Daily Devotionals

He Will Plead Your Cause

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“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)

I, like so many of you, have been swept up in the podcast world. I love to listen to podcasts when I am running, cleaning my house, or driving my kids all over tarnation for their various activities. We live in a small, mostly rural area so it is a 30 minute drive to everything. I have a lot of time to listen to podcasts in the car… but I digress.

Recently I have been listening to a true crime podcast that explores wrongful convictions. I have been struck by how vital it is to have a good lawyer when you are charged with a crime regardless of if you are guilty or innocent. Without one, an innocent person can be convicted even when there is little evidence presented against them. It is a “he said, she said” situation a lot of times and if the defense attorney doesn’t know the facts of the case or the laws surrounding the presentation of evidence well, they can make errors which are hard to overcome. Overturning a wrongful conviction through appeals and post-conviction relief takes years. An innocent person can spend decades in prison as a result of not having a good advocate in their initial trial.

How wonderful it is, then, to know that we will have the best advocate to plead our cause at judgement. He has a perfect knowledge of all sides of the case. He love us unconditionally. He sees our hearts, and knows our strengths and weaknesses. He knows our past and how that affects the way we react to difficult situations. He knows how often we have prayed and how hard we have worked. He knows about our good days and our bad days. He has been there to console and comfort us through all our trials. And he will be there to stand at our side and plead for us. We are ensured fairness, mercy and love when we stand at judgment day. I am incredibly grateful for that knowledge.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: What does it mean to you to have someone who will “plead your cause?”

Mindfulness Tip: “When thoughts are pressing in during meditation, rather than struggle with them, see them as a curious parade of strangers that you are watching from a bench on the sidewalk. Each passerby is different—some silly, some menacing, some dull. You wouldn’t hop up and try to stop a stranger you didn’t like the looks of; you’d just let him pass and see who was coming along next. Try treating your thoughts the same way.” (Rogers, Holly B. 2016. “The Mindful Twenty-Something.” Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.)

Daily Devotionals

Simple Service

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“I believe that most members consider service to be at the heart of their covenants and discipleship. But I also think that sometimes it’s easy to miss some of the greatest opportunities to serve others because we are distracted or because we are looking for ambitious ways to change the world and we don’t see that some of the most significant needs we can meet are within our own families, among our friends, in our wards, and in our communities. We are touched when we see the suffering and great needs of those halfway around the world, but we may fail to see there is a person who needs our friendship sitting right next to us in class.” (Bonnie L. Oscarson, “The Needs Before Us,” General Women’s Conference, October 2017)

I have been finding myself in a funk at the end of the day quite often lately. The days are busy and I have been feeling the overwhelm and feeling like I am rarely hitting the mark. I will definitely admit to being addicted to my devices, and the time wasted certainly doesn’t help me feel any better about my task list and makes me feel guilty about the things I “should” be doing. I love to help other people but between the overwhelm and the distraction I have not been doing a very good job of seeing the needs of those around me. I need to make a focused effort to put down my phone and connect with the humans around me. I know when they make the effort to connect with me it changes my day. I can do the same for them.

At the same time, I think we need to give ourselves some credit for the good that we do—even the “small” stuff. Raising children IS service. The things we do for our family members matter and make a difference. They are not insignificant and we need to stop feeling like we aren’t doing enough when we are making our best efforts.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: List the ways you served another person today—changing diapers, feeding children, working outside the home to provide for your family—every little thing you did counts! Then make a list of other ways you can serve in your home, family, and neighborhood.

Call to Action: Choose 3 things from your list to do this week. They don’t have to be grand gestures, they can be small and simple.

Mindfulness Tip: When you feel the urge to reach for your phone today, make yourself wait 5 minutes and spend those minutes trying to be in the present moment.

Daily Devotionals

Finding Treasure

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“My brothers and sisters, how precious is the Book of Mormon to you? If you were offered diamonds or rubies or the Book of Mormon, which would you choose? Honestly, which is of greater worth to you?” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like Without It?” General Conference, October 2017)

I will be honest, as Elder Nelson implores… This question hit me pretty hard. Financial struggles and burdens seem to constantly be at the forefront of my mind. Decisions about where, when and how to spend our money are the root of a lot of disagreements in our house. The stress of a tight month, the fear of an accident that could put my husband out of work for an extended period of time, and just the wants of daily life are wearing. I find myself daydreaming often about what I would do if we won a million dollars, or an unknown rich relative left us a large inheritance. New cars, new furniture, new gadgets and traveling the world are, of course, fun to think about, but just not having to think so much about money in the every day sounds pretty wonderful. I certainly wouldn’t turn it down if someone wanted to give me rubies and diamonds—to wear or to fund my dreams of paying someone else to clean my house every day.

But sitting on the shelves just in the one room of my house where I am writing this I have 2 sets of scriptures, a computer with internet access to the scriptures, a tablet and a phone I carry around in my pocket all with the Book of Mormon—a treasure beyond riches. While I know its value and I am so glad to have it, I know I don’t treat it as the treasure that it truly is. Perhaps, if I turned my attention to the Book of Mormon and away from my dwindling bank account on a more regular basis, I could see things for what they really are. I imagine it would make a difference in the way I approach all things in my life—my spending habits and my long list of “wants” included.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: Ask yourself the same questions Elder Nelson asks above, “how precious is the Book of Mormon to you? If you were offered diamonds or rubies or the Book of Mormon, which would you choose? Honestly, which is of greater worth to you?”

Call to Action: Try this with me this week: When financial worries or “wants” come to mind, open your phone and read a verse or two from the Book of Mormon. Bring your thoughts back to the real treasure that you already have and carry with you all day. Does this refocusing and reframing change your attitudes?

Daily Devotionals

What is Faith?

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“Faith is a strong conviction about something we believe — a conviction so strong that it moves us to do things that we otherwise might not do. ‘Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see’ (Hebrews 11:1, New International Version 1984).” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf ,“Fourth Floor, Last Door,” General Women’s Conference, October 2016)

It seems to be harder and harder to exercise faith in these times. With the barrage of information coming at us on a day-to-day basis, it is hard to believe something without proof or logical argument to back it up. The things that require faith, often defy logic and the kind of rational explanation that we come to expect. President Uchtdorf goes on to say:

“[This] is often confusing to nonbelievers. They shake their heads and ask, ‘How can anyone be certain of what they cannot see?’ To them, this is evidence of the irrationality of religion.

What they fail to understand is that there are more ways to see than with our eyes, more ways to feel than with our hands, more ways to hear than with our ears.”

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: What does faith mean to you? Have you ever had an experience where your faith has moved you to do things you otherwise might not do? What do you have faith in? Try to remember an experience that taught you faith. How did you “see, feel and hear”?

Call to Action: As you go about your day today, try to see, feel and hear in “other ways.” When faced with something that requires you to exercise faith, pay attention to it. Sit with it. Write down your thoughts and experience.

Mindfulness Tip: Set an alarm on your phone that reminds you to stop and breathe

Daily Devotionals

Always Enough to Serve

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“Perhaps you don’t consider yourself all that useful; perhaps you don’t consider yourself a blessing in somebody’s life. Often, when we look at ourselves, we see only our limitations and deficiencies. We might think we have to be “more” of something for God to use us—more intelligent, more wealthy, more charismatic, more talented, more spiritual. Blessings will come not so much because of your abilities but because of our choices. And the God of the universe will work within and through you, magnifying your humble efforts for His purposes.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “A Yearning For Home,” October General Conference 2017)

I have found myself in the trap of the “not enough” frequently. I am not a crafter. My house is a mess. I am willing to serve, but not always great at seeing others needs. I am great at advice, but sometimes what is really needed is for me to just shutup and listen. I am not as good at that… I am a talker and don’t always have great impulse control. The classic ways of serving others are not really my forte. Others seem to have so many talents that I just completely lack.

But God created us to be individuals. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. We all go about things a little differently. If God wanted us to all serve in the same way, he would have given us all the same talents. No. God needs our differences. He needs our individuality. He needs your unique gifts just as much as the standard, “typical,” more visual talents. Our job is to figure out what our gifts are, and then figure out how we can use them to serve others. When we make that effort, God will use us to do great and mighty things—or maybe just small, but equally wonderful things for the one person who needed it at that moment.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: What are your unique talents and gifts? How can you use them to serve?

Mindfulness Tip: “When you are meditating by using your breath as your anchor to the present moment, keep observing mind active by saying in and out silently to yourself as you breathe. This will help you gently tether your awareness to your breath. Keep alert for movements of the mind that draw your attention away from the breath.” (Rogers, Holly B. 2016. “The Mindful Twenty-Something.” Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.)

Daily Devotionals

Finding Truth and Common Ground

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“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?

Daily Devotionals

The Help Your Heavenly Father Wants to Give You

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“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?

Daily Devotionals

People Are More Important Than Things

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“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.

Daily Devotionals

Small but Mighty

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“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.

Daily Devotionals

Trust vs Resist

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“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