Centerpiece

It's been almost a year since I've posted here on Sisters Dear.  It's been quite a year.  I've had a hard time even keeping up with the daily blog and the cooking blog.  So, no excuse.  I've just not posted.  However...

Yesterday, we were able to attend the dedication of the Brigham City Temple.  The building is magnificent.  Last spring, we were able to witness the placement of the Angel Moroni statue on top of the temple.  There had been rain and wind all morning.  The scheduled time had passed and we continued to wait and watch.  By noon, the wind had picked up so badly that even with three cranes, the huge statue was swaying and the conditions became dangerous for the workers.  The ceremony was delayed until later that afternoon, in hopes that the elements would calm.  Over the next two hours, we chose to wait it out.  The weather forecast was to continue with more rain and stronger winds.  However, by the appointed rescheduled time, the heavens had opened, the sun was shining over the temple, the wind has passed. It was a beautiful experience.  I was thrilled that my children were able to witness this tender mercy from above as an  actual miracle took place.  The miracle was more memorable than the actual placing of the statue.

Yesterday, we attended the satellite broadcast of the dedication of this beautiful temple in our own stake center.  Many of the stakes in Northern Utah/Southern Idaho were able to participate via satellite.  For weeks, announcements have prepared us for the occasion.  Recommends were required for all in attendance over the age of eight. Children under the age of eight were not invited, in order to maintain the reverence.  Attendants were to be in their seats at 8:30 and all chapel doors would close at 8:45.  No one was to enter after this designated time.

Doug, myself, and our children, recommends and white hankies in hand, anxiously, were in our seats in the chapel at 8:31.  The stake center overflow and the cultural hall were both opened, with, surprisingly, only eight rows of folding chairs set up.  I wondered about this for a second, but the dedication was to be done in three sessions, at 9AM, noon and 3PM.  I figured, "Who am I to question the stake presidency's planning?"

At about 8:40, what sounded like total chaos erupted behind us in the cultural hall.  From quite moments of peaceful reverence, enjoying the beautiful scenes from inside and around the new temple on the huge screen in front of us to absolute noise behind! Without a word, men began to get up and head to the back of the cultural hall, opening the doors under the stage, pulling out the large sliding racks of folding chairs.  The clanking of metal folding chairs unfolding and hitting that hardwood floor echoed throughout the building.  Any reverence that had accompanied the previous ten minutes was gone.  Whispers could be heard, "Why are they doing this now?  Why didn't they do this earlier?"

Literally, within less than three minutes, with the help of many many men, the cultural hall and the stage were filled to capacity with folding chairs, neatly lined up in rows and perfectly formed aisles.  In the midst of the disruption, our stake president's counselor stood and apologized, in two sentences, explaining that the satellite at the North Stake Center was down and soon the Smithfield North Stake members would be joining us, as well.  Not another word was spoken, the chairs were in place, the entire stake of "guests" entered reverently, were seated and the Spirit was again felt in the room.  A new calm was upon us, as though it had never happened.  The membership of two stakes enjoyed the remainder of the wait, followed by a beautiful and inspiring temple dedication performed by Elder Boyd K. Packer.  Lovely.

I thought of many other events and affairs that I've attended in my lifetime.  Rarely, if ever, would you see such energy and efficiency occur in such an organized and mannerly fashion, without one single spoken word of request for volunteers to help. Not a word had been spoken.  These men and boys saw the need and jumped without being asked, not even knowing why they were doing it.  Also, never in my lifetime have I seen anything go from such a calm to such chaos (noise-wise) and return to such a peaceful calm again in such a short time. The men took their seats, the reverence just returned immediately.  That spirit was powerful and strong almost instantaneously.  Beautiful!

Elder L. Tom Perry referred to the Brigham City Temple as a new "centerpiece" for their valley.  As he spoke those words, I thought of how the Logan Temple edifies and is a beautiful centerpiece on a hill in our own Cache Valley.

The word Centerpiece struck me.  I have a passion for tablescaping. Much thought and preparation goes into my tablescapes. I will often think for weeks or even months ahead of an occasion about what the centerpiece will be.  As I heard the words "A great Centerpiece", referring to the new Brigham City Temple, a new meaning came into my mind.  I thought of the temple being the centerpiece of our own life...Doug and I were married and sealed together, in the Idaho Falls Temple almost 36 years ago, as eternal companions in the Idaho Falls temple.  Our first children were born in the covenant, as a result of those covenants. I think of the other two most glorious days in my life, the day that Liza married her eternal companion and the day that we took the three babes to the temple, following their legal adoption, to be sealed for time and all eternity.   Our entire life revolves around those three most important days in our own personal history.

Making those sacred covenants required much preparation.  Even more important is the fact that an entire lifetime of effort and energy goes into keeping those covenants...into making those covenants the centerpiece of our life.. We covenant to live worthily to re-enter the temple often, requiring a recommend every time we do so.  To remain worthy of that recommend, those covenants must continually the centerpiece of our lives. Every day.  Every hour.  Every moment.  Those covenants, which are made with Christ and our Father in Heaven, who should be the centerpiece of our lives.

Before the dedication, as we watched, in wait, the beautiful footage of this splendid building, the Brigham City Temple, photos of the chandelier in the celestial room were shown several times.  After the babes returned home from touring the open house of the temple last week, they were in awe of the beautiful chandelier.  I can not help but to be reminded of the symbolism of the chandeliers inside the temple.  Those amazing lights, always bright and beautiful, usually huge in size, placed in the most strategic of places inside the temple ~ the center of the celestial room and very closely centered above the altars where covenants and sealings for time and all eternity take place, making them the centerpiece of each room.  Those chandeliers are symbolic of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. There is a reason that they are where they are, that they are as bright and beautiful and light as they are.  Christ is the most important factor in those covenants being made.  Hence, He is indeed, and should be, forever, the centerpiece of our lives.

The Caravan Moves On

Regarding all of the recent news and publicity that the Church is receiving regarding being or not being Christians, being a cult, etc.... Doug's wonderful aunt sent this article to the family email group and I wanted to share. This was a talk given by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in 1984 and well worth reading in it's entirety, but I'm only sharing the analogy to the news of late. All of this recent news brings to my own mind, President Hinckley's encouragement to "stand for something". I'm determined to stand taller myself! Enjoy.

The Church is like a great caravan—organized, prepared, following an appointed course, with its captains of tens and captains of hundreds all in place.

What does it matter if a few barking dogs snap at the heels of the weary travelers? Or that predators claim those few who fall by the way? The caravan moves on.

Is there a ravine to cross, a miry mud hole to pull through, a steep grade to climb? So be it. The oxen are strong and the teamsters wise. The caravan moves on.

Are there storms that rage along the way, floods that wash away the bridges, deserts to cross, and rivers to ford? Such is life in this fallen sphere. The caravan moves on.

Ahead is the celestial city, the eternal Zion of our God, where all who maintain their position in the caravan shall find food and drink and rest. Thank God that the caravan moves on!

from General Conference...

Photo by my favorite niece, Brooke Snow.

fall 2011 General Conference thoughts

I've spent the week pondering the talks that I so enjoyed last weekend at General Conference and felt impressed to add my two cents.

A new temple in Provo! Doug and I sat in tears, both agreeing that there had been a reason for that horrific fire last winter. What a gift! And a temple in Star Valley, Wyoming could mean that the members in Soda Springs will now be in the new temple district, rather than Logan. How wonderful is that!? And! A temple in Paris, France. I remember a friend being sent to France on his mission when I was a teenager. The mission saw two baptisms during his entire two year mission. This moved me to tears.

Elder Scott's talk on the scriptures was my favorite in the Saturday morning session. It was my sentiments exactly! I can't wait to help the kids learn and memorize more scriptures! The scriptures bring me such joy! I want them to have the same love of those sacred words.

Elder Perry's call to share our beliefs was awesome! I have never been one to hide my thoughts or feelings about the gospel. I mention the gospel, my testimony, our lifestyle as members of the LDS church often and have never been ashamed of it. I've had many opportunities in the past several years of blogging to answer questions about the gospel and our faith. Most of my blogging friends know that I'm open book and as a result, I do get asked a lot of questions. Elder Perry's reminder was just what I needed!

I imagine a lot of us will be spending a little less time playing Angry Birds after conference. For me, it's Words with Friends. I'm certain that the quote from Elder Aidern touched many of our hearts... Be as quick to kneel as we are to text. I've often caught myself dialing a friend when I realized I should be on my knees. Beautiful.

Elder Packer's words were powerful and strong. Elder Packer reminds me of Samuel the Lamanite, standing on the wall, preaching and teaching truth, without fear of the arrows and stones being aimed in his direction. He reminds me of the verse in Alma, "Never have I seen so much courage." Elder Packer is fearless.

I was touched by Elder Anderson's comments about raising a family. Again, this was one of those "fearless" talks because it is indeed such a personal decision. His thoughts on it being okay to scrimp and save for the sake of having a family hit home. I often think about going to work to lighten our load. It would simplify things, financially, immensely. But, it wouldn't simplify the fact my life at all. Or my children's. They need me so many times during the day, even now that they are in school. I'll find other ways to cut back. Even if it means not going out to lunch.;) But, the comment made that struck me the most was at the end of his talk when Elder Anderson stated, "We should not be judgmental in the sacred and private responsibility." I hope that those who were listening to this talk, and thinking of people who they feel should be beginning their families sooner, heard this part of the talk, as well.

President Uchtdorf, as always...is amazing. He is a people builder and reminds us that we are indeed, children of God with immense value and import. I love this man.

President Eyring's tenderness during his talk touched my heart. Again, another reminder to read the Book of Mormon. There were so many. I'd say that reading and studying the Book of Mormon was the theme of this conference. It was mentioned so many times. I was grateful to have just completed a long study, not just a reading, of the Book of Mormon weeks ago. As a matter of fact, I finished reading the Doctrine and Covenants between sessions of conference on Sunday and have begun a Relief Society challenge to read the Book of Mormon again before the end of the year. Loving it!

On Sunday, each and every talk touched my heart. I loved being with my family in our cozy little family room enjoying it together. The babes captured so many things. Quayd, particularly. A few thoughts that come to my mind :

The most surprising talk was Sister Dalton's. Expecting her comments to be more directed to the youth, hearing her address the fathers caught everyone's attention. She was so direct and yet, so tender. The best way a father can teach his daughters is to love their mother. It doesn't get any clearer than that. I've told my girls all their lives to look for a man half as wonderful as their dad and they'll do well. I immediately thought of Doug dancing with Gracie on the temple grounds on the day of our niece Becky's wedding and put one of my favorite conference quotes on the picture. Beautiful!

As I listen to the talks of General Conference, because of my calling as the Teaching for our Times teacher in Relief Society, I listen to every talk with "teaching ears"... will I teach this one, Oh this one would be fun to teach, oh this one would be hard to teach..."

President Eyring's talk would be a fun lesson to prepare! We promise to: 1 ~ be charitable… Service 2 ~ witnesses of God… 3 ~ endure

Elder Hales talk would be a sacred and growing experience to teach, no doubt. It was beautiful ~ the purpose of our life is to grow, develop and be strengthened through our own experiences. “We wait upon the Lord.” Mortal challenges allow us to see whether we will exercise our agency to follow His son. All these things shall be for our experience and our good. Joy cometh in the morning. Let us be kinder to one another and even kinder to ourselves. How could we all not benefit to study that talk in depth.

With the elections around the corner and all of the negative talk about the church, I get so frustrated when I hear criticisms of the LDS candidates, simply "because their Mormons". It makes no sense to me. We are Christians. I loved Elder Ballard's explanations of the title of our church ~ the Saviors name is the only name by which we can be saved.
THE ~ specifies and sets apart
CHURCH of JESUS CHRIST ~ HIS church of Latter-day ~ the same church that was in Christ’s ministry
SAINTS ~ as members, we follow him and strive to keep his commandments, those who seek to make their lives holy by covenanting to follow Christ.

This tells us exactly who we are and what we believe! I want to stand up and shout from the rooftops, "We are CHRISTIANS!"

Elder Yamishita's 3 things to bring on your mission ~ a desire to serve the Lord , developed testimony , love others were great advise for three attitudes to wake up with every day. A goal for me to work on!

The kids loved Elder Randall K. Bennett's story of his poor choice, swimming against the current. We're always quoting, "The choices we make today determine our happiness tomorrow." President Monson was quoted: “Decisions determine destiny. You can’t make eternal decisions without eternal consequences.” The kids captured that immediately!

A favorite quote from Elder Cornish ~ Much like medicine, prayer only works when used as directed.

There were so many great quotes and encouraging thoughts, but I'll leave the Ensign and Church Website to print those. These were some that really made strong impressions for me.

And last but not least, President Monson is always just delightful. His description of today's attitude~ "Buy it, wear it, spend it, flaunt it because you’re worth it." So true! I remember when we were first married learning the opposite, "Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do or Do without." It's amazing how that attitude has been forgotten. President Monson's comment that morality is not passe ran deep. This is the prophet speaking. I thought of Noah standing on the ark as he spoke these words, "We are responsible for our actions. Although the world has changed, the gospel has not. The commandments are COMMANDMENTS...they are not negotiable." You can't turn the tv on and find that opinion anywhere today. But, as always, comes a promise that Heavenly Father's is constancy is something on which we can rely. Stand strong and firm in righteousness.

My birthday and the fall General Conference usually fall at the same time. Our anniversary and Spring Conference are usually together, as well. In my younger days, it was sometimes frustrating because there's not a room to be had if I wanted to spend either weekend celebrating in the big city of Salt Lake. In the wisdom of my fifty-three years, I find myself looking at the calendar before scheduling anything during Conference. I live for it! I love it! I download it onto my iPod and listen to Conference daily, usually at least one talk before bedtime each night, often when I walk, and daily, I listen to the talk that I'm preparing to teach in Relief Society. What a gift, to have modern prophets and apostles teaching us the Word of God today, in our world of modern conveniences and modern challenges. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love my Savior and elder brother, Jesus Christ. I love the scriptures, both old and new. I bear this witness that they are true. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Book of Mormon

A few weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, I was having some health issues and had to stay home while Doug and the babes were off to church. I was happy to use that three hour window of time to complete my reading the Book of Mormon, which I'd begun over a year ago. I can't count the times in my life that I've read the Book of Mormon. I remember reading it the first time, cover to cover, in Seminary when I was a sophomore in High School. I read it again, the year after Doug and I were married and again while expecting Liza. I remember reading it when Liza was in kindergarten. In 1994 , I got a new set of scriptures. I still remember opening the box just to smell the fresh leather, but that smell disappeared quickly my new scriptures were out of the box often! Each time that I read the Book of Mormon, I find different insights and understanding because I am at a different place in life myself, both spiritually and circumstantially. I love that!

Since getting that "new set", I read the book of Mormon several times until I hit the ripe age of 45 and my eyes began to weaken. As the eye doctor told me, "It's a little thing I like to call old age." Old age necessitated the need for me to get not only a dozen pair of "readers", but I found myself needing another new set of scriptures with larger print. However, I fought that need for five years. Since 1997, I'd taken all of the classes possible at the Utah State University LDS Institute of Religion and my scriptures were colorful with markings, pages filled with quotes and thoughts from my own personal revelations and impressions to quotes from the General Authorities of the Church to lectures from great teachers who'd taught me much about the gospel.

I had become so familiar with those pages that I could pick up my scriptures and the pages would fall open to exactly where I needed. I could be sitting in a class in church and immediately recall notes and quotes written near verses that went along with the lesson I was hearing. HOW could I learn to love new scriptures as much as these? However. Seeing those pages and notes became more and more impossible. And so. For Mother's Day 2010, Doug gave me a new burgandy Large Print version of the LDS Standard Works.

I immediately began marking the scriptures with first, the Scripture Mastery verses, taught to the youth in seminary. (I feel every member of the church should be fully familiar with these!) Next, I marked the Joseph Smith Translation notes, which is a must, in my opinion. Next, I went through and marked all of the Hebrew footnotes blue, the OR footnotes for idioms orange and the Greek footnotes in green. It took me until the end of summer to transfer the notes, quotes and thoughts that I've had in my lifetime and then I began again to read the Book of Mormon once more.

This time, I determined that I would not just "read" it, but truly study it. I found reference books and used the church's website, LDS.org, to enhance my studies. This took me over a year. Oh, how I learned and captured, with this new method of study and discovery, all on my own.

As I read the words of the ancient prophets, my heart was touched, my mind was sharpened and my testimony was strengthened. I grew to love the prophets and their messages more than ever before. I became familiar with the patterns of faith and hope, as well as repentance and apostasy, divulged throughout the Book of Mormon. And this time, spending weeks and weeks in 3 Nephi, I grew closer to my Savior than I've ever felt before. As I approached the end of the the book, studying about the Jaredites in Ether, and reading those final words of Mormon and his son, Moroni, my heart ached for their challenges and sufferings.

On that Sunday morning, I was listening to my most favorite Sunday piano music, that of my niece Brooke and of Paul Cardall. I read those last words in Moroni and closed the book to the ironically but perfectly timed last note on that particular playlist of my iPod. This silence was powerful. I knelt down immediately, and with tears, gave thanks for the words that I'd been so invested in for the past year, for the prophets and sacrifices that were made so that I could read and learn from them, for the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today and for my own testimony.

Shortly after my prayer, the family came in from church, ready for Sunday dinner and activities. I was still in tears and gathered them together in the living room. They knew that this was important, whatever it was. I then bore my testimony and gratitude to each member of my family of the importance and truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and expressed my love for it. I also encouraged each of them to gain their own testimonies by studying it themselves. They all commented later that they'd felt the spirit when I'd spoken. Doug thanked me for my testimony again, as we were getting ready for bed that night. For the next few days, I literally missed Moroni and Mormon.

I love the scriptures. I love the Book of Mormon. I played a game recently where the question was asked, "What's something that you want to be remembered for?" I hope that my children and family and friends will always know and remember that I have a deep love and appreciating and testimony of the truthfulness of the scriptures. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and the words are true. Oh how I love the scriptures! Enough said.

The Parable of the Cat, by James Talmage

As I prepared my Relief Society lesson on Service, I happened onto this story. It's been around for decades, but somehow, I'd missed this gem. It's beautiful and poignant. A perfect reminder.

During his daily walk, a naturalist encountered two boys with a basket near the edge of a pond. In the basket were three whining kittens; two others were drowning in the pond; and the mother cat was running about on the bank, rampant in her distress. In response to the naturalist's inquiry, the boys, respectfully, explained that their mistress had instructed them to drown the kittens, as she wanted no other cat than the mother cat, her particular pet, the boys explained.

The naturalist assured the boys that he was a personal friend of their employer, and that he would be responsible for any apparent dereliction in their obedience to her orders. He gave the boys each a shilling and took the three living kittens in charge.

The mother cat seemed to immediately recognize the man as the deliverer of her three children, who, but for him would have been drowned. As he carried the kittens, she trotted along-sometimes following, sometimes alongside, occasionally rubbing against him with grateful, yet mournful purrs. At his home, he provided the kittens with comfortable quarters, and left the mother cat in joyful content.

Next day, the gentleman was seated in his parlor, in the midst of notable company. During their visit, in walked the mother cat carrying in her mouth a large, fat mouse, not dead, but still feebly struggling under the pains of torturous capture. She laid her panting, well-nigh expiring prey at the feet of the man who had saved her kittens.

What think you of the offering and of the purpose that prompted the act? A live mouse, fleshy and fat! Within the cat's power of possible estimation and judgment, it was a superlative gift. To her limited understanding, no rational creature could feel otherwise than pleased over the present of a meaty mouse. Every sensible cat would be ravenously joyful with such an offering.

Are not our offerings to the Lord-our tithes and our other free-will gifts-as thoroughly unnecessary to His needs as was the mouse to the naturalist? But remember that the grateful and sacrificing nature of the cat was enlarged, and in a measure sanctified, by her offering.

Thanks be to God that He gages the offerings and sacrifices of His children by the standard of their physical ability and honest intent rather than by the gradation of His exalted station. Verily, He is God with us; and He, both, understands and accepts our motives and righteous desires. Our need to serve God is incalculably greater than His need for our service.