At Home with Heidi: January 2013

Friday, January 25, 2013

The Errand of Angels.....

From the book 'Daughters in My Kingdom" released in 2012 for all women in the LDS church we read the following...."Elder John A. Widstoe of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the foundational work of the Relief Society (largest society of women in the world): 'Relief of poverty, relief of illness; relief of doubt, relief of ignorance -- relief of all that hinders the joy and progress of woman. What a magnificent commission!'

"Latter-day Saint women, strong in faith and testimony, have truly been given the 'errand of angels.' Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: 'Every sister in this Church who has made covenants with the Lord has a divine mandate to help save souls, to lead the women of the world, to strengthen the homes of Zion, and to build the Kingdom of God." Daughters in My Kingdom, p. 25

Let us go forth and do so is my added prayer!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Mothers Who Know

This talk entitled "Mothers Who Know" was given by Sister Julie B. Beck, the LDS church General Relief Society President at the time, and, to me, is one of the Classic Talks of all time. I share the FULL text with you - as it's something to be reviewed and pondered!

There is eternal influence and power in motherhood.

Mothers Who Know

In the Book of Mormon we read about 2,000 exemplary young men who were exceedingly valiant, courageous, and strong. “Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him” (Alma 53:21). These faithful young men paid tribute to their mothers. They said, “Our mothers knew it” (Alma 56:48). I would suspect that the mothers of Captain Moroni, Mosiah, Mormon, and other great leaders also knew.

The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Children are being born into a world where they “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children.

Simplifying

I'm big on 'simplifying'. I think that most people have too much stuff (or waaaay too much stuff) and that it leads to all sorts of confusion, overwhelm, stress, frustration when one can't find something, and....lack of peace.

Follow the 'Son'

In my years of planning and ....attending seminars on organization, home-management, child-rearing, etc. I have come to really know for myself that 'less is more'. It opens up channels of freedom for new experiences and ....spending time on things that matter most at present.

Years of study and pondering have also helped me to know that if we are to become a Zion society - we must not have our hearts set upon things of this world. We are to 'let go' of things and put our hearts upon serving God and building His kingdom. That is more difficult if we are too busy managing our 'stuff'.

Why do Mormons Prepare?

Great Example of Someone's Food Storage Room

A few months ago I received an inquiry from a sincere woman - whose husband was curious to know 'Why Mormons Prepare'. I was happy to respond to her request for information - and send her my personal views as well as a few links to church information and Prophetic statements.

From an early age I was taught to prepare. I remember a specific Family Home Evening where we went down into our family food storage room and took and inventory of what we had and what we needed in order to have a, then recommended, two-year supply of food and supplies.

For many years I have attended classes, read books, and sought diligently to know more about what I could do to be self-reliant and to prepare myself both spiritually and temporally for any calamities or set-backs that might happen.

On the right side of this blog - and down a little bit on the page - I have posted several books that I highly recommend for any who really want to know and do more - so as to have peace of mind on this mortal journey.

I will also attach below - several sites that I've done over the years (not as fully as I would have liked) with powerful messages from the brethren (LDS church leaders) concerning the day in which we live and the importance of heeding WISE Prophetic Counsel.

I'm a single parent on a very limited budget. If I can prepare - then anyone can. I've had miracles as I've put my trust in the Lord to help me prepare. Out of the blue I've had people offer me apples and apricots during canning season (which were a God-send) as well freezer meat when neighbors were moving, potatoes from a friend whose father worked at a dried potato-canning facility, as well as other commodities when needed. This has often brought me to tears, in gratitude of the Lord's goodness and His willingness to help me and my children - as we've sought to prepare as best as we could.

I know that as we truly seek to obey this commandment - the Lord will partner with us - IF we ask for His help and are humble. He wants us to succeed and ....he wants to feed us. But, we have to be willing to obey all the counsel that we've been given.

We invite you all to join our NEW Facebook Group 'All About Preparedness' and SHARE your BEST information and ideas!

Heidi
(some preparedness sites I've done)
All About Preparedness
To Prepare My People
Slate Canyon 13th Preparedness

Saturday, January 5, 2013

10 Questions - Preparing for a Mission

New Book by Benjamin White - "Preparing for a Mission"

This new release from author, and seminary teacher, Benjamin White - comes at a meaningful time for those seeking to ready themselves for missionary service. It answers basic yet pertinent questions such as: Do I Have a Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?, Do I Have “An Eye Single to the Glory of God”?, Am I Ready to Work Hard for Over Sixty Hours a Week?, Do I Understand How to Feel and Recognize the Spirit?, Am I Clean and Worthy to Represent the Lord?...

In response to my question of 'why did you write this book' - Brother White responded this way: "After listening to Elder Ballard's "Greatest Generation of Missionaries" talk 10 years ago in conference, I began to think about how I could help the youth better prepare for their missions. This book is the culmination of that initial thought. I sincerely hope it will help our young people prepare earlier and better than ever before as they start one of the great journeys of their lives.

Pages

Friday, January 25, 2013

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Tuesday, January 1, 2013