Pandemic

At New Year’s 2020 none of us saw the pandemic becoming such a disruption to our lives. I have never seen illness so widespread.

So many people lost loved ones, jobs, and their way of life was seriously disrupted. We have many industries that took a serious hit. I must acknowledge all these things before going on. I don’t want anyone to think I am minimizing the pain of 2020.

Despite the terrible challenges the pandemic brought into our lives, we are resilient. The human family learned and adapted, and today life is much more stable than when the whole world shut down. Many have commented that they are sure that 2021 will be the year that COVID goes away. And I truly hope that is true. But even if it isn’t, we will manage well because we have already learned all we need to do to cope.

Earthquakes

There have been many major earthquakes in the world in 2020. I have family in the Salt Lake valley, and even though the place is riddled with fault lines, Salt Lake had never had a major quake until 2020.

Many historic buildings were shaken, and the Angel Moroni on the Salt Lake Temple lost his trumpet. The quake came right after lockdown and really disrupted life for weeks with aftershocks.

But there is good news in this. Earthquakes are now no longer something they have never experienced. Everyone knows how to handle it and have had practice in earthquake proofing. And if another big quake comes it won’t be the end of the world. Because we will know what to do, and we are already prepared.

Food shortages

Part of the fun of a pandemic and lockdown is food shortages. The strangest things were gone off the shelves. Ramen noodles ran out completely in my grocery store. That is one thing I never expected to miss either.

And Gluten free pasta was really hard to find. So now I have a stockpile if we ever run short again. But in the shortages we got used to trying new foods and eating out of the garden. I think that change was good for us.

We even did something to prevent another toilet paper shortage from effecting our family. We got a bidet! My son loves it, and I love how much cleaner it leaves you than toilet paper. Sometimes challenges like a pandemic give us new solutions to problems we didn’t even know we had.

Wild Fires

What was with all the fires this year? It seemed like the whole world was burning! Poor Australia and a chunk of the western part of America burned in 2020.

My neighbor’s 5-year-old was devastated when he realized Koala Bears were suffering. He prayed for them every night. And the whole world prayed for those who had lost everything.

I haven’t figured out a solution or a comfort to the fires. We definitely are praying they do not return with 2021. But in the process of praying for so many people in 2020 we got really good at it. So the up side here is that our prayer muscles and our faith grew in 2020. And we will be better prepared for 2021 because of it.

Quarantine

Quarantine threw me for a loop. I remember driving to the store during that time and being shocked that every parking lot EVERYWHERE was totally empty.

I was one of maybe 5 cars on the street in my large town. Prior to the lockdown my husband traveled at least 60% of the year for his job. He would leave Monday morning and fly home on Thursday night.

But when all the borders closed some of his co-workers were almost trapped in other countries. So his company changed their plans and all travel will be remote till mid 2021. It has been a HUGE change for him. But we love the extra family time we get with him home. And even though I think most of us went a little crazy in quarantine, the blessings of renewed family relationships were much needed.

Working from home

When the lockdown happened many people suddenly had to change how they did their jobs. One of the wonderful things that came out of the pandemic was the new trend of working from home.

Some of my friends worked in places that would just pass germs around in a cycle that never ended. But now they are all working remotely and are much healthier for it.

My family is working from home too. And we have never been healthier. Although the worry of COVID hangs over every person in the world, at least we haven’t been in contact with others to catch our usual colds and flu. This social distancing is a blessing for that reason. I do miss seeing people, but it makes those I get to see matter that much more.

School at home even in 2021

And finally, one of the hidden blessings of 2020 for our family has been school at home. I have known for years that my son would only truly thrive if he schooled from home. But I was afraid of failing him as a teacher, so I never tried as hard as I should have. With 2020 and schools needing to close, and when they opened they were only at partial capacity, homeschool became our answer.

To read more of Abby’s articles in her Living in Harmony column, click here.

We really gave long term homeschool a try and found it to be exactly what he needs. For the first time in his life, he hasn’t burned out before the semester ended. He is excited about school and reminds me of lessons.

His stress levels are much lower, and I am not having to medicate him for his ADHD. We just work around it and take many breaks. It is amazing to see him thrive.

Many are speculating about what 2021 will look like. But I think that even if 2021 is exactly the same as 2020, we will be ok. Because the lessons we have learned and the changes we have made will make us stronger for anything it may throw at us.

Abby Christianson

Abby is capable and caring. She is learning more about Autism and parenthood every day. Having completed training to be an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) for ABA therapy she is beginning to understand her son. And even though she is the first to admit she makes a lot of mistakes, she is so grateful to be on this journey. She comes from a family with many autistic members. She invites us to join her, as she shares her adventures. She wishes to emphasize that Autism is a difference not a defect. If you or a family member have autism, Abby wants you to know that the challenges can be overcome, and there are blessings in autism. You or your loved one are not sick or broken. Together we will teach the world this new language.

I wanted friends who understood me, who shared my values, but I always had to keep my guard up. When you are the only one with the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is always something coming up. With the Word of Wisdom particularly, most of the world is very different with their values.

Value your values

Especially in high school it was hard to find friends who shared my values. But I had goals to be married in the temple, and to be someone I could be proud of. I knew my Heavenly Father wanted me to succeed too. So, I leaned on Him often.

I would pray in my heart as I walked the halls of the school. I said silent prayers when I was on a date. Any time I felt like I needed His guidance or strength, I said a prayer. I often prayed to find good friends who would help me keep my values and my covenants. And the Lord guided me to find many of them!

Movie disaster

One time I remember being at a party and the kids there wanted to watch a movie. So, we went to rent one and I decided I needed to be part of the decision-making process so maybe I could steer them away from anything rated R.

Despite my best efforts they decided on an NC-17 movie. UGH!! I really liked these kids, but there was no way I could stay and watch that movie. So, I called my mom, and she came and got me.

Even though I was embarrassed I knew I had chosen wisely. The next Monday at school everyone who had been at the party told me how glad I should be that I went home. They said the movie was awful and they didn’t know what they were thinking choosing to watch it.

One gal even told me that she wished she had the courage I did to leave the party. It was at that moment that I learned there are those of other faiths who value our values. And in keeping my values high I was making it easier for them to do the same.

Gaining strength to keep your values strong

And nobody held it against me that I didn’t stick around for the show. It was eye opening! I could be friends and still keep my covenants! Because real friends valued me just for being me.

And each time I kept my promises to myself I gained strength to keep them more easily the next time. The scriptures talk about this in Alma 32: 27-29.

27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than ^adesire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

 

28 Now, we will compare the word unto a ^aseed. Now, if ye give place, that a ^bseed may be planted in your ^cheart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your ^dunbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to ^eenlighten my ^funderstanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

 

29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.

Growing your faith

I love how the Lord assures us that even having a desire to know, or a desire to have faith, is enough to help it grow. And as it grows, and as your strength grows, so does your closeness to God.

I found that visualizing my goals helped me keep my values and stay on the covenant path. I got my endowments in the Washington DC temple when I was 21, with no plans to go on a mission. I wanted to be sealed in the temple when I got married. So, I kept a picture of the temple on my dresser.

Then as I was dating guys more seriously, I found another reminder to keep my values in clear sight. I used my favorite sealing room in the DC temple as inspiration, and made a bracelet out of the colors in the room. They were lavender and cream, and so gorgeous. Looking at it and feeling it on my wrist brought my goals of temple marriage mind. I still love that temple and the strength it gives me.

You can do it

Everyone will face challenges to their resolve in their lives. That is part of the opposition in all things that this earth is particularly good at giving us. But the Lord has not left us to fend for ourselves. He has promised that He will make up the difference. All we need to do is want to succeed, want to have faith, and He will help us with the rest.

To read more of Abby’s articles in her Living in Harmony column, click here.

We can pray, set reminders around, and even wear reminders. And when the moments of decision come, we must act. It is in those moments we will see what we are made of.

We will gain strength as we keep our promises to ourselves and to the Lord. And as we surround ourselves with others who are trying to stay close to God, and keep on the covenant path, this will be easier. You will never regret keeping your values high.

Abby Christianson

Abby is capable and caring. She is learning more about Autism and parenthood every day. Having completed training to be an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) for ABA therapy she is beginning to understand her son. And even though she is the first to admit she makes a lot of mistakes, she is so grateful to be on this journey. She comes from a family with many autistic members. She invites us to join her, as she shares her adventures. She wishes to emphasize that Autism is a difference not a defect. If you or a family member have autism, Abby wants you to know that the challenges can be overcome, and there are blessings in autism. You or your loved one are not sick or broken. Together we will teach the world this new language.

You’ve got to hear this. Last Christmas my mom gave me a white stocking. Inside it was this poem, and it was such a beautiful and touching gift that I want to share it with you.

The White Stocking

By Regina Slaugh

There were packages wrapped for the young and the old.

Each stocking was filled, and the Christmas story told.

Every child would be happy, no grown-ups were slighted.

Each soul was remembered, and we were delighted.

But when the first rays of Christmas were dawning,

The littlest child discovered the stocking.

Oh, we were surprised, now where had it come from?

And where had it been when the others were hung?

While we were remembered with presents a plenty,

The little white stocking was hanging there empty.

In all of our efforts to love and remember,

Who had we missed for our gift this December?

Remember on Christmas we honor the birth

Of our Savior divine and His life on the earth?

Well, this stocking so white with simple gold trim

Started each of us thinking of giving to Him.

So then all at once we began to explain,

That surely this stocking had a meaning quite plain.

We should include in our holiday giving,

A gift to the Savior, the King of all Living.

Now each Christmas Eve we all gather together,

And write down our gifts to Him on some paper.

Next into the stocking our papers will go

Goals to help faith and obedience grow.

We try to remember the gift that we’ve given

And make it a part of our everyday living.

Then our gift to the Savior will last all year through,

Until next Christmas Eve, when we write something new!

New Tradition

To read more of Abby’s articles in her Living in Harmony column, click here.

This year we are going to do as the poem says. We are starting a new tradition! I am so excited to see what my family decides to do.

And I am excited to have a chance to give the Savior a gift I can focus on all year long.

Abby Christianson

Abby is capable and caring. She is learning more about Autism and parenthood every day. Having completed training to be an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) for ABA therapy she is beginning to understand her son. And even though she is the first to admit she makes a lot of mistakes, she is so grateful to be on this journey. She comes from a family with many autistic members. She invites us to join her, as she shares her adventures. She wishes to emphasize that Autism is a difference not a defect. If you or a family member have autism, Abby wants you to know that the challenges can be overcome, and there are blessings in autism. You or your loved one are not sick or broken. Together we will teach the world this new language.

We had large meals and parties every weekend, sometimes more than one. There were office parties and gift exchanges. And we even wondered how we would fit all the gatherings into our busy schedules. This year is much different.

But Christmas is still a pivotal holiday. It’s a time to remember the Savior and His birth and His love and sacrifice for us. We had an online Stake Fireside tonight as our Christmas Devotional. We have weekly Sacrament meetings on YouTube. And at Thanksgiving we ate our meal as a household. Then we joined multiple zoom meetings to see the extended family we missed eating with.

But what will Christmas look like?

A friend told me that for a recent family gathering she and her extended family planned to meet at a church parking lot. They would quickly exchange gifts and then sit in their individual vehicles and share a conference call.

It sounds like a delightful way to see people and still get to socialize a little bit. And it also sounds like a safer way to gather with the global pandemic in full force. But there is still something missing with that arrangement.

In our family we usually have a gift exchange with all the little cousins on my husband’s side of the family. They each draw names and get gifts for each other. It is so cute to see them get excited to share with their cousin and get to see the joy when they open their gift.

Creating a Gift Exchange over Zoom?

I have been wondering how we will get a chance to see those happy little faces when they open their gifts. I enjoy Zoom calls more than a conference call. So, I think adopting my friend’s suggestion is good with a little revision.

I think we will have representatives from the family meet a few days before Christmas to disburse gifts. Then we can have a Zoom call and see people open their gifts. Otherwise, these little faces will be blocked by a mask and all the joy will be hidden behind it.

This year will be different. There is a vaccine for COVID that they are working on. I hear they could have it out in a month. But Christmas is only two weeks away. And planning to keep the traditions you love will help Christmas not feel too weird. I’ll be honest the Zoom calls are my new favorite thing. I get to see my brother across the country on the holiday, and usually we must catch up afterward.

Creating memories

What traditions matter most to you? What do you want to make sure doesn’t disappear behind the social distancing and masks? Thinking ahead will make this Christmas more meaningful and will preserve the joy of this wonderful season.

We have been creating time to drive through a local neighborhood that goes all out for Christmas lights. And it has been wonderful. Usually, we have one night we go looking at lights. But this week we have already gone twice!

I have also noticed more neighbors are putting out more lights this year. Driving around the neighborhood to “Ohh” and “Ahh” is an easy family activity. The lights are always my favorite part of Christmas, so I’m taking more trips this year to see lights.

Creating Christmas Matters

To read more of Abby’s articles in her Living in Harmony column, click here.

Creating Christmas this year will be different, but it will still be wonderful if we keep the Savior at the center of our celebrations. We also need to be sure that even if gathering is not on the agenda that we find ways to make the season special.

That will look different for you than it does for me. But it still matters that we celebrate, and reach out in love and kindness.

May your Christmas be warm and loving. And may the Spirit of Christmas touch your heart.

Abby Christianson

Abby is capable and caring. She is learning more about Autism and parenthood every day. Having completed training to be an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) for ABA therapy she is beginning to understand her son. And even though she is the first to admit she makes a lot of mistakes, she is so grateful to be on this journey. She comes from a family with many autistic members. She invites us to join her, as she shares her adventures. She wishes to emphasize that Autism is a difference not a defect. If you or a family member have autism, Abby wants you to know that the challenges can be overcome, and there are blessings in autism. You or your loved one are not sick or broken. Together we will teach the world this new language.

I do miss everyone, but most of our family lives in the same area. And we have been talking on the phone and text, so it’s not so bad. And I know I will see them when this is over. But the extra time I gained got me a head start on Christmas cards, and I loved that. And fortunately, ZOOM has made sure we all still get to visit.

Overeating on Thanksgiving

Almost without fail I overeat at Thanksgiving. But this year I didn’t! Well, a little bit. But when we gather each family brings a dish to add to the huge variety.

And everyone takes a little of everything, which means that I eat more than I would usually. This year I made everything for our small family. And without the extra dishes, we didn’t make ourselves sick.

This thanksgiving was also different because it gave me a chance to explain to my husband some of the things he usually misses about autism and holidays. My sweet son has meals at the same time every day. So, having thanksgiving dinner early, like many families do, won’t work for him.

Autism education

I did manage to get him to eat 30 minutes early, but that was a major thing! My son also doesn’t do “special” foods. He had the same thing he has had every dinner for months for thanksgiving, because that is what he enjoys, and he doesn’t like turkey, or new foods.

Usually I have to help my son, or explain my son’s behavior to every one sitting close by. But my husband is across the room with other nieces and nephews and completely misses what we are going through. So, it was nice to have just the 3 of us together at dinner tonight.

Extended family

It was peaceful in a new way too. I love our extended family, but there is always a lot of drama when we get together.

Someone has to complain about their in-laws or their exes. Then without fail someone doesn’t understand autism and causes a meltdown which is really disruptive.

And of course, someone feels like the holiday has to be totally controlled by them or the day isn’t complete. It’s hard having the extra stress of extra people.

We have had to prep my son to handle the influx of family the holidays bring. His younger cousins love him a lot and tend to mob him. It overwhelms him every time. So, we developed an understanding that when he needs space, he can take his iPad into a quiet room.

Or he can ask me to have a break, so we leave for a walk and come back when he feels calmer. Sometimes there is nothing I can do for him except leave early. And we have just had to adjust to that. Today he was happy to have his usual routine. I was happy to have a little less stress.

Dinner my way

The final part of Thanksgiving that was different, was I got to make dinner my way. My family has a tradition about breaking the wish bone.

But I prefer not to have to deal with a turkey carcass. So, I did a turkey roast, and it was much faster to prepare.

I have a sister in law who hates onions, and a brother in law who won’t touch potatoes. But I got to make mashed potatoes with chives and not worry that someone was going to be grossed out. Honestly, I love these people, but I am looking for all the good differences we had this year. And I really loved loading bananas into the fruit salad even thought my sister can’t eat them. Having dinner prepared to my tastes was a small treat that made 2020 different.

Next Thanksgiving will be better

To read more of Abby’s articles, click here.

I’m looking forward to things going back to “normal”. But this year, seeing how much less stress I had, I have learned a few things. Like next year I may not insist on hosting. And I’m going to make an effort not to overeat. That was a wonderful change that has to stay.

And I have learned that I have too many unreasonable expectations of myself. In years past I had to clean every bathroom, every bedroom, and every inch of the house for company.

Clearly, I can handle some changes to my house preparing routine. I miss everyone but learning how to do things differently is a growing experience that will make all the following years better.

Abby Christianson

Abby is capable and caring. She is learning more about Autism and parenthood every day. Having completed training to be an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) for ABA therapy she is beginning to understand her son. And even though she is the first to admit she makes a lot of mistakes, she is so grateful to be on this journey. She comes from a family with many autistic members. She invites us to join her, as she shares her adventures. She wishes to emphasize that Autism is a difference not a defect. If you or a family member have autism, Abby wants you to know that the challenges can be overcome, and there are blessings in autism. You or your loved one are not sick or broken. Together we will teach the world this new language.

I have seen many of other faiths watch and comment on their thoughts. But today I feel moved to share his message about the healing that comes from gratitude. You can find all these links at www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

As I prepared these thoughts it occurred to me that some may be able to access this web page, but not the official church web page for whatever reason. So I am including the prophet’s message, both the video and a written copy of his message for your reference. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

THE HEALING POWER OF GRATITUDE

By President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

As a doctor I know the value of good therapy. So, dear friends, may I prescribe two activities to help us experience the healing power of gratitude.

 

President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Wendy Nelson

During my 96 years of life, I have seen a Great Depression, a world war, the rise of terrorism, hunger, and poverty throughout the world. I have also witnessed the advent of space travel, the internet, medical advance­ments galore, and countless other discoveries that delight me.

 

Prior to my ministry, I was a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon and spent many hours in operating rooms. As a surgical resident, I was one of the research team that developed the first heart-lung machine to be used in a human open-heart operation.1 Subsequently, I had the privilege of helping to save lives of hundreds of patients, and, sadly, I watched other patients die despite my best efforts.

 

As a man of science and as a man of faith, the current worldwide pan­demic has been of great concern to me. As a man of science, I appreci­ate the critical need to prevent the spread of infection. I also honor the devoted service of health care professionals and grieve for the many whose lives have been upended by COVID-19.

 

As a man of faith, however, I view the current pandemic as only one of many ills that plague our world, including hate, civil unrest, racism, violence, dishonesty, and lack of civility.

 

Skilled scientists and researchers are laboring diligently to develop and distribute a vaccine against the coronavirus. But there is no medication or operation that can fix the many spiritual woes and maladies that we face.

 

There is, however, a remedy—one that may seem surprising—because it flies in the face of our natural intuitions. Nevertheless, its effects have been validated by scientists as well as men and women of faith.

 

I am referring to the healing power of gratitude.

 

The book of Psalms is filled with admonitions to express gratitude. Here are just three of them:

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.”2

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good.”3

“Come before his presence with thanksgiving.”4

 

Jesus Christ frequently expressed gratitude. Before raising Lazarus from the dead, before miraculously multiplying loaves and fishes, and before passing the cup to His disciples at the Last Supper, the Savior prayed and gave thanks to God. No wonder the Apostle Paul later de­clared, “In every thing give thanks.”5

 

Over my nine and a half decades of life, I have concluded that counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems. No matter our situation, showing gratitude for our privileges is a fast-acting and long-lasting spiritual prescription.

 

Does gratitude spare us from sorrow, sadness, grief, and pain? No, but it does soothe our feelings. It provides us with a greater perspective on the very purpose and joy of life.

 

Nearly 16 years ago my wife Dantzel and I were sitting on the sofa hold­ing hands while we watched television. Suddenly, she collapsed. Despite being well trained to treat the very thing that ended her life, I could not save my own wife.

 

Dantzel and I were blessed with nine daughters and one son. Tragically, I have lost two of those daughters to cancer. No parent is prepared to lose a child.

 

And yet, despite these and other difficult experiences, I am incredibly, eternally grateful for so very many things.

 

I am grateful to God for the nearly 60 years Dantzel and I shared to­gether, for a lifetime of love and joy and cherished memories. And I thank Him for my wife Wendy, whom I met after Dantzel’s passing. She now fills my life with joy.

 

I am grateful to God for the years I had with my two departed daugh­ters. This father’s heart melts when I see attributes of those girls in the precious faces of their children and grandchildren.

 

We can all give thanks for the beauties of the earth and the majesty of the heavens that give us an inkling of the vastness of eternity.

 

We can give thanks for the gift of life, for our amazing bodies and minds that allow us to grow and learn.

 

We can give thanks for art, literature, and music that nurture our souls.

 

We can give thanks for the opportunity to repent, start over, make amends, and build character.

 

We can give thanks for our families, friends, and loved ones.

 

We can give thanks for the opportunity to help, cherish, and serve one another, which makes life so much more meaningful.

 

We can even give thanks for our trials, from which we learn things we would not know otherwise.

 

Most of all, we can give thanks unto God, the Father of our spirits, which makes us all brothers and sisters—one great global family.

 

As a doctor, I know the value of good therapy. So, dear friends, may I prescribe two activities to help us experience the healing power of gratitude.

 

First, I invite you—just for the next seven days—to turn social media into your own personal gratitude journal. Post every day about what you are grateful for, whom you are grateful for, and why you are grateful. At the end of seven days, see if you feel happier and more at peace. Use the hashtag #GiveThanks. Working together, we can flood social media with a wave of gratitude that reaches the four corners of the earth. Perhaps this will fulfill, in part, the promise God gave to Father Abraham, that through his descendants “all families of the earth [shall] be blessed.”6

 

Second, let us unite in thanking God through daily prayer. Jesus Christ taught His disciples to pray by first expressing gratitude to God and then petitioning Him for the things we need. Prayer brings forth miracles.

 

In that spirit, I would now like to offer a prayer for the world and everyone in it. As I pray, I hope you will feel inspired to do the same, pouring out your heart in gratitude for the countless blessings God has given you and petitioning Him to heal our hearts, our families, our societies, and the world at large.

 

Our Father in Heaven, as fellow passengers on Thy planet earth, we humbly pray unto Thee. We thank Thee for life and all that sustains life. We thank Thee for the beauties of the earth, for order in the universe, the planets, stars, and all things of eternal significance. We thank Thee for Thy laws that protect and guide us. We thank Thee for Thy mercy and loving watchcare. We thank Thee for our families and loved ones who fill our lives with joy.

 

We are grateful for all who are striving to combat the COVID pan­demic. Please bless them with protection and inspiration. Wilt Thou help us end this virus that has plagued so many of Thy children.

 

We thank Thee for the leaders of nations and others who strive to lift us. We pray for relief from political strife. Wilt Thou bless us with a healing spirit that unites us despite our differences.

 

Wilt Thou also help us repent from selfishness, unkindness, pride, and prejudice of any kind so that we can better serve and love one another as brothers and sisters and as Thy grateful children. We love Thee, our dear Father, and pray for Thy blessings upon us in the name of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, amen.

 

May God bless you and your loved ones.

 

NOTES

1 In Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 1951.

2 Psalm 92:1.

3 Psalm 136:1.

4 Psalm 95:2.

5 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

6 Genesis 12:3.

© 2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Version: 10/20. PD60012115 000

To read more of Abby’s articles in her Living in Harmony column, click here.

President Nelson also wrote a beautiful article about the inspiration behind his global prayer of gratitude, and I am including it below.

I am so grateful that during a time that our world seems to keep getting darker, that we have a prophet who reminds us that there is so much to be grateful for.

That our prophet sees the light all around us, and reminds us to look up to our Heavenly Father at all times. We are so richly blessed to be living in this time.

The Story behind My Global Prayer of Gratitude– Russell M. Nelson

An Unexpected Awakening

 

Have you ever had the experience of waking up in the middle of the night with a distinct thought or impression? Since beginning my ministry as the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I’ve had my share of unexpected awakenings. Many of these have proven to be special and sacred moments from God. I want to share one such experience related to the special video message that was released today, November 20, 2020.

 

A few weeks ago, I woke in the middle of the night with the thought that I should offer a prayer of gratitude to God for all of His children around the globe. Thoughts flooded my mind of all of the things for which we should be grateful and how expressing that gratitude could become a healing spirit in our lives. As the inspiration came, specific details, including when and how I should share this message, came to my mind and heart. The video message shared today was not one that came by chance; it is one that came from heaven.

 

One of the Greatest Gifts of God

 

Since my service as President of the Church in 2018, one of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The marvelous privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children—available to every one of us.

 

No matter who you are, you can pray to your Heavenly Father for guidance and direction in your life. If you learn to hear the Lord through His promptings, you may receive divine guidance in matters large and small.

 

I am grateful for the awakenings I have received in my life that have helped me to know that the heavens really are open today. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the greatest example of both heeding the will of His Father and giving thanks in all things.

 

In Every Thing Give Thanks

 

As I said in my video message, I have concluded that counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems. No matter our situation, showing gratitude for our privileges is a unique, fast-acting, and long-lasting spiritual prescription. Simply stated, “In every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

 

Please consider accepting my invitation to flood social media for the next seven days with your own personal gratitude journal using #GiveThanks. And please join with me and others in thanking God through daily prayer. Prayers can bring forth miracles. May we all turn to God and more fully trust in Him.

Abby Christianson

Abby is capable and caring. She is learning more about Autism and parenthood every day. Having completed training to be an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) for ABA therapy she is beginning to understand her son. And even though she is the first to admit she makes a lot of mistakes, she is so grateful to be on this journey. She comes from a family with many autistic members. She invites us to join her, as she shares her adventures. She wishes to emphasize that Autism is a difference not a defect. If you or a family member have autism, Abby wants you to know that the challenges can be overcome, and there are blessings in autism. You or your loved one are not sick or broken. Together we will teach the world this new language.

It’s been a week and things are still in the air in some states. I am feeling disappointment myself in the voting system that seems very broken.

But no matter what causes it, we all experience disappointment in our lives. It’s part of this mortal experience. And we need to learn how to manage it, since it won’t be going away at least till the next life.

So, what do you do when you are disappointed? Here are a few steps I take to help lessen the impact on my emotions and get back to a place of peace.

Prayer/ Meditation will comfort disappointment

Prayer is usually the first place I got when I am disappointed. I have learned to ask the Lord for the “why” when His answer is no. And He doesn’t disappoint me.

So, if you are feeling disappointed about something, there is a reason you didn’t get what you asked for. And the Lord is often looking out for your best benefit even if you aren’t exactly thrilled with His answers.

Seek the bright side

Knowing the Lord is in charge, and seeks your best benefit and ultimate success, leads to this next stage. Seeking the bright side can also be called looking for the reasons or the hidden blessings that come from not getting what you initially wanted.

When I was in college I ran for president of my sorority. I was so sure that I was the best one for the job and put a lot of effort into my campaign. In the end my sorority sisters voted me the vice president over membership. I was disappointed!

But as I got to know the role of VP, I realized it was right up my alley, even more so than president would have been. I had so much fun building the membership of our chapter and planning really fun events.

I was much more social than I realized before I started. It became some of the best memories from my college experience. And I wouldn’t have had that chance if I had gotten what I first thought I wanted.

Look for blessings

As we look for the blessings around us, we become more grateful for what we have. Sometimes blessings are waiting for us and are dependent on our failure. When I was in college, I wanted to go on to be a professor.

This meant I had to get a master’s degree and eventually a doctorate. But when I took the entrance exams I failed royally. Now I could have taken them again, many people do.

But this was a chance for me to reevaluate my goals. And once I did I realized that what I loved about being a professor was working with people and teaching, and there were many ways I would be able to do that didn’t require the next 8 years of my life.

So, I began looking around and eventually went a completely different route. I still get to teach, which is what I also love. And over time that disappointment became just a small bend in the road.

Get your mind off the disappointment

Probably the hardest part of disappointment is how much it consumes your thoughts when its fresh. Let’s use the example of the election for a minute. The news is all election all the time.

And if your candidate has lost it’s just making it worse to watch the other guy make his acceptance speech and listen to the news talk about the guy who lost. So, I turn off the TV and find something else to do. My disappointment is only made worse when I dwell on it.

Keep moving forward

To read more of Abby’s articles in her Living in Harmony column, click here.

Fortunately, the world is full of many other things aside from elections. There will always be chores to do and friends to see.

And in the long run this presidential election isn’t going to affect most of us on a personal level. It’s the local elections that create change, and we have a chance to be involved personally on that local level.

The world is full of good and bad, it’s the balance of things. So don’t let a little disappointment get you down for long. Because there is always a new adventure right around the corner. And knowing how God works, its going to give us more blessings than the route we would have chosen for ourselves anyway.

Patty Sampson

Patty thrives on all things creative. You’ll often find her in the garden pretending she is a suburban farmer. She loves meeting new people, and is devoted to her friends and family. In her heart she is a Midwesterner even though life has moved her all over the country. She believes in “blooming where you’re planted” and has found purpose in every place she has been. She has a deep and abiding love for the Savior and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And she loves editing LDS Blogs because it is a constant spiritual uplift. Not many people can say their job builds their witness of the Savior.

Loving others who believe differently. 

Elder Dallin H Oaks

President Dallin H. Oaks explained:

“We should all follow the gospel teachings to love our neighbor and avoid contention. Followers of Christ should be examples of civility. We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs.

 

Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable. Our stands and communications on controversial topics should not be contentious. We should be wise in explaining and pursuing our positions and in exercising our influence.

 

In doing so, we ask that others not be offended by our sincere religious beliefs and the free exercise of our religion. We encourage all of us to practice the Savior’s Golden Rule:

 

‘Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them’ (Matthew 7:12).

 

“When our positions do not prevail, we should accept unfavorable results graciously and practice civility with our adversaries” (“Loving Others and Living with Differences,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 27).

Graciousness Leads To Unity

Gracious people are kind when they lose a game or an election. I think there are many gracious people in this world, and in our country.

I also know there are many people of faith who are appealing to our God to help their candidate win the election. Frankly, so am I.

Despite whom wins and who looses in a few days, I want to send out a plea for peace and unity. We are brothers and sisters, children of God. We are expected to live as He would want us to live.

And we will have a responsibility in coming days to help mend the divide this election has caused. Because no matter who wins or loses, there will be deeply disappointed parties. And as gracious and loving Christians, we must help unite our country again.

Unity in Heaven

In sacrament meeting today a gentleman bore his testimony. He told a story about a woman he knows who was very ill and in the hospital. She died and went to the other side, where she saw a church building.

Yes, there are churches in Heaven.

She went inside and they were having a Sacrament Meeting. She wanted to join them but heard a voice say “It’s not your time yet, you need to come back.” She returned to her body just as the Elders finished giving her a blessing of healing.

I learned a lot in that brother’s story. I learned that many of the things that exist here, (church buildings, sacrament meetings, etc.) exist on the other side. That comforts me because of the familiarity of those things.

I also learned that we are going to be gathering together on the other side, and there will be unity. Unity of purpose has always been a theme with God. He wants us to be united with Him. So, He will want us to be united with each other in harmony and love.

Brothers and sisters, we may feel and think differently. But we are all part of God’s great family. We have a lot to rejoice about. Our wonderful country is full of opportunity.

We are blessed to have the fullness of Jesus Christ’s gospel on the earth again. And as we look individually at our lives we are each very blessed by a loving Heavenly Father who loves us.

Balance

To read more of Abby’s articles in her Living in Harmony column, click here.

In Mormon 3:15 it reads in part

15 ^aVengeance is mine, and I will ^brepay;

It is God’s job to take care of balancing out justice and mercy. It is our job to let Him by forgiving and stepping back to let Him do His work.

So please my friends, do not let your hearts be troubled. Seek the support and love the Lord provides. Seek for unity, to love our neighbors, and to build God’s kingdom, and all will be well.

Abby Christianson

Abby is capable and caring. She is learning more about Autism and parenthood every day. Having completed training to be an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) for ABA therapy she is beginning to understand her son. And even though she is the first to admit she makes a lot of mistakes, she is so grateful to be on this journey. She comes from a family with many autistic members. She invites us to join her, as she shares her adventures. She wishes to emphasize that Autism is a difference not a defect. If you or a family member have autism, Abby wants you to know that the challenges can be overcome, and there are blessings in autism. You or your loved one are not sick or broken. Together we will teach the world this new language.

Where can I turn

“Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace when other sources cease to make me whole? When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice, I draw myself apart searching my soul.

Where when my aching grows, where when I languish, where in my need to know, where can I run? Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish? Who, who can understand? He only one.

He answers privately, reaches my reaching, in my gethsemane, Savior and friend. Gentle the peace He finds for my beseeching. Constant He is and kind, love without end.” – Where can I turn for peace, LDS Hymn 129.

Politics in 2020 is not peaceful

This year’s presidential race has been different than the one of years past. There is more contention and animosity than I have ever seen before.

Rational, Christian people have become venomous. And everyone is shouting fiercely that they are the only one who is right.

I’m not going to comment at all beyond that about politics. But I have seen such a change in people that I have to sound the warning call. Where is the Lord’s peace in this? If you are feeling and speaking so violently, are you behaving as God would have you do?

You can’t drill it in

Peace is not something you can drill into someone. Years ago, I remember a Seinfeld episode that took this phrase “Serenity Now” and used it as a weapon in their routine. It was hilarious! And it showed me just how impossible it is to gain peace or serenity by demanding it. If you are interested, here is the clip I was thinking of.

Peace comes when we are calm, when we are caring about other human beings as our brothers and sisters.

Peace is of God and is the prevailing feeling that accompanies every encounter with Him. I think there is an extraordinarily strong message there.

I am searching for peace. And I am praying that this climate can shift. Humankind is inherently kind and as children of God, we are naturally loving. Let us turn away from the violence and anger that we have let take over our media.

Media making it worse

The thing I don’t think people realize is that sponsors want us to see what they create, to generate revenue. The news is not a public service. It is a business. If we don’t turn on the shows that are vile and angry, they won’t make money.

So, let’s make a conscious effort to find truth and kindness. When I was in journalism school, we were taught that as journalists we did not make the news. We simply were to stand to the side and report honestly what was happening.

That does not happen anymore. Reporters usually are coloring what is happening with their own emotion and opinion. True reporting is becoming a thing of the past, and this must stop. We have a right to real, honest news. Not this one-sided filtering of the story.

Powerful lesson

Let’s turn back to the way the Lord works. It is clear Peace is important to Him. Our temples are a place of peace. Churches are places of peace. And our homes can be filled with peace also. Since peace is the first and major feeling the Lord uses to communicate, it is clear that anything that drives that peace out is not of God.

To read more of Abby’s articles in her Living in Harmony column, click here.

My friends, we can change the world as we become purveyors of peace. A purveyor is a person or group who promotes an idea or view. We can promote peace!

We must live in such a way that those with differing opinions don’t need to fear us. And we can teach our children that the person matters more than the politics.

Will you join me? Join me in finding and sharing the Lord’s peace. Because when we feel peace, we can feel God close by. And we receive His guidance much easier.

Abby Christianson

Abby is capable and caring. She is learning more about Autism and parenthood every day. Having completed training to be an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) for ABA therapy she is beginning to understand her son. And even though she is the first to admit she makes a lot of mistakes, she is so grateful to be on this journey. She comes from a family with many autistic members. She invites us to join her, as she shares her adventures. She wishes to emphasize that Autism is a difference not a defect. If you or a family member have autism, Abby wants you to know that the challenges can be overcome, and there are blessings in autism. You or your loved one are not sick or broken. Together we will teach the world this new language.

Mary Magdalene

I never knew that Mary Magdalene had been one of Jesus’s disciples. For some reason it had always seemed like the group of people who traveled with the Savior were all men.

My mind clearly didn’t know how things really were, but that was the assumption I made reading the Gospels.

I thought that Mary and Martha stayed at home, and Mary Magdalene was a friend of theirs. Now that seems silly, but then it made sense to me. This series The Chosen showed me that Mary Magdalen was a disciple. She was there when the Savior taught. And she was his friend. Seeing that played out onscreen is eye opening to me.

Simon Peter

When I read the scriptures I read about Peter, James and John. What righteous men they were to follow Jesus and be part of the original 12 disciples. But this program, The Chosen, has given me new insight. These were also men with real life struggles.

They had to pay taxes, and had families with problems. They didn’t begin existing when the Savior called to them. They had lives and challenges I never imagined. But more than anything, I hadn’t really thought of them as real men.

The scriptures are in a special language, and describe a time long gone. And those distance me from the reality of these men and their lives. The Chosen has opened my eyes and helped these men become real to me. And I love them for what they overcame to be the men of God that Christ asked them to be.

Jesus before

Another wonderful thing The Chosen pointed out, was that Jesus was a man. I keep seeing him in the Son of God role for 99% of his life.

But he had to work to provide for his needs, and he had to cook his own meals. He got cut if his hand slipped with a tool.

For some reason I always imagined that angels healed him, or he never got sick. I know the scriptures say he suffered all pains, but I thought that only happened in the Garden of Gethsemane. I mean, looking back now that seems silly. But I never saw Jesus Christ as a real man before this series.

The Rock

After watching the episode where Christ called his apostles on The Chosen, I looked up the name of Peter to see what it meant. I love Hebrew names because they always mean something beautiful. Turns out it’s in a different tongue, but Peter means ‘The rock’.

To be a rock one has to be strong, tough, and hard to move. That is how Christ saw Peter becoming, and gave him a new name. But I know that Peter likely started out like you and me. He had a dream that the Savior would come one day. But as the riggers of daily life kept coming, he stopped making that his greatest focus.

Learning from The Chosen

To read more of Abby’s articles in her Living in Harmony column, click here.

I am like Peter. I long for the day the Savior will come again. But I get caught up in chores and kids and school work, and soon forget to stay focused on what matters. I am loving this series. Well done BYU TV!

Writing this article without filling it with spoilers has been really hard. So I will stop now and simply encourage you to please watch The Chosen.

You will be glad you did. And there is SO much to learn in each episode. I am so grateful BYU chose to tackle such a challenging topic. I am learning in every episode.

Abby Christianson

Abby is capable and caring. She is learning more about Autism and parenthood every day. Having completed training to be an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) for ABA therapy she is beginning to understand her son. And even though she is the first to admit she makes a lot of mistakes, she is so grateful to be on this journey. She comes from a family with many autistic members. She invites us to join her, as she shares her adventures. She wishes to emphasize that Autism is a difference not a defect. If you or a family member have autism, Abby wants you to know that the challenges can be overcome, and there are blessings in autism. You or your loved one are not sick or broken. Together we will teach the world this new language.