Sisters, there is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget-me-not flower. I hope it will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet. Please never forget that you must be patient and compassionate with yourselves, that some sacrifices are better than others, that you need not wait for a golden ticket to be happy. Please never forget that the "why" of the gospel of Jesus Christ will inspire and uplift you. And never forget that your Heavenly Father knows, loves, and cherishes you. - Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Forget Me Not,” General Women’s Meeting, September 2011
Tag Archives: faith in Jesus Christ
“Some claim we are not Christians. They either do not know us at all or they …
“… misunderstand.”
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard or read “Mormons are not Christians” I would have more than enough for some things I can’t afford to buy right now. Misinformed people say what they say until they don’t say it anymore – because somewhere along the way they learn the truth. May all who know you see Christ in you. – Grandpa Tony
"[Latter-day Saints] talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."
The world will refer to us as they will, but in our speech, always remember that we belong to the Church of Jesus Christ.
Some claim we are not Christians. They either do not know us at all or they misunderstand.”
- General Conference, April 2011, Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
2 Nephi 25:26– And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
“Look unto me in every thought”
Years ago I was on my way to a high counselor speaking assignment to a small branch in our stake, when I was started by an impression. A little inner-voice said, “You’re gonna sing a hymn in sacrament today, by yourself.” I said, “No, I’m not.”
I said that because as a child I had a singing experience with my grandmother that left me traumatized about singing in church. Grandma had written some original words to a familiar tune. The problem was she had too many words for the music and it was impossible for me to keep up with her.
It was a really embarrassing experience and when I tried to sing after that in a church setting, I just couldn’t do it. I’d freeze up with fear, hoping the congregation would think it was the emotions of the Spirit and not my fear that was the problem. But I knew the truth. I was terrified.
Outside of a church setting I could sing with no problem. So, when the little voice said, “You’re gonna sing in church today”, I said, “No way.” The voice persisted and finally I yielded, “Well, if the Lord wants me to sing, somehow He’ll find a way to help me.”
So, when I arrived at the chapel, I grabbed a hymn book and opened it at random, without looking, and the booked opened to the hymn “How Great Thou Art. I spoke to the the pianist, who was also the branch president, before the meeting and said, “Look, I’m not saying I’m gonna do this for sure, but should I decide to sing this hymn, can you play it? Of course, he could.
Half-way through my talk, that little voice said, “Sing it now.” I nodded to the branch president and he went to the piano and played the introduction. Just before I started to sing, a deep calmness came over me and I was able to sing with no problem. Noticed a lady sitting with the missionaries wiping tears from her eyes. Wasn’t sure if it was because I was doing that bad of a job or if something else was going on.
At the end of sacrament meeting the missionaries brought this lady up to meet me. One of them said, “You need to hear this.” This wonderful, humble lady explained that the missionaries were teaching her so many things that were new to her, that she had knelt in prayer that morning and prayed that Heavenly Father would allow her to hear something familiar as a witness that what she was learning from them was truly of God.
She then smiled and said, “How Great Thou Art” is my very favorite hymn and I feel my prayer has been answered. I saw the Lord’s hand, not only in her life, but in my life as well as He allowed me to be an instrument in His hand to help her, and to be helped as well with overcoming my fear of singing in church.
How great the Lord is and how kind He is to us His children. – Grandpa Tony
D&C 6: 36 aLook unto me in every bthought; cdoubt not, fear not.
“Fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”
“Our beloved President Thomas S. Monson has given us his prophetic witness. He said: "I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments.
“President Monson continued: "My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith." – Russell M. Nelson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Face the Future with Faith”, April 2011 General Conference
There’s an old saying, “What you see is what you get.” Because of all the storm clouds of negativity, encouraged by the media, it is so easy to forget we have promised blessings beyond measure, thanks to the love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior Jesus Christ. May we choose to see our promised blessings, especially when the world screams for us to see only darkness. – Grandpa Tony
D&C 61:36And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you;
“Thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed”
Enos 1:5-8
5 And there came a avoice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are bforgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.
6 And I, Enos, knew that God acould not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.
7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?
8 And he said unto me: aBecause of thy bfaith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee cwhole.
There’s no better feeling than the feeling that comes after a sin has been confessed and forsaken. This feeling is one of pure love from the Savior through the Holy Ghost that whatever we did is forgiven and will no longer be remembered by Him. The memory may still be there to some extent, but the sting of shame and remorse is removed. We are no longer the same person today who did those things back then. Thank God. – Grandpa Tony