Being LDS, when it comes to teaching, can at times feel challenging to me. There are moments when I feel as if I'm in a no-win situation. Case in point: tomorrow I am teaching a lesson about Optimism.
First, I read over the lesson last week in an attempt to give myself plenty of time for ideas, thoughts, etc. What happened? Nada. Zilch. Zip. Not only did I not get any ideas, I actually spent a few days of the week quite depressed! Ironic in light of the lesson! So, here I am on Saturday night, less than 24 hours away from my lesson and I still have no clue what to do.
By comparison, last week was utter chaos. I didn't even look at the lesson until Sunday morning. Then I spent the rest of the time preparing it - all in a mad race to complete it on time. Kids were ignored. Hubby was gone to meetings. Insane. But what a successful lesson!
Yet, feeling the guilt of it all so that it wouldn't happen again, I read through the next lesson. Which brings me to now. Stuck. Is there such a thing as Teachers Block?
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Recently, I've been hearing the Lord's name taken in vain more frequently. That, or I'm just becoming more sensitive to it. Either way, each time I hear it I cringe. Something within me wants to scream out against it. I find it completely and totally offensive. I guess I've just been thinking a lot lately about the ironies of "human nature." We talk about the serious evils our children face in the world today - sex, drugs, pornography, dangers of the internet, etc. - and the constant barage of it all to them; and I'm wondering when profanity became less important or more accepted.
I admit, I have used my share of swear words and the thing is, I never feel good about myself after I say them. Is there really no other word I can use in the moment? Can I truly not find a better way of expressing myself? I have always prided myself on the fact that no matter what swear words might slip off the tongue, at least I haven't used the Lord's name in vain. Oh what a rationalization!! Isn't ALL profanity a form of taking the Lord's name in vain? Why is it so commonplace?
In November 1987, President Gordon B. Hinckley explained that using profanity, "it lessens our respect for holy things and leads us into the society of the wicked; it brings upon us the disrespect of the good who avoid us; it leads us to other sins, for he who is willing to abuse his Creator is not ashamed to defraud his fellow creature; and also by so doing we directly and knowingly break one of the most direct of God’s commandments ... stay out of the gutter in your conversation. Foul talk defiles the man who speaks it."
Oh how true! And again, reiterated in Robert L. Millet's talk in March 1994, "To be called upon to speak or act in the name of God is a sacred trust. It is deserving of solemn and ponderous thought. We would preach gospel doctrines more diligently and bear more fervent testimonies if we kept fixed in our minds the weighty fact that our words or our deeds can be the words and actions of our eternal Head."
Too often, when we say we are disciples of Christ and that we follow Him, we speak in reference to our actions. Why not our speech? I know for myself I am going to be more mindful of my language and more dilligent in refraining from profanity.
I admit, I have used my share of swear words and the thing is, I never feel good about myself after I say them. Is there really no other word I can use in the moment? Can I truly not find a better way of expressing myself? I have always prided myself on the fact that no matter what swear words might slip off the tongue, at least I haven't used the Lord's name in vain. Oh what a rationalization!! Isn't ALL profanity a form of taking the Lord's name in vain? Why is it so commonplace?
In November 1987, President Gordon B. Hinckley explained that using profanity, "it lessens our respect for holy things and leads us into the society of the wicked; it brings upon us the disrespect of the good who avoid us; it leads us to other sins, for he who is willing to abuse his Creator is not ashamed to defraud his fellow creature; and also by so doing we directly and knowingly break one of the most direct of God’s commandments ... stay out of the gutter in your conversation. Foul talk defiles the man who speaks it."
Oh how true! And again, reiterated in Robert L. Millet's talk in March 1994, "To be called upon to speak or act in the name of God is a sacred trust. It is deserving of solemn and ponderous thought. We would preach gospel doctrines more diligently and bear more fervent testimonies if we kept fixed in our minds the weighty fact that our words or our deeds can be the words and actions of our eternal Head."
Too often, when we say we are disciples of Christ and that we follow Him, we speak in reference to our actions. Why not our speech? I know for myself I am going to be more mindful of my language and more dilligent in refraining from profanity.
Monday, October 11, 2010
A Modern Day Prophet
Gordon B. Hinckley was a beloved prophet in our time. I certainly count myself among those who had a deep appreciation, admiration, respect and love of this man of God. He had a way of speaking that made me know I was a loved Child of God and inspired a desire within me to do more and be more at the same time. My heart was heavy when he passed from this earthly life.
I understood from my knowledge of the church that Thomas S. Monson was in line to become the next Prophet, Seer and Revelator, but I could not feel it. I was not ready to embrace a new mouthpiece of the Lord. My husband and I had the opportunity to go the Conference Center that first Saturday of General Conference after President Hinckley’s passing – when President Monson was sustained. When asked, I raised my hand in sustaining vote along with everyone else, but even then I did not have a testimony of this man as the Prophet of the church. Yet, I believed that it would come. I supported him and listened to him. In General Conferences since then, I longed for that elusive testimony and it didn’t come. I would listen to the Lord’s anointed with rapture and yet still leave conference saddened that I had not gained the one testimony for which I had hoped. It has been years now since President Monson became our Modern Day Prophet.
A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Women’s Relief Society General Meeting. I was reluctant to go initially but, after some encouraging counsel from my husband, I went. The dinner and socializing with other LDS sisters was wonderful. The addresses given were inspired and thoughtful.
Then came time for President Monson’s closing remarks. And suddenly there it was. My testimony of this man of God. I could see the lines of concern etched across his face. A little grayer hair. The weight of responsibility for the church. I saw the overall aged look of someone carrying the prophetic mantle. In that moment I no longer just believed – I knew this was a man called of God to lead His children on the earth. Oh the joy that swelled within my heart!! The tears that ran down my cheek! I have once again been reminded that faith does indeed grow of out of a mustard seed and blossoms into the fruit of testimony!
I understood from my knowledge of the church that Thomas S. Monson was in line to become the next Prophet, Seer and Revelator, but I could not feel it. I was not ready to embrace a new mouthpiece of the Lord. My husband and I had the opportunity to go the Conference Center that first Saturday of General Conference after President Hinckley’s passing – when President Monson was sustained. When asked, I raised my hand in sustaining vote along with everyone else, but even then I did not have a testimony of this man as the Prophet of the church. Yet, I believed that it would come. I supported him and listened to him. In General Conferences since then, I longed for that elusive testimony and it didn’t come. I would listen to the Lord’s anointed with rapture and yet still leave conference saddened that I had not gained the one testimony for which I had hoped. It has been years now since President Monson became our Modern Day Prophet.
A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Women’s Relief Society General Meeting. I was reluctant to go initially but, after some encouraging counsel from my husband, I went. The dinner and socializing with other LDS sisters was wonderful. The addresses given were inspired and thoughtful.
Then came time for President Monson’s closing remarks. And suddenly there it was. My testimony of this man of God. I could see the lines of concern etched across his face. A little grayer hair. The weight of responsibility for the church. I saw the overall aged look of someone carrying the prophetic mantle. In that moment I no longer just believed – I knew this was a man called of God to lead His children on the earth. Oh the joy that swelled within my heart!! The tears that ran down my cheek! I have once again been reminded that faith does indeed grow of out of a mustard seed and blossoms into the fruit of testimony!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
God's Laws
Usually, I keep quiet about controversy surrounding my faith. I am not one who likes to get into bible bashing. I also have a strong conviction about how profound the influence is in living by example. Recently however, the leaders of the church have once again come under attack for voicing the church’s stance on homosexuality. And after many remarks by non-LDS friends in a broad forum, I can no longer sit in silence. Everything within me dictates that I use my voice. So here it is:
I love the law. I always have from the time I was a teen. Something about it fascinates me. But make no mistake, there is an immense difference between civil law and God’s law. Civil law is created by man – and subject to change by the whims of man. We are human after all, and too often succumb to the temptations in life – which leads us to change or interpret the law to ourselves; to change it as we deem is important or relevant in the moment.
We are not perfect. Our law therefore cannot be perfect. We are not wise enough to govern ourselves. It is critical then that we have laws that are permanent, non transient and finite. Isn’t it wonderful that we have such laws, literally written in stone by God’s hand, to help us know how to govern ourselves? But these laws are fixed or they would be no better than man’s laws.
Yes, I am referring to the 10 commandments. Some would argue that homosexuality is not mentioned in the 10 commandments. Maybe. I’ll leave that part vague for now. But, it does clearly say in the bible, book of Genesis, that woman was created to be a helpmeet for man. Not man for man. Not woman for woman. Man AND Woman, together. Always was and always will be - because God’s laws are fixed, permanent, non transient and finite. We can justify and rationalize all we want. God’s laws do not change, we do. And trying to bend God’s laws to us will never work. Never.
I watched President Packer’s talk from our general conference last weekend. I had it recorded so I watched it a few times. Not once did I ever hear him lash out at those who were struggling with this lifestyle choice. Only was he firm in voicing God’s law. In clarifying that it is indeed a choice - reiterating that man and woman are to be together in this mortal, earthly life.
I have had friends and step-relations who have been “gay.” I love them no less than anyone else. They have been important parts of my life at different times. But never once have I approved of or encouraged such a lifestyle choice. For yes, I do believe it is a choice. I believe God is a God of Love. For we are His children. And I cannot fathom that He would send His children to earth in confusion such as this or to live in a state against His laws. I know these things because I would never do so to my own children.
I firmly believe that we can love the sinner, but hate the sin. Especially true in this case.
I love the law. I always have from the time I was a teen. Something about it fascinates me. But make no mistake, there is an immense difference between civil law and God’s law. Civil law is created by man – and subject to change by the whims of man. We are human after all, and too often succumb to the temptations in life – which leads us to change or interpret the law to ourselves; to change it as we deem is important or relevant in the moment.
We are not perfect. Our law therefore cannot be perfect. We are not wise enough to govern ourselves. It is critical then that we have laws that are permanent, non transient and finite. Isn’t it wonderful that we have such laws, literally written in stone by God’s hand, to help us know how to govern ourselves? But these laws are fixed or they would be no better than man’s laws.
Yes, I am referring to the 10 commandments. Some would argue that homosexuality is not mentioned in the 10 commandments. Maybe. I’ll leave that part vague for now. But, it does clearly say in the bible, book of Genesis, that woman was created to be a helpmeet for man. Not man for man. Not woman for woman. Man AND Woman, together. Always was and always will be - because God’s laws are fixed, permanent, non transient and finite. We can justify and rationalize all we want. God’s laws do not change, we do. And trying to bend God’s laws to us will never work. Never.
I watched President Packer’s talk from our general conference last weekend. I had it recorded so I watched it a few times. Not once did I ever hear him lash out at those who were struggling with this lifestyle choice. Only was he firm in voicing God’s law. In clarifying that it is indeed a choice - reiterating that man and woman are to be together in this mortal, earthly life.
I have had friends and step-relations who have been “gay.” I love them no less than anyone else. They have been important parts of my life at different times. But never once have I approved of or encouraged such a lifestyle choice. For yes, I do believe it is a choice. I believe God is a God of Love. For we are His children. And I cannot fathom that He would send His children to earth in confusion such as this or to live in a state against His laws. I know these things because I would never do so to my own children.
I firmly believe that we can love the sinner, but hate the sin. Especially true in this case.
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