A talk given by someone in the Bernal Ward Relief Society, San Jose, CA. A good one that I’m glad they shared!
Good Morning Sisters -
I have to start by sharing a story I have probably have shared before but I have to again. - This story started over 36 years ago when my sister died at a very young age of 19. I was pregnant with our second daughter Stacy, it really was a very hard time for my entire family. We were not members of any church at that time and we all felt really lost. When you are not a member of the church you hear all the “stuff” when you lose a loved one. Like they are in a better place, they aren’t suffering anymore, or someday you will see them again, all the things we say now but really, they are just empty words when there is no faith behind them. Little did I know that 21 years later after her passing and exactly to the day 56 years after my Grandfather had passed I would learn a lesson I will always be grateful for. Stacy was being baptized and we were there as non members, not knowing anything about her new religion. As she was getting dressed after her baptism, we watched a video about how Family’s can be together forever. I watched and I knew I had to learn more. The spirit was so strong in that room. I didn’t know it then, but Heavenly Father had a plan for us. He was planting the seed. So to make a long story short because of that video, I stand here today 17 years later.
The Eternal family begins with Heavenly Parents. That is our goal in this life, to be just like them. In the Proclamation of the Family we read - 3rd paragraph down - have someone read.
So from the very beginning God established the family and made it eternal. We are partners with God as parents to bring children into this world and teach them while they are here on earth. So to do it as God intended we need to follow life as God intended. I will use the example of a recipe.
As we go through life, it’s like baking a cake.
You have to have a plan - God’s plan is your recipe
You have the tools - knowledge of the gospel, The Prophet, Temple - which would be having a pan, mixer, oven. You have to follow the instructions or be obedient to the commandments we have been given, or you won’t get a cake. You have to have patience and the blessings will come- wait while baking and then cooling
You have to enjoy - Eternal Life - You have your cake and get to eat it too!
President David O. McKay said,
“With all my heart I believe that the best place to prepare for
… eternal life is in the home”
We learn at home everything we will need in the out side world. What do we learn?
At home we learn as a family - self-control, sacrifice, loyalty, and the value of work. We learn to love, share, and to serve one another.
The home is where we prepare ourselves for living in mortality and in death. Because we believe and understand that there is a life after death not just for us but also for our family. Depending on our individual obedience to the laws, ordinances, and commandments of God, each mortal can have the blessings of attaining eternal life and return to live in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and be reunited with our families for eternity.
Its always a growing process. As we learn and study the gospel we can then teach the gospel, when we pray we are setting the example to our children to pray, when we obey the commandments we are setting the example for our children to obey the commandments. They watch us when we don’t even think they are watching us.
How many of you have been to a non-LDS wedding? What is one of the biggest difference in their vows that they make to each other and the ones we make when we are sealed in the Temple?
Till Death do We part!
Robert and I had one of these types of wedding. We never thought anything about it, because that was the only thing available to us then, but as the years went by and we became closer and more in love with each other, we actually would laugh and make a joke to each other that the only way you’ll get rid of me now is to die.
After being sealed in the temple, now we joke about how you’ll never get rid of me. It won’t do you any good now, even to die.
We joke about it, but what a wonderful blessing. Death can not separate us now as long as we both keep our covenants with Heavenly Father.
This month’s Ensign has a wonderful article in it “Defending the Family in a Troubled World” by Elder Bruce Porter of the Seventy. I urge all to read it.
Satan is really attacking the family big time. The family is in crisis. We live in a day when the love of your own children is not happening. The average traditional family is not the traditional family I grew up with. We live a society that thinks evil is good and good is evil. Anything that is wholesome is mocked and made fun of. Fatherless or Motherless homes are ok, abortion is ok, pornography won’t hurt anyone. There is a estimated 6.6 million cohabitating couples now so they say the divorce rate is down, but people just aren’t getting married so we have no idea how many “divorced families” are out there. Over 40% of births are now out of wedlock.
Life’s Recipe is upside down right now. Everyone is wanting to enjoy life before planning and preparing for it in the right steps.
Unfortunately to many children are being brought into this world in unloving and in unwanted situations, leaving a giant hole in the family structure.
Sisters we are such a small part of the world, but we should not underestimate the power of our example to all of those we come in contact with. We can invite others who might be seeking a better way. The Lord expects us to do that. Even if it means that we might be made fun of or shunned by others. Just like in the vision of the tree of life. We need to ignore the jeering and the laughing.
Regardless of what the future holds, we will be given the power to save our children from the darkness around them. Its going to take work and sacrifices but with God as our partner we will succeed. We can make our homes a refuge from the outside world.
What are some of the ways we can do this?
1. Have family prayer every night and morning. Pray together as husband and wife. 3Nephi 18:21
2. Teach children the gospel every week in family home evening.
3. Study scriptures regularly as a family.
4. Do things together as a family, such as work projects, outings, and decision making.
5. Learn to be kind, patient, long-suffering, and charitable.
6. Attend Church meetings regularly.
7. Follow the counsel of the Lord. “Organize your selves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”
8. Keep a family history, perform temple work together, and receive the sealing ordinances of the temple.
Have you seen the difference in your family when you are doing the family prayer, family scripture reading, family meal times and family home evenings, verses when you slip from doing these things?
In closing Life is eternal. I know that I have Heavenly parents and other loved ones waiting for me to return to them on the other side. Doing their temple work and sealing our families together forever is the one thing I can do to repay them for all that they have done for me in this life. The Lord has provided the way. His spirit will keep us strong even if the trails of this life get worse. We have that promise his spirit will guide, direct, and comfort us. We are so blessed to have this knowledge. I am trying so hard to keep my recipe for life together, I someday want to have cake and eat it to.
End with Testimony
WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be..
When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,' Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'
I AM SENDING THIS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW
WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS,
BUT THINK THAT NO ONE EVER SEES.
LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT ..
Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend)
influences the life of a child.
How will you touch the life of someone today?
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.
Good Morning Sisters -
I have to start by sharing a story I have probably have shared before but I have to again. - This story started over 36 years ago when my sister died at a very young age of 19. I was pregnant with our second daughter Stacy, it really was a very hard time for my entire family. We were not members of any church at that time and we all felt really lost. When you are not a member of the church you hear all the “stuff” when you lose a loved one. Like they are in a better place, they aren’t suffering anymore, or someday you will see them again, all the things we say now but really, they are just empty words when there is no faith behind them. Little did I know that 21 years later after her passing and exactly to the day 56 years after my Grandfather had passed I would learn a lesson I will always be grateful for. Stacy was being baptized and we were there as non members, not knowing anything about her new religion. As she was getting dressed after her baptism, we watched a video about how Family’s can be together forever. I watched and I knew I had to learn more. The spirit was so strong in that room. I didn’t know it then, but Heavenly Father had a plan for us. He was planting the seed. So to make a long story short because of that video, I stand here today 17 years later.
The Eternal family begins with Heavenly Parents. That is our goal in this life, to be just like them. In the Proclamation of the Family we read - 3rd paragraph down - have someone read.
So from the very beginning God established the family and made it eternal. We are partners with God as parents to bring children into this world and teach them while they are here on earth. So to do it as God intended we need to follow life as God intended. I will use the example of a recipe.
As we go through life, it’s like baking a cake.
You have to have a plan - God’s plan is your recipe
You have the tools - knowledge of the gospel, The Prophet, Temple - which would be having a pan, mixer, oven. You have to follow the instructions or be obedient to the commandments we have been given, or you won’t get a cake. You have to have patience and the blessings will come- wait while baking and then cooling
You have to enjoy - Eternal Life - You have your cake and get to eat it too!
President David O. McKay said,
“With all my heart I believe that the best place to prepare for
… eternal life is in the home”
We learn at home everything we will need in the out side world. What do we learn?
At home we learn as a family - self-control, sacrifice, loyalty, and the value of work. We learn to love, share, and to serve one another.
The home is where we prepare ourselves for living in mortality and in death. Because we believe and understand that there is a life after death not just for us but also for our family. Depending on our individual obedience to the laws, ordinances, and commandments of God, each mortal can have the blessings of attaining eternal life and return to live in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and be reunited with our families for eternity.
Its always a growing process. As we learn and study the gospel we can then teach the gospel, when we pray we are setting the example to our children to pray, when we obey the commandments we are setting the example for our children to obey the commandments. They watch us when we don’t even think they are watching us.
How many of you have been to a non-LDS wedding? What is one of the biggest difference in their vows that they make to each other and the ones we make when we are sealed in the Temple?
Till Death do We part!
Robert and I had one of these types of wedding. We never thought anything about it, because that was the only thing available to us then, but as the years went by and we became closer and more in love with each other, we actually would laugh and make a joke to each other that the only way you’ll get rid of me now is to die.
After being sealed in the temple, now we joke about how you’ll never get rid of me. It won’t do you any good now, even to die.
We joke about it, but what a wonderful blessing. Death can not separate us now as long as we both keep our covenants with Heavenly Father.
This month’s Ensign has a wonderful article in it “Defending the Family in a Troubled World” by Elder Bruce Porter of the Seventy. I urge all to read it.
Satan is really attacking the family big time. The family is in crisis. We live in a day when the love of your own children is not happening. The average traditional family is not the traditional family I grew up with. We live a society that thinks evil is good and good is evil. Anything that is wholesome is mocked and made fun of. Fatherless or Motherless homes are ok, abortion is ok, pornography won’t hurt anyone. There is a estimated 6.6 million cohabitating couples now so they say the divorce rate is down, but people just aren’t getting married so we have no idea how many “divorced families” are out there. Over 40% of births are now out of wedlock.
Life’s Recipe is upside down right now. Everyone is wanting to enjoy life before planning and preparing for it in the right steps.
Unfortunately to many children are being brought into this world in unloving and in unwanted situations, leaving a giant hole in the family structure.
Sisters we are such a small part of the world, but we should not underestimate the power of our example to all of those we come in contact with. We can invite others who might be seeking a better way. The Lord expects us to do that. Even if it means that we might be made fun of or shunned by others. Just like in the vision of the tree of life. We need to ignore the jeering and the laughing.
Regardless of what the future holds, we will be given the power to save our children from the darkness around them. Its going to take work and sacrifices but with God as our partner we will succeed. We can make our homes a refuge from the outside world.
What are some of the ways we can do this?
1. Have family prayer every night and morning. Pray together as husband and wife. 3Nephi 18:21
2. Teach children the gospel every week in family home evening.
3. Study scriptures regularly as a family.
4. Do things together as a family, such as work projects, outings, and decision making.
5. Learn to be kind, patient, long-suffering, and charitable.
6. Attend Church meetings regularly.
7. Follow the counsel of the Lord. “Organize your selves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”
8. Keep a family history, perform temple work together, and receive the sealing ordinances of the temple.
Have you seen the difference in your family when you are doing the family prayer, family scripture reading, family meal times and family home evenings, verses when you slip from doing these things?
In closing Life is eternal. I know that I have Heavenly parents and other loved ones waiting for me to return to them on the other side. Doing their temple work and sealing our families together forever is the one thing I can do to repay them for all that they have done for me in this life. The Lord has provided the way. His spirit will keep us strong even if the trails of this life get worse. We have that promise his spirit will guide, direct, and comfort us. We are so blessed to have this knowledge. I am trying so hard to keep my recipe for life together, I someday want to have cake and eat it to.
End with Testimony
WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be..
When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,' Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'
I AM SENDING THIS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW
WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS,
BUT THINK THAT NO ONE EVER SEES.
LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT ..
Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend)
influences the life of a child.
How will you touch the life of someone today?
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.
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