Tag Archives: Mormon

Autumn Colours…

Autumn is my most favourite time of the year…I adore the colours of the falling leaves, red, gold, bronze, yellow and brown…Showcased beautifully this week at the Preston Temple…gorgeous…

I love the whole season…the coolness of the air, the crisp breeze, stormy gales and the beautiful autumn sunshine. I love the drop in temperature, I much prefer wrapping up warm than stripping off in the heat…much more left to the imagination! I love to don my hat and gloves and wrap the warm scarf I made around my neck. I love to cuddle up on the sofa under a furry fleece and drink hot chocolate with whipped cream…I love conkers, acorn cups and kicking through rustling leaves…
Yes, autumn is definitely the best!

Forget-me-not…What I learned at Conference…

I don’t often do blogs with a religious theme, but my faith is an integral part of me and I have been so inspired by the talks I’ve listened to at our Church’s General Conference, that I needed to write about it…
I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we are better known to many as Mormons…
If you require any information about my church please click here and all your questions will be answered.

Twice a year we have a General Conference, where the Prophet and our leaders share inspirations and revelations and Gospel messages with us…I listened to the talks this year, with my family, and we came away inspired and spiritually blessed.

I learned, or maybe a better word is reaffirmed, that I am important, that I am loved and known by my Father in Heaven, as are all His creations.
This quote from Dieter F. Uchtdorf, stood out most to me from his ‘Forget-me-not’ talk:

‘Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you  may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, he loves you with an infinite love.
Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time! He who created and knows the stars, knows you and your name. You are the daughters of his Kingdom.’

His talk concentrated on five points not to forget, five like the number of petals on a forget-me-not flower…
1. Forget not to be patient with yourself. (We are not perfect and the Lord is well aware of this!)  2. Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice. (Am I committing my time and energies to the things that matter most?) 3. Forget not to be happy now. (Keep forging ahead with your dreams and aspirations, but don’t forget to be happy with what you have now!) 4 Forget not the ‘why’ of the Gospel. (The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation it is a pathway, seek out the reasons why.) and 5. Forget not that the Lord loves you. (God loves you because you are his child.)
You can listen to his talk using the link below…

I have also reaffirmed my commitment to become a better person, to be my best as a parent, to be patient and to ‘Wait upon the Lord’. 
Elaine S. Dalton counselled that the best way to bring up your daughter is to love her mother…to show her what to expect and desire in a future spouse…we’re doing alright with that one! And it works with mothers loving our son’s fathers too!
I loved Tad R. Callister’s talk on the Book of Mormon… ‘There is no middle ground…’ he told us, the Book of Mormon is either true or it is false. But the only way to know is to read it. A young girl was asked what religion she belonged to and told them she belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
 “Oh, the Mormons,” came the reply, “I know about them, I know their church is not true.” “How do you know?” asked the girl. “Because I’ve researched it,” replied the other person. “Have you read the Book of Mormon?” asked the girl and watched the person shake their head. “Because I have, from beginning to end, page by page, and I know that it is true.” she explained. 
The Book of Mormon may be controversial to the world, but when you know how it came about and why, and if you read it and ask if it is true, you will know. It is the same with Jesus Christ. Many say, well, yes I think he did exist, and was a good man teaching good things, but they don’t believe he was the son of God. It stands to reason that if he declared he was the Son of God, as he did, and he isn’t, then he would be lying to mankind, so how would he then be a teacher of good things? It would undermine everything he taught. Again there is no middle ground, he either is the Son of God, or he was a false prophet. A fascinating talk.
And lastly our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson spoke of how we live now… the times we live in…technology has grown and diversified, but moral standards have declined. The 10 Commandments have become the 10 Creative Suggestions in the world’s eyes. He gave an amazing talk (Because you’re worth it! lol) which can be viewed below:
 
I love my faith…I love my relationship with my Saviour and I love how I know who I am, and that my Father in Heaven loves me dearly…I love how we have a Prophet on this earth today to direct us and I love that he makes me laugh and inspires me at the same time!

Peace within myself…

I am finally learning how to be at peace with myself…

It has a great deal to do with my faith, and somewhat forgetting myself.
Spencer W. Kimball once said: ‘My life is like my shoes, to be worn out in service,’
The British government recently began a study into what makes people happy, ‘a Happiness Index to gauge Britain’s national mood’…it turns out the answer is compassionate acts of service. Their think tank decided that doing random acts of kindness makes you feel better…
Is that a surprise? Not really, my church, and many others, have been expounding this for years.
Happiness is many things, but making others happy is right up there with winning the lottery for me, higher actually because I don’t do the lottery. We all feel happier when those around us are content.
The other answer for me is forgiveness.

We’ve all been hurt before…but I have finally managed to put my previous pain behind me. A couple of years ago I read: ‘You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.’ At that point, I couldn’t do it, there were still people who made me feel bad in the pit of my stomach. Not wanting to feel that way anymore I made a concerted effort to put all hurt behind me. Not easy, by any means, I’m not talking about mild hurt here, we’re serious with this one…but I decided not to let anyone else have any control over my emotions.
It took a great deal of soul searching and time on my knees (and anti-depressants) but I have now released my demons…I’ve let them go…and I am so much better for it.
Yesterday we spent the day at the Temple and recently Vince and I have begun attending the Temple regularly…and I have finally reached the place I wanted to be…at peace…
The Temple gave me what I was looking for… We walked through the grounds, surrounded by beautiful rhododendrons, and I was at one with myself for the first time in a very long time.
I am happy, really happy, and I want to stay that way!
‘All of the most beautiful influences are quiet,
only the destructive agencies –
the stormy winds, the heavy rains, are noisy.
Love of the deepest sort is wordless,
the sunshine steals down silently,
the dew falls noiselessly
and the communication of spirit with spirit
is calmer than anything else in the world…’
(Edna Lyall, author of ‘We Two’)