112- 4/14/25 like a child...

 Hello Family,


It has been fun to have a whole new set of conference talks to begin to study. This past week I’ve been studying President Holland’s talk, As a Little Child. I didn’t have to look very far for ways I can improve and become more childlike in my character.


Listen to these words of the Savior: “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”


Watching you kids grow up, it is obvious for me to see the childlike qualities we should seek after. I watch Lainey and Graham, who have entered into the inevitable transformation to “teenage mode”, and you begin to see these childlike characteristics change, just as they did for the rest of us. They are all still in there, they just get blurred by the constant influence of the world and all of its cares.


It begs the question, what exactly causes this change, and more importantly, how can we regain these childlike, Christlike, qualities?


One thing I have noticed at home, it was evident last night at the dinner table, is when we engage with each other in spiritual conversation, the childlike qualities of humility, gentleness, meekness, and so many others, become very clear in all involved.


I also see these attributes in each of you, as you talk about and serve your Brother Kohlers, Gales, Bevs, Brother Rickseckers… and the list goes on. When we look outside ourselves we find the childlike character Christ is referring inside ourselves. 


Quoting President Holland: “… children really do love Him, and that love can carry over into their other relationships in the playground of life.”


Invitation: Ask ourselves, What childlike characteristics do I admire most? Write them down. Now pray for them, and notice when and what causes them to come to the surface. Then, let us do more of that!


I know that we are happier, with ourselves, and with others, when we seek to be our best selves. And our best selves tap into those pure qualities we were sent here with from Heaven, those qualities we see so innate in children.


I love you, and hope you have a wonderful week!


Love, 


Dad

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

86- 9/30/24

  We can’t wait to all be together this weekend. Mama and I were talking last night about when the next time we might all be together at home again after this weekend and she mentioned it might not be until April Conference time next year. So needless to say we are really looking forward to this weekend. I will keep it short today with a simple invitation. Throughout this week leading up to General Conference and hearing the words of prophets, ask yourself this question: What do you know and have in your life because there is a living prophet on the Earth today?  I think your thoughts will lead you where mine have, and that is to a place of gratitude. No wonder we often sing: We Thank Thee O God, for a Prophet! Love, Dad
Read more

99- 12-30-24

 Hello Family, Happy New Year! It is New Year’s Eve, and we are gathered all together in Ogden, Utah. What a treat to be all together! As Lainey would say, “I love you guys!” This weekend I have watched each of you set time aside to plan and to make New Year’s Resolutions, pondering on things that you would like to add or improve in your life. I love that! A life without purpose is a life of complacency. Goals put us in a place to act, and to do. You each know who you are and what your purpose is, and this brings so much joy to Mama and I. This purpose is innate in each one of us, and as we listen to, and follow the Spirit we will continue to strive to become better. The Hope we have that we can be successful at this improvement comes from our faith in Jesus Christ. Nephi teaches us,“ And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from e...
Read more

45 (12-4-2023) I Need Thee Every Hour

 45 (12-4-2023) I Need Thee Every Hour Dear Family, This scripture has stayed with me over the past couple of weeks, and has helped me several times. The message has gained greater meaning for me as I try to apply it. I thought this week I would share a few examples of its application in my own life,    and invite you to consider ways to apply it in yours. 2 Nephi 9:39    Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal. President Nelson defined thinking Celestial as being spiritually minded. The prophet Jacob defined here the same way, as “life eternal”. This is our greatest hope and desire, to return to our love in Heavenly parents, and to be together as family forever. So here are just a couple of ways striving to be spiritually minded have helped me this past week: As you all know to well, because you know me better then anyone, patience manages to stay one or two steps ahead of me most times. And when I am inpatient, I ...
Read more