The Powers Within Us - Barbara B. Smith

The Powers Within Us - Barbara B. Smith

 Let’s consider just three of the great powers of which we are custodians. Perhaps then we will understand more clearly the process necessary to become what we are really meant to be.

 First, we have great physical powers.

 “When a man makes war on his own weaknesses he engages in the holiest war that mortals ever wage. The reward that comes from victory in this struggle is the most enduring, most satisfying, and the most exquisite that man ever experiences. … The power to do what we ought to do is the greatest freedom.” (… That Ye Might Have Joy, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, Inc., 1958, p. 83.)

 I know now that the powers within our bodies are the powers not only to create life but to live life in such a way that mortality will be a happy and meaningful experience. It is only when these miraculous systems malfunction—and as we struggle to understand the body in order to treat the ailments it falls heir to in this life—that we fully appreciate its remarkable nature and the intricate interrelationships that exist. The human body is most remarkable. It can walk, run, jump, climb, swim, ski, play, jog, and on and on. But not the least of its remarkable capabilities are its compensatory powers. We gain an awareness of powers as we observe some of our friends and acquaintances, or ourselves, who have birth defects, accidents or illnesses that cause the functions we counted on to be lost so that other parts of the body have to substitute. When one avenue of activity is denied by a physical impairment, there is still a rich variety of alternate choices available to us.

 Now let us consider our mental powers. 

But we must remember that one of the significant tools for learning is our ability to control our attitude. Fortunately we have the power within us to control and establish our own attitudes. All the knowledge in the world will not help us if we resist learning. There is no end to our capacity to learn if we apply ourselves diligently and with eagerness to the task.

Perhaps the most important point that we can discuss regarding our intellectual powers is the fact that each of us has the power to grow from our day-to-day experiences. At one time or another, we all will have occasion to choose between a life of bitterness and a life of beauty. We have the power within us to make such a choice. The Lord has promised that we can count on him for sufficient help to have an abundant life if we choose to live by the principles which lead to our personal growth and development.
  
There is a third great power within us—the power for enormous spiritual growth, the infinite possibility for perfecting ourselves.

  

In Doctrine and Covenants 11:30 [D&C 11:30] we read: “I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name.” It is easy to think, “That can’t be true! How can there be that great potential in you or me when all I see is a struggling, imperfect human being?” I can only say, as did Lorenzo Snow, “Godliness cannot be conferred but must be acquired.” (Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow, Salt Lake City: Deseret News Co., 1884, p. 193.)

We must want that blessing so much that we will resist worldly enticements, have faith in God’s word, seek him in prayer, listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and proclaim his gospel within the reach of our influence. In the process we will develop the spiritual powers within us. For the power is in us: “Unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, … power to obtain eternal life.” (D&C 45:8.)

 Someone once said, “All human power is a compound of time and patience.” (Honore de Balzac, in The International Dictionary of Thoughts, comp. John P. Bradley, et al, Chicago: J. G. Ferguson Publishing Co., 1969, p. 573.) And Benjamin Disraeli said, “All power is a trust.” (The International Dictionary of Thoughts, p. 574.) We must realize that time and patience are necessary for organizing our lives and calling forth powers. It may begin with something as simple as bringing order to our homes.

Do our actions focus on developing loving relationships?
Are there kindly acts of concern each day?
Does our routine bring about the maintenance of our homes?
Do we employ the  practices of provident living?
Do our pursuits bring about learning and refinement?
Are the relationships within our homes those that can be forever?

The Terribly, Tragically Sad Man - A Parable for Today - Loren Seibold

Once there was a boy who lived in a big house on a hill.  He loved dogs and horses, sports cars and music.  He climbed trees and went swimming, played football and admired pretty girls.  Except for having to pick up after himself, he had a nice life.

One day, the boy said to God, "I've been thinking, and I know what I want when I become a man."

"What?" asked God

"I want to live in a big house with a porch across the front and two Saint Bernards and a garden out back.  I want to marry a woman who is tall and very beautiful and kind, who has long, black hair and blue eyes, and who plays the guitar and sings in a clear, high voice.  I want three strong sons to play football with.  When they grow up, one will be a great scientist, one will be a Senator, and the youngest will quarterback for the 49ers.  I want to be an adventurer who sails vast oceans and climbs tall mountains and rescues people.  And I want to drive a red Ferrari and never have to pick up after myself."

"That sounds like a nice dream," said God.  "I want you to be happy."

One day, playing football, the boy hurt his knee.  After that he couldn't climb tall mountains or even tall  trees, much less sail vast oceans.  So he studied marketing and started a medical-supplies business.  He married a girl who was very beautiful and very kind and who had long, black hair.  But she was not tall, and had brown eyes, not blue.  She couldn't play the guitar, or even sing.  But she prepared wonderful meals seasoned with rare Chinese spices and painted magnificent pictures of birds.

Because of his business, he lived in a city near the top of a tall apartment building that overlooked the blue ocean and the city's twinkling lights.  He didn't have room for two Saint Bernards, but he had a fluffy cat.

He had three daughters, all very beautiful.  The youngest, who was in a wheelchair, was the loveliest.  The three daughters loved their father very much.  They didn't play football with him, but sometimes they went to the park and tossed a frisbee--except for the youngest, who sat under a tree strumming her guitar and singing lovely, haunting songs.

He made enough money to live comfortably, but he didn't drive a red Ferrari.  Sometimes he had to pick up things and put them away - even things that didn't belong to him.  After all, he had three daughters.

Then one morning the man awoke and remembered his dream.  "I am very sad," he said to his best friend.

"Why?" asked his friend.

"Because once I dreamed of marrying a tall woman with black hair and blue eyes who would play the guitar and sing.  My wife can't play the guitar or sing.  She has brown eyes and she's not tall."

"Your wife is beautiful and very kind," said his friend.  "She creates splendid pictures and delectable food."

But the man wasn't listening.  "I am very sad." the man confessed to his wife one day.

"Why?" asked his wife.

"Because I once dreamed of living in a big house with a porch, and of having two Saint Bernards and a garden out back.  Instead, I live in an apartment on the 47th floor."

"Our apartment is comfortable, and we can see the ocean from our couch," replied his wife.  "We have love, laughter and paintings of birds and a fluffy cat - not to mention three beautiful children."

But the man wasn't listening.  "I am very sad," the man said to his therapist.

"Why?" asked the therapist.

"Because I once dreamed that I would grow up to be a great adventurer.  Instead, I'm a bald businessman with a bad knee."

"The medical supplies you sell have saved many lives," said the therapist.  But the man wasn't listening, so his therapist charged him $110 and sent him home.

"I am very sad," the man said to his accountant.

"Why?" asked the accountant.

Because I once dreamed of driving a red Ferrari and of never having to pick up after myself.  Instead, I take public transportation, and sometimes, I still have to clean up."

"You wear good suits.  You eat at fine restaurants, and you've toured Europe," said his accountant.  But the man wasn't listening.  His accountant charged him $100 anyway.  He was dreaming of a red Ferrari himself.

"I am very sad," the man said to his minister.

"Why?" asked the minister.

"Because once I dreamed of having three sons:  a great scientist, a politician, and a quarterback.  Instead, I have three daughters, and the youngest can't even walk."

"But your daughters are beautiful and intelligent." said the minister.  "They love you very much, and they've all done well.  One is a nurse, another is an artist, and the youngest teaches music to children."  But the man wasn't listening.

He was so sad he became very sick.  He lay in a white hospital room surrounded by nurses in white uniforms.  Tubes and wires connected his body to blinking machines that he had once sold to the hospital.  He was terribly, tragically sad.  His family, friends, and minister gathered around his bed.  They were all deeply sad too.  Only his therapist and his accountant remained happy.

Then one night, when everyone except the nurses had gone home, the man said to God, "Remember when I was a boy and I told you all the things that I wanted?"

"It was a lovely dream," said God.

"Why didn't you give me those things?" asked the man.

"I could have," said God, "But I wanted to surprise you with things you didn't dream of.  I suppose you've noticed what I've given you; a kind, beautiful wife; a good business; a nice place to live;  three lovely daughters - one of the best packages I've put together - "

"Yes," interrupted the man.  "But I thought you were going to give me what I really wanted."

"And I thought you were going to give me what I really wanted."  said God.

"What did you want?" asked the man.  It had never occurred to him that God was in want of anything.

"I wanted to make you happy with what I'd given you," said God

"The man lay in the dark all night, thinking.  Finally he decided to dream a new dream, one he wished he'd dreamed years before.  He decided to dream that what he wanted most were the things he already had.

And the man got well and lived happily on the 47th floor, enjoying his children's beautiful voices, his wife's deep brown eyes and her glorious paintings of birds.  And at night he gazed at the ocean and contentedly watched the lights of the city twinkling on, one by one.

Faith - the Choice is Yours - Richard C. Edgley

Faith - the Choice is Yours - Richard C. Edgley


Alma’s classic discussion on faith, as recorded in the 32nd chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon, is a series of choices to ensure the development and the preservation of our faith. Alma gave us a directive to choose. His were words of action initiated by choosing. He used the words awake, arouse, experiment, exercise, desire, work, and plant. Then Alma explained that if we make these choices and do not cast the seed out by unbelief, then “it will begin to swell within [our] breasts” (Alma 32:28).

 And so, following Alma’s formula, let us choose. Let us choose faith.

• If confusion and hopelessness weigh on your mind, choose to “awake and arouse your faculties” (Alma 32:27). Humbly approaching the Lord with a broken heart and contrite spirit is the pathway to truth and the Lord’s way of light, knowledge, and peace.

• If your testimony is immature, untested, and insecure, choose to “exercise [even] a particle of faith”; choose to “experiment upon [His] words” (Alma 32:27). The Savior explained, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17).

• When logic, reason, or personal intellect come into conflict with sacred teachings and doctrine, or conflicting messages assault your beliefs as the fiery darts described by the Apostle Paul (see Ephesians 6:16), choose to not cast the seed out of your heart by unbelief. Remember, we receive not a witness until after the trial of our faith (see Ether 12:6).

• If your faith is proven and mature, choose to nurture it “with great care” (Alma 32:37). As strong as our faith is, with all the mixed messages attacking it, it can also become very fragile. It needs constant nourishment through continued scripture study, prayer, and the application of His word.
  
  When the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast a devil out as they had just witnessed the Savior do, Jesus answered, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove” (Matthew 17:20). I have never witnessed the removal of an actual mountain. But because of faith I have seen a mountain of doubt and despair removed and replaced with hope and optimism. Because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of sin replaced with repentance and forgiveness. And because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of pain replaced with peace, hope, and gratitude. Yes, I have seen mountains removed.
  
  
  • Because of my faith I have activated the power of the priesthood that I hold and have been a partaker of the sweetness of the gospel and have embraced the saving ordinances.
    
    
  • Because of my faith I work through the struggles and difficulties in life with peace and assurance.
    
    
  • Because of my faith I have been able to turn questions and even doubts into assurances and understanding.
    
    
  • Because of my faith I approach the unknown, unseen, and unexplained with unquestioning assurance.

   

  • And because of my faith—even in the seemingly worst of times—I recognize with peace and gratitude that in reality it is the best of times.
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Don't Leave for Tomorrow What You Can Do Today - Claudio R. M Costa

Don't Leave for Tomorrow What You Can Do Today - Claudio R. M. Costa

I recently read a text which expresses the urgency of not leaving for tomorrow what you can do today. In July of this year Brazil witnessed the most devastating aircraft accident in its history. There were 199 people killed, including passengers, airline workers, crew members, and others who were at the site when the accident happened. The text I mentioned was said to have been posted on the airline communication board by the husband of one of the flight attendants who died in the accident. It is entitled “Tomorrow Never Comes” and is based upon a poem by Norma Cornett Marek.

 If I knew this would be the last time I would watch you sleep,

I would hug you tighter. I would plead with the Lord to protect you.

If I knew this would be the last time I saw you walk out the door,

I would hug and kiss you and call you back to hug and kiss you one more time.

If I knew this would be the last time I would hear your voice in prayer,

I would record every gesture, every look, every smile, every one of your words,

So that I could listen to it later, day after day.

If I knew this would be the last time,

I would spend an extra minute or two to tell you, “I love you,” instead of assuming you already knew it.

If I knew this would be our last time, our last moment,

I would be by your side, spending the day with you instead of thinking,

“Well, I’m sure other opportunities will come, so I can let this day go by.”

Of course there will be a day to revise things,

And we would have a second chance to do things right.

Oh, of course there will be another day for us to say, “I love you.”

And certainly there will be another chance to tell each other, “Can I help with anything?”

But in my case, there isn’t one!

I don’t have you here with me, and today is the last day we have—our farewell.

Therefore I would like to say how much I love you,

And I hope you never forget it.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old.

Today might be your last chance to hold tight to the hand of the one you love and show all you feel.

If you are waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?

Because if tomorrow never comes, you certainly will regret for the rest of your life

Not having spent some extra time for a smile, a conversation, a hug, a kiss,

Because you were too busy to give that person what ended up being their last wish.

Then hug tight today the one you love, your friends, your family, and whisper in their ears how much you love them and want them close to you.

Use your time to say,

“I’m sorry,”

“Please,”

“Forgive me,”

“Thank you,”

Or even,

“That was nothing,”

“It’s all right,”

Because if tomorrow never comes, you will not have to regret today.

The past doesn’t come back, and the future might not come! ¹⁰

"Judge Not" and Judging - Dallin H. Oaks

"Judge Not" and Judging - Dallin H. Oaks

 
Let us consider some principles or ingredients that lead to a “righteous judgment.”

 First, a righteous judgment must, by definition, be intermediate. It will refrain from declaring that a person has been assured of exaltation or from dismissing a person as being irrevocably bound for hellfire. It will refrain from declaring that a person has forfeited all opportunity for exaltation or even all opportunity for a useful role in the work of the Lord. The gospel is a gospel of hope, and none of us is authorized to deny the power of the Atonement to bring about a cleansing of individual sins, forgiveness, and a reformation of life on appropriate conditions.

Second, a righteous judgment will be guided by the Spirit of the Lord, not by anger, revenge, jealousy, or self-interest. The Book of Mormon teaches: “For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain … as the daylight is from the dark night.

“For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil” (Moro. 7:15–16).

The Savior taught that one of the missions of the Comforter He would send would be to assist in the judgment of the world by guiding the faithful “into all truth” (John 16:13; see also John 16:8, 11).

Third, to be righteous, an intermediate judgment must be within our stewardship. We should not presume to exercise and act upon judgments that are outside our personal responsibilities. Some time ago I attended an adult Sunday School class in a small town in Utah. The subject was the sacrament, and the class was being taught by the bishop. During class discussion a member asked, “What if you see an unworthy person partaking of the sacrament? What do you do?” The bishop answered, “You do nothing. I may need to do something.” That wise answer illustrates my point about stewardship in judging.

 Fourth, we should, if possible, refrain from judging until we have adequate knowledge of the facts.

“We do not need to judge nearly so much as we think we do. This is the age of snap judgments. … [We need] the courage to say, ‘I don’t know. I am waiting further evidence. I must hear both sides of the question.’ It is this suspended judgment that is the supreme form of charity”  

A fifth principle of a righteous intermediate judgment is that whenever possible we will refrain from judging people and only judge situations. This is essential whenever we attempt to act upon different standards than others with whom we must associate—at home, at work, or in the community. We can set and act upon high standards for ourselves or our homes without condemning those who do otherwise.

Sixth, forgiveness is a companion principle to the commandment that in final judgments we judge not and in intermediate judgments we judge righteously. The Savior taught, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). In modern revelation the Lord has declared, “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:10).

Seventh, a final ingredient or principle of a righteous judgment is that it will apply righteous standards. If we apply unrighteous standards, our judgment will be unrighteous. By falling short of righteous standards, we place ourselves in jeopardy of being judged by incorrect or unrighteous standards ourselves. The fundamental scripture on the whole subject of not judging contains this warning: “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matt. 7:2; see also 3 Ne. 14:2).

The Power of a Strong Testimony - Richard G. Scott

The Power of a Strong Testimony - Richard G. Scott

This talk was the basis for the talk that I gave at my Dads funeral.

Your personal security and happiness depend upon the strength of your testimony, for it will guide your actions in times of trial or uncertainty.

In this uncertain world, there are some things that never change:

•  the perfect love of our Heavenly Father for each of us;

•  the assurance that He is there and will always hear us; 

• the existence of absolute, unchanging truths;

•  the fact that there is a plan of happiness; 

• the assurance that success in life is attained through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to His teachings because of the redemptive power of His Atonement;

•  the certainty of life after death;

•  the reality that our condition there is set by how we live here. 

Whether one does or does not accept these truths does not alter their reality. They are the fundamental building blocks of a living testimony. A strong testimony is the unshakable foundation of a secure, meaningful life where peace, confidence, happiness, and love can flourish. It is anchored in a conviction that an all-knowing God is in command of His work. He will not fail. He will keep His promises.

A strong testimony gives peace, comfort, and assurance. It generates the conviction that as the teachings of the Savior are consistently obeyed, life will be beautiful, the future secure, and there will be capacity to overcome the challenges that cross our path. A testimony grows from understanding truth, distilled from prayer and the pondering of scriptural doctrine. It is nurtured by living those truths in faith and the secure confidence that the promised results will be obtained.

 For enduring peace and security, at some time in life, in quiet moments of reflection, you must come to know with a surety that there is a God in heaven who loves you, that He is in control and will help you. That conviction is the core of strong testimony.

Parable of the Rose - Bob Southworth

This story was given to me when Eldy died by my friend Marisa Lamm, whose son died under similar circumstances.  Her Bishop Bob Southworth wrote it for her.      

The remorseful gardeners approached the Master Gardener quietly.  His loving eyes gazed into theirs as He asked, "Why weepest thou?"

One of the gardeners stepped forward and answered, "The rose which you gave us to watch over, to care for, to nurture, to tend - has died.  We feel that we have failed in our stewardship as keepers of this garden."

The Master replied, "Show me the rose."

The gardeners lead the Master to the thorny bush.  One of them pointed and said, "It was once a very beautiful rose, with many blossoms and few thorns and those who beheld its beauty were forever touched."

Another gardener added, "But as time passed, we noticed that the plant took on illness and disease.  And as the disease grew, so did the thorns.  The thorns that were intended to protect the plant from harm also kept us from closely nurturing it and caring for it."

The Master watched and listened as each of the gardeners spoke.

"We tried to cut back the thorns and tend the plant, but each time the thorns grew back in greater strength and the blossoms diminished further."

The gardeners wept.

The Master walked over to the bush and began softly pushing the thorny branches aside as He reached down deep into the center of the plant.  As the gardeners watched, He pulled forth a small, delicate rose - perfect in its form, yet wilted and drooping.

The Master spoke, "This rose is not dead." he said softly.  "This rose needs the healing touch that only I can provide.  For a season, I will take this rose to my garden and with under my care will I tend it, love it, heal it, and nurture it back to health.  This rose needs the protection of my garden as it is free of disease and thorns.  Once this rose regains its beauty and health, I will bring it back to you so that you can be reunited once again."

The Master continued, "Sometimes disease afflicts the finest of roses in this earthly garden, and some illnesses you do not have power to heal.  Do not be saddened thinking that all is lost and the you have failed.  Your efforts are acceptable to me.  I will fill the void between what you can provide and what is needed for eternal life.  Know that I love each of you beyond measure.

Now lift up your hearts and be glad - for this Rose liveth and will be restored once again to its perfect form and beauty and will return to you again in a season.  Now go to, and continue on in your valiant efforts, looking after the other roses in  your garden.

The Master smiled a loving and warm smile, then kissed each gardener and departed - carefully holding the delicate rose in his pierced hands.