I would invite all readers to share your experiences and thoughts in the comments section. Have there been moments in your life when you have felt power beyond your own?
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-06-023-light-switch?category=topics/testimony&lang=eng
The old roan who sat alone, spoke volumes to our souls,
As he sat in silence in the glen, we felt for this tired bull.
His horns were worn, from the years of uncounted war-tossed days,
When heads and horns would clash, to win some cow’s sweet praise.
Like tatonka (buffalo), we too must face our own great battle field.
With sorrow, pride or sin, we can use Christ’s wondrous shield.
And when we’re tired and worn out, we never are alone.
Our Master’s but a prayer away. He longs to bring us home.
So when we’re tired and feel alone, look for some tired soul,
And try to help and lift some one, and then we both can grow.
Then as we sit in silence, we can join in mighty prayer,
Through our Great White Father’s Light, we learn, give and share.
www.lds.org/media-library/images/mormonad-you-are-never-alone-1118441?lang=eng&_r=1
When searching for truth in life’s living sea,
Who do you turn to for wisdom that’s free?
The one in the castle with power and gold?
The one with the kind eyes, who’s wrinkled and old?
We’ve all seen or felt the power of peer pressure, especially among children. We hope they will grow and learn to not be badly influenced by others, although most of us probably learn this the hard way. Hopefully, after decades of experiences, we do discover the importance of choosing our teachers, or leaders wisely.
On Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1, the Presidency and Apostles and other leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will address the world in conference sessions (10am-noon, and 2pm-4pm each day). Their messages are available through many media sources, one being lds.org. The following message refers to the wisdom and guidance that can be found there.
The story is told of a small group of swimmers caught in a rip tide. They were being pulled out into the ocean with no help nearby. A woman on the shore, seeing their plight, asserted that no one was going to be lost that day. Those on the shore formed a human chain that reached out into the ocean far enough to pull the stranded swimmers to safety.
Matthew 25:40 “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Thomas S. Monson, president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints spoke beautifully of these timeless principles: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/kindness-charity-and-love?cid=HP_WE_6-8-2017_dPFD_fGC_xLIDyL1-C_&lang=eng
Love is found in each mountain. Love is seen in each sea.
Love runs, swims, and flies through now endlessly.
Love’s in the smile of a friend when they truly care.
Love’s in the kind word we give, when someone’s in despair.
Love powers hope, as faith grows within.
Love lifts us from sorrow’s worries and helps us to win.
The pure charity of Christ is the source of true love.
He gives the Holy Ghost, like the wings of a dove.
I suppose it’s not all that stuff that I really love. It’s the feelings that were associated with those activities. They were times when we were all happy and excited, and we were together and shared an experience that made us feel good, safe, and loved. Also, Halloween is the gateway for the holiday season: Thanksgiving and Christmas, which also have their own magic. I am warmed and softened as those memories fill up my mind. All these things make up what we really are…down to the core…stuff you can’t change…things that ‘override’ everything else. Things usually hidden away that only come into our conscious mind when we see something like a pumpkin, or a Christmas tree. Strange, isn’t it? That such simple stuff can be so powerful. I hope you have some good memories that pop up every now and again..the kind of memories that bring tears to your eyes, hope in your heart, and a love that fills you to overflowing. If you do, then all those things we did together were truly great and remarkable. Take the time to pause and drink in the season!”
This piece was especially appealing to me because I am tired to the bones of this long hot summer. Perhaps if I put out the fall decorations, summer will accept the fact that it’s days are numbered, and perhaps we will get those cool nights!
Wishing things were different is common to all of us, I suppose. Which brings me into thoughts of wanting to change the unpleasant, the sad, the terrible, and the painful. There is much of that in the world, and I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
I believe that a loving Heavenly Father sent us here to learn and grow, and that we cannot effectively do that without resistance, pain, perplexities, sorrow, etc. But He has given us a light. It’s true that comfort, peace, and guidance are available to all of us who learn to humbly come unto Christ. See lds.org and type “For God So Loved The World” in the search bar, and view the video.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
The next part of talking is to choose our own words well.
Bring out your own thoughts carefully and be patient with those who fail.
Pray and ask for guidance to know what we should say.
The Holy Ghost can guide us who listen and obey.
Encourage those who share with us by questions to learn more:
Like, “Tell me more.” “What happened next? or “What made you feel so sore?”
When talking with family or friends, or a stranger along the way,
A listening mind and hearing heart serves us well each day.
A simple recipe on how much to talk is 1/2 when two are there,
1/3 if 3, 1/4 if 4, and less is best to others caught in sorrow, hate or fear.
The best talker is a patient and kind listener, remember this and grow,
For we can be a truer friend when we listen with heart, mind and soul.
James 3:3-5, 13. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, withersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a fire…Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
For a 3 minute video illustrating this concept in the context of a family, go to
LDS.org
and then type in “Parenting:touching the hearts of youth” in the search bar.
A redwood tree grows strong and tall, but it’s roots don’t grow so deep.
Against the wind-tossed storms of life, one lone tree finds little peace.
But as they grow together, as their roots intertwine,
No gale that blows can topple those giant redwood pine.
We choose not to stand alone through our adversity.
We turn unto our loving God and friends and family.
We pray for help and plead for strength that we may overcome,
That through our trial, we may learn true wisdom from God’s Son.
Hate, anger and bitterness cause cankers on ones’ soul.
Repentance, forgiveness and patience help our inner peace to grow.
Adversity can be good or bad, it’s up to us to choose
To grow in understanding, or let Satan light our fuse.
We choose to use adversity to humble us to God,
To strive for help through prayer and hold fast the iron rod.
We gain strength from friends and family as we let our roots entwine.
Together with Christ’s true church, adversity becomes a tool to strengthen each heart and mind.
Real faith is something that I believe takes most of us a lifetime to acquire, if we ever do at all. I find myself in the same spot of struggling with reconciling God’s will for me, and my own plans and desires. I can have faith if I feel that God will grant me my desire, but my heart tells me that isn’t real faith, that’s just expecting God to fill our orders, and that is assuming that we always know best…The video clip in the link below addresses that very problem very well, and challenges me to ask myself, “Does it really matter?”
There is a scripture in Ether 12:27 in the Book of Mormon that is quoted in the video clip. What are some of your thoughts about faith, humility and adversity?
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/topics/adversity?lang=eng&_r=1
The would-be divers slowly climb the steps to the top
The platform
High and intimidating, bids them “Stop!”
And yet, their feet drive to the brink
And off they go,
No time to think!
We watch below and shake our heads.
This, we will never do, we said.
Unaware that we are in the line
Pressing forward all the time.
The oldest ones have gone before
One by one,
Now in our past.
Occasionally a youthful soul
Pushed through the line.
We watched, aghast.
Our steps for now are slow and gay.
We take our time.
We sing and play,
Unaware that our steady steps
Lead us higher every day,
Until, at last, we reach the top.
How the decades fled!
We are now atop.
Some feel peace, and some feel dread.
All surprised
How short the time
From bottom to the top,
A few short years, just a lifetime,
So much shorter than we thought.
Our time will come when toes grip the rim.
Our teeth and hands are clenched,
And we are shoved or nudged,
First flying, and then drenched.
Be assured, our time is coming.
Ignore the pace…the distant drumming,
Be with those who now surround us,
Else we miss the purpose of the climb.
Only as we enjoy the journey,
Will the diving be sublime!
This link is http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/feature-films/2016-10-0002-mans-search-for-happiness-1986?lang=eng a remake of my favorite short video when I was a child. I deals very effectively with the issue of “time”.
Hebrews 6:19, “Which hope we have as a anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast…”
Ether (Book of Mormon) 12:4, “Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world…..which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works…”
Our poetry we identify as “dictations to the spirit”…
Look to the light! visit lds.org and especially look to the video library and watch the YouTube entitled “Men’s Hearts Shall Fail Them.” by Elder Russell M. Nelson http://www.lds.org/search?lang=eng&query=men%27s+hearts+shall+fail+them+russell+m+nelson
check out this fake:
