Living Up to God’s Expectations for Us
While researching an article on Ziba Peterson, I noticed something interesting about him. One thing I noticed is that you have probably never heard of him, even though, if you study Mormon history, you will have heard of most of the other people in the event that got him into Mormon history at all.
Mary Fielding Smith: Mormon Pioneer
Filed under: Adversity, Mormon Women's History, Priesthood, Women of the Church
Mary Fielding Smith was the wife of Hyrum Smith. Hyrum was the brother of Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are sometimes nicknamed Mormons. The brothers were murdered at a young age, leaving behind young wives and children.
Mary Fielding Smith--Mormon Pioneer
Mary Fielding Smith did not let the trials she had already faced, or those she would face in the future as a widowed mother in a church under constant threat of persecution and death slow her down or destroy her faith. She accepted that other people would be able to cause troubles for her she couldn’t control, and she might be among a hated group, but she could could still take control of much of her life. Like so many pioneer women, she showed extraordinary courage and faith through even the most challenging times. Read more
Why Does God Give Some People More Than Others?
Filed under: Finding joy within the gospel, Overcoming Adversity
When I tell the story of Joseph and the multicolored coat, from the Old Testament, to young children, they never really get the story. In fact, they never really see Joseph as the hero. Those with younger siblings immediately side with the brothers, and think it’s really unfair Joseph got a beautiful coat and the brothers didn’t. Not only do they approve of Joseph’s brothers selling him, but they express a longing to do the same to their own seemingly more favored siblings.
Preschoolers want everything fair and equal. Sometimes, even as adults, we wish everything were equal. We look around and wonder why some people don’t seem to have any trials, or why some people have more blessings than others. We then wonder if that means God loves some of us less than others. Read more
O Lord, I Beseech Thee
“O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant” (Nehemiah 1:11)
Be Still, and Know That I Am God
It is reported that Brigham Young (1801-1877), the second president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the Mormons, once said, “we should pray as if everything depended on the Lord, then work as if it all depended on us.” (Dorothy M. Hellberg, “‘Well Worn, Minus Rough Edges’,” Ensign, Feb 1984, 63) Most of us go through life with this belief and try very hard. However, sometimes we are faced with insurmountable odds. We start to feel the hopelessness and despair that comes from not knowing any possible way out.
Thy Sister’s Keeper
Filed under: Adversity, Every Day Adversity, Family & Friendships, Mind & Body, The Adversary
Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful.
When They Fall
May 24, 2008 by Moira T · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Adversity, Family & Friendships, The AdversaryMistakes! We’ve all made them. Some mistakes are easily corrected, others can take quite a lot of time and effort to fix. I’ve made my share of mistakes. I will probably make a few more before my time on this earth is through. Big or small, I can honestly say that I’ve learned from my mistakes. They’ve made me a better person, a better mother and wife. My mistakes and my journey to overcome those mistakes are as much a part of me as any other attribute that makes me – me.
The Words We Speak and Write
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”
A Silver Lining
It’s been raining here all day. Rain, rain, rain! So much for our plans for the day. Now, we have to postpone them for tomorrow which means tomorrow’s agenda has to be pushed off for another day. Ordinarily, postponing tasks for another day isn’t such a big deal but we are moving in a couple of weeks. We need to get our stuff packed, shampoo the carpets, clean the windows, paint a couple of walls, and so on. In short, we’ve got a ton of stuff to do and could have used a nice sunny day. Instead, we got rain, lots and lots of rain!
Helping in the Midst of Such Great Suffering
The world has been overflowing with grief in the past few weeks. It’s made me stop and think about my part in all of this. I don’t live near any of the recent disasters, either inside or outside of the United States, but still my heart weeps right along with these people. I’m so far away and I have no idea what I could possibly do to help ease their tremendous suffering. I’m just one person, one person who can not transport herself there to wipe a tear or help with the physical labor or relief efforts. I went looking for answers in the one place I trust the most: my faith and my religion.
Like Us? Follow Us
