By Small And Simple Things

In Alma 37:6 we are told that ". . . by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."  Today in Institute I realized that we all need to "save" ourselves every day by doing the small and simple things.  By going to Institute today I saved myself.  Part of the lesson in Institute today was about teachers and teaching by the spirit.  It was brought up that we are a teaching church in that each and every one of our members is expected to teach and edify one another.  We are all expected to bear our simple testimonies to each other and in fact that is the best way to learn; simply.  I was reading in my journal the other day and came across an entry dated August 1, 2010.  I wrote about a new deacon named Braxton who bore his testimony that day about the awe and gratefulness that he had for the priesthood.  I still remember the impact it had on me.  His simple testimony was the most powerful part of my day and possibly the most powerful part of my week.  I hope that we all take the time to do the simple things in life that will lift us up to a higher standard.  The Lord's standard.

Helpers

Yesterday in church one of the speakers mentioned that the Lord needs helpers.  The Lord needs determined, dedicated saints who are just willing to meet the day to day needs of the church.  He needs saints who will go to the temple every week, do their home teaching and visiting teaching, clean the church, pass the sacrament, teach the lesson, and any other assignment that might come up.  My father taught me how to be a helper but I haven't always appreciated it.  Sometimes I don't mind if I am the only one putting up chairs or taking out the garbage but I think this little line in that talk yesterday really comforted me in doing what I am supposed to.  I am thankful for having so many opportunities to serve and for the ability to take them.

Come Unto Jesus

Last night, I dreamed about the Savior. I can't remember the images of the dream very well, but I just remember thinking about how Christ heals so many people in the scriptures. People come unto him, seek his words, live his teachings, and then are filled with his love and joy. In my dream I came to the realization that the Savior can help me. He can heal my wounded soul just as he did to all those people in the scriptures.

Tonight the Relief Society sisters gathered in the church to hear Todd McCabe and April Moriarty perform songs of Christ, and I was really touched. The spirit filled the entire chapel. I attached one of their songs below so you could get a gist of their music. They played an arrangement of the hymn Come Unto Jesus (#117), and while they played, I read the words to this song. The third verse was exactly what I needed.

Come unto Jesus; He’ll surely hear you,
If you in meekness plead for his love.
Oh, know you not that angels are near you
From brightest mansions above?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has ever felt like no one will listen to you or that no one understands what you're going through. This brought me hope. My Savior understands, and if I plead for his love, I will be able to feel his peace, comfort, and understanding. I know that Jesus Christ is our ultimate healer.

In D&C 39:1-2 it reads, "Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the Great I Am, even Jesus Christ— The light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not;" (Also see D&C 45:7) As I've personalized this scripture, it has become a lot more meaningful to me. Jesus Christ is my light. Jesus Christ is my life. I hope that these thoughts will help you as they have helped me, and I say them in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Oh, How Lovely Was The Morning

Yesterday in Sacrament Meeting the ward choir sung the hymn Oh, How Lovely Was The Morning.  Each verse was sung by two or three people in the choir with a different language for each half of the verse.  They started with Spanish, the second language I couldn't determine exactly but it sounded Dutch, the third was French, then German, and they finished up with English.  The spirit was very strong and it made me think of how the church is in all corners of the world.  For me, music is very important and it touches me much stronger than other things do.  This reminded me of how powerful it can be when somebody bears their testimony or prays in a different language except this, to me, was stronger than any of those.

Thank you to the ward choir for their wonderful display. 

I'm Going To See the Temple, I'm Going There Some Day

I'm going to see the temple, I'm going there some day....for me that some day was Tuesday. I was blessed very greatly with the best family and friends I could ever have asked for, no I would say even better. The temple is such an amazing place. The spirit there is amazing, the ordinances are so beautiful. I recommend all who are worthy to go, to go. I felt like a totally new person. What an amazing feeling that is. People may tell you it's scary and freaky. But to me once I was doing the work it was so normal like I had been doing it for years. Yes it was totally different then I had expected, but the work is powerful and sacred.

I am still in awe about how amazing it is. The temple is truly the house of God.

One Small Act

Tonight I had the opportunity to talk to a friend who I don't get to visit with very often. As we visited, she shared with me some of her life experiences. While she was talking, I realized how what we do or don't do can truly affect someone more than we'll ever realize. We're all here on this earth at this time together for a reason. It's so we can help each other... so why do we treat each other poorly? This conversation was a wake up call to me. One phone call, one hug, or even one smile could make all the difference. It's the little things that count, and starting today, I am resolving to work a little harder to treat those around me a lot better. Each person deserves to be treated with the love, kindness, and respect of a child of God. I hope you'll join with me in the goal to treat those around us with more love, kindness, and respect.

Priesthood Ordination

Yesterday one of my best friends received the Melchizedek Priesthood and I was asked to stand in the circle.  It was probably the most spiritual experience I have had since my own ordination.  The spirit was so strong.  As my hand was on his head I was listening to the words his father spoke and thought about the man they were being said about.  I have had the lucky opportunity to be very close to this friend for the past few years and I have personally seen the growth and strength that his father was talking about.  I know that Trevor is going to be a fantastic missionary and a faithful priesthood holder.  He has been such an example to me in my life and has taught me so many lessons.

Cease to Sleep Longer Then is Needful!

Today my thoughts have been directed to D&C 88: 123-126 "See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires. Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to they bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated. And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace. Pray always, that ye may not faint, until I come. Behold and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Amen"

Specifically the part about the "...cease to sleep longer then is needful; retire to they bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds my be invigorated..." I know that I have been treating my body very poorly specifically with my sleeping. But I know that when I do sleep properly I have so much more energy, I am much happier.

By keeping God's commandments I know that our bodies and our souls, which combined to make our spirit, can be much better taken care of. While we will eventually receive perfect bodies, that is not the case now. So we must keep our bodies as close to that as possible.

Please keep this in mind while you are eating and when you stay out late, think of the consequences that it could have on your body in the long run.

Heather

Acceptance

Just shortly after my divorce I was having a very hard time in my life. When my home teacher came over and was talking with my family, I decided it was time to look into coming unto Christ again in my life. I texted one of my friends and asked him to help me to learn the gospel a little bit better. When he responded with a resounding yes, I felt a sudden warmth spread over me, from my heart out to all of my body, that I could only describe as an incredible love and utter acceptance. This is something I believe you can only feel through Christ.Through this instance in my life, I gained a testimony of the entire Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints. Prior to my divorce I was very weak in the church I didn't believe it was true, I wanted little to do with it, all because of the members. Now I have found my own two feet and stand much stronger in the gospel with a firm testimony of Christ's atonement, the power of the priesthood, and the restoration of the gospel. I have an amazing friend to thank for that! Here is a little something that came out of that time.
 

Found

Before I was weak, Now I am strong.

Before I was naive, Now I have grown,

I was alone, I was scared.

But now, Now I am never alone,

I am always comforted;

Because I, I have found God.

I hope with all of my heart that this can touch all of you as much as it has me. To help get through the times when you feel like you can never do it right, you'll never be good enough. Know that to Christ, you can do it right, and you will always be good enough. 

With all the love in my heart.

Have Faith, Love Often

Heather Taylor