Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said, “I will not leave you comfortless. [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].

Jeffery R. Holland

Sister Allred of the General Relief Society Stated
'The true Measure of a Man is not how much we GET in life but how much we GIVE"

President Thomas S. Monson stated

"A small act of service may be all that is required to bless and help others
A person who serves willing is a MIGHTY force for Good"

We have great examples to follow and we CAN MAKE IT!

"The Latter-day Saints need to remember that those who live now are being called upon to work out our salvation in a special time of intense and immense challenges. The last portion of the dispensation of the fullness of times is during which great tribulation and temptation will occur. The elect will almost be deceived and unrighteous people will be living much as they were in the days of Noah.
Therefore, though we have rightly applauded our ancestors for their spiritual achievements and we don't and must not discount them now, those of us who prevail today will have done no small thing. The special spirits who have been reserved to live in this dispensation of the fullness of times will one day be praised for their stamina by those who pulled handcarts"

Not withstanding my weakness - Neal A. Maxwell 1981

"The Atonement" M. Russell Ballard

The Atonement of Jesus Christ was an indispensable part of our Heavenly Father’s plan for His Son’s earthly mission and for our salvation. How grateful we should be that our Heavenly Father did not intercede but rather withheld His fatherly instinct to rescue His Beloved Son. Because of His eternal love for you and for me, He allowed Jesus to complete His foreordained mission to become our Redeemer. The gift of resurrection and immortality is given freely through the loving grace of Jesus Christ to all people of all ages, regardless of their good or evil acts. And to those who choose to love the Lord and who show their love and faith in Him by keeping His commandments and qualifying for the full blessings of the Atonement, He offers the additional promise of exaltation and eternal life, which is the blessing of living in the presence of God and His Beloved Son forever.

"Lot's wife" Jeffery R. Holland

"Lot's Wife" Jeffery R. Holland

So, if history is this important—and it surely is—what did Lot’s wife do that was so wrong? As something of a student of history, I have thought about that and offer this as a partial answer. Apparently what was wrong with Lot’s wife was that she wasn’t just looking back; in her heart she wanted to go back. It would appear that even before they were past the city limits, she was already missing what Sodom and Gomorrah had offered her. As Elder Maxwell once said, such people know they should have their primary residence in Zion, but they still hope to keep a summer cottage in Babylon (see Larry W. Gibbons, “Wherefore, Settle This in Your Hearts,” Ensign, November 2006, 102; also Neal A. Maxwell, A Wonderful Flood of Light [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1990], 47).

It is possible that Lot’s wife looked back with resentment toward the Lord for what He was asking her to leave behind. We certainly know that Laman and Lemuel were resentful when Lehi and his family were commanded to leave Jerusalem. So it isn’t just that she looked back; she looked back longingly. In short, her attachment to the past outweighed her confidence in the future. That, apparently, was at least part of her sin.

To all such of every generation, I call out, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the “high priest of good things to come.”

Reese, I love this talk it is amazing!!! I encourage all to read the entire talk.

Mom :)

The Love of God

I was studying this talk from the October 2009 General Conference by Elder Uchtdorf. One of the parts that I really enjoyed from this talk is where he said,

"God the Eternal Father did not give that first great commandment because He needs us to love Him. His power and glory are not diminished should we disregard, deny, or even defile His name. His influence and dominion extend through time and space independent of our acceptance, approval, or admiration.

No, God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God!

For what we love determines what we seek.

What we seek determines what we think and do.

What we think and do determines who we are—and who we will become."

It's difficult to always keep a good perspective on life, and the things that are really important in our lives. And when you really think about it, the greatest thing that we can do is just what the savior said, "love the Lord your God with all your heart, might, mind and strength."