The Trick Is To Treat ~ Happy Halloween

Now that all of our children are gone; I can relax and enjoy passing out candy and smiling at all the cute and scary costumes. Halloween was never my favorite holiday; but looking at some of the past Halloween pictures; it brought back some sweet memories.
One of my favorite memories was when we lived in California. We decided on Halloween that we would do a Trick which was a Treat. First we made some yummy Halloween treats. We then got all of our children dressed in their costumes and  we took homemade treats to our neighbors. The neighbors loved this. They were all so surprised and of course all of them insisted that our children could have some of their treats. too. Our children thought it was great fun and it became a tradition for a few years.

Here are a few favorite Halloween pictures Through The Years ~

This is one I really like a lot - My daughters Christina, Tiffani and Jenni ~

 My Cowboy On His Horse - The One That Swept Me Away ~

Always The Cowgirl - Me~

 My Two Clowns - Travis and Sean~

 My Three Pirates - Travis, Sean and James~

My Sweet Dancers - Tiffani, Jenni, and Christina ~

These three were in a dance recital; so these are homemade costumes

 Our Baby Tiffani With The Black Cat ~

Happy Halloween Night and Don't Eat Too Many Treats -

 Share Them With A Neighbor !!

"I Liked To Look For Rainbows" ~

Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ........Feelings; exquisite feelings of joy for this day, as my son takes my grandson in immersion, a baptism of water. Then the added joy; the gift of the Holy Ghost will be received this day.
Just a moment of joy in reflection!
Reflections of my very own baptism of water and fire.
Reflections of six other blessed sons and daughters of mine receiving through the line of authority from the Savior through the lines to my husband; father of these special ones. He has the priesthood power to bless, baptize and confirm. Just feel the joy again of the gifts given each time.
Reflections, this day of a moment of joy to see the Eternal circle begin again. Joy, just a moment of joy, just for today.

The Articles Of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
First Principle, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I have a deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Bible dictionary it states the following: "Faith is to hope for things which are not see, but which are true. (Heb. 11:1.) and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation.
Faith is a principle of righteous action; it will cause a person to do good works, whereas passive belief will not.
One of my first experiences with faith was some time after my own baptism. My parents and I had gone for a drive up to the old ghost town of the Kimberly mines in Utah. It was a beautiful crisp fall day. We were enjoying the mountains dressed in their bright autumn colors. It had rained earlier in the day and there was the fresh smell of rain in the air. The roads were rough and muddy. All of a sudden our car became stuck in mud. My father couldn't figure out how to get out of this mess. In those days there were not cell phones to get help with. We knew that as the sun went down; we could be stuck for the night and it would be a very cold. Having a great belief in the story of  Joseph Smith's First Vision. I felt in my heart that I could go out into the grove of trees nearby and pray to my Heavenly Father and he would bless my father to know how to get our car out of the mud.
With all my young heart I prayed. I then walked back to the car knowing inside that my simple prayer had been heard. A short time after that my father was able to spread some gravel around the tire and underneath it and we were quickly freed from the mud
 I also believe that faith without works is dead. It is important to work for that gift of faith.
In James 2: 14, 17-18; "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works. I will shew thee my faith by my works. Here is James' discourse on faith as found in James 2: 14-26.
Repentance is the 2nd principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the Bible Dictionary it reads as follows: "Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul's salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin, and must be cleansed in order to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God.
I have felt the sting of sin in my own life. I have felt great sorrow for those sins. I have prayed for forgiveness and did all the necessary steps to make amends for my sins. I know the peace of a clear conscience. I know that the Atonement of Christ makes it possible for us to return to presence of the Lord. Our responsibility in life is to repent of our sins, obey the commandments and be the best we can be and then and only then can the Atonement of Jesus Christ be effective in our lives. This is an on going process throughout our lives. As we partake of the Sacrament each week we renew our covenants with the Lord that we made at baptism. We come prepared through repentance to take these sacred emblems.
The covenant is to take upon us the name of Christ and always remember Him and keep his commandments. If we do our part the Savior blesses us with the Spirit.
In the New Testament; Acts 3:19 - "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord".
The first ordinance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is Baptism by Immersion for the remission of sins.

In our ward building there was a baptismal font. I was baptized when I was eight years old. I remember being dressed in a white dress. I remember the feelings of happiness as I was baptized by immersion.
Since then there has been so much joy in my heart as I have witnessed the baptisms of my children and grandchildren.

In Acts 2: 38: " Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost".
The second ordinance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost is given to those who have repented of their sins and have been Baptized. The gift of the Holy Ghost is received by the laying on hands by Elders of the Church holding the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

My father confirmed me a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and said the words; "Receive the Holy Ghost."  At that time I just felt warm inside and happy.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of God's greatest gifts. If we are worthy we can have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I have felt the workings of the Holy Ghost in my life. I have received promptings, comfort, a witness of truth, and other manifestations of the spirit. Many times I have fasted and prayed over a concern and then received answers to those prayers through the still small voice of the spirit. When going through difficult moments I have felt the comfort of the spirit. Because of the Holy Ghost I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I have felt the stirrings of the Spirit of the Holy Ghost; a blessed gift in my life.

Here is my favorite Baptismal song:

Simple Woman's Daybook - October 21st 2011 ~

Stop by and vist other Simple Woman's Daybook entries:  http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/  

FOR TODAY - October 21st 2011

Outside my window...it is a beautiful crisp fall day.  I love the fall colors and my favorite is red. We have some bushes that are all the lovely colors of autumn; orange, red, yellow and brown. Finally they have finished the road by our home and also the retaining pond across the street; so my view is sweet.  

 Before

After

I am thinking...that I need to finish this Daybook entry before my dear husband comes home. We are off this afternoon to do some of our Inner City missionary work.
I am thankful for...so many blessings in my life. I feel blessed in so many ways. I do recognize our Heavenly Father's hand in our life. As we have been serving our Inner City  mission my gratitude has increased a hundred fold. Most of those we serve are humble, sweet people who have little and we have such a desire to help relieve some of their struggles. The road is not easy; but I constantly pray for the Spirit of desernment to know what direction we should go in our care for so many.
From the learning rooms...I am now taking a Book of Mormon Class online through BYU. I just started it; but already I know that it is going to challenge me a little bit more than just reading through the Book of Mormon. I love reading that book; so this is a joyful journey for me.
From the kitchen...Dang! I don't know what to do for dinner. I think I will talk my dear husband into take home and or dinner out. We haven't had any date nights out recently and so last night we went shoping for curtains for our bedroom and then we went to the Village Inn for a dinner-breakfast meal. Two nights out for dinner may be a bit much.
I am wearing...gray pants, white shirt and gray white and black socks with pictures of Maltese puppies on them. We had a sweet  Maltese dog named Dollie that was ran over 4 years ago. I Ioved her so much; so every once in a while I still cry a little over her. These socks are part of my on-going grieving process. 
I am creating...another blog. This one will be a history of the missionary work that my in laws did in Nigeria and Ghuna. My Father in law was the first missionary from our church to work with the Nigerian people in the late 1950's. I have his journal that I will be blogging this and another history that I have of all their missions. I am excited to get going on this one.
I am going...on a missionary endeavor with my husband tonight and then home early for bed for our regular shift at the temple in the morning.
I am reading... the third volume of "Shadows of Brierley - A Distant Shore" by Anita Standsfield. This morning I shed tears while reading the first few chapters. In the book, The Prophet Joseph Smith called two fathers of very young children on a mission to England. They would be going back to their homeland.  In those days they were called on missions for an indetermined length of time, usually at least two years. They were called to spread the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These two men would be leaving their wives and young children. This was the 1840's when life was very difficult and the women would be left to raise their children, care for their homes and do the work that their husbands had previously done for them. These pioneers were so faithful and followed their Prophet Joseph Smith and their Savior Jesus Christ. Both families prayed to know that this was Heavenly Father"s will for them at that time. Written in a beautiful way their prayers were answered. The one sweet sister had just delivered a sweet new baby and now she would be lift to care for this new little one plus two other young children. When I read stories like this I recognize that our little sacrifice to do the work is small in comparison.
I am hoping...to enjoy a  great weekend with my husband.  
I am hearing...cars going by, the TV in the background and my fingers hitting the keys.
Around the house...I completed cleaning three rooms that we just had recarpeted. I cleaned the windows, blinds, and vacumned. It is now ready to move all the furniture back in. I was happy to get it completed and luckily it didn't cause me any back pain today. Yeah!!
One of my favorite things...is to work at the temple with my sweet companion; this is the highlight of my week. There is such peace and joy find within the temple and I love the opportunity to serve others each Saturday morning. I don't necessarily get to see my husband through the morning; but I know he is there and that makes all the difference. The work is very important and I am so impressed with all of the faithful brothers and sisters of the gospel that come to the temple each week to do work for their ancestors.
A few plans for the rest of the week: temple, perhaps an afternoon movie; that would be fun. Sunday a busy day at church and possible visits with some of the individuals we are assigned to watch over and help. We also will be attending our grandson's  Joshua's Birthday party. He turns 5 years old tomorrow.  

 Joshua with his brother Jeffery

Joshua - Age 5

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

 Our Sweet Little Dollie

Sammy and Suesue

Our Savior Is Beside Us All ~

The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ~

The Third Article of Faith:
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

I believe in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that our Savior had to walk the path through the Garden of Gethsemane to the Cross alone in order to bring us the blessings of salvation.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the following:
...."The loneliest journey ever made and the unending blessings it brought to all in the human family. I speak of the Savior's solitary task of shouldering alone the burden of our salvation. Rightly, He would say: "I have trodden the wine press alone; and of the people there was none with me....I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold me."
 ....."Now I speak very carefully, even reverently, of what may have been the most difficult moment in all of this solitary journey to Atonement. I speak of those final moments for which Jesus must have been prepared intellectually and physically but which He may not have fully anticipated emotionally and spiritually - that concluding descent into the paralyzing despair of divine withdrawal when He cries in ultimate loneliness, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

......"Indeed, it is my personal belief that in all of Christ's mortal ministry the Father may never have been closer to His Son than in these agonizing final moments of suffering. Nevertheless, that the supreme sacrifice of His Son might be as complete as it was voluntary and solitary, the Father briefly withdrew from Jesus the comfort of His Spirit, the support of His personal presence. It was required, indeed it was central to the significance of the Atonement, that this perfect Son who had never spoken ill nor done wrong nor touched an unclean things had to know how the rest of humankind - us all of us- would feel when we did commit such sins. For His atonement to be infinite and eternal, He had to feel what it was like to die not only physically but spiritually, to sense what it was like to have the divine Spirit with draw, leaving one feeling totally, abjectly, hopelessly alone".
"But Jesus held on. He pressed on. The goodness in Him allowed faith to triumph even in a state of complete anguish....When the utterly invincible, finally and mercifully, it was "finished." Against all odds and with none to help or uphold Him, Jesus of Nazareth, the living Son of the living God, restored physical life where death had held sway and brought joyful, spiritual redemption out of sin, hellish darkness, and despair. With faith in God He knew was there, He could say in triumph, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."
....Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so.
Read Elder Jeffery R. Holland's complete message here. 

Beside Us All

by my daughter Jenni-Marie Thomas

She is in the darkest corner

as people pass her by

Dreams have faded, a friend not found

her hope begins to die.

He knows she can not see Him

 He knows just what she needs.

She wants someone to care for her,

it will come if she believes.

They say she's numbed of feelings

He knows that she has pain

hiding from a lonely past

if she tries, new hope she will gain.

So many times He has called to her,

but she just blocked Him out.

And so He reaches one more time,

with love, hope and not doubt.

His arms stretched forth to send her warmth

He prays that it will work,

it's then that she looks upward,

she did not have to search.

A warm smile, a touch, a hand.

He gave her this with love.

All she ever needed

was her Savior, up above.

Her soul emerges peacefully,

now she has a friend.

Someone who care is beside us all

and will be through the end.

I know that I have a Heavenly Father who watches over me. I know that our Savior Jesus Christ walks with us on our journey through life. I know that we can have the Gift of the Holy Ghost to guide us. 

In closing his message,  Elder Holland expressed these thoughts: ".... Angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ......Truly the Redeemer of us all said: "I will not leave you comfortless: (My Father and ) and I will come to you (and abide with you)."

 Read about my Granddaughter Averi's Miracle Story  at Mormon Women ~

 

Living The Book of Mormon ~

2 Nephi 31:20 " Wherefore , ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and  a love of God and all men. Wherefore, if you press  forward feasting upon the words of Christ and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

I can't recall a time in my life when I didn't like to read. Through the years I have probably read 100's of books. My husband has almost band me from Deseret Book stores because I can't resist buying books. In our home we could open a book store with all of the books I have. I have personally read a vast majority of them. If you found one of my books you would find the corner of pages turned down, writing of thoughts and underlining of favorite passages or stories. Regretfully, my memory isn't as good anymore and I have read so many books I can't remember the really good ones. However, I do know one book that I treasure above all others and that is the BOOK Of MORMON. I have read the Book of Mormon countless times. I have marked passages, written thoughts and turned down corners of the pages in more than one copy of this wonderful book.

My love of the Book of Mormon began when I was around 13 years old. My parents had a Book of Mormon study group. They would meet at our home and from my room I could hear the record playing the chapters of the Book of Mormon.  During those meetings they would stop at times and discuss some of the teachings found within this marvelous book. I loved the stories from the Book of Mormon and I recall lying in my bed and thinking about Nephi and his brothers struggling and then how Lehi and Sariah would direct their children. Later on after having a family of my own; I discovered that the best child raising book was the Book of Mormon. There are so many lessons to learn. Just from the story of the Two Thousand Stripling Warriors one learns lessons of faith and courage. These young men were taught well by their Mothers. (Alma 53, 56-57).
Later on in my life I had the privilege of being called to teach early morning seminary for 4 years. I was very blessed to be able to teach from the Book of Mormon for two for those years. Getting up in the early morning to go to class was not my favorite thing to do; but I loved teaching and I loved the students and found myself loving those early morning moments.

Three years ago my husband and I were asked to participate in a Stake Youth program entitled: "Book of Mormon Live".

We were assigned the verses in the Book of Mormon starting in Heleman 8 through 3 Nephi. This was a very spiritual time for us as a couple. We had to study hard and prepare well for this event. We dressed in costumes for the time period of  the Book of Mormon. We taught 7 students in our tent. We had purchased some journals for the young men and women and we gave them some moments at the end of each session to journal their feelings. The spirit was  strong within the walls of that tent. We learned so much from one another and the spirit of the Holy Ghost. Tears were shed as we read the sacred passages from 3 Nephi  when the Savior of the World visited ancient America.

3 Nephi 17: 5-7 
5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.

 6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.

 7 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.

3 Nephi:17: 21-25

 21 And when he had said these words, he wept and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

 22 And when he had done this he wept again;

 23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.

 24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

 25 And the multitude did see and hear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children.

 I loved the Book of Mormon challenge by President Hinckley a few years ago. I loved reading the Book of Mormon again and again since that challenge. I was excited to know that millions of members of the church had taken the commitment to read the Book of Mormon. I recently finished reading the Book of Mormon again and now I am going to take a free on line course on the Book of Mormon from BYU. Just today I bought a new inexpensive copy of the Book of Mormon so I  can start turning the corners of the pages, marking my favorite scriptures and writing my moments of inspiration.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said the following:
"I love to read the scriptures, and I try to do so consistently and repeatedly. I love to quote from them, for they give the voice of authority to that which I say. I do not claim distinction as a scholar of the scriptures. For me, the reading of the scriptures is not the pursuit of scholarship. Rather, it is a love affair with the word of the Lord and that of his prophets. . "

Yes, I am going to have a love affair with the Book of Mormon again this year.

My Thankful Gifts ~
.Grateful for the scriptures
.Grateful for the Book of Mormon
.Grateful every verse I read in the scriptures
.Grateful to find Christ while studying the scriptures
.Grateful for Christ and his Atonement
.Grateful for hope in Christ
.Grateful for the peace I feel while reading the scriptures
.Grateful for prayers answered while reading the scriptures
.Grateful for the time to meditate and ponder on the scriptures
.Grateful for the parenting guide I have found within the scriptures
I am so grateful for all of the scriptures that we have to enjoy; the Bible, The New Testament, The Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The General Conference messages.
I am grateful for our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, the first presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
I am grateful for modern day revelation from a God that is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
I am grateful for the moments that I feel and have the Spirit of the Holy Ghost with me.

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

.
 

The Currant Bush ~ "God Is The Gardener"~

A favorite story of mine ~ Enjoy!

"The Currant Bush by President Hugh B. Brown, 1883-1975

You sometimes wonder whether the Lord really knows what He ought to do with you. You sometimes wonder if you know better than He does about what you ought to do and ought to become. I am wondering if I may tell you a story. It has to do with an incident in my life when God showed me that He knew best.

I was living up in Canada. I had purchased a farm. It was run-down. I went out one morning and saw a currant bush. It had grown up over six feet high. It was going all to wood. There were no blossoms and no currants. I was raised on a fruit farm in Salt Lake before we went to Canada, and I knew what ought to happen to that currant bush. So I got some pruning shears and clipped it back until there was nothing left but stumps. It was just coming daylight, and I thought I saw on top of each of these little stumps what appeared to be a tear, and I thought the currant bush was crying. I was kind of simpleminded (and I haven’t entirely gotten over it), and I looked at it and smiled and said, “What are you crying about?” You know, I thought I heard that currant bush say this:
“How could you do this to me? I was making such wonderful growth. I was almost as big as the shade tree and the fruit tree that are inside the fence, and now you have cut me down. Every plant in the garden will look down on me because I didn’t make what I should have made. How could you do this to me? I thought you were the gardener here.”
That’s what I thought I heard the currant bush say, and I thought it so much that I answered. I said, “Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn’t intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush, and someday, little currant bush, when you are laden with fruit, you are going to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down. Thank you, Mr. Gardener.’ ”
Years passed, and I found myself in England. I was in command of a cavalry unit in the Canadian Army. I held the rank of field officer in the British Canadian Army. I was proud of my position. And there was an opportunity for me to become a general. I had taken all the examinations. I had the seniority. The one man between me and the office of general in the British Army became a casualty, and I received a telegram from London. It said: “Be in my office tomorrow morning at 10:00,” signed by General Turner.
I went up to London. I walked smartly into the office of the general, and I saluted him smartly, and he gave me the same kind of a salute a senior officer usually gives—a sort of “Get out of the way, worm!” He said, “Sit down, Brown.” Then he said, “I’m sorry I cannot make the appointment. You are entitled to it. You have passed all the examinations. You have the seniority. You’ve been a good officer, but I can’t make the appointment. You are to return to Canada and become a training officer and a transport officer.” That for which I had been hoping and praying for 10 years suddenly slipped out of my fingers.
Then he went into the other room to answer the telephone, and on his desk, I saw my personal history sheet. Right across the bottom of it was written, “THIS MAN IS A MORMON.” We were not very well liked in those days. When I saw that, I knew why I had not been appointed. He came back and said, “That’s all, Brown.” I saluted him again, but not quite as smartly, and went out.
I got on the train and started back to my town, 120 miles away, with a broken heart, with bitterness in my soul. And every click of the wheels on the rails seemed to say, “You are a failure.” When I got to my tent, I was so bitter that I threw my cap on the cot. I clenched my fists, and I shook them at heaven. I said, “How could you do this to me, God? I have done everything I could do to measure up. There is nothing that I could have done—that I should have done—that I haven’t done. How could you do this to me?” I was as bitter as gall.
And then I heard a voice, and I recognized the tone of this voice. It was my own voice, and the voice said, “I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to do.” The bitterness went out of my soul, and I fell on my knees by the cot to ask forgiveness for my ungratefulness and my bitterness. While kneeling there I heard a song being sung in an adjoining tent. A number of Mormon boys met regularly every Tuesday night. I usually met with them. We would sit on the floor and have Mutual. As I was kneeling there, praying for forgiveness, I heard their singing:
“But if, by a still, small voice he calls
To paths that I do not know,
I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:
I’ll go where you want me to go.”
(Hymns, no. 270)
I arose from my knees a humble man. And now, almost 50 years later, I look up to Him and say, “Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for cutting me down, for loving me enough to hurt me.” I see now that it was wise that I should not become a general at that time, because if I had I would have been senior officer of all western Canada, with a lifelong, handsome salary, a place to live, and a pension, but I would have raised my six daughters and two sons in army barracks. They would no doubt have married out of the Church, and I think I would not have amounted to anything. I haven’t amounted to very much as it is, but I have done better than I would have done if the Lord had let me go the way I wanted to go.
Many of you are going to have very difficult experiences: disappointment, heartbreak, bereavement, defeat. You are going to be tested and tried. I just want you to know that if you don’t get what you think you ought to get, remember, God is the gardener here. He knows what He wants you to be. Submit yourselves to His will. Be worthy of His blessings, and you will get His blessings.

Hugh B. Brown, “The Currant Bush,” New Era, Apr. 2001, 12
See also his talk: "God is the Gardener"

The Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints~

Second Article of Faith:  We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
As I have pondered on the 2nd Article of Faith; I do believe that we are responsible for our own sins and not Adam's transgression.  During the war in heaven Satan wanted to take away our agency. Our agency is a gift from God that enables us to choose our own path. We can decide to be obedient to the commandments or not. In other words we are accountable for our choices  each moment our life. The circumstances of the fall gave Adam and Eve the opportunity to exercise their agency.
I love the following scriptures on the Fall of Adam found  in 2 Nephi 2: 22 -26.
22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden.......
23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.
24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. 

26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. 

Link that I follow -

http://womenlivingwell.org/

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

Welcome To The World Our Sweet Lilly Leann ~

Adorable Baby Lilly Leann

Yesterday at 8:23 am a very sweet little girl entered the World. Just a few moments of holding her reminded me of how much I love each one of the children that we brought into the World and then our posterity of 31 grandchildren and now two precious Great Granddaugthers. As we held this  brand new little one fresh from Heaven in our arms;  we knew that she had just left her Heavenly Parents to experience earth life.
In The Family: A Proclamation to the World states the following thoughts: "In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God......".
Lilly weighted 7 lbs. 2 oz. and 19 inches. The babies

Dad Jed, Jadyn and Baby Lilly

Mom Jessica, and Baby Lilly

Great Grandpa Roger and Baby Lilly

Gread Grandma LeAnn and Baby Lilly

Great Grandma, Baby Lilly, Jadyn and Jed.

Sweet Baby Lilly!

Gifts for today -

. a fresh new spirit for heaven; Lilly Leann

. a precious moment with our grandchilden

. a gifts given this day

. a appreciation for the beauties of the earth

. a moment in the autumn colors

. a beauthiful water fall that reminds of my Living Waters

. a moment of gratitude

. a sweet conversation with my dear companion

. a kisses and hugs for my grandchildren

. a few priceless pictures

http://www.aholyexperience.com

Beliefs ~

Following a wonderful weekend of " General Conference"; I feel greatly uplifted by the many messages. Answers to questions were received as I felt the Spirit testify to me that I was hearing truth. Years ago, as a young mother with six children, I often felt discouraged following the "Conference " weekend . It seemed I wasn't becoming the person I wanted to be. I felt I was failing as a mother and wife. Part was due to circumstances during those years. As a working mother, I just couldn't do it all. I would plead to my Heavenly Father to learn to manage my life better. I worked hard to overcome feelings of inadequacy. The Spirit's direction was to begin with just a few of the things we were being counseled to do in the conference messages; instead of the full list of worthy objectives. Slowly, as I learned to manage my life through daily prayer, scripture study, service, and Temple attendance ; I began to see more of the spiritual sides of my life and felt less concern for temporal interests. As I now reflect on those earlier years, I see a purpose to my feelings of discouragement, because they led me to reach out more earnestly to my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I did not allow Satan to overcome me in those hours.
Now as I ponder on these recent messages, I know I felt the the spirit in the spoken words and in the beautiful music. I know that each speaker prayed to know the subject they should address. I marvel at the varied yet reinforcing topics. I found the teachings so relevant to our times. I know that the messages are as scripture for today.The spirit testified of these truths .
Because in many ways, my beliefs define who I am; I decided to post some of what I believe to be true. Along with my musings; I will be highlighting a belief in my posts from
The Thirteen Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 
Here is the First Article of Faith.
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
I know that I have a Father In Heaven and that I am his Spirit daughter. I know beyond doubt that He hears and answers prayers. We have had countless miracles in our lives as answers to prayers. 
I know that the spirit has testified to my soul that Joseph Smith In A Vision saw the God, the  Father and the Son and that the Spirit of the Holy Ghost was present.I know that the Father and the Son are two separate personages and that the Holy Ghost is personage of spirit. 

I know that Christ Is Our Savior . He was the only one that could completely do the will of the Father and endure the pains of all mankind though his gift of the Atonement. Everything we do and believe in our church points to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because of our Redeemer and his gift; we will all be resurrected; our body and spirit will be one again. We can have Eternal life and Exaltation where we will live with our Father in Heaven, our Savior, Jesus Christ and our Eternal Families.
Our Savior walks with us on our journey through life. He is there to mediate with and be the advocate for us to our Father. He is the way, the truth and the light in our lives. Through His grace we can be made clean and pure after all we can do.
To me the Gift of the Holy Ghost  is one of our greatest earthly gifts. He testifies of our Heavenly Father, the Savior and of truth. He is our guide and He will comfort and warn us of dangers in our paths. I have felt his spirit and promptings many times through my life. I pray for my children to know and feel the Spirit of the Holy Ghost in their lives and that they will teach my grandchildren how to know and feel the Spirit. In the world of today we need the Spirit of The Holy Ghost in every aspect of our lives. It is crucial to learn to heed and obey "the still small voice".
I know the truth of these thoughts because I have felt the spirit testify to me that they are true. I know that the greatest training ground is right here. We are here to show and prove to our Heavenly Father that we will follow our Redeemer, Jesus Christ and our Living Prophet  of today.
I am grateful for my testimony of this First Article of Faith.   

Check out a post on Mormon Women - "Thoughts on The Relief Society Declaration" ~

http://mormonwoman.org/2011/10/05/the-relief-society-declaration-2/

http://www.aholyexperience.com/