Month: October 2017

“For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; … For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.” (2 Nephi 29:11-12)

In this world of ever flowing information and the transparency movement, we have more exposure to different belief systems and different cultures than ever before. Having grown up in the church and often hearing testimonies of the “one true church” sometimes I can find myself stuck in that mindset which makes it difficult to see things from other perspectives. What I have come to learn through careful study is that, while we have a lot of pure truth that has been restored to us through the power of the Priesthood, we do not have a monopoly on truth.

The Book of Mormon is pure and unadulterated, unlike other books of scripture. The Bible has gone through many translations and councils where men sat in rooms and decided what to include and what to leave out. But “we believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly” (Articles of Faith, 8). There is truth and words of God in all books of scripture because God has spoken to all of his tribes; Jews, Nephites AND OTHERS. The Quran, The Bhagavad Gita…Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Islam—there are kernels of truth everywhere. We can find them. We can find common ground with those who believe differently—who only have parts of the truth but who are trying their hardest to be good people. Good people who love God as best they can in whatever form they understand. We can learn from them just as much as we can teach them. The Holy Ghost will testify of all truth and all truth will lead us to God.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: What do you know about the beliefs of other faiths? How can you take the good things from that faith and apply it to the truths you know now?

“I testify that when we embark upon or continue the incredible journey that leads to God, our lives will be better.  This does not mean that our lives will be free from sorrow. We all know of faithful followers of Christ who suffer tragedy and injustice—Jesus Christ Himself suffered more than anyone. Just as God makes the “sun to rise on the evil and on the good,” He also allows adversity to test the just and the unjust. In fact, sometimes it seems that our lives are more difficult because we are trying to live our faith.  No, following the Savior will not remove all of your trials. However, it will remove the barriers between you and the help your Heavenly Father wants to give you. God will be with you. He will direct your steps. He will walk beside you and even carry you when your need is greatest.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “A Yearning for Home,” General Conference, October 2017)

I love the way President Uchtdorf says this—that following Christ and trying to live our life the way He would have us live it “removes the barriers between [us] and the help [our] Heavenly Father wants to give [us].” Those barriers are walls that we put up ourselves. They come from Satan who tricks us into believing we are not worthy of such help or that we are too insignificant to be worth our Heavenly Father’s time. They come from our own poor choices and refusal to repent. They come from being too comfortable in our shortcomings and not wanting to be uncomfortable or vulnerable. But our Heavenly Father wants to pour blessings and help upon us if we will throw those barriers aside. He will be there for you in your struggle, in your affliction, and in your sadness if you will put your faith in Him.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: What barriers are you putting up between yourself and your Father in Heaven? What is holding you back today?

“Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.” (Jacob 2:17)

We have a motto in our house: “People are more important than things.” When my kids are fighting I ask them if they are treating their brother as if he were more important than the things. It is amazing how just that simple mind shift can resolve conflict and foster kindness—A simple reminder of the worth of the human in front of them.

When our hearts are full of love and compassion, we are able to see our fellow human beings more clearly. We can see them as Christ sees them. We see them as our family—brothers and sisters who are struggling and just trying to make it through this life—just as we are. When we see the person for who they really are—a child of the same God we lovingly call Father—we find a way to help. We see the real value of all our “precious” things and being “free with [our] substance] is a natural extention of the love in our hearts. We must see our neighbors, stranger, those who may be struggling from addiction or circumstances beyond their control. We have to see them for who they are and think of them as we would think of our selves.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: Who can you empathize with today? Who needs you? What do you have to give today? Your time? Money? Food? Love? Prayers?

Mindfulness Tip: When you pause to breathe today, repeat to yourself our family motto: People are more important than things.

“Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in may instances doth confound the wise.” (Alma 37:6)

Things are feeling pretty rough out there right now. Hurricanes, fires, and earthquakes are ravaging the world. There are so many social problems and racial tensions. People are being so awful to each other. Violence abounds. War and acts of terrorism are so commonplace that they hardly make the news any more. It can be disheartening, depressing and debilitating. There are so many causes that need attention. It feels overwhelming and I feel powerless to make any kind of difference at all. Just getting myself and my little family through the day sometimes feels like more than I can manage.

I am a drop in a bucket. Just one drop. But together, we can fill that bucket up. Alma teaches us that we are not insignificant. That our small gestures of kindness and giving and teaching and loving matter. We can teach our children, love our neighbors, and take care of each other. We can serve where we are, when we can, with our unique talents and abilities. And our small, seemingly insignificant and simple acts will add upon each other. It is not foolishness to think that we can make a difference through our small efforts. Yes, the problems are too big for one person alone, but “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: What small acts can you do this week to put some positivity into the world? Think small, simple, manageable. There is no offering too small.

“As we come to trust rather than resist our divine Teacher, He can work with us to enlighten and lift us to a new reality.” (Elder D. Todd Christofferson. “Abide in My Love” General Conference, October 2016)

We recently got a new dog. He is friendly and sweet and HUGE. We have been working with him on walking nicely on a leash. The first time we put the leash on him he was not thrilled about it. He pulled and shook his head. He jumped up on his hind legs and tried to rub the thing off with his paws. He sat his 100 lb body down and wouldn’t budge. His resistance came from fear of the unknown, discomfort, and a lack of trust. He didn’t know us yet, and didn’t know that we were trying to do something good for him by leading him somewhere that would make him happy–so he resisted. Strongly! Eventually we were able to coax him forward and help him realize the world of possibility that was open to him with the leash if he would trust and follow us.

We are often like this with the Lord. He knows the wonderful places and blessings that are to come, but we have to trust and follow Him. When we fight and resist out of fear or discomfort, we miss out on great blessings and we end up stuck in the same place we always have been. When we stop fighting and follow Him, He can take us to new heights.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: Where are you resisting your Teacher? How can you turn that resistance into trust so that you can work together with Christ?

Call to Action: Ponder on trust vs resistance today. As thoughts come to mind, write them down. Try to make a list of the small ways you are practicing resistance rather than trust.

Mindfulness Tip: Mindfulness is about being in the present moment. Sometime today, when you feel like reaching for your phone, make yourself wait 5 minutes and spend that time noticing what is happening around you: sights, smells, sounds, sensations and feelings

“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 hi the pains and the sicknesses of 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.” (Alma 7:11-12)

This has always been my favorite scripture. It has brought me peace and comfort in so many of life’s circumstances. An understanding of this passage opened my eyes to what the Atonement really was. It was not just to redeem us from sin—not that that incredible gift isn’t enough—but it is so that we will have a friend. Someone who can completely and perfectly understand what we are going through. He has experienced it all. And not just one representative example. He knows exactly what it is like to be NICOLE going through the tough stuff. He knows what it is like when I am afraid and trying to figure out my health. He knows, not just how it feels to parent a struggling child, He knows how I feel when I am struggling to parent my child. He knows what it is like to be me, with my weaknesses and strengths, with my history and past struggles, trying to figure out how get through the day to day and do all the things I need and want to do for my family. He has been lonely, betrayed, hurt, sick, and broken in all the same ways we have. He has been in our place and He knows the way through. He can offer perfect empathy and love and He waits for us with open arms.

President Uchtdorf said in a recent conference address “God knows your every thought, your sorrows, and your greatest hopes. God knows the many times you have sought Him. The many times you have felt limitless joy. The many times you have wept in loneliness. The many times you have felt helpless, confused, or angry. Yet, no matter your history—if you have faltered, failed, feel broken, bitter, betrayed, or beaten—know that you are not alone. God still calls to you. The Savior extends His hand to you. And, as He did to those fishermen who stood long ago on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, with infinite love He speaks to you: “Come, follow me.” If you will hear Him, He will speak to you this very day.” (“A Yearning for Home,”

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: What is your greatest struggle today? Is it physical, emotional, or spiritual?

Call to Action: Take the time today to take your struggle to the Lord. Lay it all out for Him. Even the parts you might feel guilty or ashamed of. The parts you think are stupid and inconsequential and not worth His time. Speak to Him out loud. Let Him help you.

“I found that when we’re earnest in creating a life plan for ourselves, we need to allow the Lord to be the architect of that plan. When the Lord is the architect, long-term benefits result and connect us to additional opportunities and experiences that accelerate our capacity for growth.” (W. Craig Zwick, “Ponder, Pray, Perform, Persevere,” New Era, May 2007).

I am a planner. I like to know where I am headed, and what to expect. I tend to get anxious if I don’t have a plan in place–for my life, for my kids, for the next month or the next 5 years. I will spend copious amounts of time researching and creating these life plans and when they inevitably don’t go as I had planned them, it can shake me up a bit.

When I was in high school I went on an amazing rip to Europe with my mom. We spent a few days in Paris and I fell in love with the city. I set a goal that I would someday live in that amazing city. In college I had it all planned out. There was a BYU study abroad in Paris and I was going to go during the fall of my sophomore year. I was studying at BYU-Hawaii and as winter semester moved along, I went through the application process for the following fall. I also really wanted to stay for spring term in Hawaii. I wanted to move off campus with a friend of mine and I really just didn’t want to leave the island I had come to love as my home. These 2 great desires of my heart were competing because if I was going to France, I needed to go home and get a job so I would have the money I needed for the study abroad semester and wouldn’t be able to stay longer in Hawaii. (I know, I know… tough life…). I prayed and prayed that I would somehow be able to do both, but never doubting that I would be spending the fall in France and fulfilling a dream I had been counting on.

The envelope came. I was an alternate. I wasn’t accepted into the study abroad program.

I was devastated. All my hopes and dreams (the dramatics of being 19) were shattered. I picked myself up and made plans for a great spring term in Hawaii, but my heart was a little broken and I wasn’t sure how I would be able to fit my Paris dreams into my college plans any more.

The second week of spring term I got a phone call. Someone had dropped out of the study abroad program and there was a spot for me. It was too late to drop my spring classes and get out of my lease so I stayed in Hawaii for spring AND had an amazing fall experience in France.

My God had plans that I didn’t know about. All along He was orchestrating it so that I could do both of the amazing things I wanted to do that year. I just needed to trust that He would work everything out for me if I was trying my best to do His will.

Now, it doesn’t always work out so seamlessly. Sometimes those plans and deep desires just aren’t God’s will for us—I certainly have had many other experiences where I have made plans, they have not worked out, I have been devastated and prayerful and they still didn’t work out. But in those situations, God’s plan has always turned out WAY better than the amazing plan I thought I had worked out. In time I have learned to make plans, but make them flexible and not let it destroy my world when they don’t work out. God always has something great in store for me if I keep the faith and just hold on a little longer. And He has great things in store for you as well if you will allow Him to be in charge.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: What is your big plan? Your secret wishes? Have you prayed to know what God’s plan is for you? What are His secret wishes for your life? Can you remember a time when your plans didn’t work out, but it was better in the long run or your desire was fulfilled in another, unexpected way?

 “But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.” Jacob 3:1

“As victims, if we are faithful, we can take great comfort in knowing that God will compensate us for every injustice we experience. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin stated: “The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. … Every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.” (“The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness” Kevin R. Duncan, April 2016 conference)

If we come to the Lord in faith, if we trust Him, trust in Him, and believe that He can and will do what He said He would do, we can find comfort in any affliction. Our trials often seem unfair, unjust and undeserved – especially when those trials come to us by way of another person’s poor choices. But through our faithfulness and reliance on Christ, we can receive comfort in knowing that God is just and He will make everything right for us in the end if we will just trust in Him and follow Him.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: Do you believe that Christ can and will do what he says He will do? Where could your faith, or faithfulness be improved? Do you need consoling now?

Call to Action: Where you find your faith lacking, pray for more faith.

Mindfulness Tip of the day: As you practice today, notice when doubt or hurt come into your mind. Try to release it without judging yourself for your doubt.