Meeting Life's Challenges

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a October 1993 General Conference talk, and it is called "Meeting Life's Challenges" by Thomas S. Monson. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk, and I hope you
will be able to learn something new while you are reading this post.

Brother Monson mentioned the following; 

"... Illness is not the only culprit that intrudes and alters our lives. In our hectic and fast-moving world, accidents can in an instant inflict pain, destroy happiness, and curtail our future. ... At times illness and accident take the lives of those whom they strike. Place and station, age and whereabouts make no difference. Death comes to the aged as they walk on faltering feet. Its summons is heard by those who have scarcely reached midway in life’s journey, and often it hushes the laughter of little children.

Throughout the world there is enacted daily the sorrowful scene of loved ones mourning as they bid farewell to a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a mother, a father, or a cherished friend. ... the Prophet Joseph Smith bore eloquent testimony of the Son of God, for he saw Him and heard the Father introduced him: “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” As we ponder the events that can befall all of us - even sickness, accident, death, and a host of lesser challenges, we can say, with Job of old, “Man is born unto trouble.”

Needless to add, that reference to man in the King James Version of the book of Job encompasses women as well. It may be safely assumed that no person has ever lived entirely free of suffering and tribulation. Nor has there ever been a period in human history that did not have its full share of turmoil, ruin, and misery. When the pathway of life takes a cruel turn, there is the temptation to think or speak the phrase, “Why me?” Self-incrimination is a common practice, even when we may have had no control over our difficulty.

Socrates is quoted as saying: “If we were all to bring our misfortunes into a common store, so that each person should receive an equal share in the distribution, the majority would be glad to take up their own and depart.” However, at times there appears to be no light at the tunnel’s end - no dawn to break the night’s darkness.

"Our most significant opportunities will be found in times greatest
challenge." - Thomas S. Monson

We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes.

... We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. 

... Whenever we are inclined to feel burdened down with the blows of life’s fight, let us remember that others have passed the same way, have endured, and then have overcome. ... Turning to our own time, let me share with you an example of faith, of courage, of compassion, of victory. 

It illustrates how it is possible to meet life’s challenges - head on. It exemplifies the ability to suffer physical impairment, endure pain and suffering, and yet never complain. ... There is one life that sustains those who are troubled or beset with sorrow and grief - even the Lord Jesus Christ. ... “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Yes, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is our Exemplar and our strength. He is the light that shineth in darkness.

He is the Good Shepherd. Though engaged in His majestic ministry, He embraced the opportunity to lift burdens, provide hope, mend bodies, and restore life. ... What power, what tenderness, what compassion did our Master thus demonstrate! We, too, can bless if we will but follow His noble example. Opportunities are everywhere. Needed are eyes to see the pitiable plight and ears to hear the silent pleadings of a broken heart. Yes, and a soul filled with compassion, that we might communicate not only eye to eye or voice to ear but, in the majestic style of the Savior, even heart to heart.

His words become our guide: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” He lives. He will sustain each of us. May we keep His commandments. May we ever follow Him
and merit His companionship, that we may successfully meet and overcome life’s challenges ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here is the link below.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/10/meeting-lifes-challenges

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Greatest Challenge in the World - Good Parenting ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on October 1990 General Conference talk, and it is called "The Greatest Challenge in the World - Good Parenting" by James E. Faust. This post is part two, I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk recently, and I hope you would be able to learn something new as you read throughout this post.

Brother Faust mentioned the following; "Among the other values children should be taught are respect for others, beginning with the child’s own parents and family; respect for the symbols of faith and patriotic beliefs of others; respect for law and order; respect for the property of others; respect for authority. ... One of the most difficult parental challenges is to appropriately discipline children.

... Every child is different and unique. What works with one may not work with another. ... Direction and discipline are, however, certainly an indispensable part of child rearing. If parents do not discipline their children, then the public will discipline them in a way the parents do not like. ... A principal purpose for discipline is to teach obedience.

President David O. McKay stated, 

“Parents who fail to teach obedience to their children, if [their] homes do not develop obedience society will demand it and get it. It is therefore better for the home, with its kindliness, sympathy and understanding to train the child in obedience rather than callously to leave him to the brutal and unsympathetic discipline that society will impose if the home has not already fulfilled its obligation.” (The Responsibility of Parents to Their Children)

An essential part of teaching children to be disciplined and responsible is to have them learn to work. ... Again, the best teachers of the principle of work are the parents themselves. ... Children need to learn responsibility and independence. Are the parents personally taking the time to show and demonstrate and explain so that children can, as Lehi taught, “act for themselves and not … be acted upon”? (2 Nephi 2:26.)

"I trust that there is a purpose behind my
challenges."

... Children are also beneficiaries of moral agency by which we are all afforded the opportunity to progress, grow, and develop. That agency also permits children to pursue the alternate choice of selfishness, wastefulness, self-indulgence, and self-destruction. Children often express this agency when very young. Let parents who have been conscientious, loving, and concerned and who have lived the principles of righteousness as best they could be comforted in knowing that they are good parents despite the actions of some of their children. 

The children themselves have a responsibility to listen, obey, and, having been taught, to learn. Parents cannot always answer for all their children’s misconduct because they cannot ensure the children’s good behavior. ... In a sense, some children in those circumstances hold their parents hostage by withholding their support of parental rules unless the parents acquiesce to the children’s demands. Elder Neal A. Maxwell has said, “Those who do too much for their children will soon find they can do nothing with their children. So many children have been so much done for they are almost done in.” (Ensign, May 1975)

It seems to be human nature that we do not fully appreciate material things we have not ourselves earned. ... what should parents teach? The scriptures tell us that parents are to teach their children “faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost,” and “the doctrine of repentance.” (D&C 68:25.) These truths must be taught in the home. They cannot be taught in the public schools, nor will they be fostered by the government or by society. Of course, Church programs can help, but the most effective teaching takes place in the home. 

Parental teaching moments need not be big or dramatic or powerful. ... The little things are the big things sewn into the family tapestry by a thousand threads of love, faith, discipline, sacrifice, patience, and work. There are some great spiritual promises which may help faithful parents in this church. Children of eternal sealings may have visited upon them the divine promises made to their valiant forebears who nobly kept their covenants.

Covenants remembered by parents will be remembered by God. The children may thus become the beneficiaries and inheritors of these great covenants and promises. This is because they are the children of the covenant. (See Orson F. Whitney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1929.) God bless the struggling, sacrificing, honorable parents of this world. May He especially honor the covenants kept by faithful parents among our people and watch over these children of the covenant. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here is the link.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1990/10/the-greatest-challenge-in-the-world-good-parenting

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Greatest Challenge in the World - Good Parenting ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

Feel free to ask yourself, and answer the following simple questions either now or in your own time. What would be the greatest challenge in the world? Have you ever thought about good parenting is the greatest challenge in the world? 

This post focuses on October 1990 General Conference talk, and it is called "The Greatest Challenge in the World - Good Parenting" by James E. Faust. This post is part one, I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk recently, and I hope you would be able to learn something new as you read throughout this post.

Brother Faust mentioned the following; 

"..., I ask for your faith and prayers this afternoon as I feel moved upon to discuss a subject which I have chosen to call the greatest challenge in the world. It has to do with the privilege and responsibility of being good parents. ... Even so, the most conscientious parents feel that they may have made some mistakes. ... The Lord has directed, “Bring up your children in light and truth.” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:40.) ... Being a father or a mother is not only a great challenge, it is a divine calling. It is an effort requiring consecration. 

... While few human challenges are greater than that of being good parents, few opportunities offer greater potential for joy. Surely no more important work is to be done in this world than preparing our children to be God-fearing, happy, honorable, and productive. Parents will find no more fulfilling happiness than to have their children honor them and their teachings. It is the glory of parenthood.

... In my opinion, the teaching, rearing, and training of children requires more intelligence, intuitive understanding, humility, strength, wisdom, spirituality, perseverance, and hard work than any other challenge we might have in life. ... To have successful homes, values must be taught, and there must be rules, there must be standards, and there must be absolutes. Many societies give parents very little support in teaching and honoring moral values. 

... As societies as a whole have decayed and lost their moral identity and so many homes are broken, the best hope is to turn greater attention and effort to the teaching of the next generation - our children. In order to do this, we must first reinforce the primary teachers of children. ... Somehow, some way, we must try harder to make our homes stronger ... Harmony, happiness, peace, and love in the home can help give children the required inner strength to cope with life’s challenges. 

"When life gets harder, challenge yourself to be stronger."

Barbara Bush, wife of President George Bush, a few months ago said to the graduates of Wellesley College: “But whatever the era, whatever the times, one thing will never change: Fathers and mothers, if you have children, they must come first. 

You must read to your children and you must hug your children and you must love your children. Your success as a family, our success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House but on what happens inside your house.” (Washington Post, 2 June 1990)

To be a good father and mother requires that the parents defer many of their own needs and desires in favor of the needs of their children. As a consequence of this sacrifice, conscientious parents develop a nobility of character and learn to put into practice the selfless truths taught by the Savior Himself.

I have the greatest respect for single parents who struggle and sacrifice, trying against almost superhuman odds to hold the family together. They should be honored and helped in their heroic efforts. But any mother’s or father’s task is much easier where there are two functioning parents in the home. Children often challenge and tax the strength and wisdom of both parents.

... I wonder if having casual and infrequent family home evening will be enough in the future to fortify our children with sufficient moral strength. In the future, infrequent family scripture study may be inadequate to arm our children with the virtue necessary to withstand the moral decay of the environment in which they will live. Where in the world will the children learn chastity, integrity, honesty, and basic human decency if not at home? These values will, of course, be reinforced at church, but parental teaching is more constant.

When parents try to teach their children to avoid danger, it is no answer for parents to say to their children, “We are experienced and wise in the ways of the world, and we can get closer to the edge of the cliff than you.” ... If children are expected to be honest, parents must be honest. If children are expected to be virtuous, parents must be virtuous. If you expect your children to be honorable, you must be honorable."

If you have read this far, quick question to ask and answer the following; would you believe this post marks 150th blog post?

Stay Tuned until next time.

Overcoming Challenges Along Life's Way ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a October 1987 General Conference talk, and it is called "Overcoming Challenges along Life’s Way" by Joy F. Evans. This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk recently, and I hope you would learn something new as you read this post.

Sister Evans continues and she mentions, "There are lesbian women, as well as homosexual men, in the Church. ... these people must likewise keep the commandments. Marriage and intimate relationships are to be reserved for husbands and wives, and ...

Sometimes we hear of Church members who outwardly do all the things that would indicate full Church involvement, yet who neglect their children or abuse them physically, emotionally, or sexually, who are untrue to their covenants and marriage vows, or who are dishonest in other ways. If such a person is listening, could we plead with you this night to repent, to seek help and forgiveness.

Mormon wrote of other people in another time and place who also were in such a state of wickedness. He said, as it might be said today, “Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them” (3 Nephi. 6:18). ... “Tell the sisters that it is all worth it. Tell them how beautiful and joyful life can be when you keep the commandments.”

"We don't grow when things are easy. We grow
when we face challenges." 

Perhaps this lesson is twofold: If you are not personally living a pure, righteous life, if you have somehow slipped away, repent and come back. Love and hope are real! If you know someone, or the loved one of someone, who has been excommunicated or disfellowshipped, try to understand the anguish. 

Sometimes what is said or done is less important than that someone cares enough to say or do anything at all.  ... It is indeed hard for them to feel that “all is well”; but even here, there is hope. 

Seeking help early is the best chance for recovery. Pretending there is no problem, covering up for the behavior, or shielding the person from the consequences of that behavior will never solve the problem. .. 

Above all, acknowledge your dependence on the Lord. Let him help and heal you. ... All can be well again. 

                                                                                                    There may be times when we do not understand the “why” of the challenges we face, when whatever is happening doesn’t seem fair or the people about us seem to be indifferent to our suffering. ... So it is with most of our personal suffering. The world goes on about us as if nothing out of the ordinary were happening. 

... One of our daughters and her family recently suffered a tragedy. Their house burned down, leaving little in the place of all their worldly possessions. The blessing was that even though five of their six children were at home, their two teenage sons remembered the training they had been given, picked up the little ones, and ran from the house. All were safe. And they felt great comfort from their ward and neighborhood, who rallied around with food, clothing, and offers of help. Such a blessing it is to belong to “the household of God” (Eph. 2:19). 

... For this family, as for others who experience trials and grief, love and help were extended, along with priesthood blessings and the assurance from the Father of us all that “blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life” (D&C 50:5). They have the same promise given to Joseph that “thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a … moment” (D&C 121:7). May we never be indifferent, sisters, to the suffering of others. May we be sensitive to those about us who are hurting for whatever reason. ..."

If you would like to read this whole talk either now or in your own time, here's the link below.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1987/10/overcoming-challenges-along-lifes-way

Stay Tuned until next time.

Overcoming Challenges Along Life's Way ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

Have you ever felt satisfied after overcoming the past challenges in life? 

This post focuses on a October 1987 General Conference talk, and it is called "Overcoming Challenges along Life’s Way" by Joy F. Evans. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk recently, and I hope you would learn something new as you read this post. 

Sister Evans mentioned the following; "Do you ever wonder, as I do, what gave the pioneer women the courage to sing, “All is well!” in the face of their many challenges? Do you wonder how, as we face today’s problems and concerns, we can continue to sing, “All is well”?

We need our personal answers to these questions as we, the sisters of the Church, respond to the charge given us to seek out and relieve the distressed, minister to the poor and needy, feed the hungry, teach and train wives and mothers, welcome and include every sister, lead the young women, and nurture the children - all these to further the work of perfecting the Saints.

... Sisters, we, too, can know that if we sometimes forget the instructions, when we are wondering what to do, indeed our Father will come. ... Our God will never us forsake. We may not, probably will not, receive a personal visit from the Lord, but the answers do come from prayer, the scriptures, the words of the prophet, the still, small voice of inspiration.

I should like to reassure you that we truly can find courage to face our challenges and also give service to those whose needs are even greater than our own. ... Sometime to each of us will come questions of life and death, purpose and our own inevitable parting. All of us have had losses or will have. Perhaps it is for this that we are taught “to mourn with those that mourn” (Mosiah 18:9) and to “weep for the loss of them that die” (D&C 42:45).

"Don't limit your challenges; challenge your limits. Each day we
must strive for constant and never ending improvement."
- Tony Robbins.

... We do miss those who die. No matter how many friends or family members one has, the loss of one beloved person is difficult. 

One great difference for us is our added knowledge that death is not permanent, that families can be forever. 

The understanding we have of the reality of the Resurrection makes the waiting endurable and purposeful. Indeed, “sweet is the peace the gospel brings” (Hymns, no. 14).

... Single women in the Church continue to be included daily in the prayers of Church leaders. Many single sisters are living rich, full lives. They have made happy homes for themselves, their families, and friends. ... They attend the temple and do genealogy work. They give compassionate service. They make the world better for their being in it. 

There are those in this group who have never married, although most of them would like to do so. There are widowed sisters who live alone and those whose marriages have been shattered by divorce. Many have difficult decisions to make regarding their choices in life.

Should they pursue a career? Can they be successful in what is traditionally a man’s business world? Should they try to be? How do they balance their expectations with the reality of their lives? ... How can they best fulfill the role given by the Lord to women?

Some of these sisters are single parents. Their challenges are many as they try to be both father and mother on what is most often a diminished income. ... Even when their children are grown, single mothers are still mothers and share in the trials as well as the joys of their children. ... For all of them, there are no simple answers except, as for all sisters, to do the best they can every day to look up; to learn; to evaluate resources within themselves, their families, their communities; to pray with faith; to search the scriptures; to find ways to be of service; to keep their own lives clean and pure, their relationships true; to forgive those who have caused the hurt.

Even as this is so, however, may every sister feel the warmth of friendship from her sisters in the Church and priesthood support from home teachers and bishops who care. May she be included, welcomed, given
opportunities to serve."

Stay Tuned until next time.