Being A Mother Who Knows

It comes down to those absolutes.....

2012-01-14T16:41:00.001-07:00

WARNING! THIS POST WILL SHOW YOU A BAD PARENTING MOMENT. READER DISCRETION IS THEREFORE ADVISED!

A couple of years ago I read a series of books to my kids. I edited out several parts as I went along. I was concerned about a couple of things but overall I thought they were fun and the kids loved them.

Fast forward to present day. Recently my kids checked out the same books on CD from the library. They had asked me if it was okay first and I said it was fine. We don't check a lot of books on tape out because they read a lot and I try to get them outside instead. Yet for some reason (absence of brain on the above mentioned day) I allowed them to check one out. Like I said I remembered that the books were fun and we liked them. Fun is good, right?

For several different days over the course of a couple of weeks we listened to one of the books. Some of the kids were quilting and some were playing Lego's (don't tell anyone). As I listened I noticed I was uncomfortable. This book was pushing the boundary line on what was really appropriate. I let it pass though. The nagging worry didn't leave though and I started getting really bothered. The books were making it seem okay that the stars of the show were committing adultery and there was an enormous amount of taking the Lord's name in vain. Not to mention what I call the "smack talk" by the kids. I think because I had edited it out when I read it to them I just flew by it or something. (At this point a, "Duh, Deanna" would be completely appropriate from you).

So one morning I had the words from the For the Strength of Youth go through my mind. (You know because I get up early to hear the Spirit speak to me now).

"Satan uses such entertainment to deceive you by making what is wrong and evil look normal and exciting. It can mislead you into thinking that everyone is doing things that are wrong.

"Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way present immorality or violent behavior as acceptable."

And then that's when the groaning started-that would be me realizing what I had done. I was allowing my kids (and I was participating with them) in not keeping their standards. Then I realized that President Monson had asked us this last conference to stand up for our standards.

"But" the books aren't that bad. "But" it's fun and exciting and entertaining. "But everyone else is reading them..."

As the first paragraph said wrong and evil were definitely mixed up in the books. Of course the good guys won and the bad guys were really bad and lost, but the good guys/girls were getting a way with some very immoral behavior. It became a joke by the end.

While pondering I also noticed two different absolutes repeated twice in the second quoted paragraph from For the Strength of Youth that caught my eye. Do not and any. Here it is again,

"Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way present immorality or violent behavior as acceptable."

Absolutes get me every time. It's pretty clear cut. Yet I repeatedly try to justify my poor behavior. We should not participate in any entertainment that portrays immorality as acceptable. Period. The End. Case Closed. Game Over. I knew what I had to do. Repent.

So after discussing my thoughts with my husband he immediately saw the damage and we called a family council. Three children were immediately ready to reject the book serious forever based on our rereading the council in For the Strength of Youth. The other one? It was painful. Lot's of tears. The child had to fast and pray about it. After a couple of days and a second family council the child conceded. It was the absolutes that finally turned the tide for him. He immediately pointed out several other changes we had to make based on the same logic.

I think about how many times I have set a bad example for my kids and they have bad habits or addictions because of me. I'm supposed to be their protector. Anyway...

Challenge: Reread For the Strength of Youth and notice the absolutes. I've noticed several that I need to make some changes on.

Called to Testify

2012-01-08T19:44:00.001-07:00

I reread this from President Monson, “Once we have a testimony, it is incumbent upon us to share that testimony with others.”(Ensign, November, 2011 page 67).

So my mind’s been pondering this indepth.. I’ve had a lot of amazing and wonderful experiences the last while and I haven’t really shared them with others. Sure some shouldn’t be shared, but I have had plenty of faith promoting experiences that should be shared and that could be faith building to many people. I feel the call to start blogging more. To testify. To help share the good news. Now I just have to remember to blog.

None of these experiences are anything to “write home about” as far as being awe-inspiring or “that should be in the Ensign.” They are however, quiet faith building experiences that remind me that I am a child of God, God does have a plan for me and He knows exactly what I’m up too.
So where to start? I feel impressed to let you into my life a little bit. I have to admit I am not exactly thrilled about that. We’ll see where this goes….

I have a bad habit. (Well, I have more than one, but we won’t get that personal today). I love sleep. I love to sleep. I love thinking about when I get to sleep next. I imagine being in my jammies and snuggled down in bed. So cozy, warm and blissful. (It is 20 degrees outside, perhaps that is prompting my cozy, snuggly thoughts). Just thinking about it is well, “ahhhh.”

So here’s the big problem. I sleep too much. I am not a morning person or a night person, I am simply a sleeper. Perhaps you don’t get enough sleep, but I get plenty. It gets worse. The Lord has told me over and over that I need to get up early. For years it’s the same thing. So I go in spurts. I’ve gone months upon months of getting up at 5 AM. Numerous times I’ve done this. I do well for six months and then I go back to day dreaming about sleep and it’s just too much and I succumb. Well, the real problem is the getting up. Why is it so hard to get up early? Perhaps the obvious answers are: it’s cold and it’s dark. Another is that I just love snuggling with my husband. Why get up? It’s sooooo hard.

The Lord’s been inviting me again. Well, He never stopped, I just didn’t want to listen. I am like a child with my hands over my ears, “I can’t hear you!” The plan was working really well until it happened. The Lord tried a different approach and my husband did something really jerky. Well, that’s how I initially viewed it. He heard the Lord call him and so he started getting up early. He didn’t even discuss it with me. I am sleeping soundly in his warm arms and then, he’s gone. He’s up studying on the couch in the cold and in the dark (well outside it is). And he keeps doing it every morning.

So who am I supposed to snuggle with now? The cat? The dog? The nine year old? Needless to say I just started to get up with him. What else can I do? So here we go on round number 25 of Deanna trying to get up early to obey the Lord. I hope it lasts because the spiritual outpouring of blessings that come to me when I get up early and study are amazing! They are more important than my sleep.

Another interesting tidbit is that even when I sleep in (until 7:30) I still go through my routine: journal, conference talk(s), and scripture study every morning. Usually for just as long too. However I always get WAY more out of my studying when I study earlier. Why is that? Like I said, it’s cold and it’s dark. My eyes are glued shut and I’m delirious. But it never fails. I learn more. Every single time.

The scripture that always comes to me when I think about this is D & C 88:83, “He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken.” My husband and I always “argue” about this one. I say it means we should get up early and he says it means we should seek Christ early in our life. We’re both right I suppose, but it has been a great comfort to me. I have a testimony that when we get up early the Lord will speak to us, that when we draw near unto Him, He will draw near unto us. (D & C 88:63)

It’s so simple. I believe it. But why is it so hard to comply? I receive so many spiritual blessings when I heed the call to seek Him early.

President Packer said this to the graduates of BYU-H, “These are sobering times you are going out into a world that is different than the world I faced when I was {19}…You won’t survive spiritually unless you know how to receive revelation…I don’t know whether you know how to receive revelation, but you won’t survive without it…it’s a noisy world, and you’re going to have to learn personally, and privately, and individually that revelation will come when the Lord can speak to your feelings…go quietly into the world and quietly go about your affairs-learn that in the still, small hours of the morning the Lord will speak to you. He will never fail to answer your prayers.” BYU-H Commencement Address, December 7, 2005.

I find this quote motivating. Not only about the importance of revelation in our lives (which is a top of the list priority in teaching my children), but because of the promise that the Lord will speak to us in the quiet hours of the morning and teach us everything we can possibly handle. In those quiet hours He will mentor us on receiving personal revelation and fulfilling the measure of our creation.

So why is it that we learn more in the early morning hours than later? I don’t know the answers. Perhaps it’s quiet. Perhaps nothing in the world has had a chance to mess with us yet that early. Perhaps because it is cold and dark the Lord accepts that seemingly pathetic sacrifice for what it is-the best we can do.

So I hope to testify more regularly about the truths I am learning. Because again to quote President Monson, "Once we have a testimony, it is incumbent upon us to share that testimony with others."

Some New Testament Thoughts

2011-12-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

Hello blogger friends. How are you? It's been almost 6 months since I've posted. I'm not sure what happened.

The last six months have been heavenly.

I was called as the Gospel Doctrine Teacher this fall. What a wonderful experience. I thought I spent a lot of time in the scriptures before, but that has accelerated. What can be better than that?

Some of the thoughts I've had from my studies are:

James 1:8;4:8 "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways....Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

I have been pondering the concept of duplicity. I of course don't want to be double minded. How am I? What am I doing, thinking, saying that causes me to be a different person in different situations around different people? I am striving to strip out the hypocrite in me. What do I really believe?

1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

Peter was writing to the Saints of Asia Minor "who were in danger of being terrified into a denial of their Lord." (Bible Dictionary: Peter, Epistles of) Peter was writing them to give them hope and courage in the face of their adversity.

I don't face this kind of adversity. I do have opportunities to testify to others and have an answer always. One day a friend called me who is not LDS. She asked what I was doing. Usually I say something general. On this occasion I answered her very specifically. "I am reading my Bible." She responded that she didn't know that "Mormons read the Bible." We were able to have a nice conversation because I answered specifically instead of generally.

Revelation 12: 10 (from Joseph Smith Translation) "For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."

This one was a lightning bolt for me. The verse is talking about Satan in the War in Heaven. Before he was cast out. Apparently he was constantly -day and night- accusing everyone to God. I have always associated Satan as the great deceiver, but now also I see another of his traits- "the accuser." Again I do not want to be like that either. What is the opposite of accusing?

I read this in one of my favorite books this week, "Pharisees might be the type who, when they go to worship, criticize the sermon, the song leaders, the people in the choir, the elders, the ministries, and the number of contributions. They have forgotten that the whole idea behind the Sunday morning gathering is self-examination. As I spend more more time examining myself, I feel better and happier. My job description is not to help God fix other people, but to work on myself with the help of God."

Over the last several months I have been focusing on striving to put on my divine nature. (see Elder Johnson's April talk here). To strip myself of all the gunk, bad habits, vanity, pride, anger.... and the lust. Lust is a big one. Thanks to the apostles Paul and Peter I have come to see how much lust is in my life. The more I learn the more I realize how much farther I have to go.

I hope someday that the attributes necessary will some day "abound" in my me that I shall "neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:8)

So to sum up the last six months of my life would be to say that I have been striving to bring about the prophecy of Ezekiel. "And I will give them one heart and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesth and will give them an heart of flesh:" (Ezekiel 11:19)

Receiving Our King

2011-06-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

I recently found a couple of posts that I wrote last month and never published them for some reason. Here's one of them:

I recently gave a Young Women’s lesson entitled, “Temple Endowment.” This was a great lesson that I highly recommend! Included was a quote from James E. Talmage:

“{In the endowment, members covenant to} observe the law of strict virtue and chastity, to be charitable, benevolent, tolerant and pure; to devote both talent and material means to the spread of truth and the uplifting of the race; to maintain devotion to the cause of truth; and to seek in every way to contribute to the great preparation that the earth may be made ready to receive her King,-the Lord Jesus Christ. With the taking of each covenant and the assuming of each obligation a promised blessing is pronounced contingent upon the faithful observance of the conditions.” Emphasis added. (James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1968], p. 84)

The part that I highlighted stood out to me. We are to contribute to preparing the earth for the Second Coming. No wonder I feel such a burning desire to raise children of high moral standards who will also continue to help prepare the earth. This is a great charge. Not only does it say to prepare the earth but it says “to seek in every way” to do this work.

What does this look like? How do we prepare the earth?

I think it means rejecting the world, raising children according to God’s standards and not the worlds, warning our neighbor, and keeping our covenants. When they talk about “raising the bar” in our devotion we truly must raise the bar, and we must do it every way we can.

A scripture has been running through by mind for the last several weeks it says,

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

I have come to realize that while I probably will not be asked to die as a martyr I can still lay down my life. How? I can voluntarily choose to lay down my worldly life with all its exciting enticements and entitlements and I can choose to live a godly life. I can choose to give up more of my fun and more of my ‘me time’ and I can choose to serve my family and my friends. I can bear testimony, I can research family history names, I can visit my neighbor, I can read to my children, I can study my scriptures, I can attend the temple, etc. I can voluntarily reject the excessive pull of the computer, the movies, the brain-candy books, the girls day outs, etc. and I can choose a spiritual life.

I think that as I do this I will be seeking in every way to contribute (as God teaches me line by line) to the great preparation that the earth must go through so that we can receive our King.

See also Elder Anderson's recent address on this subject.

Let Us Be Self-Correcting

2011-06-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

For some reason my quotation button is not working...

I continue to thrill in reading and learning about the early history of the Relief Society. This month for our book club meeting we discussed, A Centenary of Relief Society 1842-1942. I enjoyed the opportunity to relook at some interesting events.

In addition to several readings I also took the time to read from The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. On page 201 is a “synopsis of the Prophet’s Remarks to the Female Relief Society.” It reads,

“President Joseph arose. Spoke of the organization of the Female Relief Society; said he was deeply interested, that it might be built up to the Most High in an acceptable manner; that its rules must be observed; that none should be received into it but those who were worthy; proposed a close examination of every candidate…thus have an select society of the virtuous, and those who would walk circumspectly; commended them for their zeal, but said sometimes their zeal was not according to knowledge. One principal object of the institution was to purge out iniquity; said they must be extremely careful in all their examinations, or the consequences would be serious.” (March 30, 1842) D.H.C. 4:570

In another section (see page 239) the Minutes of a Relief Society Meeting, held June 9, 1842, were given where Joseph Smith spoke. The notes read,

“Said it is no matter how fast the society increases, if all the members are virtuous; that we must be as particular with regard to the character of members now, as when the society was first started; that sometimes persons wish to crowd themselves into a society of this kind when they do not intend to pursue the ways of purity and righteousness, as if the society would be a shelter to them in their iniquity.

“He said that henceforth no person shall be admitted, but by presenting regular petitions, signed by two or three members in good standing in the society, and whoever comes in must be of good report.”

Today in the church we do not have to apply to participate in Relief Society. However, I see great value in giving ourselves some self-inspection regarding Joseph Smith’s words. Elder Christofferson recently spoke of this. He said,

“Eventually, much of our chastening should come from within-we should become self-correcting.”

Joseph Smith states we must be worthy, virtuous, walk circumspectly be zealous with knowledge, engage in ongoing purging of our iniquity, high character and of good report. I observe areas from my own life that I need to work on.

The topic of virtue in itself could be discussed indefinitely. Virtue being, “A pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards” (see Preach My Gospel and For the Strength of Youth). There is more to virtue than simply being chaste. It would include not gossiping, judging righteously, humility, having charity, being positive, pure & kind thoughts,….I think that virtue covers pretty much all my faults! Grrr!

I recognize these words from the prophet as an opportunity to reflect on my own conduct. I see I have many areas to improve on; aligning myself more fully to the purposes of Relief Society helps me to be more effective in my work of building Zion through my family and through Relief Society.

The great pronouncement given by Joseph Smith to the Sisters also applies to us as individuals, “I now turn the key to you in the name of God and this Society shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time.” I seek the blessings of knowledge and intelligence. What great promises are ours when we live up to our potential!

Family Blog

2011-05-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Thanks to my very dear friend Misty I have created a new family blog that is anonymous. I will post a lot more pictures there then I do here (which is zero). Hopefully you can get to know us all a little better.

We still do not have the internet so I won't be posting a lot for another month or so. By July we hope to have the internet up again. It has been a wonderful break not having the internet, but it is time to reconnet.

Liberty has started on line classes through Williamsburg Academy. Determination wants to take classes from the Leadership Education Academy. I need to connect again with my family. This will be achieved by blogging and emails. Also I am almost out of family history names to take to the temple and so I need to start researching again. One last reason is that we will not have to cut down a tree to get the internet! (We do live in rural Idaho).

Thank you also for being so kind regarding my last post. I think you all "got" what I was trying to say and I appreciate your kind comments. I know it is a touchy subject and I think we were able to communicate it all so kindly. What a tribute to all of you!

I hope you all had a family filled Memorial Day weekend.

Love, Deanna

Here is the link to our family blog.

What’s My Mission?

2011-05-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

One of the great problems I see among the youth (and that I personally experienced) is the phenomena I will call split personality. Growing up I was repeatedly asked, "What did I want to be when I grow up?" I learned by first or second grade that any answer was acceptable except for one, I should not say, "mother." I learned how to answer other questions asked like, "How was the world created?" I also learned I was supposed to give the answer, "mother" at church and home. Thus I had a set of answers for school and a completely different set of answers to the same questions at home and church. This may eventually lead us to become a totally different person in each situation. I see this "split personality"manifested among the youth at a whole new level than even I experienced. Satan is ramping up his game well!

I have talked regularly to my children about being the same person no matter where they are. However, within the Leadership Education circles I am starting to see the split personality creeping in among the "leaders." Recently I listened to several seminars and read a book that all are promoting this. In the TJEd world it is called, "Finding Your Mission." Youth are encouraged to seek out finding what their "mission" is. Often it is not expected to be discovered until the youth are a little older, but an ongoing fascination exists in that it is all the talk while the youth are in scholar phase. One seminar I listed to said, "Nothing will be more satisfying in your life than figuring out what your mission is and then having the courage to fulfill it."

You may be wondering why I see a problem in this. It is simple. We have already had our missions revealed to us. We are to be mothers and fathers. Of course I know in the TJEd world that they encourage motherhood. I appreciate that, it is certainly different than public education, BUT, motherhood is still considered a side note. In the book I recently read the woman (who is a high profiled TJEd leader) cried to her husband that wasn't she created for something more that to change poopy diapers and clean up vomit? When was she going to be able to embrace her mission? Her husband lovingly told her, that he was sure it would be soon.

I fear these statements convey to our youth that there is something more to life than parenthood. It would seem that being a mother is just one of the things you do in this life. Somehow, you must be defined by something else though. This would be a potentially lifelong dedication to a "mission." I believe this is misleading. Consider this:

Heavenly Father chooses to be called Father.
His work and His Glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. This means ongoing parenting.
Keeping our First Estate enabled us to have bodies and procreate.
Godhood is Eternal Parenthood.
If we qualify for Exaltation we will be granted the ability to have a "continuation of seed."
Those not qualifying for Exaltation will be impotent, even those obtaining the lower two degrees of the Celestial Kingdom will be denied the right of continuation of seed.

Simply put eternal lives is about parenting forever. Why not embrace mortality and strive in every way to submit to this high and noble calling? A calling so noble that that is what our Heavenly Father does. When we choose to place lesser value on this holy calling we will lose power in our lives.

The noise of this world is LOUD. It is hard to hear the voice of the Father calling us to this high calling. Satan, the father of lies, is louder than God, telling us we were made for something more or better. It takes great faith to turn off the tantalizing noise of the world and tune into the sweet, still small voice of the Spirit. I have come to personally know for myself that great blessings come from turning off the noise. I am hearkening to the voice of the Lord and I am just beginning to have a glimpse of His wonderful and majestic plan. It is more holy and more awe inspiring than anything that Satan can counterfeit.

Perhaps along the way many of us will do great things. I suspect we will. We are the last laborers in the vineyard. We were saved and reserved because we were the best of the best. I simply say that in all our doing we must make sure that being mother remains our priority AND we teach this to our children.

There are times when we will literally parent 24/7. Then there will come a time that we will have more "time" on our hands. Perhaps at this stage we may ask, "How can I help build the kingdom?" "How can I further work on my parenting skills, which really comes down to bringing souls to Christ?" I would suggest that Relief Society and focusing on the Three Fold Mission of the Church would provide untold service opportunities.

As I have extra time I have sought out my faithful Relief Society Presidents through the years and asked for extra assignments. It is through the Relief Society (which is under the Priesthood) that my surplus of time and talents are dedicated. Through the years I have been given many extra opportunities to serve in this way. I have learned that "there are chances for good all around." My talents are used to build the kingdom, but it hasn't come in the way I have often wanted. It has come as I have worked under the direction of my husband and within the ward. There is more than enough to do in my family and ward to fill my time and build the kingdom. I am simply saying I don't need to go "find a mission," I simply need to live my mission already given to me. "There is work enough to do ere the sun goes down," and Zion needs to be built. We further that cause by submitting to our role of mother/nurturer. We further the work of the Father by striving to be mothers who also partake in the Father's work to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

So in a nutshell perhaps we could change the message to our youth to be, "Nothing with be more satisfying in your life than realizing that your mission is to be a mom/dad and then having the courage to reject Babylon's message that there is something more important than fulfilling your family roles."

Sister Beck and Women's Conference

2011-05-07T07:42:00.001-07:00

I just had the opportunity to read Sister Beck's wonderful address at BYU Women's Conference last year. She spoke on many things that have been close to my heart the last little while and she says it so much better than I do!

She spoke on her quote that I love, "When our priorities are out of order we loose power over our life." She shares many great ways to help us keep our priorities in line while we live on earth. She asked repeatedly throughout her talk, "Why are we here?" and "What is our mission?"

I read this talk to my husband just now as well. We were able to discuss some great things. I stated, "We as women are always so depressed and confused. The simple answer is to get our priorities in order." He responded, "Yes, women do, but it sure would help if the men and families also got their priorities in order as well." I am grateful for a good husband who recognizes that men also must get their priorities in order. The battle to recognize Satan's lies and deception is a battle that men and women face alike; together though, as a husband and wife unified we will be much more successful in casting Satan out of our hearts and homes.

Here is the link to the post I wrote a couple of weeks ago that goes along with her message.

Please take the time to read Sister Beck's important message. The transcript of her article is found here.

The Blessings of Being God-Centered

2011-05-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

I had a ‘lovely’ post almost ready for publication when “poof” off went the computer and gone forever (for whatever reason) went the ‘lovely’ post. Sigh. I wrote about the purposes of Relief Society and how important it is to incorporate them into our lives. It was really just another way of saying the same things I said in a previous post, “Mom, Needs Headgates Too!” So since I have already said that I’ll move on to some fresh thoughts.

I need to let you in on a little secret. For years and years I have not felt self-worth. So dumb huh? How could I feel that when I grew up with “I am a Child of God” and the Young Women’s Program? I think that it’s because I was seeking my worth from the world. I have always been a stay home mom that has tried to do the right things. Somehow though I kept worrying about what the world was thinking about me instead of God and my husband. Let me tell you that in the world’s eye a stay home mom doesn’t earn any prizes. That was the last place the world wanted me.

I’ve mentioned many times that the last two or so years I have diligently worked on submission to my Heavenly Father. Line upon line and precept upon precept God has taught me. (See Elder Bednar’s recent Conference talks to learn more about this wonderful principle). It has just been in the last couple or so months that I have really began to see I truly do have self-worth. I no longer beat myself up about all the things I can’t “do right.” I have come to absolutely love being a nurturer. Love it! I am happy. I have peace. I have a hope in a glorious resurrection.

I have wondered how this happened. I came across a paper when cleaning out things recently and it said this,

What happens when I am temporally (or self) centered?

1. Life is not fair.
2. I am not sure I will qualify for the Celestial Kingdom.
3. I do not have enough time to get all things done.
4. I am overwhelmed.
5. I feel pressure most of the time.
6. I am not sure when the Holy Ghost is with me.
7. I rely on others to make me feel of worth.
8. I feel like a taxi cab driver.
9. My life is not mine.
10. I only enjoy the weekend.
11. I do not feel forgiven.

What happens when I am spiritually (or God) centered?

1. I feel closer to Heavenly Father.
2. I have great hope to be raised unto Eternal Life.
3. I receive more revelation.
4. What I do each day is now worthwhile.
5. I have less stress.
6. When my children make mistakes, I can handle it.
7. My feelings of self-worth have increased one hundred fold.
8. I feel free.
9. I am able to get all things done.
10. I enjoy each day.

As Elder Bednar has taught us we must submit line by line and precept by precept. As we act in faith and go through this process one day we will wake up and we will realize that we are changed. It will be a gradually change that will be so imperceptible that it seems that growth is not happening. But it is!

I have realized that little by little God has been changing me. I have been changing from a life that was temporal or self-centered to a wonderful new life that is now spiritual or God centered. I am becoming that spiritually centered person. Perhaps a number 11 could be added. I feel joy.

A life of submission is a journey that requires a lot of patience with ourselves. It requires a lot of repentance. It requires a willingness to play by Heavenly Father’s rules and not our own. Our progression is not always measurable. But it is worth it. I have a long way to go in my life, but I am beginning to truly see the blessings of submission.

My worth is no longer determined by the world’s standards or ideas. The world’s plan to push entitlements and worldly lust and pleasure on me is rejected. I know that I must stay centered in Jesus Christ. And bit by bit I can remove their damning influence in my life. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

AND I can enjoy Mother’s Day this year without a twinge of guilt or spending the whole day in tears. I am doing what my God wants. I am a mother in Zion that it building up the kingdom of God.

The above list was found in a workbook entitled, “Becoming Spiritually Centered and overcoming the World,” written by James B. Cox.

Heber C Kimball Prophecy

2011-05-02T20:04:00.000-07:00

As the days go by and I work out my submission to the Lord I find that I do not post as much as I would like. That's the point though, doing what the Lord wants and not what I want. I always have plenty on my mind to share, but most thoughts seem destined to stay in my mind or shared with close family and friends. We will see what each day brings.

I have been impressed though to share a prophecy by Heber C Kimball that has been passed down in my family through the years. Elder Kimball was called as one of the original apostles in this dispensation by Joseph Smith. Later he was called to the First Presidency and served as first counselor to President Brigham Young in Utah. I've had multiple experiences lately that have brought to mind this prophecy; included in those experiences were many thoughts from our recent General Conference. This prophecy will be familiar to many but I feel to share it anyway. This prophecy contains timely information to those recognizing the signs of the last days that are upon us. You will see that several parts of it have been fulfilled and other parts are in the processing of being fulfilled. It is my hope that this information with prove useful to you and your family.

"An army of Elders will be sent to the four quarters of the earth the search out the righteous and warn the wicked of what is coming. All kinds of religions will be started and miracles performed that will deceive the elect if that were possible. Our sons and daughters must live pure lives so as to be prepared for what is coming. After a while the Gentiles will gather by the thousands to this place and Salt Lake City will be classed among the wicked cities of the world. A spirit of speculation and extravagance will take possession of the saints, and the results will be financial bondage.

"Persecution comes next and all true latter-day Saints will be tested to the limit. Many will apostatize and others will be still not knowing what to do. Darkness will cover the earth and gross darkness the minds of the people. The judgments of God will be poured out on the wicked to the extent that our Elders from far and near will be called home, or in other words the gospel will be taken from the Gentiles and later on carried to the Jews.

"The western boundary of the State of Missouri will be swept so clean of its inhabitants that, as President Young tell us, when you return to that place, there will not be left so much as a yellow dog to wag his tail. Before that day comes, however, the Saints will be put to tests that will try the integrity of the best of them. The pressure will become so great that the more righteous among them will cry unto the Lord day and night until deliverance comes.

"Then the prophet and others will make their appearance and those who have remained faithful will be selected to return to Jackson County, Missouri, and take part in the up building of that beautiful city, the New Jerusalem."

Passed down in personal family records. Printed in the Deseret News, May 23, 1931.

Mom Needs Headgates Too!

2011-04-21T19:59:00.012-07:00

As I mentioned in a previous post I enjoyed an interview on the Mormon Channel with Sister Julie B. Beck. Among the thoughts she shared I found great truth when she said, "When your priorities are out of order you lose power over your life."

What are our priorities? I think as women of the covenant and sisters in the great worldwide organization-Relief Society-our priorities are different than the women of the world. The First Presidency has identified several key things that they name as the highest priority. In a letter to the membership of the church they said,

“We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform” (First Presidency letter, Feb. 11, 1999).

We can also recall Elder Oakes counsel of good, better, best to seek the best priorities. I loved Elder Maynes recent conference address where he suggests developing "celestial traditions" for protection to our family. Based on these ideas I developed a list of the most basic priorities that are the most important in my role as wife and mother.

Personal priorities: prayer, scripture study, church attendance, and regular dates with spouse. Ensuring that three family meals are prepared and eaten together, clothes are cleaned, and basic housekeeping is maintained.

Family Priorities: prayer, scripture study, church attendance, Family Home Evening, wholesome family activities, and specific attendance in each organization (Young Women's, Priesthood duties, Primary, Relief Society, etc).

That is a very basic list. I may be missing something obvious. I think most of our lists with be somewhat the same.

A secondary list of priorities would include: fasting, temple attendance, visiting teaching completed, magnify a calling, etc. These are of course very essential.

The juggling of these basic priorities requires order. I think of it as a "House of Order." When these things are not done than disorder and confusion are the results.

What is the power that we will lose out of our life? When our priorities are out of order we will lose the power of the Holy Ghost in our lives. When we have our family priorities in a place we have built for our lives that day a sure foundation. We are so ordered that we are entitled to the ongoing companionship of the Spirit. That ongoing companionship of the Spirit is so vital that it is impossible to navigate successfully through this day and age by ourselves. The Holy Ghost cannot dwell in us when we are house of confusion and disorder. When our lives are lived in a knee-jerk reaction to the demands of outside forces we cannot claim the power of the Holy Ghost that is necessary.

Sister Beck points out that when we have those vital things done in our lives and our family's lives each day than you can live your day calmly and peacefully. You will not be blown to and fro.

We may cause our lives to be unorderly when we focus on self. When we spend time on the computer, gaming, watching TV, shopping, crafting, or reading "brain candy" books without first ensuring that the daily priorities in our family are met we will find ourselves out of order. Of course there are the unexpected times when we can't have a perfect day, but when we focus on having a day filled with keeping our priorities I have found that it is rare indeed to have a day when I feel "out of control."

I think generally we try to stay grounded. I loved Sister Beck's comment though because it says when we do the right things-our priorities-we will be in balance and we will face much less depression and stress. As I see now clearly how to avoid those burnout moments of depression, sadness, anxiety, or being overwhelmed I can see what I need to focus on. I need to fulfill my role as nurturer and I will find peace each day from the constant companionship of the Spirit. The Spirit will cause me to be happy and recognize my self-worth.

As I review the headgate principles and think about developing "celestial traditions" (and not telestial or terrestrial ones in my life or my family's life) I realize that I need to make sure that I close the wrong headgates in my own life also. The wrong headgates will cause me to overlook my priorities, face addictions, and keep me off track. So I can ask myself the same questions I asked about my children's toys. What are my toys that I use in my free time? (Facebook, gaming, reading, etc). Who was the creative one-the toy maker or me? Are we making "little junks" and wasting family resources all in the name of crafting? Are we watching movies that our children are not allowed to watch? Do we read books that contain pornography, but rationalize it because we are married adult women? Perhaps as adults we are "entitled" to things that are children are not? Sister Beck has spoken often on a latter-day philosophy of women believing they are entitled to things. She says we must reject that mentality.

Perhaps we feel we are entitled to "me time?" I have a wise friend who says we don't need "me time" we need "God time." He will heal us and strengthen us in all the ways we need. When we have God time from having established correct order in our homes than the Spirit will teach us what we need. Perhaps we need to go on a walk or read a book. If God is our mentor we will have the Spirit teaching us and telling us when it's time to get back in the battle. The Spirit will teach us when we have been on the computer to long or whether we are wasting our time and need to do something else.

More headgate thoughts. Are we pursuing the internet, book reading, TV time, shopping, crafting with the Spirit? Have we first done our family work for the day and ensured that everything is well ordered? Then with the Spirit directing us we will read the right book for the right amount of time. We will pursue worthwhile art that will bless our family. We will use the internet for a limited time to study or do family history. We will do it at the right time and for the right amount time because the Spirit will be our constant companion.

When we have the power of the Spirit, which comes from correct priorities, we will have that constant guide telling us what to do and how to live our lives. We will learn how to submit. We will have Christ has our 'living center.'

Through the years I have seen women (and many times it has been me!) who are running their lives from one sporting event to the next, one running workout to the next, or one project to the next, one workbook page to the next, etc. etc. Most of them are harried, stressed, tired, and empty. Their life is being controlled by society's demands and expectations.

Again I am grateful for Sister Beck's counsel. Whether we home educate or not we can find balance in our lives by seeking to fulfill our priorities for the day. Again that promised blessing is the ongoing companionship of the Spirit with its great blessing of joy filling our lives!

LDS Resources

2011-04-14T19:45:00.000-07:00

Mr. Patriot, Leader (age 8) and I took an unexpected trip back east again this past week. Mr. Patriot's grandfather died, but he lived to the age of 86 and had a full life. It was a fast trip and it involved a lot of driving. Usually we fly, but this time we drove. We were gone six nights and three of those nights were spent in the car driving. Not so fun.

We were able to enjoy some Church History stops along the way. Some we could not see due to time restraints and the fact that it was two AM when we were driving by some of them.

Here we are at the Sacred Grove for the second time in six weeks. I love this place... (Leader apparently was smiling silly).

We were also able to visit Kirtland; what another wonderful place. I was especially impressed and blessed to stand in the small room above the Newel K. Whitney store where the "School of the Prophets" was held and section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants was revealed (among many other marvelous things). Below is Thankful Pratt's, wife of Parley P. Pratt, headstone; one of the many courageous women of the Restoration.

I am so very grateful for all the historical sites that the church maintains. Here is a list of them. I have been able to see many of them. I have always been blessed with an out pouring of the Spirit as I've visited these places. I encourage you to make plans to see them in your lifetime!

I have also been enjoying the Mormon Channel. There are so many thought-provoking interviews from church leaders. There are also inspiring stories of many others. I have also been enjoying the Relief Society History interviews. When I have a chance I'll download a couple that look interesting and then listen do them later during family work time.

As most of you know the church as a new version of a family favorite: Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. They have changed 40% of the movie to help reach a non-LDS audience. You can learn about the changes to the film and other information in this news article. The movie is available for download on the Mormon Channel and YouTube. You can access it off of the news article or on this link. We were able to share this as part of a FHE lesson with a part-member family we had over a week and a half a go. They enjoyed it very much. They had their first missionary discussion at our house last night one hour after we got home! I recommend this to you!

I am grateful for these resources that compliment my scripture study in increasing my faith and personal righteousness.

Headgate Step #2: Require Work

2011-04-05T19:12:00.023-07:00

Through Headgates and a variety of other articles and inspiration I know that it is vital for my children to learn to work hard. I have even blogged about it here when I discussed Elder Christofferson's October ~~2011~~ 2010 conference address.

We require work because our children need to learn to do hard things. They must learn to figure out how they will handle insurmountable tasks. They will need these vital skills to have a world class scholar phase (which will look differently for every youth) and so they can find success in life.

I think we agree we can all agree on that point. Reviewing Headgates and listening to Elder Christofferson's recent talk about receiving divine correction have brought it back to my face that I need to do better with this. We are working, we are cleaning, but I feel strongly that something is amiss. I see several problems.

We will run out of things to clean.
My children will find it ridiculous to clean "clean" things.
I am lazy. (I should move this to spot number one).
I don't think that cleaning a toilet is teaching them hard things. It's teaching them that sometimes you don't get to do things you want to do which is a vital lesson, but it's not teaching them how to handle "insurmountable tasks."
Seasonal projects like gardening or snow shoveling really are still not teaching them how to handle hard things. Again the vital lesson of your day can't be spent doing everything you want to do is being learned though.
Did I mention I am lazy?

About the lazy me part. I need to muster up the battle gear to go at this long term. I am great with short-term projects that need to be pushed through, but it's the long-term ones that I start fading on. For example I've been very dedicated to this work principle this last two months or so, but now that I have cleaned every last thing I can think of three times I'm starting to slack off because it is no longer meaningful. I am finding that I'm assigning one extra job after our morning routine and then giving them way too much free time. I must push through whatever plan I come up with and stay with it until it becomes habit.

So here I am in a quandary. I absolutely believe this is a true principle-my children must work-but I am left with needing to find some different application. (Also because I have more boys than girls). For our family working in the mornings is right for our ebb and flow in life. I have always been naturally a work hard girl in the morning and then have a more relaxed afternoon. What to do about this hard work thing?

I've been praying about this. I appreciated Elder Bednar's talk about remembering that revelation comes line upon line. As I study, ponder, pray and discuss I am finding ideas and these ideas are building on each other. My thoughts have led me to consider all sorts of things. Some of those things have included piano lessons, requiring math, and physical fitness programs. Of course whatever I choose would still include cleaning, gardening, working outside, sewing, service, etc., but I need to throw some things in there that are hard.

I realize I could cause some of them to grow up hating piano or math, but I don't really care if they learn to do hard things. Meaning an ability to work hard through difficult times/projects is more important than if they like the piano and decide to play the piano as an adult. It's a tool.

If I did decide to require, let's say piano lessons, this would necessitate that I have to be there, side by side with them, reminding them and helping them practice. This is where I, in my present state, would fade long term. I recently listened to this 'conversation' with Sister Beck. She required her children to take piano lessons because they did not live on a farm or own a milk cow and she needed something to teach them how to work. They hated it! One daughter said it wasn't until she was 16 that she decided she liked piano. For ten years Sister Beck dragged her to piano lessons. At one point, I'm not clear for how long, they were required to practice for three hours a day! Kudos to Sister Beck is all I can say about that! If you have a chance I encourage to listen to the interview if you are thinking about these things. There are also other interesting things discussed.

So I don't have any answers yet. I am applying myself, line upon line, searching for my answer. I see a need in my children and I don't believe that I am currently meeting that need. I'll let you know when I figure it out.

So now my friends: What thoughts do you have to these questions?

What are your thoughts about children needing to do hard things?
What work/things do you require in your home? (Math, soccer, piano, etc).
Any other comments would be great.

“Stories That Build Statesman” and a Book Q & A

2011-04-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

This past week I purchased the lecture, "Stories That Build Statesman" by Marlene Peterson from the 2010 TJEd Forum in Salt Lake City. I enjoyed listening to it and received several insights that will be helpful for my family. I've decided to share some thoughts from her and from myself. I believe that reading to our children is one of the most important activities we can pursue with our families.

Marlene reminds us that we remember information best if it's in story form. This reminded me of President Monson's talks. He teaches us in stories. She shares that stories connect with our heart and make things real and lasting with us. Marlene states that it is vital we give our children and ourselves a great depth of stories that can last throughout our lives.

I thought it was interesting to learn that Mao removed the stories of the Chinese so they were forced to function in the here and now. In this way he was able to control his people.

She stated that in public school we learn only one story. "If you do well you can graduate and go to a good college, then you'll get a good job and have a good life." In my own personal life I have seen that not only this story told in school, but recognized that another story is told at church/home. I will call it the Plan of Salvation story and it has a different point than the one in public school. I lived through my own confusion of trying to live two separate lives: a church life and a school life. They were incompatible. I have seen while working in the Young Women for many, many years that girls are confused. Should they focus on job and career or should they focus on motherhood and preparing to be a help-meet? What should they do? Who do they please? I believe this is one of the biggest dilemma's facing the young women. Learning what story to believe and focus on is important.

Testbooks are boring because they teach us the information without the stories. There is no heart in it. No way to connect, feel and remember. (This is regardless of the many other reasons I have for dismissing textbooks from my children's life).

Marlene shared that stories help us to know that no matter what trials and hard times come our way in life other people have gone through them and so we can do. I think these stories are especially learned from the scriptures. She tells us that in the last days when "men's hearts will fail" she believes this will in part be from not having stories to help them through those dark days. I add especially not knowing and believing the story of Jesus Christ will cause our hearts to fail.

We need to ask who are the storytellers in our lives and what are they teaching us? We need to make sure that we reject stories that go against our moral values and standards. We don't want their story becoming ours. We need to have stories that teach us about human nature, heroes, courage, truth and love. The old stories were written/told to make us better while many of the stories now are written to entertain us. Many current stories contain half-hearted attempts at a simple moral to appease the parents, but will pass right over the children's heads. These stories are NOT written to make us better.

I believe it is so important that we spend time every day curled up on the couch or in a bed sharing great stories with our children. Start with original fairy tales (not the Disneyfied versions) with great pictures. These will be easy to understand and contain morals. You will be surprised to find how different the "real" version is from the version you think you know. Then move on to classic books that are simply written like "Little House on the Prairie" books. I have always been amazed at what my kids could comprehend. We've read Anne of Green Gables, Heidi, every Narnia, Silas Marner, and many biographies to name just a very few. Please look on my Goodreads lists to see what we have read. Read them the great classics and fill their minds with great thoughts. There are many stories now that I wish I had not told them. I am wiser now.

The classics are wonderful but they are not complete unless you have read the scriptures everyday also. We have a rule in our house: you may not read anything unless you have first read your scriptures for the day. As a family we have read the Book of Mormon over eight times together as well as parts of the Old Testament, and the New Testament, Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price at least twice each. Our children need the Great Story of the Gospel or the "Good News" told to them over and over again. This will fill their hearts and give them courage to face these dark days.

Marlene says that without great stories there will be no warmth for growth. Great statesman will come from well-educated hearts that contain a treasure trove of great stories.

Please share with me your thoughts on these questions:

What books do you consider the best in your family? (besides the scriptures)
What have been your favorite read-a-louds together?
How do you decide what church/doctrinal books to keep?
What put you over the edge on getting rid of books that cost a lot of money but you now realize you don't need/shouldn't have to keep anymore? (It always seems harder to get rid of books/movies that I spent money on even if I now know I don't need or shouldn't have them).

Small House Q & A

2011-04-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed everyone's comments about living in smaller houses or at least massively simplifying their lives. There seems to be a growing trend toward this. Very interesting. Crazy For Boys/Heather raised some good questions. What are those things that we think are essential that others have learned are not? For so long there were certain things that I thought were essential in a well ordered house and now I have learned I can live without them! Who knew? I have learned that just because I would call myself a queen at organization it doesn't mean I'm a queen in simplicity. There is a difference. Simplicity is a much grander, fuller life than I ever dreamed and I still see many, many ways that I can improve on.

For this blog post I want everyone's ideas on minimizing/simplicity/order to speak out. Let's all learn together. So here are some questions to get those creative juices going. Please give your answers to one or all of the questions. You may also add a new question too! (I will do a Q & A on Headgates and books with this same style in a couple of days).

What things in your kitchen have you realized you really don't need and you now realize you can live without?
What are things in your bathroom that you have realized you don't need and you can live without?
Where do you put your food storage?
What do you still have left in storage that you can't bear to part with yet?
What, if any, Christmas decorations (or other holidays) do you still have?
How many wall hangings/decorations/pictures to you have in your house now? How did you choose what to put up?
How much clothing/shoes does each family member have?
How have you organized your computer/desk area?
What do you do with the little junks and paper your children get from primary?
How many baby clothes and blankets do you really need?

Our Little House

2011-03-30T21:28:00.000-07:00

We have a little house. Most of you know this. Some of you have seen pictures of my little house. I know some have smaller houses than mine, but as a general rule most people have much, much bigger houses than ours. It has been six months since we sold our previous home and we moved into our little rental house that is right across the street from our "land of inheritance" as Misfit Cygnet taught me it was.

We only have about two or three months and then we be moving to another little house (but still bigger) than the one we have now. We have decided to postpone building for another two or so years and move a "manufactured home" aka a single wide on our 80 acres and live debt free for a couple of years. Then we will build our house. Not having a house payment has been too enjoyable to go back too. So we have simply decided not to.

Blah, blah, blah. This post is about what I've learned in six months of small.

760 sq feet. That's the size. I LOVE IT!

There are a couple of little things that I would like different, but it's a rental and we are fine.

I have learned that I can live without a microwave. I have also decided that I don't want a microwave in any other house we get either.

I have learned that I like not having a dishwasher. I don't want to go back to having that appliance either. If not for any other reason than having my children have more work to do. I know they would disagree with me on that one though!

I like having only one room to congregate in. I only want a family room now in our new house. I no longer want a library room, office, music room, living room, parlor, and whatever, whatever. I've realized that these rooms separated our family. We are around each other more now. That means we talk, play, laugh, sing, read and interact with each other. Another good lesson learned.

I've learned we only need one bathroom. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get over ruled on only having one bathroom in our new house however. We won't have three or four now for sure though!

Having a big backyard, with trees a plenty and acres of free roaming space (complete with water flowing through it) is absolutely lovely for an awesome core phase!

We don't really miss our dressers. Everyone has rolling cubbies under their beds with their clothes in it. I want to get hooks/pegs for hanging up some clothing and old fashioned trunks for the rest of our clothing when we have more room in our 1200 sq foot house (the single wide). Dressers mean owning more clothing.
We got rid of a lot of clothing when we down sized and I realize we still have too much clothing. So I don't miss the clothing we got rid of.

This goes along with the previous thought. We don't need big closets. We won't be building a master closet in our new house and we will only put a small one in each room. Just enough for church clothes and three pairs of shoes (church shoes, tennis shoes and flip flops). In fact if I can get away with it I only want one bedroom closet for the whole house and have everyone's church clothes/shoes in that closet. So probably our bedroom because my husband needs some closet space for his business clothes. I'll just put the flip flops and tennis shoes in the mudroom. Yes, I like that idea quite a bit.

We want a big mud room! We will store our "weapons," laundry stuff, winter clothing, our Boggs (snow/mud/rain/irrigation boots), etc in this room. Liberty said she would give up square footage in her room to ensure a bigger mud room.

We are definitely glad that we brought the piano into the house (instead of putting it in storage). It's a little squishy in the living room, but two of the children have taken off on their piano since we moved here.
I do miss my/our books. We only have one bookshelf with books right now in the house. I did get rid of A LOT of books when we moved. I only left the classics. I got rid of Scholastic books, cartoony books, pop fiction, public school looking books/workbooks, and other twaddle. I haven't missed them. There is always the library to borrow from. I still have three bookshelves worth of books in boxes in the garage. I can access them and they've been gone through regularly. I look forward to having room for the bookshelves again. I don't waste my money at the thrift store on books anymore unless I know the book will be cherished and read and reread (a classic).

I like having less stuff in the kitchen. I think I am going to get rid of most of the extra kitchen stuff I saved just in case. More dishes and stuff just means more stuff to get dirty before you wash-pretty soon you just have a mess and it depresses you. I like washing as I go and always being caught up.

I love that all the art projects/crafts are gone. What a waste of resources with the glue, the markers, papers, crayons, glitter, paints, etc. etc! I am so glad they are gone!!!!!! I have found my children have learned to be creative in real ways. They make real things now like sewing, knitting, carving, etc. Their free-time play is also very, very creative. I think their creative juices flow on a much, much higher level now than ever before.
Really, I think they are doing just fine with no glitter and tubs of glue! I feel much better myself. I should post pictures of Liberty's quilts-very creative and beautiful. She has some pictures up on her blog for those who know her blog address.

We also downsized to one notebook and a sketch book for each child. They can get a new book anytime they have finished their old ones. They draw neater, they write neater and they do not waste. Amazing. I admit I was a little disbelieving with the whole concept, but it's awesome.

I like having a little house because since I am striving to have "family work" for several hours a day we definitely can deep clean the house and keep it clean always.

I have thrived in having less stuff around me in general. I will be getting rid of lots of stray boxes in the garage. If I didn't want it in the last six months I don't think I will need it now. I feel the freedom to live my life now instead of feeling like I needed to organize, clean and dust all of the time.

I will miss this house. Everyone always acts like I should be miserable living here though. However, it has totally changed my thought process and will impact the rest of my life.

Small is good. Simplicity is good. Having less "stuff" is very good!

Regular Disclaimer

2011-03-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Fellow Readers,

It is that time again when I need to give my regular disclaimer. Usually I just throw it in as part of a blog post, but today I thought I would let it enjoy its very own topic.

It seems every once in a while I get a new round of blog readers that get a little nervous about what I write. I appreciate all my readers. You add much insight into my life! I hope that this helps answer some emails and blog comment questions! Keep asking and eventually I will check my inbox and get back to you. : )

I love to learn and seek knowledge. I love ideas. I love seeking truth. Sometimes when I discover some kernel of truth or some interesting idea I will write a blog post about it. I share only a fraction of my big grand ideas with the public. Most I keep hidden in my heart and discuss them with my husband and my dearest friends.

As I said sometimes I throw out my ideas in a blog post. Sometimes these things come in the form of writings by modern prophets, living and dead. Sometimes I comment on those thoughts and other times I just copy them straight out of the book and let you discover what you will from those writings.

The reason I write is to share the things I learn. I desire everyone to seek their own revelation. I don't believe that as we untangle ourselves out of the web of Babylon that we will be untangled the same way. We must learn line upon line and precept upon precept. Although the untangling power can only come through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Therefore I share things that may help you receive an "a-ha" that you can use on your journey "home." How we apply will be completely different from one person to the next. What is helpful in one family is not always helpful in another family.

A comment was made by a reader that I may be "looking beyond the mark." This is an interesting comment that of course deserves introspection. What does that reference really mean? The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob teaches us that the Jews "despised the words of plainness and killed the prophets, and sought for things that could not understand." Through this and their blindness which "came by looking beyond the mark" they fell. I believe this reference was also used by a Seventy in a talk several years ago were he likened it to "gospel hobbies." I don't remember for sure because I don't have the internet and can't look it up. So the question is, "Am I looking beyond the mark?" The answer to both is the same, no. What am I looking to? Jesus Christ. My goal each morning is to center my life on the "living Christ" and to submit to Him and His will to me. I rejoice in the words of plainness and in the prophet's words. When the prophet very clearly states something I take it for truth. It would seem to be that looking beyond the mark would mean finding a different meaning than, "if the Saints would know the will of the Lord they would stop eating swine's flesh." What about it being a gospel hobby? Hopefully the examples and explanation below will help.

Why do I wear a skirt? It helps me remember my role as matriarch. It helps me to feel the Spirit more. I do it because I notice a change in my heart. Not because I think I have too. Not because I think anyone else should either. In my own personal life it is a way that I can "raise the bar" and stay more focused on my role. I shared my experiences only to help others glean ideas for their own personal life. I also only shared quotes from 100 years ago from church leaders because they were pleading about modesty (and Sister Beck said to study the history). The quotes caused me to ask hard questions and I received personal revelation. Modern prophets have stated what the standard is for today, but what can I learn about that standard now and before? Where is my heart?

The Word of Wisdom. As far as I know I have never commented on what our family eats and doesn't eat online and especially on my blog. I had one post where I shared thoughts from Brigham Young, a prophet, on what he had to say about food. I made only a brief comment on that post to the effect that I think that our habits with eating were just as important as what we ate. So if any of that was extreme then Brigham Young was extreme because I only quoted him. Again, he was very plain. I didn't dispise his words of plainness or reject his message in my heart.

As far as what I wear and what are family eats I would say that it is not a gospel hobby. I think I spend less time thinking about what I wear and what food I eat/prepare than any other women I know. I absolutely do not think about food during the day. I pray in the morning about what I should fix and whatever I feel impressed to do I make the necessary preparations and no other thought goes into it. For public record we do eat meat, but not very much.

I deeply appreciate these thought provoking questions that cause me to reflect and strive to keep myself firmly centered in my Savior Jesus Christ, and seeking Him as my Living Center.

To summarize I seek to share my ideas that may or may not help you in your journey of being a mother who knows. However with Christ, the Spirit and the Sisterhood we share on our blogs hopefully we will each be propelling forward, onward and upward to our Heavenly Home.

Love always my friends,

Deanna

The Headgate Revisited

2011-03-23T18:38:00.001-07:00

About a month ago I realized that I hadn't read "The Headgate" article in quite a long while. Somehow in my move it had been misplaced. I emailed and received a new copy. It was the one thing I did read while on our latest trip. I have been pondering it this last month.

So just what are my thoughts now after a year of first being introduced to it? Still love it! I came away with a strong impression again about how true the principles are. These principles aren't new, they've been around a long time, but I respond to the way she articulated the principles in her article.

Through rereading it I was able to review and look back over the changes we had made the last year and say we grew and changed significantly in our family. What a year of growth we had. I didn't do wonderful with all the principles but there was a great awareness and application that took place. Below are the five aspects of The Headgate. I have "scored" how I thought I did this past year. I will then talk about each principle.

Create a House of Order Score: Good
Require Work Score: Okay
Inspire Daily Score: Good
Understand Lessons and Daily Application Score: Fair
Close the Headgates Score: Great

Create a House of Order. I gave myself a good on this. Most of this step was something that I thought that I already knew, understood and applied. I didn't really focus on this step and so I think I missed some application that I now understand.

I did learn a lot about this subject this past year in other readings I pursued. I learned about gender roles, modesty and submission. There were some examples of this step on her website that at the time (a year ago) I didn't accept. I don't know now that I agree with here absoluteness on those situations, but I am much, much more in agreement with her now. I realize that I need to embrace my role of wife and mother and not pawn it off on my husband because I'm tired, etc.

Another thought I had while striving to do a better job of letting my husband preside and protect me was that often I tend to jump in and "man-handle" the situation since I felt my husband couldn't. Upon reflecting I thought about the word "man-handle." That was exactly what I have been doing, and that is very wrong. I am now striving to submit and embrace my gender role. In that process I have seen more order in my home as well as finding that I am finding greater happiness personally.

I am rereading this step again now with more understanding. More thoughts have come on how I can improve.

Require Work. I only gave myself an okay on this step. I was asked recently by a reader how I have done with requiring work in our little house. We have really improved overall from where we were at a year ago, but still we haven't done so hot. This is a powerful principle that has been the very hardest for me to apply. When I'm not focused it's easy to just end up doing school work in the morning instead of working. I have long since jumped off of the conveyor belt but sometimes I can see traces of it still popping up in random places. When we buckle down and work we get an amazing amount accomplished and we all feel great (despite sometimes an initial grouchy attitude). I see instant results when I refocus on work in our home. The kids cherish their free time and use it very wisely.

At least half of the boys' free time they choose to spend learning. They read a tremendous amount, but they also play hard outside. (Right now they are building a fort like the Sackett fort). Since rereading the Headgates I have reapplied this principle and again seen tremendous results.

The hard step in this is figuring out what to clean after you've cleaned everything very well. This is especially hard in this little house. There are only so many walls to clean! I strive for about two hours (hopefully in the morning) of work. If we have to go somewhere in the afternoon and they won't get their free time I usually let up on the morning work a little. As I've struggled to figure out work to assign the simple answer has been to pray for help to know what they should do. As always when I knock the Lord will give an answer. He cares what they do for work also! Involving Him in the daily work plan helps motivate me to stay on this path and not deviate back to old tendencies.

Another principle that I relearned was her way to teach work (which comes from Lara Gallagher). First they work with, then near and then independently of you.

To recap: We did okay this past year, but I have a strong testimony that requiring work is vital. I am recommitted to this step!

Inspire Daily. We scored a good on this. This principle I have learned and studied about in great detail through TJEd. Since reading this article I have limited my momschool time with them to just reading the current read a loud. By this I mean that my momschool/kidschool does not include a long or short list of things to read, practice and get through with them. Usually after dinner (at noon) I read a couple of chapters to whoever wants to listen. This is most often just the middle two. My read a louds are targeted to them as they need the most inspiring. Liberty has no problem going off and reading by herself. The last couple of books we have read are the first two Sackett books by Louis L'Amour, The Red Scarf Girl, The Hiding Place and now we are reading The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. We have had great discussions and they have been inspired by these stories. My simple goal has been to have them reading hundreds of books on their own. While they haven't read anywhere close to hundreds of books they have read a great many.

My husband and I have discussed how that the last couple of weeks we really feel that we are seeing a tremendous fruit of our labors with our children. They have an amazing breath of knowledge and are very well behaved. (The 8 year old sometimes has a problem with the wiggles and giggles in Primary and Cubscouts. He is doing a lot better though). The fruits we have seen I believe can be traced back to the hours we have spent in the classics together. I also attribute their compressive knowledge of gospel doctrine and scripture events to the hours upon hours we have studied together in daily family scripture study. They have been inspired not only in the classics but in the scriptures and all of them read the scriptures daily on their own with often no prompting.

Understand Lessons and Daily Application. I gave myself a fair on this one. In all fairness my children already know how to read and write and so there weren't necessarily lessons that needed to be learned from a 3R's standpoint. So here again is a step I sort of glossed over thinking I had it down. In hindsight I realize that I did miss out on some things. I did hold some writing lessons a year ago, but I was bored and they were bored and we dropped it.

Some important principles in this step are the "return and report" model which I already had a testimony in. This is an important model to adapt to my life.

Another important part of this step is to only teach them information that they need right them. Her example of not vomiting all the phonics rules on the them in first reading lesson is very valid.

I have also agreed with her point of teaching them things that are the most practical and things they can get daily application out of. I have refocused on this and noticed that there are basics things that my kids didn't know. A simple, silly example of this is during family prayer. We sing a hymn every time we have family prayer and sometimes we need hymnals for the hymn that is chosen. We realized through a couple of events that our children didn't not know how to share a hymn book. It usually broke out into a fight. At church the pews we sit on hold four hymnals. One for each child and one for me to share with whoever is sitting by me. (Hubby is on the stand). Because of this I hadn't ever realized that they couldn't (or wouldn't) share. So we had a "How to share the hymnal properly with your neighbor-whoever that may be" lesson. Since then they apply that regularly when we sing for family prayer. Another silly lesson is that we also noticed they were putting their scriptures away while a speaker was bearing their testimony at the end of a FHE lesson or a talk at church. We taught them how rude this is and that etiquette required them to wait until after the meeting was over to organize their belongings. These are simple lessons that they apply on an almost daily basis now and so these lessons are understood.

There are many lessons I realize that I need to teach my children that have nothing to do with math and science, but are important for life. This is another step that I realize that there are many things I can still be working on with my family.

Close the Headgates. We did so fantastic at this! This was my focus the entire year. The concept was talked about continually in our family and also among our friends. It is a regularly understood term. We not only removed 75% of our personal belongs, but we also put up the TV and the Wii. We do still have them though. In the 9 months or so since we put up the Wii we have gotten it out once and we didn't even really play with it. (I think we will probably get rid of it soon?) We have gotten out the TV/DVD more than that, but it's a chore to get it and we have it narrowed down to a very select list of movies we watch. I'd say we average a movie once a month.

Are children really don't have any toys now. They don't even care. They have some army men. They play with those occasionally. Maybe once a month. Lego's? We still have them, but they are put up also. In the fall they got them out a couple of times but didn't play with them very long and asked if we could put them away. I think they'll want to get rid of them soon.

So what do they play with? They have their "high impact battle swords" (I think that name is funny and I always say it. Sorry). They also bought fowling pieces at Valley Forge a couple of weeks ago. They also play with sticks, rope, yarn (when they ask permission) and metal junk they find on our land in the old barns. They play hard and make forts and fight in wars together. Their weapons get "checked" at the door in the mud room because chivalry says you don't come into a home armed.

Gone are the electronic toys, gone are the art supplies, gone are the costumes, gone are the puzzles and gone is the junk! It has been so liberating and wonderful.

I can't neglect to add that I removed personal headgates from my life that I was "busy" with and it has allowed me to focus on learning, inspiring and living my gender roles. I can't begin to describe how life changing these concepts have been for our family
In Conclusion, The Headgate article has truly brought amazing changes to our family. We have seen wonderful growth. The principles that I applied have helped me understand the principles of Zion and it prepared me to receive so much further light and knowledge that I would not have received had I not closed my own personal headgates. Once I allowed our family to be released of some of society's trappings I found growth. I look forward to better applying the other principles that I skipped over before.

Joseph Smith as Scientist

2011-03-23T18:11:00.001-07:00

Joseph Smith as Scientist: A Contribution to Mormon Philosophy by John A. Widtsoe is a great read to consider in your family. Elder Widtsoe discusses the basic principles of science and then quotes Joseph Smith and his teachings. Some of the subjects treated include: matter, energy, ether, astronomy, geological record, the sixth sense and evolution. This book will challenge you, but it will also increase your comprehension of what God has done for us.

I found the subject matter informative and very helpful. I think it would be an important book for scholar youth. It proves again that the scriptures truly do contain all subject matter and we can find ultimate truth by searching the scriptures. Elder Widtsoe points out that these teachings found in the scriptures from Joseph Smith were not known or accepted scientific laws at the time. It was only later that science came to "discover" them. The reader is also left with convincing "proof" in a temporal standpoint that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet.

The original chapters in the book appeared in installments in the Improvement Era in 1903-1904. In 1908 Elder Widtsoe had it published after a committee appointed by the First Presidency read the manuscript. That committee was Elders George Albert Smith, Edward H. Anderson and Joseph F. Smith, Jr. The point being that you can't get more official and authentic than The Improvement Era and approval from two future prophets.

In reading this book I felt that I was furthering my garnering of information about the History of Relief Society. This information was known and published among the Saints. With the revival of studying not only the History of the Relief Society but also the History of the Church I think we will gain some essential information needed to raise our children and to prepare for the Second Coming.

This book is available from Archive Publishers. The address is 754 East 50 North, Heber City, UT 84032. The phone number is 435.654.0824. The website listed is http://www.archivepublishers.com/ .

Holy Experiences

2011-03-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

Mr. Patriot and I decided long ago that we would work and sacrifice to provide experiences for our children. We have been faithful to that goal. Over the years our quest for experiences has been changed a little though. We now seek holy experiences.

The Sacred Grove 2011

We just returned home from two weeks filled with experiences. We were able to dejunk, paint and fix up grandma's house in the east. What a trip. We worked hard and had much fruit to show for our labors. I think our children came away with some valuable experiences and a new appreciation about things in life.

Palmyra Temple Baptism Trip 2011

We were also able to revisit the Sacred Grove and serve in the Palmyra Temple by doing baptisms. At grandma's house we taped maple trees and made homemade maple syrup. We reflected on the greatness of the patriots in the Revolutionary War as we walked the grounds of Valley Forge. We visited with family and strengthened relationships.

Taping trees at grandma's

Through our many travels we have had some holy experiences. Some of our holy experiences have included seeing the flag that hung over Fort McHenry in the War of 1812 on display at the American History Smithsonian; kneeling as a family at Adam-ondi-ahman and offering up a sacred prayer; standing in Carthage Jail and feeling the Spirit testify of Joseph Smith; and walking through Independence Hall and thinking about a new nation being born.

Valley Forge 2011

We don't have to fly across the country to have holy experiences though. We've had holy experiences around a campfire telling family history stories; receiving Father's Blessings; doing Baptisms for the Dead; singing hymns together on the way to a friend's home; and reading great books like "The Hiding Place" together.

Valley Forge 2011

Sacred experiences are available to us every day. Today we had a sacred experience during family scripture study as we read about Mormon being a sober child that was quick to observe. We noted how this young fifteen year old was able to be visited and taste and know the goodness of Jesus Christ. We talked about where we were at. Are we sober? Are we quick to observe?

When we seek truth the Spirit will teach us. When we seek holy experiences we will have them.

Relearning from General Conference in 10/05

2011-03-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

On the plane ride across the country as we headed home I reread most of the November 2006 Conference Ensign. I had found this brand new copy at the DI several weeks before. It appealed to me because it had no marks in and it was free for me to rediscover with new perspective. There were so many wonderful quotes I just wanted to share some random ones. I will most likely do a blog post or two on some specific ones that proved revelatory. For now though I share some thoughts to get your inspirational juices flowing.

"{The Latin root of disciple means pupil}…what is required of us is not to die for the Church but to live for it…Our true claim as disciples comes when we can say with certainty that His ways have become our ways." Faust page 20

"Return with new eyes and new ears to the scriptures…That time is now. This world needs the scriptures today." Hales 24

"{Laman and Lemuel} didn't accept anyone's authority to correct them. They didn't value spiritual things. They easily resorted to violence, and they were good at playing the victim...It is a wonderful aspiration for a boy to become a man-strong and capable; someone who can build and create things, run things; someone who makes a difference in the world…" Christofferson 46

"In our uncertain physical environment, we need to increase our spiritual nutrients-nutrients that come from the knowledge and fullness of the gospel and the powers of the holy priesthood…Spiritual nutrients, which keep us spiritually healthy, can lose their potency and strength if we do not live worthy of the divine guidance we need…Much of the spiritual pollution that comes into our lives comes through the Internet, computer games, television shows and movies that are highly suggestive of or graphically portray humanity's baser attributes. Because we live in such an environment, we need to increase our spiritual strength." Faust 53

"We are on the Lord's errand, and therefore we are entitled to the Lord's help…Brethren it is in doing-not just dreaming-that lives are blessed." Monson 56

"There is not a man or boy in this vast congregation tonight who cannot improve his life…Eliminate the sources of pornographic material in {your} lives." Hinckley 59

"{The Pioneers} faith is our inheritance. Their faith is a reminder to us of the price they paid for the comforts we enjoy…In the ongoing work of this great cause, increased faith is what we most need. Without it, the work will stagnate. With it, no one can stop its progress." Hinckley 82

"We are to teach our children the moral standard…Those brethren on Ensign Peak knew that they were to live ordinary lives and keep the image of Christ engraven in their countenances…Some suppose that our high standards will repel growth. It is just the opposite. High standards are a magnet…Not only are we to maintain the highest of standards, but each of us is to be a stand, a defense, a refuge." Packer 85

"To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else…Thomas B. Marsh allowed himself to be acted upon…As described by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, the Church is not 'a well-provisioned rest home for the already perfected'…One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others." Bednar 89

"I have thought about Jim Drinkwater many times and wondered how he came to be one that the Lord could trust…Do we really want to be instruments in God's hands? If so, our desire will permeate our prayers and be the focus of our fasts." Clarke 97

"In this day of moral relativism we must be prepared to take a stand and say, 'This is right, and this is wrong.' We cannot follow the crowd!...Do not flirt with evil. Stay out of the devil's territory. Do not give Satan any home-field advantage." Gibbons 102

"This reminds us that when those mists of darkness enveloped the travelers in Lehi's vision of the tree of life, it enveloped all of the participants." Holland 104

"We must not allow pride or vanity, selfishness or personal agendas to displace our reaching out to others in love." Parkin 108

Books for Teaching/Learning Government

2011-03-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

I recently read the book, "10 Books Every Conservative Must Read: Plus Four Not to Miss and One Impostor" by Benjamin Wiker, Ph.D. Dr. Wiker presents a book list that would be worthy reads for those pursing further study in government. I appreciated his list of four extra reads-which are fictional literature-that portray the values of conservatism. One book shows women embracing the role of marriage and nurturing and another book shows men acting in courage to protect their family and their lands. The correlation between living strong moral values and having limited government were intertwined. I understood more deeply the importance of moral character in public life. We have slipped from this.

With each book he presents a short biography on the author, information about the work itself that he choose and why the author's message should still be impactful today. Dr. Wiker's writing may provide help as a mentor of sorts to wade through difficult readings. His thoughts were particularly helpful to me recently as I reread "The Abolition of Man." Perhaps you will find this list helpful. Here is his book list:

"The Politics" by Aristotle
"Orthodoxy" by Gilbert Keith Chesterton
"The New Science of Politics" by Eric Voegelin
"The Abolition of Man" by C.S. Lewis
"Reflections on the Revolution in France" by Edmund Burke
"Democracy in America" by Alexis de Tocqueville
"The Federalist Papers" by Hamilton, Madison, Jay
"The Anti-Federalist"
"The Servile State" by Hilaire Belloc
"The Road to Serfdom" by Friedrich August Von Hayek

Here are is four not to miss:

"The Tempest" by Shakespeare
"Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen
"The Lord of the Rings" trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
"The Jerusalem Bible"

I will let you discover his imposter for yourselves. He makes a great case against its use to teach conservatism. Besides the fact that is devoid of all moral codes.

Brigham Young’s Teaching on Health

2011-03-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

As I have mentioned I have spent some time reading and studying The Discourses of Brigham Young compiled by John A. Widtsoe. I have been asked several times about my stance on health and eating. What does eating looking like Zion's way versus Babylon's way? I have a long way to go in this area. I have some opinions, but they are that, simply opinions. I believe that there is more to the Word of Wisdom than eat this or don't eat that. I think an overall view should be looked at. How do we view food? What are our eating patterns?

Since some of you do not have this book I will share various quotes from President Young on the Word of Wisdom. These are powerful quotes that have deep meanings and application in a profoud way. Perhaps it will spark some discussion and/or lead you to your own ponderings to apply in your own life. I have omitted the extensive quotes about tobacco, tea and coffee, because I hope this is not a problem and thereby focusing on his other thoughts. The quotes are taken from chapter 16 of this book.

"Excessive eating, drinking, or exercise all tend to the grave."

"Rule your own passions, and exercise faith until you can govern and control your appetites…Permit your bodies to have natural forms; also take pains to have the bodies of your daughters grow naturally, and teach them what they are made for, and that they through faith, must overcome every besetting sin and every unholy passion and appetite."

"The strength, power, beauty and glory that once adorned that form and constitution of man have vanished away before the blighting influences of inordinate appetite and love of this world. The health and power and beauty that once adorned the noble form of man must again be restored to our race; and God designs that we shall engage in this great work of restoration."

"Then let us seek to extend the present life to the uttermost, by observing every law of health, and by properly balancing labor, study, rest, and recreation, and thus prepare for a better life. Let us teach these principles to our children, that, in the morning of their days, they may be taught to lay the foundation of health and strength and constitution and power of life in their bodies."

"By and by, according to the Scriptures, the days of a man shall be like the days of a tree. But in those days people will not eat and drink as they do now; if they do their days will not be like a tree unless it be a very short-lived tree."

"We are trying to become natural in our habits, and are striving to fulfill the end and design of our creation."

"The people have laid the foundation of short life through their diet, their rest, their labor, and their doing this, that, and the other in a wrong manner with improper motives, and at improper times."

"…good cold water…this is the beverage we should drink. It should be our drink at all times."

"As we got richer and built warm houses, and have lived more richly, indulging in sweet cake, plum pudding, roast beef and so on, we have had more or less disease among us."

"If the people were willing to receive the true knowledge from heaven in regard to their diet they would cease eating swine's flesh. I know this as well as Moses knew it, and without putting it in a code of commandments. The beef fed upon our mountain grasses is as healthy food as we need at present….Fish is as healthy a food as we can eat, if we except vegetables and fruit, and with them will become a very wholesome diet."

"The Americans, as a nation, are killing themselves with their vices and high living. As much as a man ought to eat in half an hour they swallow in three minutes, gulping down their food like the canine quadruped under the table…If you want a reform, carry out the advice I have just given you."

"When men live to the age of a tree, their food will be fruit….If every woman in this Church will now cease drinking tea, (etc.) and live upon vegetables, etc., not many generations will pass away before the days of man will again return. But it will take generations to eradicate entirely the influences of deleterious substances."

"{We should have} well ventilated dwelling-houses, especially the rooms occupied for sleeping."

"Study to preserve your bodies in life and health, and you will be able to control your minds."

"My mind becomes tired, and perhaps some of yours do. If so, go and exercise your bodies."

"Doctors make experiments, and if they find a medicine that will have the desired effect on one person, they find a medicine that will have the desired effect on one person, they set it down that it is good for everybody, but it is not so, for upon the second person that medicine is administered to seemingly with the same disease, it might produce death…I say that unless a man or woman who administers medicine to assist the human system to overcome disease, understands, and has that intuitive knowledge, by the Spirit, that such an article is good to that individual at that very time, they had better let him alone. Let the sick do without eating, take a little of something to cleanse the stomach, bowels and blood, and wait patiently, and let nature have time to gain the advantage over the disease."

"Sisters, you will take notice, … to adopt this rule-stop your child from eating meat, and especially fat meat;…let them eat a little more porridge; let them eat sparingly."

"Children should have milk, bread, water, and potatoes, and everything that would lay the foundation for disease should be strenuously kept from their stomachs, that no appetites may be formed for pernicious substance."

A Look at Old-fashioned Modesty

2011-03-08T14:10:00.002-07:00

Our family has been out of town on a vacation the last little while and we will be gone for another week. I wrote five scheduled posts before I left and they have been appearing while I'm gone. This post was the next scheduled one and it ties in well with The Misfit's Cygnets thoughts right now. Happy pondering. : )

Modesty.

The last six weeks I have worn a skirt every day (except for two). I know some of you are saying, "Six whole weeks Deanna! Wow!" And then laughing because you have been for months and years. I've just finally gotten around to it. I don't know if the Lord expects us to go back to this anyway, but I thought I would try it out and see what happened. Here are my observations:

"We feel that there exists a pressing need of improvement and reform among our young people, specifically in the matter of dress and in their social customs and practices. Our women are prone to follow the demoralizing fashions of the world; and some of the daughter of Zion appear to view with one another in exhibitions of immodesty and of actual indecency in their attire wholly forgetful of the precepts of the Lord and the counsels of his servants, and seemingly oblivious in the respect to the promptings and duties of true womanhood…The conditions call for prompt, determined, and persistent action, lest the standard of morality and spiritual health in our community be further impaired….

"We call upon you…to give this matter immediate consideration, and to make it the subject of specific effort and systematic missionary labor among the members of your organization and with the people generally throughout the Church."(The Relief Society Magazine 1917 ,Vol. 4 page 36-37).

In another editorial she states,

"The First Presidency of the Church have paid the high compliment of asking this Society to lead out in a general movement looking to change in some of the prevalent modes of dress, dancing and of general behavior among the young and old people…When are girls and women go into public places with their dresses three inches shorter than their shoe-tops, with nothing to cover their bodies from arm-pits and corset rim, to chin, except transparent muslin-when they go in bathing clothes in tiny trunks and shoes only-with mothers complacently looking on, and fathers and brothers allowing such exposures, and with moral standards gradually lowering to accommodate these lapses-there is something certainly "rotten in Utah." Mothers have persistently violated modesty and their own covenants by wearing short sleeves and half-low necks, who have been card-players, breakers of the Word of Wisdom, and of the Sabbath Day-these mothers would naturally view with entire complacency the half naked condition of their daughters in public places. But when these examples spread, and we hear good Latter-day Saint mothers defending such looseness on the ground of expediency, or common custom, it time for public teachers and watchers upon the towers of Zion to arise and cry out a warning note.

"What can we do, then, women and sisters members and officers in this Relief Society? We can guard our own conduct. Any little lapse from the strict rules of modesty in dress, speech, or behavior, or which we may have been guilty must be reformed before we can expect a change in greater lapses on the part of our daughter or granddaughters.

"We can refuse to countenance by word or thought the immodesty shown by our children or grand-children. If they are grown or married, and they will indulge in these things, at least we may not smile at it nor treat it as a light matter. Don't be deceived-Satan fools a good many people with that phrase, "be easy on the young people." Be as easy as you will on the young person, but never under any circumstances, be easy on her folly or violation of moral decencies.

"We can refuse to read or buy books and magazine that exploit adultery and loose moral standards. We can remain away from theaters and picture shows that portray vice and sin in glittering colors and suggestive references. A play recently produced in this city was so vile in action, word and reference, that good people who inadvertently attended it, suffered for days from a sense of personal humiliation; yet the play was beautifully staged, and presented by a first-class company. Such evident decadence of public, moral standards fill the mind with disgust, and a horror of the future for this nation and other nations like this one. Mothers and fathers can't effort to be seen at such places. When absent they can consistently advise their children to not attend.

"We can refuse to buy or to make clothing for ourselves and our daughters which expose the body and is indecently immodest. If girls earn their own money, at least a mother may advise and assist her daughter to choose wisely. If mother's word is insufficient, let father be called into the council. Don't worry over that old gag about the stern parent driving away the wild son or daughter by harshness. Ninety children go wrong from over-indulgence and weakness where ten go wrong from harshness and severity. This is the age of obedient parents, you know.

"Finally, which is the wisest preventive of all we can devote our days and nights to contriving ways and means to keep our young people constantly engaged and employed in interesting work and clean amusements of all kinds, so that their minds and hands are not left idle. Drive out evil with good." (page 101-103)

My husband LOVES it. In more ways than one.
I love my husband more and I want to do anything and everything for him.
I realize I'm a women and I like it.
Men seem to respect me more.
My mental state has changed in that I want to be protected. I expect men to help me. It's not that I feel like a "helpless woman," but I do feel like they should/will protect me.
I feel more nurturing. I want to cook, clothe and serve anyone that comes into my house.
I don't feel like I have to prove myself.
I feel God's love for me more clearly as well as His spirit guiding me.
I want to serve my God more.
Some women are threatened by me.

It is very strange the subtle, yet significant, changes that have taken place inside of me.

I have read the 1916 and I'm working my way through the 1917 compilation of the Relief Society Magazine. It is filled will calls from the First Presidency and the General Relief Society to stop dressing immodestly. They specifically ask the sisters to dress and teach modesty to the children as identified by dresses that don't go above the shoes, sleeves that don't rise higher than the wrists and also neck lines that stay high. I thought I would share some of their thoughts to help you in your pondering for your family.

In an editorial Sister Susa Young Gates says,

Prayer is the Soul’s Sincere Desire

2011-03-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

I have spent many hours in contemplation on how to make my prayers more meaningful. How may I hear heaven's voice?

Through my years in leadership positions I have heard a constant plea from the Bishops. "Counsel with those in your stewardships to pray. The majority of the membership is not praying, they must learn the power of their prayers." I have thought of this often. While I am praying, am I praying with a sincere heart? Do I understand the power of prayer? I am far from knowing everything but I have learned some ways to make my prayers more impactful in my life. Perhaps some of my thoughts will spark yours.

The Bible Dictionary provides a masterful discourse on the power of prayer. I share a small portion.

"The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings…

"We pray in Christ's name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ-when his words abide in us. We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ's name at all; they in no way represent his mind, but spring out of the selfishness of man's heart."

There are several profound and import lessons I learn from this.

God has blessings for us. He is willing to grant those blessings to us.
His blessings are contingent on our asking for them.
Receiving blessings necessitates are working and doing our share to earn them.
Prayer is work.
Prayer is how we obtain the highest of blessings.
We pray in Christ's name.
In prayer our mind must be the mind of Christ as we prayer.
In prayer our wishes must be the wishes of Christ.
In prayer our words must be the words of Christ.
When we have the mind, will, and words we may ask for things that are possible for God to grant.
Some prayers are unanswered because they were not offered with Christ's name.
Some prayers are unanswered because they represent our selfish heart.

For me this is an important list. There is plenty for me to work on! Many questions for me arise. Do I know what blessings God has for me? Have I asked for these blessings? Am I working to secure these blessings? Is prayer work for me? Do I sputter out a rote list of requests? Am I asking for those highest blessings? Am I praying in Christ's name in more than word only? Am I in tune with the mind, wishes and words of Christ so that I may know how to pray? Am I praying for the things I want or things God wants?

Here is another list of things that I have focused on that have added meaning to my prayers.

Pray out loud when possible. This helps to organize my thoughts better and requires more faith. Do I really have the faith to utter that thought out loud? This helps with understanding that prayer is work. I've began to see prayer as a "wrestle" with the Lord in which I go back and forth as He teaches me how to think and how to pray. He teaches me what to ask for. My prayers out loud would sound like a conversation that you could only hear the one side too. I have found my mute prayers end up just being a whinny list of requests with minimal effort and little revelation. With silent prayers it is certainly possible to still receive revelation, but my mind wanders and it is overall less effective for me. Even mumbled prayers are better in the bathroom then silent prayers.
Pray for specifics. This is one I know and understand but I don't always do. Why? Because it's hard and requires work. Sloth is bad. Sometimes I pray just so I can "check it off" for the day. "Yep, I said my morning prayers. I am good with the Lord." While that is good, there is something far better; communing with the Lord. Every single time I take the effort and "work" by asking for very specific things the Lord answers me. Each day I strive to ask for things as specifically as I can. "What can I do to help Leader understand how to count with money a little better today?" "What should I make for dinner today?" "Let me have an opportunity that I may learn what it means to allow my husband to protect me." "What may I do to help Sister Smith, my visiting teaching sister, feel your love today?" "How can I dress feminine today?" "Today I am going to town. We are taking the car. The kids will all be touching each other and it is inevitable that they will start fighting. How should I handle this when they do?" "I would like to start canning more this year. Are there jars somewhere that I could collect that someone may not have a need for any more?" (I did obtain 48 jars with the answer I received to that prayer). "I am feeling sad (distressed, anxious, annoyed) today. I do not want to feel that way. What may I do right now to cast that sadness away that I may feel the hope of the Savior?" That is one that always seems to be answered. I must simply ask to have the feelings removed and then go and do and the feelings flee away. In the past I would pray to "have a good day," "have the spirit with me," and "be a good mom." That's well and good, and those prayers were always answered, but I have found when I do work and pray for specifics that the blessings are even greater.
Prayer about your roles/stewardships. I have come to realize that when I pray about my role as wife, mother, and homemaker those prayers are always more meaningful. I pray about my meals, how to be efficient in housekeeping, how to organize my day, how to teach an educational principle, how to teach, how to help my family feel my love, how to have the Spirit more fully in the home, how to recognize Satan's snares that are creeping into my home, how to fulfill counsel from my leaders that has specific relevance to my role in the home, how to help those who come inside my home feel welcome, how to let my light shine in motherhood, …. This also applies to my visiting teaching assignments, my church calling(s), my role as daughter, sister, aunt… I have learned that when I pray for things outside of my roles that I want (that's the selfish part they mentioned in the Bible Dictionary) that my prayers are rejected. I feel confused, needy, whinny, etc. I have realized when I focus on my divine role than I receive the blessings that He has promised to me. The moment I ask for things that the world says I should have by entitlement the Lord cannot bless me. (Again just like the Bible Dictionary teaches).
Gratitude. President Monson taught us well about this. We must always express our gratitude to Him the giver of all gifts. The scripture that always come to mind for me when I think about the importance of gratitude is in the Doctrine and Covenants 78:19, "And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even and hundred fold, yea, more." I must remember to thank my Heavenly Father for my blessings. This also requires me to be specific. Am I specifically naming the blessings I have received that day?
Pray three times a day. Our stake president challenged us in our last stake conference to pray three times a day. This should have seemed obvious to me. How often have I read the story of Daniel and Alma where they prayed three times a day? Alma 34:21 says, "Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening." I have worked on this. I haven't been perfect, but I haven't given up. I am teaching my children to prayer three times a day as well. I have found that I have received some very specific revelation that I would not have received had I not made an effort to obey this counsel.
Repent. I must always be cleansing myself. Always repenting. Always striving to progress. To change my thoughts little by little. I feel this often when I wrestle with the Lord. He teaches me what my incorrect thought patterns are. He teaches me how to love. Sometimes I don't want to listen. I like my ideas and my agenda. This is how I lay it on the alter or how I take up the cross. Repenting should never be about us feeling worthless or stupid. When I have truly submitted to God and repented of my weaknesses, agenda, improper thought patterns, etc. I feel liberated! I feel free. I recognize a whole new world has been opened up to me!
Prayer in heart always. This principle is repeated throughout the scriptures. "Praying always that they faint not." (Doctrine and Covenants 75:11, 2 Ne. 32:9, Luke 18:1, etc). Sometimes in my weakness I say, "Must I always be heaven directed? Can't I never have my own thoughts or do my own thing? Does everything have to be spiritual?" Yeah, it does. That is if we want to inherit all the Father hath. We must give all to our Heavenly Father. Every last thought and every last deed. That's of course not to say we will be perfect anytime soon. But that is the expectation. That is why we move line upon line though. Walking. Progressing. Moving forward. Having faith. Believing Him.

I'd like to say I do these things all the time. I don't. Knowing what I should do is half the battle though. My friend says we aim for the stars and then we land on the moon, and Christ makes up the difference. Unless we do everything we can (work, faith) Christ can't make up the lack.

I love this hymn. It is truly a great poem. It speaks to my soul.

Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire Hymn #145

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains
That reach The Majesty on high.

Prayer is Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters heav'n with prayer.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, "Behold, he prays!"

The Saints in prayer appear as one
In word and deed and mind,
While with the Father and the Son
Their fellowship they find.

Nor prayer is made on earth alone:
The Holy Spirt pleads,
And Jesus at the Father's throne
For sinners intercedes.

O thou be whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way!
The path of prayer thyself hast trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray.

Children’s Rights vs. Parental Rights

2011-03-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

This little editorial appeared in our local newspaper, "The Camas Courier," in the February 9, 2011 edition. The world culture that is presented is that of an amoral society where "whatsoever a man does is no crime." This also brings to mind the prophecy from Isaiah that in the last days that evil will be called good and good evil. At the end they suggest contacting your local representatives. Did I do anything? No. My husband and I grumbled about it from home to ourselves. I'm not thinking that this helped in my public virtue quest. Perhaps you will find it interesting reading.

In the Netherlands, children enjoy an extraordinary amount of freedom. Famous for its tolerant attitudes toward drinking, smoking, drugs, and sex, the Netherlands extend much this of this tolerance to its children down to the ages of 4 with sex education. The age of sexual consent is twelve, and you can legally buy alcohol at 16. The result of this is that about 20 to 30 percent of children 12 to 13 years of age drink on a fairly regular basis (at least once a week), and around 60% of 14 to 15-year-olds drink regularly. Increasingly, these children also drink a lot (10% of 12-13-year-olds drink 5 to 8 drinks per occasion). Children can smoke pot, legally, at the age of 16 as well.

Sweden is also very good for children. Among other things, working parents have free child-care for all children between the ages of 1 and 12. The downside –sex education. Sweden already has very stringent requirements for sex-ed, but in 2008 the government started the process of eliminating all exemptions for parents (the "op out" policy), including parents with religious and philosophical differences. This change was primarily aimed at Sweden's large Muslim immigrant populations, many of who claimed religious exemptions for sex-ed classes.

In 2007, an Italian court ordered the parents of Friday Germano to rename his Gregory. When the parents refused, the court changed the child's name itself, over the parents' objections, because the judge felt that the name recalled the servile savage Daniel Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe, and because superstitious Italians consider Friday an unlucky day. The court picked "Gregory" after the saint whose feast day fell on the boy's birthday. Under Italian law, officials at city hall are required to report all "unusual names" to the Italian government, which then has the authority to change them-even over the objection of the parents.

Whether you like the lower drinking ages, or you think sex-ed is a good thing, or you agree that children should not be burdened with unusual names, none of these issues were decided by the people of these countries. These policies were the direct result of these countries ratifying a treaty called the "United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child." Strangely enough, the UN has told the Netherlands (the poster child of child rights) that they have not done enough to implement the UNCRC.

Out of almost 200 UN member nations, only two countries have ratified this treaty-Somalia and the United States. Why? Never mind that it is largely ignored by most of the ratifying countries, it would obligate the U.S. government to violate long held legal precendents of parental rights. This would happen because many courts in the U.S. already accept the idea that parental rights are not constitutionally protected, including Supreme Court Justice, Anthony Scalia.

So far, the U.S. has not been interested in ratifying this treaty, but there are many who believe we need a constitutional amendment to permanently protect parental rights-particularly given the events of the last two years.

This week, the Idaho House of Representatives will be voting on House Joint Memorial No. 1. If passed, it will send the message that the Idaho legislature wants Congress to pass a Parent Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

If you support this idea, contact your Idaho representatives today.

Sword Play

2011-02-26T20:22:00.001-07:00

I've mentioned before that I want our boys to grow up to be real men. I want them to learn how to respect and defend women and children. I want them to be tough and brave. Thomas Jefferson said, "virtue is not hereditary." (Read more good quotes here). Therefore I must teach them. It is hard finding things that will help them do this! For Christmas we bought the boys, "high impact battle swords." We love them. You have to be tough to play with them. No whining. We purchased them from Vision Forum. Here is the link and you simply must watch the video demonstration.

Waling to Zion: Casting Down My Idolatry

2011-02-25T10:11:00.001-07:00

Idolatry. That was what Brigham Young said was one of the main reason the Saints could not redeem Zion. How am I doing on this?

Idol worship means worshipping something/one instead of God. It keeps us from doing the right things; no matter how small. They are often seen in the form of addictions. These are our weapons of rebellion.Elder Kearon recently said,

"We must lay down our weapons of rebellion (and we each know what they are). We must lay down our sin, vanity, and pride. We must give up our desire to follow the world and to be respected and lauded by the world. We must cease fighting against God and instead give our whole hearts to Him, holding nothing back."

Today there are many idols we can worship. Money. TV. Books. Sports. Music. Drugs. Alcohol. Tobacco. Pornography. Stuff. Image. Fashion. Shopping. Food. Work. Hunting. Hobbies. Facebook. Internet. Gaming. Time. Education.

I have found that it's really easy to recognize the idols that others have, but it's harder recognizing and accepting the idolatry in my own heart. I guess though according to Elder Kearon I really do know what they are and maybe I just don't want to admit them to myself.

Here on earth we have been given the wonderful gift of agency. How to we use it? Do we use it to bow down to worship dumb idols or are we worshiping the one true God? Elder Hales said, "Every time we go out, every decision we make, we are either choosing to move in his direction or in the direction of our Savior. But the adversary must depart if we tell him to depart. He cannot influence us unless we allow him to do so, and he knows that! The only time he can affect our minds and bodies-our very spirits-is when we allow him to do so."

I find hope and strength from this. I can resist the temptations of Satan and refuse to bow down to my weaknesses. I must be vigilant though because I can lose my agency by making wrong choices. Elder Hales commented, "To retain our agency we must daily walk in the light our Lord and Savior and follow the path of obedience."

Elder Hales has talked about how we can reclaim our agency that we may have lost to wrong choices (idolatry). He says the path back should include these steps:

"Choose to accept-truly accept-that you are a child of God, that He loves you, and that He has the power to help you.

"Choose to put everything-literally everything-on the altar before Him. Believing that you are His child, decide that your life belongs to Him and that you will use your agency to do His well. You may do this multiple times in your life, but never, never give up.

"Choose to put yourself in a position to have experiences with the Spirit of God through prayer, in scriptures study, at Church meetings in your home, and through wholesome interactions with others. When you feel the influence of the Spirit you are beginning to be cleansed and strengthened. The light is being turned on, and where that light shines, the darkness of evil cannot remain.

"Choose to obey and keep your covenants, beginning with your baptismal covenant. Renew these covenants weekly by worthily partaking of the sacrament.

"Choose to prepare to worthily attend the temple, make and renew sacred covenants, and receive all of the saving ordinances and blessings of the gospel.

"Finally, and most importantly, choose to believe in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Accept the Savior's forgiveness, and the forgive yourself. Because of His Sacrafice for you, He has the power to 'Remember

{your sins} no more.' You must do likewise."

I thought this was important counsel to me in my quest to strip the idolatry out of my life. I must recognize the things I hold on to and that prevent me from laying my will on the alter. In my life most of what entices me to idolatry is the worship of my own agenda, my own ideas, my own time, and just simply my desire to do what I want. Regardless of how noble or wholesome it is if it is not what God wants me to do at that moment then I am worshiping the idol of my own self.

In Zion I must only worship the one true God. I must cease my self-worship, my idolatry.

All the quotes (except for the quotes from Elder Kearon) are quoted from the conference address, "To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency," given April 1, 2006.

Walking to Zion: Restoring Gender to the Family

2011-02-22T14:34:00.004-07:00

This topic may seem the most surprising of my goals in Walking to Zion. Through the years I've come to see it as a serious problem infiltrating society today.

In the second paragraph of the Proclamation it reads, "Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose." Initially when I read this line of the Proclamation I always thought it was interesting that they included it in there. Of course gender is important. Recently however, I have come to see (of course) their divine wisdom in including this in a manifesto on the family.

I am amazed at the changes racing through our society. When we go to "town" my children often remark, "Is that a boy or a girl?" It is becoming harder and harder to tell. We are on a collision course in the world of a people that are unisex. This is manifested in many ways. Men are feminized and women are masculine. Women can work in any job, including front line combat while men are transitioning to stay at home nurturers. Women are crude and men wear make-up.

I see this "unisex" world having two parts. The first is that we are unisex is dress and the second we are unisex in action.

Speaking of the first the Lord told the children of Israel in the Law of Moses, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do are abomination unto the Lord thy God." (Deuteronomy 22:5)

I have been pondering on this scripture for a long time. I have realized that we are dressing like men today! I have thought about my jeans, my pony tails, my tennis shoes, my baseball caps, my t-shirts, my sweatshirts….Ugh!!! In my state of 'frump' I have dressed like a man. Why? That's what they sell first and that's what everyone else wears.

Another tidbit is the slogan of, "Tough enough to wear pink." I know that breast cancer awareness is important. However, I don't think that feminizing our men is the right way to do it. Very subtle.
I'm sure the junction to not dress like a man only applied to the Law of Moses and the Children of Israel anyway. The law of was fulfilled so it doesn't have anything to do with me today. Whew! (Yeah, I wish that was true). Something to think about.

So besides the fact that we are dressing like men (or the men like women) we are not teaching masculine and feminine roles. We are teaching our children that they can do anything and be anything. The church understood the need to make sure parents teach their children correct gender roles by creating a section specifically aimed at this in the booklet, "A Parent's Guide," published in 1985. Here are some of their thoughts:

"Considerable controversy has been aroused of late around such terms as sexism, feminism, and machismo, as if there is something wrong with being too male, too female, or too virtuous. President Kimball said, 'I sincerely hope that our Latter-day Saint girls and women, and men and boys, will drink deeply of the water of life and conform their lives to the beautiful and comprehensive roles the Lord assigned to them.'

"But members of the Church must not be deceived about one immutable truth: there is eternal significance in being a man or a woman. The history of the gospel from Adam to this final dispensation documents equal respect for the roles of men and women and the need for all men and women to develop their gifts to the utmost through living the commandments of God. But within that same gospel framework are some realities about differences between the two genders. This means that there are some exclusive things men are to do and some that women are to do. A most appropriate time for this development is the interlude between early childhood and adolescence. President Kimball clarified the eternal significance of gender identity when he said:

"'Some people are ignorant or vicious and apparently attempting to destroy the concept of masculinity and femininity. More and more girls dress, groom, and act like men. More and more men dress, groom, and act like women. The high purposes of life are damaged and destroyed by the growing unisex theory. God made man in his own image, male and female made he them.'

"Girls ought to be taught the arts and sciences of housekeeping, domestic finances, sewing and cooking. Boys need to learn home repair, career preparation and the protection of women. Both girls and boys should know how to take care of themselves and how to help each other. By example and by discussion, both sexes need to learn about being male or female, which in summary, means becoming husbands and fathers or wives and mothers, here ore hereafter." (Pages 25-29)

Here are some general goals we have been working on:

For the women/girls of the family to dress feminine.
For the men/boys of the family to dress masculine.
Create a culture saturated with men acting like men.
1. Be around other families where the men/boys act like men/boys.
2. Read books (and other media choices) where there are strong, tough men who protect women. We enjoy the the books of the author Louis L'Amour.
3. Men/boys expected to work and protect women including open doors, helps with coats, and talk respectfully around women.
4. Learn masculine skills.
Create a culture saturated with women acting like women.
1. Be around other families where the women/girls act like women/girls.
2. Read books (and other media choices) where women are feminine from books written by Louisa May Alcott, L.M. Montgomery, etc.
3. Women/girls are expected to feed, clothe, and encourage their men.
4. Learn feminine skills.
Learn and study what nurture, preside, protect, and provide really mean.

I think that it is important that we reclaim our families from the unisex culture that is threatening our destruction.

Susanna Wesley

2011-02-22T13:02:00.001-07:00

Susanna Wesley by Kathy McReynolds

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Studying the lives of the great reformers of Christianity is paramount. Included in these biographical sketches we need to include the lives of the great women who nurtured these great men as mothers and wives. In their steadfast faith we can find example in how to raise our own hero generation.

I have long wanted to read a biography about the great Susanna Wesley. I was happy with the book by Kathy McReynolds. I had done some research into the biographies of Susanna and many of them focused on her being dominated by men and other worldly trumped up interpretations instead of narrowing in on the very hope of her life-her faith in Jesus Christ and her dedication to her family.

Susanna Wesley was born in England in 1669; the 25th child in the family. She was the mother of John and Charles Wesley who were later dubbed the founders of Methodism. Charles Wesley’s hymns have found their way to all Christian hymnals. Some of his more famous hymns include, “Rejoice, the Lord is King!,” “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” and “Hark the Herald Angles Sing.”

Susanna was fiercely dedicated to Christ and the Bible. She was extremely well read and self-taught that was encouraged at an early age by her famous father. She left behind a large legacy of letters and writings that continue to impact people today. As her children grew and attained adulthood she continued to teach them through letters. She bore her testimony constantly. The object of all her letters was to make sure they were living by the Bible.

She gave birth to 19 children in 21 years. She outlived two of her adult children. Ten of her children died young, one of which it believed to have been killed by persecutors. They lost their home to fire twice; one of the fires was believed to be intentionally started. Their fields were also set on fire, their cattle stabbed and their dog’s leg was brutally cut. The persecutors “shouted out obscenities to them and fired their guns in front of their home during all hours of the night.” All of this occurring while her husband sat in prison.

She was revered by her husband and her sons spoke highly of her. She also understood her role as wife and mother and was devoted to them.

Susanna is also famously known because she homeschooled all of her children. Her tenants and practices on child rearing are well known. She expected strict discipline out of her children but also smothered them with love.

Susanna Wesley is a woman worthy of emulation and study.

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Walking to Zion: Rejecting My Enemy

2011-02-18T11:03:00.000-07:00

Satan is my enemy. In the Pre-mortal existence his plan for forced salvation and personal glory were rejected. Christ's plan of agency and the glory being given to our Heavenly Father was chosen. Satan was offended and convinced one third of God's children to follow him. They left the presence of God. They have claimed earth as their playground to seek for the souls of men who kept their first estate. They seek us.

How do they plan to do it? Satan's plan hasn't changed. He still wants the glory. He still wants forced subjection. They seek to stand opposite of Christ in everything. Faith/Fear Peace/War Light/Darkness Righteousness/Wickedness

The Book of Mormon was written for our day. Two great civilizations were destroyed the same way. It is a pattern we must look to and learn from. They both were destroyed because of wickedness. They were both destroyed from secret societies that destroyed them from the inside out.

Mormon gives us a huge discourse on these secret societies in Heleman chapter 6. I quote from versus 21-32.

"But behold, Satan did stir up the hearts of the more part of the hearts of the Nephities, insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers and did enter into their covenants and their oaths, that they would protect and preserve one another in whatsoever difficult circumstances they should be placed, that they should not suffer for their murders and their pluderings, and their stealings…

"And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country and also the laws of their God.

"And whosoever of those who belonged to their band should reveal unto the world of their wickedness and their abominations, should be tried, not according to the laws of their country, but according to the laws of their wickedness…

"Now behold, those secret oaths and covenants did not come forth unto Gadianton from the records which were delivered unto Helaman; but behold, they were put into the heart of Gadianton by that same being who did entice our first parents to partake of the forbidden fruit-

"Yea, that same being who did plot with Cain, that if he would murder his brother Abel it should not be known unto the world. And he did plot with Cain and his followers from that time forth.

"And also it is that same being who put it into the hearts of the people to build a tower sufficiently high that they might get to heaven. And it was the same being who led on the people who came from that towers into this land; who spread the works of darkness and abominations over all the face of the land until he dragged the people down to an entire destruction, and to an everlasting hell.

"Yeah, it is that same being who put it into the heart of Gadianton to still carry on the work of darkness and of secret murder; and he has brought it forth from the beginning of man even down to this time.

"And behold, it is he who is the author of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on his works of darkness and secret murder, and doth hand down their plots, and their oaths and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from generation to generation according as he can get hold upon the hearts of the children of men.

"And now behold, he had got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephities; yeah insomuch that they had become exceedingly wicked; yea, the more part of them had turned out of the way of righteousness, and did trample under their feet the commandments of God, and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves idols of their gold and their silver.

"And it came to pass that all these iniquities did come unto them in the space of not many years."

Satan influenced and led the secret societies of the Nephites and the Lamanites. Their creed included no moral code, no accountability to the law of the land, and the rejection of God.

This last dispensation is a gathering of all the good the world has ever know (the restoration of all things) and it is also a gathering of all the evil the world has ever know. While God has been raising up His prophets, Satan has also been raising his army.

Nephi and Moroni both testified of this latter-day built up. Nephi said,

"And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor.

"And there are many churches built up which cause envyings, and strifes, and malife.

"And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for his the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and the works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cord forever." (2 Nephi

26:20-22)

And Moroni testified about when the Book of Mormon come,

"Yea, it shall come in a day when the blood of saints shall cry unto the Lord, because of secret combinations and the works of darkness.
"Yea, it shall come in a day when the power of God shall be denied, and be lifted up in the pride of their hearts; yea, even in a day when leaders of churches and teachers shall rise in the pride of their hearts, even to the envying of them belong to their churches….

"Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be murders, and robbing, and lying and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations; when there shall be many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it mattereth not, for the Lord will uphold such at the last day. But wo unto such at the last day. But wo unto such, for they are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity.

"Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins." (Mormon 8:27-32)

Satan's plan for the last day: no moral code, no accountability and the rejection of God. It's the same plan he's always had. Interesting point though is that many of the secret combinations will be in the form of an open religion.

Fast forward to today. Do we see that? Is there a rejection of God? Is there a rejection of moral codes? Is there the belief that no one is accountable?

Here are some modern day definitions:

Moral relativism is the view that ethical standards, morality, and positions of right or wrong are culturally based and therefore subject to a person's individual choice. We can all decide what is right for ourselves. You decide what's right for you, and I'll decide what's right for me. Moral relativism says, "It's true for me, if I believe it." http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/Secular-Humanism.htm

Secular Humanism is an attempt to function as a civilized society with the exclusion of God and His moral principles. During the last several decades, Humanists have been very successful in propagating their beliefs. Their primary approach is to target the youth through the public school system. Humanist Charles F. Potter writes, "Education is thus a most powerful ally of humanism, and every American school is a school of humanism. What can a theistic Sunday school's meeting for an hour once a week and teaching only a fraction of the children do to stem the tide of the five-day program of humanistic teaching?" (Charles F. Potter, "Humanism: A New Religion," 1930)

Secular Humanism - Main Tool is Evolutionary Thought
Secular Humanism is manifested in Evolutionary Theory. To satisfy the fundamental question of "Where did we come from?" children are taught the doctrine of Evolution. The first plank of the Humanist Manifesto states: "Religious humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created." The second plank states: "Humanism believes that man is a part of nature and that he has emerged as a result of a continuous process." Certainly, the public school system propagates the Humanist doctrine (clearly an atheistic "religion"), and thus, condemns the concept of God. This is an amazing irony. Creation Science has been successfully kept out of the public schools by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (A.C.L.U.) on the grounds that Creation is religious, and the government should not support religion in any fashion. "In fact, evolution became in a sense a scientific religion; almost all scientists have accepted it, and many are prepared to 'bend' their observations to fit with it." (H. S. Lipson, FRS, Professor of Physics, University of Manchester, UK, "A Physicist Looks at Evolution", Physics Bulletin, vol. 31, May 1980, pg. 138).

Humanism: A Belief with no Purpose or Objective Values
Humanism holds that the universe exists for no purpose. We are the result of a blind and random process that does not necessitate any kind of meaning. Humanism differs from the more extreme philosophy of nihilism, in that life can have a meaning if we assign a meaning to it. Life is only worth living if we ourselves make it worthwhile and enjoyable. Humanism maintains that no objective or universal values exist. A person may be moral if he or she creates a system of values and lives according them. A humanist would maintain that no one is obligated to be moral. Therefore, humanism fails to provide moral objections to immoral behavior. Obviously, if no moral absolutes exist, you can't demonstrate that anything is wrong or evil. Thus, in a humanist society, no one can really judge or condemn the choices or actions of others.( http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/humanism.htm)

Humanism: Life Without Real Meaning
Humanism is fostered by the teaching of evolutionary science, materialism and moral relativism in our popular media and public school system. We've removed God from the equations. Without God, we lose any transcendent purpose for the universe in which we live. Without God, we lose any transcendent purpose to give meaning to our individual lives. We are nothing more than bugs struggling with survival until we die. All the achievements, the sacrifices, the good and beautiful acts of some people, the ugly and dark acts of others, are ultimately futile efforts of life. Without God, we lose any possibility for life after death. When you remove the hope of heaven, you remove the ultimate value and purpose of life. What difference would it really make whether we lived like a Billy Graham or an Osama Bin Laden? Everyone's fate would be the same anyway. This is the ultimate outlook of those who base their belief system on humanism. Eat, drink and be merry – for tomorrow we die. (http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/humanism.htm)

I strongly encourage you to read the "Humanist Manifesto." Here are some of their ten planks:

FIRST: Religious humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created.
SECOND: Humanism believes that man is a part of nature and that he has emerged as a result of a continuous process.
THIRD: Holding an organic view of life, humanists find that the traditional dualism of mind and body must be rejected.
FOURTH: Humanism recognizes that man's religious culture and civilization, as clearly depicted by anthropology and history, are the product of a gradual development due to his interaction with his natural environment and with his social heritage. The individual born into a particular culture is largely molded by that culture.
FIFTH: Humanism asserts that the nature of the universe depicted by modern science makes unacceptable any supernatural or cosmic guarantees of human values. Obviously humanism does not deny the possibility of realities as yet undiscovered, but it does insist that the way to determine the existence and value of any and all realities is by means of intelligent inquiry and by the assessment of their relations to human needs. Religion must formulate its hopes and plans in the light of the scientific spirit and method.
EIGHTH: Religious Humanism considers the complete realization of human personality to be the end of man's life and seeks its development and fulfillment in the here and now. This is the explanation of the humanist's social passion.
NINTH: In the place of the old attitudes involved in worship and prayer the humanist finds his religious emotions expressed in a heightened sense of personal life and in a cooperative effort to promote social well-being.
TENTH: It follows that there will be no uniquely religious emotions and attitudes of the kind hitherto associated with belief in the supernatural.
FINAL PARAGRAPH: So stand the theses of religious humanism. Though we consider the religious forms and ideas of our fathers no longer adequate, the quest for the good life is still the central task for mankind. Man is at last becoming aware that he alone is responsible for the realization of the world of his dreams, that he has within himself the power for its achievement. He must set intelligence and will to the task. You may not know that Secular Humanism has been ruled a religion since June 19, 1961 in Torcaso v. Watkins (see Understanding the Times by David A. Noebel pg.33 and A Christian Manifesto by Francis A. Shaeffer pg. 55)

Our enemy, Satan, is knocking on our doors. He is all around us. Have we seen him? Do we realize that our society is controlled by his influence? Communism is the political party and humanism is the religion. They are interconnected. Everything they stand for is in exact opposition to Jesus Christ and His plan. I believe that this is the great and abominable church spoken of in the scriptures. Remember everything against Christ is Satan's teachings. Humanism is the exact opposite of Jesus Christ.

Captain Moroni as taught us how to fight them. He raised the standard of liberty to protect their religion, their lands and their families. This is the opposite plan of Communism and Humanism.

We are in the greatest battle the world has seen so far. Are we fighting in this war as if it was the greatest war? Are we preparing for battles? Are we parrying the blows of the adversary? Sometimes I worry that I am tolerant and apathetic. I realize that there are many days I am being led down to hell by Satan's flaxen cord.

There is great hope for us however. We know that Christ will prevail. It remains though which side will we be found on?

Walking to Zion: Physical Preparation

2011-02-15T21:26:00.000-07:00

President Kimball said to plant a garden. Why? We can just buy food cheaper and easier from the store. Perhaps we need the skills. Perhaps we need to work.

In walking to Zion our family has realized that we are too lazy to walk. Mmm. That's a problem. We have realized one aspect of walking to Zion means we need to literally gain physical strength. Our world is filled with a life of physical ease and comfort. As a result we have become a fat and lazy people, and while our family is not fat we are definitely lazy!

In my long time favorite quote from Brigham Young he said,

"If we are to be saved in an ark, as Noah and his family were, it will be because we built it." (JD 8:354-355)

He also said,

"Everything connected with building up Zion requires actual severe labor. It is nonsense to talk about building up any kingdom except by labor; it requires the labor of every part of our organization, whether it be mental, physical or spiritual, and this the only way to build up the Kingdom of God." (JD 3:122)

So we are changing. We have physical goals.

Walk more. Be more active. Plant and take care of a garden. Eat less. Serve more. Move our body. Get fresh air.

In walking to Zion our family has also been identifying 'lost arts' that we feel we need to gain some basic knowledge in. One child said the other day, "What happens if we don't actually need them because we aren't called to Zion." Even if we don't physically remove ourselves to Zion these arts are being lost and the succeeding generations need these skills. I feel duty bound to make sure my posterity has possession of these skills.

Here is a working list we have been making of possible skills. We aren't necessarily going to learn all of them. We do know some of these skills and want to refine them. Other skills we may only obtain a general knowledge. It has been mentioned that learning these skills as a family would be pursuing "wholesome recreational activities." I couldn't agree more!! What would be more fun: campfire cooking as a family or watching Biggest Looser? I mean come on! These ideas are in a total random order.

Milking a Cow
Fishing
Cheese Making (butter, cottage cheese, cream cheese, yogurt)
Gardening
Canning
Spice Growing
Herbal identification and remedies
Chicken and Other Poultry Care
Killing and butchering animals
Shooting a Gun
Tracking animals
Sewing clothes
Knitting (socks, sweaters)
Wool processed to yarn
Flax production
Change water/irrigation
Growing wheat/grains and harvesting
Seed reproduction transplanting to garden
Bee keeping
Carpentry
Car care/ mechanics
Fruit Trees
Soil health
Cooking basics (molasses, vinegar, pickling, breads, mayonnaise, …)
Food drying
Quilting
Swordsmanship/knives
Archery
Tanning hides
Leather making
Coopering
Washing Clothes in bucket
Whittling
Masonry
Blacksmithing
Felling Trees and chopping wood
Animal husbandry
Plumbing
Electrical Work
Campfire cooking
First Aid
Sanitation
Water location
Desert/mountain survival
Crocheting
Tatting
Drying/smoking meat
Natural Cleaners
Wheel Making
Horse care
Trapping
Fire Building
Cement/Mud work

Going to Zion requires actual physical preparation. It is one more thing that I think is important in my Walk to Zion.

Walking to Zion: Spiritual Preparation

2011-02-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

We know that in Zion dwells people who are, "of one heart and one mind, and dwel{l} in righteousness; and there {are} no poor among them." (Moses 7:18) In order to live there we must have hearts purified. What does this look like?

Before we discuss that we must understand what Brigham Young said that it doesn't look like. In speaking to the Saints he taught them why they were not allowed to stay in Jackson County. He said,

"Let them look at the beautiful land that the Lord would have given them if all had been faithful in keeping his commandments, and had walked before him as they should….the yoke of Jesus would have been easy and his burden would have been light, and that it would have been a delightful task to have walked in obedience to his commandments and to have been of one heart and one mind; but through the selfishness of some, which is idolatry, through their covetousness, which is the same, and the lustful desire of their minds, they were cast out and driven from their homes. We have been driven many times; but each time if they who professed to be the servants of God had served him with and undivided heart, they would have had the privilege of living in their houses, possessing their lands, attending their meetings and spreading abroad on the right and the left, lengthening the cords of Zion, and strengthening her stakes until the land had been dedicated to the Gospel of the Son of God." (JD 13:1)

D & C 101: 6-8 also speaks of these early saints,

"There were jarrings, and contentions, and envyings, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among them; therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances.

"They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble.

"In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me."

We learn that the early saints possessed pride and idolatry. This is truly amazing to me. How were these wonderful pioneer men and women so full of these tendencies? I realize that if they possessed these faults then how great mine must truly be!!!! If they could not claim Zion, I am very, very far from it as well.
I learn from these quotes that in order to inhabit Zion there must be complete submission. There must be a complete removal of idols from my life.

In speaking of what we should be Brigham Young said,

"Let the people be holy, and the earth under their feet will be holy. Let the people be holy, and filled with the Spirit of God, and every animal and creeping thing will be filled with peace; the soil of the earth will bring forth in its strength, and the fruits thereof will be for man. The more purity that exists, the less is the strife…If the people will not serve the Devil another moment whilst they life, if this congregation is possessed of that spirit and resolution, here in this house is the Millennium." (JD 1:203)

"Let our anxiety be centered upon one thing, the sanctification of our own hearts, the purifying of our own affections, the preparing of ourselves for the approach of the events that are hastening upon us. This should be our concern, this should be our study, this should be our daily prayer." (JD 9:3)

I think we begin this quest for holiness by first, "Mak{ing} the Lord Jesus Christ the living center of your home." (Elder Scott, "He Lives! All Glory to His Name! May 2010). When Christ becomes the living center of our lives/homes (and we stop serving the Devil as President Young said) then we will focus on doing all in our power to obey and cleanse ourselves.

My personal experience has taught me that as I submit to "every word which proceed{s} forth out of the mouth of God" (Moroni 7:25) that He takes me where I need to be. I have seen this pattern repeated time after time. The problem of course is why don't I do it all the time? I have great days where I submit and I learn through the Spirit what my weakness are and how I can overcome them. Then there are other days when I don't want to listen and my mind and heart are focused on worldly thoughts and ideas. I realize in these moments that I am like the early Saints who were idolatrous and lustful. Each time I focus on something besides God I am worshiping another God.

That is why this journey is a' walking journey' built line upon line. If I go too fast I will fall. But if I am patient with myself I can repent and refocus day by day. President Young also says,

"Let us take a course to be saved today, and, when evening comes, review the acts of the day, repent of our sins, if we have any to repent of, and say our prayers; then we can lie down and sleep in peace until the morning, arise with gratitude to God, commence the labors of another day, and strive to live the whole day to God and nobody else." (JD 8:124)

In order to go through this process day by day, and live moment by moment by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God we must choose to exercise faith. Bishop Edgely said,

"Yes, faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed. Thus, we are responsible for own faith. We are also responsible for our lack of faith. The choice is yours….If your faith is proven and mature, choose to nurture it "with great care"...It needs constant nourishment through continued scripture study, prayer, and the application of His word." (Bishop Edgley, "Faith the Choice Is Yours," November 2010).

Each moment and each day we need to strive to become more spiritually pure to dwell in Zion. Each day we need make sure our family is moving closer to that wholeness. We need to do things that bring the Spirit into our lives. Elder Bednar recently taught us we do all the right things so that we can have "the ongoing companionship of the Holy Ghost." (Elder Bednar, "Receive the Holy Ghost," November 2010).

We know what the right things are. Scriptures. Prayers. Church. Sacrament. Fasting. Service. Temple. But while we are doing those things we must make sure that we are allowing the Spirit to go through us and change us. We must be progressing day by day. We must make sure that we are casting off the natural man. We must see that we are releasing our pride, our vain ambitions, our idols, our pessimissim, our doubts…

So in my Walk to Zion I am striving to purify my heart in every way. I am striving to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. I am striving to Walk to Zion in Faith.

Walking to Zion

2011-02-12T11:25:00.001-07:00

Through the years I have learned some important, life changing ideas. One idea is that I want to go to Zion. I feel that call today. Through the years I have learned little by little and bit by bit what this journey may consist of.

My husband and I have set some specific goals that we have been working on that I think are the key ideas and actions steps that we need to take so that we can make the journey to Zion; first in our own hearts, then as a family, and finally in an actual journey back to Missouri (whenever that call may come).

Brigham Young taught about Zion by saying,

"I wish to see this people take a course to bring back the days, years and intelligence that have been lost through transgression." (JD 8:62)

The scriptures speak of fleeing Babylon, but at the same time they caution us that the journey must not be made in haste. I think they mean we must literally flee Babylon but that the actual journey to Zion needs to include care, caution, and preparation. In D & C 133:15 the Lord says,

"Let not your flight be in haste, but let all things be prepared before you; and he that goeth, let him not look back lest sudden destruction shall come upon him."

But just as I must not run in haste, lest I trip and fall, I must still move, I must still go forward. I cannot loiter. So I have entitled these ideas and themes "Walking to Zion." I have to remind myself that this journey is slow-it's a walking pace. Slow and steady wins the race right?

Brigham Young says,

"Zion will not be redeemed and built up in a day. Israel will not be brought back to the fold of Christ and redeemed in a day." (JD 8:62)

In our fast food society we want the instantaneous results NOW. The Lord doesn't work this way. The Lord expects us to work line upon line and precept upon precept until we have arrived. King Benjamin taught,

"And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient the he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." (Mosiah 4:27)

With patience we will build Zion.

So I invite you along on my journey to Zion by sharing with you some of our family's goals. I have written a blog post about each of these goals and ideas and will post them over the next week or so. I would love to hear your thoughts and insights as well. What does your journey to Zion look like? Here are our goals:

Some of these goals may seem obvious and others may seem strange. We have specifically worked on each of these the last several years have noticed changes in our thought patterns and in our spiritual growth. I invite you along on my "Walking to Zion" journey.

1839 Cookbook

2011-02-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

Hello blogger friends. Right now I am working on a series about Zion that hopefully I'll get posted soon. I've written three of the six articles.

I had a reader send this fabulous link for a 1839 Cookbook. This will be an important resource for those of you trying to reclaim some lost arts in nutrition, cooking, meat preparing, food preservation, cleaning and home organization.

Thanks Jennifer.

Israel, Israel, God Is Calling

2011-02-08T20:46:00.111-07:00

A couple of days ago we sang "Israel, Israel, God Is Calling," for our hymn before family prayers. The hymn hasn't left me since then. Of course I have sang this before, but this time it is working in me and speaking more directly to my soul.

Israel, Israel, God is calling, Calling thee from lands of woe.
Babylon the great is falling;God shall all her tow'rs o'erthrow.
Come to Zion, come to Zion Ere his floods of anger flow.
Come to Zion, come to Zion Ere his floods of anger flow.

Israel, Israel, God is peaking. Hear your great Deliv'rer's voice!
Now a glorious morn is breaking For the people of his choice.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, And within her walls rejoice.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, And within her walls rejoice.

Israel, angels are descending From celestial worlds on high,
And to man their pow'r extending, That the Saints may homeward fly.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, For your coming Lord is nigh.
Come to Zion, come to Zion, For your coming Lord is nigh.

Israel! Israel! Canst thou linger Still in error's gloomy ways?
Mark how judgment's pointing finger Justifies no vain delays.
Come to Zion, come to Zion! Zion's walls shall ring with praise.
Come to Zion, come to Zion! Zion's walls shall ring with praise.
(Israel, Israel, God Is Calling Hymn #7)

It brings to mind the scripture in 3 Nephi 11: 3-7 when Heavenly Father is speaking to the Nephites and He calls to them three times before they hear His voice:

Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in who I have glorified my name-hear ye Him.

Today Christ is calling us. He calls and beckons us to come to Zion. He calls us from this land of woe, urging us to come to Him before the 'floods of anger flow." Hear His voice! Come to Zion! "Judgment's pointing finger justifies no vain delays." Come to Zion is the plea…..

The subject of Zion has been on my mind the last several years. The Doctrine in Covenants is full of scriptures commanding us to flee Babylon and flee TO Zion.

The urging for Zion rests deep in me and it calls to me. I have often wondered if this burning in my soul is similar to what the Saints felt who lived in England who had the overwhelming call to go to Utah and gather with the Saints.

Through the last couple of years I have found that my husband and I are not alone. This fire is burning in many others. I have noticed that many lives are changing. Choices to reject television, reject immodesty, reject public school, reject what is popular, etc…. In its place choices to learn to be self-reliant, to reclaim true womanhood and gender roles, to eat well, to spend hours in the scriptures, and to be around others of like mind.

It is swelling. What is happening? Israel, Israel, God is calling us! Will we go?

I have been reading Brigham Young's words from The Discourses of Brigham Young. He confirms many things that my husband and I have read, pondered and felt impressed about. Since I have a prophet to back me up I shall share what this journey to Zion looks like.

There is not one thing wanting in all the works of God's hand to make a Zion upon the earth when the people conclude to make it. (9:283)

When we conclude to make a Zion we will make it, and this work commences in the heart of each person. When the father of a family wishes to make a Zion in his own house, he must take the lead in this good work, which it is impossible for him to do unless he himself possesses the spirit of Zion. Before he can produce the work of sanctification in his family, he must sanctify himself, and by this means God can help him to sanctify his family. (9:283)

Let our anxiety be centered upon one thing, the sanctification of ourselves for the approach of the events that are hastening upon us. This should be our concern, this should be our study, this should be our daily prayer. (9:3)

Those who are counted worthy to dwell with the Father and the Son have previously received an education fitting them for that society. (10:172)

We want all the Latter-day Saints to understand how to build up Zion. We have to build up Zion, if we do our duty. (10:172)

He will not send his angels to gather up the rock to build up the New Jerusalem...He has called upon us to do this work: and if we will let him work by, through, and with us, he can accomplish it; otherwise we will fall short, and shall never have the honor of building up Zion on the earth. (13:313)

The work of building up Zion is in every sense a practical work; it is not a mere theory....Then let us not rest contented with a mere theoretical religion, but let it be practical, self-purifying and self-sustaining, keeping the love of God within us, walking by every precept, by every law, and by every word that is given to lead us. (9:284)
I have Zion in my view constantly.

Let us train our minds until we delight in that which is good, lovely and holy, seeking continually after that intelligence which will enable us effectually to build up Zion, which consists in building houses, tabernacles, temples, streets, and every convenience and necessity to embellish and beautify, seeking to do the will of the Lord all the days of our lives, improving our minds in all scientific and mechanical knowledge, seeking diligently to understand the great design and plan of all created things, that we may know what to do with our lives and how to improve upon the facilities placed within our reach. (10:177)

When are going back to Jackson County? Not until the Lord commands his people; and it is just as much as you and I can do to get ready to go when he commands us. (6:269)

This is just a small flavor of some of Brigham Young's discourses. We see that the journey to Zion begins in the hearts of each one of us. As the Lord teaches us the father then begins to build it within his family. Finally when the time is right and the people are prepared the Lord, through His prophet, will command us to return to Jackson County.

My husband recently exclaimed, "Why is it that the desire to build Zion burns so deeply in my heart? Everything I do is because I feel this burning to build Zion in our family?" A short time after that I read the above quote by Brigham Young that says that no one can built Zion unless he possess the "Spirit of Zion." So in a very real way the "Spirit of Zion" is burning in us.

Another interesting occurrence is in the lives of our youth and children. As we have removed the influences of Babylon from our family our children have grown up much less untainted and immune to societal influences. In their hearts burns the Spirit that is teaching them and preparing them. Their hearts burn with desires to make cheese, raise a garden, wear dresses, eat healthy, reject processed food, skin animals, do physical labor, serve others, etc. I see them rejecting evil and distraction. I see them embracing self-preparedness, scripture study, and hard work. The Lord is working in them! They feel the desire to build Zion. We must allow them to do what God is leading them to and not distract them with workbook pages, twaddle books and societal expectations. We must let them live!

Brigham Young said,

I wish to see this people take a course to bring back the days, years, and intelligence that have been lost through transgression. (8:62)

Let them live.

May we each receive the "Spirit of Zion" and seek to build in your own hearts and in your own families. As we do the Lord will have a people prepared.

Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom; behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord. D & C 133:10

Israel, Israel God Is Calling You!

Pheasant Anyone?

2011-02-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

I've talked a lot about our family's desire to learn more farming/self-preservation skills. We are blessed to be a round a family that have immersed this way of life. We are always asking questions and learning. Sometimes we falter on the application though…(it's hard to work when you've been a 'lazy city girl' your entire life!)

On our recent visit to their house their dog killed a pheasant. They grow pheasants and have pheasants everywhere on their land so they graciously told us to take it home and eat it. Really, that's so sweet of you guys. (gag gag) My boys were really into this exciting prospect. What was I to say? So after some oral directions on how to pluck, skin and gut it we set off for home. When my oldest son (11 years) was gagging as they talked about this I determined that this had to be done. Time to 'do' instead of read and philosophize about self-reliance!

We made it home late that evening. It was 10 degrees. Mr. Patriot wasn't home yet so we decided to leave it in his car (that we had been using for the day) until he got home and we could ask him where he wanted it to be stored for the night. We ended up with last minute dinner guests who stayed really late and so the bird was forgotten.

Fortunately eight year old Leader remembered in the morning before Mr. Patriot went to work. Mr. Patriot was a little startled to learn there was "a dead bird in his car." There were lots of giggles.

Next thing I know the pheasant is defrosting in front of the space heater in the kid's room. Oh, I thought, this is going to be exciting. Later, after dinner (we eat dinner at noon) the kids set off to take care of business. I decided that the boys could go do their manly exploits while us woman folk stayed home.

They had to do the job in two sessions because it was so cold but they returned with the meat and proud of their exploits. I had told them to respect the poor animal and try to learn a little anatomy during the whole thing. They reported on what they learned.

Next came Liberty and I as we washed and cleaned the meat. We all called it a day after that left it in the refrigerator for dinner the next day. The boys said they were a little traumatized and worried they would have nightmares. But we had a good talk and we all made it through the night. : )

I do have to say that the pheasant feet that they are carrying around is grossing me out a little. I have to keep reminding them to keep the feathers in their cubby or take them outside. They have made some new arrows and restocked the feathers in their cowboy hats.

Liberty pulled out her Mt. Vernon cook book and fixed us up a delicious meal for noon the next day. We all ate it and were very somber about the whole thing.

The amazing thing was that I felt that we were doing the right thing. That may sound dumb, but we using the resources God had provided us. We weren't wasting. We were humble and appreciative, and we certainly didn't feel gluttonous!

Goals made: Learn more about plucking, skinning and gutting animals. Okay I should say 'do' more…..We are really good about learning about everything. We must do more. We are also going to start working on creating a chicken coop for at least layers this spring.

So there ends our little story about striving to return back to a 'whole life;' and a life prepared.

Recovering the Lost Arts

2011-02-03T21:07:00.001-07:00

I am repeatedly hearing that the homemaking arts of sewing, crocheting, quilting, canning, gardening, etc. are dying out because they have not been passed on by the previous two or so generations. This knowledge was once held by virtually everyone. Not only did everyone know these skills three generations ago, but all were experts in these arts.

I have spoken at length to older members of my community (over 80 years old) about this and found that there was indeed a universal knowledge of all of these arts. "Of course I know how to do that, everyone in my generation did," seems to be the universal response among the people I have visited with.

As I have pondered on this through the years I have made an effort to teach my daughter these arts that are disappearing from the earth. I am far from proficient in them and some I don't even know. I have been seeking out older mentors not only for my daughter but also for me; that way I can help teach the next generation including my grandchildren. This requires a conscious effort.

In reflecting on this I've also realized that the basic arts for men are also fast fleeing our society as well. These arts would be: handling a gun, auto repair, animal husbandry (chickens, livestock, etc), home repairs and maintenance, farming, landscaping (fruit and ornamental trees), changing water, building and carpentry, woodworking, leatherworking, carving, etc. There are many things that go on this list. I've noticed that as a general rule more and more men are either not doing the above things or are outsourcing it when there is a problem in the home. These arts must be reclaimed as well.

I believe that these arts that are necessary, whether in the role of man or woman, have been downplayed and carefully removed by socialists from our society in an effort to reduce the impact made by those correctly living their gender role. This is done through the media and the feminist movement. The strong protector is now a "chauvinist pig" and the feminine female is now a "victim of white man supremacy who should take her 'rightful place' among the men in the workforce." Remember the goal of socialists is an amoral society. That means that not only do they remove morals but they create a society where there are not males and females, but a society that becomes "its." I believe that this goes back to Satan wanting us to be "miserable like unto himself." President Packer recently stated that "Satan is impotent." Therefore he doesn't want us to fulfill our gender roles since he cannot either.

Some thoughts from Joseph F. Smith from Gospel Doctrine page 344-347:

"And here, also, a word to parents who have daughters. Are you fitting them for the practical duties of mother and wife, that they may in due time go out and make homes what they should be? Or are you training your daughter to play the lady by making them accomplished in flourishes, and expert in ostentatious embellishments?....We should not fail to insist that they shall to do the practical things, and they do not despise the common labors of life. Any other course toward them is an injustice to the boys and girls, as well as to ourselves and the community in general.

"I believe the morals of the people will improve as skill in workmanship and productive labors is acquired. Parents, too, will find it easier to govern and control their children, if these are trained in usual manual labor…

"There are but a few of our boys who take the hammer to the anvil and to those pursuits of labor that are essential to the permanence of any community in the world and that are necessary to build up the country…

"I would like to say to this congregation, and to the world, that if I possessed millions of dollars I would not be satisfied or content in my mind unless my boys knew how to do something that would bring them in a living, how to handle a pitchfork, or to run a mowing machine or reaper, or how to plow the ground and sow the seed; nor would I be satisfied if my daughters did not know how to keep a house. I would be ashamed of my children if they did know something of these things. We need manual training in schools instead of so much booklearning and the stuffing of fairy tales and fables which are contained in many of our school books of today. If we would devote more money and time, more energy and attention to teaching our children manual labor in our schools than we do, it would be a better thing for the rising generation."

I am making a greater effort to recover the lost arts in our society by learning them myself and passing them on to my children. In this way I believe we will live fuller lives as we embrace and reclaim our inheritance.

More Information from our Prophets, Seers and Revelators on Socialism and the Constitution

2011-02-02T05:52:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned previously the quote by President McKay which reads that parents need to include in the teaching of their children the "Open and forcible teaching of facts regarding communism as an enemy to God and to individual freedom," has caused my husband and I to reflect deeply. It is not enough for us to simply know and understand communism/socialism but we must know it enough to teach and articulate it to our children. Below I present some information that may help you begin to know more about it that so you may teach those in your stewardship.

Here is a YouTube video contrasting President Benson's message against socialism and President Obama's message today. It is almost 11 minutes long. At least watch from about 7:30 on...

This is also a YouTube video that is part of a talk by President Benson about "The Book of Mormon" and the secret combinations. He correlates how these secret societs exist today in the form of socialism. He references a book to read, "None Dare to Call it a Conspiracy" by Gary Allen. This book is amazing! Here is a link to an on-line copy of the book.

Elder Romney gave a talk called, "Is Socialism the United Order?" He actually gave this talk twice. The first time at BYU (link here) and the second at the April 1966 Conference. Here is a link and here is another link. I highly recommend reading this as this is a very good base to start with.

Elder Oaks gave a talk called, "The Divinely Inspired Constitution" that appeared in Ensign Feb 1992. Here is the the link from lds.org.

The Treasures of Our Scriptures

2011-01-31T07:49:00.000-07:00

I love my scriptures. Through the years I have come to value them as a treasure beyond price. I have a hard time getting up in the morning on some days but thinking about having time to feast in the scriptures and conference talks get me up.

Through the years I have gained testimony that prayer is how we speak to God and the scriptures (and the Holy Ghost) is how He answers us. I have particularly found guidance in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. He truly did go through everything and how He handled life's trials provides our answers. As I am rereading the New Testament again right now and His life lessons seem particularly prevalent.

Basic thoughts:

Christ is tempted by Satan at the end of His 40 days of fasting. He responds by quoting scripture to Satan. Matt. 4:1-11
Christ learns of John the Baptists death. He seeks to be alone and immediately after he serves by feeding the 5,000. Later His is able to find solace. Matt. 14:3-21
When Christ needed to be alone and to pray He "rises a great while before day" to spend time with His Father. Mark 1:35
Many came to Him, but He rejected no one. Christ invites, Satan takes captive. Matt. 11:28-30, 2 Ne. 28:20-23
Christ obeyed all of God's commandments. Mark 1:9
Christ was active and walked much. Luke 9:56
Before Jesus choose His Apostles (major decision), He spent the entire night in prayer. Luke 6:12
He has no tolerance for evil and rebukes those in His presence when they try to tempt Him. Matt 16:23-24
Christ took naps. Luke 8:23

I have written before on how much we rely on the scriptures in our home.

Here is a blog post about how we teach our children to love and use the scriptures.
Here is a blog post about how I study the scriptures. This has consistently remained the same through many years. The time I get up changes with the season and activities, but a serious daily scripture study after this pattern remains the most important thing I do.

I love to read my scriptures. I am so grateful that we live in a day that while the world is in commotion and the evil one is bent on our destruction that God has given us the great gift of scriptures. We must read them to know His will and to know Him.

The Relief Society Magazine-UPDATED

2011-01-29T11:12:00.008-07:00

For some reason this did not post correctly a couple of days ago. Here it is now though...

I mentioned in a previous post that I have been reading the old Relief Society magazines. After thoroughly enjoying the two books about the history of Relief Society I went back through that closet at the church to see what other gems I could find. Find gems I did!

I have just finished reading The Relief Society Magazine vol. 3, 1916. For the last several years I have been pursuing the topic of how to build Zion in my home. Wading through the mindsets of society and deciphering what is truth and what is untruth has been difficult. To this end I have enjoyed hearing the thoughts of our Relief Society women from almost 100 years ago. They were not nearly as entrenched in society and Babylon and so the stories, lessons, and editorials have been eye opening. I have had the keener ability to examine my thought patterns and decide what in my current society I need to reject. I have especially enjoyed their in depth biographies of the "Mothers in Zion."

I have typed below multiple quotes from the book. I present a variety of subjects and columns so that you can get a flavor of the treasures contained in this book. Perhaps one may catch your eye and some with at least make you smile.

"Urge our women to leave all other clubs and movements and join our Relief Society work. All women are eligible and welcome. Do not seek to tear down the house built up by any man, but build your own so spaciously and beautifully that the man will be glad to leave his own poorer house and come and dwell in comfort with you." Page 157

"A chicken thief in Salt Lake City was captured recently after being shot twice by Mrs. Lulu Bradley, and wounded so he could not escape. Mrs. Bradley detected the thief robbing her henroost. She can feel that after this exploit her chicken house will be reasonable safe from marauders, who do not love such receptions." Page 163

"Provoke the brethren to good works, but don't provoke the brethren while doing so." Page 165

"However unsightly a building may appear, or however beautiful the architecture of a home or church or business block may be, its effect may be greatly modified by the landscape. The English ivy, the Boston ivy, a climbing rose, wisteria or honeysuckle vine, or the fruiting grape, may be so successfully placed, that it assists the architecture in creating an atmosphere of sweetness and grace. On the other hand, a badly kept lawn, ugly paths and walks, and sickly, untrimmed tree, poorly placed, can make a poem of architecture look indeed ridiculous. "Page 173

"Latter-day Saint women who have been through the temple know the rules of this Church regarding the wearing of low-necked and short sleeved dresses. When they break those rules, they must suffer the certain consequences of disobedience….There is an alarming number of our Latter-day Saint girls appearing at school and elsewhere in ridiculously low-cut dresses. It seems to me that parents and school authorities are the only one to handle this problem. It is largely a question of "doing as the other fellow does." If a leader in a crowd could be made to see that it were not the right thing and she were converted there would soon be a change." Page 217-218

The subject of the evils and sin of using birth control in any form were outlined with multiple quotes from the leaders of the church from pages 363-368, 433-435.

Crochet Centerpiece Instructions given on pages 382-385.

"This is the month when good housewives will begin to think about fruit drying whether they do it or not. It is a grievous social sin that fruit should be grown and left to rot by the hundreds of bushels on the ground….but the women of the Relief Society can do something towards correcting the evil. We suggest that fruit drying parties be given in every ward…" Page 397

"Stale Bread. Cut your stale bread into finger lengths, dip in milk for a minute, put on buttered tin in the oven until crisp, spread with butter, and serve while hot, with jam or syrup." Page 398

"Down into the pit of our fears, the dear Lord places a ladder of hope. It is there-each round is dully gold in the twilight of our suffering. We set foot there again and again, but we are too weak-too impatient to climb slowly and steadily. And so we thrust it away, and go on suffering, and agonizing. Our darkness is unlit, the pit is too deep, the ladder tumbling about our ears while we are crushed beneath its weight….Think healthful thoughts. Say peaceful words. Say over and over, in your mind, hymns or psalms. Refuse to think of your sorrow or your pain. Tell your will to obey your spirit. Don't be crushed or disheartened by constant defeat…You refuse to allow foul, physical air in your sick room or bed chamber-don't allow disease-breeding thoughts, emotions and whinnings, to taint the spiritual atmosphere. Brace up. Be a good, spiritual sport. Grit your teeth, shut your lips, hold your hands tight, and fight-just plain fight…Suffer if you have to do so, but be a solder about it. Keep your face, your fighting face, to the foe. Not your squirming, cowardly back. The Lord loves a brave soldier-so do all men. God is our help, He can heal and comfort us, if we greatly work and greatly pray." Page 410-411

"Money Wastes. It is extravagant to buy clothing of extreme color or style. Fashion changes so rapidly that one will soon find one's closet filling up with useless clothing. It is more economical to buy staple materials and patterns…The best materials, even though one has to pay more money, are more economical in the end. They wear longer, look better, and can be made better use of after the wearer is through with them. As to buying of furniture, money is wasted by buying an inferior article, with a feeling that it is cheap and need not have special care, consequently it does not last long and soon has to be replaced. It is better to buy a little at a time and buy good furniture. Time Wastes. There is no question but the American housewife is facing a great revolution in the manner of her housekeeping…The modern home needs much less skill and vastly more mental and spiritual qualities….False Economy. One of the most economical things a woman can do is to keep alert to all the new household labor saving devices. They may not all be of use to her and buy all would be foolish, but whenever she sees one that will her time and labor it is false economy to let it go by and save the price. Beware of bargain counters. One is tempted to buy things one does not need, laces, embroideries that are either too little or too much when one come to use them. How many times they are piled into a trunk to be used sometime. This is false economy….The truly economical housewife will plan in her cooking to have left overs, and to make use of these is an art that can only be learned by thought and practice." Page 476-480.

"Immodest Dancing has been condemned by the National Dancing Master' Association. Young men and girls with a claim to respectability should have condemned it long since, from motives of self-protection if nothing more." Page 582

Pages 592-600 discuss how to properly hire and work with a maid or housekeeper. Having a maid to do housework was a common discussion so I believe that many had maids. In fact the suggested cleaning schedule that they presented in one lesson had a maid as part of the schedule.

Pages 622-631 is an essay about the "Cliff Dwellers" by the Four Corners area written by Susa Young Gates.

"Labor-Union leaders in New York counted on having at least 800,000 workingmen out on strike the last week in September, but failed to get one-fourth of that number. Yet even that number shows what great danger threatens should the unions be used as means to get unlawful power and gain." Page 640

"Women's skirts, of ankle length and less flaring, is the promise of fashion leaders; this is at least an extension of the covering factor, for which we are thankful." Page 638

"No true woman enjoys association with cowardly men. She despises white-livered, mealy-mouthed apologizers, who not only turn their third cheek for assaults, but make doormats of themselves for their assailants. " Page 649

"Many mothers think it is necessary to evade truth, or lie to their children concerning such subjects as Santa Claus or The Story of Life-not so…if the clever mother always assumes the "listening attitude" she will know by instinct how to tell just enough and not too much. Always answer a child's questions in a simple, truthful way, not necessarily entering into lengthy detail." Page 703

Suggestive List of Books for Family Library: …Prince and Pauper, Little Women, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Far, Story of My Life (Keller), Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come, Old Fashioned Girl, The Crisis, Ben Hur…." Page 709

Our Current Schedule

2011-01-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to write more home education posts. I have found that our schedule is constantly changing. Every time we get out of our schedule either due to holidays or vacations we end up starting back up again with something new. Some things stay the same and other's slowly change over time. Our times are not really specific right now. That is the next thing to work on. This is the order of events for the day though.

Wake up

Personal prayers and scriptures (everyone is an independent reader now!)

Personal preparation for day (change, bathe, teeth, etc.)

Breakfast

Family Scripture Study, Family Prayer, and Weekly Scripture Memorization practice

Dad leaves

Chores

Math

Individual "love of learning pursuits." This month Liberty has been working on: the piano, healthy cooking, quilting, and crocheting. Determination has worked on Physical Science; Imagination on the piano, reading Shakespeare plays and creative writing; and Leader has worked on the scriptures readers by the church and creative writing. I have been reading old Relief Society magazines from 1916, quilting, family history projects and I have been working on the town Relief Society History book. Mr. Patriot has been reading the History of the Church, the discourses of Brigham Young and the ever present study of socialism in his free time.

Dinnertime

Family Read a Loud. We just finished the "Red Scarf Girl," about communist China after World War II and we have started "To the Far Blue Mountins" by L'Amour as our next read.

Chores

In the afternoon it is flexible but these activities take place at some point daily or during the week: Exercising, visiting teaching, free play, all of them choose to read and study something more of their own choosing, cub scouts, serving in the nursing home, visit friends, see grandma and grandpa, and go to the town library.

Suppertime

Chores

Freetime, lots of family discussion and family games. (Yount Women and Scouts one night).

Family prayers

Prepare for bed

Quiet reading

Personal prayers

Bedtime

We do a lot of history, civics, current events and geography study throughout the day. This mostly occurs during meal time with dad leading the discussions and I lead the quizzing.

Communist Manifesto

2011-01-28T21:09:00.001-07:00

I recently read the Communist Manifesto. It is deeply disturbing. I felt, as I was reading it, that Satan himself had penned it. It is extremely well written and very manipulating. I think that it is an important read to recognize what is going on in our world today. Here is an online copy of the "devilous scheme" (President Benson).

The stated goals in the Communist Manifesto are:

Destroy our belief in God or "the opiate of religion."
Destroy the family unit and institute "free love."
Destroy the ability for personal property (hence capitalism).

They plan to accomplish these goals through the use of these ten planks:

1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.

2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.

3. Abolition of all rights of inheritance.

4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.

5. Centralization of credit in the banks of the state, by means of a national bank with state capital and an
exclusive monopoly.

6. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the state.

7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the state; the bringing into cultivation of
waste lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.

8. Equal obligation of all to work. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.

9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of all the distinction between town and country by a more equable distribution of the populace over the country.

10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labor in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production, etc.

They are accomplishing these goals with great success. The majority of the my district's legislatures are pushing these agendas. If these are the goals of the evil, than the opposite are Christ's goals. I think we should copy this list and study it so that we can recognize their deceptions to us on a daily basis.

Tolerance: A Plague in America

2011-01-26T21:45:00.000-07:00

One of the more fascinating things that I have observed in my study of Marxism through the years is the agenda of tolerance that they push. When you look around you see how well they have succeeded. We tolerate everything going on in our nation now without a second glance.

Tolerance is defined in 1828 Webster's Dictionary as: The power or capacity of enduring; or the act of enduring.

Tolerate is defined as: To suffer to be or to be done without prohibition or hinderance; to allow or permit negatively, by not preventing; not to restrain; as, to tolerate opinions or practices.

It seems that we as Christians don't dare speak out against anything anymore because we are afraid of getting people angry or offending someone. The new message for morality or no morality seem to be: don't judge others, whatever someone else does isn't my problem, they believe differently than me, we need to include everyone, even though I don't believe in that I'll just turn the other way, I don't care as long as they are happy, or I won't say anything because I don't want to offend them.

All of these passive thoughts remind me of some scriptures that prophesy of the last days (that means right now):

"Wo unto them that call evil good and good for evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" 2 Nephi 15: 20, see Moroni 7:14

"And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God-he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this;…" 2 Nephi 28:8

"It shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth…there shall be many who will say, Do this or do that, and it mattereth not, for the Lord will uphold such at the last day." Mormon 8:31

Korihor, the anti-christ, taught, "whatsoever a man did was no crime." (Alma 30:17, see Lamoni's previous beliefs in Alma 18:5)

I have thought this way for years. I have worried about saying what I believe in because I didn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable or offend them. How did I get to this point? I was carefully led to this point by fear. We hear about lawsuits, hate crime legislation and sob stories about gays or environmentalist crying because people won't accept them for who they are. It really comes down to being afraid, at least for me, of saying anything.

As I ponder on this the famous scripture comes to mind,

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." (Romans 1:16)

A simple point about judging. We are supposed to judge if things are right and wrong. A scripture mastery scripture from Moroni says,

"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for everything which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

" But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him."

I believe we are expected to judge if something is wrong and evil. This one gets all messed up in our mind sometimes. We are supposed to judge ideas and what people do so that we may not if that is what we should do. We often hear in this tolerance argument that Christ said, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." However, the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of this scripture reads, "Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgment." (Matt 7:1) How often have we skipped the JST of this verse and allowed the world (influenced by Marx) to expound it for us?

When we watch movies I make my kids tell me what they reject and accept from the movie. The first one in most movies is that we reject the idea that a women needs to work to support her family. We reject that swearing is allowed. We reject the clothing worn as immodest and inappropriate. We reject the idea that we should make "love not war." If we consciously make no judgment than we will begin to rationalize these ideas as okay. (The point begs why are we watching movies like that, well, we aren't now).

I believe that it is imperative that we judge things. If we are not judging something of evil than we are accepting it as good.

I recently heard a statistic that only 7% of America considered themselves homosexuals. (I don't know if this is true). Supposing in theory that it is true than why are the airwaves of our lives overrun with messages for gay rights and ideology? Because they are louder than we are and we are tolerant. They blast their message and we look the other way. However, their message of accepting them is being heard by us. I recently had a conversation with a less-active, former temple recommend holding friend, who said, "Once all the legislation passes for gay marriages the church will simply have to accept it. Since we believe in honoring the laws of the land the church will have no choice but to marry gay couples in the temple." Are you serious? I, by the way, am ashamed to admit that I said nothing. I was worried about offending her. Perhaps a simple testimony would have reminded her to what she once believed in.

Our moral laws must NEVER be determined by legislation. President Packer recently said,

"History demonstrates over and over again that moral standards cannot be changed by battle and cannot be changed by ballot…We cannot change; we will not change the moral standard. We quickly lose our way when we disobey the laws of God. If we do not protect and foster the family, civilization and our liberties must needs perish." ("Cleansing the Inner Vessel," Ensign, November 2010, page76)

Another challenge we face is that somewhere along the way we have become tolerant of our children's misbehavior. We may allow them to participate in media that does not meet the guidelines in "For the Strength of Youth." Oftimes we allow infractions (until they simply become normal and part of life) for a couple of reasons. One may be that we may incorrectly believe that we have to "pick our battles" or that we are too tired to "fight" them on it. Even in the home school realm we allow our youth to participate in things of questionable nature because we feel bad that they don't fit in since they don't go to school. By allowing some leniency we hope that our children won't feel "too left out" or "backward."

Elder Lawerence gave a great talk this past conference entitled "Courageous Parenting." He says this,

"Challenges and temptations are coming at our teenagers with the speed and power of a freight train. As we are reminded in the family proclamation, parents are responsible for the protection of their children. That means spiritually as well as physically."

He quoted Elder Robert D. Hales by saying,

"Sometimes we are afraid of our children-afraid to counsel with them for fear of offending them."

Elder Lawrence continues by saying,

"It is vital that parents have the courage to speak up and intervene before Satan succeeds. President Packer has taught that 'When morality is involved, we have both the right and the obligation to raise a warning voice.'"

He concludes by saying,

"Parenting teenagers in the latter days is a very humbling assignment. Satan and his followers are striving to bring this generation down; the Lord is counting on valiant parents to bring them up."

We must learn to recognize how we are tolerant. Thought questions: Do we watch shows that have gay people in them and just accept it? Do we allow our children to be taught sex ed in school? Do we remain silent when our legislature votes to allow girls to get an abortion without parental consent? Do we remain silent when our government takes money from someone who has earned it through the free-market and then let them give it to someone who has not worked? Do we lower our modesty because there's nothing modest in the store? Do we remain silent when our schools teach evolution and give no air time to any other theories? Do we allow our children to watch professional sports and sigh and wish that all the pornography and beer advertisements were not on there but still do nothing? Do we watch movies that have messages against what are in "For the Strength of Youth" by saying at least this movie is better than the other's. Do we allow our children to play violent video games and say, "I shouldn't let them, but all their friends play it, at least their home instead of at someone else's house." Do we allow our children to read sexually charged books? Do we allow our family to listen to the radio and accept the messages of drinking, drugs, promiscuity, and killing? (My favorite for most ridiculous song that I once heard had this line, "Earl's gotta die," from the Dixie Chicks or whatever they are called. I am very clueless when it comes to music). Do we allow ourselves or our children to be friends with people on facebook who blast their messages that are anti-our beliefs but we do nothing because we just don't want to make anyone mad or offend them?

Our lives are saturated in tolerance. I think at one time I have been guilty of most of the above ideas. It makes me really irritated at myself. I must choose to make a stand. I must pray to allow God to teach me where I am being deceived. Remember the scripture that even the very elect will be deceived? We must break our bonds of tolerance because if we accept their messages and do nothing we will face two problems. The first is that our nation will be stripped of everything wholesome and decent that it has-as President Packer taught in the above quote, (and it will be destroyed because this is the promised land and only the righteous can dwell here). The second reason is that the more we tolerate these messages we will then start accepting the ideas and we will find ourselves led carefully down to hell. We will have been "poision{ed} by degrees" (Alma 47:18) and we won't even know it until it is too late.

Let us all make a stand.

Quotes about Education and Marxism

2011-01-26T21:26:00.007-07:00

I copied these quotes from http://www.homeschoolinginca.org/ . Lots of good morsels to think about.

President David O McKay

I believe that four fundamental elements in such an education are: 1. The basic essentials of oral and written composition—arithmetic, social studies and science. 2. Loyal leadership as found in men who "cannot be bought or sold, men who will scorn to violate truth, genuine gold." 3. Open and forcible teaching of facts regarding communism as an enemy to God and to individual freedom. 4. More emphasis upon moral and spiritual values. May our educational system from grade school to university ever seek and merit His divine guidance! (Pathways to Happiness, p. 71) My husband and I were very impressed with this quote. We found that the book is available on line. Here is the link, click education to the chapter this quote is in.

President Boyd K. Packer

I am restless over the possibility, ever present, that education may fail to achieve a righteous purpose and be perversely used. We have many examples in the world where the misuse of this power has degraded men rather than exalted them... The voice of atheism, of corruption, of faithlessness, of dissention resounds from a thousand platforms. It is subsidized from public funds. It is invited to the forum in public institutions, tolerated by most, and encouraged by many. The voice of faith, on the other hand, is fading. Few places are left where it might speak. (BYU Speeches of the Year, 29 April 1969, p.3)

In many places it is literally not safe physically for youngsters to go to school. And in many schools - and it's becoming almost generally true - it is spiritually unsafe to attend public schools. Look back over the history of education to the turn of the century and the beginning of the educational philosophies, pragmatism and humanism were the early ones, and they branched out into a number of other philosophies which have led us now into a circumstance where our schools are producing the problems that we face. (Charge to the David O. McKay School of Education at BYU, October 9, 1996)

Elder Verlan H. Anderson

The institution of public education is so universally accepted today that many readers are apt to scoff at the idea that the control of education by government and the use of public funds for its support is contrary to moral law. Before rejecting the idea as absurd, one might ponder these facts... 1) Point number ten of the Communist Manifesto contains the following proposal: Free education for all children in public schools.
2) When public education was first proposed in the state of Utah, the leadership of the Church was unalterably opposed to it. (The Book of Mormon and the Constitution, p. 181)

Not only do the scriptures instruct us on when teaching is best done (see D&C 68:25-32; Deut. 8:5-9) but also on what should and should not be taught (see Moroni 7:14-19; 2 Nephi 9:28-29) and who should and should not do the teaching (see 2 Nephi 28:14, 31; Mosiah 23:14). The early teaching of children by parents offers the solution to many problems which otherwise would not afflict our lives. Is not this the ounce of prevention which will eliminate the need for many pounds of cure with respect to our youth? ...The proper teaching of children is truly one of the most essential parts of God's plan for our happiness." (Ensign, 10/91 p. 81.)

President Ezra Taft Benson

I feel to warn you that one of the chief means of misleading our youth and destroying the family unit is our educational institutions. There is more than one reason why the Church is advising our youth to attend colleges close to their homes where institutes of religion are available. It gives the parents the opportunity to stay close to their children, and if they become alerted and informed, these parents can help expose the deceptions of men like Sigmund Freud, Charles Darwin, John Dewey, John Keynes and others. There are much worse things today that can happen to a child than not getting a full education. In fact, some of the worst things have happened to our children while attending colleges led by administrators who wink at subversion and amorality. Said Karl G. Maeser, "I would rather have my child exposed to smallpox, typhus fever, cholera or other malignant and deadly diseases than to the degrading influence of a corrupt teacher." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 307.)

There is absolutely nothing in the Constitution which authorizes the federal government to enter into the field of education. Furthermore, the Tenth Amendment says: "The powers not delegated to the United States Government are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Nothing could be more clear. It is unconstitutional for the federal government to exercise any powers over education. (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 298.)

From the 5th grade through the 4th year of college, our young people are being indoctrinated with a Marxist philosophy and I am fearful of the harvest. The younger generation is further to the left than most adults realize. The old concepts of our Founding Fathers are scoffed and jeered at by young moderns whose goals appear to be the destruction of integrity and virtue, and the glorification of pleasure, thrills, and self-indulgence. (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p 321)

The tenth plank in Karl Marx's Manifesto for destroying our kind of civilization advocated the establishment of "free education for all children in public schools." There were several reasons why Marx wanted government to run the schools. Dr. A. A. Hodge pointed out one of them when he said, "It is capable of exact demonstration that if every party in the State has the right of excluding from public schools whatever he does not believe to be true, then he that believes most must give way to him that believes least, and then he that believes least must give way to him that believes absolutely nothing, no matter in how small a minority the atheists or agnostics may be. It is self-evident that on this scheme, if it is consistently and persistently carried out in all parts of the country, the United States system of national popular education will be the most efficient and widespread instrument for the propagation of atheism which the world has ever seen." (in Conference Report, October 1970, p. 25)

Elder Horacio A. Tenorio

Parents have the responsibility to educate their children. No inappropriate outsider should be allowed to dictate our family's values nor what our children are being taught... In medieval times, great fortresses were built around castles or cities to protect them from enemy attacks. In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites built fortresses to defend their families against the enemies. We must make of our homes fortresses to protect our families against the constant attacks of the adversary. (Ensign, Nov. 1994 p. 23.)

Marxism

2011-01-24T20:41:00.001-07:00

Through the years I have made a study of Marxism. I have read several books about this subject, including a study of Marx himself. I have also read the writings of the followers of Marx and have studied their movements which are: socialism, humanism, progressivism, environmentalism, communism, etc. Their objective is threefold. 1: Destroy our belief in God, 2: Destroy the Family and 3: Destroy Capitalism.

If we believe that Marxism doesn't exist in America or our lives today we are wrong, dead wrong. Christ warns us in the last days, "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matt 24:4-5, see JS-M 1) Later in verses 11-12 He teaches, "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." And finally in verses 23-24 He testifies that "If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." We are the elect. He is talking about His covenant people.

With these thoughts perhaps in mind it would behoove us to study just where these false Christs and false prophets are going to come from. I challenge you to make a study of Marxism and all the evil 'isms' associated with it, for I believe that is where many of these wolves are.

Several years ago I read a book called "The Naked Communist" by Cleon Skousen. This was a powerful book that was part of my studies. The book was written many years ago. I wished at the time that I could have this book republished for our time right now. I wished Mr. Skousen could show us what the realities are TODAY. I have finally found part two! I am very pleased! However, it is sad to see just how much farther down the path we have gone since the time Mr. Skousen's book was written.

The part two that I am speaking of is not written by Mr. Skousen, but this message of communism can be found in a new documentary called, "Agenda" by Curtis Bowers. I have heard many good reviews about this movie. By happen chance we came across the opportunity to buy this DVD. We also met the man responsible for its production as a sheer coincidence. It is an amazing message that I challenge you to hear. I have the video if some of you close to me would like to watch it. It will change how you think about many things. Here is the trailer to the documentary:

Today in my studies I came across a scripture that I thought was most fitting, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and
fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Romans 16:17-18

I hope that we are gaining strong testimonies. I hope that we are learning who is masquerading around us in sheep's' clothing set to destroy the "very elect." I hope that we will not have our hearts deceived by fair speeches.

Below I've pasted the review I wrote on Goodreads for "The Naked Communist" a couple of years ago. Perhaps you will find it interesting.

The Naked Communist by W. Cleon Skousen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this book! I took my sweet time reading it and soaked up every word. This book reviews the history of communism from its rise with Marx until 1960. The only bad thing is that I would love to read "the rest of the story," meaning through to the present.

This book was extremely eye opening in regard to how communism was spread. It was frustrating reading about the lackadaisical attitude of government officials world wide who had blinders on and let the USSR run wild at the close of WWII. They never believed that the Russians were really "that bad." It was also interesting that while the world sat back and watched LDS church leaders like President Benson, J. Rueben Clark and David O. McKay were declaring from the pulpits for all to realize that communism was seeking to destroy our liberty. I wonder how many were listening? Is my family listening now?

Here are some quotes just so you know...

“The paths we are following, if we move forward thereon, will inevitably lead us to socialism or communism, and these two are as like as two peas in a pod in their ultimate effect upon our liberties......We may first observe that communism and socialism—which we shall hereafter group together and dub Satanism—cannot live with Christianity nor with any religion that postulates a creator.” J. Rueben Clark Deseret News—September 25, 1949

"During the first half of the twentieth century we have traveled far into the soul-destroying land of socialism." Pres. McKay, Deseret News Oct. 18, 1952

“The aim and purpose...was then and is now world socialism, which communism seeks to achieve through revolution and which socialists seek to achieve through evolution.” Pres. Benson Oct. 1961-General Conference

Anyway...My edition was published in 1961. Here are a sampling of some of the communist goals at that time that I thought were still interesting nearly 50 years later... (see "Witness" by Whittaker Chambers also these lists are found from pages 259-262 in the book).

*Capture one or both of the political parties in the US.

*Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

*Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

*Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

*Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

*Break down cultural standards of morality be promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio and TV.

*Present homo-sexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

*Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

*Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture-education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics,etc

*Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

*Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

Okay, so that was only about 1/3 of them. I realize there may be some anti-communist propaganda involved with this book. However, with LDS church leaders crying out against communism I guess that's okay.

I believe that our nation is in jeopardy of being over ran with socialism. Socialism is just another face to communism. I believe that it is important to study these things so you can recognize fallacy in the political machines of our age.

The reason I read this book was because it was suggested by then President of the Church, David O. McKay, during General Conference of Oct. 1959. (I couldn't find this talk on line, but I did find numerous! on-line references to the talk Pres. McKay gave calling church members to read the book).

Here's a link to an article about Skousen writing the book. http://www.latterdayconservative.com/w.-cleon-skousen/w-cleon-skousen-is-asked-to-write-the-naked-communist.html

It was interesting to learn that Pres. Monson was actually involved in the initial publishing of this book...

View all my reviews

Sewing within Relief Society

2011-01-13T21:49:00.000-07:00

Quoting directly from the book, "The History of Relief Society: 1844-1944" it says:

"Sewing for the needy has been a function of Relief Society from its beginning. At first, individual members did sewing and knitting in their homes for the Society, working on materials and used clothing which had been contributed and also materials purchased from donated funds. The clothing and bedding provided in this way were issued by the Society for the benefit of the men giving volunteer service in the building of the Nauvoo Temple and their families, as well as for others in need of these supplies. Phebe M. Wheeler, the assistant secretary proposed in the meeting of October 14, 1843, "That a sewing society be appointed that garments and bed coverings may be made and given to such as are suffering cold an nakedness," and a time was appointed for this purpose. This service became a regular feature of Relief Society.

"A sewing service given by Relief Society women in the early days was the lining and covering of caskets. Also a part of Relief Society sewing service in the earlier days in Utah was the making of clothing for the Indians. A nine-month report of the Nineteen Ward Relief Society in Salt Lake, published in the Woman's Exponent, October 1, 1875, showed that "twenty-four yards of linsey and twenty-eight and one-half yards of carpeting have been made by the Society, and two suits of temple clothes and ten pair of garments for the Indians…" The Exponent for April 1, 1876, reported that the Goshen Relief Society had fulfilled an assignment "to make some good strong durable clothing for the Indians."

"Since introduction of the Church Welfare Plan in 1936 and the subsequent establishment of stake and regional bishops' storehouses, Relief Society women have generously and voluntarily assisted at stake and regional sewing centers. In addition, many local Relief Societies haven given sewing service in their regular ward sewing meetings on articles which have been turned into bishops' storehouses for distribution….bundles of cut articles were distributed through the stakes to the various wards for completion in the monthly sewing meeting and were then returned to the Bishops Central Storehouse for distribution to needy families on bishops' orders. Altogether, 4,000 pieces of clothing for men, women, and children were made in the tree regions during 1941-42, and average of 2,000 women at each monthly sewing meeting giving 15,400 hours of sewing service on this special work."

Again, what does this have to do with me and you? Will we go back to a time when we will have to do our own sewing? Are they hinting at this by having us read the history of Relief Society? Perhaps. It's very likely, but I wonder if that's only a partial answer. I think we must look at everything from a spiritual as well as a temporal standpoint.

For me one simple answer is that I (women) need to spend time thinking about and doing things for other people. Joseph Smith told the sisters, "Said Jesus, 'Ye shall do the work, which ye see me do.' These are the grand key-words for the society to act upon." When I am thinking about those in need (and fulfilling my baptismal covenants) it is a whole lot harder to feel depressed, fat, lonely, overwhelmed, and/or worthless. When I think of others the Spirit of the Lord will penetrate my heart and many of the "blah" feelings that I may feel will be evaporated. For you and I shall be about our "Father's business."

Not only was much of this sewing about serving others, but I also think there is an important element of creating involved. Women thrive in creating; we are at our best and happiest when we are creating and shaping. We create children, we create plans for their growth and their lives, we create and do things that add beauty to our homes, we create foods in the kitchen, we create new thoughts when we read and study, we create systems in our home, we create plans in our callings, the list goes on and on. Yes, we sisters love to create. When we are creating things that are worthwhile and that bring a sense of wholeness to our families lives and to others lives we are happy. The sewing projects that these early Relief Society sisters embarked on were about creating something for others who lacked. When we create we find our wholeness and purpose. So, to me, sewing isn't so much about sewing as it is about becoming who we are meant to be; creators who know and believe they have worth.

A third thought that I will let you ponder on yourselves is that after Adam and Eve had partaken of the fruit "they sewed fig-leaves together and made themselves aprons." Later, after the Lord spoke to them and right before He cast them out of the Garden He himself made "coats of skins, and clothed them." (Please see Moses 4:13 & 27 (12-32) and Genesis 3:7 & 21 (6-24)). The first thing Adam and Eve did after they discovered their mortality was sewed and the first physical gift the Lord gave Adam and Eve before He cast them out of His presence was to make them clothes.

Yes, sewing is important on a physical and spiritual level. I pray I can learn to appreciate and develop this skill so that I can find wholeness and purpose in my role as nurturer in Zion. We have much to do sisters.

The Relief Society’s ‘Mother’s Classes’

2011-01-13T21:45:00.001-07:00

Thoughts taken from "History of Relief Society: 1842-1966." Published by the General Board of Relief Society in 1966.
In my reading about Relief Society I learned that from the very beginning the Relief Society Sisters were always learning and seeking to be educated. In fact Joseph Smith said, "I now turn the key in your behalf in the name of the Lord, and this Society shall rejoice, and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time henceforth; this is the beginning of better days to the poor and needy, who shall be made to rejoice and pour forth blessing on your heads….as far as knowledge is concerned, it may extend to all the world." (History of the Church, IV:607)

I have always heard about Joseph Smith "turning the key" in behalf of the sisters. I have understood more clearly that he did use the priesthood and unlock the powers of heaven for these women and for us today. The history says that the women had to learn how to preside, how to present a problem, how to make and put a motion, how to pray and speak in public. It was noted in the book that this was an "all-encompassing event in the history of women's spiritual and intellectual advancement in the last dispensation. The key in very truth opened a door to reveal the radiance and eternal possibilities of woman's place in the gospel plan-in the home, in the Church, in the community and in those 'courts on high,' so eloquently described in later years by Secretary Eliza R. Snow." (page 21)

In the early days of Utah the women were encouraged to take an interest in educational matters. President Zina D. H. Young said, "In all things possible, let us endeavor to cultivate our home talent and stimulate our sisters to read, and to write, that they may be intelligent wives and mothers; read good books especially the Bible, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants." (Women's Exponent, Vol. 17, No. 22, April 15, 1889, p. 172).

At the turn of the century formal "Mother Classes" were set in place. The sisters loved to gather and bear testimony, sing together and then listen to a lecture. The sisters would meet together once a week and discuss business and have these classes. The first week was devoted to theology or later named Spiritual Living. The second week was designated homemaking. The third week was literature, later changed to Cultural Refinement, and the fourth week was Social Science later named Social Relations classes. Here is a breakdown of the topics for the year they studied as well as an overview of their general aim.

Spiritual Living
Studying theology and bearing testimonies was of great interest to the sisters. They used this week to increase their religious and spiritual development as well as to understand the doctrines of the church and to strengthen their testimonies. As you will see there was also a heavy emphasis on Family History work. Courses studied through 1966 were:

1914              Genealogy
1915              Gospel Themes and Genealogy
1916            Women in the Bible and Genealogy
1917              How and Where the Women of the Bible Lived and Genealogy
1918-1920     Book of Mormon and Genealogy
1921              Salvation for the Living and Dead
1922-1923     Phases of Practical Religion
192                The Parables of the Savior
1925-1928    Gospel Dispensations: Pearl of Great Price
1929-1931    Book of Mormon
1932-1936    Doctrine and Covenants
1936-1938    The Ministry of the Savior
1938-1940    The Ministry of the Early Apostles
1940-1941    The Restored Gospel Dispensation
1941-1944    Articles of Faith
1944-1947    Church History
1947-1951    The Life and Ministry of the Savior
1951-1957    Characters and Teaching of the Book of Mormon
1957-196?    The Doctrine and Covenants

HomemakingSewing was always the primary purpose of homemaking meeting. (I don't know how many times I read that. Sew. Sew. Sew.) The sewing program consisted of quilt making, hand and machine sewing, dressmaking, remodeling, millinery, darning, etc. There were other types of handwork that were included such as knitting, crocheting, weaving, painting, and flower-making. The purpose of the sewing was to brighten the homes of the women as well as provide useful skills. A good amount of time was spent making sure the sisters all new how to sew and do handwork. Also the ongoing humanitarian projects were always in progress for local needs (needy families, Indians, burial clothing, casket linings, newborn babies, etc.) as well as needs on a national or international scale that the general Relief Society asked them to participate in. Besides giving the sewn items to needy situations the completed sewing projects were used to raise money for a variety of reasons.

This weekly meeting also included a lecture to improve homemaking skills and problem solve with sisters. Here is a sample list of subjects studied:

1935-1936 Consumer Problems
1939-1940 Selection and Preparation of Food for Proper Nutrition
1941-1942 Better Buymanship
1942-1943 New-Fashioned Thrift
1943-1944 Modern Housekeeping Methods
1951-1952 Sewing-The Art of Mending
1953-1954 Family Money Management
1954-1955 Selection, Care and Use of Household Equipment
1958-1959 Managing a Home
1961-1962 Attitudes and Manners
1965-1967 Development Through homemaking Education

Social Relations
This class was a focus in home economics but I think there was some cross over with the homemaking classes. Examples of these classes include:

1919-1921 Health and Sanitation
1926-1927 Child Welfare
1930 The Field of Social Work
1930-1932 Personality Study
1935-1938 A Study of Civic Sociology As a Foundation for Intelligent Living
1941-1942 Education for Family Life-Foundations of Successful Marriage
1942-1944 What "America" Means
1944-1945 Modern Applications of Ethical Principles
1950-1953 The Progress of Man
1961-1962 The Place of Women in the Gospel Plan
1962-1965 Divine Law and Church Government

Cultural RefinementThe purpose of this class was to study good literature. The hope was for the Relief Society members to deepen their appreciation for as well as to develop "discriminating reading tastes." Relief Society sisters were to see the enlightenment, spiritual uplift and enjoyment that comes from studying literature. Later the course included studying music and art. Here is another list for you:

1914 Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
1917 Literature for the Home
1920 Studies of Tennyson and Browning
1921 Our Latter-day Saint Hymns and Their Authors
1922 Latter-day Saint Hymns and Hymns of Christendom
1923 American Literature: Colonial, Revolutionary, and New England Periods
1924 American Literature: New England Period
1925 Later American Poets, Including World War Poets
1926-1927 Canadian Poets of World War, and American Novelists and Poets
1928 Modern poetry
1929 Modern Drama
1929-1930 Biography
1930-1932 The Short Story
1932-1933 The Delight of Great Books
1933-1935 Life and Literature
1935-1936 Adventures in Reading
1936-1938 Biography
1938-1940 The Advance of the Novel
1940-1941 The Modern Novel
1941-1942 Humor in Life and Literature
1942-1944 The Bible As Literature
1944-1945 New Testament
1945-1946 The Bible in Our Literature
1946-1947 America As Revealed in Its Literature
1947-1948 Literature of the Doctrine and Covenants
1948-1949 Literature of the Latter-day Saint
1949-1956 The Literature of England
1956-1958 Shakespeare in Our Lives
1958-1964 America's Literature
1964-1966 The Individual and Human Values As Seen Through Literature
1966-1967 Ideals of Womanhood in Relation to Home and the Family

Okay, really though. What does this have to do with anything? First it's just plain interesting to me and maybe it is for you also. The second is that this is our Relief Society History that Sister Beck asked us to study up on so here you go.

But what are we going to learn from it? For me I learn that God wants me to educate myself. I see that He wants me to tackle hard subjects and learn and DO hard things. He wants me to THINK and use my brain. It's about always progressing and improving yourself. This is done no matter what stage of life you are in. Whether we have littles or bigs or no kids at home at all these classes were useful to all of the sisters.

From this I see, like I've mentioned before, what I can focus on with my daughter. I see the subjects that are the most important for a woman in God's kingdom. It all comes back to nurturing in our role as wife and mother. All those skills and lessons helped those early sisters to magnify their calling and life's mission.
I believe that when we focus on what God wants us to do we will have confidence in our identity of being a daughter of God, wife, mother…. We will be filled with the Spirit and will happily and cheerfully serve our family and fellow mankind with a willing and joyful heart. We will not have place in our hearts for Satan's evil messages to take root. His message to us of pacification, entitlement and apathy will be easily rejected and we will not be led by his awful chains down to hell.

Sister Beck said, "Relief Society clarifies our work and unifies us as daughters of God in defense of His plan. In this day of mistaken identities, confusion and distraction, Relief Society is meant to be a compass and guide to teach the truth to faithful women. Righteous women today seek an outpouring of revelation to resist distractions, fight evil and spiritual destruction, and rise above personal disasters by increasing their faith, strengthening their families and providing relief to others." (Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society, Oct. 2010).

I pray I can choose God's plan for me each day and each moment. I pray I can reject Satan's lies. I pray I can choose to engage, for the time of passive warfare must end.

The History of Relief Society

2011-01-12T18:24:00.001-07:00

"An answer has come that the sisters of the Church should know and learn from the history of Relief Society. Understanding the history of Relief Society strengthens the foundational identity and worth of faithful women."

This answer came to Sister Beck in her plea "to help His daughters be strong in the face of the 'calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth.'" When Sister Beck gave this moving talk in October at the Relief Society General Meeting I wasn't entirely sure how it could help me but I took it in faith. Besides I love history and know there is much we can learn from history. While I took it in faith and believed her I didn't too much about it until this past week.

This past week I was able to get my hands on two histories of Relief Society. The first was the Centennial History of Relief Society, 1842-1944. The second book was called, "The History of Relief Society, 1842-1966. I devoured these books and then I studied again and again Sister Beck's words. I am seeking to learn what personal messages the Lord has for me that I can be "strong in the face of the 'calamity which should come.'" Through this pondering many thoughts have come as well as actual action steps.

The first was to share my find with my mother and sister. My sister immediately latched onto the idea of using the Centennial History for her book at our Relief Society Book Club Meeting. Now the book would be passed among a few more in our ward, success! This led to much discussion and memories among the three of us. We remembered the "old Relief Society scrapbook" that was at the church. A plan was made to redo it digitally and make a hard copy thereby securing the old pictures and histories. Permission was given from the Bishop and a counselor.

This week I have worked on retyping the histories and my mom will scan the pictures when I finish. This has been a wonderful project so far. I am a third generation resident of this town and so I have heard of these wonderful sisters from long ago through stories through the years. They are coming alive to me as I learn about the history of the Relief Society in my little community and see their pictures. They are real people.

From these combined histories I am coming to see who I am and what I need to do as Sister Beck taught. I have learned and have been reminded that Relief Society has always been about serving others. The early sisters did this by sewing for the temple workers, sewing the temple veil, making burial clothing and sewing for the Indians as well as needy families. They were innovative in solving problems and had keen eyesight to recognize potential problems and plan for them. They worked hard to promote home industry for the needy and encourage those able to add their talents to fundraising and bazaars. They were proponents of mother and children's health; working to establish nursing education and creating hospitals. They worked tirelessly during the War Years to support the troops through bond sales and soap donations. They instituted the Visiting Teaching Program to reach out to all sisters. They loved music and organized "Singing Mother Groups" through the Stakes of Zion. Perhaps my favorite was their dedication to mother education through weekly classes.

On my local level in my ward I have read of their tireless fundraising projects to build a large ward building to meet in. They worked hard to provide the weekly classes and provide social events for the sisters in our town. They walked miles to complete visiting teaching appointments and visit the sick. They provided meals to the church farm workers and supported the priesthood brethren in their assignments. They helped prepare bodies for burial as no funeral services were available. They also put in hours and hours of sewing time to make clothing for those in need and to prepare bazaar items for fundraising. They never seemed to stop working hard to bless others.

While studying I noticed some thoughts that currently stand out:

They sewed A LOT
Mother Education was extremely important to them and this included Literature such as Shakespeare, biographies, lots of poetry, American Literature, modern drama……
Developing talents of: sewing, knitting, quilting, weaving, crocheting, flower-making, writing, singing, painting, teaching, event planning, leading, etc.
Encouraged nurturing and creating
Sisters needed to gather together often to socialize
The R.S. goal of helping sisters find joy and testimony in their role of wife and mother was vital

I have pages and pages of notes. So much to think about! One thing that is very clear is that their focus is now my focus on how I live my life and how I raise our daughter. This focus includes serving others, educating self and developing our talents. This is the curriculum. This is what is important to me now. Yes, that includes lots of sewing. Those who know me well are laughing because this is so painful to me. However, I've been repenting and we have been sewing up a storm in this house the last couple of months, really you would be surprised! The amazing thing is that I'm so happy now when I do it. I think that is because I'm focused on nurturing others when I'm sewing and striving to fulfill my role brings the Spirit (which yields peace and happiness).

Learning the history of Relief Society has unified me in heart to the sisters I know now and also to those who worked tirelessly before me and left me a great legacy. I realize that I am not alone in this great work. There are many who have worked, are working and will work in the future to prepare the earth for the Savior to return. There are many more that are side by side me both in Spirit and in body than I had realize. Through this I have come to see that I can change to become even more who the Lord wants me to become. I can fulfill my mission and be a strong wife and mother during this day when Satan tries to beat the door down on me and make me become as "'silly women' who worships a variety of 'strange gods.'"

I add my testimony to Sister Beck that learning our history through the Relief Society will help us to become strong against the "growing climate of entitlement, excuse, apathy, and enticement."

All quotes are from Sister Beck's October 2010 talk.

“Reflections on a Consecrated Life….Work”

2011-01-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

General Conference time is a great time for reflection and personal revelation. Each conference I come away empowered on how to make my life and my family's life more deeply devoted to Christ and keeping our second estate. Elder Christofferson's recent conference talk in October continued to expand my mind and further illuminate true principles.

His talk, "Reflections on a Consecrated Life," bring out five key elements that will help us consecrate our lives to our Savior. His five suggestions were: purity, work, respect for one's physical body, service and integrity. I have thought about his second element, work, much since October. To begin to express my thoughts would be painful for you the reader. My thoughts have gone from Brigham Young to Headgates to the Family Proclamation on to Louis L'Amour and to the scriptures. Back and forth I jump in my mind from a life time of personal study to add these latest thoughts and to have it all make sense with everything else in my grey matter. Of course new thoughts sometimes cause me to challenge old thoughts and societal norms which lead sometimes to "brain pain" in trying to sort and sift. However, despite some new things the more I ponder the more answers come, answers that I have been mulling over for years. Okay, boring, what's the point you may be asking? We'll let's hope I have one. Here are my thoughts.
First off this is what Elder Christofferson said about work.

A consecrated life is a life of labor. Beginning early in His life, Jesus was about His Father's business (see Luke 2:48-49). God Himself is glorified by His work of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children (see Moses 1:39). We naturally desire to participate with Him in His work, and in so doing, we ought to recognize that all the honest work is the work of God. In the words of Thomas Carlyle: "All true Work is sacred; in all true Work, were it but true hand-labour, there is something of divineness. Labour, wide as the Earth, has its summit in Heaven."

God has designed this mortal existence to require nearly constant exertion. I recall the Prophet Joseph Smith's simple statement: "By continuous labor [we] were enabled to get a comfortable maintenance" (JS-H 1:55) By work we sustain and enrich life. It enables us to survive the disappointments and tragedies of the mortal experience. Hard-earned achievement brings a sense of self-worth. Work builds and refines character, creates beauty, and is the instrument of our service to one another and to God. A consecrated life is filled with work, sometimes repetitive, sometimes menial, sometimes unappreciated but always work that improves, orders, sustains, lifts, ministers, aspires.

At this point I have to break in and say this was really painful for me to hear. You see I think I spend more time figuring out how to simply my life so I won't have to work than recognizing that the point is that I am expected to work. I do think that simplifying my life is essential because than I am always able to serve God- I am not a slave to anyone or anything (like my 'stuff.') You see the perfect world for me doesn't involve any laundry, ironing, dusting or mopping. But alas, it seems like that is supposed to be my inheritance. As Adam was taught,
"Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the her or the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it was thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." (Gen. 3:17-19)

Elder Christofferson uses these phrases: constant exertion, continuous labor, and life of labor. All this talk of work is making me tired.

So then, what is work? First that required that I had to get up and get the 1828 Dictionary. (More work. It was heavy and takes a while to find words. I couldn't get the definition in my previous "insta-knowledge" way with the internet. Grumble.) Here were some definitions, "In a general sense, to move, or to move one way and other; to perform…to labor; to be occupied in performing manual labor, whether severe or moderate;… to be in action or motion…to act; to carry on operations; to operate; to carry on business…to obtain by diligence…" Elder Christofferson said that the results would be it improves, orders, sustains, lifts, ministers, aspires our lives.

From this I realize that work requires motion and activity. It can be in varying degrees of physical exertion but it is hard regardless. I spent some time brainstorming what things are work and what things are not with my children. Here's a general list: doing housework, shoveling snow, raking leaves, pulling weeds, memorizing multiplication tables, practicing the piano, reading Shakespeare, writing an essay, etc. Like I said, it's a short list with general ideas.

We decided that sometimes some things could be work for one person and not for another. For example, to spend time playing the hymns or the songs from the Children's song book on the piano is not hard for me, it requires minimal effort. However, for my daughter it still requires effort when she plays out of these books. Reading Shakespeare is still work for me. While doing house work doesn't require brainpower it is still work and is maybe part of what Elder Christofferson refers to as "repetitive."

Here I need to throw in something from Brigham Young that I have been thinking about. He said something to the effect that a righteous man's day consisted of eight hours work, eight hours of play and eight hours of sleep. Now that I have established in my mind what the eight hours of work could look like just what does the eight hours of play look like?

Elder Christofferson spoke of this also. He said,

"Having spoken in praise of labor, I must also add a kind work for leisure. Just as honest toil gives rest its sweetness, wholesome recreation is the friend and steadying companion of work. Music, literature, art, dance, drama, athletics-all can provide entertainment to enrich one's life and further consecrate it. At the same time, it hardly needs to be said that much of what passes for entertainment today is coarse, degrading, violent, mind-numbing, and time wasting. Ironically, it sometimes takes hard work to find wholesome leisure. When entertainment turns from virtue to vice, it becomes a destroyer of the consecrated life. 'Wherefore, take heed that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God' (Moroni 7:14)."

I love Elder Christofferson's words. I have often wondered what "wholesome recreational activities" (from the Proclamation) really looked like. The dictionary under leisurely says, "not in haste or hurry; slowly." I appreciated his examples of music, literature, art, dance, drama and athletics that will help me to recognize what whole recreational activities are. Perhaps being able to truly enjoy things like music and literature require a good amount of work before hand before they can become enjoyable. (Learning to play the piano or understand good literature takes work!) The pace than in this leisure time -perhaps the eight hours has Pres. Young said- is slow, peaceful, relaxed, happy. It is not intense. Elder Christofferson says that it is hard to find good things to do for leisure, but with the help of the Spirit we can find those things that will "enrich {our} life and further consecrate it." That's another point too. We want wholesome leisure so that no matter what we are doing we are always trying to stay consecrated and keep Christ as our living center.

In reviewing with my family these thoughts we discovered that we don't work enough. (Now you moms of young children do work a lot so don't think for one minute that you aren't). But my littles are 8, 10, 11 and 12. They all know how to cook and clean and take care of themselves. (We are still working on keeping their hands off their siblings though). So housework, yardwork, and even school work is divided up effectively and we get it all done quickly. We have also realized that thanks to Headgate principles, For the Strength of Youth and wonderful people like you we have learned what sweet leisure could look like. We have few things left in our life that are mind-numbing and time wasting. Yeah, progression! Our life has been powerfully blessed from these changes too! That bad news is though that we spend too much time in leisure. Yeah, that's nice it's good and wholesome, but if we are over our quota we aren't progressing.

I am super grateful for pondering and revelation that allow me to realize this! During our day now we are trying to work up to our eight hours of work. It's been hard work! We seem to do okay and can work for several hours in the morning, but the rest of the day is a challenge. (I really have simplified my life down!) Later in the day I've said to the kids we need to work right now. Everybody pick something that is work for them and let's do it for an hour. So I'll study something, one will practice the piano, one may work on their lashings for scouts because they can't figure them out, one will read something that is challenging….etc. Usually half way through several will moan and say, "This is too hard. Can't we do something that is easier?" That's when I realize that we really do have to work.

Anyway, I realize we are not working enough. Time to reinstitute some of my headgate thoughts that I had laxed on. I also realize that we are doing well in our leisure, which I am very pleased with, I just next to cut it back.

I know everyone will read these quotes and thoughts differently, but I hope I've challenged you to realize that if we want to be about submission and consecration than we must be working. Mortal life is good isn't it?

Goals for 2011

2011-01-01T18:44:00.002-07:00

Are you thinking about what goals you want to have for the New Year? I love setting goals. Through the years I have set all sorts of goals. I have set goals about the different aspects of my life (emotional, physical, mental, etc) and goals for home education. Sometimes I have had a complete laundry list of goals and other times I have set a couple of goals. I've always tried to work hard on them and I usually do a pretty good job at accomplishing them.

I could give you a discourse on how to set goals and how to accomplish them-I have lectured on it multiple times through the years to various groups of people. I think this year I'm going simple since I have a simple life. It fits the general mood of my life you know. Besides if I keep it incredibly simple I won't even have to waste paper and wall space (or binder space) with my goals.

So in keeping with simplicity I've narrowed my long lists of goals down to one. Drum role please………………. My goal for 2011 is submission. I actually had it as a goal last year too. It worked out pretty good. It worked out good because I learned and grew at an incredible rate this past year. When I say it worked out pretty good I don't mean I was perfect with it because I was not! It did work out well though because there were numerous situations when I languished over what to do when I was reminded of my goal. That made the decisions easier-"Oh yeah, submit and obey. I am going to do that!" Great blessings always followed.

There are a lot of scriptures that speak of this,

"Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceed forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; thus it was until the coming of Christ." Moroni 7:25

"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day." D & C 4:2

"For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God." D & C 84: 44

"Therefore, cease from all your light speeches, from all laughter, from all your lustful desires, from all your pride and light-mindedness and from all your wicked doings." D & C 88:121

Talking about one's submission also opens the doorway to discussion about the Lords absolutes in the scriptures. We are to live by every word, not just most words. We are also to serve with all our heart, not just some of it. That is hard though isn't it?! That is why we have our mortal probation; our time to prove ourselves faithful. As we strive for personal submission every moment than we will refine ourselves more and more. Eventually we will have that transformed character that Elder Scott recently spoke on. He said, "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day." He also said, "You become what you do and what you think about." So if we put submission in the forefront of our life and that is what we think about and we try to 'be' eventually the miraculous will occur and we will become that-a truly submissive child of God.

So that is my New Year's Resolution; I want to submit each day to my God. This with take effort, it will take repentance, but day by day and moment by moment I have faith that I will finally become.

Reflections of 2010

2011-01-01T18:36:00.003-07:00

As I reflect on this past year I am grateful for the experiences that I have had. This year was intense for me in the way of life lesson's that were learned and which were piled one on top of another. Our family came through it better and stronger though. Whew!

I thought I would dedicate this blog post to reviewing the great lessons I did learn. Most are not new to anyone, but it's always helpful to look back and see just how far you have come or to realize just how strong your back has become through it all. I am so blessed to have continuous opportunities for growth and progression. Mortal life truly is an amazing experience!

Lesson one: Don't be so stuffy! I learned that I had too much stuff! I repented of that and gave 2/3 of our things away. After I did I felt a great relief. I felt has if I had lost a hundred pounds. You don't realize how weighed down you are until it is gone. I learned that I don't need seven spatulas in my kitchen drawer, that I only need three or four board games (because that's how many we play with anyway), I only need three or four pairs of pants, I only need one pair of sheets per bed, I only need one book case of books instead of five (I can get almost anything from the library) and I don't need any plastic plants. I've always been good about organizing my things so they were always neat and tidy, but it wasn't until it was gone that I felt the joy of simplicity.

There was a greater increase of the Spirit in our home because I was not holding onto more than what my needs and wants really were. I also gained more time. I spent less time dusting, less time organizing and less time feeling weighed down by stuff. I feel terrible that I spent so much money on stuff. Stuff, stuff, stuff. I learned that Satan wants us to have our lives filled with stuff because they distract us from doing the really important things. When you have stuff you want to use it so now you are spending more time with stuff and your time becomes stuffy and your life becomes stuffy and you miss out on the eternal.

I am so blessed to have learned this lesson. There were a couple of times that I was a little sad getting rid of things, but there is not anything I got rid of that I now regret. This lesson takes a brave heart, but it was so worth it.

Lesson two: They shall nash their teeth, but it will not hurt. Spending nine months on the campaign trail as it ups and downs. The downs are the slander, the false accusations, the emotional attacks and the smears. One morning we woke up to the knowledge that our entire district was robo called (computer generated phone calls) and my husband was called a liar and a corrupt politician by one of the head legislators in the Democratic Party for the state. Yes, that was a rough morning. We applied what we have always done when the going gets tough, we fell to our knees and asked the Lord to grant us with peace, love and with the strength to forgive our enemies. It was still hard on days like that, but I knew that God would take care of us. Brigham Young says, "Pray as if everything depends on God and work as if everything depends on you." So after we prayed we went to work. My husband did his campaign business and I did my business-being a wife and mother, and it all was okay. For in those times the Lord grants you eternal perspective and clarity of thought that enables you trust His plan for you. All will be okay-and it was.

Lesson three: You can move into a very tiny house and find great joy. The Lord prepared me for our move into a tiny house by letting me learn lesson one in the spring. I don't think I could have handled lesson three in the fall had I not passed lesson one. I really like living in a small house. I can't say that I love it every minute, but most of the time I just really enjoy it and I am grateful. The reasons for the joy are the blessings that have come. We have more time because cleaning up is a snap. Our life is simple which allows for us to recognize and do the things that are the most important-serving, visiting others, and being together. During the evening when we have free time we are all in the living room and we are forced to talk, play games and read. There's not a lot to do so we must all interact with each other.

There are times when a couple of the cramped spots cause me to take a deep breath and choose patience. The dining area is very small and we feel pinned to the table. Also my kitchen work area is very small. These moments allow me the opportunity to choose to be happy regardless of the lack of perceived comforts. I very much appreciate the opportunity to refine my character and choose to be better.

Lesson four: We can remove media from our home and we can still be okay! We've been on just movies in our house for twelve or so years. This fall however we removed the TV from the house. We still have access a TV/DVD but it's inconvenient to get to it. In the past we would occasionally turn on a movie (once a week) when we were tired and felt "entitled" to mind numbing entertainment. Now it's just hard enough to get to that we usually just go to bed early, play a family game or we read instead.

When we moved we also turned off the internet. I think this was harder than anything. This has allowed me to see how much time I wasted on the internet everyday-I only was on goodreads and blogger too! Again more time on our hands. (I'm telling you when you remove media, things to dust, things to clean, things to organize, and you say you won't go to Walmart and buy things you've just added HOURS to your day!)

I've prayed about adding the internet and the answer has been swift and forceful-NO! I'm not sure why our family is not to have internet right now. I think this answer may be unique to our family though. I have three boys at impressionable ages and so this could be one reason.

Another reason besides the time wasting is that I've realized how lazy "insta-knowledge" has made our family. It's so much easier to look up the quick answer to something than actually having to use a dictionary, read a book and discover the answer, or ask someone. The internet made me lazy. I realized that I was obtaining too much of my knowledge the "fast food" way. Drive up to the window and go. I have discovered more personal growth from having to discover the answers through real work and study. The Founding Fathers didn't have this insta-knowledge and yet they were leagues ahead of me in personal knowledge.
I don't know what we will do when our children our older and they need more scholar type classes. There are a lot of wonderful classes on line. Perhaps they just won't be for our family?

(How am I on blogger if I don't have the internet? My husband has internet access through his phone that is available on our laptops. So I write a blog post on Microsoft sometime during the week and publish it to my blog when I have access to his phone. It takes mere minutes. When my husband is home I don't use his phone but once or twice a week very quickly to upload a post and add my books quickly to goodreads. I don't like to be on the computer when he is home! So I really only use the internet to upload quickly. I can also open up a couple of blogs and then later when he is gone and the kids are playing I can read some blogs off line. I can't comment this way though. I hope that makes sense).

Lesson five: Free time equals service time. So with all this freed up time we have added service to our lives. Of course I served before, but this is different now. We don't have pressing things anymore so we can make things for the needy, we can visit the lonely and the discouraged, and we can be "seen" in our community more that we may be a light unto the world and an example of the believers.

As we began to see the time we had freed up it was shocking to see how Satan had lulled us into such carnal security by having us be happily distracted and entertained by our stuff. No we didn't watch bad things, yes my house was always clean, …. But I was missing the point. I was not sent here to be entertained. I was sent here to raise children and help usher in the Second Coming. I couldn't do that if I was spending hours of my life in distraction. Now we can more readily stand for truth and righteousness and strive to be Savior's on Mount Zion.

I feel so blessed with the experiences that I had that opened my eyes to what I have been missing in my life. I gained a deeper level of eternal perspective this year. I learned that letting go of things allowed me to step into the darkness through faith that eventually led to a whole new way to live our lives.

I look forward to lessons of 2011. I think they will continue to be challenging but I have faith that as I submit and do the hard things that the rich blessings will come and we will be prepared as a family to offer up unto the Lord an "offering in righteousness that will be worthy of all acceptation"-a life devoted to the Savior.

The Living Christ at Christmas Time

2010-12-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

I thought I would write some of my thoughts from this Christmas season down. I felt we had a wonderful Christmas season this year. We did a lot of things differently and kept many special traditions.

In the book of Hagai, chapter one verse six there is a great scripture that reads, "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag
with holes."

This scripture has several meanings and one meaning might be that we sometimes waste our time on things that have no value or spend our money on things that are wasteful and not necessary. It is like putting our money in a bag with holes-it brings no value to our lives, we lose the money. I did not read this scripture at the beginning of our Christmas season, but I did read it at the end and I felt that we had not spent our money on things/presents that were useless.

I think everyone will do Christmas differently. I think there is no right way to "do" Christmas. For it is about your heart-is your heart focused on the Savior or on the world and the worship of things in it?

I think there are some things I will do differently next year, but I think we are on the right track. One child said it was the best Christmas ever. I think that's a success considering they received a small fraction of the presents they normally receive and we changed many traditions.

For the sake of helping myself remember our experiences I'll write what we did so that I can review for next year.

Treats for friends/family: We did still give treats this year. I feel it is an important time to express love. Of course it could be argued that I need to do that throughout the year. I do feel that I do that, but I don't think there is anything wrong with expressing love at this time of year. We did small bags of candy this year. This is one thing that I will do differently next year. I think I will give fruit instead of candy. That will mean more money, so we'll see. I had thought about giving them a "gift of wisdom." What I had thought of doing was sharing the things we as a family had learned this past year in the form of a letter with a note that perhaps our lessons learned would be of help for them in the coming year. I didn't do that, but perhaps I will, still thinking about this one.
Christmas cards/letters: When we passed out treats this year we gave out Christmas cards. I also mailed cards to grandma/pa's and other close family members. I haven't written a Christmas letter in several years. I would like to, I just haven't gotten around to it. This is probably something I should get back into. Again it is time consuming though and so I have not done it. Excuses, excuses….

Ward Christmas Dinner: This year I was assigned to run the kitchen for the ward Christmas dinner as well as decorate for it. This year I choose to have has a theme "The Living Christ." The walls were decorated with scenes from Christ's life as well as short phrases from "The Living Christ" that corresponded with the pictures. Such as, "He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness," "He went about doing good," "He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind." The centerpieces included rolled up "Living Christ's" for each family to take home if they didn't have one. There were numerous other things I did that were neither here nor there, but since I will be assigned to do that again most likely I thought I would share what I had done.

Decorations: This year for the first time we put lights up outside. They were simple, but we did it. I think that we will continue to do that. They have lights at Temple Square and so I decided it would be good for us to some as well. For our Christmas tree we had our traditional Angel Moroni tree topper. This year our ornaments were the little 3X2 cards of Christ's life with ribbon in the corner to attach to the tree. We had gold flowers, white lights, and we did have some candy canes on it also. We had talked about a popcorn strand put we never did. It was very simple. Next year we may have ribbons on it instead of flowers. Who knows?

Stockings: We did not put up our traditional stockings that I made several years ago. They were more Santa-y so we decided not to. We did hang up some wool stockings on the night of Christmas Eve. This year the kids received a silver dollar in it. We also included a letter/testimony from both my husband and I to each child. I have not researched the origin of stockings. If I had the internet at my fingers perhaps I would. I do not know if we will do stockings again. If we do I really enjoyed the simplicity of what we did this year.

Christmas Eve: We have our traditional family dinner on Christmas Eve. We enjoy sharing this time with my extended family. We have a meal, a short Christmas program and small gift exchange. Our money limit is $5. The families do a good job about asking what the parents would like their child to receive so I never have to worry. I have a great family in that way. This is perhaps my favorite part of Christmas-being with my family on this night. We also gave the children pajamas. I was not going to do this this year, but this was one of the few requests of old traditions that they wanted to keep. We used a gift card from a grandma to buy them. She had hoped we'd buy a Wii game with the money, but the kids wanted pj's.

Christmas Day: We opened our few presents in the morning. This year we only gave our children one personal gift. The boys received swords from "Vision Forum." Liberty received a sewing machine. We also gave them some cereal with a gift card for skiing. Receiving cereal has also been a long standing tradition which they asked to keep. This was paid for with the gift card as well. We rarely have cereal and so this was a treat. This year we wanted to give one present and have one family experience. Our children have wanted to go skiing for a long time so we decided this was the year. Their other grandma/pa bought them their own tool boxes with tools-the perfect thing. Liberty received a gift card that she will either spend on fabric or things for her horses-perfect thing again. We did buy two family books and Blokus the game which we love. After short presents we went to my family for our traditional sough dough pancake breakfast and spent several hours visiting with family. In the afternoon we went to the care center and presented a Christmas Nativity Program to the residents with some help from our good friends. We then passed out the lap quilts we had made and collected from the community during the month of December. It was a very neat experience and something we plan to continue to do. The rest of the day was spent with more family time. Since we received so few presents we had to interact with family and we weren't in self-absorption with our new gifts. The boys did put in some good sword time with their uncles though. During the day I also visited two widows from our ward in their homes.
Carols: We did sing a lot this year. We went caroling once. We limited our singing to the songs and hymns that pertain to Christ versus the Santa and the snow songs. We also sung at the care center weekly throughout the month. We will continue to sing weekly to them throughout the year.

Those are the things that I remember. I am sure that I have forgotten some aspect of the Christmas holidays. In reflection I liked the focus on others and on the life of Christ besides just His birth. We will continue to work and rework on having our hearts focused on our Savior not just during the holiday season, but every moment of our lives so that He will become our living center.

2010-12-24T15:37:00.001-07:00

Decision Points by George W. Bush

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I went away from reading this book completely inspired to fulfil my mission in life and to make the tough decisions.

I was thrilled to learn about the path his personal education took. He followed the principles of the Thomas Jefferson Education. There were many aspects of his education that I plan to take my kids through. It was powerful to see it in action. If you are unable to read this whole book I would recommend the chapter on his education.

I think this is a great auto/biography to have young adults read. Not only is it inspiring to read about a great man but this book is also filled with information on current trends and social issues as well as a historical record from his 8 years in office.

This book flowed well, it was well-written and witty. I highly recommend this to Bush, history and biography lovers out there.

View all my reviews

The Biography

2010-12-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

I think that the biography (or autobiography) is a very powerful teaching tool. I love to read about others because of two main reasons:

I get to learn from their mistakes.
They inspire me to greatness.

I have read a lot of biographies and again and again I come away with the inspiration to be better.

Elder Maxwell's biography taught me I need to submit.
Elder Nelson's biography taught me that I need to obey.
George Washington's biography taught me I need to do hard things.
Abigail Adams biography taught me to do my duty.
Abraham Lincoln's biography taught me that greatness is achieved after a lifetime of trying.
Ralph Moody's writings taught me that my parents can teach me a lot if I'll just listen to them.
Louis L'Amour's autobiography taught me the importance of reading great books.
Karl Marx's biography taught me that Satan wants to destroy humanity.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali's autobiography taught me that I can triumph over any adversity.
Ji-li Jiang's autobiography taught me that government is not always good.
Clearance Thomas's autobiography taught be that humans can rise out of any situation.
Joseph Smith's biography taught me that great people come from great families.
William Tyndale's biography taught me that we must do what we must no matter the results.
Corrie Ten Boom's autobiography taught me that faith in God can see us through anything.

These are only some examples. Of course I knew most of these things already from scripture study, but reading about these principles in action further clarified in me the desire to do the right thing. They inspired me to seek personal greatness and to avoid other's mistakes.

Biographies are also a great way to learn history. For that reason we read a lot of biographies in our home.

The practical application of this may include:

Read a biography as a family and discuss it.
Have a child pick a biography to read on their own and then write a short essay.
Recognize a trait that yourself or your family needs improvement on and read about someone you know who overcame it.
After reading about someone present oral reports to the family and field questions about biographies read.
Act out an important scene in someones life, this solidifies the heroic event in your children's lives.
Study the history and politics of this time period in addition to the person for further understanding of the world they live in.
Identify key traits and then set personal/family goals to acquire these traits.
Recognize these key traits in others you know personally and thank them for their example in living this principle.
Identify attributes, behaviors or habits, for good or bad, that the person had and discuss or write why having these traits led to success and why, or how a bad habit resulted in a negative situation.
Compare and contrast the person's core values with yours. Why did they believe that way? Is it truth?

I believe that biographies should play a huge role in our home education experience. Remember many of the scriptures are the biographies and histories of our prophets. I conclude since God used so much space in the sacred canon on reviewing people's lives it is important!

Home Educating At Heart

2010-12-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

I've decided I need to write more posts specifically about how I home educate. It is one of the things I love most. All my other posts still allude to home education because in our home education/learning are going on all the time in many ways.

The ability to recognize the snares of Babylon or allowing God to fight my battles are all crucial elements in the master class I teach everyday and every moment-parenting. All of the elements I blog about I have found are vital components to the over all education of my children.

I think though that I want to write some posts about the day to day teaching of history and math though. When and if I get into that it must be prefaced by restating my education model for you.

I know some people don't like pigeon-holeing themselves into a model or method. I think a lot of people do not need to. I don't think it is wrong though to have a method if you feel that is what you need to do. My ultimate model and method is Jesus Christ and what He says for my family. The scriptures and the prophets are my ultimate resource. I read and study my scriptures and the living prophets for several hours every day. I am constantly learning, growing, changing, pondering, and applying new things for each new day. I believe that my mission of rearing my children in the last dispensation requires more out of me (and us) than parents have ever been called on to give. I know that immersing myself daily in the Spirit is my way for success and conquest over Satan.

That being said I have adapted numerous methods and made them my own through the guidance of the Spirit. My overall outline still continues to be The Thomas Jefferson Education Model or TJEd. I have been implementing TJEd principles in my family for over seven years and have seen success after success. I have also found scriptures, scripture stories and other real life examples of this model played out repeatedly and I feel confidant that it is necessary for our family. I have added a good dose of Charlotte Mason and Headgate principles because I believe they match up with our overall mission and contain true principles.

I am so grateful that Heavenly Father allows us to have variety. My brain works well with these principles.

In the past I have sometimes started steering away from TJEd and have gone after other things. However, I am quickly reminded that these principles are truth and God wants me to follow them. I know they contain the structure for education implementation and lifelong learning for my family. The basic principles of TJEd include (Celeste might not come up with the same list, but that's what the list looks like to me):

Classics
Mentors (leaders, teachers, coaches...)
Personal Experiences
Personal discipline, established during Core Phase

Classics. I learn from great books just like the scriptures teach us we must. All of the truth contained in any book has it's origin in God-the source for ultimate truth. Why don't I read just my scriptures then? Just as I blog and share ideas, writers around the world also share their ideas about what they are learning. These ideas further improve our lives as we judge them first to know if they are of God (Moroni 7) and then, when having passed the test, we take them and work with these new ideas in our own life.

President Hinckley grew up with a great library in his own and studied under great teachers at college. He said this about what he learned at college,

" I read Carlyle and Emerson, Milton and Longfellow, Shakespeare and all the others. And from there I went on to study Latin and Greek. I couldn’t do it now, but once I could have read you the Iliad and the Odyssey in the original Greek. I finished up my work at the university with a minor in ancient languages." See link here.

We also do it because we are commanded to seek out the best books. I have studied hard and long about the concept of rejecting Greek Western thought in our lives. I have researched it, pondered about it, and many more personal things in my quest to see if it is evil for me to study Shakespeare and Greek. The answer has always been forceful-I must study Greek thought. Perhaps this is unique to our family. Our nation would not have been built had the Founding Fathers not studied in depth Greek thought. President Hinckley was instructed and mentored in Greek thought. Great people in the last several generatiosn have been great because of the classics. Am I different?

As I read classics and books that I feel impressed to read I see human nature at it's best and worst. I see where my own misconceptions have been created and stemmed from. I see where society has gotten his mixed up messages today. I see clearly what happens when others follow truth and when they do not.

To prepare to meet God requires that I learn how to think, how to be and how to live. I get this from the Word of God and from wise men and women who have gone on before me and left their words. I am grateful for the scriptures and best books that bring home these powerful messages to me.

Mentors. I learn from my leaders and other great role models alive and past on. Learning from someone is a powerful way to learn and grow. I love reading biographies of great people. I also enjoy talking with the elderly. They have a lot to teach me.

Experience. I take my knowledge and apply what I've learned that I may have my own experience in knowing good and evil.

Discipline. This concept is taught in TJEd as "core phase." I learn to submit and to become a little children through the whisperings of the Spirit and to establish key habits that will keep me focused on God. Through a strong foundation I gain my freedom.

Again, the TJEd model simply helps me clarify principles I already believe in. I think many people don't need to read certain things and apply certain things outside the realm of the scriptures because they already do it and they don't need clarification.

I'm grateful for a model that makes sense to me. I love to home educate and I love to learn personally.

Developing Our Talents

2010-12-18T12:32:00.001-07:00

We recently had a lesson in Young Women’s about developing our talents. I have been thinking all week about what my talents are. I know I don’t want to bury my talents, I know I want to use them. What are they though?

Sometimes in our sacred role as “nurturer” it may seem that anything we are good at has to take a back burner. While that may be true I believe that it is embracing our role of nurturer that we truly begin to recognize what our talents are and the things that we are passionate about. Too often I have thought that I need to separate myself into being “Deanna, the organizer,” from “Deanna, the nurturer.”

I have learned that when I submit to my role as nurturer (wife, mother, sister, friend, daughter) I have found along the way that I do have multiple talents and abilities. Not only have I come to recognize talents but I have come to find out that I am able to magnify them more fully while I am submitting. The moment I say, “eureka, I have a talent” and try to separate it out for selfish gain or glorification I fall on my face. However, when I use a newly discovered talent to further my role as a mother or wife I see that I am progressing and increasing.

That’s where I have to stop and sigh. It just always seem to fall back to submission. In order for me to progress I simply (yes simply) have to submit to God’s plan for me. (Which God’s plan for me is to be a wife and mother). The world wants me to think I need to be more than this or that I deserve to be and do other things too.

Elder Maxwell, gave this marvelous quote,

“The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. It is a hard doctrine, but it is true. The many other things we give to God, however nice that may be of us, are actually things He has already given us, and He has loaned them to us. But when we begin to submit ourselves by letting our will be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him” (Insights from My Life, Ensign, Aug. 2000, 9)

What I learn from this is that it’s “nice” for me to do the things I want and create the things I want, but my true submission comes when I let God’s will truly become my will. I have already learned from the Proclamation that my role is to nurture along with multiple other things like: replenish the earth, chastity, love and care for my children, teach my children to love and serve one another, have our foundation be Jesus Christ, respect each family member, and pursue wholesome recreational activities….

David McConkie said in this last conference, “Brothers and sisters, it is contrary to the economy of heaven for the Lord to repeat to each of us individually what He has already revealed to us collectively. The scriptures contain the words of Christ. They are the voice of the Lord. Studying the scriptures trains us to hear the Lord’s voice.”
I take this to mean the Lord has already established my mission and what I need to submit too. I can learn more about my mission and hence my talents as I submit to His plan by reading His word. As I do so the still small voice of the Spirit will distill upon me as the dews of heaven and I will see clearly His will for me and the talents He has given me.

I have gone in this essay from a + b + c…. How do I get this back to a? Talent acquisition comes in submission, by submission we learn we need to read the scriptures, in the scriptures we learn our mission, while learning our mission we recognize the talents we have inherently already been given and how we can magnify them so we are not burying our talents. Make sense? I think it’s interesting that submission includes the word mission. We discover mission (and talents) as we submit.

That’s of course not saying we are all the same. Each of us have unique families and personalities. As I’ve submitted to my role of mother for example I have learned that I have a talent for organizing, multi-tasking, doing hard things, teaching, testifying, being on time, efficiency, and personal discipline for example. I think many of us have learned these things. That’s what moms do. In the past I looked beyond the mark and thought that my talent acquisition required great and grand things that had to be done outside my home.

I believe that God's plan is truly marvelous. As we submit we become much more than we would be on our own. The ability to do hard things and easily testify to others are not unimportant things. They are vital talents that I must continue to develop in order to successfully navigate myself through this life.

I am grateful for the knowledge of scriptures and prophets which teach and inspire me in the way of these principles. I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost that allows further clarification and personal revelation in my own life.

I have seen that personal submission to God is the way to true happiness. Happiness in my life has not been found as I've submitted to the world's plan for me. Sometimes it his hard to find value in what we are doing or that our mundane tasks are the seeds to our great talents.

In the book "Addiction Recovery Program: A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing" written by LDS Family Services available through the Church Distribution Center it says,

"As Elder Maxwell observed, this submission to the Lord is hard doctrine. It requires us to rededicate ourselves to His will at the start of each day and sometimes every hour or even from moment to moment. As we are willing to do so, we find the grace, or enabling power, to do what we could not do for ourselves." (pg. 14)

I seek to purge out the world's version of developing my talents. I choose to stay focused on Christ and allow Him to define my talents and mission.

Music in the Home

2010-12-10T22:13:00.000-07:00

I was able to attend the World Wide Training for the new church handbooks in November. It was a great meeting and I have LOVED reading the handbook. I've read it several times. It has so many wonderful things in it that have blessed our family already as well as clarified some things.

I won't quote anything from the handbook, but the church as put the whole handbook on line for everyone to read. Here is the main link for Book 2.

One section that I've found particularly useful is the "Music in the Home" section located in the music section. Here is the link for this particular section.

Since reading this section we have made music a more active part of our home. We sing a hymn before families prayers twice a day. We have done this in the past, but it never stuck. We have made it a priority now.

I've also tried to implement more singing in the car together when we are driving. Since we aren't listening to the radio, rarely CD's, and movies there can be a lot of dead air time. We read a lot and look out the car window a lot. (It takes us 45 minutes to go grocery shopping and that's driving through sagebrush the whole time). The kids like to see how fast they can sing the Books of Scripture songs that are found in the primary book. We learned them last year and they still sing them all the time.

We've added back into our morning routine singing time. Why is it that I'm always going in cycles with things? We've been singing a lot of Christmas hymns and Children's Christmas music this month. We have learned a lot of regular hymns too. They have really enjoyed learning, "Carry On."

What I find that is interesting is that when my children are playing they are singing hymns. I often discover them humming hymns too. The radio has never been apart of their lives nor has popular music infiltrated their heads so they've never had those songs stuck in their minds. Now though they have had so much more expose to hymns and that is what they have swirling around in their grey matter and in their souls.

It is such a blessing to hear their sweet spirits sing the songs of Zion more regularly now.

Also it talks about parents encouraging their children to learn musical skills to help in church. I've mentioned in a post tonight that we dropped out of formal piano lessons. However, we still play the piano a lot. I have taught piano lessons in the past and so I've become their music teacher. They continue to progress in the piano, musical theory and conducting. We just have elected to forgo the rigors of regular practice times and lessons for the sake of other things. It has been interesting to note though that two of the children continue to regularly practice the piano on their own. They seem to delight in it more now that the formal rigors have been removed. Liberty can play many of the primary songs as well as many of the simplified hymns. I have always taught them, and they have understood, that one of their duties in the church is to learn the piano and music conducting so they will be able to serve in the church. I am confidant that they will remain motivated.

I love beautiful music. Music has the capacity to touch the soul in a marvelous way. We are truly blessed to have our hymns. I am even more committed to instilling within my children a deep knowledge of the great hymns.

Serving Others

2010-12-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

When Mr. Patriot lost the election I knew there had to be a reason. What was suppose to be the point of our life now? We weren't moving to our state's capitol, we were moving into a tiny house and we would be there all week long, all winter long. What in the world was our new focus to be?

I felt strongly to simplify our life done to the barest of bare bones. Like I mentioned we did not bring the Internet with us, we dropped our land line, we got rid of lots and lots of "stuff," and we even stopped piano lessons. We opted out of starting in on some "scholar" classes and "love of learning" classes for the children also. Very little remained standing! Now what?

I felt strongly again that we were to keep our life in this very simple state of existence and only add one thing: service. We do a lot of service generally speaking, but where exactly was I suppose to go with that?

I called all the local organizations around and found out what our options were. There were food banks, hospitals, soup kitchens, poor people, sad people, old people and young people. I waded through the options and I discovered what WE, our very own family, was suppose to do. We were to visit the elderly as often as possible at the local care center.

We have been visiting them for well over a month now. It is our week's highlight. We have been added to their list of activities every Monday afternoon. We come in and we sing to them and they sing with us. We do random projects for them. One day Liberty rolled yarn with a resident, another time we went through books on a bookshelf and this past week we decorated their Christmas tree. We go to the rooms and we visit the residents. We talk to them about their lives. We encourage them and we love them.

Most are sad. Most are extremely lonely. We have been coming now regularly and so we are welcomed with happiness. It is just a small nursing home-there are only 35 residents. Not only are we making a difference in their lives, but many of the workers notice that our family is different from others. Our kids talk to the residents. They hug them. They smile with them. They seem happy to be there. (And they are!)

There is one resident who is very sad. As soon as she sees the kids though she lights up and they just hug her and hug her. She usually gets teary eyed. She just hugs them over and over. My little angel kids just hug her back with out a thought. They've hugged her solid for minutes at a time.

I say that we are making a difference, and we are. I know this is what the Lord wants us to do. But where is the real difference being made? In our family's heart. They have become our dearest friends. We love them. We need them. They are making us who we need to be. They are teaching us. They are lifting us. They are helping me raise my children to be "the youth of the noble birthright" who will usher in the Savior's reign.

It may sound overly simplistic to say this is changing our lives, but it is. All of the other things we've given up were great activities for our family, however we have found that holding someone's hand who is sad and lonely is a best activity for our family.

So when it comes time to think what we will do for Christmas the answer is simple. We will see our dearest friends. We will sing with them and love them and be with them since the Savior can not.

Imagination (9) has a birthday shortly after Christmas. When he was asked what he wanted to do on his birthday he said he wanted to go to the nursing home. Yes, we are finding that love and that peace that comes when we reach out to those that need help.

As part of our efforts to make a difference we organized our first humanitarian drive. We requested lap quilts from the community to present to these sweet spirits on Christmas Day. We have received a great response. Liberty and I were able to make 15 lap quilts of our own in less than 5 work days. We had an amazing experience. We felt truly blessed to make and finish them. Of course we could because we didn't have things going on in the afternoon!

I know that your lives and missions are different than mine. You may feel strongly that you should focus on music in your family, maybe you feel strongly that your mission is to blog and connect with the outside world on a regular basis, or perhaps you feel that pursuing your own classical education is what must encompass your time. Whatever we feel drawn to do we must to it so we can progress as individuals and as families. As we do we will become like the Savior, so when he comes we will see Him and we will be like Him. Also know/remember that we will have seasons for doing things. Our family had a 9 month season of intense focus on American History, Government and public spotlight, and then it was over-we were called to another field.

I have a testimony that the Lord is always molding us. He is reaching out to us and hearkening to us saying "learn of me and listen to my words and walk in the meekness of my Spirit."

May you each go forward empowered in your sphere, in your mission, and make impact.

The Christmas Season

2010-12-10T20:55:00.000-07:00

The last several months I've spent a lot of time thinking how we can make Christmas special. We've talked and talked and talked about it. We've discussed it with our children at length also. I won't share everything we are doing for the sake of surprise. Liberty will probably find a way to get on the Internet once she knows I've posted so I don't want to spoil anything for her. Here are some things we've decided to do:

We are only getting one present this year. (That's from our immediate family).
We've spent a lot more time signing the Christmas hymns than ever before.
We are putting up a tree (we haven't yet), but the kids only want white lights and a popcorn strand on it.
They don't want to hang up their old Santa socks, they want to hang up some wool socks on Christmas Eve. Leader (8) said, "Don't give us any candy in it either mom."
We are spending Christmas afternoon in a Convalescent Center passing out gifts and singing.
We actually put up lights on the outside of the house and fence. So fun. We've never had lights up before. (It's easier to put them up when the house is so small, it doesn't take very long at all!)

Like I mentioned we are doing some other things, but I'm not going to share them yet.

We also started the Christmas Season off with another (30th) viewing of Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration right before the lights came on at Temple Square on the 26th of November. What a wonderful way to remind us of how to live our life and truly honor Christ. Christ wants as a gift a "broken heart and a contrite spirit." That's what Joseph gave Him, we must learn from Joseph.

Our family has never "practiced" Santa Claus and so he is not missed. A long time ago I had an impression that I shouldn't lie to Liberty (12) about Santa Claus. So they've never believed in Easter bunnies, tooth fairies or Santa and his reindeer. Despite what others may think they don't seem emotionally disturbed having missed out on Santa. In the past though we have had some tree ornaments, stockings, watched the silly old cartoon holiday movies and sang the silly Santa songs. This year we've just sort of skipped those things all together.

For their one present they are getting something they want as opposed to something they need. However it is something that fits in our very strict "whole recreational activity" department. No Wii games, no MP3 players, no whatever gadgets are out there.

Our Christmas season as truly been a season of joy so far. We have done a tremendous amount of service, which I will talk about in another post. There has been no rushing to the store to beat the crowds or catch a sale. It's been peaceful, it's been holy.

Side note: We have also changed our birthday's around also. The children get one gift and then we go to a family activity and eat dinner out wherever they want. Determination celebrated his 11th birthday in this manner a couple of weeks ago and it was "his best birthday ever" and he was crying at the end of the day with happiness. Their presents will be something practical yet something they want. For example, Determination received a Leatherman. We live in a situation where he uses it regularly, so this might not be ideal for some families living in suburbia.

Ramblings

2010-12-10T20:25:00.000-07:00

I decided to write a post. I'm not sure what I'm going to write about we'll see what comes out of these little fingers....

I wonder how many of you remember who I am? I wonder how many people will read this? It's been so long since I have written...

Let's see we have been in our itty-bitty house for two months and so far we love it. Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but we really are doing well and don't mind it. There are moments that when I'm doing something I have to take a deep breathe because either I can barely get to my side of the bed, we barely have enough room to eat at the table (there are walls on 3 sides of it and we feel like we are pinned against the wall with our little 2 1/2 foot wide table), or hand washing dishes all the time. OR like when my husband and boys are having a huge rubber band fight all around me while I'm trying to type on here for the first time in a two months. Those type of things. If only you could really picture what it is like to have rubber bands whizzing by your head in a very small space with lots of happy screaming and laughing in your ear....

We are reading a lot more, play a lot of chess, playing/working outside, and other wholesome recreational activities. An interesting thing has occurred since living here with our reading. Our 11 and 8 year olds have been slower readers than my other two. However in the last two months they have completely smashed trough their trepidation. Leader age 8, just finished The Boxcar Children today. It only took him three days. Determination age 11, has read the Wrinkle in Time series, The Narnia series and his 3/4 the way through Eldest right now, having read those in the last month of so. That's exciting.

I really like not having a TV or the Internet either. Lots more free time. I've accomplished a lot more things since removing media from the house. So wonderful.

Oh, and Mr. Patriot lost the election. It was a great race and we had a "smashing" time. I learned that I can handle an immense load of stress and not fall apart. I learned that I can have random people we've never met write horrible defaming letters to the editor about us and I only smile and pray for my enemies, because I apparently have them. I've also learned that I can handle it when our competitor's legislative buddy robo calls everyone in our district and defames Mr. Patriot on ridiculous accusations. In those moments and can also smile and pray that I will forgive others. It was pretty rough, but we were obedient and we learned a lot.

I don't think I mentioned it but our little house is right next to the church. Very convenient. Speaking of church I was released from the Primary Presidency (that means SCOUTS! YEAH!!!!!) and I was called back in to the YW as the 1st counselor. It's kind of fun because before I was in the Primary this last time I was the YW president and my two counselors are the President and the other counselor. The secretary is even the same. Happy day! Alex is still in the Bishopric which means we don't see him much, but that is nothing knew for Sundays.

I haven't read anyone's blogs in a long while. I hope to catch up tonight. I'll write a couple more post before I do. Sooo if I talk about something you all of discussed at length forgive me. Or worse, I bring up something you've all decided to do away with and I praise it. I guess I can always delete and edit later.

Lots of rambling. I'll share some more profound thoughts on another post.

Oh, if I get around to it tonight I'm making my family blog public again. There's nothing on it so don't get excited.

"I Will Fight Your Battles"

2010-10-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

We read that has we submit to God and seek to bring forth Zion that "God will fight our battles." (D & C 105:14)

This blessing of Zion has always thrilled me. I see several scripture stories where this blessing of divine protection is realized. Some examples include:

Moses parting the Red Sea (Genesis 14)
Elisha teaching his servant that "There are more for us than against us." (2 Kings 6)
The City of Enoch is repeatedly protected (Moses 7)
Nephi and Lehi are protected in prison and miraculously freed (Helaman 5)
Zion's Camp at Fishing River (see D & C 105)

These are only a handful of stories amongst hundreds where the Lord shows us He will fight Zion's battles.

I have pondered and wondered, "How does this look in my day? What must I do to claim these blessings given to Zion?"

Section 105 in the Doctrine and Covenants teaches me two specific principles. The first is that I must impart of my substance to the poor. (see v. 3) I must learn to live with out. I must not have my eyes "full of greediness (D & C 68:31)." (See also the story of Lemhi's people in Mosiah 21). Am I giving a generous fast offering? What am I doing with my gain? With my free time? With my talents?

A second principle we learn is that we must seek unity with the Saints. (see v.) This starts with myself, then my spouse, then my children, and is extended from there. To begin with do I even have peace and unity with myself? When Christ came to the Nephities after teaching them the ordinance of baptism the next thing he did was to command them to have no disputations among them. (3 Nephi 11: 22) Elder Christofferson also speaks of unity is his gospel classic, "Come to Zion." He said,

As we consider the unity required for Zion to flourish, we should ask ourselves if we have overcome jarrings, contentions, envyings, and strifes (see D&C 101:6). Are we individually and as a people free from strife and contention and united "according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom"? (D&C 105:4). Forgiveness of one another is essential to this unity. Jesus said, "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men" (D&C 64:10).

Further study of this section reveals other things we can do to claim the blessings of Zion. One includes repentance (see v. 9). The Misfit Cygnet blog does a fine job of helping us recognize areas where we can work on.

In our day the church is an example of letting God fight its battles. The church is continuously challenged and vilified by newspapers and organizations from everything to church policies to general conferences messages. What does the church do? Nothing. They remain silent. They do not counteract.

Mr. Patriot and I have learned the value of silence as we have been personally attacked through the campaign process. As we have chosen to do nothing the Lord has fought our battles. People have been exposed for who they really are. Those who are our true friends and have rallied around us and united with us. Since the attacks began we have seen a ten-fold increase in people united to campaign for us. While those who have attacked have been left friendless and supportless.

We have witnessed this in other areas, among other people, within the campaign arena. The principles are true. When you are on the Lord's side God will truly fight your battles.

I have also learned that God will fight my battles as I submit to him in my individual spiritual, mental, emotional and physical battles. I have learned that God will give me strength to fight personal weaknesses, emotional challenges and physical trials such as fatigue and illness.

When I symbolically picture myself with Zion's Camp lodged in a school house on the banks of Fishing River with hell's furry raging I am comforted to know that "there are more for us than against us" and that "God will fight our battles."

I'm Alive

2010-10-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

Quick update: I'm alive and well! We are moved and settled in. Life is truly wonderful. We feel so blessed. I have had so many thoughts that I have wanted to pass along. However....

Due to unusual circumstances we have not been able to acquire internet access and it doesn't look like we will either. We could get satellite internet, but have chosen not to. So for the time being it looks like I will be off-line. Thanks to Joyful Saint for letting me post this from her house. : )

Here is what I would love to talk to you about:

Making your house a home
Joys of washing dishes by hand
Science Charlotte Mason style
Review all the conference talks and my a-ha's
The Art of Lying among LDS youth (perhaps Misfit will write that for me)
Campaign updates-defending the Constitution
All the a-ha's from our inspiring trip that I didn't write

Those are a couple that come to mind. They may never be realized. Sigh...

I want to catch up on reading everyones posts. I'm two weeks behind. Ughh!

The Great Debate/Discussion is going on without me! I have had extreme withdrawals. However, I have found that our house has become more holy since we pulled all the plugs....

I most go, but cheerio for now. I am thinking of you. : )

P.S. I received a lovely letter via the pony express from Mrs. Smith. It made my day. I have since set the goal of rediscovering this lost art. I have written several of you letters, I just need addresses now. So if you would like snail mail from me please send me your mailing address via my email address. I'll have to figure out how to get my emails then though huh? I'll check them on my husband's phone.

Keep up the discussion I'm with you in spirit.

Faith to Go, Do, and Say

2010-09-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, I might just loose it. Today is not a good day. Of course I immediately recognize that that simply means that I'm not exercising my faith. Slow down, take a deep breath....just breathe.....

I can't control everything.....

If I am to trust God I need to trust Christ. I must lay it on the alter and say, "Here Lord take my burdens, for your way is easy and your way is light." It's hard though.

The meanness comes out in people when it comes to politics.
We aren't mean people so it hurts.
Why can't we all be honest?
Why can't we all be nice to each other?

Oh yeah, we live in a telestial world. A world full of fallen men/women who are going after the lusts of their hearts.

Christ says do hard things. Make the world better. Follow the Spirit. Trust. Faith. Believe. Obey.

My house is full of piles and boxes. I don't like disorder. I don't like stress. I don't like piles.

My kids have gone crazy since disorder hit. Jumping, playing, chaos.

"Please sit still and focus on your math assignment."

Breathe, trust, believe....

I have to move out in 10 days. I don't have enough boxes.

I don't have enough mental ability to do this on my own.

That's the point. It's called submission. It's called mortal experience. What are you going to do? Submit or crack?

So many things to do today. I choose to finish my visiting teaching.

Besides faith I need to count my many blessing right?

The best husband ever (even if he is destined for political office at some point).
Children who usually do math when I ask them too.
Family and friends who I know would help me if they could.
I love my dog. He loves me.
America. Freedom.
Health.
Gospel. Temple. Holy Ghost. Scriptures. Prophet.

I will choose to rise about the sarcasm. I will not be mean back. I will forgive. I will pray. I will trust in God. I will not wallow in self-pity anymore. I will "work as if everything depends on me and pray as if everything depends on God." (Brigham Young)

Greatness

2010-09-26T13:48:00.001-07:00

Over the course of the last two weeks my family and I were able to see and experience some pretty remarkable things. Some things we had seen before and others we had not. Each day as I was personally enriched by my experiences the word "greatness" kept resonating through my mind.

I saw and felt greatness as I gazed at the tombs of George and Martha Washington, I saw greatness-or the potential for greatness-in the Senate Gallery at the United States Capitol building, I felt greatness when I stood in the room where the thoughts leading to the Constitution of the United States were realized, I felt greatness as I gazed at the gravesides of James and Dolley Madison, I felt greatness when I gazed at the Washington, DC temple and watched my husband and daughter go in and return from it, I felt greatness when I gazed over DC from the Washington Monument, I felt greatness when I reverently looked over the flag that hung so bravely over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 that Francis Scott Key saw and was inspired by, I felt greatness as I looked at the top hat of Abraham Lincoln, I felt greatness as I stood before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, I felt greatness as I stood in Thomas Jefferson's home and looked at his books and realized the ideas of freedom penned in the Declaration of Independence were conceived there, I saw greatness in God's creations as I watched the ocean roar over and over, and I felt greatness when I watched dolphins swim 100 feet from my children every day they played in the ocean.

The word that over and over came to mind was profound greatness. Our country is built on great men and men, our nation is great and it is powerful, the creations of God are truly great and temple's are another sign of God's greatness. What was interesting to me was that while I thought of the word greatness I never thought of the word greater. While they were great I realized they were not greater than me or anyone/thing else. They were simply filled with greatness.

At Mount Vernon I over heard a conversation with a tour guide and a visitor. The tour guide was commenting on how brilliant and great the Founding Fathers were. He sighed and said sadly, "Our country will never again be blessed with that kind of greatness." The first thought that came to me was how some believe that there would never be any more revelation in the Last Days either. With both thoughts I boldly say, "No!" We have had greatness and revelation and we will continue to have greatness and revelation.

How is greatness to be realized? What does it look like? The first point is that all can be great. God's plan isn't a plan of competition or of who is better. I think that greatness is achieved as we individually fulfil our mission that we were sent here to do. This will look different for everyone. Some will be popular, some will be national heroes, and some will live quiet lives never going far from home but making a difference where they stand by their quiet acts of service.

Another point begs to say that we must,

"...Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all." Mosiah 5:15

What was interesting was that while I was impressed with the great houses the true power and testimony of their greatness came when I came to their graves/tombs. They had fulfilled the measure of their creation. They had done what they were asked to do. They had achieved greatness.

Greatness can be achieved by you and I as we seek to fulfill the measure of our creation. As we accept the call from the Lord and from the prophet to embrace our role as mothers in Zion we will receive the best reward possible. We will obtain greatness and be able to stand with the other great men and women of the ages who also embraced their roles. We will not be better than them and they will not be better than us. We will all be great.

Embracing the role of motherhood requires that we do without some things. It requires that we think of others. It requires us to be okay when we don't get our way. It requires us to gain a testimony in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Redeemer so that when the world tells us that we are fools for choosing to submit to motherhood we will stand on solid ground and know we are doing the right thing.

Sister Beck said this about mothers who know,

"Rather than listening to the voices and partial truths of the world, she knows that gospel standards are based on eternal, unchangeable truths. She believes that to be “primarily responsible for the nurture of [her] children” is a vital, dignified, and “sacred responsibilit[y]” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Liahona, Oct. 1998, 24; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). To nurture and feed them physically is as much an honor as to nurture and feed them spiritually. She is “not weary in well-doing” and delights to serve her family, because she knows that “out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33)." A Mother Heart Ensign May 2004.

Sister Beck also said,

"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lord’s kingdom for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power." Mothers Who Know, Ensign November 2007.

As I think about the things I felt with my family back east and as I think about the words of Sister Beck last night at our Relief Society Meeting I feel empowered to continue to claim that greatness through fulfilling my great role of wife and mother in Zion. The glories of the world and flatteries from the large and spacious building will pass quickly and soon I can stand with my family crowned with eternal happiness and peace. I can smile at Eve, Sarah, Hannah, Mary, Sariah, Emma, Lucy, Martha, Abigail, Dolley,.... and I can know that choosing God's plan for women was the path to take.

Children are an Heritage of the Lord

2010-09-26T07:01:00.000-07:00

This was the essay that I wrote to help celebrate family on a friend's blog. Most of you have already read this, but for the few of you that haven't here you go....

When I first was asked to write an essay to help celebrate this great month my thoughts immediately went to the scripture that is quoted in the Proclamation which reads, "Children are an heritage of the Lord." (Ps 127:3) As I continued to ponder about this assignment I kept experimenting with different themes but I keep coming back to this scripture. So I decided it was time I followed through with my instincts!

What does this scripture mean? Initially I have always thought that it meant that children are our heritage (I read blessing in this) from the Lord. I'm sure that is part of it's meaning but as I pondered more and studied more I realized that it means that children are God's heritage. It reminds me of the scripture in Moses 1:39, "This is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." We are God's heritage and His work is to make sure we can make it back to Him. I haven't really taken the time to think about how we are God's legacy.

What's even more amazing is that we get to share in all of that with Him. He sends some of His spirits down, His heritage, to us and lets us share in that heritage/legacy by allowing us to be stewards over them. If God's whole work and glory is to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life than it is very humbling that we are entrusted with children to raise. There is much to be done.

The paragraph that Psalms is referenced in reads,

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, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

As I read that paragraph several words jump out at me that remind me of the magnitude of my responsibility. The apostles refer to our duty as parents as a solemn responsibility. That means that all my best efforts must be put forth and this is an absolutely serious charge-a sacred duty. When I think of a sacred duty I think of serving in the temple. Being a parent I now realize is also a sacred duty. Have a viewed it in such reverent and humbling terms before? I am to rear, provide and to teach them. I think about all the ways that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have reared, provided and taught me. I have in them my example for my children. Finally they close with a warning that I will be held accountable if I don't recognize the sacredness of this and I jump ship half way through. Why? Because this is God's heritage and God's legacy and He doesn't want it messed up. We are all His children and He wants us all to progress and return to live with Him.

In Elder Oak's famous "Good, Better, Best" talk he quote President Hinckley who said,

“Work at our responsibility as parents as if everything in life counted on it, because in fact everything in life does count on it,,,I ask you men, particularly, to pause and take stock of yourselves as husbands and fathers and heads of households. Pray for guidance, for help, for direction, and then follow the whisperings of the Spirit to guide you in the most serious of all responsibilities, for the consequences of your leadership in your home will be eternal and everlasting." (Ensign, November 2007)

As I contemplate the seriousness of my duty as a mother I am humbled. Why in the world did He entrust me with four precious souls to rear, provide, and teach? I barely know what I'm doing with my own life. In reflecting on this serious charge I've asked myself some questions:

Am I giving my best efforts toward parenting?
Am I teaching them the most important things, the things they really need?
Am I unified with my husband in the discharge of our joint duty with rearing our children?

These seem like simple questions with simple answers, but I don't think they really are. The first question of course begs what are my best efforts? Am I allowing my children to be exposed to negative, spiritually damning influences? Am I feeding them the best foods? Am I instilling in them the best habits? Do I say no enough? Do I say yes enough? Am I personally distracted with my own spiritually damning influences? Are my thoughts centered on them enough? Do my children know that I love them unconditionally?

The second question makes me ask myself do they know and understand the Plan of Salvation? Do they read their scriptures every day? Do they pray every day? Do we hold family prayer, scripture study and Family Home Evening so they can learn the gospel? Do they know how to recognize the Spirit? Do they know how to obey? Do they listen and follow the words of the prophet? Do they know what their baptismal covenants are and do they honor them?

Finally am I one with my husband in rearing these special children? Do we discuss regularly our roles as presider, provider and protector along with nurturing? Do we agree and support one another? Do we back each other up when interacting with the children? Does my spouse know I love him and do my children know we love each other?

As I review and ponder on God's great heritage I am humbled to be a part of it. I realize I can do much more to help Him bring to pass His work and glory. I hope all of us can review whether we are giving our best efforts, teaching our children all they need to know, and ask whether we are unified with our spouse as we strive to fulfill our sacred responsibility-rearing God's heritage.

Back Home

2010-09-25T15:12:00.000-07:00

We are back home. Great trip. I have lots of posts that I'm thinking over in my mind. I'll write soon. In the mean time I finally updated the family blog. All our trip info is on there. If you don't have an invite and would like one, just let me know.