The Ministry of Angels

Today when I was pondering about what to write this conference talk came into my mind. It's entitled "The Ministry of Angels" and it was given by Elder Holland in the October 2008 General Conference. I loved the talk when I first heard it and so I decided to read it again today. It's a wonderful talk and I'm going to quote quite a bit of it! :)(But you should really just go to lds.org and read the whole talk!) I'll start with him relating an account given to him by a friend:

"Referring to his childhood on a large Idaho farm, Brother Barrus spoke of his nightly assignment to round up the cows at milking time. Because the cows pastured in a field bordered by the occasionally treacherous Teton River, the strict rule in the Barrus household was that during the spring flood season the children were never to go after any cows who ventured across the river. They were always to return home and seek mature help.

One Saturday just after his seventh birthday, Brother Barrus’s parents promised the family a night at the movies if the chores were done on time. But when young Clyn arrived at the pasture, the cows he sought had crossed the river, even though it was running at high flood stage. Knowing his rare night at the movies was in jeopardy, he decided to go after the cows himself, even though he had been warned many times never to do so.

As the seven-year-old urged his old horse, Banner, down into the cold, swift stream, the horse’s head barely cleared the water. An adult sitting on the horse would have been safe, but at Brother Barrus’s tender age, the current completely covered him except when the horse lunged forward several times, bringing Clyn’s head above water just enough to gasp for air.

Here I turn to Brother Barrus’s own words:

“When Banner finally climbed the other bank, I realized that my life had been in grave danger and that I had done a terrible thing—I had knowingly disobeyed my father. I felt that I could redeem myself only by bringing the cows home safely. Maybe then my father would forgive me. But it was already dusk, and I didn’t know for sure where I was. Despair overwhelmed me. I was wet and cold, lost and afraid.

“I climbed down from old Banner, fell to the ground by his feet, and began to cry. Between thick sobs, I tried to offer a prayer, repeating over and over to my Father in Heaven, ‘I’m sorry. Forgive me! I’m sorry. Forgive me!’

“I prayed for a long time. When I finally looked up, I saw through my tears a figure dressed in white walking toward me. In the dark, I felt certain it must be an angel sent in answer to my prayers. I did not move or make a sound as the figure approached, so overwhelmed was I by what I saw. Would the Lord really send an angel to me, who had been so disobedient?

“Then a familiar voice said, ‘Son, I’ve been looking for you.’ In the darkness I recognized the voice of my father and ran to his outstretched arms. He held me tightly, then said gently, ‘I was worried. I’m glad I found you.’

“I tried to tell him how sorry I was, but only disjointed words came out of my trembling lips—’Thank you . . . darkness . . . afraid . . . river . . . alone.’ Later that night I learned that when I had not returned from the pasture, my father had come looking for me. When neither I nor the cows were to be found, he knew I had crossed the river and was in danger. Because it was dark and time was of the essence, he removed his clothes down to his long white thermal underwear, tied his shoes around his neck, and swam a treacherous river to rescue a wayward son.”12

My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.”13 On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.

May we all believe more readily in, and have more gratitude for, the Lord’s promise as contained in one of President Monson’s favorite scriptures: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, . . . my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”14 In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves—with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith and “the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.”15 Perhaps then we can be emissaries sent from God when someone, perhaps a Primary child, is crying, “Darkness . . . afraid . . . river . . . alone.” To this end, I pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

I know I have been blessed in my life with angels from both sides of the veil. I'm sometimes amazed at the way the Lord uses others to bless my life--to teach me, to love me, to humble me at times, to strengthen me. I am truly grateful to those "angels" who have come to my rescue in times of need. May I learn to be a "little more angelic" and be a means of saving those in need around me.

Quick Quotes

I made a goal to try to write a few thoughts down on this blog each Sunday. Unfortunately I don't have a lot a time today so you get it short and sweet! Todd and I watched "The Emma Smith Story" a few months ago. I really liked it and found myself writing down a few quotes during the movie. The following two are my favorite:

"God's tender mercies are all around us--we just have to be willing to see them."

"Strength isn't something you have, it's something God helps you find."

I love these lines. They're simple yet cause me to ponder. I hope they inspire you!

Redefining Joy

I recently read a book entitled "Redefining Joy in the Last Days". It's a tiny book--a very easy read. It was great book for me, my very spoiled self, to read. It helped remind me of my tremendous blessings, why I'm here and that we've all got trials. I wanted to share with you a story he tells in the first chapter. He was in the Air Force and had been away from home for a number of weeks. He was anxious to get back home to his family but he was having problems with his plane so he landed in the Philippines to have it fixed. Because of the short notice there was no room for them on the base so he stayed downtown in a hotel. He'd been up all day and was very tired and in a foul mood. The rest is an exerpt from the book:

"I was frustrated that we had spent so much time messing with a broken aircraft, frustrated that I was thirsty but afraid to drink the water, frustrated that I had to spend another night away from home. The bed looked lumpy. The room had bugs, of course--everything in the Philippines had bugs. I knew the only American shows I'd be able to watch on the television would be old reruns of The Brady Bunch. I was out of gum. I had a broken lace in my boot. My head was starting to pound.

My list of reasons for being in a bad mood was long and full.

Hoping for a quick nap, I went to the window to pull the curtains closed. My window happened to be at the back of the hotel on the second floor. Looking down, I saw the reason for the fence, for there behind the hotel was an open aqueduct with several terraced levels upon which hundreds of people had built a shanty camp. Families were living all along the sides of the canal--some in cardboard houses, some in tents, many in the open. For a long time I stood by the window in my air-conditioned room, tired but not hungry, with a headache but otherwise healthy, and very happy that I was going home. Home to the United States, land of Freedom and plenty. Home to a wife and family who were fortunate enough not to live in a ditch and who had never once in their lives gone hungry. Home to more blessings that I could even count.

Standing by the window, I watched a young mother as she washed her daughter's face and hair with the filthy water that was fushing from a pipe feeding into the canal. The scene touched me deeply. I can remember it very clearly, even through the years.

And as I watched this young family, hungry, dirty, homeless, and certainly nearly hopeless, I suddenly felt so ashamed of my selfishness.

I leaned a lesson that day about feeling sorry for myself.

I think of that experience from time to time, especially when, once again, I find myself feeling a little down. Sometimes I have to wonder if I learned the lesson well enough. Do I appreciate the blessings I've been given? Or do I forget sometimes--I guess we all do--the attitude and persprectives it takes to live a happy and joyful life?"

The book goes on to talk about why we came to earth, and gifts we've been given, and trials we face and how trials can be blessings. He talks a lot of perspective. I really enjoyed it and hope to take his words to heart. I am extremely blessed and sometimes feel like I must have some huge trial coming because of the easiness of my life. But at the same time I certainly find plenty to complain about. There are certain lessons to be learned in having as well as needing. I hope I can more readily see my blessings and the service I might render because of them. And I hope I can see the lessons the Lord has to teach me through my trials as well as my blessings.

Reflections of Christ

My brother posted this video on our family blog a few months ago. I wasn't able to view it then because our internet was sooo slow. Well now our internet is a tad faster so I watched it this morning. And I loved it! The pics are awesome and I love the song!!

Caring For One Another

Wow! I've really fallen behind on this blog. I really do have a lot to post and will try to catch up.

I was asked to give a talk at the Relief Society Birthday Celebration last week. The sweet sister asked me to speak on the joys of visiting teaching and I couldn't tell her no even though the thought terrified me. I try to be a good visiting teacher but I'm probably pretty mediocre at best. Which I guess was a good reason to ask me to speak. I needed to strengthen my testimony of visiting teaching and this assignment really helped me to do just that. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from my talk:

“Visiting teaching is more than a visit or sharing a thought with a sister. It is how we connect with one another. We share hearts and souls and extend charity. Visiting teaching brings the love of the Lord to every home and to every sister. It is a sacred trust we have been given. Why do visiting teachers do visiting teaching? Mosiah describes it this way, “To bear one another’s burdens. . .to mourn with those that mourn; yea and comfort those that stand in need of comfort”. (Mosiah 18:8-9) LDS.ORG

I learned recently of loving service given to a mother when her children were very young. Frequently she would be up in the middle of the night tending to the needs of her little ones, as mothers do. Often her friend and neighbor across the street would come over the next day and say, ‘I saw your lights on in the middle of the night and know you were up with the children. I’m going to take them to my house for a couple of hours while you nap.’ Said this grateful mother: ‘I was so thankful for her welcome offer, it wasn’t until this had happened many times that I realized if she had seen my lights on in the middle of the night, she was up with one of her children as well and needed a nap as much as I did. She taught me a great lesson, and I’ve since tried to be as observant as she was in looking for opportunities to serve others.” Pres Monson

“Visiting teachers minister in behalf of the Savior. Our hands are his hands, our love in his love, and our service is his service. Good visiting teachers know the sisters they visit. They love them, serve them and help them learn the gospel by the Spirit. They focus on fortifying homes and lives. There is no greater privilege than to watch over and strengthen another person. It is truly the business of Salvation.” Julie Beck

I do have a testimony of the importance of Visiting Teaching. The Lord has given us stewardship over one of His children, and we are to watch over them---not just for that one 1/2 hour each month but always! He wants us to know of their needs and struggles, to pray for them and to come to love them. He wants us to serve them and help them draw nearer to Him. I pray that I can seek to give greater care to this important calling. And I know the Lord will guide me as I seek to do so--He is always there!

Create!

I saw this video on youtube and loved it! It inspired me to try a little harder to fulfill my potential!

More Holiness Give Me

I was sitting in sacrament meeting today juggling the boys around trying to be quiet. Then we started singing "More Holiness Give Me" for the sacrament hymn and I immediately felt the spirit. It had been a long time since I'd heard this song and I love it! The words have always spoken to me, urging me to seek after the Lord and those things that will sanctify. As I sat there listening to the words and just about bawling I made a promise to myself to seek after that which is holy. To purge myself of the unimportant and inappropriate. To seek after that which will build up, edify and uplift. To be filled with more reverence and awe for my Savior. And more heart-felt gratitude for His atonement.

More holiness give me, more strivings within.
More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.
More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care.
More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord.
More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word.
More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.
More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.

More purity give me, more strength to o’ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.
More fit for the kingdom, more useful I’d be,
More blessèd and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.