Come, See the Miracle

Last time I read   Alma 29 , I had a different understanding of it that shed some light on my own personal experiences.  I was reminded of this again today, and wanted to get it written down.  (I figured I might as well share!) In  Alma 29 , Alma writes about his desire to share the gospel to every person, every nation.  He writes: 1  O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!   2  Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.   3  But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me. I always felt that Alma was being to...

A few years ago I wrote some articles on the Laws of Thought as I went through Leslie Householders Mentor Training program.  I wanted to post them here, but my saved files of these articles all seem to be corrupted somehow.  Fortunately, I had to submit them for publication on another website.  Rather than reposting them here, I'm adding the links.  I want to type new ones, anyway--I need the refresher, and the experiences of the past few years have enhanced my understanding, and I want that understanding reflected in my posts.  The new ones I'll add to this site as I get them done (and probably publish on ezinearticles.com as well).  I'm also including a few other articles I've written that are related to the Laws of Thought. The Law of Perpetual Transmutation The Law of Relativity The Law of Vibration The Law of Polarity The Law of Cause and Effect The Law of Rhythm The Law of Gestation Other articles: What Do I Have To Be Thankful For? Faci...

I was talking to my sweet daughter the other day.  She is of an age and a temperament that makes not getting her way an absolutely miserable experience.  I was trying to help her through a particularly upsetting disappointment, when she asked me the $64,000 question: “How can I be happy when I’m just NOT?!” Admittedly, I have been struggling with the same question—I, who have studied and taught principles that lead to happiness!  So when I found myself answering her question, I knew the answer was a gift from my Heavenly Father, an answer that was as much for me as it was for her.  The answer consisted of three choices: 1) choose to be happy; 2) choose to be flexible; 3) choose to be grateful. First, there is power in making a choice.  The opportunity and ability to be happy is always present, but it requires that we make a choice to lay hold upon those gifts.  Making that choice literally bestows upon you the power to think differently, the pow...

Several months ago, a bunch of blog posts about modesty were going viral all over my facebook newsfeed. Everyone wanted to get their two cents in on the issue.  I read a lot of posts because I wanted to see other perspectives, and answer the burning question: why?  My oldest has asked "why?" about modesty since she was eight years old, and I never felt like I had an adequate answer.  But I discovered an interesting thing as I read multiple blog posts on the subject: no one else did, either. There were posts that were quoted texts from meetings where bishops or stake presidents had been counseling youth that had some good points in them.  And then there were comments and counter-posts indicating that the original posts had missed the mark.  I felt that the commenters were also right.  Some commenters were even offended, crying sexism and hypocrisy over the way other bloggers stated their positions.  And they all had their points.  I even made an ...

I have a favorite poem: Give thanks for dirty dishes, They have a tale to tell. While other folks go hungry, We're eating very well. With health and home and happiness, We shouldn't want to fuss, But by this stack of evidence, God's very good to us. (Anonymous) I admit, my kitchen is usually filled with piles of dirty dishes, and I don't usually feel very thankful for them. Instead, I tend to wonder how six people can dirty every dish we own in a single meal. But the fact remains, they wouldn't be dirty at all if I were not fortunate enough to be eating several times every day. So, if something as bothersome as dirty dishes is really a blessing, what other blessings in life could I be missing? Are there other things that I hate in life that are, in reality, blessings? Last week a pipe broke under our sink, and water sprayed all over the kitchen. It soaked the floor, the cabinets, and even made its way to the basement. All this while I was trying to get kids ...

My ten year old daughter had two BFFs this year (yes, had. So much for the last "F"). In all fairness to her, the termination of her relationship with these BFFs was not her doing or theirs, it was mine. After several trips to the principal's office for these three, the principal, their teacher, the other moms, and I all decided it was time to call it quits on behalf of these children. Oh, there was weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth, running away, and extremely loud, unkind words as my daughter entered the very depths of despair, but miraculously, within a couple of weeks—even days, the sweet daughter I had known pre-BFFs was back. I don't believe that it was the BFFs fault for my daughter's BFF behavior, but outside of BFF influences, she has been able to get in touch with her true self and do what she knows to be right, rather than allowing another person or relationship define her. But post BFF life has not been all peaches and roses. Without her BFFs...

The Young Women Theme states: "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us. . ." I love that reminder that I am a daughter of God, and because of that, I have divine qualities within. Here is the first goal for the value Divine Nature: "What are some of the divine qualities of a daughter of God? Read "The Family: A Proclamation to the World"; 2 Peter 1; Alma 7:23-24; and Doctrine and Covenants 121:45. In your own words, list the divine qualities discussed in your reading. Think about how you can discover and develop each of these qualities. Record your ideas in your journal." Journal--July 9, 2011 Divine Qualities of a Daughter of God: Charitable Virtuous* Confident Humble* Submissive* Gentle Easily entreated Patient Long-suffering Temperate Diligent in keeping the commandments* Asking God for whatever she needs, temporal or spiritual Serves others Thankful Faithful* Hopeful* Abounding in good works Testimony* Keeps herself apart from the...