Standing in Holy Places

This past week I was talking with our children about the value of VIRTUE. Sis. Elaine Dalton gave an incredible talk on this.

She says: "This is a magnificent time to be on the earth and to be a young woman. Our vision remains the same. It is to be worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple. This is our superlative goal! And so we will continue to lead the world in a return to virtue—a return to chastity and moral purity. We will continue to do all we can to help each other “stand … in holy places” and receive, recognize, and rely on the Holy Ghost."

I had read another talk by Sis. Dalton just a few days earlier. AWESOME!

Virtue and modesty are synonomous. As I pondered over modesty and all the why's of being modest, this scripture came to mind:

"Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen." (D&C 87:8)

Hmmm. Temple. Which led to the thought:

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Cor. 6:19)

So, I think maybe standing in Holy places does not just mean our homes, the church, the temple, but it very much includes our own physical bodies. WOW! And in this, virtue and modesty are paramount.

Thankful Thursday: The Power of Prayer

Tonight, while at Relief Society, a young boy, who had just come from playing baseball in the field near the ward house, and his mom came in asking if we had seen a little girl. We hadn't. We searched the building with them without finding her.

We were heart sick. Many of us there have had our own childen missing for a few minutes, or more, and experienced the feelings of overwhelming fear and anxiety over our lost child. And this little child had been missing for two hours.

I left for home and with a prayer in my heart I called my husband. He and the children offered a prayer for her.

On my way out, I stopped where the police were stationed in the park and asked for more details.

I went back to the ward to let the sisters know...as we were ALL concerned about this little girl and the situation the family must be facing.

The thought came to pray for her...as a Relief Society...tonight. Feeling a little hesitant that I might be too bold to interrupt R.S. with this request, I asked a sister what she thought about this. She said,"Oh Yes!" So, I asked a group of sisters if we could pray for the missing girl. Another sister spoke so all the other sisters could hear and asked the sister in charge if we could take a minute to pray. The request was gladly accepted and we joined together in prayer. The room hushed and as a Relief Society we combined our faith and prayed for the missing girl. Then I left for home.

I just got a call from our Relief Society President. She said, "I just wanted you to know, that within minutes after the prayer, the police came in to search the building and got a call that the girl was found."

Tonight, I am thankful for the power of prayer, for faithful Relief Society Sisters, for the Holy Ghost being persistant with me, for the sister who helped me have the courage to interrupt Relief Society, and for a kind Heavenly Father answering so many prayers for a little missing girl.

I see the Hand of the Lord today

I see the Hand of the Lord today.

This morning, when I felt too tired to get out of bed and study together with DH,
I felt the tug of the Spirit to go,

and

heard the tender words of my husband
that his day runs so much smoother when we have our study time,

and so,

I listened.

This morning, as he and I read together,
I learned from Lehi's example,
that in all things and in all times I can show gratitude to Heavenly Father.

This morning, when the girls came up for prayers, breakfast and scriptures,
they were willing, and cheerful,
albeit tired.

This morning, when I knelt to pray, 
I felt the Spirit's comfort.

This morning, before our children left for school,
their grandma gave each of them a hug
and an "I love you!"

A hike to Ensign Peak

Our family hiked Ensign Peak Monday morning. At the top, DH wanted to share with our children the significance of this beautiful place. It turned out more lovely than he had planned.

If each family member voiced how the hike was, the words would be:

AWESOME,
long,
too warm,
hard,
adventurous,
beautiful.



Albeit the scenery and the view from the top was beautiful, the highlight of our hike was just before reaching the top, and meeting Elder and Sister Dallin H. Oaks.

What a delight!

Our children who were feeling rather tuckered out before reaching the top were suddenly filled with the energy to finish the hike. They raced to the top and talked with he and his wife before we parents caught up with them.

And when we were there together, our newly baptized daughter declared,

"I've never met a REAL prophet in real life before!"

And with that, Elder Oaks turned and bent down, he looked at her, extended his hand and said,  "You have now."

He shook each of our children's hand, including baby's (and mine, too). What an experience for our family!