“Remember, honey contains all of the substances necessary to sustain mortal life. And the doctrine and gospel of Christ is the only way to obtain eternal life. Only when our testimony transcends what is in our mind and burrows deep into our heart will our motivation to love and to serve become like unto the Savior’s. It is then, and only then, that we become deeply converted disciples of Christ empowered by the Spirit to reach the hearts of our fellowmen.

When our hearts are no longer set upon the things of this world, we will no longer aspire to the honors of men or seek only to gratify our pride (see D&C 121:35–37). “

-M. Russell Ballard

Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have

peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.

Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

“If we will hold fast to the Church’s proclamation on the family, we will see that we hold the jewels, as it were, that can enrich so many other things. Let the world go its own way on the family. It appears to be determined to do that. But we do not have that option. Our doctrines and teachings on the family are very, very powerful, and they are full of implications for all the people on this planet.” -Neal A. Maxwell

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 THE FAMILY

A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

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This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

2 Nephi 31:19-21

19. And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

20. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward feasting on the words of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

21. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen

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“Press forward with a steadfastness is Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope…” 

I’m going to do it.

Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

God Bless America!

  “The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner.” -Joseph Smith

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“I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed his stamp of approval on the Constitution of this land. I testify that the God of heaven sent some of his choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government, and he has sent other choice spirits—even you who hear my words this day—to preserve it.” -Ezra Taft Bensen

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“I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of Constitutional power.”-Thomas Jefferson

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I love this beautiful land of America! I personally believe God had a hand in the creation of this great nation. We have the privilege of choosing our leaders. I pray we choose Well!

Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday!

Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

“Today, in a quiet grove at Valley Forge, there is an heroic-sized monument to Washington. He is depicted not astride a charging horse nor overlooking a battlefield of glory, but kneeling in humble prayer, calling upon the God of Heaven for divine help. To gaze upon the statue prompts the mind to remember the oft-heard expression, ‘A man never stands taller than when upon his knees.

“Men and women of integrity, character, and purpose have ever recognized a power higher than themselves and have sought through prayer to be guided by that power. Such has it ever been. So shall it ever be.” (Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 1978, “The Prayer of Faith”).

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Years ago I went with my son Alex on a field trip to the Utah State Capitol. We were able to view the above painting by Arnold Friberg, “Prayer at Valley Forge”.

What a beautiful painting.

As we came out of the room where the painting was displayed, standing there talking to people was Arnold Friberg. I was so excited, and we came closer to listen to what he was telling those standing around him.

He was talking about how when he was painting General Washington’s hands, the traditional way to depict praying hands was with the palms together, the fingers extended, and the hands flat against each other. He said he wanted to show the earnest feeling General Washington must was have felt, by putting the hands together with the fingers interlocked and kind of clenched, almost white knuckled. Wow, it changed the way I will view that painting forever! Mr. Friberg was a very nice man, and it was an experience I will never forget.

I am so grateful for George Washington. For his conviction and determination. What a great patriot! I am even more grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who directed the founding leaders of our great nation! God Bless America!

“There is nothing sad or gloomy about a person who accept the truths of the gospel and incorporates these principles in his daily living. God wants all of his children to be joyous and glad, and we can have this blessing if we are willing to keep his commandments and live by his word in all that we do”

-Howard W. Hunter

Hope your Sunday was the Best!  Love, Joy

17 Miracles 

   The movie “17 Miracles” has been out for over a year, but we watched it again tonight as a  family.

It is a great movie!

It is the story, or part of the story, of the Mormon handcart pioneers. In particular the Willie Handcart Company. The movie tells the story of Levi Savage, and other pioneers as they make their way across the plains in 1856 to the Salt Lake Valley. They have many hardships. Many of them die on the way. They almost don’t make it, but they were rescued by brave men who came for them from Salt Lake. The best part about the movie, and my favorite part, are the miracles. There are more than “17” miracles. We did a count during the movie, and had a discussion and the more we discussed it, the more miracles we came up with.

I love that God has a hand in our lives. He is totally aware of us and what we’re going through. Sometimes He allows us to go through trials to help us grow, and sometimes it is so others can grow, seeing the sacrifice that is made. I am sure many people are amazed and changed after hearing about what the pioneers went through.

I know I am.

If you would like to know more about the movie, you can go here!

Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

“Our freedom to choose our course of conduct does not provide personal freedom from the consequences of our performances. God’s love for us is constant and will not diminish, but  he cannot rescue us from the painful results that are caused by wrong choices.”         -Marvin J. Ashton

Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

“It is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy