Forget Me Not

image: public domain from wikipedia, phrases added - quoted from talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf at General Relief Society Meeting 9.24.2011

By far, my favorite talk of the evening (and that's saying something) was Elder Uchtdorf's inspiring talk. (To read a transcript, watch a video or listen to the talk, please visit lds.org) He spoke about the special connection he has had throughout his life with the forget-me-not flower. His message was one doctrine for each petal of the flower.

First: "Forget not to be patient with yourself". This was a boon to me. I have a tendency to beat myself up. Don't get me wrong, I probably deserve the flagellation, but I am beginning to realize that it is not a productive self-help methodology! He said the we as sisters are beating ourselves up for not meeting expectations that are impossible to meet. If we stay on the path of discipleship, he said, we will become perfect.

photo: churchnews.lds.org

It's OK that you're not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself...Please remember to be compassionate and patient with yourself. In the meantime, be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your family relationships, your education and livelihood, your church participation and personal improvements. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you, and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him...Our journey toward perfection is long, but we can find wonder and delight in even the tiniest steps in that journey.

The second petal is: "Forget Not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice." He asked us to ask ourselves - am I committing my time and energy to what matters most? The sacrifice God asks for is the sacrifice of "something good for something far greater in an eternal perspective."

The next petal is "Forget Not to be happy NOW." This one was FABULOUS!

photo: sucasa-furniture.com

He said that some think they will not be happy without a GOLDEN TICKET - the ticket they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about

• a perfect marriage
• a magazine cover home
• freedom from stress/worry

My question to myself - What is my golden ticket (what is yours?) What is stopping you from enjoying your chocolate bar?

He said:

In all her yearning for her golden ticket, she failed to notice the blessings she DID have. If we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us...The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket. They are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who -- thread by daily thread-- weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they that are truly happy.

I believe I am doing that despite my lack of a golden ticket. Who needs an everlasting gobstopper?

Next petal was: "Forget Not the WHY of the gospel"

I thought this was particularly poignant along with the incredible first petal. If we understand the WHY we don't get as hung up on perfection, but we look for results. The gospel brings results. I testify of that. In the Doctrine & Covenants, section 130 it states: "And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." When it comes right down to it, that means if you are blessed - and come on, you know you are - it is because you have been obedient to God's laws. That is greatly relieving to me! I have been obedient. Something I've done has worked! I believe that the Savior is very merciful in his definition of obedience, but His grace is sufficient.

When viewed as a lifestyle that can bring us great peace and happiness, the gospel no longer resembles a long, demanding to-do list. As President Uchtdorf puts it:

The gospel is not an obligation, it is a pathway marked by our loving Father in Heaven leading to happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressible fulfillment in the life to come...while understanding the WHAT and the HOW of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the WHY...when we understand WHY our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember WHY we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to be a burden and instead becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet....The WHY of obedience sanctifies our actions, transforming the mundane into the MAJESTIC. It magnifies our small acts of obedience into holy acts of consecration

Let me repeat a beautifully expressed line:
The WHY of obedience sanctifies our actions, transforming mundane into the MAJESTIC. It magnifies our small acts of obedience into holy acts of consecration.

What a blessing it is to have such inspired leadership. I believe that is what I am beginning to understand. The atonment of Jesus Christ allows me to committ holy acts of consecration. 

The last petal: "Forget Not that the Lord loves you."

All from President Uchtdorf:

You are not forgotten!
No matter how dark your days may seem
No matter how insignificant you may feel
No matter how over-shadowed you think you may be

Your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you.

photo: lds.institute.org

I testify that is the case. I know He loves me, He knows my name. He knows my sorrows, He knows my happiness. He is actively involved in my life. I know that I am not special - we are all spirit daughters and sons of a loving Heavenly Father. Of all the professions he could do perfectly, He chose to address Himself as Father. Compared to God we are nothing...To God we are everything. That is the truth. If you don't know it's the truth, ask Him to confirm it to you. He did to me through the Holy Ghost. I felt in my heart AND in my mind the truth of it. I testify of Christ and His atonement that makes so much of happiness possible. I testify that He lives and is at the head of this church. I testify that President Thomas S. Monson is His prophet and that Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf are also prophets, seers and revelators. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!

Cleaving to your covenants

photo: lds.org

First I was inspired by Sister Thompson's talk - I REALLY need to write my personal history and family history! She was speaking about how covenants can keep you safe and happy. A good friend of mine the other day was expressing her wish that the church would teach more about how to be happy while you're waiting for the desired blessings we're taught to desire. I think the church does teach that, but tonight they were DIRECT about it. She said, speaking about the temple endowment, that it will "bring you out of darkness and into glorious light."

photo: lds.org

Going on she talked about righteous examples of peace through covenant keeping that are contained in the new book for Relief Society sisters, Daughters in my Kingdom. (see above or go to lds.org)

She quoted a woman who lived through the pioneer era of the church, Sarah Rich:

Many were the blessings we had received in the house of the Lord which has caused us joy and comfort in the midst of all our sorrows and enabled us to have faith in God knowing he would guide us and sustain us in the unknown journey that lay before us.

photo: lds.org

 Anyone else want to go to the temple more often? Wow! She then quoted President Monson:

As you and I go to the Holy Houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary, we will find peace, we will be renewed and fortified

She then said, "keeping covenants is TRUE joy and happiness." Isn't that the truth? I haven't once regretted KEEPING a covenant.

I am grateful for my covenants, baptismal and temple. What a joy and protection they are to me. I loved Sister Thompson's faithful demonstration of how to be happy--as Sarah Rich said, "in the midst of our sorrows"

Relief Society and Charity

The General Relief Society Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Photo: lds.org

The General Relief Society Meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was held this evening in Salt Lake City, UT. It was broadcast to millions of meeting houses and homes - one of them mine. For the first time, I watched it at home. I also recorded it at the same time with my TIVO. It was a choice experience for me because I was able to pause and rewind to hear things I missed. I have never experienced it so deeply. Wonderful! In part one, I will cover the talks of Sister Julie Beck and Sister Silvia Allred (left and center in the photo above.

I plan to quote the talks below. I want to let you know that all of them are exact quotes (barring human error) from the broadcast tonight. I will list the author after each quote. To view the broadcast or read the text of these talks, please visit www.lds.org (usually it takes a few days for the text versions to appear online).


First I would like to give a tremendous shout out to the amazing women's choir that performed (or 'favored us' in the vernacular! :) ) tonight. Absolutely beautiful. I can honestly say that I was pleased with every arrangement as well. I especially loved "The Morning Breaks" which I believe was arranged by Mack Wilberg. A gorgeous arrangement usually sung by SATB choirs. On the third verse the women covered all the parts. It was SO beautiful. I recommend listening to it immediately! That's ok, we'll wait. Go ahead!


The first talk was by Julie B. Beck, the General Relief Society President (i.e. the president of the organization for the world-wide church. Others serve as presidents of their wards, branches, stakes and districts). She spoke about what she hoped her granddaughters understand about the Relief Society. It was a great talk that really raised the bar for me in my thinking about this great organization. 


My first pull quote came after a discussion of how the Lord organized the women in his ancient church - they were very much a part of the "pattern of discipleship" that was lost with the apostasy. With the restoration of the church and priesthood, the women were organized after the pattern of the priesthood, and "authorized to receive direction from the Lord for a specific work."

That work is the purpose of Relief Society:

• Increase faith and personal righteousness
• Strengthen families and homes
• Seek out and help those in need

It was to be, as Joseph Smith said, "a select society separate from all the evils of the world." Additionally, one of the Lord's purposes in organizing the sisters in a discipleship was to, "Provide relief that would lift them above all that hinders the joy and progress of woman." The sisterhood of Relief Society can provide a place of safety and refuge.

The next great doctrine taught by Sister Beck was concerning visiting teaching--something I don't believe I have ever done well. She said:

Visiting Teaching is an expression of [our] discipleship and a significant way to honor [our] covenants. This element of [our] discipleship should closely resemble the ministry of the Savior...

I wonder what does that look like? When can I know if my Visiting Teaching reaches the level of the Savior's ministry? Heady question, indeed.

She then quoted the prophet, Thomas S. Monson:

When we strive with faith, nothing wavering, to fulfill the duties appointed to us. When we seek the inspiration of the Almighty in the performance of our responsibilities, we can achieve the miraculous!"

 WE CAN ACHIEVE THE MIRACULOUS!!!!!


I was so moved thinking about that! Honestly, there are some sisters that to reach them would be a miracle of epic proportions. I say that, referring to my ability to love them and communicate with them in the right manner - not that THEY are the problem. 

She then said that she hoped her granddaughters would, "participate in miracles as they help Visiting Teaching become a pattern of discipleship that the Lord will recognize when He comes again." 

I hope that my Visiting Teaching can become something recognizable to the Lord as a form of discipleship. She closed with a quote from Joseph F. Smith (I think that's who said it): "It is for you to lead the world, especially the women of the world. You are the head - not the tail!"

The next talk was by Sister Silvia Allred - a counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency. She spoke about charity. Something I definitely need help with. The first quote that really got me was from Joseph Smith:

Don't be limited in your views with regard to your neighbor's virtues. You must enlarge your souls toward others if you would do like Jesus. As you increase in innocence and virtue, as you increase in goodness, let your hearts expand. Let them be enlarged toward others. You must be long-suffering and bear with the faults and errors of mankind. How precious are the souls of men.

I was struck by two things in this passage.

1. As you increase in
1. innocence
2. virtue
3. goodness

I love what that implies - we can INCREASE in those. We aren't stuck on stupid! We can practice and get better at those attributes. Isn't that a liberating thought?

2. Let your hearts expand.

It brought to my mind the imagery used in "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" cartoon where it breaks the frame of the xray.

from "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" by Chuck Jones

I love that. She went on to say, "Charity is a state of being or a state of the heart." It is something we can cultivate and BECOME, and as we have a measure of it, "Charity purifies those who have it."

She some direction on how to cultivate it - desire it, pray for it, read the scriptures daily to bring your heart and perspectives in line with the Savior's. To, "minister to those around you and pay special attention to those around you."

I have a co-worker much like that. She is aware of what is going on with others. She does what she can to make them feel loved and appreciated and understood. She is an example to me of Charity. I know that Savior pays special attention to each of us. He loves us as we are and knows whom we can become - AND He's willing to help us become it. He already paid for it, we just have to try.

The last quote I wrote in my journal from her talk really, REALLY got me. I felt that I was to receive this as instruction and a beckoning upward. She quotes President Monson:

Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and short comings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others.

source: mormon.org

 It is simply, the Pure Love of Christ. If the Lord looketh on the heart, then we need to strive to do the same with those we have the privilege of mingling with in this life. I pray to work towards that end.