Watering the Tree We Are Growing

The other day I was moved by a scripture that reminded me that raising kids is like growing a tree. And because a tree doesn't grow over night it will always take faith, patience, love and long-suffering.

Today I was looking up a song by Hilary Weeks and happened upon a post on her blog where she shared the story of a woman, who, although bent over by osteoporosis, planted two little pine trees at the near by church and then each day carried two buckets from her home, about 3 blocks away, despite those who thought it was a futile effort.

Just think of all the little things that we do each day to raise happy kids. To think that most of our efforts won't bear any fruit until they are grown. Even then, we may not even live to see the full height and stature of the people they will become in this world.

I love stories of endurance.

To read the full post (which I highly recommend) click here.

Growing a Tree

Alma 32:43 "Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you."

I sure needed to read this scripture tonight after the day I had today. It was long and I wanted to be cranky at night (wanted is not the right word) but it is sure how I felt today and most days when the kids are so tough to get down. But today I reminded myself every minute that I was practicing being "long-suffering" and shouldn't blow my lid over bedtime!

But with a traveling husband and three crazy boys it is hard to stay calm and charitable when you are so worn out from playing out in the hot sun for 8 hours with the kids. I definitely didn't let off much steam, just streamlined the bedtime a little. There are very few days that I wish the kids would "just grow up already," but today I was reminded by this scripture that it is going to be a long process. A tree may sprout up from a seed fairly quickly but it will be years before it bears good fruit!

I have to remember, I am growing a tree. Maybe tomorrow we will do a little better to nurture it and make it feel more loved... even at the end of a long day outside in the hot sun:) Love my little tree family! Just got a little tired, but don't we all!

Membership, Testimony and Conversion

In any church and religion there are always going to be common terms that will be used without definition, a problem for those maybe visiting or new to the "congregation": the group that meets in that building for services. But even for those who attend regularly and have for many years, it is important to define these terms to gain greater insite to their purpose and use.

Recently, I read an address from the recent Women's Conference by Elder Neil L. Andersen that didn't necessarily define these terms in the usual sense, but most definitely gave me great insite that I can easily apply to my life and how I worship. Here are the notes in a simple list form. If you have any questions, post a comment and I try to answer them the best that I can.

Membership in the LDS church begins with baptism
Conversion, unlike baptism, is an ongoing process
Membership does not = conversion
Being converted and having a testimony are not the same
A testimony comes from the witness of the Holy Ghost
A moving testimony leads to faith
Faith leads to repentance and obedience to the commandments
Conversion is the fruit of repentance and obedience

Conversion leads to greater discipleship
You feel greater strength as you are armed with righteousness
You see more clearly
Sense more deeply your identity as a child of God
Realize in greater measure the purposes you have accomplished, are accomplishing, and will yet accomplish.
You are more sensitive in taking His name upon you

You seek spiritual gifts from God

Give added care to following Him

"Ultimately, conversion brings happiness, peace and a greater portion of the Holy Ghose and a bright hope for the future."

This talk resinated with me because it is true. Conversion truly is an ongoing process, as I have witnessed throughout my life. At the time I was baptized I had a testimony of many principles of the gospel; mainly, I knew that I was a child of a loving Father in Heaven and that He loved me. I knew my Savior died for me and that He loved me, too. I also felt very strongly that this church was led by God. It wouldn't be for many years after that, though, that I would be converted. It took many mistakes and wrong choices to get me to finally want to know for certain the path that I should take in life. When I was 16, I gained an understanding of faith and repentance and found that as I acted on my faith and sought God for forgiveness and help, was I truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Since then, I have experienced the fruits of conversion that Elder Andersen stated. I hope to have all those feelings continue to increase in my life as I strive to draw closer to the Lord in all that I do. I love Him and know that He loves me and that this church will lead me back into His presence one day.

Again, if you have a question, post a comment I will definitely respond in the best way that I can.

To read more about what I believe visit my profile on Mormon.org

From an address given at Women's Conference 2012, held at BYU, We Need Not Fear, by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Why I Love Jesus and Religion: A Mormon Response

About a month ago the video, Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus || Spoken Word, went viral on youtube. A lot of people I know were watching it. They were part of the 17 million who saw it in the first 17 days... although it has slowed down some and sits around 19 million or so. People, whether or not agreeing with his message, were giving this guy a few minutes of their time. Was it the style, his confidence or the message that got so many people's attention?

When I first saw it I couldn't help but feel that although the message was a good one— in many respects it had a lot of truth in it— it was still leading many people in the wrong direction... away from religion. According to the poet, religion is bad and Jesus came to abolish it. I just don't believe that's true. I can't even begin to explain how much religion has blessed my life. 

What is religion in the first place? (Here is one definition) What makes people think religion bad? Is there no such thing as a good or true religion? Is religion man-made or does it come from God? Did God give us religion and we have just distorted it? Is religion just a formal way to worship God with it's rites, rituals and rules? Who makes these rules? Why do we need any of it? Can't we just have a relationship with Jesus? Does religion take away from our relationship with Jesus or does it make it stronger? If it weren't for religion throughout the history of time, would we even know of Jesus? 

Ask yourself: How do you even know of God and Jesus in the first place?

I think any Christian would answer: The Bible. Passed down through time. Written by prophets of God who testified of Jesus before He was born. It was also written by the apostles that lived during Jesus' time and after; making up the later part of the New Testament.

 Ephesians 4:11-16 is a great scripture on how religion can bless our lives:

 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 

 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 

 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 

 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Have you ever wondered, with all the evangelist, pastors and teachers today, where are the apostles and prophets? What are their roles? Without apostles and prophets can we achieve what Ephesians 4:5 teaches we should be seeking after?

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 

 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

 The Book of Mormon is another powerful witness of Jesus Christ. This scripture truly testifies of Christ and also how God has used religion to shape a people and draw them closer to Him.

Jacob 4:7-11

  4 For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us. 

  5 Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name. And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son. 

Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of Christ. They both also establish the need of religion for those who seek to follow Christ. Maybe it is our imperfection that requires us to be guided and molded by religious practices, or maybe it is God's way of teaching us.

I know that Jeff's message is a good one if we can see past the blunt assumption that all religion is false.
The question is: Which religion/religions are true? Do they all have a piece of the puzzle? Or is there one true religion?

I believe that we all worship the same Jesus Christ. He is my Savior, Redeemer and Friend as He is yours! And He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I believe He has called a prophet today, Thomas S. Monson, who leads and guides The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under His direction like He did the prophets of old. I believe this is Christ's church. His true religion.

"I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell."  2 Nephi 33:6

I appreciate what Jeff was aiming to do with this message and I am thankful he got me to stand up a little taller and share what I believe. Honestly, my hope is that one day, no matter our differences, we will all be unified in faith and glorify our Savior in love and band together rather than put each other down.
If you watch the video and read my comments, let me know your thoughts. I am also happy to answer your questions:) But please refrain from being hurtful and mean spirited. God is love!

The Songs They Could Not Sing

“And Jesus listening can hear the songs I cannot sing.” 

                                 “There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today,” Hymns, no. 227.

This talk, The Songs They Could Not Sing, by Quentin L. Cook, is so good and yet so hard to listen to because of the subject matter. No one wants to think about someone dying early on in life before they have reached their full potential. It just seems unfair. But Peter had it right when he said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." - Acts 10:34 That is a tough pill to swallow.

But there is something that I tell myself that really helps me. When bad things happen I ask, "Why not me?" I mean anything can happen to anyone. But then when good things happen I ask, "Why me?" I am no better than anyone else. God didn't have to grant that blessing. It is His grace that is shining on me. These two phrases have humbled me so much. Of course I hope that tragedy never hits close to home, but life is just life. And it's hard. I couldn't bear it if I lost one of my kids because I love them and want to see them grow up. That would be the hardest for me. So what he says would definitely be true for me.

"A unique challenge for those who have lost loved ones is to avoid dwelling on the lost opportunities in this life. Often those who die early have demonstrated significant capabilities, interests, and talents. With our limited understanding, we lament the things that will not be accomplished and the songs that will not be sung. This has been described as dying with your music still inside you. Music in this case is a metaphor for unfulfilled potential of any kind. Sometimes people have made significant preparation but do not have the opportunity to perform in mortality.


Yet scriptures like this give me so much comfort:
 “Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not …, for God shall be with you forever and ever.” Doc & Cov 122:9

But of course now I feel like I need to start singing! If you know me then you know that I don't like singing. I actually just made a vow the other day, after feeling chastised of the Lord, to always sing in church despite not really liking to do so. I mean I love the hymns but I just can't concentrate on the words and sing at the same time. And now hearing this talk I will never not sing ever again. I will sing for all those who don't get to sing anymore in this life. And I will live my life to the fullest. I just want to go hug all my kids and never get upset with them ever again!

God Bless and go sing your heart out!