The Importance of Motherhood

Reading: Sheri Dew interviewing Elder Richard G. Scott and his daughter Linda Scott Mickle in the latest episode of Conversations, a podcast/radio show done by the Mormon Channel

This past weekend I got to listen to the latest episode of Conversations, where Sister Sheri Dew interviews Elder Scott and his daughter about his life.  In the interview they talk about Elder Scott’s life, marriage, and insights.  It is a great opportunity to get to know Elder Scott better.

The part of the interview that particularly stood out to me were Elder Scott’s words to mothers.  When Sister Dew what one piece of counsel he would give to women to help them live in this time of confusion about the role of women he said:

I think I’d begin with the fact that they should recognize that it wasn’t until after the creation of women as the final act that the Lord declared his work was done and it was good. The need to recognize the tremendously important role that the Savior himself places on womanhood. The woman is a nurturer just by the way she’s created and I think some women begin to wonder about how effective what they do is, and they shouldn’t. They should realize how extremely important they are in all the plans of his Father in heaven…

I think wherever it is at all possible to be done, a man will bless his children more by making it possible for his wife to be in the home with them as they are growing. They need, if it is at all possible, a mother in the home with them.

It is easy to get so wrapped up in the day to day drudgery of being a mom that you forget the real purpose of what you are doing.  Hearing an apostle say directly that what I am doing is important, that staying home with my children is important, and that I am doing a great work really touched me and comforted me.

I encourage you to listen to this podcast if you have some time.  There are lots of great things that I learned about Elder Scott and he had a lot of great things to say to us as an apostle of the Lord.

What has been the importance of the mothers in your life?

Pure Doctrine

Reading: “Keeping Doctrine Pure,” Mormon Identity, Mormon Channel

This weekend I got to listen to a few shows from the Mormon Channel that they just recently made available as podcasts. One show, Mormon Identity’s discussion on pure doctrine, particularly stood out to me. In this podcast they discuss what constitutes the accepted doctrine of the church, and why we should focus on those doctrines as we teach at church and in our homes.

Here are some interesting points (just from memory, so forgive me if they aren’t exact):

• Mainstream doctrine constitutes teachings that appear in both the scriptures and in modern discourse by the leaders of the church
• Any publication by the church is carefully vetted by general authorities to make sure it is in line with current doctrine.
• Something that was said once by a church leader a long time ago may not necessarily be part of mainstream doctrine.
• Something can be true and yet still not be taught as part of the mainstream doctrine of the church.
• The mainstream doctrine of the church focuses on the most important concepts which will help us live the gospel.
• Teaching doctrine is more effective at changing behavior than trying to change behavior directly.

All in all this was a great discussion. I do worry sometimes that too much false doctrine, that feels good, yet has no support in the teachings of the church, is passed about as truth. There is a reason the brethren are so careful to make sure that we stay focused on our core beliefs. I also know from experience that learning doctrine helps me to change the way I act more than charts and goals and so on. This will definitely be an important thing to remember as I teach my children.

Today I am going to try to see if there are times I can explain to my daughter why she should or shouldn’t do certain things, instead of just giving her orders.

What helps motivate you to change the way you act? Are there any doctrines of the church that are particularly special to you?

Every Member a Missonary

Reading: “Bring Souls Unto Me,” Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 2009 General Conference, Sunday Afternoon Session

Recently I had a discussion about people we knew who had fallen away from the church.  We agreed that in many cases all it would have taken was a small amount of fellowshipping from ward members to get these people to come back to church, but in too many cases this friendship was never extended.

I, personally, am certainly not perfect in this area either.  I struggle with shyness, and while I am working to overcome it, I still often feel guilty that I don’t reach out to as many people as I could. I worry that I am missing the opportunity t

Faith And Doubt Do Not Mix

Reading: “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” Elder Kevin W. Pearson of the Seventy, April 2009 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session

Everyone at some point (or more likely, several points) must find out for themselves the truth of the gospel.  The world is full of ideas and experiences that cause us to doubt gospel teachings, and one must live in a hole in the ground in order to avoid them.  Other times our own behavior can cause doubt to come into our lives. In his talk Elder Pearson encourages us to strengthen our faith and to overcome the doubts that enter into our hearts and minds.  He says,

Faith and fear cannot coexist. One gives way to the other. The simple fact is we all need to constantly build faith and overcome sources of destructive disbelief. The Savior’s teaching comparing faith to a grain of mustard seed recognizes this reality… We do have a choice. We get what we focus on consistently. Because there is an opposition in all things, there are forces that erode our faith. Some are the result of Satan’s direct influence. But for others, we have no one but ourselves to blame. These stem from personal tendencies, attitudes, and habits we can learn to change.

Elder Pearson then talked about how doubt can lead to downward cycle where our doubt leads to discouragement, which leads to distraction, which leads to lack of diligence, which leads to disobedience, which lead to disbelief.  In order to turn the cycle around we must make choices that help our faith to grow, such as greater obedience, praying for greater understanding, studying the scriptures, and so on.

Lately I realized that there is one area where I often have doubt.  I doubt that each of us as children of our Heavenly Father has potential to change and become more like God.  Sometimes this doubt is caused by the actions I see others take, and sometimes it is caused by my disappointment with my own choices and lack of improvement.  This doubt inevitably leads to discouragement as I feel bad about my own perceived lack of worth.  Discouragement leads to distraction, which seems to confirm my original fears of my own and other’s hopelessness.  However, when I read or do things that help remind me that we are all children of God and that the Savior suffered the Atonement so that all of us can repent and become better with his help then I am able to strengthen my faith and overcome the cycle.

Today I am going to thank Heavenly Father for my flaws and ask for help to see my potential and the potential in others.

Is there some doubt that continually causes you trouble, or that has caused you trouble in the past?  How can you help your faith grow to be greater than that doubt?

Give Even When Your Need Is Great

Reading: “Adversity,” President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the General Presidency, April 2009 General Conference, Saturday Morning Session

In the current hard times faced by many people across the world, it may be hard to think of giving.  After all, if you are suffering yourself then it seems as if you shouldn’t be required to also help others since you don’t have much to give.  In this talk, however, Elder Eyring encourages us to do just that:

That may seem much to ask of people in such great need themselves. But I know one young man who was inspired to do that very thing early in his marriage. He and his wife were barely getting by on a tiny budget. But he saw another couple even poorer than they were. To the surprise of his wife, he gave help to them from their scanty finances. A promised blessing of peace came while they were still in their poverty. The blessing of prosperity beyond their fondest dreams came later. And the pattern of seeing someone in need, someone with less or in pain, has never ceased.

Today when I was running errands a woman came to me and asked for cash to buy some gas to get home.  I hardly ever carry any cash with me, so while I would have been more than happy to give her some cash I didn’t have any.  After she left, as I was preparing to drive away, the thought came that I could offer to drive with her to the gas station and buy gas for her (she had said she only had just enough gas to get to the gas station).  However, I also thought of how my own husband was waiting for me to get home so I could let him into our apartment (his keys were locked inside) and how my one year old was very hungry and very tired, our errand having run long past lunch time and nap time.  In the end I decided to go ahead and go home, reasoning that surely she would find someone else who could help her.  As I read this talk I realized that I missed out on the opportunity to do real service for someone.  I now wish I would have chosen to offer my time, rather than running on my way.

Today I am going to pray for help recognizing need around me, and for help to have the courage and correct attitude to offer that help where I can.

Have you ever seen someone help others, even though their own suffering was great? How do you balance your own needs with your desire to help others?

“I Take Pleasure in My Infirmities”

Reading: “The Power of Covenants,” Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 2009 General Conference, Saturday Morning Session

Today I almost didn’t write a post because I am feeling grumpy and particularly un-spiritual.  The main reason for this is that we have been staying with my in-laws for the past week and a half waiting for our new apartment in Provo to open up, and I am very tired of being in someone’s else’s house, having to fit our family into a little bedroom, having to share someone else’s kitchen, chasing a very busy 1 year old in an un-babyproofed house, and all the other little unpleasantries that come with staying for long periods of time in a house that isn’t your own.  To top it off I’m coming down with some kind of cold, and it just makes everything harder to deal with. I am certainly aware that today I have a bad attitude about the whole thing, but knowing that is just making me feel worse.

As I was reading the talk for today, though, one scripture stood out to me.  This was 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in [my] infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

In the state of mind I am in, I found Paul’s statement “therefore will I rather glory in infirmities” fascinating.  How can anyone be glad about their own shortcomings, their own faults?  And yet, that is what Paul says, that he is grateful for the opportunity for Christ’s power to show in his life.  While I am angry that I can’t be more patient, Paul’s love of the Savior is so great that he welcomes any discomfort in order to give the Savior greater opportunity to shine.

Right now I am going to say a prayer in faith asking for God’s help to get me through the rest of the day.  Then I will watch to see how God blesses me.

What do you do on bad days to get through it?  Have you ever had a bad day that turned into a blessing because you were able to see God working in your life?

Reverence Is More Than Just Quietly Sitting

Reading: “Respect and Reverence,” Sister Margaret S. Lifferth, First Counselor in Primary General Presidency, April 2009 General Conference, Saturday Morning Session

One of my favorite primary songs is “Reverence is Love.”  In the song we sing:

Rev’rence is more than just quietly sitting:
It’s thinking of Father above,
A feeling I get when I think of his blessings.
I’m rev’rent, for rev’rence is love.

I love this song because it teaches that love and respect means much more than being quiet: it is a heartfelt appreciation for the gospel and the Savior.  Sometimes I think it is easy to become fixated on sitting still and being quiet in such a way that we actually kill the spirit of reverence that should be in our hearts.

In this talk Sister Lifferth also shares with us the importance of teaching our children reverence:

However, reverent behavior is not a natural tendency for most children. It is a quality that is taught by parents and leaders through example and training. But remember, if reverence is rooted in love, so is the teaching of it. Harshness in our training begets resentment, not reverence. So begin early and have reasonable expectations. A toddler can learn to fold his arms and get ready for prayer. But it takes time, patience, and consistency.

My daughter is only 14 months old, so she does not yet understand the importance of being reverent.  Like many toddlers, she has a very hard time sitting still for a full hour or more. Sometimes I get so worried about her disrupting others that it destroys my own reverence for the meeting.  Reading this talk has helped me realize that I need to focus more on what reverence really means if I want to teach my children true reverence and respect, rather than just to be quiet in meetings.

Today I am going to discuss the things I read with my husband and come up with ideas on how to handle our toddler’s disruptions in a better way.  If we are both on the same page we will be able to present a much more united message to our daughter.

How do you maintain reverence during church meeting? How did you parents teach you to be reverent?  How do you teach your own children to be reverent?

“We Can’t Afford It”

Reading: “Becoming Provident Providers,” Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 2009 General Conference, Saturday Morning Session

In the current economic crisis there is a theme: people have spent more than they can afford.  The reasons why have been the subject of hot debate, although we as members of the church have little excuse as we have been counseled by the prophets for many years to stay out of debt.

In this talk Elder Hales encourages us to renew our commitment to live within our means.  Sometimes, this means admitting the sometimes painful fact that we cannot afford the things we would like to have.  He says,

These two lessons are the essence of provident living. When faced with the choice to buy, consume, or engage in worldly things and activities, we all need to learn to say to one another, “We can’t afford it, even though we want it!” or “We can afford it, but we don’t need it—and we really don’t even want it!”

In December my husband got a new job with a large electronics company.  Previously, my husband was going to school and working a part time job to support us.  Overnight our income quadrupled.  We were very excited to finally be free from the financial constraints we faced.  However, moving is expensive, and we overspent as we bought furniture for our new home and other necessities that come with going to a new place.  At the time each purchase seemed totally necessary, and individually not too large. After all, we were making 4 times as much as we were before!  After a month or two, though, we were shocked to find just how much we had spent.  We learned a big lesson about paying attention to our spending, and during this most recent move have been much more careful about watching our expenses and keeping them to a reasonable level.

Today I am going to put our budget onto my iPod.  It’s something I’ve been meaning to do for a few weeks, with the idea that it will make it easier for me to track our budget if I can carry it around with me.

How is your current spending? What do you do to keep your finances in check?

Each Drop Counts

Reading: “Pray Always,” Elder David Bednar, Nov 2008, Ensign; Direct Relief International PSA; Alma 37:6

Yesterday in Relief Society we talked about Elder Bednar’s recent conference address on prayer.  In that conference address Elder Bednar encourages us to pray for others.  He says,

Do our spouses, children, and other family members likewise feel the power of our prayers offered unto the Father for their specific needs and desires? Do those we serve hear us pray for them with faith and sincerity? If those we love and serve have not heard and felt the influence of our earnest prayers in their behalf, then the time to repent is now. As we emulate the example of the Savior, our prayers truly will become more meaningful.

Sometimes when I think about praying for others I feel like there is so much pain and suffering in the world that my little prayers won’t make a difference.  Recently, though, I saw this commercial that helped me see that the little things that I do, including prayer (as well as service), really can make a difference.

Today I’m going to take extra time in my evening prayer to think about all the people I know who could use some help, and then pray for them.

How do you incorporate requests for others into your prayers? Have you ever been blessed by someone else’s prayers that you know of, or seen someone blessed by the prayer of another?

Gratitude: A Great Virtue

Reading: “An Attitude of Gratitude,” Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 1992

When I read many talks or articles by the same person I often begin to see patterns or repetitions that reveal more about how that person thinks.  In the talk I read today I found repeated a line from the talk I read yesterday, both of which were given by President Monson, but 15 years apart.  That line is:

If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.

As I pondered this idea, that gratitude is among the greatest virtues, I thought about how happy people who have gratitude seem to be.  I remember a sister in a former ward who was so sweet and often expressed her gratitude.  Although she was mostly deaf she instead chose to focus on the positives around her and her life was greatly blessed by it, as were the lives of her children.

Also, I notice that gratitude seems to be an inoculation against many other serious vices of our time.  Sins like pride, anger, murmuring, gossip, cruelty, and materialism all become practically impossible if we are cultivating heartfelt, righteous gratitude.

As I have often written in my blog posts, patience is definitely something that I struggle with.  Today I will pay particular attention to my blessings at times when I am feeling annoyed and then write about those things in my journal.

Is there anything that you struggle with that might be made easier with an attitude of gratitude?