Direction from on High

“Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose” (The Family: A Proclamation to the World) "The Moral Force of Women"   Elder D. Todd Christofferson General Conference, October 2013 Attributes of a Woman: Faith, Courage, Empathy, Refinement, Reverence for Sacred Things, Teacher, Nurturer, Bringer of Peace, Beauty and giver of Service, Mother (to name a very few) The world offers: sexuality exploited, objects of "beauty", woman with a cause only, career woman and little else.  Tough vs. Tender, Course vs. Kind, Rude vs. Refined, Greed vs. Goodness, Vanity vs. Virtue, Popularity vs. Purity. “Brethren We Have a Work to Do” & “Let Us Be Men” Elder D. Todd Christofferson                                  ...

I enjoyed Elder Bednar’s words, “As a husband and wife are each drawn to the Lord (see 3 Ne. 27:14), as they learn to serve and cherish one another, as they share life experiences and grow together and become one, and as they are blessed through the uniting of their distinctive natures, they begin to realize the fulfillment that our Heavenly Father desires for His children. Ultimate happiness, which is the very object of the Father’s plan, is received through the making and honoring of eternal marriage covenants.”  ("Marriage Is Essential To His Eternal Plan" Elder David A. Bednar Ensign, Jun 2006, 82-87) The world tells us not to commit, don't be tied down, keep your options open, and marriage is not necessary.  The "world is wrong".   “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” That inspired document states: “The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bon...

"We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of his children." Released in 1995 It isn't just about being happy in this life.  "Our family -centered perspective should make Latter-day Saints strive to be the best parents in the world. It should give us enormous respect for our children, who truly are our spiritual siblings, and it should cause us to devote whatever time is necessary to strengthen our families. Indeed, nothing is more critically connected to happiness—both our own and that of our children—than how well we love and support one another within the family ." (2005 What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest, M Russell Ballard)

  Here are a few thoughts about the relationship of God and Man.  Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His son Jesus Christ, it is known that we are created in their image.    The mantra of President Lorenzo Snow came about in 1840 while he was in Nauvoo, Illinois... “the Spirit of the Lord rested mightily upon me—the eyes of my understanding were opened, and I saw as clear as the sun at noonday, with wonder and astonishment, the pathway of God and man. I formed the following couplet which expresses the revelation, as it was shown me. …   “As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be.”   On that same line, here is one thing I do not remember ever understanding but has now changed how I feel about who I am and what I can do in this life and in the life here after .....  President Kimball taught,     “God has taken these intelligences, given to them spirit bodies, and given them instructions and training. Th...

 “Ponder the path of thy feet.” "As we do, we will have the faith, even the desire, to walk the path which Jesus walked. We will have no doubt that we are on a path which our Father would have us follow. The Savior’s example provides a framework for everything that we do, and His words provide an unfailing guide. His path will take us safely home." "Ponder the Path of Thy Feet" Thomas S Monson Oct 2014 "As we look to Jesus as our Exemplar and as we follow in His footsteps, we can return safely to our Heavenly Father." "It has been said that the door of history turns on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. We are constantly making small decisions. The outcome determines the success or failure of our lives. That is why it is worthwhile to look ahead, to set a course, and at least be partly ready when the moment of decision comes. True finishers have the capacity to visualize their objective."            ...

In 1 Nephi 15:8  Nephi asks his brothers if the have inquired of the Lord to find the understanding that they are arguing about.  They reply: "We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us."   Laman, Lemuel and Nephi all had the same parents and teachings so why would Nephi inquiry and not his brothers.  (Do I seek understanding or would I rather just form an opinion and share it loudly?) In verse 11 it says, " If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you."   D&C 10:5 "Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, hat you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hand of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work." "Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul."     ....  "It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free ...

"Be strong. Live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don't live it at all.  Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them."                - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (2014 April) "We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness - be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers.  We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children." - Elder Ronald A Rasband (2014 April) I have been giving this quite a bit of thought because sharing the gospel is the most important thing we can do.  However, I am not a people person.  How can I do what is asked of me? Several things have come up that I first need to trust in the Lord, with faith knowing that He gives no commandment save He shall prepare a way to accomplish said commandments....