2 Nephi 24-30

Chapters 24-29
Lance & I went to the temple last Wednesday morning to do some initiatories. Unaware that the temple now has a 5-initiatory limit, we both agreed to do 10 names. When I found out that I could only do 5, it was too late to contact Lance so I just decided when I was finished to go sit on the couch where we always meet and read my scriptures. I read chapters 24-29 before I finally started to wonder why Lance still hadn't come out. I looked up to see him at the exact opposite end of the room, reading his own scriptures. He had been there the entire time! He came out after his allowed 5 names were complete and checked our couch to see if I was there yet. He then went back and sat in the chair right by the entryway, figuring that I would be sure to see him there. Somehow I missed him and walked right by.

The most interesting part of all of this is that our sister-in-law Michelle came in during that time. She saw Lance and he stood up to give her a big hug and ask how she & Thomas were doing. It didn't seem like a significant thing until she sent Lance a sweet email later on, telling him how much she had needed his hug that morning and to see his love and concern for her & Thomas. So, besides the fact that we were both able to catch up on our scripture reading that morning, it was no coincidence that we were only able to do 5 names and that I walked right by Lance, leaving him there to see Michelle when Heavenly Father knew that she needed it. Tender mercies...

Chapter 30
This chapter talks about how when the Jews finally believe in Christ, they will "be a pure and a delightsome people". I've never really thought about why that would actually happen? I believe that it is simply the fact that when we believe in Christ, we seek to follow Him. When we follow Him, we become more like Him. When we become like Christ, then we are pure and delightsome.

2 Nephi 23

One of the interesting things in this chapter is the mourning that occurred when Lucifer, son of the morning, fell and became Satan. He was our brother and his fall had to have been painful for us to bear, especially if that was the first time we had experienced or seen rebellion against the Father.

His pride and lust for glory and power were the key to his undoing. The ironic thing is that when we seek only to glorify the Father, we will have far more happiness and even power and glory of our own than we could possibly imagine. The key is not to seek after our own. We must seek only to glorify the Father and that is where true happiness lies. Not in the emptiness that is found in the glory of the world.

Family: The Sweetest Union for Tme and for Eternity - Parents

The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote that he esteemed "it one of the greatest earthly blessings to be blessed with the society of parents, whose mature years and experience render them capable of administering the most wholesome advice."

Exodus 20:12 Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

So, I am a mother now myself. What is the role that my parents play in my life? I'm sure that the Lord did not mean for the honoring of our parents to be limited to our time in their home, our growing up years.

First, I should never, ever speak ill of my parents. I should never laugh at either of their expense. I should only speak respectfully of them. I should continue to seek their counsel and advice.

All of this applies to my relationship with Lance's parents as well for I really do feel that they are my parents, too.

Joseph concluded, "When we reflect with what care, and with what unremitting diligence our parents have striven to watch over us, and how many hours of sorrow and anxiety they have spent, over our cradles and bed-sides, in times of sickness, how careful we ought to be of their feelings in their old age! It cannot be a source of sweet reflection to us, to say or do anything that will bring their gray hairs down with sorrow to the grave."

What a beautiful thought! My mom & dad have invested so much of their lives to my well-being, happiness, and progression. My debt of gratitude is immeasurable and wholly unpayable.

Family: The Sweetest Union for Tme and for Eternity - Marriage

Yesterday I volunteered to substitute for Sandee's primary class this Sunday. So I spent my scripture study time preparing the lesson. Today I get to read more in the Joseph Smith manual.

I am still pondering on the subject of loving my children. It doesn't sound right when I say it that way. I LOVE my children more than I ever thought I was capable of loving anything. I just need help in expressing that love and allowing my love for them to overcome and overshadow any frustration or anger I feel toward them. My love for them needs to be the primary feeling that they feel from me.

I went to this chapter for parenting inspiration but it begins with some excellent doctrine on the marriage relationship.

I am designed by Heavenly Father, for Lance, to be:
-a help to him (both temporally and spiritually)
-one into whose bosom he can pour all his complaints without reserve
-willing to take part of his burden
-soothing and encouraging of his feelings by my "gentle voice"

Joseph Smith counseled me as a wife to:

-not be teasing [poking fun at] Lance because of his deeds
-let the weight of my innocence, kindness and affection be felt, which is more mighty than a millstone hung about the neck
-not [use] war, not jangle [quarreling], not contradiction, or dispute, but meekness, love, purity

"When a man is borne down with trouble, when he is perplexed with care and difficulty, if he can meet a smile instead of an argument or a murmur-if he can meet with mildness, it will calm down his soul and soothe his feelings; when the mind is going to despair, it needs a solace of affection and kindness.... When you go home, never give a cross or unkind word to your husbands, but let kindness, charity and love crown your works henceforward."

Eliza R. Snow reported: "[The Prophet Joseph Smith] exhorted the sisters always to concentrate their faith and prayers for, and place confidence in their husbands, whom God has appointed for them to honor."

When I was 16 years old, I desired to get my patriarchal blessing. The number one concern I had was regarding my future spouse and eternal marriage. I had already seen so many unhappy and failed marriages in my short life up to that point that I desperately wanted to know what I needed to do to have a happy marriage. I fasted and prayed intensely that I might receive a specific answer in my blessing. When I got my blessing it was the sweetest, most powerfully spiritual experience I had ever had. I especially rejoiced in the beautiful promises and personal revelation I received regarding my husband. However, I distinctly remember leaving my blessing and briefly thinking that I hadn't really received any actual, working counsel about how to have a happy marriage. When I got the copy of my blessing in the mail, I read through it immediately and one single line popped out at me. It said, "And the Lord would have you know that all the days of your life you shall be honored and respected by he whom you shall honor." I felt a confirmation right then that this was the answer that I had asked Heavenly Father for. I needed to honor my husband. Beautifully simple and powerfully true.

Charity, the Pure Love of Christ, Part 2

I finished the chapter on charity today and I am filled with gladness and the sweet joy of the Spirit as I read of the Prophet Joseph's endless kind deeds and cheerful, loving manner. One thing that really stood out to me was a story that one brother told of playing ball with Joseph. When they were finished playing ball, Joseph told them all to get their wagons and they went to gather wood. Once the wagons were full, Joseph played stick pull with anybody who wanted to compete with him. After that, they completed their task by delivering the wood to those that needed it and cutting the wood for those that couldn't do it for themselves.

One of the great lessons herein pertains to my role as a mother. Joseph stopped and played with the brethren in between working. There are soooo many tasks that need to be accomplished in a day's time and I find myself regularly frustrated and stressed out as I attempt to check everything off my list and control my children's completion of their tasks. How often do I just stop and play with them??? Life is not meant to be simply endured but enjoyed. I need to find ways to incorporate more play time with them. First, that will lighten the mood in our home and make it a more enjoyable place. Second, it will enhance my children's desire to listen to me because they will feel more affectionately toward me as we play together. Also, I will feel more affectionately toward them as I spend fun, quality time with them.

My goal for today: play with my kids!

Charity, the Pure Love of Christ

Today, I need to feel the love of the Lord for me and study more about showing love to my children. I selected Chapter 27 in the Joseph Smith manual, Charity, the Pure Love of Christ.

"Men or women [can] not be compelled into the kingdom of God, but must be dealt with in long-suffering, and at last we shall save them... Mercy should go hand in hand with reproof."

I must, must, must learn to deal with my children in long-suffering instead of demanding and compelling them to behave, act, etc. I need to always be merciful and not punitive with them, showing an increase of love after a reproof- which should always be done in private.

2 Nephi 22

What a beautiful day when the Millenium is finally here! Isaiah prophesis that all men will praise the Lord. This will mean that everyone will know and recognize Him as their Redeemer.