I love that Jesus Christ loved us so much that He, the God of this world, the great I Am, Jehovah, of the Old Testament was willing to take upon Himself flesh; dwell among us; teaching and setting an example for us; suffering at our hands and dying for us, so that He could descend below all things; suffering all things; yielding to wicked men, and laying down His life. As a God, he could have stopped it at any time, but He didn’t so that he could bring about our individual salvation. 

I love that He broke the bands of death and was resurrected for me. I rejoice to know that I will rise from the grave, with my body and spirit reunited, so that I may enter into the presence of God to be judged for my works.

I love that Jesus Christ is the creator of this world and worlds without number. I know He created all things in heaven and earth, spiritually and temporally, and thus all His creations obey His command. I love that His creations are for my pleasure and that His spirit is in all things and as I pause to enjoy His creations, I feel His love for me. 

I love that my Heavenly Father loved me so much that He was willing to sacrifice His only begotten son as a ransom for my sins, so that His mercy could be extended to me instead of the justice I so rightly deserve!

I love that my perfect, sinless and unselfish brother, Jesus Christ, was willing to take upon himself all my sins, so that I might not suffer an endless torment and be eternally lost and banished from our Father’s presence.  

I love that my Savior didn’t just rescue me from my sins, but He willingly bore all my infirmities, sicknesses and sorrows, so that whatever is wrong and unfair about my life will be made right through His Atonement. I love that he knows how to succor me when tempted or hurt by this fallen world because he knows me and my weaknesses personally.

I love that Jesus Christ is my Advocate with the Father, that He pleads before the Father my cause—for my sins, my weaknesses, saying, “Spare her she has believed on my name,” if I am willing to follow His conditions of repentance.

I love that His Atonement was an infinite and perfect Atonement for me as an individual—but only If I too, like the Savior, am willing to be meek, and come with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and accept this selfless sacrifice that was given for me, and follow Him faithfully till the end of my days. 

I stand all amazed of the sacrifices my Savior Jesus Christ has made for me. How could I not accept these gifts—given in love and at such a great price? I will, I will!  Never, oh never will I forsake my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ for the love they have given me!

“Herein is love, not that we love God, but that He loved us and sent His son!” This is the true spirit of Christmas! 

I invite each of us to remember this Christmas season that, “Wisemen still adore Him and seek Him!”

What do you love about Jesus Christ?

#ComeUntoChrist.

I thought, isn’t it interesting how we each of us see the world through different lenses. For most, a dandelion is a dreaded weed that exists only to annoy. Yet to this little girl a dandelion was a joyous gift from God given to bring spontaneous delight in the moment and hope for the future. 

What lens do we choose to look through? Is it possible to take the negative circumstances in our own lives and in the world around us and then, as this little girl did, look for the good, and even find gifts from God in the midst of our difficulties? It is said that a pessimist sees the difficulty in the opportunity while an optimist sees the opportunity in the difficulty.

When my youngest son was in elementary school he had a teacher he did not like. My son loved structure and knowing exactly what to expect. This instructor was very random and spontaneous. He even threw a pair of tennis shoes into the air and let them dangle from the classroom ceiling for the remainder of the school year.

My son came home livid. Some of his friends had been transferred into another class where there was more structure and he begged for me to do likewise. I explained that I didn’t believe in rescuing my children. Life was going to be hard at times and he needed the opportunity to practice getting along with all kinds of people, and succeeding in all kinds of circumstances. More importantly there was good to be found in every situation if he looked for it. 

I then gave my son an expectation that he find something good about this teacher every day and share it with me when he got home from school. It didn’t take long before my son loved this instructor. In fact he had a greater influence on my sons young life than any other teacher. This teacher was enthusiastic and creative. That, in turn, inspired enthusiasm and creativity in my son. He grew to love school—especially reading and creative writing.

This experience was a blessing to my son and helped him rise to greater heights. One can only imagine what might have been lost if we had chosen to look through the lens of criticism instead of looking for the good, believing that it could be found. 

There is so much bad  and controversy in the world and there always will be. However, there is also so much good to be found if we look for it in others and in the circumstances around us. 

I invite each of us to look for the good no matter how difficult it might be, and turn a weedy annoyance into seeds of hope dancing in the air. 

I could not stop laughing at this. His comment brought a smile to my face that lasted all day! After a while, I began to reflect upon it and ask why I thought his remark was so funny. I live in a world where growing old is dreaded. Most would not be laughing about this. They would go get some botox, a lift, nip or tuck in aghast at the idea of looking old.

I was laughing because I don’t look at the process of aging as a curse. I see it as a blessing. My little friend’s words brought a smile to my face because it reminded me of all the joy I have experienced with children through the years. My life has been a wonderful journey and every wrinkle has a story. Not all my wrinkles represent the joys I have experienced. Some represent the sorrows. But I wouldn’t trade them for anything. The sorrow has been part of the joy.

I think the secret of growing old is understanding there is purpose in it. We never experienced old age in our pre-mortal state, and we will never experience old age in our post-mortal state. Aging is something we only experience once in all of eternity, and it is here in this mortal world. Why is that? There must be a reason God wants His children to experience the process of growing old. What does he want us to learn, and become because of it? 

I may not know all the answers to these questions, but for now I can be at peace and trust that growing old is part of God’s plan and choose to be humble and allow Him to teach me through this season of life.

If I could go back and be young again would I? Never! There are treasures I have found that only come with age. Here are just a few.

Coming to know ourselves

One of the great treasures that comes with age is knowing ourselves better, being at peace with ourselves and not worrying about what others think. We can be okay with our weaknesses, our inadequacies and imperfections because we know the Savior’s grace can transform us and make up the difference with what we cannot do, if we are willing to allow Him to do so. Thus, we are not afraid to change. When we are young we are all a little insecure. Negative feedback can rock our world. However, as we get on in years, we don’t take things so personally. We appreciate all kinds of feedback because it helps us make course corrections so we can be prepared to meet God. 

Through the process of aging, we can also develop charity for ourselves. As we do so, we then are free to love others more deeply. With age, our spirits soar, even as our bodies decline. 

“The door to wisdom is knowing yourself.” Anonymous

Experience, Wisdom, and Eternal Perspective

How can we put a price tag on experience? The older we get, the more experiences we have had, bringing knowledge, understanding, wisdom and an eternal perspective. These things help us make better decisions and to not worry so much. 

With whatever is happening around us we have basically been there, done that or know someone else who has. We are familiar with the journey and feel the peace that eventually it will be okay. With strengthened faith over time, we know adversity is not a tragedy. We come to know that everything that is wrong in our lives or the lives of our loved ones will ultimately be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

“Wisdom is the daughter of experience.” Anonymous

Posterity 

The greatest treasure of aging is the joy and peace that come from posterity! I thought being a parent was great, and then grandchildren came along. It is awesome! Joy in posterity is a gift that keeps giving and growing. Not all have the opportunity to marry. Others are unable to bear children. To any who remain faithful, no blessing will be denied. Posterity is one of the great prizes of mortality, the jewels of old age and the treasure of eternity.

“The ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity.” Dallin Oaks

I invite each of us to not fear the process of aging, but to embrace it. As we do so, we will allow our spirits to soar. We shall not pass this way but once, so let us discover what God wants us to learn and become through the aging process. With His help, we all can age gracefully.

#ComeUntoChrist #findingjoyandpeace #Christianity

The arborist we hired to help us decide what to do with the trees explained that these particular trees only have a 20 year life expectancy and they were now 26 years old. It was normal for trees to become infected with bores and diseases when they reach their life-span. His counsel was, “It is time to cut them down and start over.” Well, that was easier said than done!

My focus then turned to finding trees that would live a very long time, that were strong, hearty, resistant to disease and bores. I wanted to replace my old trees with something that would last. I didn’t ever want to have to go through this again, financially or emotionally.

I began to think about this word “last.” Does anything really last? No matter what trees I pick, they won’t last forever. They, too, will eventually die. Everything ultimately dies or is left behind on this earth—our bodies, our homes and businesses, our belongings, our careers, and whatever temporal fame and fortune we managed to accrue.

I was reminded of a saying I created for my children after we moved from Idaho to Utah, to help them focus on what was most important, “Happiness isn’t a thing or a place; happiness is doing God’s will wherever you are.”  

Though I loved those trees, they were nevertheless a temporal “thing” and I needed to make sure I was focusing on things that really last—things of eternal value. As M. Russell Ballard noted “what matters most is what lasts longest.”

I am so grateful for great women and men who have gone before me, who set aside temporary, earthly “things” and focused on doing “God’s will”. By so doing, they created treasures in heaven that would last for all eternity.

I am amazed my ancestors were able to cut down their beloved ‘trees’, so to speak, and leave their homes, relatives, friends, careers, native language, beloved countries and suffer unimaginable physical hardships in order to do God’s will and create a new life—a life that would last beyond the sands of time. Could I do that?

I loved a saying in the TV series, Chosen, when the Savior says, “I expect a lot of those who follow me, but very little of those who don’t.” My Ancestors wanted to follow the Savior and so much was required of them. So it is with us. We will have to do more than cut down a few trees to prove ourselves valiant in the testimony of Jesus. Are we ready to make the sacrifices required to follow Him? 

What “trees” need to be cut down in our lives? Perhaps our diligence in keeping the Sabbath day holy has become a little lax during covid. Do we need to do some pruning or even uprooting? 

Maybe we have been unwilling to forgive an offense at the hands of a family member, friend, or neighbor and are choosing to hang onto our angry feelings? 

Maybe we have allowed ourselves to become too busy and have neglected our marriages and families? 

I invite each of us to ask God what we need to STOP DOING—or “cut down” in our lives? And what we need to START DOING—plant  or replant, so that we can enjoy a life with God that will “last” into the eternities? 

Alexander Smith, the Scottish poet said, “A man does not plant a tree for himself; he plants it for posterity”

My granddaughter had a hard time getting the idea of the game. She would swing the bola but would not let go. The ball on the end of the string would come back and hit her in the face. I tried to explain she had to open her fist and let go of the ball, but she was determined to hold on to it! So I began singing her favorite song from the movie Frozen,“Let it go, Let it go…” and encouraged her to be like Elsa and let the ball go, let it fly away. Her brain finally made the connection and she was thrilled. With perfect timing, she opened her fist and let the ball fly through the air. 

As I watched my granddaughter, I thought to myself, what are the things I am not “letting go of”? Am I being stubborn or selfishly clenching my fist, determined to do things my way, instead of humbly asking God what He would have me do? What weaknesses does my mind want to hang onto that keep hitting me in the face, because I just haven’t made the connection yet, that I must “let it go”?

As I watched her, my mind wandered back to a time many years ago when we moved from Idaho to Utah. Three of our five children were still living at home. We knew moving would be hard for them, and suggested they could find strength from a scripture story in a book of scripture called, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In the year 600 BC the prophet Lehi was asked by the Lord to move his family from Jerusalem to an unknown land, a continent away. Lehi’s son, Nephi, prayed for the Savior’s Atonement to strengthen him through this very difficult journey. He was able to “let go” of his beloved home in Jerusalem and do God’s will, no matter how difficult. But two of Lehi’s sons chose not to seek God’s will or help. Left to their own abilities, they struggled to “let go” of their past life and their temporal treasures in Jerusalem. Refusing to “let it go” caused them to complain and cankered their souls. It destroyed them as individuals and split up their family. 

Fortunately our children did find strength from this scripture story and were eventually able to let go of their beloved home in Idaho and make a new home in Utah. However, years later when difficult things began to happen to my loved ones, I was tempted like Lot’s wife, to look back. I briefly wondered if we hadn’t moved, would this be happening?

I find I sometimes have to remind myself of the dangers of looking back. I remember how the Lord commanded Lot’s family to not yearn or look back at Sodom and Gomorrah. It wasn’t just a suggestion or a good idea. The Lord knew looking back and refusing to let go would bring sorrow, disappointment, and eventual destruction. His commandment was a manifestation of His love for them. In family relationships, we all have times when we must apply this same principle. We must be willing to let go and trust the Lord’s goodness and desire to bring great things to pass in our lives. Hanging on to the past can prevent important experiences and wonderful blessings from coming to us. The Lord’s way is the way of peace and joy and the key to successful marriages and families.

What are you not “letting go of”?

I invite you to pray and ask God to help you know what it is you need to let go of so that you can do God’s will and experience more joy and peace and strengthen your family relationships.

Guest Post by Ellen Huff

My Mom was wonderful, completed dedicated to her family.  She passed away when I was 23 years old, married and with two small children.  The thing I missed most was being able to share about every adorable, amazing thing that my kids did, since her enthusiasm for Jason and Candace was as close to a parent as I could get.  

Over time, my Dad started taking over the role of my Mom, and I started to take over the role of his companion.  We soon settled into a routine of talking every night, since he was without a wife, and my husband was gone morning until late at night with his schooling and work.  This is hard to believe, but my Dad, who was a man of few words on the phone, and I would talk for sometimes as long as an hour.  He continued to mother me through a divorce.

When we both remarried, we became good friends, having companions to care for us.  When my Dad’s second wife passed away, I eventually became his Mom.  

We did so much together.  We enjoyed weekly grocery shopping, went to doctor’s appointments, loved our walks and talks.  We pulled out a tree with a rope and his truck, had bonfires to burn yard waste, mended fences, planted gardens, harvested fruit, shares plant starts, transplanted anything that was struggling at my place to his, and many other projects.  My Dad even “stole” one of my dying peach trees while I was on vacation.  We got a good laugh out of that.  He became one of the most important, positive influences on my children, as he did these same projects with them.  

We went back and forth for years, my Dad being my Mom, me being his companion, then being good friends, finally me being his Mom.  It was my privilege and honor to take care for him until he passed away.  I miss him every day.  

Lately my Dad has been close. 

l.. While pruning my fruit tree, I felt something sharp on my foot.  As I dug in the soil, I found his pruners that we had lost 8 years before.  I have to admit that I cried the first time I pruned my fruit trees, which we always did together, after he was gone.  

2.  Dad gave me some bulbs to plant in the yard.  They came up faithfully each year, flowered profusely and increased in size regularly.  After moving some shrubs and taking out a tree, I noticed the bulbs all chopped up and destroyed.  For years I have missed those beautiful plants that remind me of my Dad.  This year out of nowhere up comes the original plant from my Dad’s bulbs.  It is big and blooming profusely.  

3.  A shamrock plant was given to each of the Sisters in the Mission Office.  I kept mine in my room, and it started blooming with the most beautiful white flowers.  The other two shamrock plants in the other offices did not show signs of one bud.  I picture my Dad caring for my plant.

During these special times, I whisper softly, “Hi Dad.”

Some nights I wake up suddenly with a jerk while having a nightmare, so afraid that I forgot to call my Dad the past day.  Then I realize that he is happy and at peace.  

She then proceeded to explain that she was worried because she had not been vaccinated, and did not intend to be. She assumed I would not want to visit her under those conditions. I validated her feelings and told her it didn’t matter to me whether she had been vaccinated or not, my interest and concern was for her as an individual—vaccinated or not. I have had other similar experiences recently. They have caused me to reflect and wonder if others are afraid of not being accepted, welcomed, and loved because of their personal opinions and beliefs? 

I see so much division in families, neighborhoods and in the world in general, where people are separating themselves as it were into camps that espouse and support their opinions and beliefs. It reminds me of a people in a book of scripture called the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

The people in this book of scripture began as a family, but over time they got caught up in pride, began to contend with each other, and eventually separated themselves into tribes. To distinguish themselves according to their beliefs they took upon themselves one of the family names and added  “ites” to the end.  Nephites, Lamanites, Ishmaelites, Zoramites, etc.  By doing so they communicated to others what they stood for, and more importantly what they were against. If you were part of one “ite”  that meant you were against the other “ite’s”

I see this same thing happening today. There are the “vaccine-ite’s which are for being vaccinated and the anti-vaccine-ite’s  which are against it. There are the anti-masks-ite’s and the for-masks-ite’s, there are the Democrat-ite’s and the Republician-ite’s  and so it goes on and on and on. There are so many camps and so much judgement of those who are not in their respective camp. 

We can make judgements about issues and determine what is best for us without putting down those who have differing points of view. We need to be able to discuss issues openly and honestly, while being kind and civil. Issues and opinions are important, but we should not allow them to  become more important than people. In our day, this leads to what is referred to as a “cancel culture.” Those who don’t share our personal point of view are simply disregarded, put down, and “cancelled” out. It is as if they do not exist or are no longer worthy of kindness, consideration, and respect. When we do this, we fall short of the first and second great Christian commandments—to love God and our fellowmen. One who loves God, loves others—all others. We don’t have to agree with people to love them. In fact, one of the truest measures of our capacity to love is seen in how we treat others who differ from us in opinions, lifestyles, standards, and values.

The sad part about this story from the Book of Mormon is that the divisions that occurred among the people eventually led to the destruction of the entire nation. There can be unity in diversity, but it requires humility and mutual respect. Every person is a beloved son or daughter of God and as such deserves to be treated as well as we would want others to treat us.

The Savior declared, “For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” 3 Nephi 14:2

 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/14?lang=eng`

Questions Provided by Linda Eyre

NAME: DATE: 

1.Contact Information and social media for teens 

What is your phone number (for texts)? Other social media sites?

2. What is something that you love to do or that make you happy?

3. Favorites
Food, sport, movie, singer, game, school subject
New Testament Hero
Old Testament Hero
Book of Mormon Hero

4. About YOU
Describe yourself in three words?
Who is your best friends right now?
What is something you are really good at?
What is something you wish you were good at but are not?
Why do you like yourself?
What do you worry about?
What is one recent example of your kindness to others?
What are you afraid of?
How happy are you right now on a scale of 1-10?

5. Your future
What is one thing you are looking forward to this year?
What is something you want to improve?
What are two things you will look for in your future husband or wife? Where would you like to live if you could live anywhere?
What are three things you are pretty sure will do in your life?
What is something you will never do?

6. Spirituality
What do you ask for most in your prayers?
What do you thank Heavenly Father most for?
What do you love about Jesus? 

7. Admiration and Examples: 

What is one thing you admire in your dad? 

What do you admire most about your mom? 

In one of your siblings?
In one of your cousins? 

In one of your uncles or aunts? 

8. What is one important thing about that you that did not come out in any of the questions above?

I find on these occasions, when I am trying to beat myself up about not being the perfect mom, that the spirit brings back to my memory gentle whisperings of something I may have done right. 

For example, I was listening to some music as I got ready for the day and the hymn “Jesus the Very Thought of Thee” came on. A flood of beautiful memories ran over me like a spring rain. This hymn was the first lullaby I sang to my newborn children the first night after bringing them home from the hospital. I remember as though it were yesterday sitting in the rocking chair and weeping for joy as I sang this hymn to my beloved infants. 

I have pondered why when my mind starts spiraling downward and wants to dwell on my follies, does the spirit gently remind me of the good things I did as a mother?

I believe it is evidence of God’s grace and mercy and that the Holy Spirt is trying to remind me of this truth— only the Savior Jesus Christ is perfect. There is no such thing as a perfect mother. However, through and in and because of the Savior, I can become the perfect mother for my children. 

Through divine design God put us together in families, and matched my children with me as their mother. God is perfect and omniscient, so I can trust that I am just what my children needed in spite of my flaws, and they are just what I needed. Together with God’s help we will grow and become what God intended us to be. 

The next time the adversary fills our minds with discouraging thoughts about our mothering, let us remember this thought by Jill Churchill “There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one” and then rejoice in the little things we did get right. 

Listen to an inspiring podcast on this @ https://findingjoyandpeace.com/you-are-the-perfect-mother-for-me/

#comeuntochrist, #findingjoyandpeace, #motherhood,

I finally gave in to this desire and planted pansies this spring. As I did so, my mind wandered to the past remembering where my love for flowers began.This love affair with flowers came from my grandpa. I remember planting hyacinths with him in front of my play house and feeling the joy of watching them bloom year after year. I remember tagging along with my big brother as grandpa taught him how to grow pansies for a young entrepreneurs income. As I followed beside them, I fell in love with this little flower—the pansy.   

Grandpa was also a world-renowned landscape artist. He landscaped temples around the world for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also took care of the gardens at temple square in Salt Lake City. If you have ever seen one of these temples in the spring or summer you will know why I love flowers, especially spring gardens. They take your breath away. They are so beautiful! 

Then my mind returned to the present. I found myself asking, “Why have I waited so long to plant pansies, when I love them so much?” It is because they only boom for 5-6 weeks and then you have to dig them up and throw them away in order to plant your summer flowers. My frugal side would not let me. It seemed so wasteful. 

I continued to ponder this. Even though pansies and bulbs have a short season, they bring joy. They rejuvenate our spirits after a long winter and so it is for every season of our lives.

Every season is important no matter how short or how long. The season of bearing children: babies, toddlers, teenagers, single adults, the empty-nest stage, grandchildren, old age, and death. They all have purpose in our journey here on earth. And yet sometimes we are in a hurry to get to the next season of life, and don’t fully invest ourselves, and enjoy the beauty of the season we are in. Sometimes we are looking over the fence, thinking things will be better when….

All these years I had missed out on experiencing greater joy from spring flowers just because I was unwilling to allow that season of my life to be short. 

I began to wonder, were there other things I have missed out on because I thought the effort wasn’t worth the sacrifice? Or because I wanted to rush through that season of life and get to the next season? Or because I believed the hill was greener on the other side? 

I then resolved that planting pansies this year was going to be more, much more. It was going to be a new determination to live each season to its fullest, not worrying what is on the horizon. Yes, my pansies will be pulled up soon. Nevertheless, I will enjoy them and make each day count.

Ecclesiastes 3:2—8

If you would like to visit the Temple closest to you and see the beautiful flowers or learn more about Temples  go to this link: 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples?lang=eng