Differing Points of View

There is a stir in the social networking world that has folks in an uproar.  It shocks me that when things like this happen people you think are in your circles come out against you and your points of view.  I know that we all believe in freedom of speech.  Still it seems that freedom also gives some the reason to bully, intimate, mock, and belittle the author.

It happened when a blog I have followed for years took on the values of a recent popular 'children's' movie.   It was a hugely unpopular move on her part.  People got ugly.  People of her own faith even.  People of my faith.

It happened to me when I shared this post on my social network page.  Some one who thinks they 'know' me made all sorts of remarks about the right and wrong way to live our religion, and the stupidity of the message.

Shame is so huge in our culture.

I find it interesting that if the issue raised didn't have any truth to it -- why all the hullabaloo?  The fact that people are in an uproar makes me wonder if the original poster might have struck a painful cord with some folks causing them to evaluate their experience with the film.

I was pricked by the post.  I had to go back and re-evaluate my experience and my impression.  I had to own the fact that I dismissed  whisperings of the spirit attempting to show me the error of what I was watching.

The theme song of the movie is in direct opposition to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It bugged me every time I heard my dd sing it -- but I neglected to follow the prompting to figure out why.

Elder M. Russell Ballard gives us counsel on this issue:

"The choices we make in media can be symbolic of the choices we make in life.  …In the virtual reality and the perceived reality of large and small screens, family-destructive viewpoints and beheavior are regularly portrayed as pleasurable, as stylish, as exciting, and as normal.  Often media's most devastating attacks on family are not direct or frontal or openly immoral.  Intelligent evil is too cunning for that, knowing that most people still profess belief in family and in traditional values.  Rather the attacks are subtle.  Immorality and sexual innuendo are everywhere, causing some to believe that because everyone is doing it, it must be all right.  This pernicious evil is not out in the street somewhere; it is coming right into our homes, right into the heart of our families…The time has come when members of the Church need to speak out and join with the many other concerned people in opposition to the offensive, destructive, and mean-spirited media influence that is sweeping over the earth."
    (source  http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/let-our-voices-be-heard?lang=eng&query=media)


What more can I say on this issue than what an apostle of the Lord has said?

Personally, I am grateful that a brave woman spoke up and followed her promptings, as this apostle taught her to do.   In doing so she will have to deal with those who oppose her with all their loud, mean, and critical remarks.  Such is the case with many who stand tall against the world.  

A Year of Unrest

I looked at this blog today and wondered where a year of life went because it is not on this blog.  Is it really true that the last time I reflected on my peaceable walk was at conference almost a year ago?

Truth be told -- it wasn't a peaceful year.
It was a difficult year.
It was a growing year.
A changing year.

I found a place to put some of my pain and trials -- which brought a lot of peace.
I took time for myself to really ponder me -- which brought a lot of peace.
I continue to serve in my music calling -- music brings me incredible peace.
I added a teaching calling, that while stressful at times -- brings me increased peace.

As 2013 was drawing to a close I found myself in a pivotal place that really could have gone either way.  I spent more time on my knees trying to find the answers and the way out of the dark place I felt I was in.  It was as one of my favorite speakers, S. Michael Wilcox, likes to say "the fourth watch" when the answers came.

Fourteen days into 2014 I am relieved to feel peace beginning to return.  I'm relieved by the answers to those prayers prayed in the 11th hour.  I'm grateful for this challenge that keeps me constantly seeking my peaceable walk.

Twittering General Conference

This weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the year -- General Conference weekend.  Most of regular life comes to a halt as we gather together to sit in front of the TV to listen to the words of our Church leaders. We are blessed to have BYUtv out here in the part of the mission field where we live.  We can enjoy each broadcasted session.  We can soak in all of the spiritual nourishment we are feed right in our own home.  It is a blessing.

Many of the talks this time have been about peace and hope.  I have already started a list of those talks I want to listen to again as soon as they are up on lds.org.  I am anxious to absorb these teachings deeply.

Some of the other counsel that hit close to my heart are:

"Why not choose a time each day to disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other?" Sister Wixom

"To speak to a child's heart, we must know a child's needs" SisWixom

"Pray to your Heavenly Father. This is His work. He will guide you in what to do." Elder Andersen on missionary work

"Our l hope is in Jesus Christ. He is the powerful entrance into the light.Darkness will not gain victory over the light of Christ." President Uchtdorf

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "Darkness cannot stand before the brilliant light of the Son of the living God"

"Never do or say anything that approaches the appearance of impropriety" Elder Clayton

Elder L. Whitney Clayton: Marriage is a gift from God to us. The quality of our marriages is a gift from us to Him.

Elder Perry - We need to be reminded of the commandments. Secularism is beginning to become the norm.

'If you are to be a man and live abundantly -- then live God's law #ElderPerry

Elder Perry "Choice of liberty or captivity is the consequence of obeying or disobeying God's law.

For man to substitute his laws for the laws of God on either side of life its the height of sin - Elder Perry

The restored gospel of Jesus Christ, it's stakes, ward, families and individual members do not waiver.  Stand Firm!  Elder Perry

"Life would be simpler for all of us if we would obey such rules completely." Pres. Monson

A knowledge of truth and answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God - Pres. Monson

Rules and laws are there to protect our physical and spiritual safety.

From a Prophet of God The Lord requires a heart and a willing mind.

In conclusion: Obedience brings peace and happiness not only in this life but in the world to come.

This is something I need to hold tightly to over the next few day.

Peaceful December Morning

December 19, 2012

It is early yet this morning as I sit on the couch welcoming in the new day.  I look at the lights on the tree in the dark room.  Behind me, the day begins to dawn with a light glow that is still too weak to fill the room.

These are precious moments to me.  The house is quiet as I close the door after wishing my husband ‘a good day.’  No one stirs yet leaving me alone with the lights and the dark and the day approaching behind me.

My mind is cluttered with the list of items that already call me, pulling me from this moment of peace, bringing a sense of rushing.  I sit, a while longer and take in the feelings of the lights and the season they represent.

I wonder how many more of these seasons will I be able to have this way.  Outside my secure surroundings today lays a world in chaos.  Government bodies argue over plans and taxes.  People hurt after a horrible shooting at an elementary school.  The superstitious worry if their days are numbered fearing the end in sight.  Others scurry on to work or school or wherever their patterned actions compel them to go. 

All these thoughts make this moment even sweeter.

My grandchild will be here soon.  The clock on the wall ticks.  The light is brighter now.  I’m reading an article on my smart phone on an e-magazine.  The writer attempts to explain what likely happened in Bethlehem the night the Christ child was born.

So much has changed in the Lord’s world since He came into His world to live his earthly days.  So many today are still confused about who Jesus actually is/was.  Some think there is/was only one God and he came down to earth as a child.  Some have an even foggier version of the story and the nature of God and His Son.  Some unfortunately do not believe at all.  I believe.

I believe beyond any doubt that our Heavenly Father sent Jesus, our brother, here to earth.  He came into this world, as we all do, born of a woman.  He is the Son of God.  Not God the Father.  Not an embodiment or formless being housing three spirits..His mission was a specific one.  Foretold from the beginning by prophets of God.  Today, we speak of the Christ child with reverence, knowing he is the Savior of the World.  We celebrate His birth because it is one of the most significant events in our mortal history. His life, his coming, is the greatest gift the world has ever received. 

Its five days and counting now.  Light fills the room.  Stirring is heard in the rooms upstairs. The day begins, but just for a moment longer, I sit, and ponder upon what Christmas means to me and feel His peace.

Merry Christmas!

When A Country Needs Peace

For the past couple of weeks the debates have been a hot issue.  It isn't peaceful watching grown men debate.  Often there is shouting, finger pointing, and talking over one another.  There is no doubt that we need peace in our land.  There is no debate about the condition of the United States government.

We know that we are blessed to live in a land of promise.  We are grateful for our freedoms.  However, there are evil forces at work in this land.  Forces that do not promote the ideals of our Founding Father or the kind of peace that we believe should be a part of this great land.

In the Doctrine and Covenants we read: "I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose."(D&C 101:80).   And in verse 77 of that section; " According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established..."  From these verses we know the hand of the Lord was in the forming of the laws and government of this country.   Therefore the stewardship is placed on us from Heaven to choose leaders that believe in these principles and strive to sustain them.

The sense of turmoil is palatable as the day of vote casting approaches.  I believe for the most part, fellow American across the board want to make a good choice in who they vote for.  Not as many realize the great stewardship this right hold which is what worries me.  The media, the debates, the endless bashing campaign commercials, the barrage of political mail to get the candidate's name out front is a huge contributor to the confusion.  Where in all of these chaos does one find the truth.

Though we, as citizens of this country, have agency to cast a vote, we are and will continue to be in the hands of the Lord.  This earth and it's inhabitants are here but for a short time.  All of this business of government and election and politics will one day come to major change.  I look forward to the day when the Kingdom of God and His government are present and in force upon the earth.  When peace will be present among all.

Still, we will be accountable to the Father for the choices we make here.  So study the issues and candidates well.  Pray for guidance and for the inspiration of the spirit to guide you as you make your voting choices.

My prayers each day include a petition to the powers of heaven to bless the people of this land with wisdom to choose according to the will of God.  I pray that we will have leaders that are Godly men and women with integrity towards he positions they hold.

"Oh No, Not Again..."

A couple years ago my little one, running wildly down the sidewalk as was prone to do, tripped over a bump in an uneven section and tumbled to her knees. Bloody and bruised and teary we managed to get through the ordeal. Then just a few days later, in the driveway, it happened again. As the tumble started I heard the words, "Oh no! Not again!" The realization that a crash was about to occur prompted the exclamation. Grief was unavoidable again. That cry of pain she expressed has not left me to this day. My heart broke for her. She knew. She saw it coming and cried out. It happens at times, grief. It trips you over, knocking the wind from you. As you go down you hear the fated words expel forth..."oh no! Not again!" You see it happening and you are powerless to stop it. Suddenly its clear that pain and damage are going to happen and like an out of body experience you watch it happen -- unable to prevent it. It happened to me -- again. Just like the tumble of my little child. Only it wasn't just my knees. It was my whole world. I could see it crumble and I couldn't figure out how to stop it. When it hit I was sick inside and I was furious. I said enough. Not this time. No more. Then God said otherwise. This was not a bruised knee that would be relatively easy to heal. This was a wound of the heart and these do not heal as quickly as you would sometimes like. In fact, I was struggling with the last time. How could I possibly go through this again and be whole? If there is anything I do know, when God asks something of you -- you don't say no. I offered forgiveness and began to pray. Harder than I have ever prayed before. I asked for my eyes to open that I might see what I have not seen before. I asked to be taught what I could not learn before. I asked to feel what I could not feel before. I prayed to believe. I prayed for peace. Slowly, like dawn breaking through the darkest night God opened the way. Though my heart, full of old scar tissue, still damaged from the past, I was shown how to truly love and forgive and where to find the peace and strength I needed. He showed me that love, forgiveness and peace could be found. I didn't expect this gift. I'd been in this place before. It wasn't my first fall. Recovery can be very slow and very painful. Yet somehow, though my obedience and my faith, I found what I had been longing for. Strength. And growth. I knew that in order for me to endure what was ahead of me, I needed to increase. Increase my capacities of charity, love, forgiveness. I needed to be a peacemaker. I needed to set aside my feelings and put someone else ahead of me. This was not an easy task. I didn't want my willingness to forgive to be misconstrued into making light of the injury. It wasn't something I could just shrug off as if it didn't matter. It mattered hugely. This time, I chose to handle how it mattered differently.

Peace With All Men

Hebrews 12:14 - "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." This is a great scripture for me for several reasons at this time. As I am tutored by the Lord in this mission of peace I walk, I am learning daily how much I still need to learn.