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

Are we born with morals, knowing right from wrong, the desire to show compassion for others, integrity, trustworthiness, honesty in our dealings with each other, the ability and desire to forgive, being humble and teachable? How did you learn to be a good person? Where did these instructions for living a good life come from?

How grateful I am for my faith that has taught me (and many generations) through the scriptures, living prophets and answers and inspiration through personal prayer. Without the timeless influence from the 10 commandments, I believe mankind would struggle far more in their identity, become easily lost and self-centered and virtually unable to truly reach their full potential as children of a loving Heavenly Father who wants them to return home. What point would there be to the human story, family ties, friendships forged if they die with our last breath? I believe there is so much more to our existence and the purpose of each of our lives than this short time on earth. I testify with heart and soul that we were meant to be eternal beings with the possibility of eternal families, forever learning, growing and continuing our lives beyond mortality.

A great talk was given in church last Sunday about how easy it is for us to serve our friends and those we don't know at all, but what about those in our family? Sometimes they don't recieve the love and attention we so easily give to those outside our family. I'm guilty of this, knowing I need to be more aware of showing my love for my husband. Litlle things I used to do for him strengthened our relationship. I'm trying to include more of these small and simple things, even if it's just a quick kiss on the cheek and a big hug, catching him by surprise (FYI--I knew Steve Owen as the highschool sweetheart and missionary of one of my college buddies from my Israel semester abroad in1978. She loved receiving his wonderful letters while he served his mission They married many years ago and he now serves as the General Young Men's President in the church. Great guy, and I love his quote below

It took me several years to muster up the courage to FINALLY send a copy of the Book of Mormon to a sweet friend of mine in Georgia. She's been studying the New Testament since she's retired from teaching elementary school and finding it very satisfying and motivating to be more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm so happy for her! Then the constant thought kept coming to me, "She's ready to read what you know to be true, Joanne: The Book of Mormon; Another Testament of Jesus Christ." I was nervous. I was worried I wouldn't know what scriptures to highlight or how to capture her interest and not sound too preachy, etc. I've written my testimony inside several copies of the Book of Mormon and highlighted some of my favorite scriptures without worry and given them to friends and neighbors, but this was different. I felt like this friend needed extra special care and it needed to be timed just right when I sent it. Then it hit me, really hit me. My delay wasn't because of the need to handle this friend any differently than my other friends, it was because the adversary did NOT want me to send the book. Just as I was influenced by the Holy Ghost to send it to her in the first place, the adversary (Satan) was trying to influence me just as much, and was succeeding. Eventually I put the package together for this friend and mailed it off. It contained a copy of the Book of Mormon with my testimony of its truthfulness and my love for our Savior, Jesus Christ, a family picture glued to the inside cover, marked scriptures that are favorites of my family (especially 3 Nephi chapers 11-17 when Christ visits the Americas after his resurrection), See's Scotchmallow candy and 2 jars of homemade pomegranate jelly that she loves. It felt SOOOO good to hand that box to the postal worker and send it on its way!

How grateful I am for the gift of personal revelation that comes from the Holy Ghost. The older I get, the more I rely on its gentle but firm promptings that help me know what to do and say. I want to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord and share what means the most to me. How I love the Lord and his gospel! Blessings to all as you search for truth in righteousness

Sharing the concept in a wonderful book/journal with you that helps you see how anything positive, productive, small or large that you do each day puts a drop of "awesome" in your bucket. We tend to be hard on ourselves and see more negative in our behavior, but this book gives you license to see the good that you do each day and can motivate you to do better and better with each little drop. You don't need to buy the book to keep track of your "drops," just use your own journal and see what happens

https://powerofmoms.com/book-summary-drops-awesome/

I just love my memories of sweet and funny Sister Hinckley--dear President Gordon B. Hinckley's wife!

Here is a short and sweet video of how I've been taught to understand the miracle of God's grace in our lives--how we use it. I'm a piano teacher so this analogy is especially meaningful Enjoy this bit of enlightenment!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xIqcCwPpzk

This reminded me that although we may feel like we aren't doing well in our lives, we can still "shine" in our own, unique way, giving light and love to others.

When you have moments of questioning your faith in God, wondering if He cares about you or is listening to your prayers, here's a quote that has helped me regroup and carry on in faith. I always seem to return to what works best, and that is FAITH in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the current 12 apostles, counseled us with this:

"Hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we don't know."

The quote in the image below is also from a current apostle of the Lord, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Oh, how

I love and need the inspired counsel from a living prophet, his counselors and the 12 apostles!