He Is Risen

Lesson Learned:

Fearlessly

I recently got released from my calling as the Young Women Secretary in my ward.  They changed the whole program so now there are all new people.  In being released, I have the opportunity to attend Relief Society now. I felt a little strange today, cause I feel like I have always been in Young Women's, but all is well. We talked today about having courage today to live the gospel and to stand up for what you believe. And then to teach our children and create an environment in our home to help them find the courage to make tough choices. Phew.  People shared some experiences they had in standing up for what they believe in and having the courage to "stand tall" in our beliefs.  We also talked about how in doing so we find joy and hopefully help be a light in helping others find that same joy we have as we live the gospel and receive promised blessings from doing so from the Lord.
I had an interesting experience once when I was a teen.  I was on a plane flying home from a family trip. It was probably a 3 or 4 hour flight. My sister and I were sitting on a separate row away from the rest of our family.  A man sat down next to us on our row.  Not long after the plane took off we started making conversation with this man.  Come to find out he was a psychologist.  He was traveling home from a meeting he had with other psychologists. Why I bring this up? I will tell you.  He was telling us how most of his clients are teens just like my sister and I. (same age, etc..) Somehow the topic came up that our parents were divorced.  Naturally, he seemed intrigued.  We shared some hard times that have come because of our parents' choices.  Seeing we were flying to Utah, he asked if this was where we lived. (He had a layover in Utah) We told him yes, and the first thing that comes out of this mouth after that is are you one of those "Mormon" people?! Yep, yes we are! Shocked that we didn't have horns he told a story of how once his son ran into a Mormon.  That story is not important, so we will continue with mine. Things got kind of quiet for a bit.  And then as we were landing he spoke up again.  He said you guys seem very happy. Especially for having gone through what you have with your parents getting divorced.  He said that most of the his clients who deal with trials such as ours are usually sad, into drugs, drinking, or finding other ways to try and dull the pain of hardships. He asked why we seemed so happy. Not much time to talk left, we basically told him it was because of our faith.
I believe and have faith that although hard times come, we are never alone. The Lord will always be there with us, and can provide peace and comfort for us even in our darkest moments.  That my friends is why I remained happy through the struggles of my childhood, and didn't turn to other things that would lead down to a path of unhappiness and despair.
We got off the plane and he said maybe he would have to look into our church to see if he could find out how to help his clients find that happiness.
To this day I wish I would have handed him a card to help him find the missionaries, but I was too nervous. Too scared.  He was a really nice man, and yet I was still too terrified. I learned that day that it is important and vital to the Lord to "stand tall" now and help ALL of His children come to Him.  He needs us.  Every so often I pray that this man can find the church again and open his heart to it.  Hopefully our testimony of finding joy in hard times through the gospel will have planted a seed in him. Now is the time to stand.

Lesson Learned:
"Who's on the Lord's side? Who? Now is the time to show.We ask it fearlessly. Who's on the Lord's side who?..." (Hymn 260 "Who's on the Lords side?)
To read and hear the whole hymn click here.

Faith

I knew I wanted to write today. But I didn't know what about. As I sit here and ponder on what things have been on my mind lately the word faith keeps coming through. Faith. I am overwhelmed by the spirit I have felt today at church.  So many great things learned.
I have someone that I care much about investigating the church right now.  As questions arise in this person, I find myself wanting so bad to put inside them the feelings I have of the knowledge I have of the truthfulness of the gospel. I realize that this is something that will only happen when they can search themselves (line upon line), pray, and feel the Holy Ghost bare witness to them of the truth. When they feel that,  it is up to them to choose to have faith, and ultimately grow in the gospel and feel of the joy and blessings it brings. "Faith is dead without works."


Lesson Learned:

"I am not surprised that comparatively few people join the Church from among the large number on whom the missionaries call. There’s no faith. On the other hand, I am amazed that so many do. It is a marvelous and wonderful thing that thousands are touched by the miracle of the Holy Spirit, that they believe and accept and become members. They are baptized. Their lives are forever touched for good. Miracles occur. A seed of faith comes into their hearts. It enlarges as they learn. And they accept principle upon principle, until they have every one of the marvelous blessings that come to those who walk with faith in this, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It is faith that is the converter. It is faith that is the teacher. Thus it has been from the beginning."

(Gordon B. Hinckley)

I look back to when I first (remember) started to gain and nourish my testimony of this gospel. It was only when I had faith that these things were true, that's when I felt for myself it indeed was.  It is a scary thing to believe in something unseen.  And yes, I may have never seen (in this earth life) Jesus Christ or Heavenly Father, BUT boy have I felt, through the power of the Holy Ghost, that they are there and indeed did all that is taught. And as I hold on to those feelings, I keep pushing through life in hopes to strengthen my faith in them and one day become perfected as the Lord would have it. 

Right now, as I wait with the unknown future at hand, people ask me if it bothers me that I don't know even when I am moving, or even where for that matter.  A year ago I would say yes. Now, I have to admit there is not a drop of fear in my heart for my future. (Maybe a bit of anxiousness, but not fear)  I have faith. Faith in the Lord that He has a plan for us and that we will be happy. No matter where, when, or what we are doing. No matter the hardships that come, the mountains to climb, or the rivers to cross. He knows all, He is there, and I have faith that I have a purpose in this life. And that purpose will come to pass, with much joy, in the guidance of my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Believe

Lesson Learned:

"God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill  your dreams, just as He always has.  But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream.  In short, He can't if you don't believe." 

-Jeffry R. Holland

Love

My sweet Aunt Leslie's words:
"I started this week in the wee morning hours of Saturday, November 26th pleading to the Lord to keep my sweet husband, Gary alive. We ended this week in the wee morning hours on Saturday, December 3rd praying for his release. Friday evening family gathered and we held a short family meeting where my Father shared some scriptures with us from the Savior's last hours. My elder brother then gave Gary a beautiful blessing for peace and release. Because of some delays caused by the necessary steps to be taken for Gary's wishes of being an organ donor, we waited for the call for the go ahead with removing respiration. We received that call around 1:00am. They removed respiration around 1:20am but he didn't pass until 6:48 am. It was painful to watch him struggling to hold on to life. But there was a sweet peace upon his passing. I can't even begin to imagine how Heavenly Father was able to watch his Son on the cross. What a beautiful message for me to turn to this same atonement for strength, comfort, and peace.
We have truly felt the prayers and love that have gone out in our behalf. It is only through these that I am still standing. Daniel and I returned home on Saturday evening. Carli & Bo have joined us for the coming week. I know many of you want to touch base but a few days without visitors will allow us to get our feet on the ground. We are just beginning funeral service arrangements but it looks likely to be held on Thursday, December 8th. I will check both email and text messages. We are so blessed. All is well."
Leslie Burt

Lesson Learned:


I have been amazed at what the love of a family can do.  It is no wonder the Lord's plan is centered on the family.  I have learned so much in the past few days, things that I will cherish forever and hold dear to my heart, things I probably should keep between me and the Lord. It has truly been a gift to see so close at hand the will of the Lord and His plan for His children.  He truly is a merciful God of all and His plan is perfect. My heart aches for Leslie and her dear children Chris & Giannina, Carli & Bo, Spencer (currently in England serving a mission for the Lord), and Daniel. They are an amazing family and have held strong together during this tragic time in their lives. I pray they each have the comfort and strength they need to withstand the heartache. 

“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” 
― C.S. Lewis

Love is a powerful thing. The love of family. The love of friends. The love of our Heavenly Father. The love of the Savior. Love heals, binds, and gives hope.  His love is perfect and endless.  This love has been felt this past week in our family and we are extremely grateful. 

My uncle Ben posted a few pictures in tribute of a great man.  I don't know if everyone can look at them because it's his face book page but you can sure give it a try. Gary Burt- Fish on, my friend.

Instrument in the Lords hands

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to give the "Fast Sunday" lesson in Young Womens. It was one of those times in my life where I knew that the Lord had put His trust in me and I became and instrument in His hands. My lesson was on Personal Revelation. (Which is our theme for the month) We talked a lot about the different ways the Holy Ghost can communicate to us. Whether its a "still small voice", "He enlightens our minds", "causes a burning in our bosom", "He gives peace", or "line upon line, precept upon precept".  As we discussed these I felt as though I should share a personal experience: 

"My mom had gone out of town. I was about 16. It was the day she was supposed to come home and I hadn't heard from her yet. So I tried calling her. The phone didn't even ring, it made this fuzzy beeping noise and then hung up. I tried several times to call her. The thing that scared me was that it didn't even go to her voice machine.  All these scenarios ran through my head that maybe she got in an accident and her phone was smashed. It started getting late and I was getting more and more scared. I felt sick inside. So I said a little prayer and I had this overwhelming feeling of peace run through my body. I had the feeling that everything would be alright. So I continued on with my night and quit worrying. Hours later, I still hadn't heard anything from my mom. I began to worry again. Only this time more then the first time I was worrying. I had forgotten the feelings of peace that the Lord so graciously gave me. I said another prayer asking the Lord to give me comfort and to keep my mom safe. After I finished I had this feeling to read my scriptures. So I opened them and I came upon this verse:

 (D&C 6:23)

"Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have then from God?"

Lessons Learned:

I then bore my testimony on the power of prayer and personal revelation. I know that it is real. I know that the Lord does speak to us individually through the Holy Ghost. When we are worthy of it.  I also know that just because you haven't received a lightening bolt answer about something doesn't mean the Lord didn't answer you and it also doesn't mean you don't have a testimony. 

Elder Dallin H. Oaks cautioned: “Some [people] have looked exclusively for the great manifestations that are recorded in the scriptures and have failed to recognize the still, small voice that is given to them. … We need to know that the Lord rarely speaks loudly. His messages almost always come in a whisper. …Not understanding these principles of revelation, some people postpone acknowledging their testimony until they have experienced a miraculous event. They fail to realize that with most people … gaining a testimony is not an event but a process.” 

There was a specific girl in my class that I know this lesson was for. She isn't a member but she comes faithfully every Sunday by herself. I could see the light in her eyes as she took in the spirit and tried so hard to understand what was being said. I know that seeds were planted at that moment. I am grateful that the spirit was there that day to teach for me because He is a far better teacher then I could ever be. 

Short Cuts

My sweet husband and his presidency for Young Mens spoke in church on Sunday.  I thought they did a great job.  The talk that stuck out to me the most was the one his Secretary gave.  He talked about "short cuts".  He talked about how we need to keep the commandments and follow the principles of the gospel and not try to find  short cuts. He said there are three main reasons why we have a hard time following the commandments. 1. We simply don't want to. 2. We think it's too hard.  3. We think it does not apply to us. ALL COMMANDMENTS APPLY TO US! The Lord may even understand our thinking of why we may not think this commandment does not apply but it still doesn't make it right.  It is still the Lord's commandment and we are still commanded to follow it. Although at times we may think that they are too hard or that it is restricting, it isn't.  If you understand that the Lord has given us these commandments for our benefit then you will understand that the Lord would not give us anything that we can't handle.  It is not too hard. It can't be.  The Lord promises us that we can do it. He also promises us that when we follow His commandments he will bless us.  Let me repeat...He will bless us. Lessons Learned:
1. Doctrine & Covenants 82:10 "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."
2. Doctrine & Covenants 130: 20-21 "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated. And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."
3. Don't take short cuts when it comes to the Lord's will. If you stay on the narrow path he is "bound" and promises to bless us.

Kindle Your Testimony

This past week I had the opportunity to go to the testimony meeting at my girl's camp.  It was so neat.  It is interesting to see the difference between when you are the youth and when you are a leader.  I was so proud of my girls.  They are so strong.  I am so grateful for their courage to try.  Most of my girls got up and bore their testimonies and I felt very blessed to hear them.  I remember being in Young Womens and thinking girls camp was one of the best times ever.  Mostly because of how you bond with each other and the spirit that you feel.  I know that my Young Womens experience was a very positive one and it was a huge influence in my life.  It definitely helped build most of my testimony as a youth.  A girl that wasn't a member stood up and compared a testimony to a fire.  How you have to build your foundation and then start it. Then you have to keep it going and add things to the fire (testimony) or it will eventually die out.  If you don't always nurture and kindle it it won't keep going.  The more you add the stronger your fire (testimony) gets.  She also mentioned that a testimony is also like a fire because of the warmth and that it brings people together.  What an amazing young woman.  I was very impressed.  I am grateful for the spirit felt that night.  I hope that you whether a youth or a leader can always remember that your example and testimony will affect others and in most cases help others strengthen theirs and bring them closer to the spirit.  I also hope that those who are struggling with their testimonies or who don't think they have one yet that as long as you try it will come.  It's up to you to build that fire (testimony).  Once you build the foundation its easier to keep it going then to let it die out and try to build it again.  It won't always come fast and most of the time it comes in little moments when we least expect it to.  Remember in order to know something is true you have to learn of it first. Lessons learned:

"We should be patient in developing and strengthening our testimonies. Rather than expecting immediate or spectacular manifestations, though they will come when needed, we should pray for a testimony, study the scriptures, follow the counsel of our prophet and other Church leaders, and live the principles of the gospel. Our testimonies then will grow and mature naturally, perhaps imperceptibly at times, until they become driving forces in our lives."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Patience, a Key to Happiness", Ensign, May 1987, 30

"A testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will always include these clear and simple truths: 
"--God lives. He is our loving Father in Heaven, and we are His children.
"--Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and the Savior of the world.
"--Joseph Smith is the prophet of God through whom the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in the latter days.
"--The Book of Mormon is the word of God.

--The Power of a Personal Testimony, Ensign, November 2006, 38

Why do you live the gospel?

My ward has just started this new Sunday school class on Provident Living.  I LOVE it. We talked about temporal and spiritual needs.  We discovered that all things are spiritual.  Everything given to us is God's.  All the way down to our talents that able us to work to provide for our families.  Brian made the comment that when we pay tithing it isn't giving God our 10%, it's that God gave us 100% and we are just giving back 10%. I really liked a comment someone made in the class though.  The question was "Why do we live the gospel?"  Why do we live the gospel?  Why do we do the things we do?  Why are we obediant?  Why do we keep coming back to church? There are many answers and I'm sure you have your own point on it but I liked what he said. He said: 1. We live the gospel because we are afraid of the consequences. 2. We live the gospel because we desire blessings. 3. We live the gospel because we love God. 
Lesson Learned:
"If ye love me keep my commandments." (John 14:15)   so "Keep my commandments, If ye love me."
I would like to add a number 4 though to the list of why we live the gospel.  4. We live the gospel because it brings us happiness. I don't think any of us want to be in a state of unhappiness.  Yes we have hard times in our lives but with the Atonement we can have those hard times and still be happy.  Like I stated earlier.  We choose happiness.

Apply it: It's possible

I remember the first time that I had an experience and was able to realize I could apply the scriptures to my life.  I was probably about 13.  My sister and I decided to go run errands because she had recently got her license and we wanted to feel independent.  Our last stop was my grandma's house.  When we got home we realized her purse was missing.  We went back to my grandma's and couldn't find it.  We figured out that she had put it in the top if the car and it must have fallen off when we drove home.  So we drove slowly all the way home to see if we could find where it fell off.  But being a purse we figured we wouldn't have much luck because of the value inside.  Someone would most likely grab it and keep it.  We got home again very discouraged.  Giving up, we tried to except that the purse was gone.  Not even five minutes of being home I went to my front door to go outside and there was the purse hanging on the door knob.  Someone had found the purse, took the time to find out who it belonged to and drove it to our house.  I was shocked.  I went up to my room and wondered how on earth was that possible and did that really happen to us.  I had a feeling to open my scriptures and the verse I found was this (St. Luke 1:37):  "For with God nothing shall be impossible."  


Lessons learned: 
1. Don't put your purse on top of your car.
2.There are honest people in this world, more then we might expect.
3. God has a hand in everything.


To this day that is my favorite scripture. As long as we have the Lord in our lives, we can do it all.  We can overcome any trial. We can do the hard things in life. I know that to be true because I have experienced it.  I am grateful for that knowledge because it is what will keep me going to the end, no matter the circumstance.