.jpg)
I believe that inspiring music promotes spirituality, reverence, and happiness.
A scripture I enjoy reading is D&C 25:12 “The Lord said, For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.”
In the Priesthood Bulletin, December 1970 p. 10 it states, “Music can be used to exalt and inspire or to carry messages of degradation and destruction. It is therefore important that as Latter-day Saints we at all times apply the principles of the gospel and seek the guidance of the Spirit in selecting the music with which we surround ourselves.”
I truly believe that in our homes, we must hold high standards and listen to uplifting music that will spread the gospel, touch hearts, and give us comfort. There is music that inspires courage, reverence, and happiness. Righteous songs will fill our minds with peace.
When visiting my son in Colorado I always enjoy Sunday mornings when he has uplifting music playing throughout the entire house. This always gives a peaceful feeling and helps everyone prepare for the day ahead.
I purchased many inspiring tapes for my teenagers to listen to as I drove them to school each day. When my youngest daughter was small I played the Scripture Scouts for her each evening as she lay in bed.
As I drive to work each day I try to listen to books on tapes, or inspiring music which I find on the radio – 820 AM or 106.5 FM. I don’t just listen to whatever is playing. If it isn’t uplifting it gets switched off. I don’t need other messages getting stuck in my head. I want to have a happy feeling.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
It's Still My Turn On Earth
Most of us don’t think about how precious life is until we have an incident similar to the one I experienced last Saturday. For those of us who drive we usually do it without thinking about all the things that can go wrong, but things can happen even if you are cautious and do everything right.
Driving carefully is what I do. I try to stay within the speed limit only exceeding it by 3 or 4 miles, and I don’t run red lights or stop signs. I signal when changing lanes and I’m courteous to others. When I’m in a parking lot I wait for the other cars to be out of the way before I pull onto the highway. I never imagined that others don’t do this. They actually pull out and try running you down.
Saturday afternoon I signaled and pulled into the left lane. As soon as the traffic coming towards me from the right passed, I turned left to drive into a parking lot. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I saw the car from the parking lot approaching me on the left side. I turned to watch in horror as it headed straight for me. I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out. My only thought was, “I’m dead.”
An arms length away it stopped. My instincts kept me going forward because in my mind I could remember the red-light at the corner changed just as I started to make my turn. I didn’t want to get smashed from the other side.
I don’t know what color of car almost hit me, and I don’t know who was driving it. I only know that someone saved me. I realized that my turn on earth is not over. I’m still here to carry on.
That night in bed I didn’t sleep much. I had many nightmares seeing the car barreling down on me. I cried many tears of gratitude because I wasn’t hurt and I’m here and able to care for my mother and husband. I can continue to help my family and friends, and I can make sure my book gets published.
I’m not sure I’ll change much. I do hope I’ll be more careful about wasting time and procrastinating. I’ll continue to go to church, and try to serve others. I’ll try to make good use of my time while I’m here on earth.
Driving carefully is what I do. I try to stay within the speed limit only exceeding it by 3 or 4 miles, and I don’t run red lights or stop signs. I signal when changing lanes and I’m courteous to others. When I’m in a parking lot I wait for the other cars to be out of the way before I pull onto the highway. I never imagined that others don’t do this. They actually pull out and try running you down.
Saturday afternoon I signaled and pulled into the left lane. As soon as the traffic coming towards me from the right passed, I turned left to drive into a parking lot. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I saw the car from the parking lot approaching me on the left side. I turned to watch in horror as it headed straight for me. I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out. My only thought was, “I’m dead.”
An arms length away it stopped. My instincts kept me going forward because in my mind I could remember the red-light at the corner changed just as I started to make my turn. I didn’t want to get smashed from the other side.
I don’t know what color of car almost hit me, and I don’t know who was driving it. I only know that someone saved me. I realized that my turn on earth is not over. I’m still here to carry on.
That night in bed I didn’t sleep much. I had many nightmares seeing the car barreling down on me. I cried many tears of gratitude because I wasn’t hurt and I’m here and able to care for my mother and husband. I can continue to help my family and friends, and I can make sure my book gets published.
I’m not sure I’ll change much. I do hope I’ll be more careful about wasting time and procrastinating. I’ll continue to go to church, and try to serve others. I’ll try to make good use of my time while I’m here on earth.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Where has the Summer Gone?
I’ve been negligent this past month and have failed to write my blog. Of course, there are always excuses. Mine is that within the past 30 days my mother has been in the ER twice. The last time, they omitted her to the hospital for a couple of days. My husband was also in the ER for most of one day. They are both home and doing well. I also spent 3 days out of town visiting friends.
This summer has certainly passed by quickly for me. I’ve not done half the things I had planned, and now it’s too late. The summer started off bad with me having to spend a week recovering from pneumonia. One good thing was that in July my son and his family came from Colorado to visit. We were able to have family pictures taken, and the entire family spent a fun day at Lagoon riding the rides and getting wet.
August has been busier than normal with something to do every weekend. I always wonder why I plan so much when I’m so busy. When you work outside the home weekends are usually the only time you have to do things around the house. Since this hasn’t happened things are starting to pile up.
Most of the things I’ve done involve family and friends. We visited friends for a couple of days, went to a new temple open house in Idaho, then on to a family reunion, had dinner with my writing friends, and even attended a wedding. Next we go to another family reunion, and a family swimming party. I get to attend the Temple with a friend on Saturday morning, and the following Saturday I’m excited to attend another Temple with my niece. I’m so excited that these two special people in my life have chosen this path.
Hope you have had a wonderful summer.
This summer has certainly passed by quickly for me. I’ve not done half the things I had planned, and now it’s too late. The summer started off bad with me having to spend a week recovering from pneumonia. One good thing was that in July my son and his family came from Colorado to visit. We were able to have family pictures taken, and the entire family spent a fun day at Lagoon riding the rides and getting wet.
August has been busier than normal with something to do every weekend. I always wonder why I plan so much when I’m so busy. When you work outside the home weekends are usually the only time you have to do things around the house. Since this hasn’t happened things are starting to pile up.
Most of the things I’ve done involve family and friends. We visited friends for a couple of days, went to a new temple open house in Idaho, then on to a family reunion, had dinner with my writing friends, and even attended a wedding. Next we go to another family reunion, and a family swimming party. I get to attend the Temple with a friend on Saturday morning, and the following Saturday I’m excited to attend another Temple with my niece. I’m so excited that these two special people in my life have chosen this path.
Hope you have had a wonderful summer.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
A Wish
What do you consider to be important? What do you wish for, or dream about? Some people want material possessions, a large house, or fast car. Other people want a well-paying job. Some would rather have good looks, power, or adventure. These things can make you happy for a short time, but worldly attainment is not lasting.
A Chinese proverb says, “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a month, get married. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.”
We can find peace and happiness by following Heavenly Father and Jesus and choosing the right.
Heavenly Father has given us commandments to help us be happy. Mosiah 2:41 – “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
Obedience to the commandments does not guarantee we will never experience challenges. Difficulties are part of life, and we all have rough times.
I have learned that I need to learn to bypass the things of the world. When I do I’m on my way to something higher and better. I just have to rise above the ordinary. The more I strive to become who I am, a child of God with the potential to be as He is, the more I seem unique to those who may be choosing a different direction.
A Chinese proverb says, “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a month, get married. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.”
We can find peace and happiness by following Heavenly Father and Jesus and choosing the right.
Heavenly Father has given us commandments to help us be happy. Mosiah 2:41 – “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
Obedience to the commandments does not guarantee we will never experience challenges. Difficulties are part of life, and we all have rough times.
I have learned that I need to learn to bypass the things of the world. When I do I’m on my way to something higher and better. I just have to rise above the ordinary. The more I strive to become who I am, a child of God with the potential to be as He is, the more I seem unique to those who may be choosing a different direction.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
A Mind to Think
D & C 58:26-29 – It is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward. But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.
When I read the above scripture it is my understanding that my Heavenly Father should not have a commandment for every little thing I am to do. He made each us with a mind to think, and the capability to act upon it. What a dull world it would be if I sat around waiting for that still small voice to tell me to do something before I dared to move.
This next verse tells me that I must be doing something good at all times. If I do good deeds always then I will not lose my reward. Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.
If I am obedient then I get the compensation for doing what is right. When I have faith in Jesus Christ, I also receive that gift. My purpose here on earth is evident when I develop my character in a Christ like manner.
The last verse to me means your progress toward eternal life has stopped if someone has to tell you everything you need to do. If someone has to tell you to take your neighbor some food you haven’t learned to do good acts on your own. Kindness comes from within.
I'm grateful for a mind to think, and a good heart that I can help others when I see a need. I don't have to sit around waiting for someone to tell me to act. To me it is second nature to be kind and I often wonder why there is so much hatred in our world. It would be a better world if everyone performed acts of kindness.
When I read the above scripture it is my understanding that my Heavenly Father should not have a commandment for every little thing I am to do. He made each us with a mind to think, and the capability to act upon it. What a dull world it would be if I sat around waiting for that still small voice to tell me to do something before I dared to move.
This next verse tells me that I must be doing something good at all times. If I do good deeds always then I will not lose my reward. Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.
If I am obedient then I get the compensation for doing what is right. When I have faith in Jesus Christ, I also receive that gift. My purpose here on earth is evident when I develop my character in a Christ like manner.
The last verse to me means your progress toward eternal life has stopped if someone has to tell you everything you need to do. If someone has to tell you to take your neighbor some food you haven’t learned to do good acts on your own. Kindness comes from within.
I'm grateful for a mind to think, and a good heart that I can help others when I see a need. I don't have to sit around waiting for someone to tell me to act. To me it is second nature to be kind and I often wonder why there is so much hatred in our world. It would be a better world if everyone performed acts of kindness.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Choose Happiness
In October 2002 Conference, Elder Claudio R. M. Costa of the Seventy told us, “Many people in this world do not understand the difference between fun and happiness. Many try to find happiness by having fun, but the two words have different meanings.”
He continued to say, “Fun is play, pleasure, gaiety, merriment, source of enjoyment, amusement, to behave playfully, playful, often a noisy activity, and teasing. Happiness is contentedness, joy, delight, and satisfaction.”
In the same conference, President James E. Faust told us, “Pleasure is often confused with happiness. Pleasure, unlike happiness, is that which pleases us or gives us gratification. Usually it endures for only a short time. Obviously, there is a great difference between feeling happy at a given moment and being happy for a lifetime, between having a good time and leading a good life.”
After reading these talks, I decided that it wouldn’t do me any good to go on a vacation to find happiness. If I want to be happy, I can find it in my own backyard. A shopping trip, or going out to dinner is not going to do the trick. There is only one thing that will work, and that is if I choose to be happy.
The pursuit of happiness is within my reach. All I have to do is choose it. I know my Heavenly Father desires that I am happy during this life. He wants me to hold out my hand and grasp the gospel teachings available to me. If I choose to obey the commandments, listen to the prophets, and attend the temple, he will take my hand and lead me to happiness.
He offers all of us the great plan of happiness – Alma 42:8 – Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness.
Our Father in Heaven sent His Beloved Son to carry out the Atonement so we can be happy in this life and receive a fullness of joy. He gave us the freedom to choose and learn, and respects our freedom and independence. I know He will not force us to accept this joy. Satan wishes to deny us our independence and agency, and he opposes the freedom of choice offered by our Father. We have to choose happiness. It is not something that someone else can decide for us.
He continued to say, “Fun is play, pleasure, gaiety, merriment, source of enjoyment, amusement, to behave playfully, playful, often a noisy activity, and teasing. Happiness is contentedness, joy, delight, and satisfaction.”
In the same conference, President James E. Faust told us, “Pleasure is often confused with happiness. Pleasure, unlike happiness, is that which pleases us or gives us gratification. Usually it endures for only a short time. Obviously, there is a great difference between feeling happy at a given moment and being happy for a lifetime, between having a good time and leading a good life.”
After reading these talks, I decided that it wouldn’t do me any good to go on a vacation to find happiness. If I want to be happy, I can find it in my own backyard. A shopping trip, or going out to dinner is not going to do the trick. There is only one thing that will work, and that is if I choose to be happy.
The pursuit of happiness is within my reach. All I have to do is choose it. I know my Heavenly Father desires that I am happy during this life. He wants me to hold out my hand and grasp the gospel teachings available to me. If I choose to obey the commandments, listen to the prophets, and attend the temple, he will take my hand and lead me to happiness.
He offers all of us the great plan of happiness – Alma 42:8 – Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness.
Our Father in Heaven sent His Beloved Son to carry out the Atonement so we can be happy in this life and receive a fullness of joy. He gave us the freedom to choose and learn, and respects our freedom and independence. I know He will not force us to accept this joy. Satan wishes to deny us our independence and agency, and he opposes the freedom of choice offered by our Father. We have to choose happiness. It is not something that someone else can decide for us.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
My Destiny
There are many things that are important in my life. Among them is my church. I attend regularly and do many things to help those around me. I’m sure it’s not enough. My parents taught me the difference between right and wrong so I know what I should do, and if I goof up I have no one to blame but myself. I’m responsible for my own destiny.
It’s my fault if I don’t do service as often as I should, or if I’m a bad example to people. Often times I hide in my computer room and forget all about the world around me. Someday I may have to answer to my maker about my choices.
The one thing I hope I never do is drive someone away from my church by the things I do, and I don’t want the actions of other people to push me away from the things I know to be true. People don’t always treat others the way they should. Sometimes they say hurtful things or act rudely towards others. My skin has grown tough over the years, and most of the time I let those unkind things slide away.
I’m sure most people aren’t cruel and spiteful on purpose. Today I want to encourage others to look the other way and ignore the insensitive things said to you. Rise above the cutting remarks and act as the Savior would.
If the hurt won’t go away, you need to talk to the person who offended you. I did that last week, and the entire problem turned out to be a misunderstanding. She honestly didn’t know she had offended me. If I had let it go, and refused to talk with her about it, I think I’d have been upset for a long time. Instead, because I gathered the courage to call her, I won’t carry that burden any longer.
Don’t think calling her was easy, because it wasn’t. It took three days for me to pick up the telephone to call. She was surprised to hear from me, and even more amazed to discover she had offended me by her actions. Of course, since she was unaware I was the only one suffering. It’s great to have such a burden lifted.
My advice to anyone reading is to stand up for what you know, but don’t carry unnecessary burdens.
It’s my fault if I don’t do service as often as I should, or if I’m a bad example to people. Often times I hide in my computer room and forget all about the world around me. Someday I may have to answer to my maker about my choices.
The one thing I hope I never do is drive someone away from my church by the things I do, and I don’t want the actions of other people to push me away from the things I know to be true. People don’t always treat others the way they should. Sometimes they say hurtful things or act rudely towards others. My skin has grown tough over the years, and most of the time I let those unkind things slide away.
I’m sure most people aren’t cruel and spiteful on purpose. Today I want to encourage others to look the other way and ignore the insensitive things said to you. Rise above the cutting remarks and act as the Savior would.
If the hurt won’t go away, you need to talk to the person who offended you. I did that last week, and the entire problem turned out to be a misunderstanding. She honestly didn’t know she had offended me. If I had let it go, and refused to talk with her about it, I think I’d have been upset for a long time. Instead, because I gathered the courage to call her, I won’t carry that burden any longer.
Don’t think calling her was easy, because it wasn’t. It took three days for me to pick up the telephone to call. She was surprised to hear from me, and even more amazed to discover she had offended me by her actions. Of course, since she was unaware I was the only one suffering. It’s great to have such a burden lifted.
My advice to anyone reading is to stand up for what you know, but don’t carry unnecessary burdens.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)