Spiritually Speechless

Yesterday in the Gospel Doctrine class that I was teaching, a member of the ward made such an inappropriate comment that the Spirit fled the room and we all were left stunned and dumbstruck.

I tried to continue teaching but nothing was coming to mind, and as I looked around the class, I saw the same difficulty on others' faces.

Finally, a sweet sister bore a simple but pure testimony that invited the Spirit's presence once again into the room.

One of the many lessons I learned from this experience was that even in a Sunday School class on the Sabbath, one may have to guard against the slings and arrows of the adversary and be prepared for anything.

A Spirit of Gratitude

I didn't think I'd have an example of a statement I made in my last blog so quickly.

During my weekly visit to my uncles' home I was watching TV with my Uncle Jerry. My Uncle Jerry is a great fan and frequent viewer of the Gaither Gospel Hour. Through him I've had the opportunity to listen to a lot of beautiful music that I might not have heard otherwise.

In my last blog I said that one of the most effective teachers for me is music. One song in particular profoundly and immediately touched my heart this past Tuesday, and I've since downloaded it, and listened to it repeatedly since then. I love the spirit of gratitude that is so simply expressed in the lyrics and I thought I would share it.

I've listened to this everyday, trying to hold onto that spirit of gratitude in my heart. I hope it might help another as well.

Whom the Lord Calls, the Lord Qualifies

The very first scripture I memorized as a child was Doctrine & Covenants 25:12, which reads,
     "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."

I remember seeing it on a handmade poster that had been affixed to the wall of our Primary room and it gave me such a thrill inside to read it, that I had to memorize it. Since then, the music of the Church has continued to be one of the greatest inspirations in my life. In many ways it is the most effective and profound way for me to learn. It was still something of a surprise for me though, to receive the call of Branch Chorister a few weeks ago.

When my Branch President extended the call, I did ask him, "President, are you sure? I have no formal music training." President assured me that he felt it was right and I accepted.

Unfortunately, since then, I have allowed my spirit to become harrowed up by doubts regarding my ability to fulfill this calling. My branch has many saints that are acquiring their advance degrees in various aspects of music - vocal, instruments, conducting,...so I have felt very intimidated standing before this group to lead them in the hymns every Sunday.

I had lead the music in Sacrament meeting on a couple of occasions prior to my call but upon it officially becoming my duty, I felt a heavy weight of responsibility. Some of it eased after I was finally set apart and received the necessary blessings to fulfill my role but I still felt very awkward this past Sunday.

I have been pondering the question more intently these past few days and realized I had forgotten one of President Monson's teachings, "Whom the Lord Calls, the Lord Qualifies."

While it will be necessary for me to study and do my best to magnify this calling, I am not expected to carry this burden alone.

Some may ask, "What burden? You only have to lead the hymns for an hour every Sunday! How hard could that be?!"

In order to better magnify my calling, I have been studying the topic of music in my scriptures and came across this scripture in Deuteronomy 31: 19-21, which I felt directly (and chillingly) applies to our time and states:
     "Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
      For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
      And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed; for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware."(italics added)

Elder Franklin D. Richards of the Seventy in his talk, LDS Hymns -- Worshiping With Song said, "Today, one of the important parts of our worship services is the congregational singing of hymns...As each of our religious services is opened by a hymn and a prayer, the spirit of worship is established and a beautiful feeling of fellowship is felt...In our Latter-day Saint hymns, we sing praises to the Lord, pray unto the Lord, recite great religious truths—in effect sermons—and our minds and spirits are elevated and spiritually stimulated."

Elder Richards also quoted President Kimball (in reference to our singing of hymns) as having said, "Some of the greatest sermons that have ever been preached were preached by the singing of a song..."

So yes, I feel that it is a great responsibility but it is one that I will strive to embrace. Not only will I fulfill my part by preparing to understand the hymns' messages, and the actual process of leading music but I will try to remember that the Lord felt that I could do the job. He has faith in me and I need to have faith in Him, His work and in His ability to make me the kind of tool that will aid in bringing the Holy Spirit into our church meeting and helping his presence to be felt. I feel like Ammon when he said in Alma 26:12,
      "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things... "

I will remember and have faith.

The Power of Prayer

Last Sunday, my home teachers came over with their monthly message. August's message was President Henry B. Eyring's talk, That He May Write Upon Our Hearts. As always, we discussed the meaning of the talk and the subject of prayer.

I shared with them my concern for some of the people I know. It is happened on more than one occasion that I have been asked to pray for people. I gladly agree. But what I've sometimes heard them say after their request disturbs my heart. I've heard them say (in more or less these words) that they want me to pray for them because they know that He'll hear it then.

This bothers me because I know for a fact that Heavenly Father loves to communicate with His children. I worry that sometimes people reading about how 'God was slow to hear their prayers' in the scriptures think that there is a qualification limit on prayer. I hope they don't think that if they haven't been obedient he will ignore them. But I wonder.

I think Heavenly Father being slow to hear us is an opportunity for us to grow in our faith. It's a chance for us to wait on His will. It's actually a blessing for us. It's a transition time as we move ourselves closer to Him once again. We are able to reaccustom ourselves to being in contact with him and to prepare ourselves for the answer we will receive. It's a difficult blessing to deal with at certain times but it is for our benefit.

I hope that I will better help my loved ones understand that they can ALWAYS pray. That He is ALWAYS there to hear them. And that He loves them and is waiting to hear from them.

The Beauty of Sacrifice

Last Sunday, because of the Fourth of July holiday, I was thinking about the birth of our nation. At this time of year, many of us count the blessings we enjoy due to this wonderful nation in which we live. It is common to consider the contributions of the military in defending our rights and freedoms. The sacrifices they and their families make to ensure we all are able to participate in making the United States of America great.

So the subject of sacrifice was rolling around in my thoughts and it led me to ponder the other sacrifices that have brought about the life that I lead.

First and foremost, the sacrifice of my Savior Jesus Christ. It is only through Him that I have that which I now possess and all blessings I will yet receive. His sacrifice enables me and all things for me.

Second, I thought of the sacrifices of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. In Doctrine and Covenants 136:6 & 7 we read, "...henceforward their names will be classed among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world...and their innocent blood on the floor of Carthage jail is a broad seal affixed to "Mormonism"..." Their legacy is what I now enjoy.

And then lastly, I thought of the sacrifices of mothers. I have heard of women who have literally walked through the valley of the shadow of death to give their children the opportunity to walk the earth. All mothers suffer through blood and pain to bring new spirits into this world. Where would we/I be without their labor?

And so, I am very grateful for the life I have due to the many sacrifices made by friends, family and even strangers, who work(ed) to bestow upon me this blessed life.

Unity and the Purpose of the Church

A few weeks ago, the Sunday School and Relief Society lessons gave me much food for thought. In Sunday School, we were asked, "What is the purpose of the Church?" And in Relief Society, "Why do you think it is unwise to expect perfection in members of our wards and branches?"

I feel it's unwise to do so because the perfect me is not the same as the perfect you. Heavenly Father made us all different on purpose. We each have our own talents, abilities, skills and experiences. All of us are at different stages on our paths of life. Our ideal of perfection is skewed by our own mortality. So how can we hold anyone to an ideal of perfection? Even our own self?

How many times have I resolved to be a little better? Tried only to do my best in whatever situation I was in, with the faith that Heavenly Father would help me...only to look back and see that I accomplished even more than I previously thought I could? While I might not have recognized what was happening while I was in the thick of things, inspired hindsight showed how all was magnified by Heavenly Father.

With all of our unique capabilities combined we can then fulfill the purpose of the Church, which is to let all of God's children know that He loves them, help them to feel and recognize it and show them how to get back to Him. We are all equipped to show forth God's love. And it manifests in ways that are divinely appointed to and developed by each of us.

Why is it unwise to expect perfection in members of our wards and branches? Because it's limiting. To ourselves and to those around us.

What's In A Name?

I come from a culture where a baby's name carries a wealth of meaning. The process of naming a child is sacred and an honor. Such an honor can be given to a well-respected member of the family or a really close friend - who would then ponder and perhaps even pray about the name for the child. The process could involve dreams, visions and spiritual visitations. Frequently, the name of a beloved relative or historical figure is given to the child in the hope that they will pattern themselves and or their lives after the individual. Many times it will be given in the native language of the child's ancestry for the perpetuation of pride in their culture. A child's name holds all the dreams, hopes, love and blessings the parents hold and want to give to their baby.

Which is why, I think, that the following story has been lingering with me.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/index.ssf?/base/news-0/122923112231930.xml&coll=3

Heath and Deborah Campbell have named their children after elements of nazism. Adolf Hitler Campbell (3), JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell (nearly 2), and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell (almost 1).

I struggle to understand how a parent could place such a negative burden on a child's shoulders. Naming your child after such a controversial person could only bring down such strong feelings regarding the original name bearer onto the namesake. A parent would be purposefully handicapping their child from birth.

I know some parents name their children after historical figures in the hope that their child will emulate them. But the Campbells claim that they are not racist -- so why name them after nazism?

They plan to enroll their children in school. I don't believe things have changed so much from when I was in school that kids will not exploit an opportunity to tease someone. The Campbells have set their children up as schoolyard targets.

And lastly, my greatest concern is that they have doomed their children to miserable lives. It would take a very strong and noble spirit to overcome such a difficult childhood without becoming bitter and hateful. By the time the children are old enough to understand why they are persecuted and to make the necessary changes, they may have experienced enough to warp them into the type of people they are named for.

Because of my background, this whole situation stumps me. I cannot fathom a person laying a title of hatred on a child as a legacy. Especially when it seems as if the parents are not committed to the ideal they are perpetuating with their children's names.

In any case, I hope that their family will weather the storm well.