A few weeks ago, I traveled to Atlanta to accompany my high school friend while she was married in the temple. She lives about 10 miles from my cousin so I was very excited to see them both. I was amazed at how often I relied on the GPS in my phone to navigate my car rental to my cousin’s house and to all the wedding events. Even when my pathway was blocked by road construction, the GPS never failed me… It got me to the temple. A few minutes late, but as I assured the bride, they weren’t doing anything until SHE got there! As we passed the exit we were supposed to take, that map app told me the next way to turn and took me right to where I needed to be in a strange city. In the scriptures we read of how Jehovah led the travels of the Children of Israel with a pillar of fire by night and a cloud of smoke by day. Can you imagine being led this way to where God wanted you to go? We also read of another ancient instrument of navigation… President Sp...
My sister attended the Portland Temple this week and saw the image of Jesus’ Second Coming by Harry Anderson in the Celestial Room. She said this time, for the first time, it seemed to be that the Savior was offering her a hug. She imagined that of all the good hugs she has had in her life, of course Jesus’ would be the best. We often look at the table prepared for the Sacrament. We recognize the symbolism of the white cloth covering the symbols of the Savior’s body. We reverently ponder how this funeral changed everything and fulfilled God’s Plan. But I recently heard someone compare it to a dinner table. This is Jesus’ table. There is a piece and a cup for all who wish to receive it. There is room for each one around this table. This table of humility. This table of sacrifice and obedience. This table, most of all, of love. You belong here. Even if you are waiting for the time that you can partake of it once...
I recently heard a story of a pastor that had discussed with his congregation how they might decide how many children a family should have. His advice was to not have more children than you could take care of financially and emotionally. One day in prayer, the pastor told God, “You have too many kids. I see people in need emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It’s obvious You must have too many since You can’t take care of them all.” God said, “you know my plan” and the pastor questioned, “what plan is that?” God said, “the way it works is the ones who are able take care of the ones that are not, and the older ones take care of the younger ones. And the well ones, they take care of the sick ones. That’s the way it works and everyone is cared for.” This is what it should look like in our ward, in our neighborhoods, in our homes… We are each called to be Jesus’ hands. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “ When I think of the Savio...
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