Joseph Smith and the Savior

Recently, I've been reading and studying a lot of personal accounts of people who knew or had met the prophet Joseph Smith. It's helped me to come to know the prophet in a more personal way and to love him even more. Now when I hear the song "Praise to the Man" it has an even greater meaning to me.

Some of the things that appear to be a pattern in these personal accounts and experiences are Joseph glowing and turning white and translucent when receiving visions, revelation or in the presence of the Savior. Countless people record this happening and their description of it is remarkable and beautiful.

Another common experience are the countless times that the mob was planning to capture or kill Joseph and he was led away at the last minute through the Holy Ghost or from strangers, away from the mob and into safety.

A favorite of mine are the experiences in which the disbelievers would come to Joseph to call him a liar or to tell him he had been deceived by the devil and upon meeting him they sense something different and wonderful about him. By the end of the conversation they believe him and want to be baptized.

Many describe him as loving, humble and almost "god-like" in his appearance and countenance. Many said that when they saw him for the first time not knowing who he truly was, they knew he was a prophet of God at first glance. They said he was gentle yet joyful. He was always positive, encouraging and uplifting. Joseph was born into humble circumstances. He always wore a smile on his face and went out of his way to talk to everyone. He played with the children, loved them very much and cheered up the downtrodden. People said that when he looked at you it felt as though he knew everything about you. People traveled from far distances just to hear him speak. He was described as a very strong man with beautiful blue eyes. He healed the sick and raised the dead. Sadly, he was betrayed by some of his closest friends and given to the mob. He was hunted down and spat upon. People shouted "blasphemy" at him. He was persecuted and martyred.

I couldn't help but notice the many striking similarities to the Savior and truly believe that as we are all taught to be Christ-like and to know the Savior, Joseph really knew the Savior as he emulated him in so many ways. He sacrificed all he had for the gospel and sealed his testimony with his blood. I imagine that Joseph and the Savior continue to have a very close relationship and I testify that there was no greater man to have been chosen to restore Christ's church in these latter days.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

The Movement Against the Family

You don't have to look hard to see the many ways Satan tries to destroy the family on a daily basis. This recent blog post, I Look Down On Young Women With Husbands and Kids and I'm Not Sorry, has been all over facebook, news headlines and talk radio.  When I first saw this post last week it didn't anger me but instead made me feel sorry for the woman who wrote it. How can a woman who is not married and does not have kids, make such judgements about women who are married and do have kids? I saw it as a possible bandaid post to cover up some personal inner sadness and insecurities. When you are happy with yourself and your life, you don't make the time and effort to put down others - instead you use your time to help uplift and build up others.

All of these feminist movements have an underlying tone of personal unhappiness and it's a personal choice to read into them and become bothered or simply just ignore them. Because of the way this post effected so many people that I know, I felt I need to respond.

Here is my personal response to this blog post:

Motherhood is Truly Remarkable

Also, here is a wonderful article about motherhood that I found in the March 1983 Ensign by Margaret Richards.

I Rejoice in Being a Mother

Why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Only True Church

If you've ever considered that the true church of Jesus Christ on the earth today should be organized exactly as it was when Christ Himself organized it when he was living on the earth, then you will really enjoy this!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the face of the earth today. Why? Because Jesus Christ himself heads the church - it is His church and as you can see in this recent devotional by Elder Tad R. Callister, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only church on the face of the Earth that is set up exactly the same as it was during Christ's ministry on the earth.

The LDS church is not a new religion or a new church, it is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. That means that when the fulness of the gospel was taken from the Earth after the death of the apostles, it was restored again in a latter day (our day) by Jesus Christ himself.

In an account by Newel Knight (one of the early members of the church ) said this about his thoughts upon hearing of Joseph Smith's restoration of Christ's church,

"So honest and plain were all his statements that there was no room for any misgivings with me on the subject. Besides, I found by reading and searching the Bible that there would be a great falling away from the gospel as preached and established by Jesus and His apostles, that in the last days God would set His hand again to restore that which was lost." ("Newel Knights Journal," in Scraps of Biography (Faith Promoting Series, Volume 10) (Salt Lake City, 1883), pp. 47-65

The Bible prophecies that Newel was referring to can be found in the old and New Testament:

 Isaiah 24:5–6; Amos 8:11–12 Acts 20:29–30; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4; 2 Timothy 4:3–4; 2 Peter 2:1–3

In 325 A.D Christianity as founded by Jesus Christ was completely changed through the Council of Nicaea, and around the time of the fifth century A.D., Christianity had actually become a composite of Christian beliefs, practices, and doctrines; Jewish teachings and rituals; Greek, Roman, and Egyptian pagan philosophies; and pagan religions of various brands. The Holy Priesthood had been withdrawn from the earth. The power of godliness was no longer present in the Christian Church. Thus there was a complete falling away from the gospel which had been established by the Son of Man. The Church lay in darkness, and the darkness enveloped the earth. This spiritual darkness continued for hundreds and hundreds of years” (Milton R. Hunter, “The Missionary Assignment,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1951, 920).

The sure and best way to know that Joseph Smith truly did restore the gospel and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church today, is to pray about it and receive a witness from Holy Ghost for yourself. The Holy Ghost is the bearer of all truth.

Everything You Need to Know About LDS Temples

I love this video.It's truly everything you need to know about LDS temples. Why we build them, what purpose they serve, what we use them for, what they look like inside and everything else! Beautifully done.

A Tender Mercy

With it now being 2014, I was reflecting on my life over the past year. I realized that this was the first year I did not make any new goals. How strange for me. 

If you've read my book Successful Failures, then you know the kind of goals I set, how hard I work to achieve them and how close I get to reaching them. For me setting goals has always been very addicting. I enjoy the fulfilling satisfaction of seeing a small dream come true and watching it lead to more open doors. For some reason when fall rolled around last year, I had reached a point where it truly felt like no matter how hard I tried to make something happen, it just wouldn't happen. 

I don't know if it's the pregnancy (don't think so) or just the way life goes (more likely) but I felt beaten down and exhausted. How I wished I had a personal secretary or an agent of some sort that could share some of the workload. The harder I pushed the thicker that wall in front of me became. The more I believed the more I watched my dreams crumble. The more money I put into my projects the more it became evident I wasn't going to earn any return on those investments. I was soon out of money, out of ideas and out of energy. It seemed that over working myself on my goals was leading to nothing and if I was going to get "nothing" and nowhere anyways, then it just made sense to sit back and "do nothing". So that's what I did. 

True, I enjoyed putting all my time and effort into my role as a mom and wife. That was fulfilling. But there was a part of me that felt lacking. I had lost my passion and I felt a little hollow. I missed those days of feeling connected to my dreams and making a difference with my talents. I missed that passion and that drive that I used to have. But part of me worried that if I opened that door again, I would again feel quickly beaten down and not have the strength or energy to persevere. Clearly someone had been trying to tell me that I needed to point my time and energy in a different direction which is why I abandoned all of my goals last fall. But still I felt a little lacking.

Soon it was obvious that I had fallen off my horse and had just been looking for ways to justify staying off it. I knew that I was feeling a little empty for a reason and I needed to make the choice to do something about it. Yes, that's right - it was a choice. 

So, I began with some long prayers to the Lord - asking for guidance and direction. I explained how frustrated I had been last year and how it led to my lack of confidence and motivation. I further explained that I felt like all my hard work had made the slightest difference and if working that hard couldn't even make a dent in the universe then why bother? I wanted to feel like my talents were needed and I had made a difference. I asked the Lord if he had any instruction for me at this time in my life and that I was listening and willing to obey. I asked if he could speak to me.

Well, let me just say that it hadn't even been 24 hours before he responded. I'm pretty sure he was waiting for this moment - waiting for me to just ask for his help. He was eager to do his part, I just needed to ask. Why I had felt like my desires were frivolous and better to be forgotten about, I'm not sure but I'm glad I changed my mind. I heard the Lord speak to me through an alert I received on my phone telling me that I had a facebook message. I went into my facebook page and found this sweet tender mercy.

Hey Lindsey - Just wanted to send a quick Thanks. I'm working on some new projects this year and have been feeling discouraged and impatient without anyone who's entrepreneurial to chat with about it and today I picked up Successful Failures again and read a section that spoke to my heart and refreshed my determination to press forward despite my inadequacies. Just wanted you to know that you are making a real difference and that your words are helping. 

As warm little goosebumps showered me from head to toe, I could feel God's love for me and I knew that I had been making a difference even when I couldn't see it. He was speaking directly to me through those around me. I knew it was time to get back on my horse and keep going onward. 

At this point I'm not quite sure what the next steps are other than building my hope again and exercising faith. I do know that by at least "doing something" that's all it takes for me to move forward. I trust that I will be led in the right direction and that I will soon get back my passion.

Shortly after writing this post I received a phone call from a counselor in the Stake Relief Society Presidency. She asked if I'd be willing to speak at the annual Stake Relief Society Women's Conference on the topic of having a positive attitude. She said that my name came to mind as someone who is always very positive. How humbled I was that that again, the Lord had answered my prayer. I felt needed and that I was making a difference. 

I hope my experience helps everyone to see that discouragement happens to all of us and it's how we deal with it that makes all the difference in the outcome. Anytime you lose your faith and allow doubt to take over - happiness, confidence and motivation goes right out the window. You allow Satan to have power over you. It's so easy to lose your vision and lose sight of the bigger picture. However when you are doing good things and you have good desires - all you need to do is exercise patience. Don't forget to ask (pray) for help along the way. There is a plan for your amazing talents and a place for you in this crazy world where you and only YOU along with your unique abilities can make a difference.

A Glimpse Into the Atonement

Just a thought I wanted to share this week as I reflected on the life of the Savior. In our Sunday school lesson a week ago the instructor taught a lesson on the Savior and His divine purpose. He shared with us something I hadn't considered before and that was when Christ was hesitant about suffering in the garden and He reached out to His Father for strength. The veil was removed and Christ was able to see each and every one of us and we were cheering him on. He was reminded of what He was doing for each of us individually and how grateful we were. It was that moment that gave Him the strength to continue on and atone for our sins and suffering.

It was truly an amazing thought and I just wanted to share with you that the Savior did atone for our sins and suffering and through Him we become perfected and receive salvation. He is the only way and He loves us each individually. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Have You Been Chosen?

I've been reading Sheri Dew's book No Doubt About It, and let me just say that Chapter Three has been ground shaking for me. Sheri talks about how our spirits long for us to remember who we have always been. If we understood this and remembered, it would change everything. It would change how see ourselves, our confidence and affect everything we do.

Sheri goes on to talk about how we qualified by spiritual valor to be born into the House of Israel. She says, "...which lineage President Harold B. Lee called the 'most illustrious lineage' of all who would come to earth. Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote that 'The whole House of Israel, known and segregated out from their fellows, was inclined toward spiritual things'. He also noted that the foreordination to come to the earth as a member of the House of Israel was 'an election...for those so chosen, selected, or elected become, in this life, the favored people [in that] though all mankind may be saved by obedience, some find it easier to believe and obey than others'".

The kind of lives we lived in our premortal life determined what we could receive in this life.After all we did have agency and we exercised it all the time. It makes sense as we are taught that the kind of lives we live here on this earth will determine where we spend eternity. I truly believe that we were taught and schooled in our premortal life all about what mortal life would be like. We were told that our choices in our premortal life would determine further blessings in our mortal life. We did all we could to prepare. My own patriarchal blessing speaks about things I did in my premortal life that were pleasing to the Father and what those choices earned me in this life.

To take it a step further, look at where you were born, the freedoms you have and the blessings of the gospel in your life. You clearly were an incredible spirit engaging in important and pleasing work and therefore you were elected to your place in this world. You were elected because everyone believed in you and knew that you would be the best person to accomplish your specific mission. That alone should increase your confidence about who you really are and what you are capable of.

Being born into the House of Israel also tells you that you are "inclined toward spiritual things" meaning that you recognize eternal truths very easily. You recognize when the Spirit speaks to you and you act. You understand and recognize personal revelation and you seek it. These are the characteristics of the spirits who were chosen to be born into the House of Israel. A chosen people.

Sheri says that George Q. Cannon repeatedly taught that God reserved his noblest spirits to come forth in this last dispensation. Yes my friends, we were the strongest. Now, when I think of nobility I think of the greatest leaders, prophets  apostles and righteous kings. If we were all the noblest spirits then are were we not of that same group? Given different assignments and positions but nonetheless of the same nobility. Incredible! You are more than capable and qualified for the work you have been called to do. You even believed so yourself before you passed through the veil and your memory was gone. If you can truly beleive that again, imagine what you could accomplish!

As parents, we were chosen to rear up this last generation prior to Christ's return. We were the strongest and most qualified out of all the spirits in heaven to teach the last wave of missionaries that would take the gospel to all the earth.  It was us. We were elected.

Satan also knows who we are and what we were chosen to do. It angers and terrifies him. When you feel those thoughts of doubt and negativity that you aren't good enough or why bother with anything you know that is Satan trying to keep you far from remembering who you once were and who you still are. When you have those thoughts get on your knees and ask for help to remove them. If you can push aside his lies and tactics you will discover incredible truths about yourself.

Lastly, Sheri says that we will never be at peace until we fully understand who we are, who we have always been and who we may become. She suggests that we go to the Lord in prayer and ask him to talk to us through the Spirit about us. Begin by reading D&C 138 and Abraham 3, continue in prayer and the Lord will speak to you about you.

Well, I don't know about you but I can't wait to give this a go. As you can tell from my previous posts this has been a strong topic on my mind lately and it's amazing how the Lord is leading me to all of these great books, scriptures, talks and people who are building upon this knowledge for me. Like I said before, these books just fell into my lap at the library. I wasn't looking for them or any specific book, they just somehow stood out and I grabbed them off the shelf in a hurry without reading the backs. They all align with each other.

In fact, today a returned missionary spoke in our sacrament meeting and his entire talk was about "many are called, but few are chosen". I have been discussing that scripture all week and it's meaning. We have all been called (elected) to our missions and positions in this life but only the few who magnify their callings and strive to build up the kingdom will be chosen. Yes, there are many who forgot they were called and they have strayed from being chosen. They do not say, "Lord, here I am. Please use me. I will serve thee." The Lord chooses who he can use and rely on to do his great work.

I testify to you, that we are not here on this earth to waste time, be idle and just entertain our own pleasures. We are here on a mission to do a work. We have been called and we need to roll up our sleeves and get busy. Life will not be as fulfilling and satisfying until we do. When our spirits rejoice at our remembering the promises we made and as we get involved in the work, we will find great happiness and enjoyment in this life for we will be chosen. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ amen.