From the October 2012 Ensign...

 

I loved this story that President Packer gave about starting to do family history work.  It is inspiring!  It helped to point out how to start working on your family history and how the Lord will then direct you in how to continue.  So good! Enjoy!

“Several years ago Sister Packer and I determined that we should get our records in order. However, under the pressure of Church responsibilities with my travels about the world, and the obligations with our large family and a home to keep up both indoors and outdoors, there just was not enough time. But we were restless about this family history responsibility, and finally we determined that somehow we would have to make more time in the day.

 

“During the Christmas holidays when we had a little extra time, we started. Then as we moved back to a regular schedule after the holidays, we adopted the practice of getting up an hour or two earlier each day.

 

“We gathered together everything we had, and in the course of a few weeks we were amazed at what we were able to accomplish. The thing that was most impressive, however, was the fact that we began to have experiences that told us somehow that we were being guided, that there were those beyond the veil who were interested in what we were doing. Things began to fall into place.

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“As I have traveled about the Church and paid particular attention to this subject, many testimonies have come to light. Others who assemble their records together are likewise having similar experiences. It was as though the Lord was waiting for us to begin.

 

“We found things we had wondered about for a long time. It seemed as though they came to us almost too easily. More than this, things that we never dreamed existed began to show up. We began to learn by personal experience that this research into our families is an inspired work. We came to know that an inspiration will follow those who move into it. It is just a matter of getting started.”

 

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Your Family History: Getting Started,” Ensign, Aug. 2003, 12.

I am grateful for a living prophet!

My sister posted this on her facebook page the yesterday.  I loved it!  It brought me so much peace considering the outcome of the election.  What a blessing it is to know that God is in charge and that He guides His people through a living prophet.  The righteous need not fear.  Thank you, Heather, for the reminder. 

A quote I have been thinking about....

"I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein.  The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow.  The spirit of contention will depart.  Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom.  Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents.  Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity- the pure love of Christ- will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness."
President Marion G. Romney, Conference Report April 1980.

Riley and I have been trying to read a chapter from the Book of Mormon each night.  It is amazing what that has done for us as a couple and as a family.  It brings the spirit of the Lord into our home in such a powerful way.  It has also helped me to be more at peace with all the things that are going on in the world that I don't have power to change.  It has helped me to keep an eternal perspective in my life. 

A couple of nights ago we were reading in Ether, chapter 12, verse 27.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them."

That verse hit me so strongly, it applied to me in a way that it hadn't before.  I felt so much love and amazement to think that my weaknesses are actually things that help my Heavenly Father to show His love for me, that if I trust Him and submit to His will, He will be able to make my weaknesses become my strengths.  Sometimes I forget that He really has a plan for me and that even though I don't see the entire picture, He does.  Whatever trials we go through in life are for our good, given by a loving Heavenly Father, to help us draw closer to Him and eventually to return to His presence.  In the process He helps us every step of the way, if we allow Him.  Our endurance through lifes challenges make us stronger and helps us to trust a Father in Heaven that has our best interest in mind.  Then He can also use us to help others be strengthened and blessed.

I am grateful for the application of Book of Mormon teachings in my life.  I know that this is a true book of scripture given to us by a loving Father in Heaven.  I have felt the difference it makes in my life and hope that I will not allow myself to be distracted from living its teachings.