A God of Miracles (Ward Newsletter - September 2011)

A common question often asked of people when reflecting on a moment in history is, "Where were you when...?" or "What were you doing when....?" My first experience with tragedy in our nation, was that fateful day of Friday, November 22, 1963; the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I can clearly recall coming home from school to find my mother in front of our small black and white television set, seemingly unaware that I had even entered the room. I knew immediately upon looking at her face, that she had been crying. Suddenly, the folly of this young sixth-grader's school day, quickly dissipated.

Nearly thirty-eight years later, together with my own young sons (the oldest a sixth-grader himself), we experienced the horror of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. The images from that day are still so vivid in my mind, that it's difficult to believe that it was ten years ago. When we experience such implausible tragedies, we cannot help but wonder what might be next. Will it be worse? Now, with the tenth anniversary upon us, we may find ourselves speculating whether or not something is being planned by those who would seek to destroy us.

Ironically, in my search for this month's topic, I typed 9/11 into the search engine of www.lds.org and was directed to the following scripture: "But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are." - Mormon 9:11 Let's tie this all together.

We are watching the unrest in the world economically, socially, and politically. The news is filled with an inconceivable increase of natural disasters; hurricanes, drought, floods, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis. We ponder our situation and maybe even fear what lies ahead, especially for our children, and even our grandchildren.

During a Sacrament meeting last fall, Bishop Olson provided the following counsel: We are in for RUF times ahead. We need to Read, Understand, and Follow. If we honor this, we will not have ROUGH times ahead.

In a recent conversation, he expounded, "For a long time I have felt that since injustice, disease, tsunamis, terrorist bullets, hard-heartedness, etc., will be present in the world, we cannot expect God to exempt us from confronting such. But if we really study the scriptures as counseled, and if we seek to understand things from the Lord's point of view (instead of through our own view of the world that is not always in alignment with the Lord's), and are obedient, we will meet every challenge, solve problems that are solvable and endure with the Lord's help those afflictions that are not taken from us. It is then we will realize that the Lord will sustain us in all trials (See D&C 122)."

More valuable counsel was given recently by President Webb during Stake Conference address on May 22, 2011. He shared that he had felt "a sense of urgency" that the members need to "get" the Spirit into their lives to be able to receive personal revelation. He explained that our attitudes must change in order for us to have an increase of spirituality. My personal favorite, "We must be SO close to the Savior that the Holy Ghost will bless us." He continued, "The Savior is eager to bless you with your particular needs. He is aware of You."

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we know that our leaders are set apart to guide and direct us. To me, the messages of Bishop Olson and President Webb resonates loud and clear with what I am seeing transpire and what I am feeling in my own heart. As mentioned in last month's message, if we Prepare Every Needful Thing, we need not fear. Our source of strength comes from understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ and getting Him, our Redeemer, down deep into our hearts (see January's newsletter). What a blessing we have in knowing that regardless of what lies ahead, the Lord will continue to bless us if we are faithful. We can hold fast to the rod, listen carefully for the Spirit to guide and direct us, and here it is...pray diligently for miracles and then watch them happen.

Let us continue with the powerful promises found in Mormon: (Chapter 9:21, 24-25, 28-29, 37)
"Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth. And these signs shall follow them that believe—in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover; And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth. Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God. See that ye are not baptized unworthily; see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out. And may the Lord Jesus Christ grant that their prayers may be answered according to their faith; and may God the Father remember the covenant which he hath made with the house of Israel; and may he bless them forever, through faith on the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

As we strive to live in this world, but not of it, it becomes a greater and greater challenge, perhaps even more so for our children. Bishop once said to the youth, "Just because it is normal, it doesn't mean that it's OK". We are surrounded with the "ways of the world" and what has become the "norm": seeing good as evil, and evil as good.

I am reminded of the words of a commercial, especially popular amongst the youth. We might be able to imagine the Lord saying to us, "Look at the world, now back to me!" We must not be ignorant of what is happening in the world. We cannot afford to live in a bubble. But if we continue to look to Him and diligently do our part to prepare in every way, including living worthily to receive personal revelation, then we shall not fear in any circumstance, and our faith will bless us, even with great miracles.

I have a very personal testimony that our Father in Heaven is a God of miracles. I have experienced many in my own life and I am certain, many that I am not even aware of. Let us all pray daily for the miracles that are needed in our lives, the lives of our families, our posterity, our friends and neighbors, our country and throughout the world. Then let us go forth with unwavering faith and obedience to our covenants, and then watch them happen!

My New Quote

"God understood the sadness of a mother's heart and just in time, created grandchildren." - Me

Organize Yourselves and Prepare Every Needful Thing (Ward Newsletter - August 2011)

When I was young, the "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer" as once described in a song, were enjoyed and very much appreciated after a year of hard work at school. As the summer came to an end however, I was excited and anxious to get back into a routine. I knew my life would soon return to order. I enjoyed getting my notebook for the new school year and all the accessories needed to help me be an effective student. My dividers were assigned according to class periods with subjects neatly written in the tabs. A few new items of clothing were purchased as needed and afforded in a household of five girls. I would diligently clean and organize my bedroom and make goals for the new school year. The day before school resumed, my friends and I made sure that we hit the beach one last time to add a fresh layer to our summer tan. In the day when slacks and shirts, dresses and skirts were still being worn to school, what to wear the first day was always of utmost importance so that we looked our very best.

As I now ponder this time of year and what it was about this experience that was so appealing to me, I can recall a principle that my father would speak of often in his charming broken English. He would often instruct his daughters on the importance of having a "system" in our home. The Greek word σύστημα (sýsti̱ma) can be defined as a condition of harmonious, orderly interaction. An organized and coordinated method; a procedure." Some synonyms for system include: organization, structure, method and order. His counsel had an impression on me even as a young child. As I have come to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it resonates within me even more.

Pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, the Lord begins by instructing the saints in the Doctrine and Covenants 132:3 to "Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same." As a youth, I quickly learned by the consequences of my older sisters' actions, the importance of obeying the instruction of my father, much as the Lord has instructed us here, as a prerequisite to understanding the counsel that followed, and its importance.

He goes on to explain in verse 8, “Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion." A principle echoed by my own father which I believe helped prepared me to accept the gospel.

In section 88:119, we read: "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." Verse 124 provides important principles to assist us in our efforts to carry out His counsel: "Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated." All excellent tools, gifts if you will, to help assist us while here upon this earth.

We currently find ourselves in a world where there is much turmoil and many individuals and families are facing great challenges in many areas of their lives. If you are like me, and I suppose this says something about my age, you can see that this is like no other time in our lives, or even in the history of our world. I often feel badly for our youth who perhaps have known no other way. This all feels like the norm to them.

The great blessings from technology and modern conveniences, also bring challenges of their own. Our life seems to be so fast paced that we may at times feel that we are spiraling out of control and want to figuratively get off this merry-go-round. We are going in so many directions. More and more women seem to find it necessary to work outside the home. Rearing a family in such an environment is often hectic and disorderly with everyone going in so many different directions, and times spent together are few and far between. There are so many more opportunities and activities available to our children than there were when I was growing up. How does a mother or father manage getting their children to soccer, dance, or whatever their chosen interest is, if more than one has to be in a different location at the same time? Often we can only survive by depending on others to assist through carpooling. The modern woman/man may believe that they are or at least need to be super human, but the reality is that it will eventually take a toll on our body, mind, and even our very soul. Soon we may find ourselves helpless as on a vessel in stormy seas, without a rudder.

How grateful I am for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how everlasting the principles are if we but obey and apply them in our daily lives. As the Lord has mentioned, His house is not a house of confusion (nor chaos, I might add), but a house of order. That is the model we should hold up in our own lives and own families, whatever our individual situation is. We can better serve our families if we incorporate structure into our busy lives. In addition, an organized home and family also help to promote peace and love. Where there is no order, there is stress. Where there is stress, relationships are strained and even parenting becomes more difficult as we lose sight of the importance of coming from a place of love instead of fear and anger.

Another point that needs clarification is to understand the Lord's meaning when he says, "Cease to be idle." Oh, we are by no means an idle generation as stated above. What we are busy doing is what we need to ponder. Are those tasks benefiting the structure and order in our lives or drawing us further away from what needs to be done and those who need our love and support. While we all need a break from the drudgery of our daily routines, are we using that personal time wisely and in the most beneficial means for not only ourselves, but for our family as well and for the building of the Kingdom? Ask yourself if your actions are such that your mind and body are invigorated on a daily basis.

As the summer comes to an end and we have hopefully enjoyed bonding time with our friends and families, created memories, and found ways to rejuvenate our bodies and spirits, may we take the time to heed the Lord's counsel by putting our lives and families in order by organizing ourselves and preparing for every needful thing as it applies to us in our individual lives. This is my prayer.