I Believe in the Book of Mormon

I Believe in the Book of Mormon

I believe in the Book of Mormon.  This last week one of the Chapters we read was Second Nephi 31.  It is one of my favorites. It is some of Nephi’s last words and he explains the Doctrine of Christ:  Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End.  He explains that only those who follow this simple formula will gain eternal life.  Most of us are stuck in the enduring to the end part.  But we must not forget the other parts of the Gospel of Christ.  We all must maintain our faith in Jesus Christ and repent of our sins and keep our baptismal covenants.  We are all in need of the guidance of the Holy Ghost for without His help we could never learn what we need to know and do in order to become who we need to be, to regain our Father’s presence. I love the Book of Mormon.  Truly if we follow it’s teachings we will be able to someday live with God, our Father in family relationships.  I believe in the Book of Mormon.

I Believe in Tender Mercies

I Believe in Tender Mercies

I believe in tender mercies.  As defined by Elder Bednar in his second talk as an Apostle of the Lord, "Through personal study, observation, pondering, and prayer, I believe I have come to better understand that the Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, the Lord suits “his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men” (D&C 46:15)." I know that this is true.  Only a loving Father in Heaven, who knows us so personally and individually, could ever send us just exactly what we need, when we need it.  Mom and I have been the recipients of many tender mercies these last few weeks.  Both of us need to have some very expensive dental work done before we leave for Oaxaca.  Blake and Michelle Rigby have asked me to work on their house.  They have decided that they have enough work to keep me busy full time until we leave and asked me to quit working at Home Depot.  This is going to be enough money to pay for the dental work we need to have done.  Now if that is not a tender mercy I don’t know one.  The Lord knew we were going to need extra money for this dental work and prompted the Rigby’s to ask me if I wanted to help them with their project.  They then were prompted to expand what they wanted to do and again asked if I wanted to do the work.  We thought we would have a little extra money entering the mission field this time, but the Lord knew we were going to need the money even before we did.  Truly He is looking out for us and is suiting His mercies for us according to our condition.  I believe in tender mercies.

I Believe in Steadiness

I Believe in Steadiness

I believe in steadiness.  Steadiness is good.  Chris and I have often said that we have a row boat marriage.  If one of us is excited, then the other one better be calm.  If one is angry the other better be forgiving.  Or in other words if one of us is standing up in the row boat the other one better be sitting down or we will tip the boat over and both go swimming.  We call this “Steady as she goes.”  Life for me is so much easier and better if, the highs are not too high and the lows are not too low.  Think of a row boat in the ocean in a big storm.  If the waves are too big then you cannot row the boat nor can you make any progress and the row boat will capsize and sink.  But if the seas are calm then the row boat is safe and it is easy to row and make progress.  Steady as she goes.  I think it is the same with emotions.  If the highs are not too high like the waves then it is easy to navigate life and make progress.  I like a person who doesn’t lose their temper easily but is just steady “even keeled” is the nautical term that I think is appropriate.  You don’t make any progress if you are back and forth with the rudder.  You have to keep a straight course and you make better time if you don’t zigzag.  Stay the course and move forward with faith is our motto.  Steady as she goes.  I believe in steadiness.

I Believe in Family

I Believe in Family

I believe in family.  I don’t know why, but as soon as I was off my mission, I wanted to get married and start a family.  We didn’t wait to have children because we wanted children and so we had John B. 13 months after we were married and then continued to have children every 2 years until we had Ginny, who entered this world a little early, at 28 weeks.  She might have been our last, but during mom’s graduate school days she decided she wanted to see if she could have another healthy child.  So we got James and he completed our family.  5 kids in 10 years and I was finished having children when I was 32.  Nowadays many married couples start having kids at 32.  To me family is what is important.  I love my kids and the spouses that have come into our family.  I love my grandkids.  I worry about all of them and wonder how will they grow up and what will their lives be like.  I pray for inspiration to know how to be an influence for good in their lives and also to know what to write about in my blog.  I want so much for all of us to be together for the eternities.  I have faith that we can be together and I know that if we are true and faithful to our covenants we will someday continue in a family relationship, enjoying all the happiness and I believe even a greater happiness than we enjoy now.  I believe in family.