Tamra Goodrich - Veyo Ward

“We are ambitious for Christ when we serve faithfully, accept humbly, endure nobly, pray fervently, and partake worthily.”

I have chosen the talk Be Ambitious for Christ, By Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita of the Seventy.

I do my best to serve faithfully, accept humbly, endure nobly, pray fervently, and partake of the Sacrament, and Temple Ordinances worthily.

I feel so so grateful for our Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I can’t even begin to express my gratitude. I’ve been working in the temple most every Friday night now for about 2 ½ years, I’ve been serving as an Addiction Recovery Missionary now for about the same amount of time, and I’ve been our ward’s Laurel Adviser now for about 13 months. I love serving in the Church.

Humility is probably my most favorite virtue. If I can remember to always stay humble I avoid so many problems. If I can remember my Savior was humble and thus able to endure horrific pain, it makes it easier for me to endure a little better. With humility we discover so many more things that we would never know without it. I love it!

Endure nobly is a little hard for me, but what a challenge to work towards. I look to our amazing prophets, past and present. To me they are the greatest examples of noble endurance. While I look at their examples it strengthens me to be more noble.

Praying fervently takes time and effort. I’ve tried to be more focused in my prayers and to take more time with them. I also have been trying to kneel whenever I can and/or feel impressed to pray and to do it promptly and not delay praying at least a prayer of gratitude. Always, I want to express gratitude for all of my continuous blessings. When the gratitude is flowing over, I kneel and thank my dear Father.

Partaking worthily is mandatory if you want to feel peace and comfort I believe. I try to repent as soon as I’m aware of having injured someone or offending God. I want to keep the Holy Ghost. I feel the Holy Ghost’s companionship is more valuable than any other gift in mortality.

Thank you sisters in Stake RS Presidency and brothers in the Stake Presidency for all your service and I pray God’s blessings on you!!

Name Withheld

Dear Sisters,

Like so many of you, I had a difficult time deciding which conference talk to focus on.  I would decide on one and then change my mind.  However, by reading through and being inspired by all the talks, I was impressed by the Spirit that my need was to forgive.  Several people came to mind, but one person in particular had harmed us in such a way that we could have pressed criminal charges but we did not. 

The turmoil and bad feelings in my heart were so huge and so deep that I didn't know how I could ever forgive this person.  I also knew that only the Savior could help me.  Since this challenge, I have been praying that I might be able to forgive this person.  Some days I think I am making progress and other days, all the anger comes rushing back.  I try to look on this person as the Savior does, that Jesus died for his sins as well as mine and that Jesus loves him as much as He loves me.  I know the Savior can wash away this bitterness and I look forward to the day when this will happen.  I know that when that day comes, I will truly be a more Zion-like person. 

I believe in President Stucki's promise.  He said, by the power of the Priesthood that "the effort you put towards that goal (of seeking to establish Zion right here) will bear fruit...  If you are persistent and continue in this goal, in due course you will truly receive all the blessings the Lord has promised His "Covenant People."  I will continue to trust in the Lord and seek forgiveness of my own sins and for His help to forgive the other person.

Gayla Gardner Astle - Dammeron Valley Ward              

Dear Sisters of the St George North Stake,

What a joy we have by trying to live the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I loved the talk of Pres Dieter Uchtdorf.  “O How Great the Plan of our God”.  Practice gratitude for all our blessings.  Record   experiences which we have felt gratitude for the blessings of the gospel in our lives.

This year my husband and I will be married 65 years.  We were married in the Salt Lake Temple.  We have 5 wonderful children one daughter and 4 sons.  They have all been married in the Temple.

We were born and raised in Star Valley Wyo.  Our desire is to go back to Star Valley and do a session in the new Star Valley Temple. Our oldest son and his wife have planned a reunion in Star Valley so all who can do a session in the Temple. The older great grandchildren will do baptisms. We number 86 family members.

Dee and I have had a wonderful life together happy and sad times.  Our darling daughter died this year. We miss her so much but will celebrate her life at the reunion.  We have one grandson and a great grandson on Missions to Ecuador and Africa.

We are so grateful that we can show   gratitude   and love for our Savior by keeping close to our families and by encouraging them to do the same.

May the blessings of the Lord be with each of you.

Follow Up to Previous Post

Nihla Judd - Winchester Hills 2nd Ward

When I first read Bishop Davies conference talk, my mind raced with visions of what it meant to “worship”. I imagined Catholic nuns lying for hours face down on cold stone floors beneath idols of Christ on the crucifix or Muslins rolling out their prayer rugs.

We don’t do that.  So what does it mean to worship?  Bishop Davies pointed out a great example in 3^rd Nephi: “the people twice fell at His feet”….they “did worship.”5

He explained “without [worship] we are missing an incomparable spiritual encounter with the infinite—one When I first listened to Bishop Davies conference talk we are entitled to as children of a loving…Father…  worship is essential & central to our spiritual life. It is something we should yearn for, seek & strive to experience.”

I have been “missing” out.  But Christ is not physically present.  I cannot fall at His feet.  What can I do?

Bishop Davies answered citing Joseph in the grove as a perfect example.

He lists key points:

·         approach Him with reverent love, humility, adoration.

·         acknowledge & accept Him as sovereign King…  Creator…Father.

·         respect & revere Him

·         submit to Him

·         rejoice in His grace

·         lift our hearts in prayer

·         cherish His word

·         follow Him with loyalty

·         invite light & truth

·         acknowledge & receive Him

·         approach Him with feelings of wonder & awe.

·         marvel in gratitude

·         ponder His word

He gave warnings:

·         “…if we fail to receive Him…we will seek for Him in vain in our councils, churches, & temples.”

·         if we fail to worship…we are missing…joy & peace.

He promises blessing for true worship:

·         transforms us into sincere & earnest disciples of our…Savior…. We…become more like Him.” (understanding, caring, forgiving, loving.)….It is impossible to say that we love God while…hating, dismissing, disregarding others around us.9

·         unwavering determination to walk the path of discipleship

·         hope

·         fills our souls with truth

·         comprehend spiritual vistas that can be seen only through the light of the Holy Ghost.10…

·          refined

·         open hearts to the healing power of the Atonement.

·         enriches lives, broadens understanding, strengthens testimonies.

·         gather heavenly light…fusing our lives with divine meaning, abiding peace, everlasting joy.

“…spiritual experiences have less to do with what is happening around us & everything to do with what is happening within….’’

I desire to be a “succulent, refreshing, hydrated garden with fragrant blossoms & nourishing fruit so that Christ will stroll through my soul when I worship.”

I am beginning my quest by working on the items  above.  Please come along with me.