Sunday, May 31, 2009

Inspirational Thought

Challenges Mold Character
"The Lord puts challenges in your path to mold your character. For your own personal growth He will often let you struggle with a matter for a while, even when you are pleading for help. But as you follow true principles, He will finally see you through. He intends that when you have reached your extremity, you will turn to Him for comfort, peace, and assistance. He will send these through the quiet prompting of the Spirit. He will give reassurance and guidance that are essential to correct decisions in your life."You are learning powerful, eternal lessons. Be sure you understand them. The Lord does not abandon your urgent pleas, nor is He ever, for even a moment, unmindful of your anguish and heartache. He hears every supplication. He invariably answers according to spiritual law. Understanding that law will help you appreciate how the Lord answers your prayer. His silence and seeming absence at times are a powerful means of expanding your vision and understanding as you continue in faith to do your best."
Richard G. Scott, "Making the Right Choices" (CES fireside for young adults, Jan. 13, 2002), 2

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Inspirational Thought

Exhibiting Compassion
"Being compassionate is [a] great work of our Heavenly Father and a fundamental characteristic of who we are as a people. We are commanded to 'succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees' (D&C 81:5). Disciples of Christ throughout all ages of the world have been distinguished by their compassion. Those who follow the Savior 'mourn with those that mourn . . . and comfort those that stand in need of comfort' (Mosiah 18:9)."When we reach out to bless the lives of others, our lives are blessed as well. Service and sacrifice open the windows of heaven, allowing choice blessings to descend upon us. Surely our beloved Heavenly Father smiles upon those who care for the least of His children."As we lift others, we rise a little higher ourselves. President Spencer W. Kimball taught, 'The more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls' (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 254)."
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 119

Friday, May 29, 2009

Inspirational Thought

"Let us evidence by our conduct, by our gentleness, by our love, by our faith, that we do keep that great commandment that the Savior said was like unto the first great commandment, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself'" (The Teachings of George Albert Smith, p. 135).

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Inspirational Thought

The Lord Knows How to Resolve Problems

"No matter how difficult the problems that surround you, the Lord knows how to resolve them. As you exercise faith, doing what you can, He will help you handle those things within your capability. He will bring into your path priesthood leaders who can counsel and advise, friends who can give you support, and parents who can provide answers. Through the avenue of prayer and the path of inspiration, He will help you know what to do. It is a process that takes time to master, but knowing that it exists should give you great comfort as you face the difficult decisions you must now make in life."
-Richard G. Scott, "Making the Right Choices" (CES fireside for young adults, Jan. 13, 2002), 2

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Inspirational Thought

Opposition
"The Lord's way is not hard. Life is hard, not the gospel. 'There is an opposition in all things' (2 Nephi 2:11), everywhere, for everyone. Life is hard for all of us, but life is also simple. We have only two choices (see Moroni 7:15–17). We can either follow the Lord and be endowed with His power and have peace, light, strength, knowledge, confidence, love, and joy, or we can go some other way, any other way, whatever other way, and go it alone—without His support, without His power, without guidance, in darkness, turmoil, doubt, grief, and despair. And I ask, which way is easier?"
-Lawrence E. Corbridge, "The Way," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 36

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Inspirational Thought

"When we have passed through the sorrows of mortality and have the joy and glory of the celestial kingdom conferred upon us we shall then know that the afflictions of mortality have prepared us for and enabled us to appreciate the blessings which God has in store for the faithful" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, p. 87).

Monday, May 25, 2009

Inspirational Thought

"Let us ever keep in mind that life is largely what we make it, and that the Savior of men has marked clearly and plainly just how joy and peace may be obtained. It is in the gospel of Jesus Christ and adherence thereto." Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 81

"We can choose to look at the bright side of things or at the dark. We can follow good and eschew evil thoughts. We can be wrong-headed and wrong-hearted, or the reverse, as we ourselves determine. The world will be to each one of us very much what we make it. The cheerful are its real possessors, for the world belongs to those who enjoy it." Reed Smoot, Ensign, Oct 1972, 16

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Inspirational Thought

"Trees that can stand in the midst of the hurricane often yield to the destroying pests that we can scarcely see with a microscope. Likewise the greatest foes of humanity today are the subtle and sometimes unseen influences at work in society that are undermining the manhood and womanhood of today. The test, after all, of the faithfulness and effectiveness of God's people is an individual one. What is the individual doing?" Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 81

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Inspirational Thought

"To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves. . . . No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man. Serivce to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy."We do not live alone---in our city, our nation or our world. There is no dividing line between our prosperity and our neighbor's wretchedness. Try as some may, we cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others. Ours is the opportunity to build, to lift, to inspire and to lead" (Church News, May 9, 2009, p. 3).

Friday, May 22, 2009

Inspirational Thought

"The pioneers were loyal. They were loyal to one another. They were loyal to the Church. They were loyal to the nation of which they were a part and which, in a sense, had betrayed them. . . . Loyalty to one another and loyalty to the Church marked their actions."God be thanked for their great and noble example to each of us. My brethren and sisters, we must be loyal. We cannot be found on the sidelines carping and criticizing and finding fault with one another. We must help one another with each other's burdens. We must share the sorrows of one another. We must rejoice with one another in their victories. We must be loyal to the Church against all its enemies" (The Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 320-322).

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Inspirational Thought

"And when we are asked why we are such a happy people, our answer is: 'Because we have everything---life with all its opportunities, death without fear, eternal life with endless growth and development.'"When one realizes the vastness, the richness, the glory of it all, which is the Lord's promise to bestow to all the faithful, it is worth whatever it costs to be patient, have faith, sacrifice, to endure sweat and tears. The blessings of eternity are ours because the Lord has promised them, if we will live all of his commandments" (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 159).

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Next Book Group Selection

It's time to pick out the next book for our book group. We're accepting suggestions until the end of the month and will then put them on the blog as a poll again. We would also like your suggestions on which night of the week works best for you, whether it's easier to attend during the summer, or if you're interested in it at all. Please post your comments and suggestions to this blog or send them to Sister Radabaugh by email.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Inspirational Thought

Hope Sustains Us

"The things we hope in sustain us during our daily walk. They uphold us through trials, temptations, and sorrow. Everyone has experienced discouragement and difficulty. Indeed, there are times when the darkness may seem unbearable. It is in these times that the divine principles of the restored gospel we hope in can uphold us and carry us until, once again, we walk in the light."We hope in Jesus the Christ, in the goodness of God, in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, in the knowledge that prayers are heard and answered. Because God has been faithful and kept His promises in the past, we can hope with confidence that God will keep His promises to us in the present and in the future. In times of distress, we can hold tightly to the hope that things will 'work together for [our] good' (D&C 90:24) as we follow the counsel of God's prophets. This type of hope in God, His goodness, and His power refreshes us with courage during difficult challenges and gives strength to those who feel threatened by enclosing walls of fear, doubt, and despair."
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Infinite Power of Hope," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 23

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Inspirational Thought

"By this principle (tithing) the loyalty of the people of this Church shall be put to the test. By this principle it shall be known who is for the kingdom of God and who is against it. By this principle it shall be seen whose hearts are set upon doing the will of God and keeping his commandments, thereby sanctifying the land of Zion unto God, and who are opposed to this principle and have cut themselves off from the blessings of Zion. There is a great deal of importance connected with this principle, for by it it shall be known whether we are faithful or unfaithful" (Gospel Doctrine, p. 225).

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Inspirational Thought

"Where was it ever promised us that life on this earth can ever be easy, free from conflict and uncertainty, devoid of anguish and wonder and pain? ... The purpose of life is to matter, to be productive, to have it make some difference that you lived at all. Happiness, in the ancient, noble sense, means self-fulfillment- and is given to those who use to the fullest whatever talents God ... bestowed upon them." (Leo Rosten, This Week Magazine, 20 Jan. 1963, p. 2.) As quoted by Barbara B. Smith, Ensign, May 1982, 79

Monday, May 11, 2009

Inspirational Thought

"We like enjoyment here. That is right. God designs that we should enjoy ourselves. I do not believe in a religion that makes people gloomy, melancholy,miserable and ascetic. ... I should not think there was anything great or good associated with that, while everything around, the trees, birds, flowers and green fields, were so pleasing, the insects and bees buzzing and fluttering, the lambs frolicking and playing. While everything else enjoyed life, why should not we? But we want to do it correctly and not pervert any of these principles that God has planted in the human family." -Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, 97

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

"Someone has coined a statement that has great significance: 'God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.' . . .
"From my experience, it would seem that faithful mothers have a special gift that we often refer to as a mother's intuition. Perhaps with the great blessing of motherhood, our Heavenly Father has endowed them with this quality, since fathers, busy in priesthood callings and with the work of earning a livelihood, never draw quite as close to heavenly beings in matters that relate to the more intimate details of bringing up children in the home. It might be described in this way: Father is the head, but Mother is the heart of the family home" (The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, p. 291).

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Today's thought

"Sin creates disharmony with God and is depressing to the spirit. Therefore, a man would do well to examine himself to see that he is in harmony with all of God's laws. Every law kept brings a particular blessing. Every law broken brings a particular blight. Those who are heavy-laden with despair should come unto the Lord, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. (See Matt.11:28-30.)"Ezra Taft Benson, Tambuli, Mar 1987, 2

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Today's thought

"Our Father knew of our day. He prepared the scriptures and provided continuing divine guidance to sustain us. That help will assure that you can live with peace and happiness amid increasing evil." Richard G. Scott, Liahona, May 2004, 100-102

Friday, May 1, 2009

Today's thought

"We need to build ourselves spiritually. . . . We are busy people. We have so much to do. We need to get off by ourselves once in awhile and think of the spiritual things and build ourselves spiritually. . . . Get by yourself and think of things of the Lord, of things of the Spirit. Let gratitude swell up in your hearts. Think of all the Lord has done for you. How blessed you are, how very blessed you are. Think of your duty and your responsibility. Think of your testimony. Think of the things of God. Just meditate and reflect for an hour about yourself and your relationship to your Heavenly Father and your Redeemer. It will do something for you" (The Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 608-609).