New Beginnings

We had New Beginnings on February 5.  It was a wonderful evening.  Each YW took part in some way...whether it was playing the piano or leading the music or sharing the class mottos or introducing the new Beehives and the new members of our YW presidency to leading us in the theme.  Michelle played "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" on the violin.  We watched the theme video produced by the Church.  This year's theme is "If ye love me, keep my commandments."  And my counselors and I each spoke as did Brother King from our Bishopric.  My counselors each spoke about ways they have been blessed by keeping the commandments.  I spoke about the "If ye love me" part of John 14:15.   Here's what I said:

As you know the theme for this year is from John Chapter 14 verse 15 which says, "If you love me, keep my commandments." 

I want to talk about primarily the first half of this verse..."if ye love me."  In 1st John chapter 4 verse 9 and 10 it says "In this was manifested the love of God toward us because that God sent his only begotten son into the world that we might live through him. Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins."  

Our Heavenly Father and our Savior love us so very much. So very much! They sent us here to be tested, to gain a body, and to find  joy. I asked you young women and your parents to share with me what makes you happy... what brings you joy and up here I have recorded some of the things you said such as the scriptures, going to the temple, your family, the beach, travel, reading,camping, ice cream and a multitude of other things. A few for me include books, waterfalls, sunsets, and the temple and my family.  Each of these things was created for us because our Heavenly Father and our Savior love us. These are just a few of the evidences we have that they love us. And as we come to feel their love and their concern for us hopefully that causes our love for them to deepen and to grow. When I look over this list or I contemplate the blessings I receive, my heart is filled with love for my Savior and my Heavenly Father. '

So how do we show love for them? The answer is simple and it's found in this verse...we keep their commandments. And the two greatest commandments according to the Savior are to love God with all our heart, might, mind and strength and to love our fellowman. 

I have been studying the book of Philippians in depth with a couple of friends and with an Interfaith group on Instagram. Each day we've read just a few verses and pondered them and written about them and the Interfaith group has posted little devotionals. In one of these devotionals we read Philippians chapter 2 verse 2 which says, "fulfil ye my joy that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one Accord, of one mind." We are to show the same love to others that Jesus Christ shows to us. In one of the devotionals a woman who I admire named Emily Freeman told of an experience that she had several years ago.  Her husband called her one day and said that a young man that they had tutored was standing on a street corner with all his belongings...he had no place to go. He made some poor choices and had been in jail and had nowhere to go and her husband asked what should we do. She immediately knelt down and prayed and the prompting came that they should bring him home. So they brought him into their home, set down rules and and helped him to get back up on his feet and to begin making better choices. At one point she was very concerned about him and wondering what they should help him do next. She was praying and praying... should they encourage him to go to college or help him join the Army... what should they do about Garrett? And the prompting came just love him. And she said but we do we love him but what are we going to do about him? Again the prompting came to just love him. And so that's what they did and over the next couple of years she said they were able to watch what God was able to do in his life. He went to college, he's married, he has two children and miracles have occurred.  Sometimes she said we are the means of loving someone as the Lord would so that He can do His work in their life so He  can work in us and through us.

It's not always easy to love others. In fact Sister Neill Marriott said that sometimes it is soul stretching to do so.  Sometimes when it's hard for me to love someone...I like to imagine my soul actually stretching and growing. But even though it's hard, as disciples of Christ that is what we are called to do. A young man while in college was preparing to take a test and he looked down at the bracelet he was wearing that said wwjd standing for what would Jesus do and he began to think what would Jesus do? After pondering he decided that what Jesus would do is love first. So he created a new bracelet that says HWLF...He would love first. As a reminder that that is what each of us should do. When we're in a situation with someone who is difficult or unkind or we see someone who is lonely or we see someone who is different from us what should we do? We should love first. When the Savior came to the woman at the well,a Samaritan, an enemy to the Jews and a sinner... she was living with a man who was not her husband, what did Jesus do? He taught her, he talked with her and he demonstrated love for her. When the blind or the deaf or the lame came to him what did Jesus do? He loved them first and he healed them. When Peter denied him three times, when people mocked him and spit upon him and even crucified Him, what did he do? He forgave them because He loved them first. 

And that is our responsibility as members of the church as well...that is how we show love to our Heavenly Father and to our Savior. We show it by loving our brothers and sisters it's not always easy but They will help us. When Jackie (a wonderful woman from our ward) heard the story of these bracelets she immediately texted me and asked me how many young women there were. I wasn't sure why she was asking but she told me later that she had ordered bracelets for each of the YW and hoped that I would share the story with you and then give you each the bracelet so when you leave tonight I have a bracelet for each of you from Sister Simper that says HWLF.  So that's my challenge to each of us this week, this month and this year.  Show love to your friends.  Love your family.  Show love to those kids at school who are annoying, to those who seem to have it all together and are practically perfect, and to those who seem really weird.  Show love to the lonely kids, the popular kids, the nerds, the jocks and the band geeks.  Show love to them because beyond those labels we sometimes assign people, they are children of God, our brothers and sisters with unique talents, characteristics and gifts.  And because that is what Jesus would do.

****

Yesterday in YW, two different YW talked about how wearing the bracelet HWLF has helped them try a little harder to be kind and loving and also how it's given them opportunities to tell others a little about the church when people have asked about the bracelet!  I am so thankful that Jackie was prompted to buy those bracelets and acted on that prompting!  I love mine!!

Yes, We Can

Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking in sacrament meeting along with my two counselors.  Brenda gave a great talk on why change is necessary and good.  Victoria gave a wonderful talk on noticing miracles in our lives.

"Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets.  Look 'em over with care.

About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."

With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,

you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street."

Perhaps as He sent us to Earth our Heavenly Father said something similar to these words from Dr. Seuss…though there would have been one significant difference—He would have reminded us that we are NEVER on our own.  He is always there and He can help us decide which streets to go down!  In fact, often He asks us to go down streets that we might not choose to go down on our own!

My topic today is “Yes, We Can!”  Specifically, I was asked to talk about the idea that we can do hard things when we are asked to by our Father in Heaven and Savior…through our priesthood leaders.  We can accept challenging callings.  We can accept changes.  We can teach our families.  We can do temple and family history work.  We can remain faithful despite trials and challenges.  I have probably mentioned something that feels overwhelming to you…or if I haven’t, then I’m certain that you can think of something that feels overwhelming to you.  We are asked to do hard things and sometimes (probably often!) we lack confidence in our abilities.  As Dr. Seuss said, “there’s a very good chance that you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.” (Though we’ll hope that’s metaphorical and not literal!) Dr. Seuss continued, “There are some down the road, between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you don’t want to go on.”   So what do we do when we are asked to do something that scares us so much that we don’t want to go on?

In this past conference, Sister Michelle Craig said, “Have you ever felt your talents and gifts were too small for the task ahead? I have. But you and I can give what we have to Christ, and He will multiply our efforts. What you have to offer is more than enough—even with your human frailties and weaknesses—if you rely on the grace of God.  The truth is that each of us is one generation away from Deity—each is a child of God.18 And just as He has done with both prophets and ordinary men and women through the ages, so Heavenly Father intends to transform us.”

With Christ, what we have to offer is more than enough!

Listen to these incredibly encouraging words from Isaiah:

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard?” 

“[God] giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. …

“… They that wait upon [Him] shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles. …

“For … the Lord … God will hold [their] right hand, saying unto [them], Fear not; I will help thee.”  (Isaiah 40:28, 29, 31; 41:13.)

I’ve had a number of experiences where I’ve been asked to do things that I wasn’t sure I could do.  Perhaps the experience that comes to mind first for me was when I was called as RS President.  Forgive me because I know some of you have heard me tell this before—probably several times...  A few months before I was called as RS President, I was feeling so very overwhelmed.  I was trying to do good things…teach full time in a demanding school, be a good mother, be a good wife, fulfill my calling in Primary, and so on.  But I wasn’t feeling very successful at balancing all of these responsibilities.  I felt overwhelmed, exhausted and absolutely like I wasn’t enough.  I prayed and prayed to know what to let go of…but I really didn’t feel like there was anything I could let go of.  I shed many tears and really wondered if it was going to get better.  In what seems like an ironic twist of events, my answer came. I was called on a Saturday afternoon and asked to meet with Bishop Delamare the next day.  I told Alfredo that I thought I was going to be called as Relief Society President…and I was.  At a time when I felt overwhelmed and like I needed to let go of some of my responsibilities…at a time when I felt like my talents and gifts were too small for what had already been asked of me, I was given even more responsibility…a responsibility that I felt keenly.  But that’s when the miracle took place.  I found very quickly, almost overnight, that when I put first things first and trusted in my Savior, He helped me carry all of my burdens. 

President Eyring said it this way:  “You can have the utmost assurance that your power will be multiplied many times by the Lord. All He asks is that you give your best effort and your whole heart. Do it cheerfully and with the prayer of faith. The Father and His Beloved Son will send the Holy Ghost as your companion to guide you. Your efforts will be magnified in the lives of the people you serve. And when you look back on what may now seem trying times of service and sacrifice, the sacrifice will have become a blessing, and you will know that you have seen the arm of God lifting those you served for Him, and lifting you.”

That is exactly what happened to me.  It hardly even seems that was a time of sacrifice because I was so richly blessed during those two years.  That time of service was such a blessing and so life changing for me!

In Come Follow Me, two weeks ago we read Matthew 11, verses 28-30:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.   Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Typically when you yoke oxen, you want them to be “equally yoked”…you want to put two strong, large oxen together so they can pull evenly.  But when we are yoked to the Savior, it really is like having one large, strong oxen and one much smaller, weaker oxen yoked together, with us being the smaller, weaker oxen…yet despite these differences in size and strength, the Savior meekly invites  us to yoke ourselves with Him and removes our burden and allows us to find rest. 

I saw this over and over as I served as RS President…when I put my trust in Him and focused on what really mattered, I was able to accomplish more AND become more than I could ever have done on my own.  And I have continued to see this in my life, nearly daily since that time.  On my busiest weeks, on the weeks when I look at all that needs to be accomplished and it feels impossible, if I conscientiously invite the Lord’s help through prayer and scripture study and serving others and temple attendance…then everything works out.  I get everything done.  And He allows me to see and experience tender mercies…evidence of His hand in my life.

So what do you do if you’re extended a calling that you don’t feel qualified for?  I love these reminders from President Eyring… a man that I am certain has been given callings he didn’t feel qualified for:  “Henry B. Eyring…”Rise to Your Call”: “First, you are called of God. The Lord knows you. He knows whom He would have serve in every position in His Church. He chose you. He has prepared a way so that He could issue your call. He restored the keys of the priesthood to Joseph Smith. Those keys have been passed down in an unbroken line to President Hinckley. Through those keys, other priesthood servants were given keys to preside in stakes and wards, in districts and branches. It was through those keys that the Lord called you. Those keys confer a right to revelation. And revelation comes in answer to prayer. The person who was inspired to recommend you for this call didn’t do it because they liked you or because they needed someone to do a particular task. They prayed and felt an answer that you were the one to be called.” 

“Just as God called you and will guide you, He will magnify you. You will need that magnification. Your calling will surely bring opposition. You are in the Master’s service. You are His representative. Eternal lives depend on you. He faced opposition, and He said that facing opposition would be the lot of those He called. The forces arrayed against you will try not only to frustrate your work but to bring you down. The Apostle Paul described it this way: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.”

While I served as RS President, I came to love the hymn The Time is Far Spent, written by one of my heroines, Eliza R. Snow.  It says,

1. Verse 2:“2. Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant,
   But follow the Savior, your pattern and friend.
   Our little afflictions, tho painful at present,
   Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end,
   Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end.
   4. Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you;
   The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.
   Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you;
   His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.
   His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.
   

We can accept and magnify callings…even and perhaps especially callings that feel soul stretching or beyond our present capabilities…and when we do, we will see miracles!
What if the things that we don’t feel capable of right now aren’t specifically callings?  What if it is some piece of counsel from the prophet or apostles?  What if it’s doing family history work?  Or teaching in our homes?  Or speaking in sacrament meeting?
I had a humbling experience after October General Conference.  I love General Conference and while I am far from perfect at applying everything that is taught, I can’t really remember a time when I really struggled with a change occurring or a precept being taught.  That’s NOT to say that I understand or know everything.  Anyway, when the change to two hour church was announced, I struggled.  For nearly two months, I really struggled internally.  I believed in the promises given by our leaders and I absolutely know that President Nelson is a prophet of God.  The spirit has born witness to me that this is true.  So why was I struggling?  Well, first and foremost, this world is hard to live in and church—for me—is a respite from the world.  I love studying the scriptures with others in Sunday School.  And I LOVE teaching the young women and learning from them.  I love being edified together.  I just kept thinking that with the wickedness of the world, we need MORE church, not less.  I need more time with my fellow saints, not less.  It wasn’t that I didn’t want to teach my family, because I was excited about that aspect of it.  But I really worried both about my own spiritual growth and also worried for those that might struggle due to these changes.  And I was so sad to have less time to interact with and teach the precious young women.  I spent a lot of time praying and worrying and worrying and praying and discussing my feelings with a couple of trusted friends and leaders.  And then I determined that regardless of my personal concerns, I would do my best to sustain our beloved apostles and trust in their greater wisdom…or really, in the greater wisdom of our Savior because it is truly He that leads the Church.  I determined to exercise faith and to do my best to implement these changes and to help others to do so as well.  And while I do miss having 3 hours of church…I know I’m weird in that way…but I do miss the third hour…I am seeing wonderful blessings already.  I am seeing how the Lord is strengthening my family and the precious YW.  I am seeing how He continues to multiply my time and my efforts.   


We are all going to face some type of change or some type of challenge that stretches us.  When that happens, will we react with faith or with fear?   Will we believe that we can do what we are asked to do…not alone but with the Savior’s help? 

President George Q. Cannon once taught: “ [God] will never desert us. He never has, and He never will. He cannot do it. It is not His character [to do so]. … He will [always] stand by us. We may pass through the fiery furnace; we may pass through deep waters; but we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge from all these trials and difficulties the better and purer for them.”

When faced with challenges, when asked to do hard things, I hope our response will be “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)  As we are taught in D&C 6:36, “Look unto {Christ} in every thought, doubt not, fear not.”  Can we do hard things?  Yes, we can!

Joy

"Joy is powerful and focusing on joy brings God's power into our lives." --Russell M. Nelson

I have been collecting my own "secrets" to choosing/finding joy. Here are a few:
1. Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and focus on building my relationship with Him.
2. Express gratitude! Notice the Lord's Tender Mercies, the evidence of His hand in my life, as well as all of the kindnesses that others extend to me and give thanks.  Also notice the incredible beauty around me.  This world is magnificent. The Book of Mormon says that all things denote there is a God.  I'd add that all things not only denote there is a God, but a personal, loving God that cares for each of us.
3. Spend time in holy places and in holy habits.
4. Serve others. Be kind, send loving notes and texts. "Fangirl" those I love (in the words of Jen Hatmaker).
5. Make time to read!
6. Go on regular date nights! Make my marriage a priority.
7. Spend time with those I love...family, friends, the Young Women!
8. Don't watch tv. (This was a surprising source of joy but cutting out tv has been a very positive thing for me.)
9. Spend time in nature.
10. Forgive.
11. Change my thinking patterns. In nearly every situation, we can find something to be happy about or something to be upset about...I am working hard to change my thought patterns when I begin to get stuck in the frustrated/upset ways of thinking.

Do I choose joy every minute of every day? No! But I am conscientiously trying to spend much more time choosing joy.

My dear friends, Jackie, Sara and I spent two months studying the book of Philippians with a group called Multiply Goodness.  The book of Philippians is only 4 chapters long, but I loved taking just a few verses a day and really pondering them and really pondering how to find joy even when things are challenging.  I'm not perfect at it, but I have seen improvement.  A week and a half ago, there was a really bad snow storm.  It took me about an hour and a half to get to work...which is frustrating any way.  But I had a parent teacher conference that morning that I ended up missing because the roads were so bad and my commute took so long.  I was feeling super frustrated.  And then I thought about this study and what I was learning about joy...and about the talk I had just given in stake conference about finding joy through living the gospel...even when things are hard or frustrating.  And so I began to pray a prayer of gratitude.  I tried to think of everything I had to be thankful for in that moment...and the list was long.  And it changed my attitude.  I got back to a place where I could think, "I have all, and abound.  I am full" (Philippians 4:18).  I hope that as additional challenges come...perhaps really large ones...that I can remember what I have learned and strive to find joy.  I know that joy comes in and through Christ.  He is the source of joy.  And it touches me deeply that focusing on joy helped Him endure all the suffering and agony of Gethsemane and the cross.  

Also, Jackie gave me this lovely shirt.  I love it so much!  It's a reminder of all that I've learned, a reminder to choose joy...to chase joy...and a reminder that I have dear friends who love me. I'm so grateful!