Dancing in the Rain

President Thomas S. Monson introduced this year's 184th General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by describing the recent dedication of the newest temple in Gilbert, AZ.  As with all recent dedication, the young men and women, ages 12 to 18, in the temple district delivered a beautiful cultural celebration of music and dance. 

Arizona has been experiencing a significant drought and the Latter-day Saints have prayed many months for rain.  Those prayers were answered as it began to rain heavily just as the program started and continued to pour throughout the hour and a half presentation.  That didn't dampen the spirits of the youth as they sang and danced in the pouring rain.

How often in life do we pray for a specific blessing and wonder if our prayers have been heard?  God does answer prayers in His own time and in His own ways.  Often our adversities are really blessing in disguise, prayers answered by a loving Heavenly Father.

I hope I will always have the spiritual faith and maturity to dance in my rains.

Text copyright April 2014, Gebara Education

Picture of youth dancing in the rain from www.deseretnews.com



Covenent Experiences ~ Baptism

President Henry B. Eyring

First Counselor in the First Presidency

 

WHAT?

 

President Eyring quoted two favorite passages of scripture relating to the covenant of baptism.  One was from the 18th chapter of the Book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon:

 

And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word, to hear him. And he did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.

 

And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

 

Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

 

And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts. (verses 7 - 11)

 

The other was from the Doctrine and Covenants which outlines the responsibility of parents to prepare their children for the covenant of baptism:

And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.  For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized.  And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.  And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord. (D & C 68: 25-28)

SO WHAT?
 

I chose the picture to the right because it reminded me of my youngest son's baptism.  He was baptized by his older brother and confirmed by his oldest brother while his father and grandfather stood in the circle.  It was a wonderful day, made more so by the fact that his father died in a terrible accident just two weeks later.

That son has left the faith, although his does teach his children to pray and walk uprightly before the Lord as a non-denominational Christian.  The brother who baptized him has been active.  The brother that confirmed him and his sister have both struggled.  Some of my grandchildren have been taught. 9 have been baptized, one at age 18.  Only 2 of these is still active in keeping and renewing this covenant.

Did I do as good a job as I could have in preparing my own children for the covenant of baptism?  I probably did the best that I could given my knowledge and circumstances at the time.  Could I have done better?  Yes, without question.  I struggle with that as I look at my inactive children and grandchildren.  It is so easy to feel as if I have somehow failed them.

 

NOW WHAT?
 

Since I don't own a time machine, I cannot go back and do it over.  I'm not sure I would want to relive those years.  The only thing I can do is to live true to my own covenant promises and renew them every week as I partake of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.  I try to set an example of a Christian disciple's walk in everything I do.  I pray for them all.  I answer questions when they ask and bear my testimony to them when moved upon by the Holy Spirit. 

I am open and willing if the Spirit should ask that I do more.

Text copyright April 2014, Gebara Education

 

Pictures from www.lds.org

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Back-to-the-Future from www.hollywood.com 

Know Who You Are and Be Not Distracted

Linda K Burton
 

WHAT?

Sister Burton talked about being true disciples of Jesus Christ by serving others.  She told the parable of the rich young man who could not give up the things of the world to follow the Savior.  She then told of the prophet, Mormon, who boldly declared: "I am a disciple of the Lord, Jesus Christ" even though he lived in one of the most wicked times in his people's history.  She said: "Mormon knew who he was and was not distracted.

SO WHAT?

So many of us don't know who we are.  We forget that it is in our divine nature to nurture and love as the Savior loved.  We belittle ourselves and we become distracted by the things of this world.  Like Martha, there are things that need to be done.  But like Mary, there are also times to be still and know that He is God.  As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I must remember that Jesus loved both women.  There is a time to be Martha, but there is a time to be Mary as well.

NOW WHAT?

I need to slow down.  I need to pray more.  I need to listen more.  I need to be more patient.  I need to serve more.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I will not be distracted!

Text copyright April 2014, Gebara Education 

Picture from www.lds.org

Rejoice in Our Divine Differentness.

Bonnie L. Oscarson
 

 

WHAT?

We cannot call ourselves Christians and continue to judge others and ourselves so harshly. (Patricia Holland)

If there are barriers, it is because we have created them.  We must stop looking for our differences and look for what we have in common.

We need to not only love each other more but love each other better.

 
We need to rejoice in our divine differentness.

SO WHAT?
I don't know why we as women have a tendency to compare ourselves to one another and judge ourselves inferior. I have surely done so.  It is true that there are women who are prettier than I; there are also women who are less pretty.  There are women who are more intelligent than I and women who are less intelligent.  There are women who are healthier than I and others who are less healthy.  All of this begs the question: why should any of that matter?

I am the spiritual sister of every girl and woman on earth because we share a Heavenly Father.  That should be enough.  I have been learning this lesson every day for more than a year now as my youngest birth sister has been living with me.  I have learned the truth of the statement, if there are barriers, it is because we have created them.  It is amazing what you can accomplish if you allow the Lord to help you take down those barriers and see more clearly.

NOW WHAT?

I will continue to take down barriers between myself and others and rejoice in our divine differentness with love.

Text copyright April 2014, Gebara Education
Picture from www.womensfund.org