Tuesday, August 28, 2012

"Come To Zion While Babylon Falls"~


 
Come To Zion

Leave Babylon Behind
      My daughter recently had an experience that I have alluded to in a previous post. She had taken here children to the public library near her home and while looking for some books noted that a man was sitting at a computer and viewing pornography. Her story can be found here.
     Then just a couple of weeks ago she, her husband and a friend were sitting in a Bakery and she looked over at a young man that she thought was perhaps 18-19 years old. His computer was in full view and there again she saw that he was looking at  pornography.
     Just in the last few days while doing Internet searches; I found something very disturbing to me. I had started a new blog for my grandchildren and thought that perhaps I could find some clip art to add to my first post. I put in the search the words; pictures of grandpa and grandma. Many sites came up but the disturbing one was an ad for a Grandpa and Grandma having sex video. Plus various other suggestive sites. I was sickened by this. Yesterday, I was looking for an old time saying that I couldn't remember the last part of it.  I put what I knew in the search. There were a number of sites with old sayings; but on the search page was a topic that again made me angry. It said for those who are having their first lesbian experience. Just think how easy your children can innocently  find sites like these.
     Babylon is the world; it is the kingdom of Satan. Only by coming to Zion can we bind Satan from our lives. I read an article this week by Mary Ellen Edmunds entitled: "Letting go of the World: It is Time to "Sell the Summer Cottage in Babylon". Her address was given at a LDS Women's Conference in 2009.
     My question is how long do you stay in your summer cottage in Babylon. What kind of media do we watch, what kind of movies do we attend, what kind of books  and magazines do we read, what kind of events do we go to, how do we dress and act???? Perhaps, it is time to clean and sell our cottage in Babylon and prepare to meet Zion. Sister Edmunds said the following: If we're not building Zion-God's Kingdom -we're supporting Babylon!
     Pres. Brigham Young one of the prophets in the early days of the restoration said: "All Latter-day Saints enter the new and everlasting covenant when they enter this church. the covenant to cease sustaining, upholding and cherishing the kingdom of the devil and the kingdoms of this world. They enter the new and every lasting covenant to sustain the Kingdom of God and no other kingdom. They take a vow of the most solemn kind, before the heavens and earth...that they will sustain truth and righteousness instead of wickedness and falsehood, and build up the Kingdom of God, instead of the kingdoms of this world."
     I have been noting the dress code that even the daughters and mothers of Zion are wearing. They are many who wear inappropriate styles. The low necklines, tight shirts and short skirts and casual footwear have invaded our churches.
      Our young woman have clearly been taught to dress modestly. Mother's of Zion where are you in this teaching process? Are you an example of modesty in dress and attitude?
     This morning I turned to the New Testament and the page fell opened on 1 Tim. 2:9-10;
9. "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10. But (which becometh women professing godliness with good works)."
    The Strength of Youth Pamphlet states the following on modesty and appearance: Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? … The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
1 Corinthians 3:16–17
Other Standards


     "Your body is sacred. Respect it and do not defile it in any way. Through your dress and appearance, you can show that you know how precious your body is. You can show that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and that you love Him.
Prophets of God have continually counseled His children to dress modestly. When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and you can be a good influence on others. Your dress and grooming influence the way you and others act.
     Never lower your standards of dress. Do not use a special occasion as an excuse to be immodest. When you dress immodestly, you send a message that is contrary to your identity as a son or daughter of God. You also send the message that you are using your body to get attention and approval.
     Immodest clothing is any clothing that is tight, sheer, or revealing in any other manner. Young women should avoid short shorts and short skirts, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and clothing that does not cover the shoulders or is low-cut in the front or the back. Young men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. Young men and young women should be neat and clean and avoid being extreme or inappropriately casual in clothing, hairstyle, and behavior. They should choose appropriately modest apparel when participating in sports. The fashions of the world will change, but the Lord’s standards will not change."
 
     Elder Neil Maxwell reminded us that; "The tugs and pulls of the world are powerful. Worldly lifestyles are cleverly reinforced by the rationalization, 'Everybody is doing it... Has Zion sometimes become a tiny three-hour island on Sunday, surrounded by the rest of the week in Babylon?..... God's plan is not the plan of pleasure; it is the 'plan of happiness."
     Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley stated the following: "We live in a season when fierce men do terrible and despicable things. We live in a season of war. We live in a season of arrogance. We live in a season of wickedness, pornography, immorality. all of the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah haunt our society. Our young people have never faced a greater challenge. We have never seen more clearly the lecherous face of evil."
     Sister Mary Ellen Edmonds closed her address with the following thoughts: " Let's examine our hearts, our habits, our choices. What is it we love most? What would we give up in order to come closer to God, to know Him? Take time for personal spiritual refreshment and renewal, Will it be Zion, or Will it be Babylon? Think of the implications of our exercise of agency as we are daily pulled between Zion and Babylon, and choose Zion!
The Lord calls us to come to Zion:



Friday, August 24, 2012

"Have I Done Any Good In The World Today"~


     Earlier this week I was watching a YouTube video of the hymn: "Have I Done Any Good In The World Today". So for the past few days I have found myself singing or thinking about the words of this beautiful hymn.  I asked myself the question; have I done any good in the world today, have I helped anyone in need? I know that I don't always listen to the spirit when I am encouraged to call someone or perhaps visit them. It isn't always convient to help someone in need, especially on a busy scheduled day. However, I keep trying to do better. I have learned great lessons when I have stopped, listened and served another.
     Through the years I have had many opportunities to serve. I have found great joy in those times. I do know beyond doubt, when you serve another you are blessed in the process. I know that the greatest cure for depression is to help another find a moment of happiness.
      Many years ago I worked as a Hospice Home Health nurse. Of course, I was paid for this job; but it brought great joy and of course saddness into my life. I loved the patients that I worked with. I can say that I cared for patients from different cultures, economical circumstances, religious and educational backgrounds. The blessings for this work  was that the patients and their families became my close friends. As I would lose the patient in death; I too, had to learn how to grieve. This was the hard part. The greatest pay was the treasured friendships, the spiritual experiences that I had and the knowledge that there is life after death. One of the things that I learned was that when you feel depressed or just having a bad day; go do something for someone else. For about a year, my health was very bad and there were days when I felt like I was just crawling to work and wondered how I was going to make it through the shift. As soon as I visited my first patient; I would feel so good inside and would have the strength to get through the day. I knew that I wasn't facing a terminal illness. I could still work and assist them. Life took on a whole different meaning.

     Just yesterday, I went out to see my Aunt Della, who turns 99 years old in September. I try to visit her fairly often. I didn't know her very well until we moved back to Utah. I have been working on her life history and it has been such a joy to visit with her and help her when needed. Yesterday, I ran an errand for her and when I got back she was apoligizing for always having me do things for her. Little does she know that it brings  great joy to my heart to be able to do so. She has such a listening ear and a loving heart. I have learned so much from her. Her sister, my Aunt Alene is in her 90's.  I knew her while growing up and we have always been close.  She doesn't live near; but I treasure my moments with her. I can't bare the thoughts of either of them passing away. My Aunt Della always brightens my day.
     The word service means something different to me today than it did 15 months ago. As we have been serving as service missionaries in the Inner City; we have tried to help those assigned to us with both temporal and spiritual needs. Many times the things we would like to do; we can't do. The progress is sometimes slow and cumbersome. However, we feel deeply blessed to have this experience. We pray alot and try our best to find ways to help these individuals and families. The provety and needs are astounding.  It has been a hard mission in many ways; but a great learning one. We have little miracles that show to us the love that Heavenly Father has for them. He is ever aware of all our needs.
     I know that you can decrease your down moments, add more happiness and joy to your life if you pause and take time to serve another.Serving is not just doing big things; it can  be the little things; such as a telephone call, a card, a smile, just reaching out and hugging someone. It will lift them and you.
     Remember you are serving as you raise your families, as you cherish your spouse, as you serve in your church, in your communities, your neighbors, friends and even strangers. There are needs all around us; look for those needs and take a moment to lift someone today.
Take joy in that service ~

Matthew 25:40; "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me."
Mosiah 2:17; "When you are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God....
Doctrine In Covenants 81:5; "Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.
 "Never supress a generous thought - Bonnie D. Parkin ~ 

Fill our mind with truth, fill our hearts with love, fill our lives with service ~
Pres. Thomas S. Monson ~  

"We do small things with great love" - Mother Terasa ~

"We become more substantive as we serve others -indeed, it is easier to 'find' ourselves
  because there is so much more of us to find!" - Pres. Spencer W. Kimball ~

Enjoy the Following Video: "Have I done any good in the world today" Have I helped anyone in need. Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad; if not I have failed indeed.




Saturday, August 18, 2012

The Simple Woman's Daybook~



  FOR TODAY
                                                Saturday - August 18th, 2012
Outside my window...It's a nice medium hot summer day. There is smoke in the air from a fire in a near by area. I have allergies; so my typical allergy cough is back. No headache so far so that is good.
I am thinking...that I should go take a nap. We worked at the temple this morning and I am tired. However, I find if I take a long nap I will just wake up groggy. But, a short nap may work.
I am thankful...for so many things. I do have such a grateful heart for so many blessings in my life. I feel that my husband and I have been deeply blessed and we do recognize our Heavenly Father's hand in our lives.

In the kitchen...there probably won't be much cooking today. We had lunch in the cafeteria at the temple. I had prime rib and so that is the main meal for the day. Dinner will be simple tonight.
I am wearing...Dark blue jogging pants with light green and white stripes down the side and a light green summer shirt. Plus I have on some white flip flops. This outfit is one of my favorites because it is so comfortable.
I am creating...a new Grandchildren blog site entitled: "Grandpa and Grandma's Twitterings"~ This blog will be just for our grandchildren. We hope that we can get closer and have more contact with them since the majority of our grandchildren do not live in the area.
I am going...nowhere today. Perhaps a nap if I am lucky.
I am wondering...how to go about organizing my life more. I need to look at my priorities and my time involvement.  I love to post and read other's blogs but I also want to get into family history work; so I just need to come up with some ideas on how to handle my time better. I can get sidetracked easily.  I think I may have addressed this issue before. 
Any suggestions on how you manage your time effectively so you can fit in all that you desire to do?
I am reading... "Light and Truth; the Mormon Battalion" by Darryl Harris. I am having such a hard time finishing this book for some reason. It is a very interesting read. I am so amazed that 500 hardy pioneers would leave their families to fight for the United States against Mexico. Part of the reason was they could use their money for clothes to send back to their families who were stranded in Iowa for the winter. It's a great story.

Part of the reason I haven't finished the above book is because I am reading a book entitled: Finding Peace, Happiness by Richard G. Scott.

I have loved this book . I have marked it up and turned the corner of the pages to go back for my favorite stories and quotes. I only have one more chapter to finish it. Perhaps, today if I can stay awake.
I am hoping..that sometime this summer or early fall my sweet dear husband will take a few days off to relax. I would love to go up by a lake or river and just take a chair and a good book and take a couple of hikes and moon light strolls. I would like to leave all of technology home. However, his job is very stressful and when he takes time off he pays for it by having to do more work and longer hours. He doesn't think that it is a good trade off. However, he did offer to send me off for a couple of days of relaxation. However, I only want to go so he will relax. I guess good luck to me on this one.
I am looking forward to...cooler days. I enjoy early fall a lot. I love going to football games when we can and we also enjoy going to our grand children's soccer and football games. There's just a nostalgic feeling when there is fall in the air.
I am learning... to do more things with blogs. The other day I added the reply to my comments on the grandchildren's blog. I was working with the HTML and figured it out and it worked. I ran in to tell my husband that maybe I wasn't in early stages of dementia.
Around the house...I need to mop my kitchen and bathroom floors. They need a good cleaning. With just the two of us; I tend to let it go too long. However, my back always hurts when I do it; so I keep putting it off. I actually think I am going to hire someone to come in and do a really good cleaning job on the tile. But before they come I need to at least mop it once; I don't want to be judged as not being clean.
I am pondering...how I can be more effective with the families that we are working with in the Inner City Project. There is just so much need and it is sometimes hard to know how much to help them. They also need to learn how to be more self - reliant. Teaching them is difficult because they don't know how to improve their lives. Most of them have been raised in poverty. They can't see or relate to a better life. Sometimes their stories are just so sad; that I just want to find a way to show them a better life.
A favorite quote for today..."I promise you if yo do all that you can, God will magnify your strength and your wisdom. He will season you...those you set an example for will praise your name...." by President Henry B. Eyring
One of my favorite things...is going to a movie with my husband. That is if we can find any good ones. Now days there is so much violence, swearing and etc. in the movies that we don't go as often. We don't trust Hollywood!
A few plans for the rest of the week: Read more in my novel and finish my other book - Start a new book - Complete the work on my grandchildren's blog - Have a quiet Saturday evening with my hubby. - Enjoy our sabbath day activities - A Family Home Evening activity with one of our families in the Inner City on Monday.
One of my guilty pleasure.. is to get a Blizzard from Arctic Circle, a fast food place. Oh, they are so good.  My favorite is German Chocolate cake, of course.
 A Pet Peeve.... is that my children never read or comment on our family blog. I am sure they are too busy; but it is a message from their Mom. Probably they just say "oh. another one of Mom's posts". I wonder if they will read the one that cuts them out of our will.
Something new about me.....I love to play basketball. My husband bought me a basketball hoop several years ago. My childern and grandhildren are amazed at how good I am at lay ups. There is a some Tom Boy in me. Is that bragging?
A peek into my day...it would be a picture of me on the computer; I will have to have one taken sometime.
Here is a picture to share: These are gueese who frequent our driveway and live in a river behind a grasses area across the street. The other day there were 20 of them. Of course they leave droppings on the drive way; so that isn't fun. They are so cute!
                       
Be sure and drop by other Simple Day Book Entries here. Enjoy and perhaps join the fun!


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The Secrets to Happiness~

When my husband and I had been married about three years we had one son and another baby due in May of that year.  At that time my husband was busy going through school and I was working as a nurse. This required a lot of juggling of responsibilities. We were serving assignments in our church and were just plain busy. We started to slide in some of the areas of our marriage and life. We would often go to church and complete our assignment an then take off for the beach for an afternoon of relaxation.Therefore, we were not keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. We believed in the law of tithing and due to financial pressures were were not paying a full tithing. We were not attending the temple as we had committed to do so. Our marriage was also struggling. Time with one another was brief due to other obligations. We were not faithful in weekly date nights. In essence we were not very happy with our situation or each other.
The Prophet of our church at that time was President David O. McKay.
We loved him so much. When we were first engaged we had the opportunity to go to General Conference in the Tabernacle. At that time we stood in line at 5 am to get a seat for the 10 am session. Around 9 am. President David O. McKay and his wife were brought up to the door of the tabernacle in a car. As the car pulled up we watched as the driver assisted President McKay out of the car. He then haltingly went around to the passenger's side to assist his sweet wife out of the car. He waved to his all. It was such a lovely moment that we shared together. We were anxious to be married and start our life together. 
Later on the story was told of the Prophet doing the same thing; except this time they were both in wheelchairs.

One Sabbath morning we got up to prepare for church. We had turned the TV on and they announced that our beloved Prophet, President David O. McKay had passed away. We sat on the couch stunned and cried together. That day we recommitted ourselves to obey the commandments and follow the prophet and we have never looked back.
Today,I wanted to share some Secrets of Happiness by President David O. Mckay ~
"Happiness is the end and design of life. Happiness is a state of the spirit and an attitude of the mind. Man's success or failure, happiness or misery, depends upon what he seeks and what he chooses. There are seeds of Happiness planted in every human soul. There is much need for sunshine in the heart as for sunshine in the world. The secret of happiness consists not of having, but of being; not of possessing, but of enjoying. It is the warm glow of the heart at peace with its self. Man is the creator of his own happiness. It is the aroma of life, lived in harmony with high ideals. We get out of life just what we put into it, just what we see.
Some sources of happiness are:
1. A sense of being free. Free agency is the greatest gift to mankind.
2. A sense of self-mastery. He is a slave who will be led by his appetites.
3. The Privilege of work. Idleness does not bring happiness, The right to work is a blessing to mankind.
4. The possession of health. Clean and wholesome bodies bring joy; debauch them, and we lose happiness.
5. The ability to see God's beauty about us.
6. The harboring of upbuilding thoughts. What you think about when you do not have to think shows what you really are.
7. Being true to those who trust you.
8. Making friends. True friends enrich life. If you would have friends, be one.
9. Doing your best this hour, and you will do better the next.
10. Developing faith. Faith is the foundation of all things-including happiness.

There are four fundamentals of happiness, which we should keep in mind:
First, be true to yourself. Second, Begin life with a purpose. We have the ability to Reason. Habits formed by daily thought and hourly acts.Third, the true source -the secret-of happiness consists in making others happy. Fourth, start your day each morning by expressing to Him gratitude for this glorious world, for your life in it, for your citizenship in this great Republic, for the liberty vouchsafed by the Constitution. Invoke His guidance and help in whatever yo undertake.
Follow the example of a leading businessman whose secretary one morning was approached by a manager saying, "I want to see the superintendent." He is in conference," said the secretary. "In conference at this time of the morning? This is very important; I must see him! "The man pushed past the secretary, opened the door, saw his superior kneeling in prayer; then he gradually stepped back and said, apologetically to the secretary, "I didn't know he was that kind of man." "I told you, "said the secretary, "he was in conference." "Yes, with one more important than I."
One last thought from President McKay: "He who is seeking for happiness alone seldom finds it, but he who lives for the welfare of others, who loses himself to give happiness to others, find that a double portion has come to himself." (Thoughts taken from the book; Secrets of a Happy Life, by David O. McKay compiled by Llewelyn R. McKay).

I believe this all to be true. We learned great lessons from this great Prophet at a time that we needed it most. Our life has been blessed for our efforts to follow the Prophet and Apostles of our day.

 

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

The Joys Of Being Grandparents~


Is there anything more fun for a grandparent than having grandchildren; I think not!
We indeed have our quiver full. At the very least we are overwhelmed with the blessing of a numerous posterity. Prayers have been taking longer if we name each one. Of course, we already know that Heavenly Father knows their names and loves them too. 
 Due to our advanced age and wisdom we can see a grandchild in a different way than we may have looked at their parents as children. For instance I can pick out exactly what child in the family is most like their parents. This means that sometimes I clap my hands in joy knowing what they are going to go through as they raise this special child. Yes, indeed I know and I am smiling at this deserving moment.  I can also spot the ones that are going to be wise beyond their years. The ones that will excel if provided the correct path. Then there are the ones with great talent at their finger tips or dancing feet. We can watch the ones that love sports and play hard and those who prefer the sidelines. Then there are those who may be somewhat like us or me. That should be a good challenge for them.
I love my grandchildren and great grandchildren with all of my heart. I pray for them, hug them and love them more than perhaps they even like. Especially, the hugging part; some of those boys don't get it yet.
Here they all are~

Back row - Joseph, Jackson,Jed, Jacob,Gillian
Front row -Jonathan, Joshua and Jeffery~
Jessica and Jed
Jacob and Dana
Back row - Austin, Justice and Layton, Ethan
Front row Karli, Ryley and Kason
 Christian, Averi and Taylor Jo
Faith, Sariah, Abbey and Levi, April
Benjamin, Emma and Alyssa
Sarah, Michael and William, Kaitlyn
Our Great Granddaughter's Lilly and Jadyn

    A Grandparent's Beatitudes
by Renee Hawkley
Blessed are those who smile, for the wrinkles at the corners of their mouths turn up.
Blessed are those with more than one chin, for their chins jiggle when they laugh.
Blessed are those with gray hair, for they have built-in halos.
Blessed are those who wear glasses, for their eyes twinkle.
Blessed are those who are hard of hearing, for they listen with their hearts.
Blessed are those who steps are measured, for they are headed in the right direction.
Blessed are those whose breath is short, for their patience in the journey is long.
Blessed are those who cannot understand today's music, for they sing the old songs.
Blessed are those with bent and clumsy fingers, for their touch is gentle.
Blessed are those with voices as course as gravel, for their words are smooth as sand.
Blessed are those who no longer run races, for their applause is loudest.
Blessed are those whose brains are slow to remember, for they are fast to forgive.
Blessed are those who are going through their second childhood, for they understand those who are going through their first.
Bless are the poor in worldly goods, for they share treasures of character.
Blessed are those who keep silent about their pain, for they shall not be one.
Blessed are those whose bodies are wearing out, for their spirits are wearing in.
Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is the reward of those who embrace a second chance to influence a child by being...
                if not the perfect parent of one's dream...at least a "grand" parent.

I feel so blessed~

I recently wrote a post on "My Testimony My Greatest Treasure" It can be found on Mormon Women here: