Remember--and Be Prepared

[posted on my online journal today]:

My sister-in-law posted this on the family website. And it was too incredible. Very well done. Very wonderful message. A great reminder. A great comfort. Absolutely something I need to see over and over again. I just had to share.

Obedience is All We're Asked To Do

"I wanted to prove my devotion to the Lord through some dramatic act. However, in a visit with my grandfather, he explained that when President Brigham Young sent his father, David, and the other young men on their rescue mission, President Young instructed them to do everything they possibly could to save the handcart companies, even at the peril of their own lives. Their acts of bravery were specifically to 'follow the prophet Brigham Young' and by so doing express their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. My grandfather told me that consistent, faithful dedication to the counsel of a prophet is the real lesson I should learn from my great-grandfather's service. As heroic as it was for David and his associates to help rescue the pioneers, it is also valiant today to follow the counsel of our prophet."

Quentin L. Cook, "Give Heed unto the Prophets' Words," Ensign, May 2008, 47-48

Signs of the Times-The World on Its Downward Spiral

[posted on my personal online journal Saturday afternoon]:

Well, this was something brought to my attention today that really put a damper on the entire afternoon. I won't go into extreme detail right now about how much things like this not only really, really upset me, but also are very painful. Direct hits to the heart and to one of my very core beliefs: The Family. Prophets have predicted over and over that as the time for the Savior's Second Coming draws near, attacks on the institution of the family will be more frequent and more horrendous. We see it every day, and yet I still am forced to see new ways in which others are trying to destroy the basic unit of society.

One thing I have learned over my years is that some things I take too much on myself, and way too personally. But it's how I am. And such opinions and attempted actions like these take yet another piece away from all I'm holding onto to try and believe there is still good in this world and the light of Christ in people. Mom noted tonight that my comment was posted, too. Wow. I'm really branching out on the International Super Highway these days. But I couldn't not say something.

Church Using More Technological Resources

Hey--the Church is on YouTube! Officially, I mean! How awesome is that?! I've added it as a gadget at the bottom of the blog. Scroll down and be enlightened, uplifted, and filled with joy and peace. 

Prayer - Vital to This Life

"You need His help, and you know that you need His help. You cannot do it alone. You will come to realize that and recognize that more and more as the years pass. So live that in good conscience you can speak with the Lord. Get on your knees and thank Him for His goodness to you and express to Him the righteous desires of your hearts. The miracle of it all is that He hears. He responds. He answers--not always as we might wish He would answer, but there is no question in my mind that He answers."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "A Prophet's Counsel and Prayer for Youth," Ensign, Jan. 2001, 10

I very much have a testimony of this--one that has been tested over and over in order to deepen its roots within me. I echo President Hinckley--there is absolutely no question in my mind that He answers. I know He does. I could not even count how many times the Lord has let me know He is listening, how often He has comforted me, and how He has certainly answered my prayers in the way He knows is best. I am so grateful that we have prayer as part of our communication with our Father in Heaven. I regret every missed prayer--whether it be that I distracted myself with unimportant things and forgot, or whether I did not make the prayer meaningful. I always have room to improve the way I speak to my Father in Heaven. But I'm glad He is patient and understanding in that aspect as He is with everything else. I'm grateful He listens, and answers.