Hope from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Joanne58

Welcome to all BCO members, seeking and offering inspiring words of hope. Please share your story, your experience, your joy or sorrow. I look forward to learning wisdom and growing larger, more grateful hearts with you

Joanne58

If you're an oldie like me, you may remember the popular phrase from the 70's, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." It's taken me years to really appreciate that statement and understand its value. I'm grateful that every day is a chance to start over and try our best as if it's the first day of our lives. The Lord provides us with a fresh start when we repent and try to do better, changing what we can and moving forward, away from past mistakes or heartaches. Here's a quote that caught my eye today:

Wishing all a very good "first day of your life!"

Joanne58

"Unclaimed baggage at the airport: who does it belong to?"

I heard a wonderful talk last week at church with this question. The speaker said he's always been baffled when he sees lonely bags on the airport conveyor belts, going round and round, unclaimed.

The speaker then compared the idea that there are many "unclaimed blessings" for God's children--all of us. They are there, ready for us to claim, but we just haven't realized how wonderful they are and how much we need them.

--DAILY PRAYER = blessing of growing closer to God, getting to know Him and feeling his love for you--DAILY SCRIPTURE STUDY = blessing of finding answers to life's problems, feeling the Lord and His prophets and apostles speaking to you, personally--FAST OFFERINGS (Google this if you aren't familiar with this term) = blessing of giving to those in need, which actually comes back to you in a much greater way.

--MINISTERING TO OTHERS = blessing of listening and serving with an open heart, growing to love those to whom we minister.

These are just a few the speaker mentioned. Then he asked:

"What are some of your unclaimed blessings?"

Joanne58

I've been relying on the beautiful, deeply moving music of the Tabernacle Choir to calm my troubled heart. Here's one of my favorites put to lovely scenes of a river. May it bring you peace as it has me.

Joanne58

Here's a timeless quote from one of Elder Maxwell's talks. (He passed away from cancer, years ago)

"The enlarging of the soul requires not only some remodeling, but some excavating. Hypocrisy, guile, and other imbedded traits do not go gladly or easily, but if we "endure it well" (Doctrine and Covenants 121:8), we will not grow testy while being tested.

Moreover, we find that sorrow can actually enlarge the mind and heart in order to "give place," expanded space for later joy.

Thus, enduring is one of the cardinal attributes; it simply cannot be developed without the laboratory time in this second estate (mortality). Even the best lectures about the theory of enduring are not enough. All the other cardinal virtues – love, patience, humility, mercy, purity, submissiveness, justice – they all require endurance for their full development. "— Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, May 1990, p. 34

Joanne58

What a beautiful day at the Newport Beach, CA , temple! I went on Friday and enjoyed every minute.

footprintsangel

My Lord and I                By Debbie

I walk each day in the light of God,

He leads me with His faithful rod.

We are friend in every way and I seem

to grow closer to Him everyday

                 My Lord and I

He is always close by and knows and

answers my every cry. And when I start 

to fall, He lifts me up and makes me up

and makes me strong. 

              My Lord and I

He reminds me to be strong and helps

me not to do wrong. So I will walk with

with Him each and every day, to teach 

others God's beautiful way.

               My Lord and I

Joanne58

Amen, Debbie! Thank you for posting a lovely poem. Can't imagine walking without the light of the Lord.

footprintsangel

What God Is Like   By James Dillet Freeman

I did not know what God is like

Until a friendly word

Come to me in an hour of need--

And it was God I heard.

I did not know what God is like

Until I heard love's feet

On errands of God's mercy

Go up and down life's street.

I did not know what God is like

Until I felt a hand 

Clasp mine and lift me when alone

I had no strength to stand.

I think I know what God is like,

For I have seen the face

Of God's son looking at me

from all the human race.

footprintsangel

He's 

He's my Joy

and my light.

He's my strength 

and my sight.

He's my friend 

when I am low.

He's my Savior

I love Him so.      By Debbie

Joanne58

A very happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!

Joanne58

I write letters to my dear friend's son who is serving a long prison sentence. He's been humbled and relies on his faith in God, doing all he can to better himself, which is very good news. It gives me hope for him when he returns to society. This video reminds me of him, and of all of us as "prisoners" due to poor choices. But there is hope in Christ, and this sweet song in the video reminds me of the miracle of forgiveness and life, eternal, because of the birth, atonement and resurrection of the Savior of the world. This season is a wonderful time for rejoicing!

Joanne58

December is a time for the "Light the World" program in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but really meant to last all year--every day of every year. Finding ways to serve others and do as our Savior did is true religion. Enjoy this wonderful video that will make your heart swell with that innate desire to do good, even in the smallest of ways, for someone else.

https://www.mormon.org/christmas/?cid=66220006

Joanne58

Here are some quotes I heard at church on Sunday that I'd like to share:

"Service doesn't always require a rake and a shovel. All it requires is love."

"The HOME is the best place to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ."

"I'm thankful for crumbs on the floor to clean, because that means I have food to eat.

I'm thankful to have loads of laundry to do, because it means I have clothes to wear.

I'm thankful to have a leaky pipe because that means I have water to drink.

I'm thankful for wrinkles because that means I've lived longer and grown wiser."

Joanne58

Enjoy this comforting song!

Joanne58

Wishing all a joyous Christmas, filled with hope of the redeeming and everylasting love of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

footprintsangel

Thanks Joanne,  Merry Christmas to You too.

I love that song

Joanne58

You're welcome, Debbie, and a very Merry Christmas to you!

I'd like to share a very special song about prayer written and performed by David Archuleta, a faithful member of our church. Here is the story of how he wrote it:

"Something I try to do to each day is begin by saying a prayer in the morning, and then end my day with a prayer at night. Sometimes, however, I fall asleep before I say my nightly prayer. One time almost a year ago I had one of these nights where I fell asleep before saying a prayer. Something unusual happened. That night I had a dream. It was different than anything I had experiences before. In my dream I was praying-having a conversation with God. The conversation was also different. I was singing. I could hear simple chords in my dream that I was laying a simple melody and prayer on top of. As I was having this conversation in music with God, He told me to get up and write this down. I thought and said, "...but... I'm sleeping. I'm not sure I know how to get up from a dream!" He told me "if you don't get up now, you'll forget it in the morning." I tried everything I could to wake up, and I did! There in the middle of the night I went straight to the piano with the words and melody I had spoken in my dream still clear in my head, and wrote it all down. It was the fastest I had ever written a song because I feel this one was given to me. I've sung this song several times this year now and people kept asking where to find it so I felt it would be good to share it during this Holiday season. I hope you enjoy it and find encouragement to begin your own simple and sincere conversations in prayer! #mylittleprayer #prayer #christmas

Joanne58

Best wishes to all for a year full of appreciating life's small and simple joys

Joanne58

Starting the new, "Come Follow Me" study guide, and I'm really excited about it! In preparing for the discussion in Sunday School tomorrow, I've been focusing on the suggested scripture passage in Matthew 18:21-35 regarding forgiveness. I know with all my heart how important it is to forgive others, especially if we hope to be forgiven for our mistakes as well. It makes sense that the Lord would ask us to forgive others in order to be forgiven, too. What great peace forgiveness can bring with the possibility of compassion replacing anger and sorrow. I've recently experienced one of the hardest trials and deepest hurt of my life, and didn't quite know when or how I would be able to extend forgiveness. It has been only 2 months since the incident, but I'm now ready to wrtie a letter and offer my forgiveness in response to the confession and remorseful letter I received. I owe my ability to forgive, completely, to the Lord and His comfort and encouragment as I've prayed, the healing power of His holy scriptures and to my dear family who has ralled around me and sustained me through this shattering incident. I was told that time helps, and it has, with each passing day. I'm ready to wish this person well.

Joanne58

I've enjoyed watching the New Testament videos on the LDS media website for study in the "Come Follow Me" program for Sunday worship and home study. Hope you find inspiration in watching some of these videos. I felt a new appreciation for Mary, mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, Mary's cousin and mother of John the Baptist. What a sweet experience they had, sharing their news of carrying babies that would save the world! In reading these experiences in Matthew 1 and Luke 1, I realized that it applies to all of us--that nothing is impossible with the Lord--nothing. What a comfort and what hope it gives to all that blessings come with patience on our part, in the Lord's time.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/categories...

Joanne58

I sure love Sundays and hope you, do, too We had what's called "Ward Conference" where our Stake leaders (a stake is comprised of 6 or more wards-- geographically organized congregations) came to speak to us in our Sacrament meeting. It was a spiritual feast, plus our little choir pulled through with a lovely rendition of "For the Beauty of the Earth." It truly applied to our clear blue skies and fluffy clouds with snow-capped mountains today--breath-taking! Here's the Tabernacle Choir singing it, but SOOOO much better, of course I hope we're all thankful for this beautiful world the Lord made for us to enjoy and care for!

Joanne58

Happy Friday!! Datenight for us, so I'm REALLY looking forward to getting out after teaching piano and enjoying time with my hubby

Last night we had a meeting for all the Relief Society Presidency (church women's organization) members in our stake. The theme was about claiming blessings, especially those from worshipping in the temple. Here's the table display I had fun creating. I used pictures of temples in So. California. The temple "subway art" poster in the center was a file I bought online and printed and framed. The refreshements we served was a generous piece of homemade coconut cake, keeping the temple theme of white--a symbol of purity. It was declicious! Our main speaker was wonderful, encouraging us to help the women in our wards return to the temple, often, so they may receive answers to their prayers and find strength to accomplish all the desires of their hearts. Worshipping in the Lord's holy house provides a peaceful setting--a place away from the destractions of a busy, noisy world. What great lessons I learn in the temple, and I always come away with a happier heart and a better perspective of what's truly important in my life and what really doesn't matter. I LOVE the temple!

Joanne58

I hope this link works so you can see a short video tour of the Rome, Italy temple. So excited for the opening to the public next week! Many people who are unfamiliar with church temples will be in awe as they walk the halls, visit the rooms, and learn how temples bless framilies, forever. Enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/ThirdHour.org/videos/2294...

footprintsangel

Thanks for the beautiful words of hope and Your kindness

I prayer for You to have a lot of blessing and love come Your

way, I love the songs here too. Thank Sister in Christ Debbie

going to rest.

Joanne58

You're welcome, Debbie!

Joanne58

Sure wish I could visit the Rome, Italy temple and see these gorgeous statues of Christ and the 12 apostles! I was in Rome in 1978--soooo long ago. The statues are in the visitor's center for everyone to see. What a wonderful site! Enjoy this fascinating article of how these replica statues were created by both machine and finished by hand. Scroll down through the article to see the marvelous pictures if you don't have time to read

https://www.lds.org/church/news/from-copenhagen-to...

Joanne58

Let's make it a point to SHOW our love for others by serving them Do something for a neighbor you haven't talked to in a while, or for a family member who needs a little more TLC. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! I know we'll feel better when we show our love and serve others

Joanne58

Happy First-Friday-in-February to all! You know how I love this day of the week, almost as much as the Sabbath

Here's a great quote from Elder Maxwell to help us understand our challenges. After reading this quote, I'm adding a new phrase to pop in my mind when I'm feeling troubled: "This is the process, Joanne."

"The Lord knows our bearing capacity, both as to coping and to comprehending, and He will not give us more to bear than we can manage at the moment, though to us it may seem otherwise. (See Doctrine and Covenants 50:40; 78:18.) Just as no temptations will come to us from which we cannot escape or which we cannot bear, we will not be given more trials than we can sustain. (See 1 Corinthians 10:13.) . . . .

President Brigham Young said of a geographical destination, "This is the place." Of God's plan of salvation, with its developmental destination, it can be said, "This is the process." — Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, November 1982, p. 67

Joanne58

Saw this today and thought I'd share it. Beautiful imagery and so very true

Joanne58

Saw this today and thought I'd share it. Beautiful imagery and so very true