book review - Beyond the Shade of the Mango Tree

 

Beyond the Shade of the Mango Tree - Reflections on What God Sees in Us by Edward Dube

As a child, Elder Edward Dube would sit under the shade of the mango trees near his home in rural Zimbabwe and learn from his mother. One lesson his mother taught him was to keep moving forward. We can't grow if we stay in the comfort of what we currently know - in the comfort of the tree's shade. 

Beyond the Shade of the Mango Tree shows us how our Heavenly Father speaks to and magnifies His children who turn to Him. Elder Dube's story is in some ways the same as many of God's children's - at first a story of doubt and struggle, later one of enlightenment and hope, and finally a realization that he can become all that God wants him to be.

Yet, in many ways his experiences are vastly different. From growing up in war-torn Zimbabwe, where he discovered the gospel at age twenty-two, to his church leadership experiences in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, and the United States, Elder Dube's stories and insights offer fresh perspectives on core gospel teachings. 

Through Elder Dube's own experiences, along with teachings of latter-day prophets and the scriptures, Beyond the Shade of the Mango Tree teaches us that we can come to see ourselves as the Lord see us - His beloved children, with potential to become like him.  

My Thoughts : After hearing Elder Dube speak in general conference (Pressing Toward the Mark,) I was excited to see that he had a book available to purchase through Deseret Books. I expected this to be a sweet book by a sweet and humble man, and it was. 

My favorite chapter from Elder Dube's book was nineteen, Higher Thoughts, Higher Ways. I marked, folded and took notes on those wonderful insights. Elder Dube said, "We are what we think." Our thoughts are so powerful, yet, we allow ourselves to think some pretty horrible things about ourselves. I recently started a fitness program, it became evident that the thoughts I tell myself would effect my progress for good or bad. If I tell myself that I am tired then I am tired and don't press forward. If I tell myself that I am energetic and ready to workout then I am much more likely to workout. While running, I constantly have to tell myself that I am strong, capable and able to keep going even when my body wants to quit. Elder Dube went on to say that we need to, "control what we feed our minds." Deciding to turn off the news was the best decision I ever made. Am I as informed? Probably not, but the negativity surrounding me while watching just wasn't worth it. Remember : Negative circumstances do not have to lead to negative thoughts! Heavenly Father knew I needed this chapter at this moment in my life and I am so grateful for Elder Dube's words. 

There are so many other wonderful lessons to be learned while reading this book. Unfortunately, I can't go through all of them, but encourage you to read Elder Dube's book for yourself. A couple things I will mention that I learned from this book are 1. stop complaining! It takes me three minutes to drive to church in my air conditioned car. There are people who walk miles and miles, in the heat, to get to church. It is humbling and inspiring. 2. God sees our potential. Thank goodness He sends people into our lives who can also see glimpses of our potential. It is a beautiful experience to be the one who can see another's potential. 3. Come Unto Christ. Through him we can fulfil our mission (potential) here on earth. 

5 Lessons from Luke 18:35-43

35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,

41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.

42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

These set of verses have been on my mind a lot lately. There are many powerful and beautiful lessons to be found within the verses. Here are just five that have impacted me this past month.

1. When opportunity arrives - TAKE IT!

The blind man was sitting by the way begging and then heard that the Savior was passing by. I assume the blind man must have heard something about Christ's power or about other miracles He had performed.  So, when his opportunity arrived to ask for a miracle - he took it. 

Remember the story of the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48.) She had suffered for 12 years before her opportunity came to be healed. In a crowd of people she took her opportunity by simply reaching out to touch the Savior's garment.

It takes courage to stretch ourselves when opportunities come. It can be scary and overwhelming, but, like the blind man, it can lead us to tremendous blessings and results.

Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-19 - ". . .  ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours. And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."

We can not begin to comprehend the great blessings God has prepared for us, but if we want to find out what they are then we need to take every opportunity God puts in front of us!

2. Cry unto the Lord

Immediately, the blind man began to cry unto the Savior! I love that! He didn't hesitate to call out for Him. Even after the crowd tried to quiet him, he cried even louder. 

Camille Fronk Olsen said, "Bartimeus' (the blind man) faith was rewarded and strengthened as he acted on the incomplete faith he then possessed. In the process Bartimeus learned that the Lord is not merely a physical healer but a spiritual healer."

I love that phrase - incomplete faith. Sometimes, when we cry out to the Lord, we use whatever faith (not matter how little) to plead our case before the Lord. I know God hears and answers my prayers, and He hears and answers yours as well.

I love the story of the Dad with the sick child (Mark 9:14-29.) The savior said, in verse 23, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." I love the father's response in verse 24, "And STRAIGHTWAY the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, LORD I BELIEVE; HELP THOU MY UNBELIEF."

How many times do we give the same response? Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief! 

Continue to cry unto the Lord daily.

3. Don't let the crowd hold you back

I watch a Christian minister, on YouTube, called Terri Savelle Foy, and she always says, "Don't share your big dreams with small minds." Why? Because small minds have a way of making us doubt. God sees your potential. He knows exactly what you can achieve and He will help you. When people tell try to discourage you, do what the blind man did and "cry so much the more!"

Don't doubt what God has called you to do!

Nephi was constantly being told by his brothers that he couldn't do the things that the Lord had asked him to do. Nephi, however, showed them exactly what the Lord was able to accomplish through him.

"Now behold ye know that this is true; . . .  wherefore can ye doubt?" (1st Nephi 4:3)

Fill in the blank at the end of this verse, "And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should __________________________________________________."

DON'T DOUBT GOD'S POWER!

and don't let others take you from reaching your full potential! Go after your hopes, goals, and dreams. Don't stop to please the crowd! Don't justify - simply show up and show them exactly what you, with the Lord, can do!

4. Ask Big!

When the blind man approached the Savior, the Savior asked him, "What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?" Was it not obvious what the blind man wanted? I don't know about you but I have never met a blind person that I didn't know was blind; yet, the Lord felt it was important for the blind man to ask what he wanted. Now, the blind man could have said anything but instead he asked BIG! He asked for something only God could do. "Lord , that I may receive my sight."

Terri Savelle Foy said, "If you can accomplish your goals on your own, without needed God, then they aren't big enough." She also said, "If one of your goals is to get out of debt but you don't know how much debt you have then you are not serious about getting out of debt."

We have to know what we want, and then when the opportunity arises - ASK BIG! 

5. Praise God

One of my favorite songs is by a trio called, The City of Enoch. The song is called, Anyway. Here is a little bit of the lyrics

It's easy to love you

when you give me what I want

and it's easy to trust you

when I feel you holding on

I'll sing you songs when all I have is on the rise

but God you're good 

God you're good all the time

so when my hands are empty

and when my heart is heavy

I will praise you, praise you, praise you anyway

and when I'm lonely

don't know where I am going

I will praise you, praise you, praise you anyway

Give thanks when blessings come. Give thanks when life feels heavy. Give thanks when goals are accomplish and even more so in the process!

Remember : God will meet you where you are! For the blind man it was on the side of the road, but it could be at a well, in the crowd, in a house, or wherever you are!

Take courage and cry out to him!

free printable

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WE DID IT!

 After going back and forth for over a year, Erin and I FINALLY opened our etsy shop! Currently, we only have a couple of listings but plan on adding lots more as the weeks progress! We are excited to share our creative talents with you!

Things you can expect to see in our shop

coloring books - available to print from home and to upload onto procreate

prints from original artwork

prints of sayings and scriptures

decorative prints to spruce up any room

and much more!

Favorite Quotes from Elder Richard G. Scott (2009-2000)

 from the talk, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance" General Conference October 2009

"The assistance will come to you through the Holy Ghost as spiritual guidance. It is power, beyond your spiritual capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness."

"essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the spirit."

"Spirituality yields two fruits. The first is inspiration to know what to do. The second is power, or the capacity to do it."

"I believe that you can leave the most precious, personal direction of the Spirit unheard because you do not respond to, record, and apply the first promptings that come to you."

"Have patience as you are perfecting your ability to be led by the Spirit. By careful practice, through the application of correct principles, and by being sensitive to the feelings that come, you will gain spiritual guidance."

from the talk, "Temple Worship: "The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need" General Conference April 2009

"Set specific goals, considering your circumstances, of when you can and will participate in temple ordinances. Then do not allow anything to interfere with that plan."

"What a joy it is to be able to participate in the work of a temple!"

"We should never complain, when we are living worthily, about what happens in our lives."

"When we keep the temple covenants we have made and when we live righteously in order to maintain the blessings promised by those ordinances, then come what may, we have no reason to worry or to feel despondent."

from the talk, "Honor the Priesthood and Use it Well" General Conference October 2008

"The priesthood we hold is a delegated portion of the eternal authority of God."

"Equal partnership yields its greatest benefit when both husband and wife seek the will of the Lord in making important decisions for themselves and their family."

"The purpose of priesthood authority is to give, to serve, to lift, to inspire."

from the talk, "To Heal the Shattering Consequences of Abuse" General Conference April 2008

"Healing comes through the unwavering love of Heavenly Father for each of His children."

"Recognize that if you have feelings that you are not loved by your Father in Heaven, you are being manipulated by Satan. 

"Even when it may seem difficult to pray, kneel and ask Father in Heaven to give you the capacity to trust Him and to feel His love for you. Ask to come to know that His son can heal you through His merciful Atonement."

"Do not fear- for fear is a tool Satan will use to keep you suffering. The Lord will help you, but you must reach out for that help."

from the talk, "Truth: "The foundation of Correct Decisions" General Conference October 2007

"The best way of finding truth is simply to go to the origin of all truth and ask or respond to inspiration."

"A knowledge of truth is of little value unless we apply it in making correct decisions."

"I testify that neither Satan nor any other power can weaken or destroy your growing character. Only you can do that through disobedience."

for more quotes about character from Elder Scott read the talk, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character" General Conference October 2010

from the talk, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer" General Conference April 2007

"Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father. Actually, because He knows how desperately we need His guidance."

"Prayer is most effective when we strive to be clean and obedient, with worthy motives, and are willing to do what He asks. Humble, trusting prayer brings direction and peace."

"A key to improved prayer is to learn to ask the right questions. Consider changing from asking for the things you want to honestly seeking what He wants for you."

"Pray even when you have no desire to pray."

"Never feel you are too unworthy to pray."

"Each prayer is tailored to its purpose, with a clear statement of what needs resolution, as well as ample expression of gratitude for specific, recognized blessings."

"Often when we pray for help with a significant matter, Heavenly Father will give us gentle promptings that require us to think, exercise faith, work, as times struggle, then act. It is a step-by-step process that enables us to discern inspired answers."

"Seldom will you receive a complete response all at once. It will come a piece at a time, in packets, so that you will grow in capacity."

"He will always hear your prayers and will invariably answer them. However, His answers will seldom come while you are on your knees praying, even when you may plead for an immediate response. Rather, He will prompt you in quiet moments when the Spirit can most effectively touch your mind and heart."

"You should find periods of quiet time to recognize when you are being instructed and strengthened. His pattern causes you to grow."

"Your life will be easier when you accept that what God does in your life is for your eternal good."

from the talk, "The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness" General Conference October 2006

"The Redeemer will safely lead you over the most difficult obstacles of life. His laws are absolutely secure anchors of protection that dispel fear and assure success in an otherwise dangerous world. Such a life will certainly provide you peace and happiness."

"True, enduring happiness, with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the greatest difficulties, will come as you center your life in Jesus Christ."

"Pondering the grandeur of the Atonement evokes the most profound feelings of awe, immense gratitude, and deep humility. Those impressions can provide you powerful motivation to keep His commandments and consistently repent of errors for greater peace and happiness."

from the talk, "Now is the Time to Serve a Mission!" General Conference April 2006

"Children are best taught gospel truths in the home where instruction can be adapted to the age and capacity of each child. In the home the whole armor of truth is tailor fit to the individual characteristics of each child."

"I urge you not to pray to know whether you should go; rather, ask the Lord to guide you in whatever may be necessary to become worthy, empowered full-time missionary. You will never regret serving a mission, but you most probably will regret not serving if that is your choice,"

from the talk, "Truth Restored" General Conference October 2005

"This yearning for spiritual guidance is a consequence of our being children of a divine Heavenly Father."

"You were taught and prepared for the circumstances you would personally encounter in mortality."

"The vast majority of Father's children have not only forgotten their Father in Heaven and the purpose of mortal life, but they rarely even think of Him nor ponder for what purpose they are here in mortality. They have been led to be absorbed by mundane things that distract them from the essential ones. Don't make that mistake."

"It is not sufficient to have a vague understanding of truth or the reality of the Father and His son, our Savior. Each of us must come to know who They really are. You must feel how very much They love you. You must trust that as you consistently live the truth the best you can, They will help you realize the purpose of your earth life and strengthen you to qualify for the blessings promised."

from the talk, "The Power of Preach My Gospel" General Conference April 2005

"The values which form the bedrock foundation of society are being assaulted by Satan and his allies."

"Preach My Gospel contains chapters that give extremely valuable information on how to recognize and understand the guidance of the Holy Spirit."

from the talk, "Peace of Conscience and Peace of Mind" General Conference October 2004

"Peace of conscience relates to your inner self and is controlled by what you personally do. Peace of conscience can come only from God through a righteous, obedient life. It can not exist otherwise."

"Your efforts will be stepping-stones to greater personal growth as Spirit-guided solutions are found."

"Satan will press you to continue to relive the details of past mistakes, knowing that such thoughts make forgiveness seem unattainable."

from the talk, "How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil" General Conference April 2004

"You have a choice. You can wring your hands and be consumed with concern for future or choose to use the counsel the Lord has given to live with peace and happiness in a world awash with evil."

"We cannot dry up the mounting river of evil influences, for they result from the exercise of moral agency divinely granted by our Father. But we can and must, with clarity, warn of the consequences of getting close to its enticing, destructive current."

"God has provided a way to live in this world and not be contaminated by the degrading pressures evil agents spread throughout it. You can live a virtuous, productive, righteous life by following the plan of protection created by your Father in Heaven: His plan of happiness."

"As you continue to center your mind and heart in Him, He will help you have a rich and full life no matter what happens around you."

"Have you noticed how Satan works to capture the mind and emotions with flashing images, blaring music, and the stimulation of every physical sense to excess? He diligently strives to fill life with action, entertainment, and stimulation so that one cannot ponder the consequences of his tempting invitation."

"though life may seem difficult now, hold on to that iron rod of truth. You are making better progress than you realize. Your struggles are defining character, discipline, and confidence in the promises of your Father in Heaven and the Savior as you consistently obey Their commandments. You are so important. You are so needed. There are so few willing to make the sacrifice you are making to live righteously. You can develop the sensitivity, love and kindness to gain supreme happiness."

"Know that God is in control. . . God has a specific plan for your life. He will reveal parts of that plan to you as you look for it with faith and consistent obedience."

from the talk, "Realize Your Full Potential" General Conference October 2003

"How are you cultivating that potential? . . I encourage you to discover who you really are. I invite you to look beyond the daily routine of life. I urge you to discern through the Spirit your divinely given capacities."

"When you push against the boundaries of experience into the twilight of the unknown, the Lord will strengthen you."

"When was anything really worthwhile easy?"

"As a parent, one of the greatest gifts you can give a son or daughter is to consistently nurture a growing testimony of truth, patiently nurturing each child's spiritual capacity."

"When you really understand who you are, it is not difficult to resist Satan's temptations."

from the talk, "The Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and Testing" General conference April 2003

"His plan of happiness is conceived so that we will have challenges, even difficulties, where decisions of great importance must be made so that we can grow, develop, and succeed in this mortal probation."

"There is no more solid foundation than faith in the love Heavenly Father has for you, faith in His plan of happiness, and faith in the capacity and willingness of Jesus Christ to fulfill all of His promises."

"The Lord knows your needs. When you ask with honesty and real intent, He will prompt you to do that which will increase your ability to act in faith."

from the talk, "To Be Free of Heavy Burdens" General Conference October 2002

"Many of you suffer needlessly from carrying heavy burdens because you do not open your hearts to the healing power of the Lord."

"Earn enduring joy now from a clean and purposeful life."

"You must trust that the Savior has given His life so that you can make the required changes in your life, changes that will bring peace and the illusive success that always seem beyond reach."

"Satan strives to convince one that sins can be hidden from others, yet it is he that causes them to be revealed in the most compromising circumstances. His objective is the enslavement of God's children. All of his enticing, alluring temptations have as their root the destruction of the individual."

"Complete healing will come through your faith in Jesus Christ and His power and capacity, through His atonement, to heal the scars of that which is unjust and undeserved."

from the talk, "Full Conversion Brings Happiness" General Conference April 2002

"As painful as that confirmation of prophecy must have been for Peter, [Luke 22:56-62] his life began to change forever. He became that unwavering, rock-solid servant essential to the plan of the Father after the Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Savior. . . Therefore Peter rose to the full stature of his calling. He taught with power and unshakable testimony despite threats, imprisonment, and beatings. He was truly converted."

"Your happiness now and forever is conditioned on your degree of conversion and the transformation that it brings to your life."

"True conversion will strengthen your capacity to do what you know you should do, when you should do it, regardless of the circumstances."

"How completely you willingly embrace the teachings of the Savior determines how much fruit, as blessings, you will harvest."

from the talk, "The Power of a Strong Testimony" General Conference October 2001

"A strong testimony is the unshakable foundation of a secure, meaningful life where peace, confidence, happiness, and love can flourish. It is anchored in a conviction that an all-knowing God is in command of His work. He will not fail. He will keep His promises."

"A strong testimony is the sustaining power of a successful life."

"As you fortify your own personal testimony, you will have power to make correct choices so that you can stand unwavering against the pressures of an increasingly vicious world. Your personal security and happiness depend upon the strength of your testimony, for it will guide your actions in times of trial or uncertainty."

"The Lord will hear your prayers in time of need. He will invariably answer the. However, His answers will generally not come while you are on your knees praying, even when you may plead for an immediate response. There is a pattern that must be followed. You are asked to look for an answer to your prayers, then confirm that it is correct. . . Often you will think of a solution. Then seek confirmation that your answer if right. This help can come from prayer and from pondering the scriptures, at times by the intervention of others, or from your own capacity, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit."

"At times the Lord will want you to proceed with trust before you receive a confirming answer. His answer generally comes as packets of help. As each piece is followed by faith, it will unite with others to give you the whole answer. This pattern requires the exercise of faith. While sometimes very hard, it results in significant personal growth."

"Hone your spiritual susceptibility by being constantly alert to the guidance that will come through the still, small voice of the spirit. Let your Father in Heaven know of your feelings, your needs, your concerns, your hopes, and aspirations. Speak to Him with total confidence, knowing that He will hear and respond. Then patiently go forth in your life doing those things you know are correct, walking with confidence born of faith and righteousness, patiently waiting for the response that will come in the manner and at the time the Lord considers most appropriate."

from the talk, "First Things First" General Conference April 2001

"Are there so many fascinating, exciting, things to do or so many challenges pressing down upon you that it is hard to keep focused on that which is essential?"

"When things of the world crowd in, all too often the wrong things take highest priority. Then it is easy to forget the fundamental purpose of life. Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people. It is distraction. He would have good people fill life with "good things" so there is no room for the essential ones."

"Seek to know the will of the Lord, not just what is convenient or what makes life easy."

from the talk, "The Path to Peace and Joy" General Conference October 2000

"Repentance is not optional."

"Each one of us is commanded to both repent and to call upon God continually throughout life."

"Are you taking full advantage of the redeeming power of repentance in your life so that you can have greater peace."

"The Lord expects a lifelong commitment to obey the plan of happiness, including continuing repentance as needed."

"Peace is the precious fruit of a righteous life. It is possible to because of the Atonement of the Savior. It is earned through full repentance, for that leads to refreshing forgiveness. Repentance opens the door of enlightenment and aids inspiration."

"How difficult it must be for Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, to see so many needlessly suffer, because His gift of repentance is ignored. It must pain Him deeply to see the pointless agony both in this life and beyond the veil that accompany the unrepentant sinner after all He did so that we need not suffer."

from the talk, "The Sanctity of Womanhood" General Conference April 2000

"Satan has unleashed a seductive campaign to undermine the sanctity of womanhood, to deceive the daughters of God and divert them from their divine destiny."

"He [Satan] would focus their interests solely on their physical attributes and rob them of their exalting roles as wives and mothers."

"Let the Lord guide you in ways that will enrich your marriage."

Valentine's Day Coloring Pages

 

click here or on any image to print

Chinese New Year Coloring Pages

Ox - 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985                       Tiger - 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986

Rabbit - 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987                   Dragon - 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988

 

Snake - 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989                   Horse - 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990

 

Goat - 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991                       Monkey - 2028, 2016, 2004, 1992

 

Rooster - 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981                Dog - 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982

 

Pig - 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983                      Rat - 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984

 click here or on any image to print!

Favorite Quotes from Elder Richard G. Scott (2010 -2014)

from the talk, "Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority" General Conference - October 2014

 "Despite all the negative challenges we have in life, we must take time to actively exercise our faith. Such exercise invites the positive, faith-filled power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ into our lives."

"Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences."

"If you want your children to recognize, understand, and act on the promptings of the Spirit, you must study the scriptures with them."

"As you dedicate time every day, personally and with your family, to the study of God's word, peace will prevail in your life."

"The temple is one of the best places to come to understand the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Seek Him there."

from the talk, "I Have Given You an Example" General Conference - April 2014

"He could do more with my life than I could on my own,"

"the scriptures are a vital source of receiving and recognizing answers."

"As you consistently focus your life on the most basic principles, you will gain an understanding of what you are to do, and you will produce more fruit for the Lord and more happiness for yourself."

"Always seek to strengthen families."

"Keep your sharing of the gospel simple."

"We best serve our Father in Heaven by righteously influencing others and serving them. The greatest example who ever walked the earth is our Savior, Jesus Christ. His mortal ministry was filled with teaching, serving, and loving others."

from the talk, "Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ" General Conference - October 2013

"We are all in desperate need of the redemptive power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ."

"Repentance is not punishment. It is the hope-filled path to a more glorious future."

"fill your life with service to others. As you lose your life in the service of Father in Heaven's children, Satan's temptations lose power in your life."

from the talk, "For Peace at Home" General Conference - April 2013

"Many voices from the world in which we live tell us we should live at a frantic pace. There is always more to do and more to accomplish. Yet deep inside each of us is a need to have a place of refuge where peace and serenity prevail, a place where we can rest, regroup, and reenergize to prepare for future pressures."

"Regardless of your circumstances, you can center your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the source of true peace in this life."

"Be certain that every decision you make, whether temporal or spiritual, is conditioned on what the Savior would have you do. When He is the center of your home, there is peace and serenity. There is a spirit of assurance that pervades the home, and it is felt by all who dwell there."

"simple, consistent, good habits lead to a life full of bountiful blessings."

"Satan is no match for the Savior."

"Technology, when understood and used for righteous purposes, need not be a threat but rather an enhancement to spiritual communication."

"If you young people would review a verse of scripture as often as some of you send text messages, you could soon have hundreds of passages of scripture memorized. Those passages would prove to be a powerful source of inspiration and guidance by the Holy Ghost in times of need."

"Doing all we can to invite the gentle, guiding influence of the Holy Ghost into our lives is critical in our attempts to center our homes on the Savior. Acting obediently on those promptings strengthens us even more."

"As you center your home on the Savior, it will naturally become a refuge not only to your own family but also to friends who live in more difficult circumstances."

"One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds."

"Recognize the good in others, not their stains."

from the talk, "The Joy of Redeeming the Dead" General Conference - October 2012

"Temple and family history work is one work divided into two parts."

"Any work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even greater blessings will be received."

"Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost."

"Set aside those things in your life that don't really matter. Decide to do something that will have eternal consequences."

from the talk, "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for your Personal Life" General Conference April 2012

"Why does the Lord want us to pray to Him and to ask? Because that is how revelation is received."

When I am faced with a very difficult matter, this is how I try to understand what to do. I fast. I pray to find and understand scriptures that will be helpful. That process is cyclical. I start reading a passage of scripture; I ponder what the verse means and pray for inspiration. I then ponder and pray to know if I have captured all the Lord wants me to do. Often more impressions come with increased understanding of doctrine. I have found that pattern to be a good way to learn from the scriptures."

"Spiritual communication can be enhanced by good health practices. Exercise, reasonable amounts of sleep, and good eating habits increase out capacity to receive and understand revelation."

"It is important that our daily activities do not distract us from listening to the Spirit."

"Inspiration carefully recorded shows God that His communications are sacred to us."

"For spirituality to grow stronger and more available, it must be planted in a righteous environment."

"Our Heavenly Father did not put us on earth to fail but to succeed gloriously."

"The more closely you follow divine guidance, the greater will be your happiness here and for eternity - moreover, the more abundant your progress and capacity to serve."

"Communication with our Father in Heaven is not a trivial matter. It is a sacred privilege."

From the talk, "The Power of Scripture" General Conference October 2011

"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His beloved son, Jesus Christ."

"Their (the scriptures) use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost. Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world."

"Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost."

"Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one's ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing."

"Scriptures can communicate different meanings at different times in our life, according to our needs. A scripture that we may have read many times can take on nuances of meaning that are refreshing and insightful when we face a new challenge in life."

"Those who consistently read the Book of Mormon are blessed with an added measure of the spirit of the Lord, a greater resolve to obey His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the divinity of the Son of God."

from the talk, "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage" General Conference April 2011

"The temple sealing has greater meaning as life unfolds. It will help you draw ever closer together and find greater joy and fulfillment in mortality."

"Express gratitude for what your spouse does for you. Express that love and gratitude often. That will make life far richer and more pleasant and purposeful."

"Pure love in an incomparable, potent power for good. Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage."

"Marriage provides an ideal setting for overcoming any tendency to be selfish or self-centered."

from the talk, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character" General Conference October 2010

"The exercise of faith is vital to Father in Heaven's plan of happiness. . . Faith in the Savior is a principle of action and power."

"Faith and character are intimately related. Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments of God will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge of temptation. That is when it is intended to be used. Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character; fortified character expands your capacity to exercise more faith. As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced. The more character is fortified, the more enabled you are to benefit from exercising the power of faith. You will discover how faith and character interact to strengthen one another. Character is woven patiently from threads of applied principle, doctrine, and obedience."

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day."

"Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming. Righteous character is more valuable than any material object you own, any knowledge you have gained through study, or any goals you have attained no matter how well lauded by mankind. In the next life your righteous character will be elevated to assess how well you used the privilege of mortality." 

"Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow."

"You become what you do and what you think about."

"A testimony is not emotion. It is the very essence of character woven from threads born of countless correct decisions."

"You are making better progress than you realize. Your struggles are defining your character, discipline and confidence in the promises of your Father in Heaven and the Savior as you consistently obey Their commandments."

from the talk, "He Lives! All Glory to His Name!" General Conference April 2010

"The Atonement is that essential ingredient of our Father in Heaven's plan of happiness without which that plan could not have been activated."

"There is an imperative need for each of us to strengthen our understanding of the significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ so that it will become an unshakable foundation upon which to build our lives."

"I energetically encourage you to establish a personal study plan to better understand and appreciate the incomparable, eternal, infinite consequences of Jesus Christ's perfect fulfillment of His divinely appointed calling as our Savior and Redeemer."

"As you ponder - not just read but ponder and meditate - on scriptural passages, the power of the HOly Ghost will distill truths in your mind and heart as a secure foundation in this uncertain time in which we live."

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their clamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

But he answered and said, aVerily I say unto you, I know you not.

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:1-13

Favorite Quotes from Patricia Holland

Quotes from a talk entitled, "Portraits of Eve: God's Promises of Personal Identity"

 "The temple provides protection and it provides patterns and promises that can settle and strengthen and stabilize us, however anxious our times."

". . . accepting that we are worth the time and effort it takes to achieve the full measure of our creation, and believing that it is not selfish, wrong or evil. It is in fact, essential to our spiritual development. . . Unless we take care of ourselves, it is virtually impossible to properly take care of others"

"Our father in heaven needs us as we are, as we are growing to become. He has intentionally made us different from one another so that even with our imperfections we can fulfil his purposes. My greatest
misery comes when I feel I have to fit what others expect of me. I am most happy when I am comfortable being me and trying to do what my father in heaven and I expect me to be. . . I have learned through several fatiguing failures that you can't have joy in being bubbly if you are not a bubbly person. . . I have given up seeing myself as a flawed person. . . Giving this up has freed me to embrace and rejoice in my own manner and personality in the measure of my own creation. . . My personality was created to fit precisely the mission and talents he gave me. . . Each of us will have peace only as we are filling the measure of our own creation."

"God never gave us any task beyond our ability to accomplish it. We just have to be willing to do it our own way. We will always have enough resources for being who we are and what we can become. . . We must each prepare right now to intensify our own inner journey."

"I have learned to say no to some things in order to be able to say yes to others. The most important yes we can say to our children is, "YES, I have time for you." And for me that means both quantity and quality time."

"Where we choose to spend our time reveals to our children exactly how valuable they are."

Quotes from a talk entitled, "A woman's Perspective on the Priesthood"

"Our greatest task is to live worthily enough to know step by step what the Lord's will is regarding us."

"This world is not our ultimate home; and while we do have to live here, we are not ever really of this world. And we do not seek its praise."

 "The crucial point we need to come to as Latter-day Saint men and women is not to allow ourselves to feel forced into righteous choices, but to come to them of our own free and anxious will. 

"If we listen too often to the voices of the world, we will become confused and tainted. We must anchor ourselves in the spirit, and that requires daily vigilance."

January Coloring Page

 

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C.F.M Nugget of the Week - D&C 3, 4, 5

 I know this post is late, but I still wanted to get it uploaded. I have been thinking a lot about what stood out to me in this week's reading, and I was amazed at how they all intertwined with each other. 

I was first intrigued by the word temperance. I had always assumed it had to do with temper and controlling any anger we felt. I guess, to some extent, it does, but the true meaning is a lot more profound. When you type in temperance definition into google, this is what you will read : abstinence from alcoholic drink. I thought that was weird because it had nothing to do with temper. Back in 1829, and for Joseph Smith Sr, that would have made complete sense. For me; however, I suspected there was probably more to it. Temperance means self-restraint or self-control. It reminds me of a verse in Alma 38:12, ". . . see that you bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love. . ." There is a great talk by Kent D. Watson entitled "Being Temperate in All Things." He says, " a temperate soul—one who is humble and full of love—is also a person of increased spiritual strength. With increased spiritual strength, we are able to develop self-mastery and to live with moderation. We learn to control, or temper, our anger, vanity, and pride. With increased spiritual strength, we can protect ourselves from the dangerous excesses and destructive addictions of today’s world" I also loved that he said, "Security for our families comes from learning self-control, avoiding the excesses of this world, and being temperate in all things. Peace of mind comes from strengthened faith in Jesus Christ. Happiness comes from being diligent in keeping covenants made at baptism and in the holy temples of the Lord." With a better understanding about the word temperance, I can see why it is a Christlike Quality. 

Another thing I learned in this week's reading was that my Heavenly Father truly does know me. Taylor and Tyler from Book of Mormon Central pointed out that when Christ was on the earth, he called fisherman to become fishers of men. Now, in Doctrine and Covenants 4, he is calling a farmer to essentially become a farmer of men. Isn't it amazing that the Lord invites and reveals to us in ways we will understand. The way the Lord speaks to me is completely different from the way he speaks to my husband. Every time, I "Hear Him," I am reminded of his love for me and knowledge of me. 

Lastly, I want to mention D&C 5:33-34, "And there are many that lie in wait to destroy thee from off the face of the earth; and for this cause, that thy days may be prolonged, I have given unto thee these commandments." Isn't amazing that as we practice temperance we will be protected. I love what we are told in verse 34, "Stop and stand still." I love that! Just wait and listen for the Lord to direct us. He truly will provide the way. I think this is where the importance of personal revelation comes into play. Sometimes, we are going to be asked to stop and stand still and other times we are going to be asked to take a leap of faith. Either way, if we do it with the Lord, we will be blessed!