Thoughts from Stake Conference

Church here is very different than what we are used to. There is one stake out here that covers the whole MD state and part of PA as well. Gone are the days (for now) where there are members all around and mulit-stakes in one city or at least one ward per city. Our current stake has 4 maybe 5 wards total and covers a very large area.

Yesterday was Stake Conference and the talks were really good. The main thing I pulled from conference is the importance of endurance regardless how discouraged we are. Through small steps, and sections of each task great things can be accomplished.  However, these accomplishments and success only will happen if we endure, have faith, trust, and believe we are all Children of God.

Cultivating Our Fields

The first talk was about “Cultivating Our Fields.” The talk reminded us about the importance of the fundamentals of the Gospel and how they enrich our lives. One can also cultivate a productive field through service, kindness, and steadfastness in Christ. Additionally, this speaker talked about the importance of breaking tasks into smaller sections then we will be able to accomplish great things. As was stated in the talk cultivating our field takes endurance, service, faith, and constantly moving forward one-step at a time, great accomplishments will follow these small steps. Finally, this speaker spoke of the importance  of becoming strong from the inside out. The Lord will bless everyone who endures and keeps moving forward. The Lord will bless with increases where each person needs.

Service

The next talk talked more about service. “When ye are in the service of others, ye are only in the service of God.” Through service we gain satisfaction no other act can offer. This speaker pointed that everyone is in need of service in one way or another, through finding different ways to serve we can help more people. Also this speaker discussed the importance of gratitude. Through being thankful for all things including our struggles and trials, we will find ways to make these our strengths and find additional blessings.

Preach My Gospel

A returned missionary spoke of a couple of his experiences while on his mission. The most important parts I pulled from his talk is that the Savior takes care of big and small mistakes. No matter what we do if we follow the repentance process nothing is to big to ask for his help to get over with. He also spoke about how families are forever and the blessings found within this knowledge that families truly are forever. His final thought covered the Book of Mormon. He spoke about how through this book, all can be touched and taught, who truly take the time and effort to read and study from this book.

I AM a Child of God!

This talk started with some of the lyrics from this beloved Children’s Song.

The lyrics are as follows:

I am a child of God, And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home With parents kind and dear.

Chorus
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do To live with him someday

I am a child of God, And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words Before it grows too late.

Chorus

I am a child of God. Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will I'll live with him once more.

Chorus 

How often do we sing this song with our children, and during family prayers ask for something. Now do we take the time to say to Heavenly “lead me, guide me, walk beside me. Help me find the way (to finish this statement with) the accomplish what we need help with? Our Savior truly does lead and guide when we ask and wait for the answer. These answers may not be what we expect, or in our time frame, but the answers will come. Next, this speaker spoke of the importance of being responsible for our choices and each reaction caused by these choices. The Lord understands that discouragement happens. Our job is to pray for the extra strength needed to make it through trying and disappointing times in our lives.

The Lord does know each and every one of us and he knows what our needs are, what struggles we are facing, and he will protect us when we are doing our best to do what is right. Additionally, if we break each task into smaller sections, and keep pressing forward each right choice we make will lead us toward progression.

Trials, Faith, and Trust

The current belief on faith is “a belief in something without proof.”  However, real faith “is not believing that God can, it’s knowing He will.” What will this faith will prove depends on us individually. Mosses 5:6 tells us “And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.” With this said Adam knew the Lord would bless him for following the commandments he given.  Adam had total faith and trust in the Lord.

How can we increase our faith and trust in the Lord? This will happen as one engages purposefully in edifying activities. The Doctrine and Covenants tells us:

23 And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.

 24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

 25 And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you;

As we follow this section’s advice , the less talking about doing something and more we do walk in the light of the Lord the easier our faith and trust will grow. This is also true with our trials. Even through trials as we engage purposefully in edifying activities, our burdens will seem lighter.

Are You Coming, or Are You Going?

Oh My Father is one of my favorite hymns and this speaker referred to this hymn:

Oh My Father

O my Father, thou that dwellest In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation, Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood Was I nurtured near thy side?

For a wise and glorious purpose Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"
And I felt that I had wandered From a more exalted sphere.

I had learned to call thee Father, Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But, until the key of knowledge Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heav'ns are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal Tells me I've a mother there.

When I leave this frail existence, When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I've completed All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation Let me come and dwell with you.

Text: Eliza R. Snow

Our Father’s main goal for us is happiness. This happiness can be achieved through following the commandments. The fact that we are mortals or human we are given the agency to choose for ourselves. However, with that said or moral agency leads to mistakes, and through repentance these mistakes are wiped clean.

Obedience to the commandments leads to blessings. Also it is through the atonement of Christ that our souls will be set free. The Gospel is truly built on the foundation of Christ, through his example we can learn how to become like him.

Taking Notes and Keeping Track

The final speaker was Elder Kohkler (I think that was his name) from the 1^st Quarm of the Seventies. He summed up several prior talks then talked about when taking notes only write the most important parts. The parts we each felt were important to us as if we are listening with the spirit then we will be guided and taught what message we needed to hear.

He spoke on the importance of prayer, raising our hands high and out towards God. Seeking the spirit and enjoying the music. Righteous music is a window into heaven. Through seeking the Lords spirit He will bless us with the blessings we are in needs of.

Patience is the most important virtue to learn. Patience is learned through service as is kindness, sweetness, and love. Service is the symbol of our hands stretched out to help another. This is also what Christ did, he reached out continually to help others.

Finally, through working on and practicing these skills we can truly put on the full armor of God. This is also the light of Christ. The light of Christ shines through us based on our daily patterns of living.

Conversation with Mom got me thinking... Meaning of Relief Society and Biblical and Current Day Plants

Due to an interesting conversation with mom, about “What does Relief Society mean to you? In the sense of what value does it have to you?” She has me thinking even more about Mustard Seeds, Acorns, and Oak Trees. As posted in prior posted the acorn is a symbol of strength, the oak tree is a symbol of strength and endurance, and the mustard seed is a symbol of faith, with faith one can accomplish great things.

According to D. Kelly Ogden and the article A Sample of Biblical Plants, I desired to gain a better understanding of some plants that were around in Christ’s lifetime as well as our current time period. I also looked up the Parable of the Mustard Seed to review the parable, and see what the scriptures said about the Oak. This has led to some very fascinating reading while unable to sleep.

 

This reading is truly important because increased understanding of biblical plants and current plants actually increased individual understanding of the scriptures. In addition, this increased knowledge brings a new perspective to current knowledge and thought processes. So based off the conversation with mom I am going to talk about the importance of the Relief Society program and how the understanding of current and biblical plants plays into how one can increase an understanding of faith and increased testimony through study and acceptance of trials.

Biblical and Current Day Plants

 

Briers, Thorns, and Thistles

Matthew 7:16 tells us, 16 “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Just like in the time of Christ our land is filled with briers, thorns, and thistles.” This is major source of annoyance for some, affliction for others, and symbolize nothing good or positive. However, the choices we are given on earth allow each person to determine what to do with the worldly cares, pleasures, and deceitfulness entwined with these briers, thorns, and thistles. Also, remember it was flexible thorny branches woven into a crown, and then used to mock Christ as part of his crucifixion.

Grass

Isaiah 40:6-8 teaches about the next biblical and current day plant, grass. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” As a mortal being we are on earth for a short time period, this period is unknown to each individual. We only know our days are numbered like each flower or blade of grass. With this in mind, daily goals need to be set on developing a strong solid testimony build on faith and the foundations of Christ. Testimonies built this way may sway in the storms of trials and adversity however, the testimonies roots will be firmly and deeply planted preventing the testimony to fail, fail over, or completely crumble under the current stresses.

Sycomore Fruit

“Then answered Amos, … I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit.” (Amos 7:14.) Looking up the sycomore fruit is, I discovered this a fig tree and an edible fruit. Not only did he care for his flocks, but gathered at the same time. Looking at the symbol for the sycomore fruit and the tree, this awesome to discover as this has three meanings, strengthen your faith, strengthen your walk, and stimulate your mind. Before becoming a prophet of God Amos was sheep herder and sycomore fruit/fig farmer. In order to ripen the sycomore fruit each fruit had to pierced to force it ripen. However, the sycomore wood was a prized wood due to the strength and resistance rot. Furthermore, when a tree was chopped down, the trunk would grow back.

Hyssop

Hyssop another plant around today symbolizes humility, purity, and modesty. This plant is a smaller tree often thought of as a shrub and hold amazing cleansing power. During the night of the great plague in Egypt (see Exodus 12:22-23) the families instructed to mark their doors with blood used a hyssop branch. “David, aching to be cleansed, pleaded, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean.” (Ps. 51:7.)

Mustard Seed

“The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed.” Matthew 13:31-32

 

Christ referred to the mustard see as “less than all the seeds that be in the earth.”

Mark 4:31-32;
“31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less
than all the seeds that be in the earth:
32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs,
and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under
the shadow of it.”

However, through working on gaining a testimony, taking the needed steps to grow and develop each individuals faith we are told in Luke 13:19 “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

This level of faith is available to all who desire strong faith and a testimony. From one tiny mustard seed, the mustard plan can grow up to 15 feet. The mustard plant is a very fascinating plant as nearly the entire plant is usable. This plant needs little care and grows very easily as long as it has the required amount of sunlight and water. If these plants are planted to closely they will not grow strong and healthy.

 

Oak Trees

The oak tree also a fruit bearing tree, providing the acorn. This piece of fruit matures in approximately 18 months, and the tree can live 800-1000 years, and the trunk can reach up to 33 feet around shows not only the strength and endurance of this amazing tree. The oak wood is used for making instruments, barrels, building, and architectural projects due to the quality and strength of the wood. Isaiah talked about the importance of this tree in Isaiah 6:13 when he stated “But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof”

What Does Relief Society Mean

With a basic description of biblical plants, going back to the original question, “What does Relief Society mean to you? In the sense of what value does it have to you?”

The original answer to mom was: to me it is an organization or the gathering of the women to strengthen everyone in friendships, help each other build a resource of talents and skills to share with each other, be source of testimony and faith builders or supporters during struggling times.

Recently I have come to view faith and testimonies in a different light. Yes, the church teaches using the parable of the mustard seed to teach about faith and testimonies. However, with the trials I have been through lately, I have looked at the differences between mustard seeds and plants, acorns and oak trees, and have gained a different perspective.

Currently perspective on the mustard seed parable states that while yes the seed is very tiny and if fed and nourished it will grow quickly. However, for some this quick growth is not enough for the faith and testimony roots to take hold. Without a solid foundation due to the quick growth, if neglected for any time at all that plant or testimony and faith will falter and may wither and die just as quickly.

Depending on the climate (level of access to religious and moral support) and location (availability to make friends with strong testimonies and lots of faith) of the mustard plant, great care is required to maintain the plant properly. When talking about members, some members do not have the physical strength, spiritual strength, endurance, or faith to weather the trials and storms as they arise to keep their mustard plant of faith and testimony strong and thriving.

However, when looking at the acorn, once it drops to the ground, those that are not gathered by animal, people, crushed by mowers, or destroyed by other means endured the first trials. The next step in their journey is to slowly sink in the soft mossy beds, or get buried by leaves and over the rest of the fall and through winter slowly soak up the dew, rain and snow.

With time, the acorn slowly sends a root shoot into the earth deeper and deeper. Soon the acorn will begin to send a shoot up towards the sunshine soaking up the sunrays. Give this acorn a few years and the roots will spread out and branches will begin to spread and leaved form.

A testimony of faith slowly build over time with solid understanding will create strong roots like this new oak tree. Once matured in a few more years that individuals faith will be solid and that testimony unshakable.

This is where the Relief Society as an organization becomes important for each sister in each ward. As sisters we are responsible to help ensure everyone has the opportunity to gain, keep, and maintain her Faith in Christ. This is accomplished through the gathering of the women to strengthen everyone through friendships as each sister helps one another build a resource of talents and skills to share with each other, become a source of testimony and faith builders and supporters during struggling times.

Acorns and Oak Trees Updated

Acorns and Oak Trees

Right before moving from Colorado, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a good friend of mine. As we were about to leave, she wanted me to have one of her silver acorns. She earned this silver acorn after completing radiation therapy. As a gift she wanted me to remember that we are both much stronger than we sometime feel like we are.

(necklace made from silver acorn from friend in Colorado)

This acorn means a lot to me, as not only does this hold special symbolic value, but also is a piece of her. The acorn is the symbol of strength and power. The acorn seed starts out very tiny and most are eaten for food, however few survive and grow into the might oak tree. Once matured the oak tree is a symbol of strength and endurance.

(first every hand drawn oak tree using carbon pencils)

After listening to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf speak on the Glory and Marvel of God’s creations, this talk fits also fits wonderfully with the acorn and mighty oak tree. First off learning to have patience is vitally important. Josh Groban states this best in his song, You Are Loved, “Don't give up, It's just the weight of the world, When you're heart's heavy, I...I will lift it for you.” When our trials seem our deepest and most burdensome, this is the time we need to work the hardest to be patience with ourselves and those around us.

The gospel reminds that, while struggling the most, to carefully strive not punish ones selves and this is once again reinforced in the song “You Are Loved “ that one must never “give up, Because you want to burn bright, If darkness blinds you, I...I will shine to guide you.” Through increasing faith and hope, the Lord will help take these weaknesses and turn them in strengths.

Learning to be happy through struggles can be very challenging. The song sung by Miley Cyrus “The Climb” is a perfect example of facing these challenges because “Every step I'm taking, Every move I make feels, Lost with no direction, My faith is shaking. But I gotta keep trying, Gotta keep my head held high.” Through looking for the simple pleasures in life and keeping the goal of Eternal Life in mind and knowing that goal can be reached, will indeed increase the overall joy, and keep one from being knocked down as often. In addition, those memories of working to improve, while fighting to keep going, are the ones that will be most cherished and remembered.

This happens knowing that there will always be another mountain to climb and conquer. There will be battles lost and battles won. However, life is not about how fast one completes the journey. Life is about discovering the simple joys along the way. Discovering love, friendship, patience, strength, endurance, happiness, and abilities throughout this journey are the most important key elements to gain strength and endurance. This is because everyone discovers he or she is truly loved far more than can be imagined by a loving Father in Heaven.

As “The Climb” reminds us it, “Ain't about how fast I get there, Ain't about what's waiting on the other side. It's the climb, yeah!” Finally, through NOT giving up, the hurt will eventually leave, the soul will shine brighter than imagined, the weight of the world will be lifted, and individual love will be known. Through the trials, each mountain climbed and conquered, the accord takes root that much deeper. Before one realizes, the acorn begins growing into the strong and might oak tree, showing the effects of endurance turning into mighty strength.

Fire on the Ranch

Just before leaving Colorado all the Colorado grandkids (and us adults were shocked with this news)

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Fire!!!

Dad was given permission to start a fire to burn dried brush but it got out of hand so they had to call in reinforcement. I am not sure how the house is right now last I knew they were cutting trees new the house to try and save the house, but the trailer holding all the antique stuff was gone. So the furniture we just got is the last of the family antiques. I am so sad about that.

Also for the past 5 years we have spent almost every summer on the ranch where the kids have played, explored, run, had fun, and created memoried. When I know more I will update. I do know that Mom and Dad are safe.

Please Pray for their continued safety.