Be a disciple

This has been a wonderful week. I am getting clarity each day what the Lord has in store for me and my life. It's a great, liberating feeling.

I have often remarked how the priesthood session of conference is my favorite. That has been true for many years, but this week I have to say there was a close contender. Saturday evening a historic gathering of women eight years and older convened in a general women's meeting for the first time ever. What was unique about this assembly was that women of all ages came together to testify of Jesus Christ and celebrate his life. Daughters of God all across the world joined in worshiping Him. This meeting was broadcast live. We were all well taught. 

How grateful I am the Lord has prepared this tremendous resource for all of my daughters. I sat at home and literally wept for joy. Many spoke beautiful words and sang uplifting songs. You can watch the rebroadcast.

All across the world, women are sharing uplifting quotes, images, and videos from the general women’s meeting with others using the following hashtag #WomensMeeting moments following.

Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Vine, and more

Linda K. Burton recognized the faithful followers of Jesus Christ who do the following:

Glory in the Lord

Keep the commandments

Open their mouths

Go forth boldly

Family history

Temple work

Sustain

Defend

That's what disciples do...

As President Eyring concluded, we are among the favored few to even learn of these principles and receive help from covenant sisters. He shared a special story about 84-year-old Ruby Haight.

The Savior lives. He paid the price for all of our sins that we may return and live with our eternal family in everlasting happiness and joy.

How to Be a Disciple of Christ

Video

Shattered

Somehow, I was lucky enough to receive the gift of Grandma Sperry's antique chairs with the handmade seat covers carefully darned into the figure of flower bouquets. I believe I remember her completing these and naturally cherished them, perhaps to obsession. "Don't let dad see you sitting in one of them," was a phrase unspoken yet followed in our home. The chairs where to be seen and treasured...not used.

Then one day we had a big party at the house. I went to get pizzas to help feed our guests. Meanwhile the large group of youngsters began a game where the group raced to quickly change chairs. We were literally using every chair in the house. Nobody wanted to be IT left standing. 

So in the heat of the moment, two youngsters converged on a particular chair at the very same time and to their surprise, it exploded. The chair splintered into a million pieces.

Yes it was grandma's antique chair. Here's where the meaning starts... 

I have always admired those who could make something incredible from the ordinary. Whether that miracle happened on a piece of canvas, or finely crafted architecture, or the exquisite realization of a dream.

Michelangelo's David was hewn from a piece of rock. His famous Pieta was etched in marble. It reminds me of something Michelangelo said about sculpting. He didn't add things. He just removed the parts that weren't supposed to be there.

Some people can see more from life than the obvious. In the midst of challenges, they see opportunity and fulfillment. Rapture is a decision.

Joy is found in the struggle.

Dreams are not shattered unless evaded.

Dream it. Wish it. Do it.

Thrilling

Occasionally words fall short.

I pride myself on being able to articulate my feelings, but sometimes words are not enough. 

Hour-and-a-half layover in Denver didn't sound too thrilling, but when I realized my initial flight was nearly an hour late, I was grateful. It turned out that as we arrived in Denver, the stewardess asked everyone that was not catching a connecting flight to stay seated, while those with connections disembarked. I gathered my belongings quickly and hurried off the plane. I offered a thank you to those waiting in their seats as I walked by. We were at gate A40, and I needed to get to gate A34. Fortunately, I was in the right concourse, so I literally dashed past travelers and started running to my gate. When I arrived, there were two travelers ahead of me, and the attendants were checking their luggage. An attendant said to me. "The plane is filled to capacity. There is no more room in the overhead bins." I accepted the claim stub as he took my boarding pass and attached the claim ticket to my carry-on bag and stowed it beneath in the luggage compartment. I boarded the plane and found my seat. I was the last one on the plane. The door shut behind me--talk about cutting it close.

At times during mortality, we get glimpses of perfection--a sunset, moment in time, or feeling of euphoria...hope that we can have a better life, grander blessings, continual peace, and everlasting happiness.

Practicing the gospel principles during life helps prepare us for an eternity of implementing them and in turn receiving incomprehensible joy.

Now that is thrilling!

Change Your Life

Nearly 40 years ago Alex Haley took the world by storm when he published the book Roots and engaged a groundswell that continues even today. Six million copies have been sold.

Genealogy has been a tradition long before our début here in recent memory or even during this century or the previous, however. Egyptians, Aztecs, Greeks, Romans, Chinese and more have faithfully left their stories for the benefit of those that follow. The Bible and other scriptural texts reference lists of generations, family lines, and their activities. Obituaries, census records, and other documents capture stories of these people and confirm their existence. Today with the influx of technology large multi-million-person databases, efficient digital programs, and billions of interconnections boggle the mind and amaze even adept users.

What's all the fuss? Is it really worth all the time and effort thrown in that direction?

We talk about roots, and that is good because our lives spring forth from the source of ancestors who lived, struggled, and prevailed before we did. But the purpose of the roots is to strengthen the branches. And so it is with genealogy. We capture the past to benefit, augment, and enhance the present. Our personal histories provide a venue for loving, helping, and inspiring our family, friends, and posterity. We talk of roots, but the we glory in the shoots—the new young growth which will bear the fruit of the season now and in the future.

2013 was a banner year for Family History, and a precursor for what is yet to come.

Scriptural text has prophesied this surge for ages. It's only now beginning.

And you can be part of it.

Please check out the site GreatOrigins.com. Have fun!

Connected for good

There are so many opportunities to influence others for good. Some have a stage to the world; others' audience is much smaller. But the size of the theater or number of spectators is not what matters.

The important things are using our time and influence to lift and build those around us. We can't spread sunshine without feeling its warmth and basking in the glow.

Your ability to see the best in others and nurture, encourage, and show kindness is a quality that will connect you with them and fill your life with joy, as well.

Dalai Lama

Given the scale of life in the cosmos, one human life is no more than a tiny blip. Each one of us is a just visitor to this planet, a guest, who will only stay for a limited time. What greater folly could there be than to spend this short time alone, unhappy or in conflict with our companions? Far better, surely, to use our short time here in living a meaningful life, enriched by our sense of connection with others and being of service to them.

Etched in our hearts

I love to write. Is it any wonder?

For thousands of years scriptures were graven on sheer metal or tablets of stone to last through the ages. Later our forefathers and pioneer ancestors scratched their memories on tattered paper with cold hands but warm hearts.

Today, a digital revolution is taking place delivering music, song, lyrics, and stories in living color.

Whatever the medium, the purpose is the same--to leave words of wisdom, inspiration, and solace for our families and loved ones.

Once in a Lifetime

An Incredible Meeting, an Answered Prayer

https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/an-incredible-meeting-an-answered-prayer?lang=eng&cid=email-shared

Confidence

There is a much anticipated state of ecstasy when perfect knowledge flows directly into one's minds. I cannot force it to occur but know immediately when it does, and so do you.

This happens occasionally for me when I am writing. The thoughts flow abundantly and in their entirety. Rather than composing my piece from nouns and verbs and adjectives, concepts flow in their completed form. I am simply a vehicle to capture the thoughts and put them to paper as quickly as I can write. It's an exhilarating experience and stimulating.

I know others of you have felt this, as well, perhaps when you are writing a song or composing lyrics. Maybe it's when the oil adorns your canvas in perfect harmony and the strokes of your brush effortlessly bring to life the inner most expressions of your heart.

For you, it may be something very different, making it to the end of a particularly stressful day or achieving the desire of your heart—whatever way this condition is manifest in your particular situation, it brings poise, self-assurance, and certainty.

You are entitled to this feeling in the midst of obstacles you may face, especially during any of the following situations:

• overcoming hardship
• taking a new job
• living each day with the confidence that all will turn out for good
• starting an overwhelming task
• change frowning foes to smiling friends

Whatever your trial, you have the talents and God-given help to be successful.

It is your panacea.

2 Nephi 2:25