Hello friends,
For those of you who don’t know me, my friends call me Cece and my favourite holiday is Christmas, followed by Easter, Thanksgiving, and my birthday (in that order.) New Years Day I’d rank somewhere between Valentine’s and St. Patrick’s Day, and New Years Eve falls somewhere around like... Labor Day. I’ve just never been a fan, and after the spiritual high and focus on family and our Saviour at Christmas, it just seems sort of lame to have a holiday about Martinelli’s and weight loss. Plus being constantly challenged to make New Years resolutions is overwhelming for me. But that’s just me.
That being said, I’d like to share one of my favourite Christmas scriptures - John 10:10. The Saviour is teaching us about His mission, why He came to earth, and what He says is, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” I love that - not only did He come to give us life (how awesome!) but life more abundantly.
The First Presidency message this month is a challenge from President Monson to “undertake a personal, diligent, significant quest for... the abundant life—a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings.” This is a New Years resolution that I can get behind - a challenge from a prophet of God, given to us for this exact time, helping us to take advantage of the Saviour’s awesome gift for us. My hope is that as I share some thoughts from this message, the Spirit will teach each of us what we can do to more fully partake in this abundant life the Saviour came to bring us.
That being said, I’d like to share one of my favourite Christmas scriptures - John 10:10. The Saviour is teaching us about His mission, why He came to earth, and what He says is, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” I love that - not only did He come to give us life (how awesome!) but life more abundantly.
The First Presidency message this month is a challenge from President Monson to “undertake a personal, diligent, significant quest for... the abundant life—a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings.” This is a New Years resolution that I can get behind - a challenge from a prophet of God, given to us for this exact time, helping us to take advantage of the Saviour’s awesome gift for us. My hope is that as I share some thoughts from this message, the Spirit will teach each of us what we can do to more fully partake in this abundant life the Saviour came to bring us.
First, we must have a positive attitude
President Monson teaches us, “So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment.”
A classic example of this is Laman and Lemuel versus Nephi. While Laman and Lemuel complain and see no good in their trials, Nephi says that though he has “seen many afflictions in the course of [his] days” he has “been highly favored of the Lord in all [his] days.” When Laman and Lemuel’s brothers annoyed them, they beat them with sticks and tied them up. When Nephi’s brothers were being obnoxious, he prayed for them and frankly forgave them. Lehi’s whole family had to eat raw meat in the wilderness... Laman and Lemuel complained about it, while Nephi praised God for making it sweet and helping them to be strong. Their circumstances were the same, but their attitude about it gave them totally different experiences. We can’t always control what happens to us, and we’re not in charge of other people’s choices, but we are definitely and always in control of our attitude about it, and that can make all the difference.
President Monson teaches us, “So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment.”
A classic example of this is Laman and Lemuel versus Nephi. While Laman and Lemuel complain and see no good in their trials, Nephi says that though he has “seen many afflictions in the course of [his] days” he has “been highly favored of the Lord in all [his] days.” When Laman and Lemuel’s brothers annoyed them, they beat them with sticks and tied them up. When Nephi’s brothers were being obnoxious, he prayed for them and frankly forgave them. Lehi’s whole family had to eat raw meat in the wilderness... Laman and Lemuel complained about it, while Nephi praised God for making it sweet and helping them to be strong. Their circumstances were the same, but their attitude about it gave them totally different experiences. We can’t always control what happens to us, and we’re not in charge of other people’s choices, but we are definitely and always in control of our attitude about it, and that can make all the difference.
Psychologist William James wrote that, “human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives,” and I know that that’s true. In my own life, I can testify that having a good attitude is a choice that has made things so much easier. It doesn’t help anything to complain. You’ll still be poor, you’ll still have homework, you’ll still have whatever personal issues in your life to deal with. But if you’ve got a good attitude... it doesn’t seem to matter as much. If you choose to be happy anyways... then you will be happy anyways!
I always think of Sister Hinckley, who said - “The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.”
In living the abundant life, “Attitude... is more important than the past, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. [And] the remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.”
President Monson taught, “We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.”
Second, we are to believe in ourselves, in those around us, and in eternal principles.
Elder David B. Haight: “We believe in you, your parents and brothers and sisters believe in you, and God expects the best from you. You must believe in yourself. Don’t give in when the going is rough, for you are laying the foundation of a great work, and that great work is your life”
President Hinckley taught the same thing on more than one occasion. He said, “I believe in myself. I do not mean this in an egotistic way. But I believe in my capacity and in your capacity to do good, to make some contribution to the society of which we are a part, to grow and develop, and to do things that we may now think impossible. I believe in the principle that I can make a difference in this world. It may be ever so small. But it will count for the greater good”
“Believe in yourself, my brothers and sisters. You are a child of God. You do have something of divinity within you. Believe in your capacity to do great and good things.”
“Believe in yourself. Believe in yourself as a child of God. Believe in your capacity to do good in the world, to spread light and truth and understanding, to reach out to those in distress and need to help and bless them.”
“Never forget that you came to earth as a child of the divine Father, with something of divinity in your very makeup. The Lord did not send you here to fail. He did not give you life to waste it... I bear testimony before the entire world of your worth, of your grace and goodness, of your remarkable abilities and tremendous contributions, and I invoke the blessings of heaven upon you.”
From the Old Testament, I think of Nehemiah, who so believed in himself and in the work he was doing for God that he did not allow distractions to keep him from rebuilding the city of Jerusalem but rather said, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down.”
If I believed in myself and what I was doing for God as much as he did... how much more I could accomplish. Remember that “He does not believe that does not live according to his belief.” Take action because of this awesome knowledge that we have of our divine potential and ability.
Jeffrey R. Holland said, “God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future--to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities.God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe.”
President Monson teaches us, “Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities.You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.”
Finally, we must face challenges with Courage - because there will be challenges, and we must have the courage to continue, to keep going.
President Monson teaches us, “There will be times when you will be frightened and discouraged. You may feel that you are defeated. The odds of obtaining victory may appear overwhelming. At times you may feel like David trying to fight Goliath. But remember—David did win!”
He then says that, “Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve. Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.””
I always think of Sister Hinckley, who said - “The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.”
In living the abundant life, “Attitude... is more important than the past, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. [And] the remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.”
President Monson taught, “We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.”
Second, we are to believe in ourselves, in those around us, and in eternal principles.
Elder David B. Haight: “We believe in you, your parents and brothers and sisters believe in you, and God expects the best from you. You must believe in yourself. Don’t give in when the going is rough, for you are laying the foundation of a great work, and that great work is your life”
President Hinckley taught the same thing on more than one occasion. He said, “I believe in myself. I do not mean this in an egotistic way. But I believe in my capacity and in your capacity to do good, to make some contribution to the society of which we are a part, to grow and develop, and to do things that we may now think impossible. I believe in the principle that I can make a difference in this world. It may be ever so small. But it will count for the greater good”
“Believe in yourself, my brothers and sisters. You are a child of God. You do have something of divinity within you. Believe in your capacity to do great and good things.”
“Believe in yourself. Believe in yourself as a child of God. Believe in your capacity to do good in the world, to spread light and truth and understanding, to reach out to those in distress and need to help and bless them.”
“Never forget that you came to earth as a child of the divine Father, with something of divinity in your very makeup. The Lord did not send you here to fail. He did not give you life to waste it... I bear testimony before the entire world of your worth, of your grace and goodness, of your remarkable abilities and tremendous contributions, and I invoke the blessings of heaven upon you.”
From the Old Testament, I think of Nehemiah, who so believed in himself and in the work he was doing for God that he did not allow distractions to keep him from rebuilding the city of Jerusalem but rather said, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down.”
If I believed in myself and what I was doing for God as much as he did... how much more I could accomplish. Remember that “He does not believe that does not live according to his belief.” Take action because of this awesome knowledge that we have of our divine potential and ability.
Jeffrey R. Holland said, “God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future--to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities.God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe.”
President Monson teaches us, “Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities.You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.”
Finally, we must face challenges with Courage - because there will be challenges, and we must have the courage to continue, to keep going.
President Monson teaches us, “There will be times when you will be frightened and discouraged. You may feel that you are defeated. The odds of obtaining victory may appear overwhelming. At times you may feel like David trying to fight Goliath. But remember—David did win!”
He then says that, “Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve. Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.””
Nephi had the courage to try again, even when his brothers wanted to give up and turn back. When they wanted to give up after one try and go back home, Nephi “said unto them that: As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us.” Even after Laban tried to kill them, and then his own brothers domestically abused him with a rod, Nephi had the courage to keep going. He encourages his brothers, saying “Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands? Therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Moses... ye know that this is true; and ye know that an angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt? Let us go up; the Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians.”
Nephi believed in himself, and the Lord’s promise to help, and this gave him the courage to press forward even when everything seemed to be working against him. Nephi remembered to “be strong and of a good courage... for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” God wants us to succeed, and He wants to give us the courage to keep going when it gets tough.
One of my favourite scriptures is D&C 128:22, which starts, “Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad.”
President Monson has challenged us, as we begin this new year, to undertake a “personal, diligent, significant quest” for the abundant life by “cultivating a positive attitude, a belief that we can achieve our goals and resolutions, and the courage to face whatever challenges may come our way.” As we do so, the prophet of the Lord has promised us that the abundant life will be ours - “a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings.” I bear testimony that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God, and that through him the Lord speaks to us today. I know that this is what God would have each of us work on this year, and that as we do so He will keep His promise to bless us with “life more abundantly.” That is the gift the Saviour came to bring us, and I bear testimony that as we develop a positive attitude, belief, and courage, we will be able to enjoy that blessing with Him.
I love that we have a living Prophet to lead us and guide us and speak the word of God for us today. I love my Saviour with everything that I am, and I testify that He loves you, and He wants to give you every blessing. He wants to help you. He will help you with your attitude adjustment. He will help you to believe in yourself and in Him. He will give you the courage you need to press forward when all seems lost. I love this gospel. I know that it’s true, and I say this in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
One of my favourite scriptures is D&C 128:22, which starts, “Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad.”
President Monson has challenged us, as we begin this new year, to undertake a “personal, diligent, significant quest” for the abundant life by “cultivating a positive attitude, a belief that we can achieve our goals and resolutions, and the courage to face whatever challenges may come our way.” As we do so, the prophet of the Lord has promised us that the abundant life will be ours - “a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings.” I bear testimony that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God, and that through him the Lord speaks to us today. I know that this is what God would have each of us work on this year, and that as we do so He will keep His promise to bless us with “life more abundantly.” That is the gift the Saviour came to bring us, and I bear testimony that as we develop a positive attitude, belief, and courage, we will be able to enjoy that blessing with Him.
I love that we have a living Prophet to lead us and guide us and speak the word of God for us today. I love my Saviour with everything that I am, and I testify that He loves you, and He wants to give you every blessing. He wants to help you. He will help you with your attitude adjustment. He will help you to believe in yourself and in Him. He will give you the courage you need to press forward when all seems lost. I love this gospel. I know that it’s true, and I say this in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Don't know if this will post .....but this is an excellent talk. Gramma Condie
ReplyDeleteDon't know if this will post .....but this is an excellent talk. Gramma Condie
ReplyDeleteThanks Gramma! :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Thanks for being my daughter and sharing your life with me.
ReplyDelete