NOVEMBER

"The key to life is to be grateful and give thanks for everything that happens -- both the happiness and the sadness."

PLAY OFFS; MERIT ROLLS AND 2X4'S

Allisa had play offs today for Volleyball so that they could determine who plays in the Championship next Tuesday.

Allisa's team won!  They moved up to 2nd place in the play offs and will play against the team that is in 1st place next Tuesday.

I am so excited for her.  I know that she has had a great Volleyball season and looks forward to the Spring Season for Volleyball.

Both Aislyn and Allisa made Merit Roll this term.  They are both very happy with their scores in school.  Their goal for the next term is Honor Roll!

Evan and Aislyn are still growing!  Both of them are taller than me.  Evan is now taller than Victor.

I think Evan grew another two inches this past month.  I think he is part pine tree and has 2X4's for legs.

Speaking of 2X4's...  Evan has been doing some amazing things at ACE.  He is now designing a tool shed for me and will build it out of the extra lumber we have in the back yard.  His instructor stated that he did a great job with the design.  Evan is going to enter a competition for a home design.  He has been given special conditions.

There is a local family with a disabled family member and they need to build a home or remodel their home to accomodate.

Evan's instructor told him that he should use the same techniques he was using for my Tool Shed :)

It's going to be a very small house; or it is going to be a box :)

NEW CALLINGS

It's funny how quickly new callings are extended when you are released from current callings.

I was the Primary Pianist and the Activity Days Leader for the girls.  I was released last Sunday and was extended a new calling that afternoon.

Yesterday during Sacrament Meeting it was announced that I am the new Home Family and Personal Enrichment Leader.  I am really excited!  I will be set apart next Sunday.

I have had ideas for these evenings with the Relief Society Sisters and now I get a chance to organize some of these meetings with the Relief Society President. 

I am still the Relieft Organist and have been asked to be the Choir Pianist.  The new choir director has many, many years of experience and I am excited to work with her.

The Healing Powers of Mercy and Forgiveness

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to give a talk during Sacrament Meeting.  Below is a portion of that talk.  The full talk is found in my Tender Mercies Blog.

Jesus Christ suffered in Gethsemane and on the cross. He was the only one capable of making a perfect Atonement for all mankind. He suffered the penalty for our sins in Gethsemane and died on the cross. He took upon Himself the pains, sicknesses, temptations, afflictions and infirmities of us all (Alma 7:11-12)

“11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”

As we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Atonement of Jesus Christ satisfies the demands of justice and answers the pleas for mercy.

Mercy is the spirit of compassion, tenderness, and forgiveness. Mercy is one of the attributes of God. Jesus Christ offers mercy to us through His atoning sacrifice on conditions of repentance.

In the New Testament there are many accounts of Jesus Christ showing compassion to the sinner. One such account shows the deep compassion that the Savior had toward a woman taken in adultery. (John 8:1-11)

1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.


2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a awoman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

As Jesus Christ is our exemplar we are to exercise the principle of mercy and forgive our brothers and sisters. Joseph Smith taught:

“One of the most pleasing scenes that can occur on earth, when a sin has been committed by one person against another, is, to forgive that sin; and then according to the sublime and perfect pattern of the Savior, pray to our Father in heaven to forgive [the sinner] also.”

“Ever keep in exercise the principle of mercy, and be ready to forgive our brother on the first intimations of repentance, and asking forgiveness; and should we even forgive our brother, or even our enemy, before he repent or ask forgiveness, our heavenly Father would be equally as merciful to us.”

“Bear and forbear one with another, for so the Lord does with us. Pray for your enemies in the Church and curse not your foes without: for vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will repay (see Romans 12:19]. To every ordained member, and to all, we say; be merciful and you shall find mercy. Seek to help save souls, not to destroy them: for verily you know, that ‘there is more joy in heaven, over one sinner that repents, than there is over ninety and nine just persons that need no repentance.” [see Luke 15:7.]”

We Must Forgive Others

A vital part of repentance is to forgive those who have sinned against us. The Lord will not forgive us unless our hearts are fully cleansed of all hate, bitterness, and bad feelings against other people (see 3 Nephi 13:14-15).

“14 For, if ye aforgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you;

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

In September of 1831, Joseph Smith received revelation from the Lord. Part of that revelation included commandment to the saints that they forgive one another, lest there remain in them the greater sin. In Doctrine and Covenants section 64 verses 1-11 we read:

“ 1 BEHOLD, thus saith the Lord your God unto you, O ye elders of my church, hearken ye and hear, and receive my will concerning you.

2 For verily I say unto you, I will that ye should overcome the world; wherefore I will have compassion upon you.

3 There are those among you who have sinned; but verily I say, for this once, for mine own aglory, and for the salvation of souls, I have forgiven you your sins.

4 I will be merciful unto you, for I have given unto you the kingdom.

5 And the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom shall not be taken from my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., through the means I have appointed, while he liveth, inasmuch as he obeyeth mine ordinances.

6 There are those who have sought occasion against him without cause;

7 Nevertheless, he has sinned; but verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, forgive sins unto those who confess their sins before me and ask forgiveness, who have not sinned unto death.

8 My disciples, in days of old, sought occasion against one another and forgave not one another in their hearts; and for this evil they were afflicted and sorely chastened.

9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.

10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.

11 And ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds.”

In the May 1992 Conference issue of the Ensign Richard G Scott shared the following counsel to those who needed to heal and learn to forgive others of serious injustices:

“Father in Heaven’s children enjoy agency, there can be some who choose willfully to violate the commandments and harm you. Such acts temporarily restrict your freedom. In justice, and to compensate, the Lord has provided a way for you to overcome the destructive results of others’ acts against your will. That relief comes by applying eternal truths…

Know that the wicked choice of others cannot completely destroy your agency unless you permit it. Their acts may cause pain, anguish, even physical harm, but they cannot destroy your eternal possibilities in this brief but crucial life on earth… Your attitude can control the change for good in your life. It allows you to have the help the Lord intends you to receive. No one can take away your ultimate opportunities when you understand and live eternal law. The laws of your Heavenly Father and the atonement of the Lord have made it possible that you will not be robbed of the opportunities which come to the children of God.

During prolonged recovery from massive surgery, a patient anticipates complete healing in patience, trusting in others’ care. He does not always understand the importance of the treatment prescribed, but his obedience speeds recovery. So it is with you struggling to heal scars… Forgiveness, for example, can be hard to understand, even more difficult to give. Begin by withholding judgment... The way to repentance must be kept open for them... As you experience an easing of your own pain, full forgiveness will come more easily.

You cannot erase what has been done, but you can forgive. (see D&C 64:10.) Forgiveness heals terrible, tragic wounds, for it allows the love of God to purge your heart and mind of the poison of hate. It cleanses your consciousness of the desire for revenge. It makes place for the purifying, healing, restoring love of the Lord.

The Master counseled, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you.” (3 Ne. 12:44; italics added.)

Bitterness and hatred are harmful. They produce much that is destructive. They postpone the relief and healing you yearn for. Let God be the judge—you cannot do it as well as he can.”

In The Book of Mormon the account that Enos gave encompasses the full healing power of the Atonement. Enos recognized his weaknesses and presented himself to the Lord:

“Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.”

The voice of the Lord came unto him saying that his sins had been forgiven and Enos said:

“And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.”

Enos did not stop with his own welfare. He understood the demands of justice and mercy. He wanted the same salvation for his brethren and he said:

“Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.”

He not only prayed for his brethren the Nephites; he also plead for the Lamanites and again heard the voice of the Lord promising salvation for them all.

The amazing healing power of the atonement is a miracle to both the saint and the sinner. Christ suffered for all pains and anguishes that he of us would suffer in this life. Because he was prepared in the Garden of Gesthemane he is able to wrap his arms around us and provide healing relief. All we need to do is believe him and accept his gift.

I know that God lives! I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I know that they love us. I know that Jesus Christ will come again unto his people. We will be ready if we seek and follow the counsel of his servants the prophets. I know that Thomas S Monson is a true prophet of God. I know that he speaks with him and receives counsel on our behalf. Listen to the words of the prophets, they will bring you unto salvation.

I bear this solemn testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.