Pulpit Testimony

 Last Sunday a member of our Bishopric encouraged us to be more fearless and to share our testimonies more in the “wild”. I hope my words will in some way bring you comfort, or inspiration to know that change is possible and worth it!
A fear I have is that one day on the other side, someone I am close to in this life, will come up to me and say, “Kara, why did you not share this wonderful gift that brought you so much peace and joy admist your trials in your earthly existence?” “Why would you keep something so wonderful like that to yourself?”
My prayer is that I never give my friends and family a reason to ask me that question.
I have also included below the definition of a testimony for those who are unfamiliar with this term.
President Utchdorf shares the following:
(Link to full talk below)
“One definition of testimony is “a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter,” originating from the Latin word testimonium and the word testis, meaning “witness”.
For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the term testimony is a warm and familiar word in our religious expressions. It is tender and sweet. It has always a certain sacredness about it. When we talk about testimony, we refer to feelings of our heart and mind rather than an accumulation of logical, sterile facts. It is a gift of the Spirit, a witness from the Holy Ghost that certain concepts are true.
A testimony is the sure knowledge or assurance from the Holy Ghost of the truth and divinity of the Lord’s work in these latter days. A testimony is the “abiding, living, [and] moving conviction of the truths revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Marion G. Romney, “How to Gain a Testimony,” New Era, May 1976, 8; emphasis added).
When we bear testimony, we declare the absolute truth of the gospel message. In a time when many perceive truth as relative, a declaration of absolute truth is not very popular, nor does it seem politically correct or opportune. Testimonies of things how “they really are” (Jacob 4:13) are bold, true, and vital because they have eternal consequences for mankind. Satan wouldn’t mind if we declared the message of our faith and gospel doctrine as negotiable according to circumstances. Our firm conviction of gospel truth is an anchor in our lives; it is steady and reliable as the North Star. A testimony is very personal and may be a little different for each of us, because everyone is a unique person. However, a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will always include these clear and simple truths:
* God lives. He is our loving Father in Heaven, and we are His children”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../the-power-of-a...

 

Spiritually Fed

Today I woke up around 7am with the dogs and let them out and fed them, and then spent some time updating this blog. At around 9:40, I realized, man I am really really tired. So I crawled back in bed, threw my eye mask on and proceeded to take a nap. Hen made yummy cinnamon rolls for breakfast and I woke up just long enough to have two and give most of the third to Lucy, the only dog in the room. I usually never ever give them sugar. But I was too full to eat it and she kept begging for it... ok bad dog mom... She even ate it gingerly off of my fork. 

Anyway, I looked at the clock and set an alarm for 11am. I knew I needed to get  up at that time to start getting ready for church. I fell back asleep and before I knew it the alarm was going off. So I reset it for 11:15am. 

Well 11:15am hit and it was decision time. Do I go back to sleep and get rid of all alarms or get up and get ready for church. I mean Hen could probably do the sacrament for us before work, and I could just zoom it, well the first hour anyway. 

And the thought came to my mind (likely from the Holy Ghost). Sometimes we need to prove that we love God more than ourselves. 

So I got up, got ready, jumped in the golf cart and headed to church. 

I sat by myself because Hen went back to sleep. I know he is really tired from work and in alot of pain these days from arthritis. So I didn't give him a hard time about not going with me. He would be leaving for work very soon anyway.

I found a spot on the back row of the chapel and noticed how empty the room seemed. Maybe everyone has already started traveling for the fourth? Then one of the families in the ward that I love came and sat in front of me.

About half way through the meeting, my dear friend Cecily, turned around and handed me this letter.

Her words brought tears to my eyes. Heavenly Father is so in the details in our lives.  I know she was inspired to write this letter. Sometimes it is hard to feel like heaven is listening, or that if what you do and say even matters at all. I am so grateful for her kindness and friendship and support.

The talks in Sacrament Meeting and the lesson in Relief Society fed my Spirit. I felt like I was drinking in every word in both. When the video from Sacrament Meeting posts, I am going to try to record the talks because they were so wonderful! Here are some of my favorite notes from their talks.

The first speaker had returned from a mission 8 or so months ago from Chicago Illinois.

He shared this story:

Then the most beautiful musical number was performed of the song "Did you think to pray"

Here are my notes from the last speaker:

He shared the last verse from the song the Child of God that is not in the hymn book, but is in the primary song book.

"I am a child of God. His promises are sure; Celestial glory shall be mine if I can but endure."

He also went on to explain who will be living in each of the different glories which is always a good reminder.

He also shared this talk from a pastor titled Infinite and Intimate- will need to rewatch his talk to find this reference

He also referenced the below talk "Be ye therefore perfect-- Eventually". 

Link to Talk

A great reminder that it is not possible for us to achieve perfection without our Savior Jesus Christ and he alone has lived a perfect life. 

"If we persevere, then somewhere in eternity our refinement will be finished and complete"

He also referenced that beautiful scripture in Isaiah 1:18

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

I have heard this scripture many times. But today what really stood out to me was the first few words.

"Come now, and let us reason together". Doesn't that sound like what a father would say to you. An invitation to reason together about the reality of our choices and then the assurance that our sins will be washed away if we repent. 

It is amazing how you can hear scriptures hundreds of times and they can still speak to your heart differently.

Next was Relief Society where my friend Allison taught on the talk from conference, "Do What Mattereth Most". It was a beautiful lesson, and I definitely over shared, I need to work on that. The problem was I just kept having things I wanted to share.

Yesterday at the temple, when Sis Harbertson was sharing her thoughts during our prayer meeting she said she was having a Spiritual Hangover because the prophet had visited the temple the previous day and she was just so full of joy.

I think I felt that a bit today. I think I too was having a Spiritual hangover from the previous day at the temple and had a hard time containing my joy as well!

So grateful the Holy Ghost nudged me to go to church. I know I got so much more out of it by attending in person than by staying home.

Scripture References

This is a post I meant to write a long time ago. Atleast over a month ago. On a piece of paper I had written on at the temple two scripture references:

3rd Nephi 9: It is worthwhile to read the whole chapter so that you can understand the context of these verses (and actually starting with chapter 8 will be even more helpful for context), but what really stood out to me and what I kept rereading over and over again in the temple were vs 13-22.

Such powerful words the Savior is speaking directly to every inhabitant of the Earth.

Link to 3rd Nephi Chapter 9

13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.

15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.

16 I came unto my own, and my own received me not. And the scriptures concerning my coming are fulfilled.

17 And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.

18 I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.

21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.

22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.

After creating this post I decided to also add to Facebook with the hopes that someone else might find motivation or inspiration to follow our Savior Jesus Christ.

My post:  "In my days as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, many scriptures have become my favorites over the years. But recently I believe I have found my number one favorite chapter. It is found in 3rd Nephi Chapter 9. It is worth reading the chapter header and the beginning of the chapter for context (and maybe even chapter 8 to understand why all the destruction took place), but my favorite verses are 13-22 in Chapter 9. 

I think it is my favorite because our Savior is speaking directly to all inhabitants that have ever lived or will ever live on this earth. There is no way to not feel his love from these verses. 

Enjoy."

Link to 3rd Nephi Chapter 9

and

Hebrews 12:2

There was another worker who was frantically looking through the scriptures while we were waiting to go assist in an endowment session for a scripture she wanted to share with us all. By the end of the shift she never found it. The following week I asked her if she figured it out and she said that she had. 

This was the scripture Hebrews 12:2

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This sister told me to focus on the word Joy. Even though the joy represented here is his atonement in Gethsemane which we usually always associate with excruciating pain. The word joy is used because it was this act that enables us to have the opportunity to return to live with our Father in Heaven and our Savior again. I admit, I have never associated joy with that experience our Savior suffered and endured, but I can see now that he sacrificed because of his love for us and that is why it was his joy to be able to accomplish the most important task in all of eternity.

I am so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am grateful not only for his sacrifice and love and guidance and example, but that through him I have the opportunity to pray daily to our Father in Heaven for whatever I am in need of or am grateful for.

Temple Shift

I love this picture. I am apart of a Facebook group for Bountiful and there is a gentleman that takes pictures with his drone all the time and this was one he posted recently. So Beautiful!!!

 I had a wonderful time at the temple today. Because of the anti depressant and anxiety medication I started taking 6 months ago, my senses are definitely more dulled. In the past any time I felt the Spirit it was really hard not to cry. Nowadays the crying is so much less when this happens. Except for today.

My first assignment was to sit in Chair 5 which is right off of the elevator on the main floor. My job is mainly to direct traffic ie make sure the men go into the mens locker room and women go into the womens locker room, and help people find their way for whatever ordinance they are looking to perform that day.

As I sat there with everyone scurrying about, all with an agenda or "mission" to accomplish, it made me think of Heaven. 

I bet this is what Heaven is like. Everyone scurrying around in the work of the Lord, preparing for the second coming. 

I love this story about the visit of a deceased father to his son. I look forward to the day that I might also be doing this same work on the other side.

Link to Experience

Also while I was sitting in this chair one of the sweet temple matrons walked towards me. She said "your countenance just shines and your smile is beautiful. You literally look like an angel sitting here." After that I couldn't hold the tears back as they slowly creeped out of the corner of my eyes. 

Life has felt so heavy lately in this daily battle against Satan and it just felt so wonderful to be noticed and so wonderful to receive such a beautiful compliment.

The rest of the time I spent performing sacred ordinances on this same floor. I find myself smiling more and more through them as I think about the meaning of the words being spoken and the beautiful blessings those in the next life have available to them, if they choose Christ as their Savior.

I am so grateful to get to be apart of this great work! I am so blessed to be able to serve in the Lord's house and help those who are unable to help themselves because they no longer have a body.

I feel so blessed to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ that contains the fullness of the gospel, and the priesthood authority to perform sacred saving ordinances.

Most of all I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, for his sacrifices that have allowed me to repent in my life so that I can learn, grow, and move on from my sins and be able to help others.

One other item from this shift. I recently got my hair cut pretty short for me and the sisters keep saying how much they love my haircut. 

Then one of the sisters who I always think is absolutely beautiful came up to me and told me. I saw your cute haircut the other week and I went home and told my husband to cut my hair, I want to look just like Kara! 

She is so cute! The funny part is her hair is already pretty short, but what a compliment that she wanted to look like me! I so love these sisters! For always making me feel loved and noticed!

June 25 thoughts

 I can't wait to go to the temple today. My Spirit is literally craving time spent there. Even though I was there a few days ago subbing, which was crazy since there were 16 sisters absent and I was one of 12 subs, so grateful I was able to help out that day, my spirit feels like it needs that recharge. 

The more time I spend in the temple the more the sin of the world seems to be draining my spiritual reserves. You can't turn on the tv anymore without there being some left wing agenda that is being shoved down our throats, whether it be LGBTQ+ pride, Womens rights to abortion, bad language, immorality, etc the list goes on an on.

I am so ready for the Savior to Return. I feel like I am running out of patience with it all. I don't know how he is handling it, seeing everything that is going on. 

From different things I have watched and studied, I believe the second coming could be as soon as within the next ten years according to this video below. Or within the next twenty. Obviously no one knows the date and time other than the Savior himself and our Heavenly Father, but I am just so ready for wickedness to be gone.

7 year Tribulation Video

Roe vs Wade Overturned

Today marks the day that the US Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade after 50 years. A law that legalized the murder of innocent babies. I know sounds crazy right, that we actually had a law that allowed for that? The word that became known for this act was "Abortion". By calling it something else people could then justify that it wasn't murder but was "Abortion".  This is how powerful Satan is in our society. The US Supreme Court is now leaving it up to the individual states to decide whether or not to allow for it to be legal in their state. 

I am proud to live in Utah, a state that had a trigger in place that when this were to happen, immediately the murder of unborn babies aka abortion would be outlawed except for the special case scenarios of incest, rape, mothers life endangerment etc. 

Lately I have been feeling like only the wicked have a voice and those of us fighting the good cause are forced to be silent because if we speak our "truth" or our beliefs then we are slaughtered verbally for it. 

Below is a Facebook post that I posted late at night. I know I ruffled many feathers of friends of mine that feel strongly that a government shouldn't be able to control her right to choose to kill her baby or not. Just reading that statement still sounds crazy to me. But that is how Satan works. He blinds everyone to what is right and wrong when we let him. 

Anyway, I felt like finally the good fight had a win today. And I am sure women will still travel to other states like Colorado to have their abortions, but at least in our state it is not going to be so easy any more.

 I was also shocked to have had over 50 likes to this post with multiple comments where people were in agreement. Because anyone who tries to stand up for the right these days usually gets slaughtered verbally, I was shocked so many were willing to like such a controversial post. 

I also received a great compliment from my Mom the next day. She called me and told me I was brave for posting that. I don't know that I have ever been called brave in my life by anyone. I am grateful for her compliment, because it really did take courage to stand up for what I believe in with the possible outcomes of who I am offending. I will also say I was surprised to see certain individuals like my post that are not members of the Church or that have not been active for a long time. It gave me faith in humanity again and hope that even though the minority is very LOUD they are still the minority for a reason.

Facebook post:

I have to be honest, I don’t know how much longer I will be on social media. Satan has truly blinded so many minds and hearts.

Feeling so sad to see how pro murder of innocent babies so many are. The exceptions to the rule of incest, rape, etc are all covered under the new laws. I don’t want a debate on this post.

I let others have their opinions on their posts and don't debate them, so I feel I get to be entitled to mine.

Having battled infertility and knowing the tens of thousands of couples who do, there are so many great couples out there wanting and waiting to adopt. I see this as nothing but a positive.

I get it. You don’t agree with me. But I don’t agree with you. I don’t understand how someone who was not aborted themselves believes they have the right to take an innocent child’s life all because they chose to have sex. I don’t get how your five minutes of fun gives you the right to murder a baby. I will never understand that. Again- it is obvious I am not talking about the few exceptions to the rule that make up less than 1% of abortions. (Incest, rape, mothers life/death situation etc)

We can still be friends. I don’t judge you and I hope that you can give me that same respect.

I usually play Switzerland with these controversial issues. But maybe I’m getting older, or just plain tired of only one side ever getting to have a voice!!!

Lately I feel like in this ongoing battle of Good Vs Evil, Satan is growing more powerful by the minute.

I truly can’t wait for our Savior, Jesus Christ to return again. He will come. Whether people are ready or not. He came once, he taught, atoned for our sins, and his life was sacrificed on the cross so that we could repent and return to live with him again. When he returns every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that he is Jesus the Christ. I know our Savior loves women, but he doesn’t value their lives over those new lives that are being sent to this earth. All are precious in his sight and that of our Father in Heaven. 

Late Night Reading

 Love Pres Henry B. Eyring’s talk from last conference!