Saturday, November 30, 2013

"Let Your Hearts Expand"

I would like to share a story Virginia H. Pearce shared in "The Beginning of Better Days: Divine Instruction to Women from the Prophet Joseph Smith":

"In the last stage of my husband's illness, he wore a mask over his mouth and nose to enable him to breathe more easily. He depended on others to situate the mask properly so that the air forced through it didn't escape and blow into his eyes. One morning, for whatever reason, I was having difficulty fitting the mask successfully. I thought I was doing what I had always done, and then he would signal that it wasn't working. I tried again and again as he waiting patiently, and I became slightly frustrated. I finally got it right, and just as I turned to attend to something else, he said something. I couldn't understand him, and he repeated it. Still unable to understand him through the mask, I took it off, only to find that he just wanted to thank me. Of course, now I had to go through the frustration of trying to get it on right yet again! The amazing part of this little tale is not my frustration and annoyance, but Jim's interpretation and reaction it. He didn't say anything immediately, but when the nurse came that afternoon, he asked her-with great effort-to "help Ginny with the mask, She's losing her confidence." (pg.17-18 "The Beginning of Better Days")

Sister Pearce later lost her husband. I cannot imagine going through the trial of loosing a spouse. That would be real heartache.

In this story her husband shows perfect charity. Sister Pearce states, "Rather than be offended and hurt by my behavior, he interpreted my actions as having come from a place of ignorance rather than flawed character." President Thomas S. Monson stated, "I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others."

How many times do we have charity for those who are sick or afflicted, but then forget to have charity on those who have wronged us?

How many times do we excuse someone who has a problem physically or mentally, but then blame someone else when they have hurt you or done something wrong?

How many times are we offended by something someone did, when in reality they weren't there to offend in the first place?

Sheri Dew shared in this book something Marvin J. Ashton told her once. He said to her, "Sheri, don't ever allow yourself to be offended by someone who is learning his job." Aren't we all learning our job and what we are supposed to be on this earth?

We should go about our everyday remembering that the people around us are people too. They are all trying to do good and any mistake they make are only mistakes.

With Love,
jm

Joseph Smith said, "Let your hearts expand-let them be enlarged towards others-you must be long suffering and bear with the faults and errors of mankind."

Monday, November 25, 2013

"I am a Mormon Because I am a Feminist"

In the church the fact that women cannot hold the priesthood has been a hot topic lately. The world is changing and equality among men and women is becoming more intense.

I would like to share one of my most favorite articles with you. My husband shared this with me before we were married and I can't but help myself to pass it along.

Where ever you stand on this subject I believe this article by Dr. Valerie Hudson Cassler will become of some interest to you. You will be fascinated by the way the roles for men and woman are played out and examined. It will open your eyes. I guarantee it.


"I am a Mormon Because I am a Feminist"
http://mormonscholarstestify.org/1718/valerie-hudson-cassler


With Love,
jm

"Seek Learning, Even by Study and Also by Faith"

The book "The Beginning of Better Days - Divine Instruction to Women from The Prophet Joseph Smith" (with personal insights from Sheri Dew and Virginia H. Pearce) has inspired me.

Sheri Dew has always been a role model of mine. I have loved her books since I was a young Beehive. She speaks to women like no one else and I always walk away from her books feeling a certain power, confidence and motivation that I don't feel anywhere else.

I came across this book not too long ago and have finally been able to take the time to read it this weekend while I have been sick in bed with a head cold. When digging into this book I feel my spirits lift in so many ways. I feel a sudden urge to share my thoughts and feelings more now than ever before. I have always wanted to create a place to record my studies, share them with those who want to listen. So here I am, finally getting to it.

To start off "The Beginning of Better Days", Virginia H. Pearce explains her feelings on Joseph Smith's words to the Relief Society women in Nauvoo. She prepares us first by explaining how we should study prophetic writings.

I believe it is the same for anything that has been written with an intent to edify us. She has created a list on how to correctly go about these writings and be entirely edified:

1. Pray - Seek guidance from the Holy Ghost.
2. Read straight through, underlining, and making quick notes.
3. Formulate Questions.
4. Return to the text, particularly the placed you have marked.
5. Study Historical Content.
6. Identify doctrines, principles, and applications, and compare against what you already know to be true.
7. Seek a witness and make personal application.
8. Act out of your new or strengthened gospel knowledge. 

I love this list and want to follow it faithfully every time I read something new.

I have always been great at underlining, taking notes, writing about it in my journal but never have I prayed consistently before I read. Or return to the book to be refreshed. Or even seek out a witness to share my thoughts.

Sister Pearce then goes on explaining, "There is something about speaking scriptural truth out loud, writing it on a page, or teaching and being taught-that breathes life into me." She couldn't have said it better.

Through this blog I will be seeking out a witness.

YOU will become the one to witness the things I am learning. I want to share them with you with the intent that we can both be uplifted and edified by the teachings and words of others.

With Love, 
jm


"And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." D&C 88:118