Sunday Will Come

I kind of feel like I'm in the middle of my own Friday. I have a list of things weighing me down... I'm glad I saw this video today, because it really put things into perspective. Part of Elder Hale's Conference talk also put things into perspective:

"Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions, are part of our test in mortality. Let me assure you that your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. Through Him, every struggle can be for our experience and our good. Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. The Lord will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can endure."

I'm in the middle of a Friday in my life, but it's strengthening me and preparing me for my next Sunday.

We Still Love You, President Hinckley!

It's been a year and a half since his passing, and I still miss President Hinckley. I watched his last talk from General Conference (besides his closing remarks) on Sunday, and I cried just watching it - knowing this is the only way I'll get to hear his voice. Today, on his birthday, I thought I'd post a couple of videos to remember him by. Enjoy looking back at a man - a prophet - who shaped millions of lives, including mine.

Thoughts on Suffering

I looked up a bunch of scriptures on the topic of suffering and here are some things I observed. Suffering should not exist without a purpose. In the midst of suffering, joy can (and should) be had through Christ. If we are suffering and we have no peace, no joy, no purpose, then we have need to repent. If we are just suffering (without purpose), then the suffering we feel is because we are choosing to distance ourselves from Christ. Many scriptures show instances where there is a connection between great suffering and a refusal to look to God. In such cases, there is no joy. Suffering can come as a direct result of sin, however this suffering can be swallowed up in Christ when repentance has been undertaken. Suffering without peace & joy and hope comes from Satan.

Here are some of the scriptures I looked up and a few notes to go along with them.
Mosiah 4:20 repent, have joy
2 Cor. 1: 5-7 suffer, but also have joy in Christ
1 Pet. 2: 19-21, 23 When Christ suffered, he "committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Alma 26: 28, 30, 34 as missionaries, they suffered as they were esconced in their goal of saving souls, which would bring them joy
Alma 31: 26, 30-31, 38 they suffered no afflictions save it were "swallowed up in the joy of Christ"
1 Pet. 3: 14, 17-18 suffer for righteousness sake--happy are ye
Alma 14: 11, 23, 26 Alma and Amulek ask for faith unto deliverance from the suffering
Matt. 3: 15 sometimes suffering happens to fulfill a righteous purpose
1 Nephi 16:19-20 Laman & Lemuel have been complaining of all their sufferings, yet Nephi has been seeing angels even though he is in the same living conditions as Laman & Lemuel are.
Alma 26: 28-34 Ammon notes that they had been suffering much, but also, he states that the power and wisdom of the Lord had been with them and the fruits of their labors were not few and "my joy is carried away, even unto boasting"
Moroni 9:7-25 Mormon tells son to not let all the things which he had just told him about sufferings going on weigh him down unto death, but rather may Christ lift him up and let that be in his mind forever.

What thoughts do you have to add?

Good Bread

Today, as the sacrament was being passed, I heard a little boy behind me say, “Daddy, this is good bread! I really like it!”

I thought about what he had said. I know he meant it literally tasted good, but I thought about the fact that it really is good bread. There is, in fact, no better. It is the bread we get to eat to cleanse ourselves again and renew our covenants to be like Christ. It is good bread because it symbolizes the sacrifice Christ made for us. It is good bread because through it we are made whole once again.

I can echo what the little boy said. “It is good bread. I really like it.” Where would I be without it?

Remember by Journal Writing

I have been feeling lately like I ought to spend time in regular journal writing, so I gave myself a challenge. Write for 5 minutes a day. I did it today and was surprised how much I could get written in such a short time. What was the inspiration to get me started today? Watch this video.


I love President Eyring's idea on how he went about doing his writing. I am trying to use the same method. Here is his entire talk on the subject.

This is such a great idea because it fosters gratefulness in our hearts and gets us writing in our journals at the same time. I know that whenever I look back over my old journals, I am glad for the things I wrote down. It is good to be reminded of lessons learned, of hard times and times to treasure.

If you would like start journaling for 5 minutes a day and want a little extra motivation to get it done, join me here where I issue a challenge, complete with a method of accountability and a possibility of a prize. For me, I am hoping that after doing this for the entire month of June that I will have a habit established for life, just like President Eyring.