Israel, Israel, God is Calling

"We must no longer think of Zion as where we are going to live; we must think of it as how we are going to live." I recently came across this quote while studying the talk titled "Israel, Israel, God is Calling" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. As this semester comes to an end, I can't help but think how much this quote relates to me and each and every one of my classmates at BYU-Idaho. We are living in the last days as part of the last dispensation on Earth. We believe that the Church of God will never flea again as it has in times of old. Because of this, we as Latter-Day Saints must be better than ever. We must do as Elder Holland has said and, “plant our feet, and our families, and our foundations in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people permanently”. We must obey God’s commandments every day and live righteously throughout our entire lives. There is no room for error. We must build Zion where we stand. We have been so blessed to have been taught true doctrines, principles, and applications in our Family Relations class this semester. We must now apply what we have been taught into our own lives. Now is the time. Let's build Zion! 

 

I Love Daddy He Loves Me

Fathers play a huge role in parenting.This week I want to reflect on the influence that my father has been in my own life. I was my daddy’s first girl, and with two older brothers, I was bound to be his “princess”.  My dad worked full time, so my mom was always the main caregiver in the family. Still, this did not hinder the relationship that my father had with me and with each of my siblings. I remember spending lots of time with my dad all throughout my childhood. He would take me and my brothers to the outdoors and it didn’t matter that I was the only girl. This is where I learned to enjoy many of the activities that I still enjoy today: fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, biking, we do it all. My dad also has a wonderful relationship with my mom; she is his first priority. Their marriage has been the perfect example to me of what a marriage should be. Last but not least, my dad has a relationship with the Savior. He is a worthy priesthood holder and he honors his covenants. He has taught me how important it is to have Christ at the center of our family. These are all characteristics that I also see in my own husband. I am so grateful to have found a companion that I know will treat our children the way that my dad treated me- with love!  

Lead Me, Guide Me

             When individually asked the question, “What factors do you believe contribute to satisfaction in a marriage?” both Fred and Cherilynn Goodworth responded immediately and almost identically, selflessness is number one.  Fred and Cherilynn Goodworth have been married for 25 years and they have 5 children together.  As their third child, I consider myself extremely blessed to have in my life their example of an unselfish and satisfying marriage.

 If you ask either one of my parents, they will both tell you that in order to have a successful marriage, you must put the needs of your spouse before your own.  They strongly believe that the happiness of the other is more important than their own personal happiness.  They believe that in a family, the first priority should always be to the spouse and the second priority should then be to the child.  Mutual respect and trust are also key factors when building a gratifying marriage.  Temptations and challenges never stop, therefore, continually building and improving on a marriage is crucial.  Having similar goals and aspirations is another factor that has immensely contributed to my mom and dad’s marriage.  They have many common interests.  This allows them to spend quality time together doing things that they both love to do.  “Have fun and don’t stop dating!” my mom always says.  I can testify that they live by these words.  Throughout my entire life, date night has always been the highlight of their week.  Most importantly however, they both have the same spiritual goal to become more like the Savior each day.  When they were married, they made covenants with the Lord.  Their marriage was built on a spiritual foundation and they continue to keep the Savior Jesus Christ at the center of their marriage.  

  I was taught by my mom and dad’s example how important it is to have an eternal companion that you truly love and cherish.  I am grateful for my mom and dad and the incredible influences they have been and still are on my life.  They teach by example, and with the love of Christ.  Even though I am not married, I look forward to the day that I can find my eternal companion and incorporate what I have learned from them into my own marriage.  I have high standards because my parents have taught me how a marriage should be. 

One Lifetime Just Isn't Enough

One of the things that has influenced my life greatly and given me much guidance and direction regarding family is the teachings found in the inspiring document, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”. This proclamation is given to us by our Heavenly Father through The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This proclamation tells us how families can be successful and love and be together forever. In the proclamation it states, “Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities”. How true this is! I have witnessed the happiness that comes to families who follow these principles. I have a testimony that families are of God and that while immortality is an individual matter, exaltation is a family matter. I love my family so much and I am so grateful for them. I have a testimony that families can be together forever. And because I love my family so much, one lifetime with them just isn't enough! 

What is Love?

Our desire to bridle our passions will become easier as we begin to focus more on true love that will last and endure through time rather then lust that will become corrupt and eventually be lost forever. This week, I can’t help but feel grateful for the knowledge that I have been given regarding the law of chastity and the sanctity of life. I was recently taught an analogy regarding bridling a horse and controlling one's passions.When you first begin to work with horses you feel like they are useless, you can’t control or handle their actions. Once you begin to learn about the “bridle bit” that is placed in the horses mouth, you begin to see how just this extremely small piece of metal can control the whole horse. As you apply pressure to the bit the horse will stop or as you lift the bit towards the left with the slightest touch the horse will begin to turn. 

We as sons and daughters of God need to learn the same principle that the young horse learned, to respond to the promptings of the holy spirit and bridle our passions or in other words keep them under complete control for when the time is right. Love is something that grows over time and develops as we continue our relationship with each other. During this process we must learn to be completely diligent in bridling our passions, responding to every touch or feeling the spirit tells us. The adversary would want us to go against our bride and give into the natural man and fulfill our lust full hearts. This will only bring heartbreak and misery. We must endure to the end. Faithfully. As we do so we will feel of God's love for us and He will see our faithfulness and bless us for keeping His commandments. The Procreation power is divine. We must treat it that way. We have a great power within us to create life and bring forth Gods children. We play an important part in the plan of salvation in helping Gods children to receive a physical body. We can’t take this responsibility lightly. As we recognize the depth of our responsibility our desire to bridle our passions will become easier and we will begin to focus more on true love that will last and endure through time rather then lust that will become corrupt and eventually be lost forever. 

Finding Joy Through The Gospel of Jesus Christ

I was recently asked the question, "Can a Utopian society be created on earth without the Gospel?" I believe that it cannot. What is the Gospel? The gospel is what brings hope, love, and light. Without this we would have no desire to push on. The Gospel contains 5 basic parts. Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, baptism, receiving the holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It supplies us with hope as we make mistakes. Mistakes create feelings of guilt and shame. As we feel these feelings the gospel gives us a way to receive repentance and get rid of the feelings that bring us down. Only through the Gospel of Jesus Christ can we find true happiness and joy in a society. 

Forgive and Forget

This week for my blog I want to focus on forgiveness. Elder Oaks once stated, “In a marriage relationship festering is destructive, forgiving is divine.” I have been able to witness the power of forgiveness in my own life. My parents are such a good example on focusing on this. In my own life, I know that I feel so much lighter and happier when I forgive those around me, especially my family and loved ones. If I expect to be forgiven of my wrong doings then I must also forgive others. I know that as I apply the doctrine of Christ and forgive others, I will feel of God’s love for me and for my family.