Spirit of Our Religion

"The man or woman who enjoys the spirit of our religion has no trials; but the man or woman who tries to live according to the gospel of the Son of God, and at the same time clings to the spirit of the world, has trials and sorrows acute and keen, and that too, continually. This is the deciding point, the dividing line. They who love and serve God with all their hearts rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks; but they who try to serve God and still cling to the spirit of the world have got on two yokes - the yoke of Jesus and the yoke of the devil, and they will have plenty to do. They will have a warfare inside and outside, and the labor will be very galling, for they are directly in opposition one to the other."

-Brigham Young

President Uchtdorf

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf—"The gospel is the way of discipleship. As we walk in that way, we can experience confidence and joy, even during times of peril, sorrow and uncertainty. We live in a time when many worry about their livelihood. They are concerned about the future and doubt their ability to resolve the challenges that confront them. Many have experienced personal misfortune and sadness, they hunger for meaning and purpose in life. Because there is such a great interest in these issues the world is not bashful in offering numerous new answers to every problem we face. People run from one new idea to the next hoping to find something that will answer the burning questions of their souls. They attend seminars and buy books, CDs, and other products. They get caught up in the excitement of looking for something new, but, inevitably, the flame of each new theory fades only to be replaced by another new and improved solution that promises to do what the others before could not. It’s not that these worldly options don’t contain elements of truth, many of them do. Nevertheless, they all fall short of the lasting change we seek in our lives. After the excitement wears off the hollowness remains as we look for the next new idea to unlock the secrets of happiness. In contrast, the gospel of Jesus Christ has the answers to our problems—to all of our problems. The gospel is not a secret, it is not complicated or hidden. It can unlock the door to true happiness. It is not someone's theory or proposition. It does not come from man at all. It springs from the pure and everlasting waters of the Creator of the universe who knows truths we cannot even begin to comprehend, and with that knowledge He has given us the gospel—a divine gift—the ultimate formula for happiness and success,” (April 2009, Sunday Morning Session, General Conference).

D&C 42:61

"If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things--that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal."

I love this scripture. My husband and I just got done reading a lecture from Hugh Nibley about laying treasure up in heaven rather than on earth and it was fabulous. It is really important that we have the desire to learn the mysteries of God because this will bring us peace and joy here on this earth.

Humility and Personal Revelation

Humility is such an important part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is especially important when one desires to gain more knowledge and receive spiritual gifts.

Going back to Elder Scott's book, Finding, Peace, Happiness and Joy, he states:

"Why is humility essential to the acquiring of spiritual knowledge? To be humble is to be teachable. Humility permits you to be tutored by the Holy Spirit and to be taught from sources inspired by the Lord, such as the scriptures, the voice of His servants, or inspired parents. The seeds of personal understanding and growth germinate and flourish in the fertile soil of humility. When cultivated through the exercise of faith, pruned by repentance, and fortified by obedience and good works, such seed produce the cherished fruit of spirituality. Divine guidance and power then result -- guidance to know the will of the Lord, and power to provide the capability to accomplish that inspired will. Such power comes from God after we have done "all we can do."

A proud individual cannot know the things of the spirit. Paul taught this truth, saying:

"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God... But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness not him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

Therefore, spiritual guidance must be cultivated in the environment of humility. Pride, overconfidence, selfishness, seeking for position or the honors of men, stifle spiritual direction."

(Elder Richard G. Scott, Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy, pg 65-66)

**We can all be humble on our own to a certain degree, but ultimately we must ask Heavenly Father to teach us to be humble and show us where we aren't humble. Unless we ask we will not really understand what true humility is.

Great Idea on Listening to the Spirit

My sister-in-law, Sarah, left this great comment. She also told me that her mother kept a separate journal called her prayer journal, to record all of the prayers and answers in.

"I really believe principle, it's one my mum always taught me. She would sometimes write out her prayers, word for word, and wait for the answer and then write them out word for word. Seems kind of daunting doesn't it, but I've tried it and it helps me to focus and makes 'hearing' the Spirit easier, plus I also think its shows Heavenly Father that he can trust you if you put so much effort into trying to listen."
-Sarah

Like Elder Scott's quote from the last post said, it is very important to write these things down, act on any instruction that has been given and then be grateful for the inspiration.

The Spirit Speaks to Your Heart and Mind

"Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation."

-D&C 8:2-3

Did you know that the spirit can speak to you almost word for word in your mind? Like dictation.

Elder Scott says: "Sometimes the impressions are just general feelings. Sometimes the direction comes so clearly and so unmistakably that it can be written down word for word, like spiritual dictation."

He then goes on to describe an experience he had with this dictation. He was in a Sunday church meeting when the impressions came flooding in, "I received such an outpouring of impressions that were so personal that I felt it inappropriate to try to record them in the midst of a Sunday School class. I sought a more private location. There I continued to write the feeling that flooded into my mind and heart as accurately and as faithfully as possible. After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered the feeling I had received to determine if I had accurately expressed them in writing. As a result, I made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own personal life.

Subsequently I prayed, reviewing with the Lord what I thought I had been thaught by the Spirit. When a feeling of peace and serenity confirmed what I had sought, I thanked Him for the guidance given. I was then impressed to ask if there was yet more that I could be given to understand. I received further impressions, and the process of writing down the impression and pondering and praying to know if I had done it properly was repeated. Again I was prompted to ask, "is there more I should know?" There was. When that last, most sacred experience was concluded, I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could ever hope to obtain in this life. I am convinced that had I not responded to the first impressions, valued, and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance. What I have described in not an isolated experience."

-Elder Richard G. Scott, "Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy" pgs. 42,45,46

Personal Revelation

I love Elder Scott's book, "Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy." He has a chapter called, To Understand Spiritual Guidance. I will be writing a few of the key points from that chapter in the next few posts.

"Another example underscores the clarity of spiritual communication. You may have opened your eyes under water while swimming. Everything looks blurred and difficult to identify, yet with the aid of a diver's mask, every detail can be seen with absolute clarity. Satan tries to blur reality and confuse you by tempting you to incorporate false principles into your life. Father in Heaven can clarify your life by sharing correct principles through the Holy Ghost. How you exercise your moral agency will determine which of these two influences will be predominant in your life. Your happiness now and for the eternities will unquestionably be determined whether or not you follow the spiritual guidance of the Lord communicated through the Holy Ghost."

President Kimball taught: "Revelations will probably never come unless they are desired. I think few people receive revelations while lounging on a couch... I believe most revelations would come when a man (or women, I would add) is on his tip toes, reaching as high as he can for something which he know he needs, and then there bursts upon him the answer to his problems."
-Elder Richard G. Scott, "Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy"

Humility is a Strength

Yesterday I was going to write more from Elder Maxwell's talk. As I was reading through it I realized I would have to copy and paste most of it so I just decided not to add more. It is a great talk to read though.

Often times in our world today, we think of humility and meekness as being a wimpy door mat. Quite the contrary, we become "steadfast and immovable," not easily riled up or tossed by the hardships, disappointments, let downs and frustrations of life. I would say this is one of the first ways we acquire true JOY. As we are humble so many other things open up to us.

I really like what author John Pontius says about humility being a strength in response to Heleman 3:35.

"Does it strike you as a contradiction in terms to say "stronger and stronger in humility?" How can humility be strength? This is true because yielding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit is an act of humility which brings spiritual strength. "

-John Pontius, "Following the Light of Christ into His Presence"

Meekness

Neal A. Maxwell and Moroni state why I chose to focus on humility and meekness for the next little bit.

"The Greek rendition of the word meek in the New Testament, by the way, is “gentle and humble.

Actually, meekness is not an attribute which is essential only in itself, said Moroni. It is also vital because one cannot develop those other crucial virtues—faith, hope, and charity—without meekness.

In the ecology of the eternal attributes, these cardinal characteristics are inextricably bound up together. Among them, meekness is often the initiator, facilitator, and consolidator.

In fact, if one needs any further persuasion as to how vital this virtue is, Moroni warned, “none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart.” (Moro. 7:43–44.) If we could but believe, really believe, in the reality of that bold but accurate declaration, you and I would find ourselves focusing on the crucial rather than the marginal tasks in life! We would then cease pursuing lifestyles which, inevitably and irrevocably, are going out of style!

Even so, why the stress on meekness? Merely because it is nice to be nice? The reasons are far more deeply embedded in the “plan of happiness” than that!

Perhaps, brothers and sisters, what we brought with us as intelligence into our creation as spirit children constitutes a “given” within which even God must work. Add to that possibility the clear reality of God’s deep commitment to our free agency—and we begin to see how essential meekness is! We need to learn so much, and yet we are free to choose! (See 2 Ne. 2:27.) How crucial it is to be teachable! There “is no other way” in which God could do what He has declared it is His intent to do. No wonder He and His prophets emphasize meekness time and time again!"

-Neal A. Maxwell, "Meekness—A Dimension of True Discipleship"

These are just a few quotes from the wonderful talk. I highly recommend reading the whole thing. I will be posting more from it tomorrow.

Link to Elder Maxwells Talk

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=3e34744047e7c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

Humility

I really need to work on this one! Humility is one of the main characteristics we must have in order to enter the Kingdom of God. The next few days I will spend time learning more and posting more about humility.

"King Benjamin seems to teach that becoming like a child is a gradual process of spiritual development in which we are aided by the Holy Ghost and our reliance on Christ’s Atonement. Through this process, we will eventually acquire the childlike attributes of meekness, humility, patience, love, and spiritual submissiveness. True humility will inevitably lead us to say to God, “Thy will be done.” And because what we are does affect what we do, our submissiveness will be reflected in our reverence, gratitude, and willingness to accept callings, counsel, and correction. "

-Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Presidency of the Seventy, "To Walk Humbly with Thy God”

"Many of us live or work in an environment where humility is often misunderstood and considered a weakness. Not many corporations or institutions include humility as a value statement or a desired characteristic of their management. Yet as we learn about the workings of God, the power of a humble and submissive spirit becomes apparent. In the kingdom of God, greatness begins with humility and submissiveness. These companion virtues are the first critical steps to opening the doors to the blessings of God and the power of the priesthood. It matters not who we are or how lofty our credentials appear. Humility and submissiveness to the Lord, coupled with a grateful heart, are our strength and our hope."

"Humbly submitting our will to the Father brings us the empowerment of God—the power of humility. It is the power to meet life’s adversities, the power of peace, the power of hope, the power of a heart throbbing with a love for and testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ, even the power of redemption. To this end, the Savior is our supreme example of the power of humility and submissiveness. After all, His submitting His will to the Father brought about the greatest, and even the most powerful, event in all of history. Perhaps some of the most sacred words in all the scriptures are simply, “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). "

-Bishop Richard C. Edgley,"The Empowerment of Humility"

What You Can Do to Receive the Gift of Charity

Charity is a gift that you can receive as you pray to be filled with love, as you give service, and as you look for the good in others.

Pray to be filled with love. The prophet Mormon admonished: “Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, … pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love” (Moroni 7:47–48). You may not feel the pure love of Christ immediately or all at once in answer to your prayers. But as you live righteously and continue to pray sincerely and humbly for this blessing, you will receive it.

Give service. We grow to love people as we serve them. When we set aside our own interests for the good of another in the pattern set by the Savior, we become more receptive to the Spirit. As you pray for those you teach, ponder their needs, and prepare lessons, your love for them will increase.

Look for the good in others. As you discover the good qualities in others, you will grow in your understanding of them as children of God. The Spirit will confirm the truth of your discoveries about them, and you will appreciate and love them more.

Seeking the Gift of Charity,” Teaching, No Greater Call: A Resource Guide for Gospel Teaching, 12

I would also like to add Listening to the Spirit and Instant Obedience.

***Remember that I would love to post anything that anyone wants to send in. If you would like to share something that you have learned about charity or any of the other posts please let me know. I also love to have comments. :) drennanbakerblog@yahoo.com

Pray for the Gift of Charity with ALL energy of Heart

A few more lessons on charity from Sheri Dew...

"I repeat: The healing power of charity, bestowed by our Father, made possible by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and delivered to us by the Holy Ghost, can make it virutually impossible even to feel emotions common to the natural man. In fact, charity can drop-kick the natural man (and woman) right out of play."

"Now, becoming like the Savior--meaning, having our natures become like His--is not a quick or easy process. But we are admonished to "covet earnestly the bets gifts" (1 Cor. 12:31). The pure love of Christ is the best gift. It is to be coveted, sought after, and even craved. As we pray with all the energy we can muster to be filled with His love, our nature will gradually change, we will slowly become more and more like Him, and our actions and feeling will increasingly be manifestations of pure charity."

"So on those days when we're not ready to stop being offended about something, not ready to forgive someone, still determined to give someone the silent treatment , and so on, what we're actually saying is, "Wait! I don't want to become more like the Savior today. Maybe tomorrow when I' m able to let go of some irritation or injustice." Perhaps those are the times when we need to pray the hardest, the times that make it clear that a change in behavior is not enough--that we must have a change in nature. As the Father applies the balms of charity to our hearts and souls, everything from emotional wounds to personality flaws can be healed and even transformed."

President Ezra Taft Benson described the process this way: "The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of the people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature" (in Conference Report, October 1985, 5).
-Sheri Dew, "If Life Where Easy Then It Wouldn't Be Hard"

I have been concentrating on charity so much because I know it can change any miserable situation in our lives. If we are struggling in our marriages--pray for the gift of charity, if we are having trouble being the mom we want to be--pray for the gift of charity, if we are having trouble making our home what we want it to be--pray for charity, if we are having inner turmoil--pray for the gift of charity. Remember, like Sheri Dew said, it is not a quick, easy process but over time we will each slowly change and become like the Savior. I have heard some say that it was a slow process until all of a sudden one day they noticed a huge difference in themselves. It is a process that can lead to an event.

Charity: The Great Healer

A few years ago I had anoriexa. Those of you who have experienced any type of eating disorder can understand what they do to you. I completely lost sight of who I was, I lost confidence in myself, others and sadly even the Lord at times. As a result I became very depressed and confused. After a couple of years of eating agian, I was finally able to see a bit straighter and I remembered what my mother had taught me about Charity..."it literally changes your nature." I knew that in order to fully overcome the ramifications of the eating disorder I needed a complete change. (I couldn't even remember who I was before the E.D. so I couldn't just say, "Oh, that's who I was before, I'll just remember that and become that again." I really COULDN'T remember!)

So, for the past few years I have been focused largely on weeding out my false beliefs that the eating disorder created and trying to focus on doing what it takes to receive the gift of Charity. Although, I have not yet received the "gift" in the way Paul, Nephi, Elder McConkie and many others have defined it, I know that the focus on it has helped me in ways I could never have imagined. I know that as I hold as tight as possible to the Iron Rod, I eventually will be led to the Gift of Charity (the "Tree", 1 Ne. 11:22). I believe this is what our Relief Society motto, "Charity Never Failith" really means... you can be healed from ANYTHING when you strive to receive the gift of Charity.

Sheri Dew puts it this way, "Very simply, put without Charity we cannot enter the celestial kingdom, because if our natures have not become defined by charity, then we won't be like our Father and His Son. It's as simple, and profound as that.

For charity changes us. It transforms us. It is as a healing balm. When we plead with all the energy of our hearts to be filled with the pure love of Christ, the increasing, continual bestowal of charity not only changes our natures, it heals us from the emotion and other wounds created by the buffetings we experience in this lone and dreary world--wounds such as insecurity and jealousy, resentment and fear, a propensity for anger and an unforgiving heart. The healing power of charity, bestowed by the Father and made possible by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, can make it virtually impossible for us even to feel emotions common to the natural man."
-Sheri Dew, "If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard"

Charity is a GIFT

For years my mother has taught me about charity. "It is not actions we do or things we say, it is actually a gift we receive. You must pray for it and desire it will your whole heart." I have thought about what she taught me...for years.

I think this week each post will be about charity because it is so important and essential! Paul says: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my good to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."(1Cor:13:1-3)

Sheri Dew has a wonderful chapter about Charity in her book, "If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard" so I am just going to tell you what she says because she states it so straight forward and beautifully.

"Charity is a bestowal, a gift from our Father. The gift of Charity is bestowed only upon those who follow the Son. It is the greatest of all the gifts of the Spirit. But it may be the most underestimated and even the least understood. We tend to define charity as something we do or feel, but in our Father's vernacular, charity means much more. It is the word He uses to describe the character, the nature, the very essence of His Son.
Charity is not an emotion or an action. It is not something we feel or do. Charity is who the Savior is. It is His most defining and dominant attribute. It is what enabled Him to endure the Garden and the cross for you and me. It is one of the things that makes Him God. Thus, when we plead for the gift of charity, we aren't asking for lovely feelings toward someone who bugs us or someone who has injured or wounded us. We are actually pleading for our very natures to be changed, for our character and disposition to become more and more like the Savior's, so that we literally feel as He would feel and thus do what he would do. That explains why Mormon says that when the Savior appears, those who have been gifted with charity "shall be like him," for they shall "see him as he is" (Moroni 7:48)."
-Sheri Dew, "If Life were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard"

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Charity literally changes us from the Natural Man to a Spiritual Man
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More to come tomorrow on Charity.

"Charity Never Faileth"

I think Charity is a great place to start with marriage. There is so much to write about Charity! I am not sure where to begin. So I will start here...

Elder Bruce R. McConkie's definition of Charity:
Above all the attributes of godliness and perfection, charity is the one most devoutly to be desired. Charity is more than love, perfect love, the pure love of Christ which endureth forever. It is love so centered in righteousness that the possessor has no aim or desire except for the eternal welfare of his own soul and for the souls of those around him. (McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 2:378)

Charity is much more than doing service...MUCH MORE!

Charity is the "Tree" in Nephi's vision: ...Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. (1Ne. 11:22)

Moroni says this: And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot in inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father. (Ether 12:34)

Charity is the love of God for us, not the other way around.(John Pontius, Following the Light of Christ into His Presence.)

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. (Moro. 7:48)

And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace. (D&C: 88:125)

Wherefore, there must needs be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity. And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if you have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope. (Moro. 10:20-21)

Life is a Gift

I just stole this off of my friend Ashley's blog. I hope she doesn't mind but I thought it was great!

Life Is a Gift

Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning,
Satan shudders & says..."Oh no! She's awake."

Marriage

I feel that I need to add some inspirational things on MARRIAGE. A few weeks ago in my ward, a high councilman stood up in priesthood and said that the marriages in our ward were really struggling. He said that there were many ladies who felt that they would go up to Heaven and tell Christ that they didn't want to be with their husbands for eternity. This is very sad and I'm sure it's not unique to my ward. I know there are many out there struggling with their marriages to different degrees. Whatever degree of problems you are experiencing, I hope that somehow something on this blog may help.

I ask that anyone who would like to share things that have helped them in their marriage please do so by emailing me at drennanbakerblog@yahoo.com. I will then post it on the blog. We can all help each other. Each one of us has been through different struggles and maybe the advice you have will be just the thing someone needs. I would also be interested in books or articles you have read that might help. Thank you.

"Humility is a major ingredient of a happy life and a happy marriage." -C. Richard Chidester

My sister-in-law, Sarah, just sent this in. She said it is a wonderful Ensign article on marriage from about 4 years ago. It is called, "Falling Out of Love...And Climbing Back In"
Please read it by going to the sidebar under the section titled "Marriage" and click on "Falling Out of Love...And Climbing Back In"


(I have posted some links to articles on the sidebar title "Marriage")

Fasting...

As moms we are often pregnant or nursing in the first part of our married life and motherhood which prevents us from doing a full fast. Here is a thought on how to still fast even if you are pregnant, nursing, ill or have any other condition that would prevent you from fasting.

Isaiah 58:6
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
vs 7-11 are great also

This scripture could be saying that a fast doesn't just have to be going without food, it could also mean fasting from burdens or sins that we are carrying such as: a fast from yelling at our kids, a fast from berating ourselves, a fast from berating others, a fast from nonessential things, a fast from fights with husbands, a fast from anger, a fast from negativity, a fast from a scowling...the list could go on and on. Of course, as with most things, the best way for each of us to determine the proper fast for ourselves at any given time is through prayer and inspiration. (These types of fasts may also last longer than the traditional 24 hours)

**Check out the comments on this section for more fasting tips

True Happiness

I would guess we all feel down at times some of us more than others. I don't know all the reasons we women feel down but I did come across something in the scriptures this morning that may help.

Mosiah 2:41
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Many of us don't commit what we would call "major" sins but we often commit sins we may or may not be aware of that WILL affect our happiness. Here are some things that we can use to evaluate ourselves: Do I have pride, envy, judging, small lies, anger, resentment, bitterness, not supporting and sustaining church leaders (often times would go along with pride), being down on yourself, etc...

So, if we are ever feeling down we can do a small evaluation to see if there is something in our lives that needs to be repented of and changed. Sometimes we may not see it. If this is the case we can go to the Lord and ask if He will show us where we need to improve so that we can live a happier life (see Ether 12:27). He is always more than happy to show us where improvement can be made.

Poem: By Catherine Doherty

REPENT

There is the deep stuff inside, where

you have to go and cleanse you soul

and your heart of all that accumulated

junk through the years. Go into your

heart and you'll see... thousands of

things: envy, jealousy-a lot of things.

Think of your soul as a room, a room

that you are making ready for God, and

if you knew that God was coming, you

certainly would wash and clean and

scrub. Do it now...

And as you come out of it, a great joy

will previal in you.

Pres. Monsons Hallmarks of a Happy Home

1) Pattern of Prayer: pray for each child out loud in front of them for the things that you want for them in their life, ex: "please bless that Johnny will keep himself worthy to go on a mission and marry in the temple when the time comes." Also, pray for spouses out loud in front of them and thank Heaven Father for all of their good qualities.

2) Library of Learning: always have the best books around. He says that the scriptures are a Library unto them selves...STUDY daily with your children!!!

3) Legacy of Love: basically just being a good example of love. Loving towards children, spouse and involving your children in service to others.

4) Treasury of Testimony: we need to make sure that as our children grow they aren't only leaning on our testimony but truly gaining one of their own. We need to teach them to reverence Christ.