I know the scriptures are true!

Did you know that the calcium in milk is really good for your bones, but make sure to drink low fat because fat is bad for you.  No way, milk is the reason for osteoporosis, it leeches the calcium from your bones and by the way fat is really good for you.  Ok, but I know you should start feeding babies solid food at four months, make sure to use rice cereal.  No!  You should let them exclusively nurse until they are 6 months at which point you should introduce them to real foods not processed junk.  But what if I can't nurse my babies?  Then use formula, no use goat milk it more closely simulates your milk.  If you don't exercise for at least 15 minutes at a time then it doesn't do you any good.  It does too, any physical activity is good for you.  Sun screen helps prevent skin cancer.  Sun screen prevents our bodies from developing a natural defense against the sun, making us more prone to sun burns.  You have to immunize to avoid deadly diseases. No way, immunizations cause autism and they have mercury in them, that's poison.  You shouldn't brush with fluoride, it's a poison and banned in Switzerland.  Fluoride helps prevent cavities, it's good for you.
Noticing a pattern?
I love to learn!  I love learning so much that whenever I find something interesting I research it.  However I have discovered that the internet is a HUGE source of information, so huge in fact, that you can find a reputable source to back up any opinion or idea you have.  In a world so saturated with information, often contradicting, sometimes I feel like I'll drown.  How can I know what is right?  How can I know what is true? In a generation of Google how can I know?

I know the scriptures are true!  I know that I can always find answers in the scriptures and that that information will never contradict itself.  I also know that the spirit testifies of the truthfulness of all things, even of the truthfulness of diets and immunizations.  With the spirit of God I can discern between truth and error, I can separate fact from fiction.   I am grateful that in such an overwhelming world of information I can always turn to the scriptures, to the Lord, and to personal revelation for guidance.

Power of Faith

Today I had a really sweet experience that showed me the power of faith.  A few weeks ago we met a couple from the Philippines.  The sister missionaries had been telling us about them for awhile and I was so excited to meet them.  I immediately adopted Manuel and Solidad, you can never have enough grandma and grandpas. Oh my goodness, they are the cutest, sweetest little old people ever!  Anyway, today was the day they were to be baptized.  During church I heard that Manuel had been hospitalized.  He has a lot of health problems and had been in the hospital since Saturday morning, no one knew if they were going to make it to their baptism.  I found out later that this sweet couple had been the topic of many prayers.  God hears us!  Manuel made it!  He was picked up from his house right before the baptism was to begin and would be taken home right after so he could rest.  Manuel was so weak he could barely stand.  He was helped in by four people and he was on oxygen, there were two missionaries, in addition to the man baptizing him because he was too weak to walk on his own or stand up again after being baptized.  It brought tears to my eyes to see such great faith!  He knew so deeply that the church was true and that he and his wife must be baptized that he would not let anything stand in the way, not even such extreme illness.  I'm sure I was not the only one praying as he was buried in the water, holding my breath, and wishing to be in the water to help him.  The most wonderful thing happened, a true miracle.  When he came up out of the water he was no longer so pale, he didn't need his oxygen, and he walked and stood on his own.  He looked so much better!  He is still sick and will need rest, but I know the Lord blessed him for his choice!
I am grateful to have been able to witness such faith and miracles and I look forward to opportunities to work with and serve these sweet people who have adopted us in return.
#Indymormon #bookofmormon

Famailair and comforting

So many things are different here in Indaiana, so different from Utah.  The grass is always wet and soggy, the air is wet, the wind is crazy and it is often windy.  There are a lot of thunderstorms, a lot of rain, most of my neighbors are not memebers of my church and they don't use the grid system!  There are not any mountians, there are tons of trees and so many different kinds, oh the list is endless.  That is why I was looking forward to church this week.
Walking in the building looked like most of the church buildings in Utah.  The bishop sat up on the stand and one of his councelors conducted.  We took the sacrament, heard a few speakers and sang songs from the same hymn books as in Utah.  Then we went to Sunday school and the kids to primary, after that John went to Elders wuarum and I went ot Releife Society.  Three hours, just like Utah.  In a new state, in  new home, surrounded my new people I felt so much peace and comfort in the famair gospel.  No matter where I go the same gospel principals will be taught, the same oraganization exists, and I will even have the same lessons as my friends in Utah, my mom in Wyoming, or my friend in Denmark.  I am so very grateful for a worlwide church so that no matter where I am I can sit and learn about Jesus Christ and come closer to Him.  There is comfort in the familair, and peace in knowing God will be where I am.

Living a dream

Since I was a small girl one of my dreams has been to write a book.  As I have gotten older that desire has only become greater.  I kind of gave up though.  See, I'm not very good at details or monologues and a story is no good without both.  I have tried writing stories and books many times and each time I have been so dissatisfied I could not continue.
Well, last night I read an article in the news about a mother of a special needs child who hated to be told she was wonderful because she just didn't feel wonderful.  I thought that's about what every mom feels like.  I have yet to meet a mother who feels as truly wonderful as they are.  I spent the next hour or so having a conversation with this woman and my husband in my head.  I told them how I have come to be able to see myself with more love and patience because I try to see myself as God sees me.  To Him, I am wonderful because He made me and I am His.  He loves me, not because I am perfect, but because I am trying so hard.  To Him, I am wonderful and so when I get a compliment I can see myself as he sees me and know that I really am pretty great.
At the end of this long conversation I knelt down to say my prayers and told Heavenly Father that I had never asked for this desire out loud before because I never felt qualified, but I really want to be an inspirational speaker.  I told him I knew he had given me gifts to encourage and inspire people and I wanted to use those gifts.  Then the thought came to write a book.  What a great idea!  In a non fiction book I don't need to worry about tons of details and making up conversations that seem real.  In this book I could just share my thoughts and let the spirit guide me and it would work.
So here I go, I'm starting a new journey.  I don't know how it will end up, maybe nothing will happen, maybe something really good will happen.  I know that wherever the Lord leads me I will go and I will do.  It will be a great experience and I am sure I will grow immensely.  And maybe, just maybe along the way I'll get my hearts desire and find someone to encourage and inspire,  maybe I can help them see themselves as the Lord sees them and they will see how amazing they are!

The kingdom of Heaven is like Leven

Mathew 13:33 Another Parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 

This parable was brought up the other day in church and for the first time I got it, I mean really got it. It's probably all the baking I do, but I could visualize how important yeast is.  See that tiny little pile?  That's about 1 tablespoon of yeast.  That big bowl has 6 cups of flour in it.  That tiny little pile gets mixed in with the flour and even though it's really small it makes that large amount of flour rise into two beautiful loaves of bread. Like so;

It's more then double the size it was when I shaped the loaf.
In Sunday school the teacher said that the amount of leaven is small, but it is that small amount that raises the whole loaf of bread.  As true followers of Christ our numbers may be small, but we can have a great impact on the world and we can raise others.  Every kind word, act of service, or testimony born helps to raise others.
"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass, and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." Alma 37:6
I love these little treasures in the gospel!

Update

Thanks to my sister for taking our family picture

I am so sorry it has been so long since I my last post.  I have had long bouts of depression where I do not want to do anything and everything takes so much effort. Blogging just didn't happen.
So here I am again, I have just gotten over the last bout and am entering into a new one.  When will it end?  Soon I hope.  There is a bright spot on the horizon.  I have an appointment with a Dr. next week and hopefully after that it will get much better.  I shouldn't have waited so long.

There is a point to this rambling, I swear.  Last night I started noticing that I was filling into my depressive cycle and I just wanted to cry, and for more reasons then the depression, right?  Here is what went through my mind. "I *just* got over the last one and now I have to face another 2-3 weeks?  I don't know if I can handle it.  My poor kids and husband, they get the worst of it."  Work, the house, my family.  It all suffers when I get like this.  But I did not want it all to suffer, so I did something i have never done before.  I prayed.  Ok, I pray all the time, it's what I prayed for that I had never done.  I told me Father in Heaven that I could feel the depression coming on and I needed his help.  I did not want to be impatient or mean to my family, I did not want my work to suffer, or the house to go to pots.  These are all good things to want, to be kind, still be able to function, and keep the house clean.  So I told Him that I couldn't do it alone, but I knew that with His help I could do it!  I needed Him to help me be strong.
This morning I woke up and my first thought was "Oh no!"  I just didn't want to deal with it.  But I have felt the Lord strengthening me and helping me.  Last night my kids being silly, normal kids just drove me crazy and I wanted to scream and yell.  This morning my youngest threw a tantrum over food, started hitting and screaming and I felt so calm.  A calm that I knew was not my own.  I was able to deal well.  When I get depressed I just can't think.  I walk into a room to make a phone call, pick up the phone (if I get that far( and then wonder what to do next.  Everything is like that.  I even need someone to tell me to eat or I just wont.  I have also felt help with this.  I can feel a lingering confusion over what I am doing, but it is being overpowered by determination to do what needs to be done.  I have cleaned, cooked, worked, and played with my boys.  I could feel the struggle, but not even the deepest depression is stronger the God!
I am so grateful for His help.  I know I can make it through this with His help and that I will be stronger for it. I am grateful to know that God, my loving Father is here with me always, holding me, lifting me, and guiding me.  I feel so much love from Him.  With God, nothing is impossible.

You are awesome!

Painting by Greg Olsen

Guess what?  I have just learned something.  It's one of those things that I have known all along, but now I understand it.  One day it just hit me.  You are awesome.  No I don't know most of you, but I still know you are awesome.  Do you want to know how I know?  Because God created you.  He created you just the way you are.  With all of your flaws, talents, personality, and everything.  He made you on purpose and because God is perfect He made you perfect.  That makes you awesome!  That's not pride, that is a fact.  You are awesome.  Say it, doesn't it feel good knowing that God made you just the way you are?  It feels great.  I know there is still room for growth, and every day I can become better.  But God knows me right now, how I am right now and He loves me and I am awesome, so are you.

I know he created you and me.  I know he made my sister really strong.  I know me made my oldest son really smart, my youngest really tender.  I know he made my husband really patient.  I know he made my friend really enthusiastic.  He made us just the way we are.  I love that.  I love that that makes us important.  Think about it.  We aren't important to most of the world.  I bet 98% of the world doesn't even know your name.  But He does!  He knows your name, your needs, your life, challenges, joys, fears, heartaches, loves, and triumphs.  He knows you and He loves you.  You are His child, His creation, His masterpiece.

You are awesome, don't forget it.  And don't let anyone ever tell you different, after all who knows more, some silly person or our all knowing, all loving, all powerful Father in heaven?

Forgivness

Today I am grateful for forgiveness, and the Atonement.  Today in Relief Society we talked about the Atonement.   I am also grateful for my knowledge of the Atonement.  I know that Christ atoned for my sins, but do you know what is really special?  I know that He also suffered and atoned for so much more.  He suffered for my heartaches, me fears, my confusion, loneliness, worries, and tears.  Jesus Christ did not just atone for our sins, I know that he atoned for all.  Because He suffered for all he can also comfort all, heal all, guide all, and He knows so intimately how we feel.  He loves us so much and He will give comfort, strength, guidance, and forgiveness.

Insperation

This picture really has nothing to do with inspiration, unless you count the fact that my two sisters in law and I all dressed our boys up in jean overalls without any prior communication, but it's a cute picture.
Last night-this morning actually- Glen came in and asked to cuddle with me.  usually when he wakes up in the middle of the night he knocks on our door until I come to take him back to bed.  But this time he snuck in, put his hand on my shoulder and whispered that he wanted to cuddle.  How could I refuse? It means I woke up with a really sore neck, but it was worth it.  At some point I woke up to take him back to bed but the thought entered my head that he needed to stay and cuddle with me this time.  I have no idea why he needed me, but i am grateful for the inspiration to let him stay.
Many times in my life I have been inspired to do one thing or another.  Take a meal to someone who I later found out had a really sick child and single working mom, take Glen to the Dr because he had an ear infection, stay up late to wait for John to get home so he could tell me about his hard day, go visit a friend or call my sister.  I know that I have also been the recipient of other's inspiration.  One that really stands out to me is right after I met John.  I had just gotten my mission call and I did not think it would come.  John and I were already planning on getting married and I was so confused and it really hit me hard.  Right after I hung up with John, who i had been talking to at the time, my sister called to see what was wrong.  She lived in Cedar and called me less then a minute after I started feeling distressed.  She really helped me and I know she was inspired to call me.
I believe in continuing revelation and personal revelation.  That means God speaks to me.  I can ask him in prayer and receive answers.  I can also receive warnings, be told something is wrong, know that someone needs help, and be inspired in all things.  Call it a mother's intuition, call it a gut feeling, a hunch, or whatever you will.  I know that God speaks to us, communicates with our minds and hearts and that His Holy Spirit will giude us.  I am very grateful for this knowledge.

Daughter of God

Last night I was thinking about the Time Out for Women I went to over the weekend.  It was simply amazing.  One of my favorite things about women in the church is that when you get a group of women together it is always uplifting and inspiring.  There was so much that I learned and I went away feeling the desire to be a better mother, wife, and woman.  It was simply amazing.  I cannot even describe it.
As a mother I do feel a little burned out sometimes, especially near the end of a semester.  I feel frustrated and impatient at times.  I have struggles as a wife.  When we argue or I feel like things are not going as they aught to.  Sometimes I even dislike being a woman.
Yet those times are few and far between compared to the love I have of womanhood and all that is a part of womanhood.  I know that as a woman I have a special role to play.  As a mother, wife and woman my role is divine.
When I was in high school I reached a time in my life when I felt that to progress in my life I needed to know who I am.  I felt such a deep desire and need to know.  For weeks I thought about it, I studied it out in my mind.  I had to know.  I thought of many things that describe me.  My name, love of books and words, I was a student.  But all of the titles I came up with fell short, they were what I was, but not who I was.  I needed to know.  I knew that I would receive an answer if I preyed about it, so I did.  I told my Father that I was really struggling with this question.  I needed to know who I was.  Then a thought entered into my mind with such force, and yet such tender love that I have no words for it.  The words were "You know who you are, you are mine."  My heart swelled and my mind filled with light.  I did know, I knew that I was a daughter of God.  Then I saw an image, of my Father and I felt almost like He was hugging me.
Since that day I have never questioned who I am or what my purpose in life is.  I feel that I have escaped a lot of struggles because hard as it may be to be a mother, wife, and woman, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is right, and good, and it is my role to play.  I know that God loves me, and as my loving Father he will not leave me.  He will lead me, lift me, strengthen me, test me, comfort me, and be there always.
I am a woman, I am a wife, I am a mother, but first and foremost I am a daughter of God and nothing can change or take it away from me ever!  This knowledge has saved me and for it I am eternally grateful.

New days

Today I am grateful for new days.  At the end of each day I think back on my day and I try to see where I could have done better.  I pray and ask Heavenly Father to help me do and be better tomorrow.  Every day I try to be a better person then I was the day before.
I'm not big into watching the sunrise.  I love to see it and all, it's so beautiful, but honesty I love sleep more then beauty.  Don't hate me Elizabeth.  I do love to wake up earlier then my kids so that I can read scriptures without the distractions of every day life around here.  And there is just something about morning that feels so clean and fresh, new even.  When I get to wake up earlier then the kids I curl up on the couch, or sometimes sit at the kitchen table where I can look out the window and see the day.  For a few minutes I revel in the newness of everything and enjoy the quiet. Then I open my scriptures. Early morning is my favorite time to study the scriptures.  It's not just the quiet, I feel somehow closer to God in the newness of the day, almost like I am a new person and being clean I can be closer to Him then ever.
I suppose this is all connected to the atonement.  It is because of the atonement that I get to start each new day over again.  It is because of that sacrifice that I can make every day better then the last.  It is Christ's atoning sacrifice that allows me to be forgiven of my sins each night and start fresh, clean, and close to God. Some day I hope that I will have come far enough that the whole day has that new day feeling.  The "I am clean and close to God feeling."  Because of the atonement I have the hope that someday I will be clean and live in God's presence again.

Life

 I am grateful for my life.  I have so much to be grateful for in my life.  My children, my husband, my extended family, the gospel.  I am just happy to be alive.  I love to run, feel the wind, dance crazy with my kids and slow with my husband.  I like to smell flowers and watch thunderstorms.  There is so much.
But you know what I have really been thinking about today? The life before and after this one.  I have never struggled with questions about who I am, where I came from, or where I am going when I die.  I am grateful that it makes sense.  I know that before I was born I lived in Heaven with my Heavenly Father.  Then I came to Earth and got a body.  Then some day I will die and return to live with God again.  When some one close to me dies I am especially grateful for this knowledge.  I know that his life is not the end.  I know that we will be together again.  I am grateful because it is so sad to me to see someone who thinks that dying is the end, that after this life there is nothing.  If that were the case I would wonder what is the point in living.  If there is no reward or punishment after, is there is no life after death, then what is the point of this life?  But that is not the case.  I am living my life the best way I can and getting better every day because I know that if I am good and righteous some day I will live with my Father in Heaven again, and that in my greatest ambition.

The Gospel of Christ

Last month I made a goal to post every day about something that I am grateful for.  It's all good to post on Facebook, but people post so often on Facebook it gets lost too fast for me.  I forgot about my goal until people started posting gratitude things on Facebook, so for that I am also grateful.

When I was thinking about all the things I am grateful for and trying to choose which one to begin with I chose the Gospel of Christ because of all my blessing the Gospel is the best.  All of my other blessing flow from the gospel.

I am grateful for the gospel of Christ.  I am grateful for the peace it gives me, the understanding, and the joy, pure joy.  I know that Jesus Christ lived and died for me.  He knows my name and I know that He loves me.  I know that my Father in Heaven knows me and loves me.  He cares about me and my children.  I know He does, my children are His and he will teach me how to raise them and guide them.

It is through my faith in my Lord and Redeemer that I find the strength to make it through the hard days.  It is with Joy that I look forward to the Resurrection and the eternities with my family because it is the gospel that gives me the knowledge that family ties endure after death.  Yes, there is life after this existence.  I know that there is.  I know that my redeemer lives, he is my savior and my king.  He is my greatest blessing and I will be eternally grateful for His life, His love, and His atoning sacrifice for me.

Conference

The conference for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is this weekend, it starts tomorrow morning.  Twice a year we have this weekend long conference.  I love it, it brings such a strong spirit into my life and a sense of renewed dedication do do better, be better, and work harder.
Usually on Saturday I turn on the radio and clean while conference is on in the background.  It's almost an afterthought as I try really hard to get the house clean for anyone who comes over Sunday.  Just a regular Saturday with background noise.  But this Saturday will be different.
 I read an article about a man who was talking to his neighbor who was not a member of the church.  He was telling his neighbor about conference and how our Prophet speaks the word of God.  His neighbor was interested and asked what the prophet had said in the last conference.  The man couldn't remember.  I was thinking about this and if I was the neighbor interested in what this living prophet had said, but the guy couldn't remember I would think that he didn't think it was important.  So what about me?  Do I think it is important?  I spend Saturday cleaning then usually end up falling asleep on Sunday.   But this time will be different.
I know our Prophet President Monson is a true and living prophet.  I know the Lord speaks through him.  If Christ were here in my home speaking to me and teaching my family I would not listen to Him as I cleaned the house.  I would not lay down and take a nap.  I would sit at His feet and listen to Him.  I know that I can hear my Savoir's voice when I listen to conference so this time I will listen.  I will sit my kids down with me and we will listen to what the prophet has to say, we will hear the word of the Lord and receive answers.  Conference is important.  I will show my kids that I think it is important.  More important then a clean house, more important then tying a quilt, more important then taking a nap.
I know that my savior lives.  I know He loves me.  He knows my name, my struggles and heartaches.  He has restored His church on this Earth.  President Thomas S. Monson is His prophet on this Earth.  He speaks through His prophet and will give me guidance if I listen.  And if I listen with my heart, I hear my saviors voice.

Have faith

Faith is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day. Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray. Faith is like little seed: if planted it will grow. Faith is a swelling within my heart.

In Ether 12:6 (book of Mormon) it teaches that you do not receive a witness until the trial of your faith. Currently my faith is being tried in many ways. Some are far more difficult then others. Feeling that the Lord wants me to rely on my own wisdom and knowledge to potty train my son is a trail of my faith. Staying at home instead of working is a trail of my faith. Raising my kids is a trail of my faith. Going to church, making friends, following promptings. Everyday there are trails that I must navigate. Often I do not know why, or what the out come will be. Many times I have heard faith referred to as a blind leap. In a way it is. It's like putting on a blind fold and following directions from someone you cannot see. You trust that they will not lead you into danger, you trust that they will protect you and give you the information you need to make it safely on the path. Right now though, the biggest trail of my faith is none of those things I listed. They are all in some way a trial of my faith, but not the big one. The big one right now, the one that causes fear and faith to battle constantly is our bank account. Because of some very unexpected and very large bills our account is very low, lower then it has ever been.

Every year when we get our tax return we spend some of it and put the rest into savings. We slowly eat away at it until the next year and repeat the process. Right now we are under $500. That means if the car has problems, we get really sick and need a doctor, really if anything happens we are in trouble. Hence the fear.

Here is where faith comes in. I just paid my tithing. I have always had a testimony of tithing. There have been some pretty remarkable miracles in my life that I attribute to paying tithing. I would never give a single thought to skipping it and putting the money elsewhere, it wouldn't do any good. I have been promised that if I pay tithing the windows of Heaven will be opened and blessing poured out upon my head. So many that I will not have room to receive them all. I believe this promise will be fulfilled. I do not see how things will work out. I wear a blind fold right now. I am listening to my Father's voice, I am following Him. I know he will lead me safely through and after the trial of my faith I will have an even stronger testimony of tithing and so much more.

I can see already that He is watching out for me. With summer coming to an end I am thinking about clothes for the kids. I did not know where the clothes would come from, we cannot afford them right now, there is no money for new clothes. I was starting to think of who I could ask for clothes. I was at a loss. Then today my friend and neighbor asked if I needed clothes. I could have cried. It was like she read my mind. I know it was not just her though, the Lord was working through her to answer my prayer and bless me and my family. That is what happens when you have faith. the Lord answers. Some times it is hard to have faith, but I am doing my best, and I know the Lord will do the rest.

The Testaments

I just finished watching The Testaments, one of my favorite movies about the life of Christ. I never cease to be moved to tears during the movie, especially at the end when Christ appears to the people in America; heals, teaches, and blesses them. As I watched the movie this time I prayed silently, hoping to be there when Christ comes again. I watch and wait for Him.

I know sometimes it is hard to believe in Christ, there is so much wickedness in the world, so many bad things that happen and often people wonder where God is in all this. I assure you He is there! God loves us, He is our Father and He will answer your prayers. I know that Christ came to earth, that He lived and died for us. I feel it. Sometimes when I teach children about faith and about believing in things they cannot see I talk about the wind.

We cannot see the wind, but we can feel it and we can see the effect of the wind in the trees. So too, can I can feel God and His love, I can see the way He effects me and those around me. But my feeling is so much stronger then the wind, and longer lasting as well. When I feel the Love of the Lord it fills me up, it moves me. I never feel more loved then when I feel the love of my Father in heaven. Words fail me, nothing can describe such a feeling.

If you have access to this movie, or can get access, I urge you to watch it. Allow yourself to feel the Love of your Father. he does indeed love you very much. Pray, He will answer

you, I promise.

I believe

I believe in Christ. He is my Savior and my King. I know He lived and He died for me. I know he was resurrected and some day, I will live with Him and my Father in Heaven. I believe that Christ is my older brother and that he atoned for my sins. I believe that because of His atonement I can be forgiven and live with god again. I love my savior and my Father in Heaven.

My belief in God and in Christ are important to me, my life is centered around my beliefs. There are some who do not believe as I do and to you I say, that is your right. It is your right to believe in a different God, a different religion or to not be religious at all. I believe that you have the right to choose and I believe that I have the right to choose. I will not interfere with your right to choose and I expect that you will not interfere with my right to choose. My belief does not negate your, nor do your beliefs negate mine. We are being born with the ability to choose and act upon those choices. Tolerance goes both ways my friends. I call you my friends because I know that even though we may not have the same faith or beliefs we can still get along and be kind to each other, we can still be friends.

It's not fair to use your beliefs to take away someone else's ability to choose or interfere with their belief. Keep believing what you believe to be good and true, I will do the same. But neither of us will impede the others choice, right? See, I knew we could get along, after all, we're friends.

"Genderless" Child?

OK, so ya know that couple in Canada that wants to raise a "Genderless" child? Oh dear!

The first Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints issued this proclamation on the family in 1995. Here is what the Prophet and Apostles have to say.

"All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose."

If I may share my thoughts on this story... I have two boys. When they were born there were a lot of decisions to be made. One that my husband and I agreed on very strongly was that we wanted to avoid the world's view that boys and men are "Macho, don't cry, tough, do guy stuff." I wanted my boys to feel like it was ok to show emotion, to cry if they wanted to, to show affection and be sensitive. I did not want to limit the way they dresses, acted, or the toys they played with as long as they stayed within the proper bounds as we saw them by the gospel of Christ.

In the bible it says that boys don't wear girl cloths and girls don't wear boys clothes Dueteronomy 22:5.

I used to hate being a girl, I wanted to be a boy so I could do all the cool stuff like play football and fix things with tools. I wanted to be in scouts not stuck with the girls painting nails. But as I got older I started discovering the difference between men and women. God made us the way we are. He made us male and female and He gave us divine attributes to help us. Men, usually the providers of the family are strong, hard working, and focused. They are great at what they do. Women, normally the mommies at home, are nurturing, loving, and instinctive. These attributes are God given, important attributes. I would not trade being a woman for the world now. Being a woman allows me to have children, be a mother, and give my kids what they need to grow up to be strong, righteous, intelligent children of God. My husband also takes joy in his role as a man. He enjoys working hard to provide for us, wrestling with the kids, and protecting us. The attributes he has from God are important just like mine are and they compliment each other and help us to work together more effectively. God's plan is perfect, He made us the way we are and nothing in the world will change that. Because His plan is perfect we as His children are part of perfection.

Another testament of Christ

I Think two of the biggest concerns people have about the LDS church is Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I hope I can clear things up a bit.

First of all, we do not worship Joseph Smith. We hold him in great reverence for the work he has done and respect him greatly, but we do not worship him. We worship God our Father and His son Jesus Christ. We, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, are Christians. The name of Christ is part of the name of the church. I know that Christ lives, that He died for me, and that some day He will return.

The Book of Mormon is not our Bible. We read the Bible, believe in the Bible and study the Bible in church. We also study, read, and believe in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ, it is a companion to the Bible. The Bible tells of Christ's life and ministry in the Holy Land. The Book of Mormon tell of the people living in America, and of Christ's visit and ministry in America. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, just as the Bible is. I know that Jesus Christ came to America to teach the people who lived here, we are His other sheep spoken of in the Bible. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that anyone who reads the Book of Mormon and sincerely wishes to know of it's truthfulness can pray and they WILL receive an answer. The Lord hears and answers our prayers, and he will answer yours.

Please take a minute to watch this video about the Book of Mormon, then follow the links below to request your own free copy of the Book of Mormon of the Bible. Learn more about the Book of Mormon here.

Watch the video here http://lds.org/pages/book-of-mormon-an-introduction?lang=eng

A link to request a free Book of Mormon http://mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon

A like for request a free Bible http://mormon.org/free-bible

Learn more here http://mormon.org/book-of-mormon/

Most important Truth

Today I was listening to an address given by President Hinkley to student at the University of Utah on December 7, 1980. In this address he spoke about a temple dedication that he had attended 5 years earlier. Various religious leaders had been invited to attend and President Hinkley was asked to answer any question they may have. A question was put forth by one leader about why the Temple bore the name of Christ, but there was not a single cross inside, or outside. President Hinkly replied that he wished to offend no one who bore the symbol of the cross, but the cross is the symbol of the dying Christ and we of the Church of Jesus Christ believed in a ressurected and living Christ. That same leader then asked what symbol was used to represent our belief. President Hinkley said the symbol of the Church is the way it's members live their lives as a testimony to the living Christ.
I know that Christ died, was ressurected, and lives again. He is a living being with a body of flesh and bone. He is the Life, the Light and the Way. I hope that my life is a living testimony of the living Christ and that through me others may come to know Him and see His Light.