Lessons Learned

It is worthwhile to read the post prior to this one to see how the Lord's ways are not quite so mysterious. 

It is still Thursday evening. I had just finished the last post ending with

 "At the end of my shift, I went up to the Celestial Room. After feeling such a sweet Spirit I wanted to spend some time reflecting and in prayer in that beautiful space. Many tears streamed as I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for my life and the experiences and blessings I have been given. Oh how I wonder how in the world I will ever be worthy enough to have received so much abundance!"

After walking into the kitchen and setting my phone down on the counter it started to ring. I recognized the number of a brother from our bishopric. Quickly my mind thought, I just spoke in church so he wouldn't be asking me to do that again so soon and I was just released from my Young Women's calling last Sunday and was just planning on having two callings instead of three for a while which was to continue to serve in the Temple and to be my neighborhood emergency preparedness coordinator, so I thought there is no way they would be asking me to do another calling so soon. 

So with not a care in the world I answered the call. It was about 8:22pm. The brother on the other end said, "oh I didn't think you would answer the call this late". To which I replied "how old do you think I am?" and we chuckled. He said, I am calling to extend you a new calling. Of course my mind was thinking, you have got to be kidding me! 

Now this is where my natural man comes into play, if you had read the post prior to this one, I go on and on about how serving in the church is a privilege and not a responsibility and we should be grateful for the opportunity. Let's just say it is not always first instinct to practice what you preach!!! 

I am still very human, and it was very apparent this evening. 

I was really in shock that they were asking me to serve in another calling so soon since part of the reason I was being released from YW was due to time constraints coming up in the next year that would make it hard for me to serve in the three callings I had. 

I told the brother of the bishopric I would pray about it and let him know. He requested I just let him know soon, atleast before Sunday.

So of course I called my mom to share my shock from the request and vent, quite frankly,... natural man strikes again! 

Oh and by the way the new calling I was to accept was Gospel Doctrine Teacher.

So obviously, my natural man came up with plenty of reasons why I should not accept this invitation.

1st- In my mind, I am most definitely the least qualified person in our ward for this calling. I am not a scriptorian. I couldn't tell you a scripture reference to save my life off the top of my head. Do I love the scriptures, Yes, absolutely. But my memory is so horrible and I only remember different bits and pieces that have stood out over the years. And I have heard many people in our Sunday School class share deep insights into the scriptures that I have never known or had before. And let's just say there are a few past mission presidents in our class and others who have lived much much longer than me, and have had way more life experience that me, and so much more knowledge to give than I do. 

2nd-I have never had this calling before. I have had many teaching callings in primary, young womens, relief society, and an adult gospel principles class, which I loved. I do enjoy teaching in all honesty, but this is a whole nother level which I do not feel qualified in the least. What could I possibly teach these people?

3rd- This year's Come Follow Me content will be on the Old Testament of the Bible. I have never read it through from back to back. I have read extensive parts of the New Testament, oh how I love the New Testament, but the Old Testament is pretty foreign to me.

So after my natural man took the podium, my Spirit decided it was its turn in this debate: (sometimes I picture the shoulder angels from The Emporer's New Groove (my favorite animated movie))

A-Where much is given, much is required

B-Didn't you just ask in prayer in the temple to have the Lord help you to do His will and not your own and to know how it is He can use you to help others?

C-Didn't you just have a lesson on how having a calling is a privilege and not an obligation?

D-Didn't you just recognize in your last journal entry "how on earth will I ever be worthy enough to have received so much abundance?"

The answer was so blaringly obvious, of course, I would accept this calling and unfortunately it was still a bit begrudingly and since I am so hard headed, the Lord clearly knew I needed one last nudge.

Since last conference in October I have been cycling through all of the Conference Talks in order before going to bed. "Conveniently" the next talk I would be reading before I fell asleep was the talk by Elder Ballard. 

“Lovest Thou Me More Than These?”

Link to Elder Ballard's Talk

After starting into the talk, it was very clear, that there really was no coincidence that this was what I was supposed to read tonight. That the Lord was talking directly through this talk to me, and he truly wanted to know "Lovest Thou Me More Than These". Of course my heart was softened. How could it not be when the first line I read was "What things can you do within your own life to show that you love the Lord first?"

It goes on to say

"Relating this question to ourselves in our day, the Lord may be asking us about how busy we are and about the many positive and negative influences competing for our attention and our time. He may be asking each of us if we love Him more than the things of this world. This may be a question about what we really value in life, who we follow, and how we view our relationships with family members and neighbors. Or maybe He is asking what really brings us joy and happiness.

Do the things of this world bring us the joy, happiness, and peace that the Savior offered to His disciples and that He offers to us? Only He can bring us true joy, happiness, and peace through our loving Him and following His teachings.

How would we answer the question “Lovest thou me more than these?”

and further down the talk

"Last October, President Russell M. Nelson taught us the importance of putting Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first in our lives. President Nelson taught us that one meaning of the word Israel is “let God prevail.”

He asked each of us these questions: “Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?”

We must always remember that our true happiness depends upon our relationship with God, with Jesus Christ, and with each other."

This talk was clearly what my natural man side needed to hear so that physical me could allow my Spirit to progress.  What powerful and impactful words said by our Prophet and this clearly was one of my tests. Was I really willing to let God prevail in my life? Was I willing to allow His voice to take priority over any other and whatever He needs to take precedence over every other ambition? 

Of course there was no longer any point in delaying. At 10:04pm, I texted the bishopric brother to let him know I would accept the calling.

So I guess in "closing" sometimes the mysteries of the Lord are not so mysterious. We really can't expect to receive our blessings for nothing. Where much is given, much is required, but we really are always given 10 fold of what we put in. I am grateful for this new calling that will once again help me to learn and grow in my life. 

And I keep telling myself, it's ok if I don't know everything, that is not my job. My job is to be a facilitator. A facilitator of discussion, of learning, but most importantly the Spirit. If I have learned anything in my last 18 years of callings, it is that "I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me."(Philippians 4:13) So I have no need to fear how inadequate I am for the task. 

On a lighter note my mom sent me the below quote as also a great friendly, funny reminder to always keep my lessons within the time I am given. LOL

 

Temple Dayz

It's Thursday, December 30, 2021 approx 6:41pm. I am super tired, but a good tired and I know if I don't write down the thoughts and experiences of this day, I am more than likely to forget. 

I just got home from substituting for someone else at the temple. It is snowing hard outside but hasn't started sticking to the roads yet. Hen is in the garage tinkering with one of his "projects". I just put on my PJ's, crawled into bed and turned the laptop on. The light is quite bright and harsh on my tired eyes but I pray someone will read this at some point in time and gleam something useful from it. 

Henry got his Covid Booster shot yesterday and so his manager let him take today off as he deals with the side affects so it has been nice to have him home today.

I had picked up this shift a few days ago since the Temple will be closed Saturday for the New Years Holiday. 

Upon arriving at preparation meeting I noticed there were a total of six of us substitutes whose names were listed on the whiteboard. One of the sisters played Christmas music on the piano as we all sat in silence and pondered on the lyrics.

The opening song we sang was O Little Town of Bethlehem. The end of the song hit me harder than I ever remembered noticing. 

"How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is giv’n!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of his heav’n.

No ear may hear his coming;

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still

The dear Christ enters in."

I love those words. "Where meek souls receive him, still The dear Christ enters in." It does not say, where perfect souls, or spotless souls will receive, but meek. Just like everyone else, I have weaknesses that I am still striving to overcome and I am so grateful to be able to feel the Spirit of our Savior by being meek and humble. Because if perfection were required, I would never be able to feel of that sweet peace and joy only He can give. 

The sisters thanked us substitutes over and over because they were short handed. More and more sisters are either sick or have contracted Covid. 

There were two new sisters who were starting permanently on this shift that introduced themselves. They both had been waitlisted for 6 months or so, waiting to be able to come and work at the Temple. I felt so grateful to have been able to work here since June.

The sister conducting the meeting shared some beautiful stories with us today. First she shared part of a conversation she had with a General Authority. He told her that the Lord had told him "I will LET you serve."

What a powerful message from our Savior and wonderful reminder that everything the Lord gives us, especially our callings, are because he allows us the privilege to serve in His name and on His behalf. Serving in his church is not a rite or entitlement but a privilege that can be taken at anytime we are not worthy or willing.

It really made me ponder on so many things in my life that the Lord has allowed us to have, has allowed us to do, has allowed us to experience, and has allowed us the opportunity to serve. 

It is easy to forget when you are asked to serve in a calling that is not simply an obligation, but that we are being given a gift we are being allowed to receive. The gift of opportunity. The opportunity to serve, to learn, to grow, to love. 

Another story this sister shared was titled the "The 3 levels of Christmas" which was published by the Deseret News back in 2014. Link to Article the 3 Levels of Christmas see below for text

Christmas is a beautiful time of the year. We love the excitement, the giving spirit, the special awareness of and appreciation for family and friends, the feelings of love and brotherhood that bless our gatherings at Christmastime.

In all of the joyousness it is well to reflect that Christmas comes at three levels.

Let’s call the first the Santa Claus level. It’s the level of Christmas trees and holly, of whispered secrets and colorful packages, of candlelight and rich food and warm open houses. It’s carolers in the shopping malls, excited children, and weary but loving parents. It’s a lovely time of special warmth and caring and giving. It’s the level at which we eat too much and spend too much and do too much — and enjoy every minute of it. We love the Santa Claus level of Christmas.

But there’s a higher, more beautiful level. Let’s call it the "Silent Night" level. It’s the level of all our glorious Christmas carols, of that beloved, familiar story: “Now in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus ….” It’s the level of the crowded inn and the silent, holy moment in a dark stable when the Son of Man came to earth. It’s the shepherds on steep, bare hills near Bethlehem, angels with their glad tidings, the new star in the East, wise men traveling far in search of the Holy One. How beautiful and meaningful it is; how infinitely poorer we would be without this sacred second level of Christmas.

The trouble is, these two levels don’t last. They can’t.

Twelve days of Christmas, at the first level, is about all most of us can stand. It’s too intense, too extravagant. The tree dies out and needles fall. The candles burn down. The beautiful wrappings go out with the trash, the carolers are up on the ski slopes, the toys break, and the biggest day in the stores for the entire year is exchange day, Dec. 26. The feast is over and the dieting begins. But the lonely and the hungry are with us still, perhaps lonelier and hungrier than before. Lovely and joyous as the first level of Christmas is, there will come a day, very soon, when Mother will put away the decorations and vacuum the living room and think, “Thank goodness that this over for another year.”

Even the second level, the level of the Baby Jesus, can’t last. How many times this season can you sing “Silent Night?” The angels and the star, and the shepherd, even the silent, sacred mystery of the holy night itself, can’t long satisfy humanity’s basic need. The man who keeps Christ in the manger will, in the end, be disappointed and empty.

No, for Christmas to last all year long, for it to grow in beauty and meaning and purpose, for it to have the power to change lives, we must celebrate it at the third level, that of the adult Christ. It is at this level — not as an infant — that our Savior brings his gifts of lasting joy, lasting peace, lasting hope. It was the adult Christ who reached out and touched the untouchable, who loved the unlovable, who so loved us all that even in his agony on the cross, he prayed for forgiveness for his enemies.

This is Christ, creator of worlds without number, who wept because so many of us lack affection and hate each other — and then who willingly gave his life for all of us, including those for whom he wept. This is the Christ, the adult Christ, who gave us the perfect example, and asked us to follow him.

Accepting that invitation is the way — the only way — that all mankind can celebrate Christmas all year and all life long.

"The Three Levels of Christmas" was published as a Church News "Viewpoint" in the Dec. 15, 1985, issue of the Deseret News. It was written by then-editor and general manager William B. Smart, who included it in his 1989 book, "Messages for a Happier Life."

The last paragraph of the Deseret News' editorial policy reads: "The Deseret News embraces the divinity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the light, life and hope of the world. it nurtures the light of faith in the darkness of an unbelieving world and acknowledges his teachings, grace and redeeming power as the way to everlasting happiness."

I felt the Spirit strongly as this sweet sister read the above words and then she added her own 4th level of Christmas, which she called the "Resurrected Savior". She spoke about the Second Coming and reminded us of our Prophet President Russell M. Nelson pleading with us that

“It is now time that we each implement extraordinary measures — perhaps measures we have never taken before — to strengthen our personal spiritual foundations,” he said. “Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures.”

In this talk from October General Conference President Nelson also counseled us " to make time for the Lord every day and to strengthen spiritual foundations. And nothing will strengthen one’s spiritual foundation like temple service and temple worship".

I am so grateful for the opportunities that the Lord has allowed me to have in my life of partaking of the Sacrament each week to repent for my sins and be cleansed, to hold callings that have helped me to learn and grow, and especially for the wonderful time I am able to serve in the Temple each week. My life has been forever changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I would be completely lost without it.

As a sub this week I was assigned to the second floor for the duration of the time where I was able to assist sweet sister temple patrons with beautiful ordinances for those individuals they were performing proxy work for. 

As I sat in between turns I picked up a Book of Mormon and started reading about where I had left off the night before. All I could remember was Alma 26. I opened to that chapter and read it all at once. It is a little bit of a longer chapter but now one of my absolute favorites. I gained so much insight reading it in those few minutes at the temple, than I ever have reading it at home. I could just copy and paste the whole thing because it is that powerful, but I will just leave a link here if you want to read it. I promise it is worth your time.

The funny part about this chapter is I have been reading it for several days now in the evening before going to sleep. Frankly I was pretty lazy about it, only reading a few verses each night and not really spending any time pondering or studying it. So that is partially why I decided to go back and reread it but this time actually paying attention to what it was saying. 

Link to Alma 26

After feasting on the words of Ammon in Alma 26, two sisters stood out to me during this shift. The first was a sister who told me that she would be 92 in 7 days. She brought such a sweet Spirit with her and there were a few times my voice was shaky because of how overwhelming the peace and joy was of having the Spirit present. I could tell this sweet sister was very special and I was in the presence of an Angel. As she left she turned to me and said I will be your friend. Her kindness and presence brought so much love and joy to my heart, what a blessing it was to get to help her  in the temple today. After she left I did the math in my head. At 92 and I am 38, that is a difference of 54 years. She is not only more than twice my age, but a whole nother lifetime between our ages she has lived. At this point in my life, I simply can't fathom living for 92 years. The things she much have seen and experienced! Incredible!

The next sweet sister I was able to assist was sweet Sheri Dew, former General Relief Society President, author, publisher, and CEO of Deseret Book. Our coordinator had given me and the other sister I was working with a heads up that she would be joining us soon. She said "act normal". I chuckled to myself, because with masks, I may not have realized until later who she was. I have heard and watched many talks by Sis Dew and have always been able to feel a closeness to her because she has never had children or been married. In seeing her in person for the first time, all I could think was how beautiful she was, even at 68, and what a beautiful Spirit she brought with her. 

Even though it did feel special to get to be in the presence of someone so wonderful and accomplished and a privilege to help her perform work for her ancestors, I truly didn't feel any more love for her than any of the other sisters I have helped since working at the Temple. That is what I love so much about the temple. It doesn't matter who you are, your background, your accomplishments, any status. As brothers and sisters walk through those doors with a temple recommend, all are equal in the sight of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

At the end of my shift, I went up to the Celestial Room. After feeling such a sweet Spirit I wanted to spend some time reflecting and in prayer in that beautiful space. Many tears streamed as I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for my life and the experiences and blessings I have been given. Oh how I wonder how in the world I will ever be worthy enough to have received so much abundance!

Family History

This morning I learned I had a 2nd Great-Granduncle who went by Uncle Hen! Dudley Henry Leavitt What an incredible time he lived in and life he had!

 

Ann Huband

This evening while Henry was at his regular temple shift I was able to schedule an appointment for an endowment I needed to do. Her name is Ann Huband and she is Henry's 3rd Great Grandmother on his father's side of the family. This was someone from one of the few photos that his Grandfather had let me make a copy of before his passed a few years back. It is always wonderful to have a face with a name.

Such a wonderful privilege and opportunity to be able to do her work for her in the Temple. It was also fun to go and visit Henry in the Baptistry Recommend Desk before I left.

Merry Christmas!

Movie Reels, Blind Men, Parable of Sower

Today in Sunday School one of the comments really resonated with me. One of the brothers shared the story of when he was young and would be going to the movie theater with his family and inevitably they would always be late and miss some of the first reel of the film. And then they would end up staying after the film ended to see the beginning reel of the film they had missed during the next start time. 

He likened this to the gospel. Many in the world are missing the first few "reels" when they don't have the knowledge of the fullness of the gospel. This brother mentioned that on his mission he thought it was very interesting when they taught about the pre existence, no matter what religion the people were, they seemed to agree with those truths, even though this brother would point out that their religions did not teach those principles. 

Once people can see the full "picture" of the truths of the gospel it makes the rest of the story (or purpose) make much more sense.

A similar metaphor story that I heard a long time ago also relates to this fullness of knowledge. It is the story of the blind men and the elephant (from wikipedia):

"A group of blind men heard that a strange animal, called an elephant, had been brought to the town, but none of them were aware of its shape and form. Out of curiosity, they said: "We must inspect and know it by touch, of which we are capable". So, they sought it out, and when they found it they groped about it. The first person, whose hand landed on the trunk, said, "This being is like a thick snake". For another one whose hand reached its ear, it seemed like a kind of fan. As for another person, whose hand was upon its leg, said, the elephant is a pillar like a tree-trunk. The blind man who placed his hand upon its side said the elephant, "is a wall". Another who felt its tail, described it as a rope. The last felt its tusk, stating the elephant is that which is hard, smooth like a spear."

When a person only has pieces of the puzzle, or in this instance, an elephant, they are unable to know or understand for themselves the truth of all things. For those struggling with testimonies, or with faith, it could be that you are missing pieces of the puzzle. 

By studying the scriptures, conference talks, the churchofJesusChrist.org, and going to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints you can find answers to the questions about this life. The life before we came here, and the life we will have when our mortal existence ends.

One of my favorite parables the Savior shares during his earthly ministry is found in Matthew 13:1-23. It answers so many questions about the paths that people consciously or subconsciously choose when they stumble upon the truths of the gospel and why for some, they are able to act on what they have learned and why others struggle to embrace these teachings of truth. We must ask ourselves what kind of ground are we? Are we the ground we want to be? The joy that comes from being the good ground and allowing those seeds to build our faith and our desire for Heavenly knowledge can bring immeasurable joy and peace in this life and in the life to come. If you take the time to read the below parable, please read to the end. Starting in verse 19, the Savior explains the parable he shares.

1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.

2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

18 ¶ Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Eventful Day at the Temple

 It was an Eventful Day at the Temple today!

I spent the morning wrapping presents, getting ready for Christmas, and an hour digging all of the inflatables out of the deep deep snow. It literally drained all my energy.

So getting ready for the temple I was super slow and ended up being 20 minutes late by the time I got dressed. 

When I arrived at the temple, I found out I would be officiating in an Endowment session for the first time. So my mind started racing through all the training I had previously so that I could make sure I would be doing everything correctly.

On a side note, the holiday stress has really been getting to me. This morning I became extremely overwhelmed and was looking forward to going to the temple to escape from my mind for a little bit.

As I sat down late in our prayer meeting, the assistant to the temple matron spoke to us. As Sis. Christensen finished speaking and her husband got up to speak, she sat down near me and with a big smile on her face whispered "Hi Kara". That simple loving hello with the Spirit that emanates from this sweet sister was the very thing I didn't realize I needed. I instantly felt the Spirit and my stress drain away. The tears began to slowly stream down my cheeks. 

Then the tears continued to flow as her husband shared a beautiful experience with us.

While they were in Russia ( serving in some capacity, mission president maybe, I'm not sure) they traveled to a baptism in a ward. That day they said it was 42 below zero degrees outside. 

The boy being baptized was the son of a woman who had recently become reactivated in the church.

One of their missionaries fresh out of high school would be baptizing this boy. 

As the missionary stepped down into the font, it was apparent how icy cold the water was. As he tried to not make it obvious as much as possible. 

The little boy stuck a toe in and said, no he was too scared to go into the cold water. 

His mother encouraged him. Again he stuck his toe in the water and again said he could not go in. Even the branch president tried to encourage him with no luck.

Then this sweet missionary turned to the boy with open arms. The boy went into the arms of the missionary in the water. The missionary held the boy just above the water. He held the boy with one arm so that his other could be raised to perform the ordinance. After completing the words to be said, the missionary then held tight to the boy and submerged them both into the water and came out and gave the boy to his mother who was waiting with blankets and towels. 

The smile on the boys face and his countenance were so beautiful as he had become clean and was so happy to have been baptized.

I'm sure Pres Christensen told the story much better than I just recounted, but hopefully you were able to get some sense of the tenderness of this interaction between the young missionary and the boy. 

How many times does our Savior hold us through our trials when we don't even realize it?

After our prayer meeting, I headed up to Endowment Room #3 on the third floor. As I am walking towards the room, I see Brother Miner basically dancing down the hallway in the same direction. I may have mentioned Bro and Sis Miner previously. They are my two most favorite people on my shift. They are like another set of parents to me. When I started working in the temple back in June I was in the Baptistry for two months and they were the first two people that really took me under their wing and showed me so much love. I always feel such a sweet Spirit around them. 

As I approached Bro Miner, I said,  "Where are you goin?" He said "Room 3", I said, I am too! He said great! I said, this is my first time officiating. He said "You will do great!". 

Since this was my first time, I am was so grateful to have had a friendly face there with me if I needed help or forgot something. 

I knew the hardest part for me as officiating was going to be staying awake. The session runs about 90 min and for parts I did struggle to keep my eyes open but felt such a sweet Spirit throughout and it was so interesting to gain a different perspective during these ordinances. It was also actually good that I was wearing a mask so that others couldn't detect my yawns. And believe me what is taking place is not boring, but my responsibility as basically to just oversee what is taking place where I am sitting for an extended period of time in a quiet and peaceful environment would make anyone drowsy. Everything went perfectly without a hitch and I am so grateful to have been able to experience something new at the temple. 

As I was leaving the session, and passed by the Celestial Room, I noticed one of the other sweet sisters on my shift had something all over the back of her dress. Alice is much older and has to use a walker. I thought there is no way that could be blood. 

I had to run some paperwork down to the office so I couldn't stop but was planning on trying to find her later to tell her if I could. 

And on a side note, for some reason I was having horrible heartburn, so I was on a hunt for some tums and literally had like 5 min before I needed to be at my next station. 

I headed down the elevator to the office. As I asked for tums that no one had, Sis Christensen offered me some chocolate with her glowing smile. I said I think that will make it worse. Sugar always make my heartburn worse. She said, it does that to me too.

Next I thought I will go downstairs and see if anyone has any there. I headed to the laundry room to inquire and no one had any there. I saw a bowl of clementines and hesitated but thought. I know they are acidic but not as acidic as regular oranges, maybe atleast having something on my stomach will help. I was pretty desperate. So I grabbed one and basically inhaled it. I was running out of time.

I will for sure be adding tums to my temple bag for the future....

With only minutes to spare, I went back up the elevator to the third floor. As I was getting off the elevator two janitors were getting on the elevator with a chair and I really didn't think anything of it. Other than, that isn't something you see often, or ever.

I hurried to my next assignment only to find out I was being reassigned and needed to go find Sister Ence. She would tell me where I was needed. Once I tracked her down, she asked me to be in the Celestial Room. I thought, Great! I headed on in and took a seat.

About 20 minutes later in walks little old Alice and she bee lines it straight for me. She said check the chair you are in. I had chocolate in my pocket that ended up getting all over my dress and is on that chair. The mystery had been solved! Chocolate!!! LOL Talk about a text book older sister situation. 

I quickly stood up to check the back of my dress. And you can imagine with our white dresses, anything not white really stands out. 

As we both looked at the seat of the chair, there looked to be a stain, but nothing with color. 

I asked Alice if there was any chocolate on the back of me. She said she didn't see any. 

Alice said, oh they must have already swapped the chair out and taken the bad one away. 

I could see on Alice's dress where she had rinsed out her dress to get the chocolate out in the bathroom. Only a faint stain remained that would come out in the wash.

I was relieved that there wasn't any chocolate on my dress, and now the second mystery of seeing the chair go down the elevator earlier was solved.

I did find it odd that this chair I was sitting on did have a stain, but just thought, it must be an old stain. 

The rest of my shift I spent in the Celestial Room. With it being Christmas time, I turned to the book of Luke to read about the birth of our Savior. I started in Luke 1 and read about the events leading up to and the birth of John the baptist, and what a miracle those events were. As I read these words about the birth of Jesus Christ I felt the most beautiful Spirit, unlike I had felt before, even though I had heard and read these words probably atleast a thousand times before.

Luke  1:6-14

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

There is something so special when I read the scriptures in the temple. I always learn something new, or feel the Holy Ghost strongly testifying of truths to my heart and mind. 

After I was done reading, more and more people started to enter the Celestial Room. Part of my responsibility is to help direct traffic and help people find the exit since there are several door ways leading out of the room. At one point I was the only worker there and there were big groups of people that for some reason kept going the wrong way. So as quietly and hurriedly as I could I kept having to redirect people. 

It is usually very quiet and not lively in this room because of the quiet reverence that exists there. 

At one point I chuckled to myself because it felt like I was hearding cats! 

As I was replaced in the Celestial Room with another worker signaling the end of my shift at 6pm, it started to occur to me that because of Christmas and New Years, I wouldn't be back to the temple until the 8th of January. That is 3 weeks away!!!! That will never do!

Going to the temple weekly is such apart of my life and weekly routine now. It's almost like breathing to me. My mind, my heart, and my Spirit crave that time there. Which is so crazy to think about. There were years where months and months would go by and I didn't make the time to go. I was never consistent before with my attendance and never made it a priority as much as I should have. 

Somehow after all these months working there it literally feels like the temple is a living tree and I have somehow been grafted in as one of it's branches. And as much as I hate wearing a mask there, if it atleast keeps the temple open so that I can serve there and others can as well, it is worth it! 

I would be devastated if the Temple had to be closed again. 

Since I can't bear to not go to the temple for 3 weeks I have two options, one sign up to do proxy work and two sign up to sub for someone else's shift. I will likely do a combination of both so that I can once again feel of the sweet peace and love from our Savior and Heavenly Father as you walk through those doors. 

As I undressed in the locker room, I discovered on the back of my dress, yes CHOCOLATE! That stain that had been on that chair must not have been an old one. And clearly Alice had sat in more than one chair! I laughed! I knew the chocolate would come out in the wash no problem, but just thought the whole scenario was comical. The Celestial Room is so pristinely clean and beautiful and just the thought of all this chocolate wreaking havoc because of this little old sister was too funny, well that and the hearding cats scenario...

Day at the Temple

 Hen and I spent the most wonderful day in the Temple today. We started by performing baptisms for roughly 20 individuals by proxy with the first one being Henry's Grandfather whose work we have been waiting almost two years to do. The Spirit was so strong in the room I could not hold the tears back as they streamed down my already wet checks as Henry baptized me for family members of his and mine. Next we had to the opportunity to each do an Endowment session for one family member each, and then finished the day performing beautiful Sealing ordinances. 

As I walked into the sealing room and sat down. I had this overwhelming feeling that the room was incredibly full. Even though there were only 7 of us living people present to perform the ordinances, I could feel the presence of a crammed room of Spirits. Likely some were awaiting their turn, and others there to celebrate with them.

As Henry and I knelt across the alter to have his Grandparents sealed to each other for time and all eternity, the tears were once again abundant as I thought about how they were unable to attend our wedding, but now we were able to attend theirs. We could feel of their love for each other and for us and we were so grateful for the privilege to get to do this Sacred work on their behalf.

After arriving home, Hen and I took big naps after a long day at the Temple. We enjoyed spending the rest of the evening playing games and watching Hen's favorite movie White Christmas together.

Definitely a day neither of us will soon forget.

Recent Young Women Lesson on Questions

 YW Lesson 12/12/21

Alma 30:44-Kara to Read

“…The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.”

Show universe video-Link to Universe Video

Any questions?

My mind is basically blown every time I watch this video. It is crazy how insignificant and small we can feel in this massive universe and yet we are significant.

Before we get into the lesson let’s remind ourselves who we are and whose we are.

We are daughters of God, daughters of a Heavenly Father and Mother, that love us more than we can comprehend.

That our elder brother is the Savior, Jesus Christ who also loves us more than we can comprehend and has descended below all so that we can repent and have eternal life.

He reminds us of this love in this scripture

1^st nephi-21:16

"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

As daughters of God one of our roles/responsibilities is to be  "SEEKERS OF TRUTH"

So this lesson is about questions. Questions are a necessary part of our journey in gaining our testimonies. We are all going to have questions about the gospel, the church, and ordinances. Over time the prophets of this church have encouraged each of us to seek for answers through research and prayer.

But it is important, like Sis Betenson told us a few weeks ago that we go to the right sources. That we find answers through the scriptures, conference talks, prayer, the church’s website and personal revelation. Not just by googling our questions, where we may not be able to trust the source.

Think about it for a second, who asked a question that would kick off the restoration of the church when the world was living without the true gospel and priesthood on this earth?

Joseph Smith

What scripture inspired his question? James 1:5-6

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

Where did he ask it? Grove of trees

What did he ask? Which church to join

What was the answer? None of them

What did he learn from this experience? There is a God. Separate beings, we are made in their image, that the scriptures are true.

Do you believe that is the last time someone has seen our Heavenly Father or Savior on this earth?

The prophets and apostles since Joseph Smith tell us time and time again that they are special witnesses.

When my Dad was on his mission in 1973 he was attending a zone conference at a ward in Leftborough, England and Prophet Harold B Lee was the main speaker. There was an older picture of Christ on the wall and he commented that that picture was not a very good representation of the Savior. Then he explained that this picture is a much better likeness of him.

I am not saying that every Prophet and Apostle has had the same experience as Joseph Smith. But I have a feeling many have at a minimum had some personal contact with the Savior by hearing his voice or physically seeing him.

When I first came back to the church from being inactive and was starting to regrow my testimony. I had a lot of questions. One of the things I greatly struggled with was the history of polygamy in the church.

If I had kept a better journal, or one at all in those days, I would love to go back to see how I overcame my frustration with that happening in our church. What I do remember is this. As I was slowly reactivating in the church I came to a point when I needed to make a decision.

And I have never liked things in my life that are in the “grey area”. It’s why I have never been good at science, because there are too many answers and too many variables and things are always changing.  This is why I love math and accounting because I know that 2 +2 will always equal 4. Anyway, because my mind loves things that are black and white, I decided either everything in the church must be true, or none of it was true. There wasn’t a middle ground. My mind didn’t allow for just “some” of it to be true. When I listed all the things in my mind that I knew to be true and I had confirmation of those truths by the Holy Ghost, I decided to just trust the Lord and have faith on the things I did not completely understand.

And that is the thing with questions- questions are a great thing to have, but we must always be careful not to allow those questions to cause doubt or fear in the things we know to be true. I think it is helpful to even not just weigh things out in your mind, but literally write them down.

Draw a For/Against Chart on Board.

Years, and I mean many years later, I read a book that was about Joseph and Emma. It was called Joseph and Emma: A Love Story. I enjoyed this book so much because it made me feel so much more relatable to them and they became people to me and not just names. Part of the book talked about when Joseph was instructed to take another wife and this book shared how much Joseph Smith struggled and battled with this request. He really didn’t want to and in fact, delayed this as long as he could. This really helped change my perspective when I could see it from his eyes.

Also as I have learned more about church history and thinking about many women who had lost husbands in war and sickness, and with such a small community of people, I can't imagine how scared these women would have been to have houses full of children and no support. Clearly there was purpose and need for polygamy in the church during this time. 

And of course because we are obedient to the laws of the land as stated by the below article of faith, polygamy was discontinued when it became illegal in our country. Yes there are other churches that still practice polygamy to this day in the US, but this church is not affiliated at all with our church and is known as the FLDS church. Unfortunately too many to this day still confuse us with this church.

10. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

This is why I love how the Prophet has reminder us to no longer refer to ourselves as mormons, because we are not mormons, we are Christians and members of his church. I believe over time this will help to eliminate this misconception about our church and it's teachings.

Other things I also had to seek inspiration on. For example I grew up in the church and thought “I know all the stories” and didn’t realize that I actually didn’t really understand the experiences of Adam and Eve. It was years before I understood her role and how we are really just like her. Adam and Eve were childlike in the Garden of Eden. They didn't know how to have children and so would have never been able to have children had they stayed there. Also, think about how easy it is to persuade a child to do something wrong. You could tell any 4 year old to go touch a stove and since they wouldn't know they couldn't trust you, would do it anyway. In that context, it can be more easily understood how Eve was persuaded by Satan to partake of the fruit. And me she may have partaken of the fruit first, but we also partake of the fruit just the same when we sin and have to repent. So we are really all just the same as mother Eve. 

It is also hard to be apart of this world and see the suffering taking place, the slavery and human trafficking, the poverty, the abuse and wonder How could a loving God allow this to happen? Over the years I have come to learn a few things about this topic. Two scriptures have helped me to overcome this frustration. First, the Lord has said that he will not take away anyones agency. There is a story in the book of Mormon around 82 BC where alma and amulek had preached to their people and converted many. The wicked people  burned their wives and their children.

Alma 14:8-11

8 And they brought their wives and children together, and whosoever believed or had been taught to believe in the word of God they caused that they should be cast into the fire; and they also brought forth their records which contained the holy scriptures, and cast them into the fire also, that they might be burned and destroyed by fire.

9 And it came to pass that they took Alma and Amulek, and carried them forth to the place of martyrdom, that they might witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire.

10 And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames.

11 But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day.

Isaiah 55:8-9

8-For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9-For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Another example from my own life starts from my patriarchal blessing which talks about the children I will bear and raise. Henry and I tried to have kids of our own for 12 ½ years, we were also licensed foster parents and tried to adopt at one point, and all paths became a dead end.

It has been a very heart wrenching struggle for us. Of course so many thoughts would go through my mind. I must have messed up too much and basically invalidated my patriarchal blessing. Why is it so easy for others to get pregnant and have children and it hasn’t happened for us? What are we doing wrong?

 But what I have learned is that our trials are not because of sin, but because we are supposed to learn something. (If you remember from my recent talk, I shared the story of the blind man where the people asked Jesus, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind.” Jesus response was that neither had sinned, explaining that trials are not because of sin.

All of our trials have purpose. And I have had to learn how to trust in the Lord more and have more faith that I will be able to have children in the next life.

What we fail to realize so many times because we get so caught up in the day to day, is the meaning and purpose behind it all.

Why is this life a test?

What is this life a test of?

It really is all about obedience. We are being tested, if the Lord asks us to do something, will we do it? In my mind I compare it to being in the army. As a soldier in the army the most important thing that must be done is to follow the orders of your commanding officer. It is critical for any operation to be successful.

So many times we talk about eternal life, but what is that? What will we be doing for eternity? If we make it to the celestial kingdom, it is likely that we could be in charge of our own worlds at one point. We clearly know there are many worlds out there. And Heavenly Father needs to know that he can trust us with a responsibility like that.

I personally would love to be over a world with animals, how cool would that be!

Over the years other things have come up that become controversial- to the worlds standards, and even to members. what are some of those things?

Women in the priesthood, Priesthood for Black members, One pair of earrings, No tattoos,Children of gay parents and baptism, Gay marriage, Vaccine

Leaders-how have you been able to gain a testimony of the decisions made by our church leaders in these situations?

Girls- are there any of you that have had a question about something and been able to find an answer or find comfort?

Read James 1:5-6 again

 “ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

From Come Follow Me this week:

In the 200 years since Joseph Smith’s First Vision, God has continued to give “revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge” to the leaders of His Church. In some cases, that revelation directed Church leaders to make changes to the policies and practices of the Church, “according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men”. Official Declarations 1 and 2 represent this kind of revelation—one led to the end of the practice of plural marriage, and the other made the blessings of the priesthood, including temple blessings, available to people of all races. Changes like these are part of what it means to have a “true and living church” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30), with a true and living prophet.

Let’s read

D & C 42:61

“61 If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.”

Is that not one of the most beautiful scriptures ever?

What stands out to you from the scripture and why?

2^nd Nephi 28:30

30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

 

Matthew 7:7

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

What does this mean to you?

 

Let’s talk about prayer for a minute

Do we always get an answer the first time we ask it? Why not?

Does it ever feel like we are praying to the ceiling?

Show quote-

How can we continue showing our faith as we wait for answers?

Read the paragraph’s from elder bassets talk Link to Full Talk

"In order to understand the mysteries of God, or those things that can be understood only through revelation, we must follow the example of Nephi, who said, “Being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father.”6 The Lord Himself further explained that Nephi had exercised faith, sought diligently with lowliness of heart, and kept His commandments.7

Nephi’s example of seeking knowledge included (1) a sincere desire, (2) humility, (3) prayer, (4) trust in the prophet, and an exercise of (5) faith, (6) diligence, and (7) obedience. This method of seeking is in great contrast to my “prying at the plates,” or trying to force an understanding of things meant to be revealed according to the Lord’s timetable and through the power of the Holy Ghost.

In this modern age, we have come to expect that knowledge can and should be obtained immediately; when information is not easily known or accessible, it is often dismissed or mistrusted. Because of the abundance of information, some unwittingly give more credibility to available sources with an unknown origin rather than relying on the Lord’s established pattern for receiving personal revelation. Jacob could have been describing our time when he said: “But behold, [they] were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness … and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it.”8

In contrast is President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s counsel. He spoke of missionaries, but his words are equally applicable to all seekers of spiritual truth. “When … missionaries have faith in Jesus Christ,” he said, “they will trust the Lord enough to follow His commandments—even when they do not completely understand the reasons for them. Their faith will be manifest through diligence and through work.”

Play the song a child’s prayer-Link to A Child's Prayer

 

I love the articles of faith. As kids in primary we memorized them and I can still remember most of them. The articles of the faith answer so many questions about what we believe.

I

ISpend some time memorizing 1-2 articles of faith- Articles of faith handout

 

Recite it. What does this article of faith teach us?

 

I have a testimony that our questions will be answered even if they aren't answered right away if we pray sincerely and seek out answers from the right sources.