Gospel Truth

http://whymormonism.org/3066/truly-liberated-mormon-wife/pinocchio-truth-free-jm

"The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.
  Light and truth forsake that evil one." Doctrine and Covenants 93:36-37

My favorite parable to illustrate truth was told by President Uchtorf in a C.E.S. devotional titled "What is Truth." In this, he talks about a poem in which six blind men are lead to an elephant (something they have no previous knowledge of). They each feel a different part of the elephant. One feels the leg and describes it to be like the trunk of a tree. The next one describes the tusk to be spear-like. Then, one man describes the tail to be like a rope. A fourth man says that the trunk is like a large snake. Then, they fight about the truth. As you and I know, they are all right in a way. Since there is not a way for them to know what the entire animal looks like, their truth is based on their individual knowledge (the part of the elephant they can feel).

How can we know the REAL truth if it is that subjective?

We can listen to our church leaders. We have general conferences twice a year. The talks given in those conferences are published for us to read over and over again if we feel the need. (My favorite is "Three Goals to Guide You" by President Thomas S. Monson.) The Lord told us:

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it it is the same." Doctrine and Covenants 1:38

The best part about our search for the truth is not only do we have modern prophets to guide us, we are encouraged to search for the truth. In the 2010 Friend, we are taught,"We receive a marvelous gift when we are baptized adn confirmed. this is the gift of the Holy Ghost...If we follow His proptings, we can return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again." ("The Holy Ghost Testifies of the Truth of All Things" by Sandra Tanner and Cristina Franko) We are also challenged in the scriptures to ask for confirmation of the truth.

"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them...and ponder in your hearts.
And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ,he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Moroni 10:3-5

I am so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am glad that the Lord knows me and teaches me more truths when I am ready to learn them.

A Mother's Love

http://aaliyahem.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-mothers-love.html

I believe that a mother’s love never dies. It continues on even after she is gone from this earth through her children, friends, sisters, brothers, and other loved ones.

            A mother has the ability to love her children no matter what they have done. I remember one night when my mom snuck into my room and climbed into my bed crying because of the choices my brother was making. She never once said that she did not love him because of these choices; her reaction was quite the opposite. She was crying because she loved him so much and wanted to help him make better decisions in his life. I knew at this point that I wanted to love my children as much as my mom loved my brother.

            A mother takes the time to show her children that they are loved, not just tell them. I have a special way of showing my son, Sean, that he is loved. Whenever we get a moment to have a long hug, I sing to him. It is not just any song. It is our song, “You Are My Sean-Sean” (an adapted version of “You Are My Sunshin

e). It is one quick song sang to a sad boy, who struggles with depression, but it means the world to my precious boy, and he knows he is loved.

            A mother is selfless. She would give up her last bite of food to make sure the needs of her children are met first. She would make sure her children have adequate clothing while wearing clothing that she has been wearing for more years than the kids have been alive. She will sacrifice sleep to help a child who has a homework assignment due the next day.

            My mom passed away almost twenty years ago, but her influence is still felt. My sister and I take care of each other when help is neeed. During the heartache of learning my first husband no longer wanted to be married, my sister was always willing to help me whether I needed a phone call, help with my kids, or even home repairs. She did exactly as our mother taught us to do; she did more than just tell me she loved me, she showed me. I could feel my mom was near us and happy my sister was helping me.

            Another way that my mom’s love is still spread is how my sister and I have adopted some of my mom’s traditions of love with our kids. For many years, my kids enjoyed “cuddle time” just like we did as kids before getting ready for school. They would each get about five minutes to cuddle with me in the living room chair with no other distractions. My sister and I, also, read with our kids and play with our kids just like our mom did with us. By doing this, my kids are enjoying the legacy of love that my mom left when she died.

            More than just saying she loves her children, a mother shows them she loves them. She cries for them, sings to them, sacrifices for them, and teaches them to love others. By teaching her children how to love, this love can be felt long after she is gone.

*An essay written for English class.

Family Structure

http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-marriage-be-constitutionally-defined-as-between-one-man-and-one-woman

May 4

This semester, I am taking a class called “Eternal Family.” In this class I am learning about the divine institution: the family. This week I read a case study about two college roommates. One taught a lesson in Relief Society about family relationships. Afterwards, the other roommate sent a text saying that The Family: A Proclamation to the World was not doctrine, but rather a feel good story. As it turns out the girl who sent the text was raised by a single father due to her mother’s death when she was young. This girls family situation made her feel like she was inadequate when the first girl said that a family was to comprise of a mother, father, and children.

We know that in the world today our beliefs are different from those around us. It is important that we are sensitive to people who live in differences in circumstances, but not excuse ourselves when speaking of the gospel. We are to “anchor ourselves to the word of God, contained in the scriptures and teachings of modern prophets…we must anticipate that our conclusions will differ from persons who do not think in that way. But we are firm in this because we know that this puts us on safe ground eternally…our explanation of why we think in this way will give others a better understanding of our position.” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, As He Thinketh in his Heart)

With that being said; The Family: A Proclamation to the World proclaims, “…marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God…family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” In his talk No other Gods, Elder Dallin H. Oaks explained, “marriage of a man and woman is necessary forth accomplishment of God’s plan. Only this marriage will provide the approved setting for mortal birth and prepare family members for eternal life.” This is how God intended for us to live, married as husband and wife. The family created by this man and woman, is the center of God’s plan of happiness. Elder D. Todd Christofferson said in his April 2015 talk, Why Marriage, Why Family, “A family built on the marriage of a man and woman supplied the best setting for God’s plan to thrive…families built on such marriages is vital for societies to survive and flourish.” However, the proclamation does also say, “Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.” This is not ideal, but the Lord understands that even when a family starts the way He intended, situations such as the death of a family member may change this dynamic.  I would have let the girl who sent the text message know that Heavenly Father knows of her family difficulties. Her family is still ordained by God and follows his plan. The death of her mother does not exempt her and her family to the blessings that the Lord has waiting for them.

This proclamation is not just a suggestion. It is the word of God. In Doctrine and Covenants 1:38 we are told, “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” This means since The Family: A Proclamation to the World was given to us by servants of the Lord, the first presidency and council of the twelve apostles, it is doctrine, it will always remain the same. There is no expiration date. We need to follow it to the best of our ability.

My kids have to live in less than ideal circumstances. Their father left the church and then us. His decisions have caused many difficulties in our family, but we are going to make it. With Chad now supporting and loving the kids and me, we can have the family the Lord wants us to again. 

What Is Marriage?

From 1886

I found this gem on Facebook today:

https://www.facebook.com/GottmanInstitute/photos/a.469547105864.241581.149200885864/10153929482935865/?type=3&theater

Mom's Day

Mother's Day is a bittersweet day for me. I love my kids, and I love being reminded that I am a mom. It is also a harsh reminder that my mom is no longer with us. As I get older, it gets a bit easier, but it is still one of my most dreaded days of the year. Today I was holding my emotions together quite well until the closing song in Sacrament Meeting, Love At Home. The memories of my mom flooded my head. Most Sundays these are welcome, comforting memories. However this Sunday, Mother's Day, it reminded me of how much I miss my mom. I know I will be with her again, but today it hurts that she isn't here with me laughing, crying, joking, and loving. I love my mom. I was blessed with the best mom in all of the eternities.

http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2012/05/mothers-day-2012-and-missing-my-mom.html

End of School

It is that time of year again, the end of the school year. This means that my next two weeks will be busier than usual. This week the boys have their only band concert of the year (the winter concert was canceled due to snow) and Noel has her band and choir concert on the same night. This means that Chad and I will have to split up and record each group. Next week, Eric has a choir concert on Tuesday and 8th grade continuation on Thursday. (I will have to miss my classes this week and next to accommodate this schedule.) I also have Girl Scouts still on  Tuesday night and home work to get done. The weekend after school lets out Noel has her cheer competition and parent demo night. I am sure there is more going on that we don't know about. The kids love to tell us about things last minute.