"Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice"

Joseph Smith - The Book of Mormon - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Sunday, December 28, 2008

"The Way"


This week's Conference talk is entitled "The Way" - By: Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge. The lead sentence that the ENSIGN wrote from this talk was..."There is only one way to HAPPINESS and FULFILLMENT. JESUS CHRIST is the WAY."


Sunday, December 21, 2008

"Even A Child Can Understand"


Our Conference talk this week..."Even a Child Can Understand"....is by Elder Gerald Causse.

There is a very short line in Elder Causse's talk that attracted my attention..."One must look with the heart". It seems that ALL TRUTH...is discovered and learned depending on the condition of our "heart"...Some years, ago, I came to a cross-roads with one of my children...I found myself...not "connecting" very well...and got on my knees and finally prayed for the right solution..."Father CHANGE ME!!!"... "CHANGE MY HEART"...A simple miracle took place...and I was able to "see" things differently, because MY HEART... had to change...I am so GRATEFUL for such a powerful LESSON in life...

Monday, December 15, 2008

"The Ministry of Angels"


Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk on "The Ministry of Angels" is so PERFECT for this season..."God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face." Our great HOPE lies with the BABE of BETHLEHEM..."God Bless Us EVERYONE"...(Tiny Tim)

http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-10,00.html

Sunday, December 7, 2008

"Come What May, and Love It" - Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

How incredibly timely...that THIS WEEK we will be reading Elder Wirthlin's last General Conference Address to all of us. "Come What May and Love It"... This beautiful line from his talk...is such "wise" counsel...."The way we REACT to ADVERSITY can be a MAJOR FACTOR in how HAPPY and SUCCESSFUL we can be in LIFE".... This line alone is a "quote" KEEPER...

If you do NOT have an "Ensign" here is the talk on the web:


Would love your comments on either Elder Wirthlin and/or comments on this wonderful talk...

Sunday, November 30, 2008

"The Infinite Power of Hope"


Our talk this week...is perhaps the BEST talk I have ever read on "Hope"...by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. I would love to hear your THOUGHTS...for...I found my spirit was greatly "enriched"...and plan on digesting its contents...more than once...




I believe this talk is CRITICAL...to our "times"....

Monday, November 24, 2008

A FEW THOUGHTS on "Gratitude" from Conferences

This last conference there were two thoughts on "Gratitude":
1. Elder David A. Bednar - "Prayer becomes mroe meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all of our doings, as we EXPRESS HEARTFELT GRATITUDE, and as we pray for others."

2. President Thomas S. Monson - "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family."

Previous Conferences:
1. Elder Dallin H. Oaks (April 2003) - "When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life."
2. President Howard W. Hunter (General R.S. 1994) - "In behalf of the general officers of the church. I thank you for the service you render to the Church, to your families, and to the neighborhoods and communities in which you live. I recognize that many of your unselfish and compassionate deeds are unknown, unheralded, and at time unthanked. HOWEVER, THE LORD IS MINDFUL OF YOU."

Sunday, November 16, 2008

"Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament"

http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-6,00.html


"The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church." I am grateful to Elder Dallin H. Oaks for addressing this subject. Most of us can identify with distractions while the "sacrament" is being passed...Whether it was our children needing our attention or our thoughts far, far, and away....perhaps this address will help us find ways to "prepare" for this sacred time in our week...


Will look forward to your thoughts on this important subject.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

I don't know when I have been touched so tenderly and I mean it...you 3 dear friends and sisters have really touched me...I love your imagery - Debbie, you running up the stairs; Linda, you playing the piano and the comments about your Mom; and Sandee that image of the girls in the halls reading their scriptures ought to be in the Ensign (I was just sitting down with the children looking at all the pictures in the Ensign - I look so forward to the pictures; they're so touching - tiny hands in bigger ones, older people in walkers being helped down steps, saints from around the world, chubby cheek children...)....thank you all for your beautiful sentiments and thank you Debbie for suggesting this!

Here's a quote you'll like: scripture study is a harmonizing echo of distant lessons already learned, a wondrous review of divine instruction gleaned firsthand from the Creator Himself. Wisdom already planted in our hearts and mind by virtue of the preparation and instruction we have received in the premortal realm....it's an "adventure in remembering"; those who read and ponder the word of God thru the Spirit will experience that remarkable sensation of seeming to recover, line upon line, what was known long before the veil of forgetfulness was placed upon us at birth...the messengers of the scriptures will speak to us...be that familiar spirit (2 Ne 26:16).

My "adventure in remembering"....my parents joined the church when I was 3 or 4. My earliest memories of studying the scriptures was when I was about 12; propped up in my bed reading and reading, night after night - no one told me to; but I loved reading the scriptures...I was even teased by other girls in the YW's (in a good way I suppose)...because I loved the scriptures....
it was always "a part of me" - it was always a feeling of "recovering line upon line" what was known before the veil - there was not 1 experience or a prayer that testified of the truth for me; I had just always known....

What I can testify of is it's not always about the words that are being read -- but as I read the words, a connection builds, a bond grows, I feel drawn to my Father in a way that I know Him better, I see Him in everything...one night for no reason AT ALL I was just feeling a little low and as I let Sugar out before bed in the dark for her potty-break; I was pondering why am I feeling low for no reason....then the clouds parted at that very moment and one of the planets shone through the little break in the clouds and in the moonlight just was as bright as can be - it seemed to say to me "I am here; not far, I love you" - it was so powerful, it made me cry...I stared at it for awhile smiling as if I was looking at my Father, then it tucked back in the clouds....there's been similar such experiences at just the moment I needed them - the Book of Mormon is power - power in ways we don't even realize or know how to express ~ my love to you all:)

Saturday, November 8, 2008

"Because My Father Read the Book of Mormon"


This week's General Conference talk is by Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis - "Because My Father Read the Book of Mormon"... http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-5,00.html

I think what would be a blessing to all of us...is to read your testimonies of the Book of Mormon...perhaps your story...on the time...you discover the book was TRUE...

May I begin with mine...Six months after I joined the church...I was heavily taunted by my family over my "joining" the church...It was a very difficult time for me...I left California and moved in with a LDS family in SLC. One of the Sister Missionaries that I became very close to after my conversion...invited me to stay with her family...I lived with them nearly a month...The Greenburg family gave me a room down in the basement of their home...and there...for "3" weeks...I PRAYED to know with ALL OF MY HEART...if the Book of Mormon was true...I had to know...One morning...as I read it...I had this INCREBIBLE witness...that the Book of Mormon was TRUE...I was SO EXCITED over my experience...that I RAN UPSTAIRS...and cried out...."Sister Greenburg....Sister Greenburg...the Book of Mormon IS TRUE!!!" She simply smiled at me...and patted my head...."I know, dear"....I have NEVER FORGOTTEN THAT EXPERIENCE....I know with ALL OF MY HEART...it TRULY is the WORD OF GOD...It has been one of my GREATEST "treasures" to have been given this knowledge.....The feelings I get...when I do read it....reconfirms that BLESSED MORNING....nearly 35 years ago...

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

SUMMARY: General Conference October 2008 and R.S. Broadcast

Sisters:
After I heard the results of the elections last night...I went to my NEW "Ensign" on our October 2008 General Conference...and typed up all the "Summary lines" on EACH General Conference talk, plus the Relief Society Broadcast....Here is the Summary list....Be interested in your thoughts of the "overtone" of last conference...(This is NOT replacing our reading of EACH General Conference talk...There is SO MUCH MORE contained in each talk...I just typed up all the "summary lines"...to get a sense of the Conference)


ENSIGN: Key line from each talk as printed from the "ENSIGN":

President Thomas S. Monson – “Our Heavenly Father is mindful of each one of us and our needs. May we be filled with His Spirit as we partake of the proceedings of this conference.”

Elder L. Tom Perry – “In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives.”

Sister Silvia H. Allred – “We can all participate in missionary work. This is the Lord’s work, and He will help us do it.”

Elder Neil L. Andersen – “As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have enormous spiritual reservoirs of light and truth available to us…In our days of difficulty, we choose the road of faith.”

Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis – “I invite all who hear me today to read the Book of Mormon and to apply the promise it contains. Those who do will know that the book is true.”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks – “The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf – “Hope in God, His goodness, and His power refreshes us with courage during difficult challenges.”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin – “The way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland – “God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face.”

Elder Gerald Causse – “God…has ensured that the truths regarding God are understandable to all His children, whatever their level of education or intellectual faculty.”

Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge – “There is only one way to happiness and fulfillment. Jesus Christ is the Way.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson – “In our families and in our stakes and districts, let us seek to build up Zion through unity, godliness, and charity.”

Elder David A. Bednar – “Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all of our doings, as we express heartfelt gratitude, and as we pray for others.”

Elder Richard G. Scott – “The perfect role model for use of the holy priesthood is our Savior, Jesus Christ. He ministered with love, compassion, and charity.”

Elder Jay E. Jensen – “By coming humbly and fully repentant to sacrament meeting and worthily partaking of the sacrament, we may feel those arms (of safety) again and again.”

Elder James J. Hamula – “You were entrusted to come to the earth in these last days to do again what you did before---to once again choose good over evil.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf – “Every priesthood holder stands at a unique place and has an important task that only he can perform.”

President Henry B. Eyring – “Our power to carry burdens can be increased more than enough to compensate for the increased service we will be asked to give.”

President Thomas S. Monson – “May we learn what we should learn, do what we should do, and be what we should be.”

President Henry B. Eyring – “The Saints can accomplish any purpose of the Lord when fully united in righteousness.”

Elder Robert D. Hales – “Answering our accusers in the Savior’s way.”

Elder Keith B. McMullin – “We need Heavenly Father’s help. Important sources of this help come through man’s service to his fellowman, through prayer, and through focus on Christ.”

Sister Elaine S. Dalton – “Now is the time for each of us to arise and unfurl a banner to the world calling for a return to virtue.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard – “This is God’s work, and God’s work will not be frustrated. But there is still much to be done.”

President Thomas S. Monson – “Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family.”

President Boyd K. Packer – “Neither mobbings nor the army could turn the Saints aside from what they knew to be true.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson – “The proclamation on the family helps us realize that celestial marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other relationship.”

Elder William D. Oswalk – “When we learn a few fundamental principles about teaching and are shown how to teach, all of us can do it.”

Elder Eduardo Gavarret – “What a tremendous impact we can make in the lives of so many…when we accept the Savior’s invitation to feed His sheep.”

Elder Carlos A. Godoy – “To receive the witness of the “still small voice” sometimes can have a stronger impact on our testimonies than the visit of an angel.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook – “We know from the scriptures that some trials are for our good and are suited for our own personal development.”

President Thomas S. Monson – “May we be good citizens of the nations in which we live and good neighbors in our communities, reaching out to those of other faiths, as well as to our own.”

General Relief Society Meeting

Sister Julie B. Beck – “Relief Society was established by the Lord to organize, teach, and inspire His daughters to prepare for the blessings of eternal life.”

Sister Silvia H. Allred – “The temples are sacred, holy places. They are a source of spiritual power and strength. They are a place of revelation.”

Sister Barbara Thompson – “Participation in Relief Society is part of our glorious heritage and blessing as women in the Lord’s Church.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf – “Our birthright---and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth---is to seek and experience eternal happiness.”

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Samuel the Lamanite and Prop. 8

You have got to love "Mormon" humor! (smile)

"You Know Enough" - Elder Neil L. Andersen

This next week's Study...



"You Know Enough"
Elder Neil L. Andersen Of the Presidency of the Seventy
As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have enormous spiritual reservoirs of light and truth available to us. . . . In our days of difficulty, we choose the road of faith.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

"Go Ye Therefore"


This week's General Conference Address:

"Go Ye Therefore"
Silvia H. Allred First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
"We can all participate in missionary work. This is the Lord’s work, and He will help us do it."

http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-3,00.html

How perfectly TIMELY this TALK is...after hearing last night's STAKE CONFERENCE....This supports the COUNSEL we received last night on MISSIONARY WORK!!! (smile) I thought STAKE CONFERENCE was GREAT last night!!!! The YOUTH did a super job on the music...and the talks were marvelous...

Saturday, October 18, 2008

"Let Him Do It With Simplicity"


Hello...Sisters...I am so excited...to be discussing these General Conference talks with each of you...This week's talk...will be Elder L. Tom Perry's talk entitled: "Let Him Do It With Simplicity"...Would love to see what thoughts came to your mind...as you read this apostle's Conference address....


You can find this talk at this address site: http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-2,00.html


In regards to this past week's talk...of President Monson's....have any of you had any experiences regarding "missionary" work...? Even though he urged us to pray to see nations open for the work...I figure...we might as well be praying...for OUR MISSIONARIES in our WARD...helping US OPEN UP OUR LONGWOOD WARD BOUNDARIES (smile)...Of course, we could be helping OTHER WARDS...if the Lord places someone for them...in our paths...(smile)

Monday, October 13, 2008

Another BLOG Started for Additional Devotionals

Sisters in Zion:There has been a request to study other great talks and devotionals besides Conference talks...I had started this BLOG (Granny Smith's Country Garden), but never got around to using it...so, I decided to use this other site...for the purpose of another discussion group...Saves me time in setting up another BLOG...(smile) However, this will need to be more closely watched over...Don't want this to become OVERLOADED...or out of control in the types of things to read....Please, send me your choices that you would like to discuss...to my GMAIL account - mothersmith@gmail.com - plus the site to where each of us...could pull it up...I would, also, suggest...ONE TALK per week...If you are reading the CONFERENCE talks...your own personal scripture study...and other demands on your time...I think...then...ONE "other" talk...per week...just enough to handle....This should be a time to enrich our lives...and strengthen one another...May the SPIRIT guide us all....Love, Deb

The BLOG web address is: http://grannysmithscountrygarden.blogspot.com/

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Rome Italy Temple....and Kansas City....Temple


I was excited over the announcements of the 5 new temples...but, I have to admit...the ROME ITALY temple tickled all of us who were watching conference in our home...and the Kansas City temple...so close to the property we wanted to buy...(l hour) It was 4 1/2 hours to St. Louis...otherwise...

I truly believe in President Monson's opening remarks...were inspired as well..."I can assure you that those men and women who will speak to you have prayed about what they should say. They have been inspired and impressed as they have sought heaven's help and direction"...I believe with all my heart...that truly did come to pass...

Like Sandee said...in her comments earlier...I felt MORE CONFIDENCE flow through every ounce of my being...I felt STRENGTHENED...and the spirit of COURAGE...seem to take heart...

In this talk...President Monson asked us to PRAY to open up areas where the gospel is NOT being taught...or is limited....So...on each of our LISTS to DO....Add...PRAY for the gospel to enter in those situations in the world that our missionary work can go FORWARD...He said they saw MIRACLES unfold...when they did this under President Kimball...if we pray IN FAITH...

Our missionaries are going to try and impliment...tying a piece of YARN around our wrists to remind us...to do SOMETHING in the form is missionary work...I look forward to getting a piece of yarn...(smile) (may ask for 2 or 3....pieces...) (smile)

"Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God..."

Hello...Dear Sisters...
We are going to start a wonderful "adventure" together...We will be studing the "counsel" and "wisdom" of our Prophet, Apostles, and other church leaders...We will begin with President Thomas S. Monson's OPENING remarks...on Saturday morning...You will find his talk
http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-1,00.html


I am currently rereading a wonderful book I received on my mission...from a "convert" to the church...It was written by Elder Nathan Eldon Tanner, who was a member of the First Presidency called "Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God"...The title was his life's motto which was based on the scripture from Matthew 6:33 "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his rightousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

What a wonderful thought...as we begin to PONDER over the message of this last General Conference...I am so looking forward to all your thoughts...and comments...May we all grow closer to a "Zionist" attitude of becoming of "one heart and one mind"...Love, Deb