Thursday, April 30, 2009

Today's thought

Mark 12:30-31: "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandments greater than these."

"The logic of this is simple, clear, and unequivocal: the proof of love of God is love of one's brother. This becomes the fundamental commandment of Christianity. This was the religion taught by the Master. How happy would society be were these two plain, rational precepts properly observed: Love me, and love thy fellows."The living of this commandment by all men would restore peace to the earth. It would cause them to love the Lord and thereby keep his commandments; thus the troubles of our age would vanish, and man's happiness in a moral world would result" (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, p. 100).

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Today's thought

"The formula for successful relationships with others boils down to that divine code known as the Golden Rule. [Matthew 7:12] It was the Master who said: 'And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant' (Matthew 20:27). Unselfish, willing service to others was the keynote of His relationship with men. 'For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many' (Mark 10:45). To serve others willingly and unselfishly should be one of our greatest virtues. It is not even a matter of choice. It is an obligation, a sacred command" (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 447).

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Today's thought

"My brothers and sisters, I'm certain our duty and responsibility is frequently to swim upstream and against the tide of temptation and sin. As we do so, our spiritual strength will increase, and we shall be equal to our God-given responsibilities." Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Oct 1993, 2

Monday, April 27, 2009

Today's thought

"Prayer in the hour of need is a great boon. From simple trials to our Gethsemanes, prayer-persistent prayer- can put us in touch with God, our greatest source of comfort and counsel. ‘Pray always, that you may come off conqueror.' (D&C 10:5.)...This is also a key to use in keeping depression from destroying us." Ezra Taft Benson, Tambuli, Mar 1987, 2

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Today's thought

"A third contributing factor to happiness I name as the confidence of self-mastery. No one wishes to be a slave to other human beings; no one willingly bows down to a dictator. But some are slaves to themselves, to their appetites, and passions. They are not free. They have deprived themselves of freedom and of individual liberty. Instead of being kings and masters of self, they are slaves. . . . as children of God they should not be slaves to an appetite" (David O. McKay, Gospel Ideals, p. 498-499).

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Today's thought

"A quality life is God's greatest wish for us. Life is to be lived well in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. There should not be a waiting period." Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, Feb 1993, 64

Friday, April 24, 2009

Today's thought

"On every hand we can find opportunity for the use of the talents our Father has blessed us with. Let us do individual work with our brethren and sisters. If we find a man or a woman who has not succeeded in life, one who is weakening in his faith, let us not turn our backs upon him; let us make it a point to visit him, and go to him in kindness and love, and encourage him to turn from the error of his way. The opportunity to do individual work among us as a people is present everywhere" (The Teachings of George Albert Smith, p. 139-140).

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Today's thought

"Satan is still determined to have his way, and his emissaries have power given them today as they have not had throughout the centuries. Be prepared to meet conditions that may be severe, ideological conditions that may seem reasonable but are evil. In order to meet these forces, we must depend upon the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, to which you are entitled. They are real." Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 81

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Today's thought

"I rejoice in the temple work that is being done, and I wish to ask the Saints to try to shape their affairs so that they can occasionally go to the temple. . . . We can generally do that which we wish to do. A young man can find an immense amount of time to spend with his sweetheart. He can arrange affairs to do that. We can arrange our affairs to get exercise in the shape of golf and otherwise. We can arrange our affairs to have amusements. And if we make up our minds to do so we can arrange out affairs to do temple work" (Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards, p. 33-34).

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Today's thought

"...How much of a normal day, a working week, or a fleeting month is devoted to ‘Jesus, the very thought of thee' [Hymns, 1985, no. 141]? Perhaps for some of us, not enough." Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, May 1993, 63

Monday, April 20, 2009

And the winner is...

"A Girl Named Zippy" by Haven Kimmel. By an overwhelming majority this book won so it's what we'll be reading for our next Book Group Meeting which will be May 19th at Cassie R.'s house.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Today's thought

Counsel for Mothers
"Sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children. Avoid any kind of substance abuse, mistakenly thinking that it will help you accomplish more. And don't allow yourself to be caught up in the time-wasting, mind-numbing things like television soap operas or surfing the Internet. Turn to the Lord in faith, and you will know what to do and how to do it."
M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 110

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Today's thought

Facing Challenges and Difficulties
"Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order to be tested, we must sometimes face challenges and difficulties. At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel's end—no dawn to break the night's darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea 'Is there no balm in Gilead?' (Jeremiah 8:22). We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face."
Thomas S. Monson, "Looking Back and Moving Forward," Ensign, May 2008, 90

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Today's thought

"In proportion to your fidelity, your faithfulness, your advancement in the
knowledge of God, shall you be able to enjoy happiness, unalloyed and
unsullied, for it is the Gospel that brings true joy, and true liberty and
freedom from the bonds of iniquity, and the gall of bitterness."

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 425

Monday, April 13, 2009

Today's thought

“The death of the body is nothing—for Christ’s Resurrection guarantees our own—but He cannot rescue us from the death of the spirit unless we choose to ally ourselves with Him, with His hope, with the inexhaustible and irrepressible life that is His.” Chieko N. Okazaki, Ensign, Nov 1996, 89

Sunday, April 12, 2009

He Is Risen!

The first Easter was the springtime of all history. It was a prophecy of new life, new hope, eternal growth, and immortality.

With Christians everywhere, we bow this day in humble gratitude for the priceless gift of God to men. The gift of eternal life is vouchsafed to us through his sacrifice and guaranteed to all by the only One who could pay the price.

In spite of the unpromising outlook of the world today, the efforts of the enemies of righteousness, and the machinations of wicked men and devils, Easter morn proclaims its joyful promise to all who tabernacle in the flesh and gives assurance of the final triumph of right. "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." (1 Cor. 15:19.) Easter gives hope and assurance beyond this life. "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." (1 Cor. 15:54.)

And so, we celebrate victory. It is a permanent victory, the greatest victory of all time, the victory over death. For this occasion we have no bands or banners; no banquets or displays. But rather in humility we are impelled to bend the knee and bow the head and in gratitude for the greatest gift of God to men, we join in singing, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Cor. 15:55.)
Millennial Star (Hugh B. Brown, The Eternal Quest [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1956], 389.)

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Today's thought

"I like to associate with that word saved the power that man gets in this life above his animal instincts and passions, power to overcome or resist social evils that blight men's and women's souls and shut them out not only from the peace of the world, but also from membership in the kingdom of God. Men may yearn for peace, cry for peace, and work for peace, but there will be no peace until they follow the path pointed out by the living Christ" (David O. McKay, Gospel Ideals, p. 39).

Friday, April 10, 2009

Today's thought

“The fellowship of true friends who can hear you out, share your joys, help
carry your burdens, and correctly counsel you is priceless.” Ezra Taft
Benson, Tambuli, Mar 1987, 2

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Today's thought

President Benson’s 10 Suggestions for Successful Parenting

“Thinking of the example of his own mother and that of his beloved and faithful wife, Flora, President Benson has offered ten specific suggestions for mothers as they guide their precious children:
1. Take time to always be at the crossroads in the lives of your children, whether they be six or sixteen.
2. Take time to be a real friend to your children.
3. Take time to read to your children. Remember what the poet wrote:You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be— I had a mother who read to me.
4. Take time to pray with your children.
5. Take time to have a meaningful weekly home evening. Make this one of your great family traditions.
6. Take time to be together at mealtimes as often as possible.
7. Take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family.
8. Take time to do things together as a family.
9. Take time to teach your children.
10. Take time to truly love your children. A mother’s unqualified love approaches Christlike love (see Ezra Taft Benson, To the Mothers in Zion, pamphlet, 1987, pp. 8–12; see also Ezra Taft Benson, Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1990, pp. 32–36).”
Thomas S. Monson, “Memories of Yesterday, Counsel for Today,” Ensign, May 1992, 4–5

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Upcoming Enrichment!

April Flowers bring...May Enrichment!
Thursday, May 7, at 7:00pm, in the Relief Society Room. Babysitting will be provided.
Join us for a FUN night of Spring Cleaning! Mini-classes will cover organizational tips, how to remove different types of laundry stains, and how to make your own environmentally friendly cleaning products. A sister swap will follow the classes. Please bring your not-needed but still usable items (household, clothing, toys - anything!) to swap with other sisters. Any items not claimed will be donated to Goodwill.
We will begin collecting items for the Sister Swap in the gym that evening at 6:45.
Please contact Hila M or Erin K with questions.

Today's thought

“God has a specific plan for your life. He will reveal parts of that plan to
you as you look for it with faith and consistent obedience. His Son has made
you free—not from the consequences of your acts, but free to make choices.”
-Richard G. Scott, Liahona, May 2004, 100–102

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Today's thought

“We all need to feel appreciated. An American industrialist, Charles M.
Schwab, said, ‘I have yet to find a man, whatever his situation in life, who
did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval
than he ever would do under a spirit of criticism’ (Richard Evans’ Quote
Book [1971], 171). When we express appreciation and approval, we increase the
confidence of others in us and encourage them to excel.”

The Latter-day Saint Woman: Basic Manual for Women, Part B, 303

Monday, April 6, 2009

Vote for a book!

We've got a great selection of books to choose from so please cast your vote for the one you'd like to read and discuss at our next Book Club Meeting! The poll is open until Sunday, April 19th.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Submissions wanted!

We are asking for your ideas on the next book selection for the Book Club. Please email them to Patty or put them as a comment on this post by Monday, April 6th. Then we'll put a survey on the blog to let everyone vote and the winner will be the next book we'll read.