Dad's papers

  This week I wanted to focus our attention more closely on Elder Bednar’s most recent conference address,  The Times of Restitution of All Things .  We often joke with each other that we should avoid the “back of the bus” or to stay out of “the weeds” when discussing or studying gospel topics. But in reality, as we consider those we know who have gotten “lost” in the weeds we can all agree it is no laughing matter. For our own spiritual saftey and the safety of our families going forward, we should frequently check ourselves, making sure our focus of learning and study is on the doctrine of Christ, and His life, teachings, and mission. I think that is what resonated most with me as I listened and studied Elder Bednar’s talk. He said regarding the Restoration of the Church, “I have attempted to summarize  basic  elements of the most important and glorious “good news” any person anywhere in the world can ever receive—the message that the Lord Jesus Christ has res...

  Hello Family, I’ve been studying again this past week the talk given by President Eyring from this last conference, Draw Near unto Me. I think it was probably my favorite talk from that weekend. When you get a chance, try to listen to or read it in its entirety. As I studied his message, I couldn’t help but think of the parallel our own personal journey takes relative to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus President Eyring spoke about. The scriptures teach of those two devout and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. We read about them traveling to Emmaus, mourning the crucifixion of Jesus who they had hoped and believed was the Redeemer of Israel. In their mortal weakness and understanding, they were left feeling “saddened” because of His death. They thought He had come to save them from bondage and persecution, giving them immediate victory and relief from their oppressors. Instead they were left feeling downtrodden and alone as they contemplated what had happened. President ...

   Hello Family, Thank you all for making Father’s Day so special. The happiness you each bring me and mama is indescribable, and you really are the joy of our lives. I thought this week I would share as my invitation to all of us the invitation given by President Oaks from this past conference. He taught about divine helps that we have been given to help guide our journey in mortality, and he asked us each to “teach and live” by these “divine helps.” I would encourage each of us to read and study his talk “Divine Helps for Mortality”. This week I thought I would emphasize three of these divine helps President Oaks taught us, so we better understand how they help us and help  those we have the opportunity to share the Gospel with along the way. He uses the scriptures and words of the prophets to teach us the difference between: The Light of Christ Spiritual manifestations of the Holy Ghost The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost 1.) President Oaks, quoting Moroni, teache...

  Love One Another Hello Family, I was just thinking last night as we were sitting around the table doing our professional canvas art paintings of each other how fortunate (blessed) we are to all be together. What a unique and fun time this is for our family! We miss you Viry, and want you to know you are in our prayers! Studying Elder Uchtdorf’s message from conference “By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples” I couldn’t help but think of our family. Though his message was teaching about membership in the church, in my study this week I was thinking of it in terms of family (the basic and fundamental unit of the church). So in my email this week, in some of Elder Uchtdorf’s quotes below, I will change the word church to family. (I would encourage each of you to read or listen to his talk again) Elder Uchtdorf talked about the “difference between what is real, living in and among imperfect people, and focusing our efforts and building on the ideal, each striving to become l...

  Spiritual Confidence Hello Family, It’s been almost two months now since General Conference, and I wanted to go back and revisit President Nelson’s prophetic counsel to us. As I’ve studied his words it amazes me that this simple teaching of scripture can be so impactful in our lives if we seek to “hear” what is being taught.  My invitation today is two fold. First, take time this week to listen and study the words of our prophet from this past conference. Secondly, accept his invitation given in his message: “I invite you to take intentional steps to grow in  your  confidence before the Lord.” Maybe journal what these “intentional steps” are for you. The trials and challenges that we each face can “knock our self-confidence”, and leave us feeling weak and vulnerable, stressed and frustrated, hurt and doubting, and a range of other feelings. The prophet teaches us how we can regain our spiritual confidence as we approach our Heavenly Father and Savior for their need...

Enduring Happy Monday! It’s going to be a beautiful week of Spring time weather this week. It has been so fun to all be together, and I try not to stop and think that it will have an end when Summer is over.  This next week our lessons in Relief Society and Elders Quorum will be based off of Sister Runia’s talk about repentance. This was a really great talk. My invitation this week is to read and study it in preparation for our Sunday lesson.  In the talk Sister Runia referenced one of my favorite scriptures from the New Testament. It’s found in Hebrews 12:2. Speaking of our Savior Jesus Christ the scripture reads “…for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” Tamara W. RuniaYour Repentance Doesn’t Burden Jesus Christ; It Brightens His JoySister Runia teaches that our worth doesn’t change when we make mistakes and that the Savior understands us and wants us to choose Him again and again. Ask yourself: What was the joy that was set before Him? Was it the end rew...