Prepare. Listen. Obey.

Specific promptings come to each one of us from time to time.  We need to be prepared to listen and to obey.  I think that it is appropriate to share a part of a message written by a modern-day prophet in our time.

 

"I have a friend who prays every day to meet someone who is prepared to receive the gospel. He carries with him a copy of the Book of Mormon. The night before a short trip, he decided not to take a copy with him but instead to carry a pass-along card. But as he got ready to leave, a spiritual impression came to him: “Take a Book of Mormon with you.” He put one in his bag.

When a woman he knew sat next to him on the trip, he wondered, “Is this the one?” She rode with him again on the return trip. He thought, “How should I bring up the gospel?”

Instead, she said to him, “You pay tithing to your church, don’t you?” He said he did. She said she was supposed to pay tithing to her church but didn’t. Then she asked, “What can you tell me about the Book of Mormon?”

He explained that the book is scripture, another witness of Jesus Christ, translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith. She seemed interested, so he reached into his bag and said, “I was impressed to bring this book with me. I think it is for you.”

She began to read it. As they parted, she said, “You and I are going to have more conversations about this.”

What my friend could not know—but what God did know—was that she was looking for a church. God knew she had watched my friend and wondered why his church made him so happy. God knew she would ask about the Book of Mormon and that she would be willing to be taught by the missionaries. She was prepared. So was my friend. You and I can also be prepared.

The preparation we need is in our mind and our heart. The woman had heard and remembered words about the Book of Mormon, the Lord’s restored Church, and the commandment to pay tithes to God. And she had felt the beginning of the witness of truth in her heart.

The Lord has said He will reveal truth to our mind and our heart by the Holy Ghost.  Most of the people you will meet have had the beginning of that preparation. They have heard or read of God and His word. If their hearts are soft enough, they have felt, however faintly, a confirmation of truth.

The woman was prepared. So was my friend, the Latter-day Saint who had studied the Book of Mormon. He had felt a witness that it is true, and he recognized the direction from the Spirit to take a copy with him. He was prepared in his mind and his heart.

God is preparing people to receive your testimony of restored truth. He requires your faith and then your action to share fearlessly what has become so precious to you and to those you love.

Prepare to share by filling your mind every day with the truths of the gospel. As you keep the commandments and honor your covenants, you will feel the testimony of the Spirit and more of the Savior’s love for you and for those you meet.

If you do your part, you will increasingly have the sweet experience of meeting people who are prepared to hear your testimony of the truth—offered from heart to heart, yours to theirs."  (Henry B. Eyring.)

 

Our job is to be prepared and then listen to the instruction we will receive in our daily lives.  We all have some experience in this arena.  There are people who pray, every day, that somebody will come to their aid.  I hope that I will always be ready to help.

I Learned From My Mom

Do you remember the time that you learned how to tie your shoes for the first time?  It is quite clear in my mind although it was many years ago. 
One end of the shoelace on top of the other.  Then form one loop and wrapping the other end around the loop and through the hole.  Grab hold of both loops made and pull it tight.  It seemed so hard at first but with some practice it has become second nature. 
My mom's patience was unwavering.  She knew that I would get it one day and she stood by my side with confidence in my ability.
So many other lessons have been learned from her. 
I have learned that through hard work and endurance I can learn anything, from a good teacher.  Thanks to my mom!  I love you for all that you do to teach me and help me.

You Can Find It Here

I was looking over something on the computer.  It was a PowerPoint presentation that somebody else had created.  I was attempting to make a change to the background but couldn't figure out how to do it.
"Let me show you how to do it."  I heard those words in my mind because our eight year old son Danny says them all the time.  These kids are very smart and I think the reality is that they are not afraid to press an unknown button and wait to see what happens.
It is a true blessing to have the computer in our day and time.  The blessings of the Internet are incredible too. 
I am thankful for the time that I live.  It is an exciting time filled with great opportunities.

Reach Your Potential

I have been learning about reaching your potential.  That is a difficult thing to do.  In fact, for each of us to reach that pinnacle we must first face the challenges that hold us back.
I recently met a man who struggles when speaking in front of an audience.  He told me that it is the single fear that he has in his life--he would rather do anything else.  I watched his hands tremble as he was asked to speak in front of a group.  He did it with courage and strength.  We all must face the fears that trouble us. 


On May 25, 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the only blind man in history to reach the summit of the world's highest peak - Mount Everest.


Sometimes we need to step out of the shadows of our 'comfort zone' and stretch ourselves out.  It is hard but the struggles we have seem to make us that much better.

A Hero

Neil Armstrong was a humble hero who saw himself as a team player and never capitalized on his celebrity as the first man to walk on the moon, mourners said Friday outside a private service attended by fellow space pioneers, including his two crewmates on the historic Apollo 11 mission.

I'm reminded that everybody is a hero in one form or another.  The acts of kindness that so many share with others defines what a hero really is.
Some are glorified for their achievements and others never get a single word spoken about them but in my mind they are still heroes.
Think about the heroes in your life.  Maybe a parent or a grandparent.  Is there a friend or brother and sister?
A person like Neil Armstrong had accomplishments that most of us will never achieve but the things we do in our homes and communities help shape and mold what the future of this world will become.
Keep up the good work!

First Day Of School

The first day of school is in the record books.  Each of our four children had a successful and happy day.  There was nervousness but the excitement prevailed.  I love to hear their take on the things that are the most important to them.  Learning stimulates their minds and expands their normal way of thinking.  I love the anticipation of what a new school year will bring.  Nat and Lol are in high school and I hope that they take advantage of the experience as a whole.  Hooray for school!

Lead Out

I heard something recently that caused me to think.  “Out of every team emerges a leader.”  That statement forced me to contemplate my own life and am I doing all that I can to be an effective leader.  The greatest success I will ever achieve is within the walls of my own home.  So I ask a question to you, are you doing all that you can to lead in righteousness within the walls of your home?  How we act and what we do will have great impact on the lives of our children and grandchildren.  That success hangs directly off of what we contribute and how we execute the decisions that we make.