Faith Required Value Experience #1: Faith is the catalyst for all we do. Prayer is the instrument to be close to our Heavenly Father, help us to realize our blessings and be grateful, help us know what we should do and say each day, become clean through repentance, and to secure blessings for ourselves and others. All things are done by faith and we pray because we have faith. I've made it a goal this year to kneel on my knees each time I pray. I'd been getting lazy and just laying down while saying my prayers. Sometimes I'd fall asleep and it wasn't very effective or powerful prayer. I've been doing well and the quality of my prayers have improved. With this improvement, I've seen a greater feeling of closeness to my Heavenly Father and have experienced an increase in answers to my prayers. I am thankful for prayer and the blessing it is in my life and hope and will work so I can increase my faith and the quality of my prayers continually.
Faith Required Value Experience # 2: How can faith help me in my life to be a faithful woman, wife and mother? Faith is an action word. I think the more others - husband, my children and all around me see my faith in action, the more of an impact it will have on them. I think the greater my faith, the greater my courage to do what's right. As I "do not doubt" as the Stripling Warriors said about the faith they had because of their mothers, it will encourage them to do the same. I need to have a solid faith and testimony for them to have solid faith and testimony. Recently, I wrote a letter to a friend, Ruth, who is a woman of great faith but doesn't share my beliefs about the Church. We've had some wonderful conversations, and I was able to share with her the story of the Stripling Warriors. It was always one of my favorites. We've talked a lot about standing alone. But I shared with her the thing I love the most about this story is that not one fell! Not one! They might have all gotten wounded, but because of that unfailing faith and devotion of their mothers who taught them to work, love God, serve, be committed, and be faithful, they were all spared. That has always kind of been the biggest fear of my life, that someone close to me might lose their faith. This may happen, but I can do my best to live with undaunted faith to hope that not one of my band will be lost.
Faith Required Value Experience #3:
Faith helps me day by day. Everything I do, everything I say I do because of the faith I have in my Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ and their plan for me. Sometimes being a mom in the Gospel is hard. It would be easy to throw in the towel sometimes because they complain about church being "boring", everyone is laughing or fighting through FHE, or I feel like what should be holy time with them is not turning out the way i planned it in my head. But I've had too many confirmations through the Holy Ghost to keep on following God and His teachings and strive to live them and teach them to my kids. I consider my faith to be strong because what my own mother taught me. I am thankful for that faith she demonstrated and taught me, which is centered in the Savior. It is everything to me.
Faith Value Experience #5:
I am so thankful for the Savior and what He did for me in Gethsemane. Why did he do it for me? Love! His atonement. It is so humble yet so powerful. It is so universal yet so personal. It is so just yet so merciful. It came at such a cost yet it is free. It is for the righteous yet also the wicked. It was so painful yet offers such relief. Christ wants us to access the power that comes through His matchless atonement. How do we do this? We turn to Him and repent. He doesn't want us to suffer through life. Though we will all have rough patches and rocky roads, we can make it through if we turn to Him and rely on Him.
Faith Value Experience #7:
Tithing has helped my faith grow. I know the promise in Malachi is true and the "windows of heaven" have been poured down upon me and my family because of our faith. We might not be perfect, but we can be perfect obeying certain commandments. Tithing is one we can be perfect in. Blessings have come, spiritual and temporal. When Dave and I were first married, struggling students (and for the first 6 years or so of our marriage until grad school was completed and we got a good paying job), keeping that extra 10% could have been tempting as we did struggled. But it was never a temptation because we promised each other and the Lord we'd do it. And we've had refund checks from hospital bills or utility companies we don't know why we got and we checked with these organizations and they'd just say something like there was a surplus in our account or we payed too much. Today we are so blessed to have our needs more than met and be able to share with others. More than these temporal blessings, spiritual blessings are a big part of paying tithing. Increased faith and testimony and assurance of the Father are huge. Answers to prayers. Spiritual gifts. A greater measure of the Spirit. Better self-control. These are just a few. I am thankful for the commandment of tithing and I love to pay tithing each month. As Dave has often said: "Do you want net blessings or gross blessings?" We pay on all we receive and feel that's a small price to pay for all our Heavenly Father does for us.
Faith Personalized Value Experience: I studied and prepared to implement the Come, Follow Me curriculum as a family and an individual. I made personalized Come, Follow Me sketch notebooks for our family and taught a kick-off lesson. We take turns each Sunday teaching a lesson to give a overview of this next's weeks study. Each week as we finish the reading, we get to add a sticker of a tree or flower to our "faith garden". Each day, I follow the Instagram account @newtestament365, read the scripture verses for that day and comment often. Then I try to remember the lessons I learn throughout the day to implement them and record my thoughts. While it doesn't go perfectly, I have faith that President Nelson's promise of this church-based, home-centered and what it can do for our families is true. We've had some great experiences all ready and I know our faith and commitment has been strengthened.
Faith Value Project: My project: My project was to take the challenges given by President Nelson and to read the Book of Mormon as President Nelson had asked. I wrote more about his in a separate blog post. I got a calendar online and a notebook and took notes on each time the Savior was mentioned. My plan to carry our my project: Wake up each morning at 6:30 so I had 30 minutes to read before it was time to start the day. Estimated completion time: 90 hours. Evaluation of the project. I have recorded my experience and lengthier testimony in a blog post for our family photo album. But I am so thankful for a living prophet who receives the mind and will of the Lord and shares it with us. My faith grew tremendously in the divinity of President Nelson's calling and in the Book of Mormon. I am thankful that the word of God is for me, everyone; today, everyday. I've read it a lot but each time I read and ponder, my faith and understanding grow stronger. I know the Book of Mormon is true and will strengthen our faith. We need to "nourish" our seed of testimony (Alma 32) and the Book of Mormon is one of the best ways to nourish that. "Faith is like a little seed, if planted it will grow." (CSB 96).
Divine Nature Required Experience 1: Divine attributes of daughters of God - Women know who they are, where they came from and where they are going, men and women go together in marriage, beloved, created in the image of God, foreordained to be a woman, gender is a huge part of who I am, ability to bear children, partner with man, child of God, love husband and children, nurturer, (The Proclamation). They are nurturers, love, grace, godliness, faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, kindness, charity, repentant, humble, look to Christ, full of the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1). Humble, submissive, gentle, patient, long-suffering, easy to be entreated, temperate, diligent in keeping the commandments, pleading and thanking the Lord, faith, hope and charity. (Alma 7:23-24). Charity, virtue, good works, knowledge, confidence, understands place in relation to the Priesthood (D&C 121: 45). Wow, that's a lot of qualities to discover and develop. I think studying the scriptures and words of the living prophets is the way to discover these qualities and learn about them. Then working on them one by one. The more I learn about God and His purposes, the more I can understand who I am and what my purposes are and who I should be because of it. As I was reading these assignments, I thought of a quote that I love (so many quotes I share here, but they inspire me to be better).
Divine Nature Required Experience 2: I am so thankful that I am a woman. When I remember who I truly am, I will do that which is most important. I read "A Plea to My Sisters" from October 2015 and "Woman - of infinite worth" from October 1989 both from President Nelson. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from those talks.
"When her husband, children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews return from a day marred by the world’s rude realities, a loving woman can say, “Come unto me. I will give you rest.” Wherever she is can become a sanctified place, safe from the storms of life. Refuge is there because of her ability to nurture and to love unconditionally."
"My dear sisters, you who are our vital associates during this winding-up scene, the day that President Kimball foresaw is today. You are the women he foresaw! Your virtue, light, love, knowledge, courage, character, faith, and righteous lives will draw good women of the world, along with their families, to the Church in unprecedented numbers!"
We know that the culminating act of all creation was the creation of woman!11 We
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need your strength!
I asked my mom what she thinks are important attributes for being a mother. She without thinking - patience! And then added spirituality, understanding, empathy, and kindness. So, so important! So I did seek to be more patient for two weeks. As I tried to do this, I thought of the example of my mom and the Savior and this helped me to stay patient. I prayed for help in being patient. I tried to set a good example when my kids lost their patience. One night I was feeling so terrible because my patience was at its tail end and I got pretty upset at one of my little ones. I went to my closet and prayed. I had a few little visitors knocking and asking me if I was okay. I felt so much better after I repented and I am grateful we can try, try again each day. I was able to talk to that kiddo in a calm, peaceful, patient way after that. It made all the difference! I am thankful that the Gospel of Jesus Christ helps us to improve ourselves. Which reminds me of a teaching of the apostle Boyd K. Packer: "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the Gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the Gospel."
Divine Nature Required Experience 3: I worked on being a peace maker for the last two weeks. Praying for it every day really helped. Though I can't say I was perfect in this, I tried really hard and praying for it helped me to remember to be a peacemaker. Doing this makes me want to work on being more patient, setting a good example of being peaceable and being more creative to foster peace in our home. Peacemakers are who are Heavenly Parents are. They are the King and Queen of peace and as we are theirs, we have been divinely given this attributes as well. However, Satan knows this and works hard to create contention and war instead of peace for us. We need to put off the natural man and remember who we are and who others are to be better peace makers. The more specific our prayers for certain things, the more help we will receive for those certain things. This was the case for me with praying to be a peacemaker. And it made a difference.
Divine Nature Value Experience 5: Though I don't live with my parents anymore, I can show obedience to them by doing what they would have me do. It's the same with my Heavenly Father. Though I'm not in His presence, I should do what I know I'm suppose to because I love Him. I can also be obedient to my parents by calling/e-mailing/texting often and keeping in touch. They need me and I need them. The more obedient we are, the easier it becomes. I love the thought that we can't be perfect {yet} but we can be perfect in certain aspects. We can make our obedience perfect in some regards. I am thankful for my earthly and heavenly parents and how they want the best for me and my family. I hope I can always be obedient, though I'm not always under their roof, and show my support, love and thanks for all they have/do teach me and return that by the way I obey.
Divine Nature Personalized Value Experience: I made a few crafts with Emma with things we mostly had around the house. We used very little money but a lot of creativity and created some neat things to redecorate her room. Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father have very creative minds and have blessed us to do the same. Look at all their creations - the animals, the plants and trees, the clouds, everything on this earth, it is amazing! They created much out of little and a lot of work and intelligence, by doing the same thing we create beautiful things with our minds and hands. I love creating, especially for our home. It makes it feel comfortable and pretty and helps us remember who we are and creates a sanctuary away from the world.
Divine Nature Value Experience 7: Complete. Being a peace maker is at the heart of who Christ is and who He wants us to be. As I prayed to be a peacemaker, I saw that I really remembered to strive to bring peace to my life and more especially those around me. To be a peacemaker, we need to be patient, empathetic, use "sweet" voices, show love, understand. I will continue to be a peacemaker by continually be praying for it and then being proactive in remembering.
Divine Nature Value Project:
My project: My project is to help out with the Granite Peak Playground project. We helped donate money and time towards the project. Plan to complete project: Sign up for times on line to help when I was able. Evaluation of the project: This week our community had our build week. I signed up to help where I could which is quite a bit of time. But, I started getting a little stressed as I am finishing up sewing Easter dresses for my girlies and getting things ready for my daughters baptism next week and my kids have been sick so all of the care and comfort and laundry that comes with that, packing to get ready to go out of town and other things I had to get done. But thankfully, the Lord helped me to have more time and be more productive to get done what I needed to so I could help out with building on site, helping with child care for those working, and making food for all those working on this project. I've been amazed at how the Lord has consecrated my time and helped me so I could brush shoulders with new and old people and be with those in our community and hopefully show them in a small way what we as members of the Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are about. And help me get other things done already I thought I'd be working on right up until the second we left to go out of town. We don't "look back" after we've committed ourselves to taking upon ourselves Christ's name. We look up to Him and He will yoke himself with us, keeping us looking upward and forward. I am so thankful for the Come, Follow Me program and that it has helped our family learn to apply the Gospel better. I am grateful to see and talk to many of the amazing volunteers who showed such love and selflessness for the cause of the future, our children, and our families and good and wholesome play time. It was amazing to see the project come along during the week. Wednesday, the first day was slow. !t took Emma, Callahan, and I almost 2 hours to dig one whole because it was so wet as it had been raining for several days straight. It was totally mucky! The next day I made salads and Dave took the older two to help. Friday and Saturday I helped with child care almost the entire days. And Sunday, we got to help make desserts for the crew out working. It was a wonderful project I'm glad we got to take part in.
Estimated hours - 10 Actual hours - 20 hours. Completion date - April 14, 2019
Individual Worth Required Value Experience 1 :
You are a daughter of Heavenly Father, who knows you and loves you. Read Psalm 8:4-6, Jeremiah 1: 5; John 13:34; D&C 18:10; Abraham 3:22-23 and Joseph Smith-History 1: 1 - 20. Write in your journal how these scriptures teach you that Heavenly Father knows you, loves you, and is mindful of you.
These scripture blocks all tell about my worth. They remind me how great I am in His sight and how he has created and called me long before I was born. Reading them reminded me of something that Gordon B. Hinckley, the prophet of my youth said years ago:
"Woman is God’s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good.
Individual Worth Required Value Experience #2:
All about Patriarchal blessings. I am so grateful to have had my blessing. It is so sacred and special and such a great opportunity. I need to show my Heavenly Father my gratitude for my blessing. For a long while, I would read it every fast Sunday. I think now would be a good time to start that practice up again.
Individual Worth Required Value Experience 3 -
I decided to pick Emma for this. Our personalities are so different and sometimes since she's the oldest, I think I am a little too hard on her. I found doing this and seeking for ways to see the good in her, compliment her, talk to her, spend time with her, write extra notes improved our relationship and our communication. All of God's children are divine. We all have a spark of Him within us. When I remember that, I am more apt to look for the good in others, and let them know the good things I see in them. As I build others up, my own confidence grows, rather than the other way around. Sometimes it is awkward for me to compliment others but the more I do it, the easier it becomes and it really takes others by surprise sometimes. "Never suppress a generous thought" - Camilla Kimball. I love this idea. The more you look for good in others, the more you see good. Never keep a nice thought to yourself. "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" said Thumper's mother. "If you can say something nice, do say it!" said me.
Individual Worth Value Experience 4:
I am preparing now to fulfill a unique mission on earth. My hopes and dreams for my future home, family and education and some important things I would like to accomplish in life:
>Make my children's childhood memorable. Play often with them, be with them, talk to them, read to them, hang out one-on-one with them, go on vacations together, work together, be silly together.
>To help my children prepare for college, missions, marriage, and moving on in life. Love, teach, strengthen, set an example, save money, learn with, support, stay close to them, encourage them in all they do.
>Find a way to make a difference. Some different ideas include - Serve in local organization. Become a foster parent or offer respite care. Organize or get behind a cause I am passionate about.
>Go back to school and earn a masters degree. Wait until the kids are all in school full-time. Save money in order to pay for it. Find a job in that related field.
>To serve a mission with my sweetheart one day. Keep covenants, communicate with Heavenly Father to seek His will for us, pray and study daily, save money.
Individual Worth Value Experience 5:
I participated in several concerts and with performing groups and as a soloist. I am grateful for the musical abilities I've been given and been able to develop with God's help. Participating in these activities always helps me to remember that I can make a difference just by doing something as simple as singing or playing music for others. God will help increase my abilities to bring others joy and happiness. Music does this and I am so happy that music plays such a large role in my life.
Individual Worth Value Experience 7 -
Positive qualities the Lord has given me that others have said - patience, energy, goodness, kindness. I can develop patience by praying for patience, practicing patience, choosing patience. I can keep up a good energy level by getting enough rest and eating healthy, getting exercise, taking care of my spirit, being involved. I can be good by keeping the commandments, sharing my testimony, helping others live right, being an example. I can be kind by remembering how much God loves everyone and how he treats us all, looking to others examples who have been kind to me, being there for others. I have many other qualities I want to develop, and they all take baby steps and little things each day and little choices to develop them.
Individual Worth Personalized Value Project -
Help Lucy prepare for baptism. Make a baptism dress for Lucy. Help prepare her for baptism by giving special FHE's about it, talking to her about it, singing songs and reading scriptures, reviewing with her before her baptismal interview, helping her to make a book to remember her baptism and confirmation by.
Individual Worth Value Project -
My project is: finish up the song Grandma Carol wrote and asked me to write the music to it. "MY Savior's Love". My plan to carry out the project is: work on it a little more each Sunday. Start re-writing legibly. Make a copy and send to Grandma Carol. Teach it to my family so they can sing it with me and we can sing and play for her. Record it.
Knowledge Required Value Experience 1 -
Knowledge, our bodies, our spirits and our sealed relationships are all we get to take with us to the next life. So doesn't it make sense that we spend a majority of our time learning the things of God and the good things of the earth?! Learning about all kinds of things blesses my life and all those around me, including my kids. I remember growing up, my mom always learned about so many things and then applied them. She'd get books from the library about doing things yourself (before DIYs were a thing) and then she'd knock out the flooring and do tile. She'd read about people around the world and buy old history and geography textbooks for us so we could gain knowledge about people and cultures. She did so many things to enrich our lives with knowledge. I remember going to President Hinckley's "Be's" fireside for youth in November 2000. One of his "Be's" was "Be Smart". His words had a great impact on me. "Be smart. The Lord wants you to educate your minds and hands, whatever your chosen field. Whether it be repairing refrigerators, or the work of a skilled surgeon, you must train yourselves. Seek for the best schooling available. Become a workman of integrity in the world that lies ahead of you. I repeat, you will bring honor to the Church and you will be generously blessed because of that training.
There can be no doubt, none whatever, that education pays. Do not short-circuit your lives. If you do so, you will pay for it over and over and over again." Learning didn't just end when school ends. I hope to always be a lifelong learner to gain knowledge. Knowledge is different than learning though, as you can learn something, but then to apply it is true knowledge which when practiced becomes wisdom.
Knowledge Required Value Experience 2 -
Talents I'd like to develop more include - ability to hear/feel promptings of the Spirit and act on them, to get better at art, to learn to crochet and knit better, to learn to quilt better, to learn to save money better. To develop the ability to feel the Spirit better, I will pray and ask each morning and night, keep the commandments and do things that would keep the Spirit around, if I get a prompting, act right away, record my experiences.
Knowledge Required Value Experience 3 -
"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." What a great guide to put to the test anything I watch, read, listen to, or do! I think this would be a great quote to have right next to the computer, TV, radio, night stand, everywhere. But as it's memorized, I can have it in my heart. If it doesn't meet those requirements, it isn't worthy of my time. The more I "seek after these things", the more the Spirit will be a part of my life. If I offend the Spirit, I'll have less of it. And how I need the Spirit. I can't afford to offend it.
Knowledge Value Experience 4 - I chose the Gospel topic of commitment and shared what I studied and learned with my branch in Sacrament meeting, though my talk was more like 15 minutes. ;) Not a youth speaker anymore. Commitment is so important! God needs us to commit and be faithful. I likened us to Horton from one of my favorite Dr. Suess books "Horton Hatches an Egg". "I said what I said, I meant what I meant, an elephants faithful 100%". He said. I can apply being committed to the Lord and His Gospel by listening to leaders and following their council, accepting and magnifying callings and assignments, serving others, having a good attitude about roles, strive to keep the commandments, share the Gospel, put your family first. And then not complaining. It is work and it is hard. But it is worth it and will make us happy 100% in the end.
Knowledge Value Experience 6 -
Memorized the following hymns: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" (no. 136), "Come, Follow Me" (no. 116), "Keep the Commandments" (303).
Personalized knowledge value experience -
Read or listen to the news for at least 10 minutes a day for a week. Seek non-biased sources to be able to stay up with current events accurately. This helped me to understand what is happening, be able to pray for those in need know what I need to do to be a good citizen and help others, learn what candidates would be best to vote for, etc. So important! I remember Rheta Charlton, who was in our ward in Rawlins, WY. She was an elderly widow but was so spit fire and full of life and had a great sense of humor and so friendly. I remember her saying how important it is to stay up on current events. That has always stayed with me, as she was a wise woman. I will continue this and be better at being consistent.
Knowledge Value Project - Learn how to cut hair better by reading information and watching video tutorials. Give 8 haircuts. My plan to carry out my project is - watch YouTube videos and read information on cutting hair. Get necessary tools to do so. Watch others give hair cuts. Listen to step by step instructions. Practice and give 10 hair cuts. My evaluation - I was glad I did this. I've always tried but felt like they never turn out. Giving more time has helped them look so much better, I even did a girls hair cut, which I was always afraid of before. This will help our family save money, since we have a large one. And saving money is always smart. And I feel good when I get compliments on their hair and I did it. Because I've had some disasters in the past but feel I'm getting better. This is something I'm going to keep working on.
Choice and accountability Value Experience 1 - Complete 6/1/19
Choice and Accountability Value Experience 2 - Complete 7/5/19
Why it is important to live the following righteous behavior -
Agency and accountability. God has given us this great gift of agency. Everything we do hinges on how we use it. We need to be accountable for the way we use our agency and the choices we make.
Gratitute. I don't think it's a coincidence that gratitude is listed second. How important is gratitude! It sets a mindset for the way we live.
Education is something we need to prioritize. Education is not done when a degree is obtained. It is a life-long process and we should be learning new things every day.
Family is what it's all about. "God gave us families to help us become what he wants us to be" are the lyrics from one of my favorite songs. We need to be the type of person we would want in our families.
Friends are so important and help shape who we are. I need to pray for help in recognizing good friends and being a good friend to others.
Dress and appearance is something that gets a little tricky in our day and age but the Lord is "the same yesterday, today and forever" and modesty in dress and language and appearance has always been his way and always will be. We can be cute and fashionable while still maintaining modesty. We reflect who we are by how we appear.
Entertainment and the media are all over in our day. Just as food has nutrition labels, we can find out online what is good to ingest and what isn't and we can use the Holy Ghost to decide what we should and the quantity we should consume.
Music and dancing. I need to be careful to only listen to uplifting music. Sometimes I know the lyrics might not be the best, but it's a fun beat or I like the singers, etc. I cannot afford to rationalize. The Spirit is offended when we listen to music that isn't conducive to the Lord's ways. Dancing can be fun but should always be tasteful and reflect standards.
Language we use shows what kind of person we are. Our language stems from our thoughts so I need to keep my thoughts good and wholesome. I need to be careful with sarcasm or other things I think might be harmless but could hurt someones feelings.
Dating is so important and it is just as critical to date my husband Dave today as it was when I was a youth. A marriage needs to be watered to thrive and some of those water droplets to nurture it are dating and courting after marriage. Doing fun things together and being able to chat with just the two of us is important for us to have fun, work together, be close, get to know each other better, prioritize one another, etc. At least one at home date and one away from home date a month!
Sexual purity is one of the highest commandments God has given us and for good reason. I have been blessed in that I only have eyes for Dave now. Temptations relating to this topic have never really been a problem for me. But I know Satan is using this to try to thwart people from their true purpose and their loving relationships. I need to nurture my intimate relationship with Dave and enjoy the closeness that comes from taking part in this loving part of marriage.
Honesty is so needed in our world. It is still the best policy. We will have better relationships, better jobs and opportunities, the Spirit with us and better relationship with Heavenly Father when we are honest.
Sabbath Day observance brings us closer to God and to our families. I so look forward to the blessed Sabbath day and the rejuvenation, reflection, and redirection Sundays provide for me.
Tithes and offerings are so little compared to what we get from the Lord. We can show our thanks by living this and in the process bless those in need.
Physical health is important. I do pretty well with healthy eating and exercising, but I have been going to bed way too late lately and it is affecting the way I am sleeping and feeling. I need to go to bed at 11 p.m. at night to keep up with the demands of my days.
Service to others has always been what the Savior has taught us to do. He was always serving and loving. I can spend more time in service. They don't have to be fancy service projects, but texts, notes, hugs, smiles, gifts, spending time with someone, meals, etc.
Go forward with faith. We all need to endure to the end and trust the Lord and His ways and do their will. Life will not be a cake walk, but with Him and our faith, we will make it and this journey will all be worth it in the end.
Choice and Accountability Value Experience 3 -
Agency really is the best gift. Life would be so drab without it. No emotions, joy, satisfaction, learning, time, meaning. We can choose our choices but we can't choose the consequences. This is a natural law and it makes sense. The more we choose God, the better the eternal outcomes are. It may be harder at first to choose to go with God, and the easy way might be to follow Satan, but in the end, we get what we give, even when it comes to our agency. I am thankful for agency and hope I can use mine for good. The future is in my hands because of the agency I've been given from God.
Choice and Accountability Value Experience 4 -
Repentance is a change of life, a "fresh view of God and ones self" (Bible dictionary). When we truly repent, it is as if we never did anything wrong. An erased mistake. Clean again. But we need to do our part and the Savior did his part, we just have to call upon God's name and trust Him to take it away and promise not to do it again. I am thankful for second chances as I mess up so much! Repentance is about love. He loves us and gives us this opportunity and I need to make sure I take advantage of that each morning and night and in between!
Choice and Accountability Value Experience 5 -
The Holy Ghost will help me make correct choices, if I live worthily. If I offend the Holy Ghost or take it for granted or don't even ask for the influence in my life, I won't have it. I need the influence of the Holy Ghost in everything I do and say. It is so crucial in today's world to keep the Spirit with me always. It is up to me though how much I do or don't have the Spirit. The Spirit works in different ways at different times. I need to pray more for help recognizing the Spirit, because as I've learned, it's rarely that burning in the bosom, but rather a good idea, a peaceful feeling, love, help, mercy, etc.
Choice and Accountability Value Experience 6 -
My project: My project is to organize and plan and carry out a reunion for the Hatches/Ryerses. My plan to carry out the project: Coordinate schedules to find a date that works. Research family members and ancestors so we can find some worthwhile and fun activities to do. Schedule tours and meeting places. Plan and make invitations and plan and get supplies together for games. Make food for the potluck. Drive to Utah and enjoy a great weekend with family! Estimated completion date: July 20, 2019. Estimated hours spent: 40.
Evaluation of Project: Last fall, a few of the Hatch cousins unofficially nominated me to put together a reunion this summer. I could've either thought that was a nice thought and not done much, but decided we need to do this! And so we did. Emma and I worked together on this. We held the Hatch Family Reunion on July 19-20. It was amazing! I'm so glad it all turned out and everyone had a great experience. We started out giving everyone a Hatch Pass, which Emma and I put together. On the front, it said "Family: A little bit crazy, a little bit loud, a lot of love." Inside, there was a family bingo sheet where we went around and tried to get to know our family a little better. Then there was a page to fill out at the Discovery Center, a pioneer fun page, a pedigree chart, and more. Once everyone completed them (or at least did some of them), we gave them a prize at the end. This was great way for us to get to know our family, both living and dead. We started out at a park in Salt Lake where we ate muffins Lucy and I made, played at the park, and looked at the Hatch Passes. Then we went to Sweets Candy Factory for the tour, where Dave's great Grandpa Peter Amos Grieve worked for most of his working life. It was pretty sweet and my favorite part was the cinnamon bear chap stick I got. When we weren't doing the tour, we went to International Peace Gardens. We were supposed to find the countries where our ancestors came from, which was England and Ireland and Scotland. It was beautiful and no one had ever been there before. Then we met up at City Creek for lunch at the Food Court. The kids loved the new playground on site and the adults loved visiting and eating some good food. Then we went over to the Family History Library Discovery Center. That was a neat experience for us all. We walked through temple square a little bit, then we headed to Bountiful. We watched the Bountiful Handcart Days parade together while eating pizza and doing face painting, went to the Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band Concert, and ended the night with fireworks. Saturday, we started out on the steps of the Bountiful Tabernacle where Dave's Grandpa Bert used to ride his wagon. We recreated an old photo and took a big picture with us all. We played games on the grass. Then we did the Bountiful History Bus Tour, went to the Bountiful museum, and then over to the Handcart Days in the park. Most of Dave's Hatch ancestors settled in Bountiful, West Bountiful or Woods Cross. Finally, we went to the Church pavilion and had a taco bar, played lawn games, did some more face painting, had potato sack hop races since Bert and Lillian settled in Idaho and all of Mac's kids live there still, and then a human pinata, which was a hit! We ended the night playing Hatch Family Jeopardy, from information and pictures I got from everyone. It was the perfect ending to the night. I loved how though we don't get together much, we all still felt drawn to each other. Even the second cousins really took to their cousins quick and they enjoyed being together and found so many similarities. I am grateful for the heritage which is ours! Every minute I spent in preparation was so worth it!
Good Works required value experience #1 -
They "went about doing good". So many people around me do this! For two weeks, I am going to note here and acknowledge the great ways people serve me. Dave works so hard for our family so we can have our needs met and then some. I wrote a note to tell him how much I appreciate that. I am thankful for all of the examples in our stake and branch and all of the service they give on behalf of our kids. We put together a card for our branch president that just got released. Lucy helped serve me by getting Sydnie ready and even changed 3 diapers in one day without being asked. I told her how much I appreciated her. I left notes for all our kids telling them how much I appreciated specific acts of service they give to our families. I prayed out loud to thank them for all they do.
Good works required value experience #2 -
I have prepared meals for my family for longer than the assigned time, more like 14 years! ;) I always love trying to get creative and try new things, but stick with things our family particularly enjoys. I shop what's on sale and make things depending on what is on sale and what we have. This is a fun challenge for me. I really love cooking, it's the clean up part I could do without. This summer though, I decided to ask and help the kids to do that. They each had a day during the summer they were responsible for helping plan the meals, shop and make the food for us. It was a good experience for them and me and they did awesome! Meal times aren't just about food. They are about feeding our bodies so we can take care of them. Put good in, get good out. They are about gathering and all being together. Breakfast and dinner (sometimes lunch) are the times we know we will all be together. We talk. We laugh. We share. Sometimes we argue. We love. We always start the meal with a prayer. We nourish and are thankful for access to good food and the ability to prepare it.
Good Works Required Value Experience 3 -
To help comfort others and help them bear their burdens, I can help bear their burdens. I can lift a heavy load by looking out and praying to see those in distress and being there for them. I can let the Spirit teach me what I need to do and then do it. Don't wait to be asked for help, step in and do it. I can mourn with those that mourn. When someone is sad, I can be sympathetic. I can listen. I can love. I can comfort those that stand in need of comfort. I can send a card, shoot an encouraging text, make a call, visit, give hugs, bring food or gifts, I can pray for others. I picked one of these each a different day to focus on. My understanding of doing these things is that it is not hard. When we ask Heavenly Father to help us be His hands, He will show us opportunities. He wants us to lift each other like the Savior lifts us. He can't be here personally so he inspires us to do these things for one another.
Good works Value Experience #5 - I decided to serve my whole family. My kids lately have been saying they don't want to be parents someday and would rather have cats (stinkers!). Lucy particularly says that she doesn't want to be a mom because she knows her kids won't listen to her and all she will have to do is dishes and laundry. I told her the greatest joy comes from having children and that I love them more than anything. It took me back though and made me think maybe I am not serving joyfully and complaining about my household duties. I am going to try to show and model the joy that comes from serving in the home.
Good works value experience #6 - Participated in the Just Serve Days with my family. We went to the one last year, where we helped clean up at the Zoo and this year, where we helped tie quilts and went and bought a bunch of food for them to make food grab bags. The people at the Zoo were blown away by how many of us there were and that we'd spend our Saturday doing that. We weren't able to see the reactions of the kids receiving the blankets at Ronald McDonald House or those kids in need getting the food bags, but I know we sure felt good! Service is the best! Anytime I'm feeling down, if I serve, it helps boost my mood and helps me feel of worth.
Good works personalized value experience - I made cards for all family members for their birthdays. We decorate them together and I have us all write a nice message to that person. We have about 40 people in our family so this is no easy task. We like to tell the birthday person what we love about them and tell them how loved and appreciated they are.
Good Works Value Project -
My project is to volunteer at the school every other week for each of our elementary school kids classes. My plan to carry out my project is to make arrangements on time that would work to go in. Find a babysitter for Sydnie. follow up with teachers before to check and make sure they know I'm still coming. Do whatever they need help doing. I've helped children with reading, made copies, laminated items, cut things out in the work room, helped out with class parties, tutored individuals or small groups with math, play learning games with the kids and more. Estimated completion time: 50 hours. My evaluation of the project: I love helping the kids out. As a teacher, it's frustrating because you can't spend as much one-on-one time as you'd like. That's where I come in. I love helping how I can. I love the hugs I get from the kids and the excitement that I'm here...especially from my own kids.
Integrity Required Value Experience 1:
The Lord's standards are the same always, the world's standards are always changing. Yay for the Strength of Youth which helps outline these standards. So much confusion in today's world on what's right and whats wrong. We have to look no further than this book, which isn't just for teens. My behavior, dress and conversation should all be becoming of a woman of God trying to follow Him and be a light to those around me. I should conduct my self in a confident and appropriate way, helping and lifting others. I should dress modestly but still neatly. I should make my conversations gossip free, and free of any questionable language. Literature, movies, television, internet music, cell phones, and other media should be something I use occasionally, not all of the time, and I should "lay hold upon every good gift", the good media and avoid or turn off any media that does not invite the Spirit of the Lord. I caught myself more telling the kids maybe we shouldn't listen to this or that song and finding the media that offended my Spirit. I am grateful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost in choosing things that will uplift, rather than those that will slowly tear down. Some media may seem so innocent, but a lot really is not. We need to be careful to choose good media that will keep the Spirit going strong in our home. I have noticed that by keeping these things in mind, I have been more in tune with the Spirit and more courageous to turn something off or switch it to something else, especially songs on the radio we listen to. Though I might get some flack from others, I will continue to seek those things for myself and my family which will help us feel the Spirit more.
Integrity Required Value Experience 2:
I took an integrity quiz online for this experience. Overall I'm doing pretty good. But I think I could be better at talking more sweetly at home, shutting down gossip, and truly praying with intent. I will pray for help to do these things and make a note to remind myself to live with integrity in these areas.
Integrity Required Value Experience 3:
These people all demonstrated integrity as they were true and honest to God, themselves and others. Joseph was loved of others because he loved Heavenly Father. He didn't even entertain the idea of sin. He ran from it. The Lord prospered him in his adversity because of his faithfulness. Ester used her gifts to bless others. She didn't look inward, she looked outward. Job was perfect in his patience. He endured well what God gave him. Shadrack, Meshach and and Abed-nego were unfailing in their conviction and were willing to risk their lives over it. They knew who they served and they would not back down from that. Daniel was favored, there was "no error or fault found in him". He worried more about what God thought about him then men. He believed in God and he lived like he believed. Paul was true to the experience he had and was a changed man. He wasn't ashamed to share his testimony with anyone, including the mighty king. He would rather declare the truth and be shackled than lie and be set free. He knew from experience that the truth sets you free. Hyrum Smith was loved by the Lord because he loved what was good. Joseph Smith faced a lot of persecution but he never went back on his account or testimony. These all lived with integrity, they all bore powerful testimony through their words and deeds. All of the time, I try to demonstrate courage. Here in Montana, there are many community events and birthday parties and other things held on Sundays. We have to have the courage to politely decline and it lets us explain how the Sabbath is sacred and it's a sacred day where we spent time with our families.
Pure and worthy of the sacrament. We were able to have Stake Conference this weekend and Elder Rawson, one of the area 70's spoke. He really brought the Spirit with him and talked about the importance of the sacrament. By partaking and partaking worthily, we can literally be healed by the Savior. Emotional, spiritual, physical ailments are all covered by the atonement. So what can I do to have a healing with the sacrament? Repent seriously, on my knees, every day to invite the Spirit into my life. I can be kinder, complain less, and be more patient with myself and others. It's okay not to be perfect, but we can be perfect in Christ as we strive to be like Him. Everything I do all week should be in preparation to partake of the sacrament on Sunday and that should be my focus on that day.
Integrity Value Experience #4 :
Integrity to me means having your actions consistent with your beliefs. Meriam Webster defines it as "1: a firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : INCORRUPTIBILITy. 2: an unimpaired condition : SOUNDNESs. 3: the quality or state of being complete or undivided : COMPLETENESS.
I talked to my mom about integrity. She said together it means to be true, keep the promises you make, being honest and upright in all you do, doing what's best for other people. You can apply it by being honest in everything you do and upright and keeping your word, keeping the commandments, being full of integrity - being the person you are meant to be. Finding out what Heavenly Father's plan is and doing all you can to carry that out. IT has to do with all of our relationships. We love others enough to be trust worthy.
To be honest, remember that it is a commandment. To be true, remember your testimony and the spiritual experiences you've had. To be virtuous, remember your temple covenants. To speak kindly and well, remember the example of the Savior and others in your life. To help others, set aside more time to serve.
Integrity Value Experience 6:
I went several fast Sundays fasting for a particular purpose and beginning and ending with prayer. As we are trying to teach our kids "fasting without prayer is just starving." But real fasting brings power with it to our lives and those we are fasting for. I think of the scripture "This kind goeth not out but by fasting and prayer" (Matthew 17:21). Certain challenges or questions we have become resolved as we fast. We receive strength to withstand the adversary. We can help others or ourselves physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally. I am grateful for the blessings that come through fasting.
Integrity Personalized Value Experience:
We were challenged to compare the old YW theme to the new one at our recent stake leader training. I put two side by side and went to town.
Integrity Value project:
My project is to make modest Easter dresses for my girls. My plan to carry out my project is: 1. Find patterns that aren't too complicated and totally modest. 2. Let the girls help pick out fabric and pattern. 3. Cut out and sew the dresses with love. 4. Let the girls wear on Easter and anytime. My evaluation of the project: Not only do I need to set the example of modesty, I need to help my girls understand how important it is and how being modes is beautiful, not only outwardly but reflects who we are inside, too. I only buy or make outfits that are modest and fit in with the Lord's standards. If we dress modestly when we are young, it will be natural when we get our endowments out and we won't need to make any changes. As we used to say in high school "Modest is hottest!". In so many ways, we are blessed when we are modest.
Virtue Required Value Experience 1:
There are so many promised blessings of being sexually clean and pure. Eternal families. Eternal increase. Ability to keep that commandment. More happiness and fidelity in marriage. Beautiful and sacred experiences. Covenant keeping. Preparing for eternity. Protect from danger. Prevent spiritual and emotional damage and disease. Promotes confidence and happiness and "improves your ability to make good decisions now and in the future" (Sexual Purity section of For the Strength of Youth). My commitment to be chaste is that I will only have intimate relations with my dear Dave. I won't have any immoral thoughts. I will avoid the appearance of evil. I will do my part to make our intimate relations special times. I am committed to living a chaste life. Within marriage, sexual relations are an amazing thing which help bring us closer together physically, emotionally and spiritually. I will not think about or be involved with any other men except my husband, I will not entertain any thoughts that could compromise my commitment.
Virtue Required Value Experience 2:
Studying about Virtue and the Holy Ghost with Emma, I learned that the more we live a virtuous life and live like God, the greater measure of the Spirit will be in our lives. The Spirit is teacher, testifier, Spirit of Promise, helps us remember, comforts us, tutors us, is a friend, helps us judge righteously, warns of coming events, prompts to do good. I would be lost without the Holy Ghost. I am grateful for its influence in my life. Even today, I got the guidance of the Holy Ghost as I have been thinking about the new changes for youth as to things we should do with our family and the youth in our Branch. I have had inspiration on things I can do to improve, including some ideas here with personal Progress.
Virtue Requires Value Experience 3:
Study Alma 5 and answer questions for yourself - Have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? That is a good question. How often do I think of the children of Israel, those in the Scriptures, the Pioneers, my ancestors. I need to remember the miracles that took place in their lives and all they sacrificed for me to have what I do today. His mercy and long suffering towards them? He did so much for them, even though times were tough, and does the same for me today if I turn to Him. That He delivered their souls from hell? Through trial and tribulation, he helps us come to Him and saves us spiritually like He has in the past. Were they destroyed. No! Onward and on to the victory has it ever been with the Lord. On what conditions are we saved? Faith, repentance, baptism, living by the Holy Ghost, making and keeping our covenants. What grounds do we have to hope for Salvation? / What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, and also the chains of hell? Jesus Christ and His atonement. / Did not my father Alma believe in the words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinidi? Was he not a holy prophet? Did he not speak the words of God, and my father Alma believe them? Yes on all accounts. Have ye spiritually been born of God? I feel like I'm working on it. It's a process. / Have ye received his image in your countenance? When i'm living like Him I feel like I have his imagine in my countenance. / Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? Yes. I have felt the greater desire to do good than to sin. / Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Yes, I have faith in Him. Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body rasied in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body? I know I will stand before Him in that great day and it is my hope and prayer that I will be able to stand and give a good report. / Can ye imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that great day; Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth? Again, hoping to be able to come to Him and have Him be proud of the things I've accomplished. / Do ye imagine to yourselves hat ye can lie unto the Lord in that day....and that He will save you? No. We will get what we get. / Can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrances that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God? I hope I will repent before that happens so I may not have to go through that guilt. / Can y look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances? Everything we do now will be shown at that day unless we repent of the wrong we do. / Can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil? "No man can serve two masters". This makes sense. / How will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? Behold, what will these things testify against you? Thinking of that imagery, if I were to appear before God's bar with my spotless white marred by streaks of red, I would be totally embarrassed and saddened by what I did to spot them. / Can ye feel so now? I've felt the spirit of repentance and of the atonement in the past, I need to remember on those times so I can do what I need to do daily. / Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? I've tried my best, making mistakes along the way. So grateful for His grace. / Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins? I think there's more spiritual bleach I can use through Christ's blood. / Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I need to work on this. Being more humble, day by day. / Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I still envy others. I need to see all as God sees them. / Is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions? I admit, I may not be the nicest to everyone all the time. I need to seek out the best in others and encourage them in that, even people who may not be my best friends. / An how do ye suppose I know of their surety? He knows the words of his father and went through the steps to gain his own testimony and then taught others. / Can ye withstand these sayings, yea can ye lay aside these things and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches? What is more important here... the world or God. I will choose God. / Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another? NO! I also need to work on this. As a member of the church, I hope I don't come across with a holier-than-thou attitude. / Will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren? No. I hope I treat all with love and respect. / Will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in witholding your substance from them? I have more I can and should share! / What have ye to speak against this? Nothing. This is truth! / For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? If a wolf enter his flock doth he not drive him out? He would do anything for his sheep as Christ does anything for us as our flock. But we have to let Him. /
Now, what will I do to be pure and worthy to enter the temple and receive all the blessing our Heavenly Father has promised His beloved daughters? Repent daily and sincerely. Truly seek to change and do Heavenly Father's will. Treat others better. Be who I know I'm supposed to and can be. Take the sacrament more seriously.
Virtue Value Experience - My testimony of the Book of Mormon:
I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon. It invites the Spirit, quickens my mind, holds answers to my prayers, helps guide my thoughts and actions, is the conduit to revelation. I know it was written by the "other sheep" (John 10:16) prophesied and is a companion to the Holy Bible. It doesn't take away from the truths there, it helps clarify and testifies of the truths contained therein. It is "another testament of Jesus Christ" just as the subtitle proclaims. I know that Joseph Smith was prepared to receive and translate the records for our day. If there ever was a time that extra light and truth was needed, it is now. I am grateful for its influence on my life. I haven't missed a day of reading at least a little Book of Mormon in probably 10 years. And it has made all the difference for me. I can't imagine starting my day any other way. It is my favorite book. I have probably read it about 20 times. And each time, I see things different. It helps me with what I'm going through right there and then. It brings a spirit into my life I can't get any other way. The Book of Mormon is true. It is personal. It is plain. It is precious. It is powerful. I am thankful for the invitation to read the Book of Mormon.
Completed 12/13/19
I am thankful for Personal Progress. It is a lot different now than when I was in Young Womens. I was called to the Young Womens organization three months ago (Emma was not so thrilled) and am thankful I decided to go on this journey with Emma. Now Personal Progress is being replaced by the Youth and Children's Activities and I can't wait for that! I hope to continue on and set goals there that will help me increase in "wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man." Emma and I received our medallions on December 15. We put in a lot of work and I am grateful for the programs of the Church which strengthen us and help bring us closer to Christ. The program they had for the stake was a great one! They asked Emma to play the piano along with everyone singing "As Zion's Youth". She was nervous, but did great! The program was awesome and we looked at the history of the YW program, a few girls shared their experiences, which was great for Emma to hear she's not alone in what she feels, believes and goes through, we had a musical number, then we were awarded our medallions. There were a few other leaders who completed theirs. Jamie, our YW pres, said she was so proud of Emma and the long way she's come and how hard she's worked on this and got teary and so did I. Then, we watched a video of the girls saying the old theme and sharing their experiences of Personal Progress. Then we looked to the future and the girls and their influences on the world and the great new program coming. We said the new theme together. and even President Ludwig memorized the new theme! It was a great night! After, we had some refreshments and chatted, and took some pictures. I told Emma we should bite our medallions like they do at the Olympics. I did, she just giggled and rolled her eyes at me. She chose gold and I chose silver. I joked with her she won first place and I came in a close second. She is a great example to me and I love her to death! Thankful for the focus this has put on my life and how it's helped me come unto Christ.
You are a daughter of Heavenly Father, who knows you and loves you. Read Psalm 8:4-6, Jeremiah 1: 5; John 13:34; D&C 18:10; Abraham 3:22-23 and Joseph Smith-History 1: 1 - 20. Write in your journal how these scriptures teach you that Heavenly Father knows you, loves you, and is mindful of you.
These scripture blocks all tell about my worth. They remind me how great I am in His sight and how he has created and called me long before I was born. Reading them reminded me of something that Gordon B. Hinckley, the prophet of my youth said years ago:
"Woman is God’s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good.
Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth."
Emma and I were talking about these scriptures and i love the fact that the Joseph Smith story is there. Joseph was a humble, uneducated, plain, son of 11 kids farm boy. But, because he read in the Bible of his worth and abilities, He trusted God, did what God asked and made so much more of his life with God's help then he could on his own. I told her of the declaration made which I believe to be true; “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it” (D&C 135:3) Had Joseph not realized his individual worth before God, I wouldn't be here, none of this would have happened.
I am thankful that He has created me, called & chosen me to be who I am, to be here at this time. I am thankful for who I am and who I can become because of Him. <3
Individual Worth Required Value Experience #2:
All about Patriarchal blessings. I am so grateful to have had my blessing. It is so sacred and special and such a great opportunity. I need to show my Heavenly Father my gratitude for my blessing. For a long while, I would read it every fast Sunday. I think now would be a good time to start that practice up again.
Individual Worth Required Value Experience 3 -
I decided to pick Emma for this. Our personalities are so different and sometimes since she's the oldest, I think I am a little too hard on her. I found doing this and seeking for ways to see the good in her, compliment her, talk to her, spend time with her, write extra notes improved our relationship and our communication. All of God's children are divine. We all have a spark of Him within us. When I remember that, I am more apt to look for the good in others, and let them know the good things I see in them. As I build others up, my own confidence grows, rather than the other way around. Sometimes it is awkward for me to compliment others but the more I do it, the easier it becomes and it really takes others by surprise sometimes. "Never suppress a generous thought" - Camilla Kimball. I love this idea. The more you look for good in others, the more you see good. Never keep a nice thought to yourself. "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" said Thumper's mother. "If you can say something nice, do say it!" said me.
Individual Worth Value Experience 4:
I am preparing now to fulfill a unique mission on earth. My hopes and dreams for my future home, family and education and some important things I would like to accomplish in life:
>Make my children's childhood memorable. Play often with them, be with them, talk to them, read to them, hang out one-on-one with them, go on vacations together, work together, be silly together.
>To help my children prepare for college, missions, marriage, and moving on in life. Love, teach, strengthen, set an example, save money, learn with, support, stay close to them, encourage them in all they do.
>Find a way to make a difference. Some different ideas include - Serve in local organization. Become a foster parent or offer respite care. Organize or get behind a cause I am passionate about.
>Go back to school and earn a masters degree. Wait until the kids are all in school full-time. Save money in order to pay for it. Find a job in that related field.
>To serve a mission with my sweetheart one day. Keep covenants, communicate with Heavenly Father to seek His will for us, pray and study daily, save money.
Individual Worth Value Experience 5:
I participated in several concerts and with performing groups and as a soloist. I am grateful for the musical abilities I've been given and been able to develop with God's help. Participating in these activities always helps me to remember that I can make a difference just by doing something as simple as singing or playing music for others. God will help increase my abilities to bring others joy and happiness. Music does this and I am so happy that music plays such a large role in my life.
Individual Worth Value Experience 7 -
Positive qualities the Lord has given me that others have said - patience, energy, goodness, kindness. I can develop patience by praying for patience, practicing patience, choosing patience. I can keep up a good energy level by getting enough rest and eating healthy, getting exercise, taking care of my spirit, being involved. I can be good by keeping the commandments, sharing my testimony, helping others live right, being an example. I can be kind by remembering how much God loves everyone and how he treats us all, looking to others examples who have been kind to me, being there for others. I have many other qualities I want to develop, and they all take baby steps and little things each day and little choices to develop them.
Individual Worth Personalized Value Project -
Help Lucy prepare for baptism. Make a baptism dress for Lucy. Help prepare her for baptism by giving special FHE's about it, talking to her about it, singing songs and reading scriptures, reviewing with her before her baptismal interview, helping her to make a book to remember her baptism and confirmation by.
Individual Worth Value Project -
My project is: finish up the song Grandma Carol wrote and asked me to write the music to it. "MY Savior's Love". My plan to carry out the project is: work on it a little more each Sunday. Start re-writing legibly. Make a copy and send to Grandma Carol. Teach it to my family so they can sing it with me and we can sing and play for her. Record it.
Knowledge Required Value Experience 1 -
Knowledge, our bodies, our spirits and our sealed relationships are all we get to take with us to the next life. So doesn't it make sense that we spend a majority of our time learning the things of God and the good things of the earth?! Learning about all kinds of things blesses my life and all those around me, including my kids. I remember growing up, my mom always learned about so many things and then applied them. She'd get books from the library about doing things yourself (before DIYs were a thing) and then she'd knock out the flooring and do tile. She'd read about people around the world and buy old history and geography textbooks for us so we could gain knowledge about people and cultures. She did so many things to enrich our lives with knowledge. I remember going to President Hinckley's "Be's" fireside for youth in November 2000. One of his "Be's" was "Be Smart". His words had a great impact on me. "Be smart. The Lord wants you to educate your minds and hands, whatever your chosen field. Whether it be repairing refrigerators, or the work of a skilled surgeon, you must train yourselves. Seek for the best schooling available. Become a workman of integrity in the world that lies ahead of you. I repeat, you will bring honor to the Church and you will be generously blessed because of that training.
There can be no doubt, none whatever, that education pays. Do not short-circuit your lives. If you do so, you will pay for it over and over and over again." Learning didn't just end when school ends. I hope to always be a lifelong learner to gain knowledge. Knowledge is different than learning though, as you can learn something, but then to apply it is true knowledge which when practiced becomes wisdom.
Knowledge Required Value Experience 2 -
Talents I'd like to develop more include - ability to hear/feel promptings of the Spirit and act on them, to get better at art, to learn to crochet and knit better, to learn to quilt better, to learn to save money better. To develop the ability to feel the Spirit better, I will pray and ask each morning and night, keep the commandments and do things that would keep the Spirit around, if I get a prompting, act right away, record my experiences.
Knowledge Required Value Experience 3 -
"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." What a great guide to put to the test anything I watch, read, listen to, or do! I think this would be a great quote to have right next to the computer, TV, radio, night stand, everywhere. But as it's memorized, I can have it in my heart. If it doesn't meet those requirements, it isn't worthy of my time. The more I "seek after these things", the more the Spirit will be a part of my life. If I offend the Spirit, I'll have less of it. And how I need the Spirit. I can't afford to offend it.
Knowledge Value Experience 4 - I chose the Gospel topic of commitment and shared what I studied and learned with my branch in Sacrament meeting, though my talk was more like 15 minutes. ;) Not a youth speaker anymore. Commitment is so important! God needs us to commit and be faithful. I likened us to Horton from one of my favorite Dr. Suess books "Horton Hatches an Egg". "I said what I said, I meant what I meant, an elephants faithful 100%". He said. I can apply being committed to the Lord and His Gospel by listening to leaders and following their council, accepting and magnifying callings and assignments, serving others, having a good attitude about roles, strive to keep the commandments, share the Gospel, put your family first. And then not complaining. It is work and it is hard. But it is worth it and will make us happy 100% in the end.
Knowledge Value Experience 6 -
Memorized the following hymns: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" (no. 136), "Come, Follow Me" (no. 116), "Keep the Commandments" (303).
Personalized knowledge value experience -
Read or listen to the news for at least 10 minutes a day for a week. Seek non-biased sources to be able to stay up with current events accurately. This helped me to understand what is happening, be able to pray for those in need know what I need to do to be a good citizen and help others, learn what candidates would be best to vote for, etc. So important! I remember Rheta Charlton, who was in our ward in Rawlins, WY. She was an elderly widow but was so spit fire and full of life and had a great sense of humor and so friendly. I remember her saying how important it is to stay up on current events. That has always stayed with me, as she was a wise woman. I will continue this and be better at being consistent.
Knowledge Value Project - Learn how to cut hair better by reading information and watching video tutorials. Give 8 haircuts. My plan to carry out my project is - watch YouTube videos and read information on cutting hair. Get necessary tools to do so. Watch others give hair cuts. Listen to step by step instructions. Practice and give 10 hair cuts. My evaluation - I was glad I did this. I've always tried but felt like they never turn out. Giving more time has helped them look so much better, I even did a girls hair cut, which I was always afraid of before. This will help our family save money, since we have a large one. And saving money is always smart. And I feel good when I get compliments on their hair and I did it. Because I've had some disasters in the past but feel I'm getting better. This is something I'm going to keep working on.
Choice and accountability Value Experience 1 - Complete 6/1/19
Choice and Accountability Value Experience 2 - Complete 7/5/19
Why it is important to live the following righteous behavior -
Agency and accountability. God has given us this great gift of agency. Everything we do hinges on how we use it. We need to be accountable for the way we use our agency and the choices we make.
Gratitute. I don't think it's a coincidence that gratitude is listed second. How important is gratitude! It sets a mindset for the way we live.
Education is something we need to prioritize. Education is not done when a degree is obtained. It is a life-long process and we should be learning new things every day.
Family is what it's all about. "God gave us families to help us become what he wants us to be" are the lyrics from one of my favorite songs. We need to be the type of person we would want in our families.
Friends are so important and help shape who we are. I need to pray for help in recognizing good friends and being a good friend to others.
Dress and appearance is something that gets a little tricky in our day and age but the Lord is "the same yesterday, today and forever" and modesty in dress and language and appearance has always been his way and always will be. We can be cute and fashionable while still maintaining modesty. We reflect who we are by how we appear.
Entertainment and the media are all over in our day. Just as food has nutrition labels, we can find out online what is good to ingest and what isn't and we can use the Holy Ghost to decide what we should and the quantity we should consume.
Music and dancing. I need to be careful to only listen to uplifting music. Sometimes I know the lyrics might not be the best, but it's a fun beat or I like the singers, etc. I cannot afford to rationalize. The Spirit is offended when we listen to music that isn't conducive to the Lord's ways. Dancing can be fun but should always be tasteful and reflect standards.
Language we use shows what kind of person we are. Our language stems from our thoughts so I need to keep my thoughts good and wholesome. I need to be careful with sarcasm or other things I think might be harmless but could hurt someones feelings.
Dating is so important and it is just as critical to date my husband Dave today as it was when I was a youth. A marriage needs to be watered to thrive and some of those water droplets to nurture it are dating and courting after marriage. Doing fun things together and being able to chat with just the two of us is important for us to have fun, work together, be close, get to know each other better, prioritize one another, etc. At least one at home date and one away from home date a month!
Sexual purity is one of the highest commandments God has given us and for good reason. I have been blessed in that I only have eyes for Dave now. Temptations relating to this topic have never really been a problem for me. But I know Satan is using this to try to thwart people from their true purpose and their loving relationships. I need to nurture my intimate relationship with Dave and enjoy the closeness that comes from taking part in this loving part of marriage.
Honesty is so needed in our world. It is still the best policy. We will have better relationships, better jobs and opportunities, the Spirit with us and better relationship with Heavenly Father when we are honest.
Sabbath Day observance brings us closer to God and to our families. I so look forward to the blessed Sabbath day and the rejuvenation, reflection, and redirection Sundays provide for me.
Tithes and offerings are so little compared to what we get from the Lord. We can show our thanks by living this and in the process bless those in need.
Physical health is important. I do pretty well with healthy eating and exercising, but I have been going to bed way too late lately and it is affecting the way I am sleeping and feeling. I need to go to bed at 11 p.m. at night to keep up with the demands of my days.
Service to others has always been what the Savior has taught us to do. He was always serving and loving. I can spend more time in service. They don't have to be fancy service projects, but texts, notes, hugs, smiles, gifts, spending time with someone, meals, etc.
Go forward with faith. We all need to endure to the end and trust the Lord and His ways and do their will. Life will not be a cake walk, but with Him and our faith, we will make it and this journey will all be worth it in the end.
Choice and Accountability Value Experience 3 -
Agency really is the best gift. Life would be so drab without it. No emotions, joy, satisfaction, learning, time, meaning. We can choose our choices but we can't choose the consequences. This is a natural law and it makes sense. The more we choose God, the better the eternal outcomes are. It may be harder at first to choose to go with God, and the easy way might be to follow Satan, but in the end, we get what we give, even when it comes to our agency. I am thankful for agency and hope I can use mine for good. The future is in my hands because of the agency I've been given from God.
Choice and Accountability Value Experience 4 -
Repentance is a change of life, a "fresh view of God and ones self" (Bible dictionary). When we truly repent, it is as if we never did anything wrong. An erased mistake. Clean again. But we need to do our part and the Savior did his part, we just have to call upon God's name and trust Him to take it away and promise not to do it again. I am thankful for second chances as I mess up so much! Repentance is about love. He loves us and gives us this opportunity and I need to make sure I take advantage of that each morning and night and in between!
Choice and Accountability Value Experience 5 -
The Holy Ghost will help me make correct choices, if I live worthily. If I offend the Holy Ghost or take it for granted or don't even ask for the influence in my life, I won't have it. I need the influence of the Holy Ghost in everything I do and say. It is so crucial in today's world to keep the Spirit with me always. It is up to me though how much I do or don't have the Spirit. The Spirit works in different ways at different times. I need to pray more for help recognizing the Spirit, because as I've learned, it's rarely that burning in the bosom, but rather a good idea, a peaceful feeling, love, help, mercy, etc.
Choice and Accountability Value Experience 6 -
“We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. We will ‘stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places’ (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:
- Faith
- Divine Nature
- Individual Worth
- Knowledge
- Choice and Accountability
- Good Works
- Integrity and
- Virtue.
“We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.”
The young women theme teaches me that I am literally God's daughter. He loves me more than even my own earthly parents. And that is mind blowing. He wants me to stay on the path back to Him and has given me tools to help me succeed. One of these tools is the Young Women theme and values. I just got put in as YW first counselor today. I am so grateful to be in there with Emma and Celestina (though I don't know how thrilled Emma is ;p) and to learn with them. Heavenly Father wants us to make covenants and live them. He has given us these virtues so we can have a clear guide of growth and testimony and action so we can prepare for the future, enter His Sacred House and can get back to Him. "If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report, we seek after these things." All of the YW values really make me think of Paul's admonition in Philippians 4:8. I will seek faith and learn and ask questions and ask and grow and act. I know I have a divine nature and am beloved daughter of my Father and I love Him back. I will put my life and talents and time to good use to build up God's kingdom. I can gain knowledge and know it's one of the few things I can take with me to the next life. I get to make my own choices and am accountable for my choices, good or bad. I will live in accordance with God's commandments and when I make mistakes, repent quickly and return to Him. I will serve my fellow men as Christ has shown and taught. I will live with integrity and be honest and do what I say I will, be true to who I am and what I believe. I will live virtuously and think clean thoughts, dress modestly, have a heart and mind only for Dave and continue to court and show love to him, and participates in media that uplifts and inspires. Making these choices will help me remain free and happy as I won't have to worry about lots of issues the world has to deal with because of their choices. I will have satisfaction of knowing what I am doing is making a difference and that God loves and is pleased with me. I can be happy because He loves me and is glad for any ounce of strength I put into living the values he has set forth. I love how they have added virtue as a value, as it is so needed in today's world where virtue is scoffed at but so needed and they added "strengthen home and family" as one of the things accepting and acting upon the values does. It is all about the family and goes out from there. I will never forget standing each Sunday and saying it with my large group of YW girls. Though I don't think I always appreciated each word like I do now. I am grateful for this direction and revelation for the Young Women of the Church and hope I will always strive to live by the values and principles outlined.
Choice and Accountability Value Project -My project: My project is to organize and plan and carry out a reunion for the Hatches/Ryerses. My plan to carry out the project: Coordinate schedules to find a date that works. Research family members and ancestors so we can find some worthwhile and fun activities to do. Schedule tours and meeting places. Plan and make invitations and plan and get supplies together for games. Make food for the potluck. Drive to Utah and enjoy a great weekend with family! Estimated completion date: July 20, 2019. Estimated hours spent: 40.
Evaluation of Project: Last fall, a few of the Hatch cousins unofficially nominated me to put together a reunion this summer. I could've either thought that was a nice thought and not done much, but decided we need to do this! And so we did. Emma and I worked together on this. We held the Hatch Family Reunion on July 19-20. It was amazing! I'm so glad it all turned out and everyone had a great experience. We started out giving everyone a Hatch Pass, which Emma and I put together. On the front, it said "Family: A little bit crazy, a little bit loud, a lot of love." Inside, there was a family bingo sheet where we went around and tried to get to know our family a little better. Then there was a page to fill out at the Discovery Center, a pioneer fun page, a pedigree chart, and more. Once everyone completed them (or at least did some of them), we gave them a prize at the end. This was great way for us to get to know our family, both living and dead. We started out at a park in Salt Lake where we ate muffins Lucy and I made, played at the park, and looked at the Hatch Passes. Then we went to Sweets Candy Factory for the tour, where Dave's great Grandpa Peter Amos Grieve worked for most of his working life. It was pretty sweet and my favorite part was the cinnamon bear chap stick I got. When we weren't doing the tour, we went to International Peace Gardens. We were supposed to find the countries where our ancestors came from, which was England and Ireland and Scotland. It was beautiful and no one had ever been there before. Then we met up at City Creek for lunch at the Food Court. The kids loved the new playground on site and the adults loved visiting and eating some good food. Then we went over to the Family History Library Discovery Center. That was a neat experience for us all. We walked through temple square a little bit, then we headed to Bountiful. We watched the Bountiful Handcart Days parade together while eating pizza and doing face painting, went to the Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band Concert, and ended the night with fireworks. Saturday, we started out on the steps of the Bountiful Tabernacle where Dave's Grandpa Bert used to ride his wagon. We recreated an old photo and took a big picture with us all. We played games on the grass. Then we did the Bountiful History Bus Tour, went to the Bountiful museum, and then over to the Handcart Days in the park. Most of Dave's Hatch ancestors settled in Bountiful, West Bountiful or Woods Cross. Finally, we went to the Church pavilion and had a taco bar, played lawn games, did some more face painting, had potato sack hop races since Bert and Lillian settled in Idaho and all of Mac's kids live there still, and then a human pinata, which was a hit! We ended the night playing Hatch Family Jeopardy, from information and pictures I got from everyone. It was the perfect ending to the night. I loved how though we don't get together much, we all still felt drawn to each other. Even the second cousins really took to their cousins quick and they enjoyed being together and found so many similarities. I am grateful for the heritage which is ours! Every minute I spent in preparation was so worth it!
Good Works required value experience #1 -
They "went about doing good". So many people around me do this! For two weeks, I am going to note here and acknowledge the great ways people serve me. Dave works so hard for our family so we can have our needs met and then some. I wrote a note to tell him how much I appreciate that. I am thankful for all of the examples in our stake and branch and all of the service they give on behalf of our kids. We put together a card for our branch president that just got released. Lucy helped serve me by getting Sydnie ready and even changed 3 diapers in one day without being asked. I told her how much I appreciated her. I left notes for all our kids telling them how much I appreciated specific acts of service they give to our families. I prayed out loud to thank them for all they do.
Good works required value experience #2 -
I have prepared meals for my family for longer than the assigned time, more like 14 years! ;) I always love trying to get creative and try new things, but stick with things our family particularly enjoys. I shop what's on sale and make things depending on what is on sale and what we have. This is a fun challenge for me. I really love cooking, it's the clean up part I could do without. This summer though, I decided to ask and help the kids to do that. They each had a day during the summer they were responsible for helping plan the meals, shop and make the food for us. It was a good experience for them and me and they did awesome! Meal times aren't just about food. They are about feeding our bodies so we can take care of them. Put good in, get good out. They are about gathering and all being together. Breakfast and dinner (sometimes lunch) are the times we know we will all be together. We talk. We laugh. We share. Sometimes we argue. We love. We always start the meal with a prayer. We nourish and are thankful for access to good food and the ability to prepare it.
Good Works Required Value Experience 3 -
To help comfort others and help them bear their burdens, I can help bear their burdens. I can lift a heavy load by looking out and praying to see those in distress and being there for them. I can let the Spirit teach me what I need to do and then do it. Don't wait to be asked for help, step in and do it. I can mourn with those that mourn. When someone is sad, I can be sympathetic. I can listen. I can love. I can comfort those that stand in need of comfort. I can send a card, shoot an encouraging text, make a call, visit, give hugs, bring food or gifts, I can pray for others. I picked one of these each a different day to focus on. My understanding of doing these things is that it is not hard. When we ask Heavenly Father to help us be His hands, He will show us opportunities. He wants us to lift each other like the Savior lifts us. He can't be here personally so he inspires us to do these things for one another.
Good works Value Experience #5 - I decided to serve my whole family. My kids lately have been saying they don't want to be parents someday and would rather have cats (stinkers!). Lucy particularly says that she doesn't want to be a mom because she knows her kids won't listen to her and all she will have to do is dishes and laundry. I told her the greatest joy comes from having children and that I love them more than anything. It took me back though and made me think maybe I am not serving joyfully and complaining about my household duties. I am going to try to show and model the joy that comes from serving in the home.
Good works value experience #6 - Participated in the Just Serve Days with my family. We went to the one last year, where we helped clean up at the Zoo and this year, where we helped tie quilts and went and bought a bunch of food for them to make food grab bags. The people at the Zoo were blown away by how many of us there were and that we'd spend our Saturday doing that. We weren't able to see the reactions of the kids receiving the blankets at Ronald McDonald House or those kids in need getting the food bags, but I know we sure felt good! Service is the best! Anytime I'm feeling down, if I serve, it helps boost my mood and helps me feel of worth.
Good works personalized value experience - I made cards for all family members for their birthdays. We decorate them together and I have us all write a nice message to that person. We have about 40 people in our family so this is no easy task. We like to tell the birthday person what we love about them and tell them how loved and appreciated they are.
Good Works Value Project -
My project is to volunteer at the school every other week for each of our elementary school kids classes. My plan to carry out my project is to make arrangements on time that would work to go in. Find a babysitter for Sydnie. follow up with teachers before to check and make sure they know I'm still coming. Do whatever they need help doing. I've helped children with reading, made copies, laminated items, cut things out in the work room, helped out with class parties, tutored individuals or small groups with math, play learning games with the kids and more. Estimated completion time: 50 hours. My evaluation of the project: I love helping the kids out. As a teacher, it's frustrating because you can't spend as much one-on-one time as you'd like. That's where I come in. I love helping how I can. I love the hugs I get from the kids and the excitement that I'm here...especially from my own kids.
Integrity Required Value Experience 1:
The Lord's standards are the same always, the world's standards are always changing. Yay for the Strength of Youth which helps outline these standards. So much confusion in today's world on what's right and whats wrong. We have to look no further than this book, which isn't just for teens. My behavior, dress and conversation should all be becoming of a woman of God trying to follow Him and be a light to those around me. I should conduct my self in a confident and appropriate way, helping and lifting others. I should dress modestly but still neatly. I should make my conversations gossip free, and free of any questionable language. Literature, movies, television, internet music, cell phones, and other media should be something I use occasionally, not all of the time, and I should "lay hold upon every good gift", the good media and avoid or turn off any media that does not invite the Spirit of the Lord. I caught myself more telling the kids maybe we shouldn't listen to this or that song and finding the media that offended my Spirit. I am grateful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost in choosing things that will uplift, rather than those that will slowly tear down. Some media may seem so innocent, but a lot really is not. We need to be careful to choose good media that will keep the Spirit going strong in our home. I have noticed that by keeping these things in mind, I have been more in tune with the Spirit and more courageous to turn something off or switch it to something else, especially songs on the radio we listen to. Though I might get some flack from others, I will continue to seek those things for myself and my family which will help us feel the Spirit more.
Integrity Required Value Experience 2:
I took an integrity quiz online for this experience. Overall I'm doing pretty good. But I think I could be better at talking more sweetly at home, shutting down gossip, and truly praying with intent. I will pray for help to do these things and make a note to remind myself to live with integrity in these areas.
Integrity Required Value Experience 3:
These people all demonstrated integrity as they were true and honest to God, themselves and others. Joseph was loved of others because he loved Heavenly Father. He didn't even entertain the idea of sin. He ran from it. The Lord prospered him in his adversity because of his faithfulness. Ester used her gifts to bless others. She didn't look inward, she looked outward. Job was perfect in his patience. He endured well what God gave him. Shadrack, Meshach and and Abed-nego were unfailing in their conviction and were willing to risk their lives over it. They knew who they served and they would not back down from that. Daniel was favored, there was "no error or fault found in him". He worried more about what God thought about him then men. He believed in God and he lived like he believed. Paul was true to the experience he had and was a changed man. He wasn't ashamed to share his testimony with anyone, including the mighty king. He would rather declare the truth and be shackled than lie and be set free. He knew from experience that the truth sets you free. Hyrum Smith was loved by the Lord because he loved what was good. Joseph Smith faced a lot of persecution but he never went back on his account or testimony. These all lived with integrity, they all bore powerful testimony through their words and deeds. All of the time, I try to demonstrate courage. Here in Montana, there are many community events and birthday parties and other things held on Sundays. We have to have the courage to politely decline and it lets us explain how the Sabbath is sacred and it's a sacred day where we spent time with our families.
Pure and worthy of the sacrament. We were able to have Stake Conference this weekend and Elder Rawson, one of the area 70's spoke. He really brought the Spirit with him and talked about the importance of the sacrament. By partaking and partaking worthily, we can literally be healed by the Savior. Emotional, spiritual, physical ailments are all covered by the atonement. So what can I do to have a healing with the sacrament? Repent seriously, on my knees, every day to invite the Spirit into my life. I can be kinder, complain less, and be more patient with myself and others. It's okay not to be perfect, but we can be perfect in Christ as we strive to be like Him. Everything I do all week should be in preparation to partake of the sacrament on Sunday and that should be my focus on that day.
Integrity Value Experience #4 :
Integrity to me means having your actions consistent with your beliefs. Meriam Webster defines it as "1: a firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : INCORRUPTIBILITy. 2: an unimpaired condition : SOUNDNESs. 3: the quality or state of being complete or undivided : COMPLETENESS.
I talked to my mom about integrity. She said together it means to be true, keep the promises you make, being honest and upright in all you do, doing what's best for other people. You can apply it by being honest in everything you do and upright and keeping your word, keeping the commandments, being full of integrity - being the person you are meant to be. Finding out what Heavenly Father's plan is and doing all you can to carry that out. IT has to do with all of our relationships. We love others enough to be trust worthy.
To be honest, remember that it is a commandment. To be true, remember your testimony and the spiritual experiences you've had. To be virtuous, remember your temple covenants. To speak kindly and well, remember the example of the Savior and others in your life. To help others, set aside more time to serve.
Integrity Value Experience 6:
I went several fast Sundays fasting for a particular purpose and beginning and ending with prayer. As we are trying to teach our kids "fasting without prayer is just starving." But real fasting brings power with it to our lives and those we are fasting for. I think of the scripture "This kind goeth not out but by fasting and prayer" (Matthew 17:21). Certain challenges or questions we have become resolved as we fast. We receive strength to withstand the adversary. We can help others or ourselves physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally. I am grateful for the blessings that come through fasting.
Integrity Personalized Value Experience:
We were challenged to compare the old YW theme to the new one at our recent stake leader training. I put two side by side and went to town.
Integrity Value project:
My project is to make modest Easter dresses for my girls. My plan to carry out my project is: 1. Find patterns that aren't too complicated and totally modest. 2. Let the girls help pick out fabric and pattern. 3. Cut out and sew the dresses with love. 4. Let the girls wear on Easter and anytime. My evaluation of the project: Not only do I need to set the example of modesty, I need to help my girls understand how important it is and how being modes is beautiful, not only outwardly but reflects who we are inside, too. I only buy or make outfits that are modest and fit in with the Lord's standards. If we dress modestly when we are young, it will be natural when we get our endowments out and we won't need to make any changes. As we used to say in high school "Modest is hottest!". In so many ways, we are blessed when we are modest.
Virtue Required Value Experience 1:
There are so many promised blessings of being sexually clean and pure. Eternal families. Eternal increase. Ability to keep that commandment. More happiness and fidelity in marriage. Beautiful and sacred experiences. Covenant keeping. Preparing for eternity. Protect from danger. Prevent spiritual and emotional damage and disease. Promotes confidence and happiness and "improves your ability to make good decisions now and in the future" (Sexual Purity section of For the Strength of Youth). My commitment to be chaste is that I will only have intimate relations with my dear Dave. I won't have any immoral thoughts. I will avoid the appearance of evil. I will do my part to make our intimate relations special times. I am committed to living a chaste life. Within marriage, sexual relations are an amazing thing which help bring us closer together physically, emotionally and spiritually. I will not think about or be involved with any other men except my husband, I will not entertain any thoughts that could compromise my commitment.
Virtue Required Value Experience 2:
Studying about Virtue and the Holy Ghost with Emma, I learned that the more we live a virtuous life and live like God, the greater measure of the Spirit will be in our lives. The Spirit is teacher, testifier, Spirit of Promise, helps us remember, comforts us, tutors us, is a friend, helps us judge righteously, warns of coming events, prompts to do good. I would be lost without the Holy Ghost. I am grateful for its influence in my life. Even today, I got the guidance of the Holy Ghost as I have been thinking about the new changes for youth as to things we should do with our family and the youth in our Branch. I have had inspiration on things I can do to improve, including some ideas here with personal Progress.
Virtue Requires Value Experience 3:
Study Alma 5 and answer questions for yourself - Have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? That is a good question. How often do I think of the children of Israel, those in the Scriptures, the Pioneers, my ancestors. I need to remember the miracles that took place in their lives and all they sacrificed for me to have what I do today. His mercy and long suffering towards them? He did so much for them, even though times were tough, and does the same for me today if I turn to Him. That He delivered their souls from hell? Through trial and tribulation, he helps us come to Him and saves us spiritually like He has in the past. Were they destroyed. No! Onward and on to the victory has it ever been with the Lord. On what conditions are we saved? Faith, repentance, baptism, living by the Holy Ghost, making and keeping our covenants. What grounds do we have to hope for Salvation? / What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, and also the chains of hell? Jesus Christ and His atonement. / Did not my father Alma believe in the words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinidi? Was he not a holy prophet? Did he not speak the words of God, and my father Alma believe them? Yes on all accounts. Have ye spiritually been born of God? I feel like I'm working on it. It's a process. / Have ye received his image in your countenance? When i'm living like Him I feel like I have his imagine in my countenance. / Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? Yes. I have felt the greater desire to do good than to sin. / Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Yes, I have faith in Him. Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body rasied in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body? I know I will stand before Him in that great day and it is my hope and prayer that I will be able to stand and give a good report. / Can ye imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that great day; Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth? Again, hoping to be able to come to Him and have Him be proud of the things I've accomplished. / Do ye imagine to yourselves hat ye can lie unto the Lord in that day....and that He will save you? No. We will get what we get. / Can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrances that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God? I hope I will repent before that happens so I may not have to go through that guilt. / Can y look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances? Everything we do now will be shown at that day unless we repent of the wrong we do. / Can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil? "No man can serve two masters". This makes sense. / How will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? Behold, what will these things testify against you? Thinking of that imagery, if I were to appear before God's bar with my spotless white marred by streaks of red, I would be totally embarrassed and saddened by what I did to spot them. / Can ye feel so now? I've felt the spirit of repentance and of the atonement in the past, I need to remember on those times so I can do what I need to do daily. / Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? I've tried my best, making mistakes along the way. So grateful for His grace. / Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins? I think there's more spiritual bleach I can use through Christ's blood. / Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I need to work on this. Being more humble, day by day. / Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I still envy others. I need to see all as God sees them. / Is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions? I admit, I may not be the nicest to everyone all the time. I need to seek out the best in others and encourage them in that, even people who may not be my best friends. / An how do ye suppose I know of their surety? He knows the words of his father and went through the steps to gain his own testimony and then taught others. / Can ye withstand these sayings, yea can ye lay aside these things and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches? What is more important here... the world or God. I will choose God. / Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another? NO! I also need to work on this. As a member of the church, I hope I don't come across with a holier-than-thou attitude. / Will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren? No. I hope I treat all with love and respect. / Will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in witholding your substance from them? I have more I can and should share! / What have ye to speak against this? Nothing. This is truth! / For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? If a wolf enter his flock doth he not drive him out? He would do anything for his sheep as Christ does anything for us as our flock. But we have to let Him. /
Now, what will I do to be pure and worthy to enter the temple and receive all the blessing our Heavenly Father has promised His beloved daughters? Repent daily and sincerely. Truly seek to change and do Heavenly Father's will. Treat others better. Be who I know I'm supposed to and can be. Take the sacrament more seriously.
Virtue Value Experience - My testimony of the Book of Mormon:
I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon. It invites the Spirit, quickens my mind, holds answers to my prayers, helps guide my thoughts and actions, is the conduit to revelation. I know it was written by the "other sheep" (John 10:16) prophesied and is a companion to the Holy Bible. It doesn't take away from the truths there, it helps clarify and testifies of the truths contained therein. It is "another testament of Jesus Christ" just as the subtitle proclaims. I know that Joseph Smith was prepared to receive and translate the records for our day. If there ever was a time that extra light and truth was needed, it is now. I am grateful for its influence on my life. I haven't missed a day of reading at least a little Book of Mormon in probably 10 years. And it has made all the difference for me. I can't imagine starting my day any other way. It is my favorite book. I have probably read it about 20 times. And each time, I see things different. It helps me with what I'm going through right there and then. It brings a spirit into my life I can't get any other way. The Book of Mormon is true. It is personal. It is plain. It is precious. It is powerful. I am thankful for the invitation to read the Book of Mormon.
Completed 12/13/19
I am thankful for Personal Progress. It is a lot different now than when I was in Young Womens. I was called to the Young Womens organization three months ago (Emma was not so thrilled) and am thankful I decided to go on this journey with Emma. Now Personal Progress is being replaced by the Youth and Children's Activities and I can't wait for that! I hope to continue on and set goals there that will help me increase in "wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man." Emma and I received our medallions on December 15. We put in a lot of work and I am grateful for the programs of the Church which strengthen us and help bring us closer to Christ. The program they had for the stake was a great one! They asked Emma to play the piano along with everyone singing "As Zion's Youth". She was nervous, but did great! The program was awesome and we looked at the history of the YW program, a few girls shared their experiences, which was great for Emma to hear she's not alone in what she feels, believes and goes through, we had a musical number, then we were awarded our medallions. There were a few other leaders who completed theirs. Jamie, our YW pres, said she was so proud of Emma and the long way she's come and how hard she's worked on this and got teary and so did I. Then, we watched a video of the girls saying the old theme and sharing their experiences of Personal Progress. Then we looked to the future and the girls and their influences on the world and the great new program coming. We said the new theme together. and even President Ludwig memorized the new theme! It was a great night! After, we had some refreshments and chatted, and took some pictures. I told Emma we should bite our medallions like they do at the Olympics. I did, she just giggled and rolled her eyes at me. She chose gold and I chose silver. I joked with her she won first place and I came in a close second. She is a great example to me and I love her to death! Thankful for the focus this has put on my life and how it's helped me come unto Christ.
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