't wait for the cooler weather and the opportunity to spend an entire summer with my family. :-)

So what do you pack for a 2 month trip?

Clothes for all weather conditions (this is Idaho after all)
Personals (make up etc.)
Sewing machine
Yarn, string, and other unfinished projects
Lawn chair (this is Idaho after all LOL)
BOOKS !!
Laptop
Journals & scriptures
Camera
a few fairies for good luck
Important papers
Pillow & blanket (might need a nap on the way up)
Gardening tools (again... Idaho LOL)
and the list goes on and on and on....

Now I just have to get it all to fit!! (PICTURE COMING SOON)

Going back to school....

2011-05-14T08:32:00.001-07:00

I seriously want to go back to school. I want to learn PHP, XHTML, and other programming languages so I can take web design to a whole new level. There's only one problem. It is stinking EXPENSIVE to go to school!! Yeah, you probably already knew that. :)

Everyone says start with FAFSA. (which happens to stand for Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Aid my butt. The only thing I qualified for are loans. A loan from the government? No thank you!!!

So, I posted on Facebook for some more ideas and scholarships and grants came up. Do you know how many websites there are on grants? Wow. A person could go nuts trying to find a few to throw together to pay for their education. It's almost a full time job all in itself!

The school I want to go to is Full Sail University. I'm interested in their online Bachelors of Science in Web Design and Development. Once I'm done with that I'll go for a Masters in Internet Marketing. Toss in a teaching certificate and I'm golden.

WHACK! Wait, what was that? Oh right, reality just hit me smack dab in the middle of my face. I still have to find money. Well, wish me luck... I'm off to apply for grants. :)

Falling out of debt

2011-05-09T13:45:00.001-07:00

*Disclaimer: Dear Mom, Please don't be embarrassed that I'm sharing this on my blog. You raised me right. I promise! :-) Love, Me

I'm on a mission. I've had enough and I'm just not going to take it anymore. I WANT OUT OF DEBT!!!! It is a stupid self-imposed prison and I am sick of it.

Ok, test time... I hate to:
A) listen to my voice mail
B) open my snail mail
C) pluck my eyebrows
D) clean the chicken coop
E) all of the above

If you guessed E you would be correct!! Woo Hoo!!! Not that you won anything but isn't the feeling of being correct simply awesome? Yeah, that's how I feel all the time. But I digress...

Back to the debt. Here's a few problems I see with our current situation:

We don't have a system to receive mail (bills) into our home.
We don't have a system to pay bills in our home.
We don't have a budget "hold on...let me check online to see if we have money in the account" is NOT a budget.
We don't have any accountability to each other for what money we bring in or what we send out.

Can you see the problem here? Yeah, it's a miracle we've survived this long. We could blame our parents (insert whining here "but they never taught me how to do this" which is completely NOT TRUE) or we can grow up and act like adults (well the dates on our birth certificates imply that we should have reached adulthood by now) and fix it.

So here's the plan....

Sell the toys (thank you Dave Ramsey) including but not limited to campers, motor homes, motorcycles, quads, trailers, speakers, tvs, etc.
Pay off debt using the money from the sell of toys
Reserve $2,000 for emergency funds
Handle mail ONCE. Now this one is sort of tricky. Remember how I said I don't like to open mail. Apparently I prefer to have months and months of envelopes stashed all over my house and then twice a year see if my brain has remembered all our financial obligations. Totally lame, I know. So I'm still looking for a solution for this one. Suggestions welcome.
Create a budget. I'm really liking the one featured on A Bowl Full of Lemons

But I'm also considering using an online system like Mvelopes. Evernote also has some good options. Now to decide...

I guess the final thing to all the "get out of debt" mumbo jumbo is to just DO IT. Consistent actions on a regular basis is the key to success. I know this. Now I am going to do it. Wish me luck!! :)

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T17:59:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again and once again I have fallen desperately short of honoring my own mother. This past month I have been so wallowed up in my own life crisis that I did not take any time to prepare and send her anything. :( I don't have much money and had planned to pen her a letter full of love, appreciation, and honor. And here it is, Mother's Day, and the letter still isn't written. Shame on me.

I love this picture of my mom. It shows her as the true angel she is. :-) As always, she is there standing over us, ready to do anything she can to make our lives better. Here she is supporting Kattie as she enters the world of motherhood.

Forgive me mom? I promise I'll make it up to you when I'm up there in Idaho with you. :-)

This song says it better than I could anyway....

"Because You Loved Me"

For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful mommy
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through through it all

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

Dancing & Manners

2011-05-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to Madi's dance performance. She danced beautifully!!! I was so proud. Don't tell her I said so but I think she has more raw talent in dancing than she does in Volleyball. Then again I'm not sure what to look for in Volleyball but I do know with dancing. :) She seemed so happy to be up there dancing with her friends. I was so proud!!! Oh wait, I already said that didn't I? :D

At her fall dance concert I cried because I was so touched at how beautiful she looked up there dancing on the stage. This time I just beamed with a big 'ol mommy smile.

There was one point that I did actually cry... when the cops had to come escort out a few of the rowdy kids sitting a few rows behind us. From the very beginning of the performance I was shocked and disgusted at the lack of manners and etiquette shown by the audience. Their behavior was absolutely animal like. The yelling and shouting, the glow from cell phones, the talking during performances, the overall lack of consideration for fellow audience members and the dancers was deplorable.

So yes, when two cops came up behind us with flashlights yelling at kids to get up and get out of the audience DURING a dance I cried. I cried again when they did the same thing a little later to a few more guys... and again a little later to a few more...

Oh how I longed for a more refined and respectful time. A time when people went to the theater dressed for the occasion. When the idea of yelling across the heads of rows of people just to tell a friend "hey" would have brought shame and disgrace on them. A time when you could sit back and appreciate the arts.

There were two young women sitting next to me from Valley Vista High School. They were there to critique the performance for their school newspaper. I shared some of my frustrations and thoughts with them. They are going to include it in their article. I wish it would help but I don't have much hope of that.

On a happier note... Madi was absolutely glowing after the performance. She stayed late to help clean up the mess left by others in the dressing room (well done Madi!! I'm proud of you!!). Jan and JB gave her a bouquet of flowers. I had gone to purchase some flowers for her but decided she needed a hair dryer more than flowers (she's been borrowing mine for over a month since hers blew up). So I gave her that instead... with a note of love written in Sharpie on it. :D Kinda silly I suppose. But it will last longer than the flowers and it makes for a night not soon to be forgotten. I hope every time she dries her hair with it she remembers how much I love her, how proud of her I am, and how economy beats flowers sometimes... even daisies. :D

Heartburn or Heartache

2011-05-05T21:07:00.000-07:00

Tomato Tomahto... :-) Either way I can't sleep. Have you ever had that problem? Yeah, me too. Big things happening in my life. I'm leaving in a few weeks for Idaho.

I love Idaho. There is literally a stillness in my soul when I am there. My spirit hums with the rhythm of the seasons. I have many memories that sing to my heart when I think of my childhood there. Good friends, fun family, and the perfect country upbringing.

Now I am torn. I love that land and my family that now lives there but I also love my family in Arizona. I will miss them with all my heart while I am gone. I cannot think about it too much. The thought of not seeing Madi and Jack for a few months tears my heart out. But we all need a break. Tensions are high around here lately but what home with teenagers isn't tense sometimes?

I think Madi put it best... "What teenager wouldn't want a summer free from a nagging mom. But then again I'll miss you so much." I'm paraphrasing here but you get the drift.

Thank goodness for cell phones, Skype, Facebook, and other modern wonders. Maybe they won't seem so far away after all.

I do have a few plans for this summer while I'm up there (in no particular order)...

Finish writing my book
Fishing with dad
Build up new clients for www.InYourWriteMind.com
Crochet with my auntie
Craft with mom
Build a few blogs and websites
Go for long walks along the Snake River
Find three new clients
Figure out what I'm going to do with the rest of my life

Good list don't 'cha think? LOL :) Wish me luck~~

Thinking...

2011-04-20T15:18:00.001-07:00

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. Rethinking my life and where I am and why I am here and how I got here. This is not new. Many many people have taken this same journey. Some have felt the need to leave to figure it out. For me, I'm just taking a break in my backyard.

In all honesty (and isn't a blog just that... honesty) I don't know what I'm doing. I know how I got here and I feel like ..................... I don't know. I guess I need to learn how to master my thoughts. Heck, if I could find them that would help. I wish I could still my mind.

Interesting, I titled this "Thinking" and yet I want to still my mind.

He said his answer was hard work. Mine was time. I just don't know if I have any more hard work left in me. I'm exhausted from the chaos. I'm tired of needing pills to cope. I just want to be me.

I used to just want to be adored. Now I just want to be me.

Looks like I have some more thinking to do. :-)

Catching Up...

2011-03-31T13:08:00.001-07:00

Wow my last post was in October? I'm sorry. But not too sorry. :) I was off enjoying winter. Today it's a whopping 91 degrees. Blah.

Bye Bye Burbo

2010-10-31T09:29:00.000-07:00

Last night I bid farewell (and good riddance) to my old Suburban and said hello to my sexy new Durango. I have wanted a Durango for years but could not rationalize the money for a new car... until the money being spent on the old car started looking like throwing good money after bad. So Jeff and I have been looking for a while. Yesterday we found it.

I had two main things... 1) It had to have enough power to tow my camper 2) It had to be under $16k and less than 60k miles. This baby had both.

So, without further adieu, friends and family, may I introduce you to Red...

She's got a lot of gizmos and gadgets but I'll learn them all eventually :-)

Navigation system... YAY! :-) now I can find my way to YOUR house. LOL

Star gazing anyone? :-)

And last but not least... no more lugging out a big ol' heavy seat when I need more room in the back. All I have to do is lay down the seats. :-) Love it!

So there you have it. My new car. :-) Room for kids, power for pulling, and best of all... it's got a bumper to bumper warranty for 3 years. Good thing too! LOL :-)

Ready to come for a drive with me???