Love Takes Time

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

Have you ever heard the saying "Love Takes Time" before? Have a immediate family member of yours ever heard the saying, "Love Takes Time" before? Have a friend of yours ever heard the saying "Love Takes Time" before?

This post focuses on a October 1975 General Conference talk, and it is called "Love Takes Time" by Marvin J. Ashton. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. Elder Ashton has mentioned 

the following; "... The world is filled with too many of us who are inclined to indicate our love with an announc-

ement or declaration. True love is a process. True love requires personal action. Love must be continuing to be 

real. Love takes time. Too often expediency, infatuation, stimulation, persuasion, or lust are mistaken for love. 

... We must at regular and appropriate intervals speak and reassure others of our love and the long time it takes to prove it by our actions. Real love does take time. ... Love demands action if it is to be continuing. Love is a process. Love is not a declaration. Love is not an announcement. ... Love is not an expediency. Love is not a convenience. ... Keeping is a process of care, consideration, and ... All of us need to be constantly reminded it takes a heap of living and loving to make a house a home. How do we best show our love? How do we prove our love?

... When were you last fed by a family member or friend? When were you last given nourishment for growth and ideas, plans, sorting of the day, sharing of fun, recreation, sorrow, anxiety, concern, and meditation? These ingredients can only be shared by someone who loves and cares. Have you ever gone to extend sympathy and comfort in moments of death and trial, only to come away fed by the faith and trust of the loving bereaved? 

Certainly the best way for us to show our love in keeping and feeding is by taking the time to prove it hour by hour and day by day. Our expressions of love and comfort are empty if our actions don’t match. God loves us to continue. Our neighbors and families love us if we will but follow through with sustaining support and self-sharing. True love is as eternal as life itself. Who is to say the joys of eternity are not wrapped up in continuous feeding, keeping, and caring? We need not weary in well-doing when we understand God’s purposes and his children.

Undoubtedly our Heavenly Father tires of expressions of love in words only. ... not too uncommon, of people who, hour by hour, day by day, and month by month, have taken the time to love one another. ... because, gratefully, all around on a daily and continuing basis, we see true love in action. ... What a pleasure it is also to witness all along life’s paths others - people not driven by tragedy, crisis, or loss practicing the basic principle of true love. In the usual routines of life often courtesy, consideration, and kindness are best exhibited in the little day-to-day meaningful expressions that denote real love.

... The opportunities for showing love for God through the home, neighborhood, mission field, ..., and family are never-ending. Some of us are inclined to terminate our love processes in the family when a member disappoints, ..., or becomes lost. Sometimes when family members least deserve love, they need it most. Love is not appropriately expressed in threats, accusations, expressions of disappointment, or retaliation. Real love takes time, patience, help, and continuing performances. ... Love of God takes time. Love of family takes time. Love of country takes time. Love of neighbor takes time. Love of companion takes time. Love in courtship takes time. Love of self takes time.

Whether we are a young son, not wanting to hear of love, but preferring to see it in action, a prisoner, a student, a mother, a father, daughter, or the stranger, we need and deserve more than the declaration, “I love you.” Let us resolve to take the time to give of ourselves in putting love into appropriate action and performance. God, too, needs more than words. He is made happy by our feeding, keeping, and continuing. I pray our Heavenly Father will help us to learn the truth that meaningful love is a continuing process that will bring joy and happiness to all participating parties. ... God help us to take the time to enjoy the blessings of feeding, keeping, and caring. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk now or in your own time, here is the link below.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1975/10/love-takes-time

Stay Tuned until next time. 

Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

This post focuses on August 1993 BYU (as known as Brigham Young University) Devotional, and it is called "Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge" by Elder Richard G. Scott. This post is part two.  I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional, and I hope that you would be able to learn something new

while you are reading through this post. 

Elder Scott has mentioned the following; "... What do I mean by this statement: “As knowledge unfolds it must be understood, valued, used, remembered, and expanded”? I’ll explain each concept.

Understood: 

As each element of truth is encountered, it should be carefully examined in the light of prior knowledge to determine where it fits. ... It must be viewed in perspective to confirm that you have not jumped to false conclusions. Prayerful pondering engenders further understanding. Such evaluation is particularly important when the truth comes as an impression from the Spirit.

Valued: 

... To value knowledge is to show appreciation for it, especially in heartfelt prayers of gratitude.

Used: 

Application of truth is the surest way of making it eternally ours. It is the use of knowledge that causes it to bear fruit in our lives. One of the best examples of the use of knowledge gained is expressed in these familiar words of President Kimball:

We hope that the leaders and the members of the Church who have attended and listened to the conference have been inspired and uplifted. We hope you have made copious notes of the thoughts that have come to your mind as the Brethren have addressed you. Many suggestions have been given that will help you as leaders in the perfection of your work. Many helpful thoughts have been given for the perfection of our own lives, and that, of course, is the basic reason for our coming. ... [CR, October 1975; also, Ensign, November 1975)

And then the real learning begins!

Remembered: 

Brigham Young declared, “If you love the truth you can remember it” (JD 3:358). Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how it is treasured. That practice enhances the likelihood of receiving further light.

Powerful spiritual direction in our lives can be overcome or be forced into the background unless we provide a way to remember it. Joseph Smith taught ...

If you assemble from time to time, and proceed to discuss important questions, and pass decisions upon the same, and fail to note them down, by and by you will be driven to straits from which you will not be able to extricate yourselves, because you may be in a situation not to bring your faith to bear with sufficient perfection or power to obtain the desired information; or, perhaps, for neglecting to write these things when God had revealed them, not esteeming them of sufficient worth, the Spirit may withdraw and God may be angry; and there is, or was, a vast knowledge, of infinite importance, which is now lost. [From minutes of instruction to the Council of the Twelve, February 27, 1835; HC 2:198–99]

... Each of us will be blessed as we heed it in our own private life.

Expanded: 

This thought refers to the rich benefits that result as we diligently strive to enlarge, extend, and increase our understanding of truth. Productive resources for expanding our knowledge are the scriptures and the declarations of the prophets. President Benson counseled that we should make daily study of the scriptures a lifetime pursuit.

I ... say to you that one of the most important things you can do ... is to immerse yourselves in the scriptures. Search them diligently. ... Learn the doctrine. Master the principles that are found therein. . . . Few other efforts . . . will bring greater dividends to [you.] Few other ways [will result in] greater inspiration. 

... [”The Power of the Word,” Ensign, November 1986, p. 81]

... The need to exercise faith in Jesus Christ is understood by each of us. That is a fundamental requisite of the plan of salvation. When that exercise of faith is coupled with urgent need, the personal growth and blessings that flow are transcendent. ... 

"Of all treasures of knowledge, the most vital
is that of God." - Spencer W. Kimball.

The role of obedience in gaining spiritual knowledge is crucial, as this comment of President Joseph Fielding Smith demonstrates:

Now the Lord would give us gifts. He will quicken our minds. He will give us knowledge that will clear up all difficulties, and put us in harmony with the commandments that he has given us, and with a knowledge that will be so deeply rooted in our souls that the knowledge can never be rooted out, if we will just seek for the light and the truth and the understanding which is promised to us, and which we can receive if we will only be true and faithful to every covenant and obligation pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ. [CR, October 1958, p. 22]

To keep the commandments, we must know them. The best single source for learning them is the scriptures. ... President Joseph Fielding Smith gave this admonition:

Today we are troubled by evil-designing persons who are endeavoring with all their power to destroy the testimonies of members of the Church, and many members of the Church are in danger because of lack of understanding and because they have not sought the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord. Every baptized member of the Church receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of hands. This, however, will not save them unless they continue in the spirit of light and truth. Therefore it is a commandment from the Lord that members of the Church should be diligent in their activities and study of the fundamental truths of the gospel as it has been revealed. ... [CR, October 1963, p. 22]

Profound spiritual knowledge cannot be poured from one mind and heart into another. It takes faith, trust, and diligent effort. Precious knowledge comes a small piece at a time with great exertion and at times with wrenching struggles. The Lord intends that it be that way so that we can grow, mature, and progress. We are asked to do all we are capable of doing first before asking for divine assistance.

... In order to teach young people how to approach the Lord and how to prepare to receive what the Lord has promised for those who are faithful, we must teach them these fundamental steps. ... As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Carefully separate them from the detail used to communicate or explain them. Principles are encapsulated knowledge, packaged to be applicable to a wide variety of circumstances.

It is worth great labor to reduce information we gather to succinct statements of principle. While there is much of value to be learned, there is only one arena of study where we may learn absolute truth—and that is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

... I believe that we often do not learn the truths the Lord would freely share because we do not in humility earnestly seek light. We also can leave the most precious personal direction of the Spirit unheard because we do not strive to understand, value, use, remember, and expand the first promptings that come to us when we are in need or when impressions come in response to earnest, intense prayer.

You can see the things that I have been teaching you are not theory. I have learned them in the crucible of personal experience. I am sorry I cannot communicate them more clearly, but I know how you can also receive that kind of direction: Ask the Lord, seek the light, have faith in the Savior, strive to obey his commandments. He will bless you with light to lead you as you walk through this treacherous world in which we live.

I know he lives. I certify he lives. He knows each of us personally. Your efforts to learn of him, to learn truth, to be better prepared are appreciated by the Redeemer. As you continue faithfully, he will bless your efforts and inspire you and lead you to greater knowledge and capability. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk now or in your own time, here is the link below.
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/richard-g-scott/acquiring-spiritual-knowledge/

Stay Tuned until next time.

Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

How do you acquire spiritual knowledge throughout your life? What is your definition and understanding of the word, "knowledge?" What does "knowledge" means to a immediate family member? What does "knowledge" 

means to a friend? 

This post focuses on August 1993 BYU (as known as Brigham Young University) Devotional, and it is called "Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge" by Elder Richard G. Scott. This post is part one.  I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional, and I hope that you would be able to learn something new

while you are reading through this post. 

Elder Scott has mentioned the following;

"... I have chosen to concentrate on the subject “acquiring spiritual knowledge,” although the thoughts expressed have relevance to the acquisition of all worthy knowledge. One may ask, “Why center on spiritual knowledge?” President Kimball gave this answer: Spiritual learning takes precedence. The secular without the foundation of

the spiritual is but like the foam upon the milk, the fleeting shadow. Do not be deceived! One need not choose between the two ... for there is opportunity to get both simultaneously; 

... Secular knowledge, important as it may be, can never save a soul nor open the celestial kingdom nor create a world nor make a man a god, but it can be most helpful to that man who, placing first things first, has found the

way to eternal life and who can now bring into play all knowledge to be his tool and servant. [TSWK, p. 390]

President J. Reuben Clark observed: There is spiritual learning just as there is material learning, and the one without the other is not complete; yet, speaking for myself, if I could have only one sort of learning, that which
I would take would be the learning of the spirit, because in the hereafter I shall have opportunity in the eternities which are to come to get the other, and without spiritual learning here ... [CR, April 1934, p. 94]

"Spiritual knowledge is fruitful only when it is applied."
- Shri Radhe Maa.

President Gordon B. Hinckley stated: 

This restored gospel brings not only spiritual strength, but also intellectual curiosity and growth. Truth is truth. 

There is no clearly defined line of demarcation between the spiritual and the intellectual when the intellectual is cultivated and pursued in balance with the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and strength. 

... Your presence here indicates that you understand and follow that admonition of the Lord. ... I commend you for having the interest in educational advancement. 

... Analogies with physical light help us understand the power of spiritual light. A bulb illuminated in a dark room overpowers darkness. Yet if the darkness is too intense, it can overpower light, as with a bulb plunged into a bucket of black printer’s ink. 

Spiritual light overcomes the darkness of ignorance and disbelief. When transgression severely clouds a life, the focused spiritual truths of repentance cut the blackness as a laser penetrates the darkest ink. Why must one, in humility, earnestly seek divine light? Does it really require that much effort? 

... Brigham Young paid the price of learning by carefully listening to the Prophet Joseph Smith and striving to understand in context everything that was taught by word, example, or the Spirit. The resulting tutoring has blessed generations. It conditioned Brigham Young to learn additional truths and to share far more than he had received personally from Joseph Smith.

In my judgment, so much effort and personal investment is required to gain and use worthwhile knowledge that one cannot sample from every fascinating area of life but must select carefully the few vital areas where focused energy can be applied to bless our lives and those we serve. My personal experience confirms that to gain knowledge of great worth requires extraordinary effort through personal involvement. This is particularly true when our desire is to gain spiritual knowledge. President Kimball said it this way:

The treasures of both secular and spiritual knowledge are hidden ones but hidden from those who do not properly search and strive to find them. . . . Spiritual knowledge is not available merely for the asking; even prayers are not enough. It takes persistence and dedication of one’s life. The knowledge of things in secular life are of time and are limited; the knowledge of the infinite truths are of time and eternity. Of all treasures of knowledge, the most vital is the knowledge of God: his existence, powers, love, and promises. [TSWK, pp. 389–90]

Why is humility essential to the acquiring of spiritual knowledge? Humility permits us to be taught from on high through the Spirit, or to be taught from sources whose origin was inspiration from the Lord, such as the scriptures. The seeds of personal understanding and growth germinate and flourish in the fertile soil of humility. Their fruit is spiritual knowledge to guide us here and in the hereafter. A proud individual cannot know the things of the Spirit."

Stay Tuned until next time.

Finding Joy in The Journey ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

I would like to encourage you to think about, ask yourself and answer the following questions either now or in your own time. Do you think it is necessary for you to express "joy" towards your immediate family members, and your extended relatives throughout your life? Do you think it is necessary for you to express "joy" towards your friends throughout your life?

Do you think it is necessary for you to experience "joy" throughout your life? Do you think it is necessary for you to express yourself "joy" throughout your life? How can you apply "joy" in your life? This post focuses on October 2008 General Conference, and it is called "Finding Joy in the Journey" by President Thomas S. Monson. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. This post is part two. I hope that you would be able to learn something new while you are reading this post. 

President Monson has mentioned the following; "In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, verse 33, we are told: “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.” The ancient Roman philosopher Horace admonished, “Whatever hour God has blessed you with, take it with grateful hand, nor postpone your joys from year to year, so that in whatever place you have been, you may say that you have lived happily.”

... May we be found among those who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days as much as we can with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed.

"Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves
to recognize how good thing really are."
- Marianne Williamson.

... His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here?
Where does my spirit go when I die?

He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to serve. He taught us how to live. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved. 

The time came when He stood alone. ... Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His word. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude. 

Brothers and sisters, my sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or your own time, here's the link below.

www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2008/10/finding-joy-in-the-journey

How do you find joy in your life? I know that in the past; I often saw myself finding joy by spending some time with my husband when we go bike riding and groceries shopping, I find joy while talking to my family members, I find joy while talking to my true friends, I find joy by being happy during most times, and so forth.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Finding Joy in The Journey ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

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

This week's topics would be focusing on the following three topics and those topics are Joy, Knowledge, and Love. I would to explain how I have divided up the topics during this week. Today's post and tomorrow's post would be focusing on Joy. For Wednesday's post and Thursday's post would be focusing on Knowledge. Friday and maybe Saturday would be focusing on Love.

What is your definition and understanding of the word, "joy"? What does "joy" means to a relative? What does "joy" means to a friend? This post focuses on October 2008 General Conference, and it is called "Finding Joy in the Journey" by President Thomas S. Monson. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. This post is part one. I hope that you would be able to learn something new while you are reading this post.

President Monson has mentioned the following; "... Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of a possession we treasure. But most of the changes take place subtly and slowly. ... Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes.

The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes. This is our one and only chance at mortal life here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not.

... Instead, find joy in the journey now. ... there is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today. ... If you have children who are grown and gone, in all likelihood you have occasionally felt pangs of loss and the recognition that you didn’t appreciate that time of life as much as you should have. Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

"Find joy in the journey." - Thomas S. Monson.

If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will to your surprise miss them profoundly. 

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. 

Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. 

... We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us. Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks.

Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” ... Brother Hess wrote and I quote: “These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.”

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows. ... Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings. Said one well-known author: “... It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness] the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”

Stay Tuned until next time.