Love and Peace

 

Think Celestial

    I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is November's article.

In October conference, our prophet reminded us to think Celestial. 

“I invite you to adopt the practice of “thinking celestial.”

I encourage you to begin with the end in mind.

When you are confronted with a dilemma, think celestial!

When tested by temptation, think celestial!”

Preparing spiritually is all about thinking celestial.

Keep on the Covenant Path

   I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is October's article.

In his very first message to the membership of the church after being sustained as president of the church, President Nelson admonished us to keep on the covenant path.  “Staying on the covenant path will open the doors of every spiritual blessing and privilege available.”  What a beautiful promise!

If You Always Do What You've Always Done

   I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is September's article.

Let us make the changes in our lives that will prepare us spiritually. 

Small changes can net big results!

Wait, Watch, Love, and Pray

  I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is August's article.

In our spring stake conference, President Barney urged us to wait, watch, and love.  When a loved one is lost, or really when we face any challenge in life, these are words to live by.  I added prayer to the list.  Memorizing and implementing these wise words will truly help us to prepare spiritually.

Study 3 Nephi

   I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is July's article.

Have you done it yet?  In his final conference address in April, President Nelson invited us to “study again the account of the Savior’s appearance to the Nephites in the Americas, as recorded in 3 Nephi.”

It is not too late to accept our prophet’s invitation to read these sacred scriptures that tell of our Savior’s appearance and ministry on this continent.

Speak Kindly To and About Others

   I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is June's article.

“PLEASE LISTEN CAREFULLY.”  Those were President Nelson’s words in the last conference.  Then he said, ”If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy that we can say about another person- whether to his face or behind her back- that should be our standard of communication.”  We should all memorize those words and strive to live by them.

Study the General Conference Talks

   I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is May's article.

In April’s General Conference address, President Nelson encouraged us to seek for the Holy Ghost to guide us in our study of the general conference addresses.  Making the study of the conference talks is one of the best ways we have to prepare ourselves spiritually.

Restore the Correct Name of the Church

  I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is April's article.

If you are like me, you find it a challenge to always use the correct name of the church.  But our prophet has given us an amazing promise if we will make the effort to do so:

“I promise you that if we will do our best to restore the correct name of the Lord’s Church, He whose Church this will pour down His power and blessings upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, the likes of which we have never seen.”  President Russell M. Nelson

Who doesn’t want more power and blessings? Let us make every effort to restore the correct name of the church.

Overcome the World and Find Rest

   I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is March's article.

In October conference, President Nelson talked to us about how to strengthen ourselves spiritually and overcome the world:

“My plea to you this morning is to find rest from the intensity, uncertainty, and anguish of this world by overcoming the world through your covenants with God.  Let Him know through your prayers and your actions that you are serious about overcoming the world.  Ask Him to enlighten your mind and send the help you need.  Each day, record the thoughts that come to you as you pray; then follow through diligently.”

Ponder Our Covenants

 I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is February's article.

In November’s stake conference, President Barney encouraged us to ponder our covenants.  He promised increased spiritual power if we do.  He directed us to a link to help us do that:  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/what-is-temple-endowment?lang=eng

President Nelson said in October’s conference:

“Please ponder this stunning truth:  Each person who makes covenants in baptismal fonts and in temples- and keeps them- has increased access to power of Jesus Christ.”

 

Let us ponder our covenants to prepare ourselves spiritually.

Strengthen Your Testimony

  I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is January's article.

In October conference, our prophet gave us strong counsel on how to be spiritually prepared:

“I plead with you to take charge of your own testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel.  Work for it.  Nurture it so that it will grow.  Feed it truth.  Don’t pollute it with false philosophies of unbelieving men and women.  As you make the continual strengthening of your testimony of Jesus Christ your highest priority, watch for miracles to happen in your life.”           

Russell M. Nelson, October 2022

Live in Thanksgiving Daily

     I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is December's article.

With the Thanksgiving holiday past for another year, let us take the challenge to live in thanksgiving daily throughout the entire year.  Our prophet said, “Gratitude provides us with a greater perspective on the very purpose and joy of life.”

He said, “Let us unite in thanking God through daily prayer.”  I love that he invites us to unite in thanksgiving.  Doing so will strengthen us individually and as a ward Relief Society.

Spend More Time in the Temple

 

    I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is November's article.

Our prophet has directed us to go the temple to strengthen and prepare ourselves spiritually:

 “Positive spiritual momentum increases as we worship in the temple and grow in our understanding of the magnificent breadth and depth of the blessings we receive there.  I plead with you to counter worldly ways by focusing on the eternal blessings of the temple.  Your time there brings blessings for eternity.” In October conference, he again pleaded with us to increase our time in the temple.  "I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can."

 There is great power in the temple. We will be blessed if we follow the prophet and go to the temple often.

Seek and Expect Miracles

    I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is October's article.

In April conference, President Nelson admonished us to seek and expect miracles.  Preparing ourselves spiritually would include the things he suggested in seeking miracles.  He said we should do the spiritual work to seek miracles and prayerfully ask God to help us to have enough faith.  As the Burdicks helped us understand in their sacrament meeting talks recently, we must trust the Lord and expect miracles in our lives.

Give God a Fair Share of Your Time

     I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is September's article.

In April conference, President Nelson invited us to give God a fair share of our time.  What does that mean?  He suggested that we need to have daily experiences worshipping the Lord and studying His gospel. Preparing ourselves spiritually must include daily devotion.  No matter how busy we are, we must give God a fair share of our time.

End Personal Conflicts

   I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is August's article.

Do you have conflict with an individual or individuals in your life?  In our last conference, President Nelson admonished us to:

·       "End conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life.

·        Bury any and all inclinations to hurt others.

·        Repeated: Do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives."

It seems our prophet is telling us that to be spiritually prepared, we need to end personal conflicts in our lives. 

Let God Prevail

  I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is July's article.

President Nelson encouraged us to let God prevail in our lives.  What does that mean?  He explained:

   “Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life?  Will you allow His voice to take precedence over every other ambition?  Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?”

Preparing ourselves spiritually must include pondering these questions and letting God prevail in our lives.

The Sabbath is a Delight

  I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is June's article.

One of the most important things we can do prepare ourselves spiritually is to keep the Sabbath day holy.   Our prophet taught
that our Sabbath Day activities are a sign between God and us.  He suggested that when we are trying to decide whether an activity is appropriate for the Sabbath, we should ask ourselves, “What sign do I want to give God?”  That question will make our choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear.

Who Needs Me Today?

 I have been asked by our Relief Society presidency to prepare a short article for each month's Relief Society newsletter on spiritual preparedness.   I thought I might just as well publish those articles here as well. They publish on the first day of the month.  This is May's article.

 Sister Bonnie Oscarson, general young women president, challenged us to pray each day and ask this question, “Who needs me today?”  We can ask our Heavenly Father each morning for an opportunity to serve someone.  That opportunity may come in our family, our neighborhood, our ward, or our community.  Serving others helps them, but also strengthens and blesses us.  Service is spiritual preparedness.