Our Own Mormon Messages

My Dear Sisters...

Here is a Marvelous Monday thought for you ...

 

This is how my journal entry will begin today:

 

"Had a rough start today... rainy Monday... Juggling umbrella, water bottle, purse, etc. and I slip and wipe out in front of the car riders line at school... Rip the tights, bloody my knee... yet graceful landing... I was tempted to take a bow.  Instead I hid behind my umbrella and was grateful the sun had not come up yet... 

 

As I walk into school, I learn that a neighbor of mine has been in ICU for 10 days after giving birth. She has 4 children under the age of 6....

I immediately call another neighbor who is coordinating help and quickly offer the aid of our Relief Society.... sisters who don't know this woman or her family, but who I know will rally to her needs.

 

And just that quickly, my rough start puts a smile on my face and I am reminded of how blessed we are to have each other...

 

I sure love you all,

The ever graceful Sister Brock (torn tights and all)

 

PS... I'd like to start having some of our weekly messages come from our Relief Society Sisters (and not just Mormon Messages)... please send me your day's treasure and I'll share it with our sisters!  I think we'll be amazed at how many "moments" we each have that may otherwise go unnoticed.

The Power of a Woman's Kind Words -- Wonderful Wednesday

Dear Sisters,

In combination with my lesson the first of the month and Melody Surat's lesson last week, I thought I would share with you the Power of a Woman's Words.  Remember my lesson was on "not criticing or being judgemental of each other" and during Melody's lesson we discussed how to control our words and thoughts.  I came across this article while reading a book that Sister Jacobson had lent to me... please read.  I hope we can encourage each other to be this empowering...

 

Sophia used her words to elevate and motivate her husband. He came home very discouraged and defeated.  He had lost his job and dreaded telling his wife the bad news.  However, after explaining his plight, he was met with an unexpected response.

“Now,” she said triumphantly as she clapped her hands in delight, “you can write your book!”

“Yes”, replied the man, with sagging confidence.  “And what shall we live on while I am writing it?”

To his amazement, she opened a drawer and pulled out a substantial amount of money.

“Where on earth did you get that?” he exclaimed.

“I have always known you were a man of genius,” she told him. “I knew that someday you would write a masterpiece.  So every week out of the money you gave me for housekeeping, I saved a little bit.  Here is enough to last us for one whole year.”

From her trust, confidence, and encouraging words came one of the greatest novels of American literature.  That was the year that Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter…

(Chicken Soup for the Soul, Canfield)

 

Here are just two examples of how they spoke of each other...

 

Of his wife, whom he referred to as his "Dove", Hawthorne wrote that she "is, in the strictest sense, my sole companion; and I need no other—there is no vacancy in my mind, any more than in my heart... Thank God that I suffice for her boundless heart!"^[34]

 

Sophia greatly admired her husband's work. In one of her journals, she wrote: "I am always so dazzled and bewildered with the richness, the depth, the ... jewels of beauty in his productions that I am always looking forward to a second reading where I can ponder and muse and fully take in the miraculous wealth of thoughts".^[35]

 

 

I hope we will take the time to share our love and confidence with members of our family and dear friends.

 

Love, Sister Brock

You Matter to Him

We Are Greater Than We Suppose

But even though man is nothing, it fills me with wonder and awe to think that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”⁷

And while we may look at the vast expanse of the universe and say, “What is man in comparison to the glory of creation?” God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind.⁸ In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters.

This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it. 

You Matter to Him

My dear brothers and sisters, it may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him! If you ever doubt that, consider these four divine principles:

First, God loves the humble and meek, for they are “greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”¹⁷

Second, the Lord entrusts “the fulness of [His] gospel [to] be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world.”¹⁸ He has chosen “the weak things of the world [to] come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones”¹⁹ and to put to shame “the things which are mighty.”²⁰

Third, no matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to you, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness. Together, they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith.

Fourth and finally, please understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him.²¹Have hope and faith in that promise. Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed.

Be assured that if you but hold on, believe in Him, and remain faithful in keeping the commandments, one day you will experience for yourselves the promises revealed to the Apostle Paul: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf -- October 2011 General Conference 

"You Matter to Him"

The Women In Our Lives

President Gordon B. Hinckley honors the divine gifts possessed by women and testifies of their importance in God's plan.

"The women in our lives are creatures endowed with particular qualities, divine qualities which cause them to reach our in kindess and with love to those about them."

"You've always given me wings to fly, and I've loved you for it."

Flecks of Gold

This story illustrates the spiritual truth that Alma taught his son, Helaman. "By small and simple things are great blessings brought to pass."

"Our small and simple acts of kindness and service will accumulate into a life filled with love for Heavenly Father, Devotion to the work of the Lord, Jesus Christ and a sense of peace and joy." -- M. Russell Ballard

Have a Terrific Thursday!

Come What May... Wonderful Wednesday

Sisters,

I am so excited to have been given the opportunity to serve as the assistant secretary in the Relief Society.

It's Wednesday again and time for a Wonderful Wednesday message.

Elder Joseph B. Worthlin gave a talk about two years ago entitled "Come What May and Love It." This short clip from his talk is really jam-packed with exactly what I think that the Wonderful Wednesday Messages are all about. It is a wonderfully uplifting message to get us through the rest of week.

I hope you'll take a few moments to watch, listen and be uplifted.

"Every tear today will eventually be returned one hundred fold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." Elder Worthlin

Kimberly Gray

Setting Boundaries

This is a beautiful video focused on helping youth understand why we urge to keep the Law of Chastity. This is a great tool for parents of teenagers. Setting boundaries is a life-long skill that is necessary not just for staying sexually pure. As adults we have so many different people we interact with; neighbors, coworkers, and church members. Setting boundaries for you and your family is a skill that is helpful in fostering healthy relationships with others.