He Is There For You!

Have you ever had to wait a LONG time for an answer to a prayer? Maybe you are still waiting. For those of you who have experienced this waiting, you know how exhausting and difficult it can be. 

Weeks before General Conference, I had been praying and hoping I would receive an answer and help with several different struggles I have been having. I watched and listened to all six sessions and loved every minute of all of them. But, I couldn't help feeling discouraged at the end of it all when I still struggled severely with one particular challenge. Did my Heavenly Father not care about how I was feeling? Did I not have enough faith? 


I sat down to read my scriptures that evening and some council from my Bishop came to mind: "If you don't receive an answer, keep going back to Him in prayer." I've always known that was council from God, so I did just that. I went to my room and prayed, even though I had prayed about this countless times before. I prayed for a long time. My husband must have thought I turned to stone as he kept coming in and out of the room and finding me in the same position on my knees. 

As I was praying, I realized that I didn't need to know all the answers, but I DID need to rid myself of the anger that kept creeping back into my heart and mind. I pled with Him to take this and other bad feelings away from me, so I could be happy and at peace. I told Him I wanted to trust Him completely, but I needed to know how to do it. 

And then a thought came to mind—a phrase from Sister Neill F. Marriot, who had spoken in Conference on Saturday. "...but, this doesn't mean that things are good," she had said. Yes, THAT is how I felt. Instantly, I knew that I needed to watch and listen to that talk again. 

Listening to her inspired words a second time, I knew this talk was written for me. Even though Sister Marriot didn't know me, the Lord knew me. It was His message to me, through this heavenly woman. I wrote down the impressions that came to me. And as I wept and allowed myself to mourn, a sweet, profound peace filled my entire soul. It was more poignant than any other joy I have ever felt, with the exception of the joy of my children. The Lord loved me! He WANTED to help me. 

I know this sweet, joyful feeling was the Holy Spirit touching, even grasping, my soul. I know this for a fact because there is no possible way that ANYTHING from this world of shallow sophistication could produce such a beautiful stirring and remarkable healing of my soul. Only God could do this!

I was reminded of President's Uchdorf's statement: "We don't believe in God because of what we don't know, we believe in God because of what we DO know!"

I believe in God because He has answered my prayers. I believe in God because the Holy Spirit has testified to me that He is there! I believe in God because I have received strength and wisdom and persistence and patience from Him greater than my own ability. 

I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has His true and complete gospel. I know He speaks to our current prophet, Thomas S. Monson. 

I also know that God is truly our Heavenly Parent. He and His Son, Jesus Christ, care about EVERY one of His children. He takes us how we are and molds us to become better and better if we let Him.  

Watch Sister Neill's F. Marriot's talk in Conference

The Sabbath Day is a Delight

My husband and I both love to have family time together on Sunday, but considering he is agnostic, we each have different views of what activities are appropiate on this day. It was for this reason that I had been praying for weeks prior to General Conference that someone would speak on the subject of the Sabbath day so I could gain more insights on how to keep the Sabbath day holy and still spend quality time with my family--and have it be something that my husband would participate in.

Well, my prayers were answered directly through the very last talk! I knew in that special moment that my Father in Heaven had heard my heart's desire. Through the words of the Apostle It was like He was speaking to me personally.

Now I can always go back and read/listen to Elder Nelson's talk when I have a question on how to proceed on His Holy Sabbath Day.

Click on Sabbath Day is a Delight-Elder Nelson for the entire talk. 

Grateful in Any Circumstance

Wouldn't it be incredible to live back in the day when the Apostle, Paul testified of the Savior, Jesus Christ? What would it be like to actually HEAR a testimony of an Apostle of the Lord and FEEL of the power that comes with hearing it?

            Well, I can tell you! It's wonderful! It's amazing! It feels my heart with joy! And I am not just talking about reading the Bible, we (and yes, that means all of us) have LIVING PROPHETS to guide us today! As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we have a General Conference twice a year where we can hear and see living prophets and apostles teach us the word of God! Our Father in Heaven knows that we need guidance today just as much as the people in Jerusalem, listening to Paul, did. He loves us just as much. Isn't that wonderful? What a huge blessing it is to have living prophets!

            One particular talk (sermon) that spoke to me quite sharply was one give by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. He spoke of gratitude—not just being grateful FOR things, but having a grateful DISPOSITION.

            Perhaps some of you can relate to this: Sometimes, I feel my life is so hard that it is difficult for me to have a grateful heart. It's true that I am always still grateful FOR a lot of things, but without a grateful disposition, it doesn't do me much good.

            An Apostle of the Lord (who speaks the word of God!) tells us that even in the midst of trials we can be grateful to God. We can realize that He is OVER ALL. We can have faith that HE KNOWS whatever trial it is we are going through. He knows it can be for our good, even if it doesn't seem like it and even if we can't see or understand why. HE UNDERSTANDS why. He knows how we are feeling. This means He knows ME. He knows what can help me become stronger, more courageous, more compassionate, or more of something else I need in my life. This also means He knows what YOU need too! 

            I am still trying to learn this lesson. I pray the Lord will be patient as I learn. And guess what? He is! Just like He will be with you!

Here are the tender words spoken by the Apostle himself:

~Your friend, Hope, a Christian blogger