War of the Worlds

People panicked in the street.

Thousands of people flooded emergency services with phone calls asking how to flee the city. Scores of adults required treatment for stress and hysteria.

Now I realize that the gullibility of those people was not strictly because of the power of words. They trusted their news sources. Something that few people do today. But it’s a gripping example, right?

He had a Dream

Martin Luther King Jr. is probably the most eloquent example of the power of words. He was an amazing orator! His “I have a Dream” speech was so moving that it sparked a revolution. It was a revolution long overdue in our country. And every time I read his words I am moved.

Martin Luther King could motivate men to action with the strength of his words. If any of you have ever tried to get a group of people to do something, you know how hard it can be. I believe that God was on MLK’s side, and that he was given a divine gift for words.   He was living proof of my point- that words have power. And to this day his words are quoted when people are trying to make history.

Great speeches have spurred armies, comforted nations, and shaped history.

Words Motivate and Honor

On September 11, 2001 the United States was attacked by terrorists. We all remember the horror of that day. I was hurting, scared, and angry that small minded men had taken so much from so many people.

And then George W Bush stood up and gave a speech that calmed my fears and united a nation at a critical time.

My favorite part of his speech reads:

A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. Today, our nation saw evil — the very worst of human nature — and we responded with the best of America.

With these examples, how can we ever tell ourselves that what we say doesn’t matter?

Kind words matter

As COVID has changed the way our world works, one of the billboards on the side of the road that has struck me the most is a picture of a woman with a mask on. It says “I do it for my Mother.” Meaning, she wears a mask to protect her mother.

I saw that and started thinking of those who matter most to me. My mother is older, and so many I love are too. That billboard motivated me to feel like wearing my mask more often. It did it’s job, with the power of words.

Probably the most powerful way you can use words is to build and lift others. I have a friend who is complimentary, uplifting, and encouraging. People love being around her. She is radiant and happy and fun. And I want to be like her. She has made a big difference in my life and in the lives of many others. She helps build people up and makes the world a better place.

Words Lift

Her beautiful influence made a difference. I remember being a teenager and this friend invited me over every Thursday so we could chat. We did crafts and she taught me skills to strengthen my soul. In this case the power of words built up instead of breaking down. Her loving service is also something I will never forget.

Words of God

Probably the most powerful words you will ever hear are the words of God meant for you. Words in a talk, the scriptures, and in a blessing calm and guide. The words of the scriptures teach us and strengthen us.

I have always been amazed at how we can read the scriptures a thousand times, but each time the Lord teaches us something different from it’s pages. I would be remiss if I didn’t include that incredibly powerful source of knowledge when talking about the power of words.

So, now that we have been reminded of this amazing gift, what are we going to do about it? Our world is a little more difficult right now. Communication outside our homes is stifled by face masks. But it’s still possible to lift others with our words. Face masks haven’t stopped all forms of communication.

Communicate

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

I learned in a college communication class that we can’t NOT communicate. The face masks may have blocked one avenue, but there is a way we can be kind and influence our world around the mask. The tone of voice and kind words we share can ease the stress we all feel right now.

So with our inability to stop interacting with the world, let’s focus on using our powers for good. Every day we are faced with choices. We can make ourselves unforgettable in the lives of others with our kindness and light. Or we can hurt each other and spiritually maim with our verbal barbs. Which will it be? I have faith in you that you’re going to change the world for the better.

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.

You see, I grew up watching my mom cook out of the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. It had a red checker tablecloth print on the cover. So, after I moved out, I bought one for myself. It’s a great cookbook for making just about anything you want to from scratch. But I needed more guidance about what ingredients were better for me, and how to get my family on board with eating good food.

Then, just when I needed it most, my friend Amy Carter posted on Facebook that she had written a cookbook! Amy is a certified nutrition, fitness, and personal development trainer. I knew that if Amy put it together, it was worth a look.

So, I bought the digital version on Amazon, and I started to experiment. I was so thrilled with the results — both nutritious and delicious foods — that I decided to do a book review and give you all a treat as I introduce Amy’s cookbook, Balance Is Sweet, to all of you.

Real and Easy Cookbook

Before I go on, I must stress how real and easy the recipes are in Balance is Sweet. I used to be a Martha Stewart subscriber (before she went to jail). The dishes she made always looked pretty, but making them required access to gourmet ingredients picked on a July full moon. They were difficult to get and impractical for my family. My son is still convinced that macaroni and cheese is the height of gourmet pasta. So I stopped looking to Martha for advice.

When I opened Balance is Sweet, the first thing that hit me was that this food not only looked good, but it had real ingredients. I could find them in my own cupboards! And my son would recognize this stuff as real food and not lawn clippings or something totally foreign. I was impressed enough that I reached out to Amy for an interview. And I want to share some of her inspiration and insight that helped her create this book.

Amy’s Interview

Amy told me:

When my husband was in grad school, I found the Sneaky Chef and started hiding veggies in the food I made for our family. At first I was really excited and thought “Oh! This is cool! I am going to sneak vegetables into their food.”

But then my husband made a good point. He said, ‘Don’t you want them to know they are eating good food so when the when the time comes to eat that food again, they don’t assume they hate it?” I realized he had a point. Okay, yes, I want to be honest with my kids, but I DO want them to eat more veggies. 

So I started making them smoothies and added a bit of greens and eventually made them green smoothies. And they realized that things may look different than they taste. Now they enjoy eating these things and know they are going to taste good.

Helping Kids Eat Healthy

Now it’s not always easy to get a kid on board with eating his vegetables, especially children with sensory issues. But I have found ways around that. My son Enzo has Down syndrome. And with him, I like to try new things with something he already likes.

Especially with sensory issues, if you give them a new option in a form that they already like, you are more successful. For Enzo, he loves dip. So I know I can give him carrots and peppers, and if he has his dip, he is comfortable trying it because there is something on his plate that he knows he likes.

I take a familiar dish that has rice in it and make it the next time with couscous. The texture may be a little different, but they recognize the smell and they know they like the meal, so the texture isn’t too off-putting. Then I go from putting couscous in the dish to adding quinoa. And because I took small steps to get there, I am not shocking my kids, and the meal is not so foreign to them.

Baby Steps

You can do that with other dishes and ingredients too. You can make tacos, but instead of ground beef, you can use sausage or pulled pork. And you can make spaghetti and meat balls, but instead of ground beef in the meatballs, you can use ground turkey instead and slowly add spinach to the meat balls.

And eventually the kids are like, “Okay, yeah. I like the green meatballs. It’s different, but I like meatballs.” Our kids need to be able to recreate their good diets once they get out into the world.

For Moms

Amy also had some great insight about taking care of yourself as a mom.

We talk about our personal cup being full, and some women feel guilty or selfish putting themselves first. But the first thing we need to focus on when we are taking care of our family should be taking care of ourselves.

It isn’t so we can flaunt ourselves. We help ourselves gain more energy because our energy goes into taking care of our families. You as the mom lead the pack. Regardless of who is in charge, you are preparing and buying and making the food, and you have a vital role.

As the mom, we set the mood in the house. We are being watched. If we reach for chips and ice cream, then our kids are going to assume that is what they are supposed to do. And even though they may feel gross when they do it, they are going to think that is how they are supposed to feel and how their life is supposed to be.

Health Journey

When I was in college, I gained 40 pounds. And then when I went on my mission to Germany, I lost it. So, when I got married and I was the one making the meals, I found out that diet is a major influencer in how I feel and in my weight. That was when I started creating my own recipes.

But the biggest clincher that made me realize that I needed to write this cookbook was when I developed a heart condition. It was a year and a half ago, and I had heart problems because I was too focused on diet and exercise. To meet my goals, I decided to eat a Keto diet and train for a half marathon to lose that last 5 pounds.

I was working my body too hard. I wasn’t recovering properly and wasn’t feeding my body correctly. And since my heart was made to work so much harder, I ended up needing heart surgery. It took me about six months to recover after the procedure, so I had normal energy. And it made me realize that there is more than diet and exercise that is essential to our health.

Honest

The most important thing is that this cookbook doesn’t cut out all sugar. I sweeten things with natural sugars. And we don’t have to eat nothing but chicken and broccoli every day and be miserable. You shouldn’t limit yourself, because that limitation is not healthy for you.

Enjoy life and enjoy food! You don’t have to spend hours in the gym and eat only avocados and oil like the Keto diet. Our strict regimens are driving us insane. We need to find a healthy balance where we can eat chocolate every day. And that is what I try to teach my clients — that we need a balance.

Balance

These trials have taught me so much. I wouldn’t change anything because it taught me so much. Being thankful for everything changes your perspective. I want everyone to know that they are capable of doing more than they think they can.

My favorite quote is “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Sleep is the number one key to weight loss. I don’t count calories. They don’t matter, it’s all about hormones and having balance within our body so we can tap into the fat energy burning system.

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

Different programs help you create your own recipes. I help you create a whole month of meal plans by putting things in different categories and making sure there is a balance.

Free Cookbook!

Amy finished our interview by offering all of you a free copy of her cookbook. Amazon has increased the price to $8. It’s a Kindle version. But Amy offers a free digital version that you can print off (like I did) at Balanceissweetbook.com/free. I love this book! And I love how Amy’s focus of balance is so in line with the Word of Wisdom.

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.

Then last week, I stumbled across the Aaronic Priesthood Theme. According to my husband, they haven’t always repeated a theme at the beginning of class. But this new theme is just as amazing as the counterpart for young women.

Inspiring Theme

The new Aaronic Priesthood Quorum theme is as follows:

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

I am a beloved son of God, and He has a work for me to do.

With all my heart, might, mind, and strength, I will love God, keep my covenants, and use His priesthood to serve others, beginning in my own home.

As I strive to serve, exercise faith, repent, and improve each day, I will qualify to receive temple blessings and the enduring joy of the gospel.

I will prepare to become a diligent missionary, loyal husband, and loving father by being a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

I will help prepare the world for the Savior’s return by inviting all to come unto Christ and receive the blessings of His Atonement.

It’s amazing, right? The “I” statements are so effective and powerful. I feel like I am making those promises myself as I read the theme. My son is a brand-new deacon. And the idea of him repeating these inspiring statements every week fills me with joy.

Free Printable Theme Below

After reaching out to the leaders in our Ward, I found out they were already trying to say it weekly. So, at their request, I made the theme into a beautiful bookmark for each Aaronic Priesthood holder in our ward. It turned out well! And I decided it needed to be shared. So below you will find a free printable version for your young men.

The world is changing, but the Lord’s tools for His children are more powerful than ever. I have no doubt who will be victorious in this battle for our souls, and I am thrilled to get to witness the surge in spiritual power at our fingertips. I hope you are able to use this free printable of the Aaronic Priesthood theme to bless the young men in your ward.

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.

The Boy Scout motto is “Be prepared” — but what does that mean in real life? Once you are an adult with a family to worry about, how does that translate?

I love the movie One Fine Day with Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney. In one scene, Melanie (Pfieffer’s character) keeps pulling things out of her “mommy bag” to save the day.  At the end of the scene, George Clooney’s face is priceless as he says that he needs a bag like that. To me, that bag is being prepared.

Mom’s Grocery Store

Growing up, my mom’s idea of being prepared was having a spare room in our basement that we dubbed “the grocery store of Mom” because she stocked up on everything. We had a large family, so stocking up was wise. We went through a lot of things with six kids! And after I moved out, I had to figure out how to help my significantly smaller family prepare.

I’m not a fan of the traditional food storage that so many people these days are all excited about. I think that a lot of those long-term storage foods just aren’t edible. Powdered eggs, and anything with TVP (textured vegetable protein) just makes me gag. So when I am looking for long-term food storage, I have to be honest with myself. If I’m not going to use it, I don’t buy it. But if there is a sale on toothpaste, I get a few extra. They last for years and can be used later.  Those little extra supplies have given me quite a stockpile of short-term food storage!

Prepare

When I first got married, my husband gave me a hard time for this habit. But then a year into our marriage, I lost my job. He was a student at the time, and with no income, every extra bit of food and supplies kept us afloat till I found a new job. Needless to say, he doesn’t complain anymore.

Yesterday I was driving down the freeway and saw a billboard sponsored by ready.gov. The caption read, “‘Wait and see’ is not an emergency plan.” I love it! And they have a great point. Sadly, we need to be prepared for anything in this world of ours. Natural and economic disasters happen when you are least expecting them. But even a change in family situation is something to be prepared for. This month we started homeschooling my son. We hadn’t planned on it, but it is what is best for him right now. And every bit of preparation in my life has helped me stay sane with this major change.

Costco

So, are you prepared? If not, it’s not too late to start. For my small family, getting a Costco membership was an excellent investment. Practically every container purchased becomes a surplus supply. Next, you need a place to store it. Many people have nooks and crannies they discount that can make all the difference. Extra space next to a dresser can become a small storage spot. My favorite space to stash things is the space under the bed.

Canned goods easily fit between the frame and the floor.  Cans also fit under couches, and it helps keep toys from disappearing under there.  Most closets also have a few corners where you can fit supplies.  So, despite what all those preparation web sites are telling you, you don’t need anything special to get started. The most important thing is that you do something — anything — to get started.

It’s a Commandment

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

The doctrine of preparation is not new. Doctrine & Covenants 38:30 reads: “. . . if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” I personally find that when I have everything I need for a trip, even a short one, I am a lot more confident. So I try to be prepared with a first aid kit in my car. (I can’t tell you how many boo-boos I’ve fixed on the playground!)  And I even bring a gluten-free snack option for when we are on the go and I have to feed the family fast food. (Not many fast food places have good gluten-free options.) So preparation isn’t something you need only in a disaster. I need it regularly!

Testimony

In the same train of thought, we need to prepare ourselves by fortifying our testimonies. Strong faith is always required during hardships. Taking time every day to prepare yourself to be more confident before the Lord is an investment you won’t regret. President Nelson is inspired and has asked us to study the Restoration before April general conference. He said in the last conference that if we did as he asked, April conference would be an experience we would never forget. What a cool promise!!

I regret the times I haven’t taken advantage of promised blessings. And that is one blessing I can’t allow myself to miss. I am grateful for the counsel of our prophets to both spiritually and physically prepare for the future. There are great blessings in our future as we follow their counsel. Preparation and peace of mind are always worth the effort.

Would you like to write for this site? We’re looking for believing, practicing LDS volunteers to take on our open topics.

Click the picture below for more information.

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.

Our Refuge

Our homes should be a refuge for us. We often come home exhausted, and home should be a place of rest and rejuvenation. Retailers the world over seem to understand this concept, and home decor departments are full of items that remind us of being at the spa. The bedding departments tout the benefits of turning our bedrooms into a retreat.

And even paint departments offer color pallets and swatches that are supposed to elicit a feeling of peace. But there is one more area that I feel really makes a huge difference in our homes (and particularly in the way our homes feel): the art we have on our walls.

I’m a huge fan of decorating blogs and Pinterest. I spend hours getting ideas from them so I can make my home beautiful. When I walk into my home, I want to feel at peace, uplifted, and like I have arrived someplace special.

When I was in college (and dirt poor!), I accomplished this goal by putting 3×5 cards with favorite inspirational quotes and images on my dorm room wall. They helped me feel grounded and reminded me of what really mattered. I feel like all our homes should help us feel the Lord’s Spirit.

Religious Art Can Help Us Stay Focused

Abide With Me by Liz Lemon Swindle

The world is a busy place with many things that call for our attention. How do we keep ourselves focused? Well, just like my dorm room, our home decor can really make a difference.

In my home, I have a picture of the Savior titled Abide with Me by Liz Lemmon Swindle. She is an LDS artist, and in this picture, the Savior is smiling.  There is a special feeling that comes over me when I see the Savior smiling at me. I imagine that anyone of faith would be uplifted imagining the Savior is pleased with them and their offering for that day.

On another wall, I have a picture of my husband and myself on our wedding day. We got married in an LDS temple, (the holiest place on earth for the LDS people) and that temple features prominently in the picture. Every time I see it, I remember the feelings I had that day.

I remember feeling like a princess marrying my prince. I remember the love of family and friends who came to celebrate with us. And I remember the special, sacred atmosphere of the Lord’s holy temple.

It reminds me that I am lucky to have found the love of my life and that I have a responsibility to be worthy to enter God’s house, the temple. And it reminds me that I want to teach my children about choosing a mate wisely and that I want to teach them to love and serve the Lord.

Words as Decor

I also love inspirational quotes in my decorating. A favorite of mine is a constant reminder to be a more patient and kinder mother. The words “Let them be little” are above the door of our playroom. And when the noise levels get too high, it’s that quote that reminds me to take a deep breath before doing anything else.

A picture of the Savior surrounded by little children also reminds me that God values this time in all children’s lives; that I have a sacred duty to let them be children and not make them grow up too fast.

Family Art

Our inspirational art doesn’t have to be from the typical places. I am blessed to have many talented family members. We have works of art on our walls from some of those talented people. They are of special value to me.

My husband’s grandmother was a well-known artist in Canada with works that still hang in museums. For our wedding, she gave us a painting of an angel hugging a young woman. My grandmother-in-law could never have known how that painting would strengthen me.

She was a Christian who believed in life after death, and she was bearing her witness through her art. Her inspiration for the painting was her sister’s recent death. But it has been a huge comfort to me as I have experienced my own losses. It’s a beautiful reminder that life goes on after we leave this mortal existence, and that God is here with us when we need Him.

Personalize

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

A few years ago, we decided to create a family mission statement. My husband and I decided on one together, and we put it on the wall with vinyl. I love it. It reads, “‘Be the Rainbow in someone’s cloud.’ – Maya Angelou.” I see that sign daily. And, without realizing it, I find I’m treating others differently. I feel more motivated to make a difference. And what started as a unifying family activity has made a real difference in the attitude and philosophy of our family life.

Our home decor should be an extension of who we are. It can remind us to be a little more patient. It can lift us up when we are down. And it can remind us of the reason we do what we do. Pictures of temples, inspiring quotes, and even children’s art all warm a room and give it more purpose.

As we work to make our homes more of a heavenly place, let us remember the wonderful images of the Savior and inspirational art from around the world, because there is strength in reminders from heaven. I’m so grateful for all the inspiring artists out there and for their works that make my home a beautiful place to be.

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.

My Personal Prayer Test Drive

Every night for many weeks, I would kneel by my bed and pray for a pack of gum. I then opened my eyes and waited for that pack of gum to materialize on the bed. Obviously, that’s not what happened, so I figured God was there to answer more important prayers than giving me gum. I stopped asking. Ten years later, my dad invented a new kind of gum, and I had every prayer I ever offered up for gum answered many times over.

Last week, my dad was in the hospital with his 12th intestinal blockage. We were so worried about him. That worry became prayers for his recovery and that he wouldn’t need to have more of his intestines surgically removed. My young son offered the sweetest prayers asking God to “make Grandpa all better.”

Then, two days after he entered the hospital, he got to go home. His blockage cleared and he didn’t need surgery! I am so grateful for a direct line to heaven. Too often when those we love are desperately ill, we feel powerless. But we have been given by birthright a tool more powerful than we often realize.

Prayer Heals

I mentioned in “Finding Comfort Through the Savior” that my son has a friend in his preschool whose mother has cancer. Her name is Lacey. This young mom was diagnosed about a year ago with stage 4 small cell uterine cancer. With two little girls, then ages 4 and 18-months, I couldn’t imagine a greater nightmare for a single mom to face. We were all devastated to hear her diagnosis. The survival rate for her kind of cancer was only 15%.

We held a special fast for her. We prayed for her, and she was often in my thoughts. I worried about her family, their emotional health, and what would happen if she did pass away. She was in the hospital frequently, had several surgeries, and received many priesthood blessings. The last year has been rough.

Prayer Makes Miracles Happen

I remember when I first met Lacey thinking that she was gorgeous. Her being model-thin so soon after having her second baby made me jealous. I’ve been blessed with a body that still looks four months pregnant five years after my baby was born, so you may understand where I’m coming from. But last week we received the most amazing news!

As Lacey shared her personal miracle of healing, she has never looked so beautiful. We are all overjoyed because the doctors haven’t been able to find any more cancer. (I hear you must be cancer free for five years to be considered in remission.)

But the fact that she is still here, and currently cancer-free, is a miracle larger and better than I ever expected. We can’t always expect that the Lord’s plan is in line with our pleas for healing, but this time it was — and we are all so grateful.

Before I go on, I want to say that Latter-day Saints haven’t cornered the market on faith, nor do we rely solely on faith for healing. I believe that God gave us modern medicine as a gift to make this earthly experience easier. We pursue good health through good nutrition, exercise, and visits to the doctor’s office as needed — but faith and priesthood blessings are also an important gift from the Lord. And I know they have real power.

It’s a Life-Changer

President Dallin H. Oaks told a story about a very sick girl who was healed by the power of the faith of those who loved her. He said:

“Many Latter-day Saints have experienced the power of faith in healing the sick. We also hear examples of this among people of faith in other churches. A Texas newspaperman described such a miracle. When a five-year-old girl breathed with difficulty and became feverish, her parents rushed her to the hospital. By the time she arrived there, her kidneys and lungs had shut down, her fever was 107 degrees, and her body was bright red and covered with purple lesions.

 

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

The doctors said she was dying of toxic shock syndrome, cause unknown. As word spread to family and friends, God-fearing people began praying for her, and a special prayer service was held in their Protestant congregation in Waco, Texas.

 

Miraculously, she suddenly returned from the brink of death and was released from the hospital in a little over a week. Her grandfather wrote, ‘She is living proof that God does answer prayers and work miracles'” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Healing the Sick,” April 2010).

I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who hears and answers our prayers — and I am especially grateful for the recent gifts of healing in my circle of family and friends.

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.

In direct contrast to my sweet uplifting friend, recently another friend took her adorable young children to the local aquarium. I heard later that an adult in the crowd was so frustrated by their lot in life that they felt justified in bullying her six-year-old daughter. When my friend came to her daughter’s defense, this woman tried to pick a fight with her too! I feel profoundly offended for this sweet child and her mother.

The world is changing. Where is the desire to lift another? Where is the brotherly kindness? There has been a shift where people are more free to vent and seek their own interests than ever before. It’s as though behaving badly will make them feel better. It won’t. You can’t fix yourself by breaking someone else.

Be Kind

I recently overheard another friend telling a story about her beautiful teenage daughter. This girl has been in beauty pageants. She carries herself with the grace of a princess, and even dresses up like one to help host gatherings for terminally ill children. I admire her so much and love her giving heart.

Recently, there was an older woman and her adult daughter nearby when this girl made an honest mistake. Not only was the older woman rude, but she went out of her way to track down this teenager to share her caustic comments. The woman’s comments were so cutting and offensive that I was stunned! Worse, they were said in a house of God where one would hope she would have had some self-control. Where was her desire to lift and lighten another’s life?

Lift Others on Social Media

And finally, it has bothered me forever that people use social networking to start fights and belittle one another. Some notable celebrities and bloggers have even removed pictures and posts because of all the nasty comments. Why, people?! Are we so bored with our lives or so inherently nasty that this is what we do behind closed doors? I’m disappointed! My brother posted a comic on Facebook recently that essentially said, “The Internet: an infinite source of information that we use to look at pictures of cats and pick fights with strangers.” I laughed at his post — it’s hilarious because it’s true!

What has happened to us? Why do we not lift and inspire instead of belittle? We, as representatives of God, should be spreading joy into the world. We need each other, and we need the love of the Savior in our lives and in our relationships. But there is only one way that we can invite Him to be with us. That is by living and treating others in such a way that allows God’s Spirit to stay with us. God lifts and loves, so we need to be doing to same.

We can take it one step further. The friend I mentioned at the beginning of this article is 80 years old. She is such a delight not only because she seems to exude heavenly love, but because she is happy to teach the next generation how to lift and love. Our children need us to teach them how to find the peace we may have been denied. The key is to lift each person as often as possible. This world seems to try to knock us down at every turn, and that continual lifting will save souls.

Listen to the Prophets

In October 2008, then-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf told a story to the men of the Church (although I believe it applies to everyone, both men and women!) about was a grand piano that needed to be moved from the chapel to the cultural hall next door. A group of men gathered to try to lift it, but as you can imagine, it was a huge job. After many tries, it was suggested that the men stand close together and lift where they stood. It worked! The piano was then easily transported. He continued:

“Although it may seem simple, lifting where we stand is a principle of power. Most of the priesthood holders I know understand and live by this principle. They are eager to roll up their sleeves and go to work, whatever that work might be. They faithfully perform their duties. They magnify their callings. They serve the Lord by serving others. They stand close together and lift where they stand. . . . Every priesthood holder stands at a unique place and has an important task that only he can perform. . . . Our Heavenly Father asks that we represent Him in the noble work of reaching out and blessing the lives of His children. He asks us to stand firm with the power of the priesthood in our hearts and souls and give the calling we have at this moment our best efforts” (emphasis added).

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

Lift and Lighten

I love Elder Uchtdorf! What a way with words!

We are here to lift and enlighten the world. We can and should be a positive force for good. Our children are watching and learning from our behavior. A harsh reality of life is opposition in all things — so let our behavior be so full of light and love that we blind those who live in the darkness. There are always going to be broken people out there seeking to break others, but the Lord doesn’t work that way. He heals all. He loves all. He lifts all who will come to Him. And with His support, the wave of good works we grow will make all the difference.

Are you ready to join us as we lift all of God’s children? It is as simple as being kind and looking for the good in every day. I have confidence you can do it.

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.

Albuquerque, New Mexico Temple

We called these treats “temple cookies.” They were huge cookies, at least 8 inches in diameter. They weren’t anything special as far as cookies go, except for the size. But I loved how my parents thought of us enough to bring us back something we would enjoy so much. I am sure our love for those treats helped encourage my parents to make more frequent visits. Being a parent now, I see the brilliance of that move.

Temples are peaceful

Have you ever been to a Latter-day Saint temple? It is so quiet. Just walking on the grounds gives me a deep feeling of peace. The lawn, trees, and flowers are beautifully manicured. The grounds are immaculately clean and the building is maintained to such a level that it’s never allowed to get dirty.

There is a visitors’ center where you are welcomed by smiling missionaries. There is usually a spiritual thought of some kind. They answer your questions and let you sit in the quiet peace that permeates everything within the temple grounds. The feeling at the temple always puts the rest of my world into perspective.

I recently had a friend ask me why temples matter. The internet is full of the doctrinal reasons why Latter-day Saint temples exist and why they matter for the salvation of souls. But I want to give you my reasons why it matters to me.

God is There

Oakland, California Temple

The Spirit on the temple grounds is nothing compared to the power of the Spirit of God inside the building. At times, it has taken my breath away! The temple is the house of God, and He literally walks its halls. The love and light, the peace and assurance, the acceptance and joy that fill the temple are a testimony to me that He is there daily. It is a place unlike any other. The veil between heaven and earth is very thin in the temple.

I have often felt the presence of my ancestors and other spiritual beings who have passed on to the next life. The temple takes my fear of death away because it expands my vision of eternity. I know any separation will only be temporary. Such a beautiful promise makes it worth every sacrifice to be worthy to spend time in God’s house. I find strength and comfort in the temple.

My First Visit

When I was six weeks old, I got to take my first visit to the Washington D.C. Temple. My parents got married soon after my mom got baptized, but you must be a member of the Church for a year before receiving your endowment. So when their year anniversary arrived, they went to the temple to be sealed and make their family eternal.

By then, I had joined the party, so I got to be at my parents’ sealing. I obviously don’t remember it, but I do know the feeling of security and love that I feel every time I hear them tell me the story. I love that temples help families be united forever.

Baptismal font in the Draper, UT Temple

The next time I attended the temple, I was 12 years old. I got to go do proxy baptisms for the dead. Sounds creepy, but I promise there are no dead bodies in the temple! I got to stand in for someone who had passed on and be baptized in their place. It was such a cool experience to step into the baptismal font, which is built on the backs of twelve oxen that represent the twelve tribes of Israel.

Temples Are a Place of Service

Knowing I was doing something for someone who had passed on and could no longer do it for themselves was amazing. I felt a connection to those women. (Being a girl, the work I do in the temple is for women. A man would do work only for men.) I love how the temple gives me a chance to serve my ancestors and give them a chance to have ordinances they never got while on earth. The temple is a place of service.

I’ll never forget the day I got to go to the temple to receive my own endowments. I was twenty-one and I thought I knew everything. But as I sat there and heard the words of the endowment ceremony, I realized my understanding of things was tiny! I learned that we are infinitely more important to God than I had ever imagined.

Some religions distance man from deity, feeling that man is unworthy of a close relationship with God. But I learned that we are literally God’s children, that He cares about our success more than we could imagine, that He is working for our good in a way I never understood before. I love the temple because I’ve learned so much there. The temple is a house of learning.

Wedding Day

The day I was sealed to my sweetheart, I felt the power behind God’s love. I remember kneeling across the alter in a sealing room, surrounded by family and friends. The sealer gave us some marital advice, joked with us, and put everyone at ease. Then he began pronouncing blessings on us from God. I felt the power in his words. A warmth and a spirit that was almost tangible seemed to descend on me and my brand new husband. It surrounded us like a dome directly from heaven.

I felt the protection, strength, and support that God was giving us in our new adventure as a family. I am so very grateful that we got married in the temple. I can’t imagine how our marriage would have survived all the challenges we have faced without that protective strength. I wish every marriage could be done in the temple — it really is God’s house and He is there. The temple strengthens families.

The things in the temple are kept sacred, so you won’t find the details of what happens there anywhere else. But the amazing thing, the beautiful thing, is that all the details of the temple ceremonies are already things that are part of the gospel. What I mean is that none of the things in the temple are going to be things you haven’t heard before.

Come See the Temples For Yourself!

The power of God’s Spirit in that holy place opens your mind and brings the pure truth of the gospel to the forefront. It’s amazing in its simplicity and beautiful because it reaffirms God’s love. He hasn’t hidden anything from us. He wants us to be truly happy and to succeed, and He has told us how to do it! And He keeps telling us until one day the light turns on and we truly get it.

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

There you have it: the reasons the temple matters to me. The temple is a place of strength and comfort through all life’s trials. It is a place where families are united together forever. The temple is a place of service and a house of learning. The temple strengthens individuals and families. And the temple reaffirms the simple truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Remembering all the wonderful experiences I’ve had with the Spirit in the temple naturally leads me to want to encourage everyone to go there. You won’t regret it. There is nothing like it anywhere else. You get to perform a service for those who have passed on. You get to make a difference in their eternity while learning things that will make a difference in yours.

It is worth every sacrifice you must make to get there. Nothing can bring you as much joy and peace as being worthy to attend the temple and getting to spend regular time in God’s house. I can’t say anything more than that! Go to the temple. You won’t regret it. The peace and beauty will heal and strengthen your soul.

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.

I’m not a young woman anymore. But I have decided to memorize the new theme because being able to say “I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and eternal destiny” brings me strength and courage.

I wish I had grown up with this theme. It makes me want to go out and improve the lives of all around me. It also reminds me gently that I have work to do, and I’m eager to do it.

There is so much power in words. The power of saying “I will” is a personal vow. Whether you realize it or not your subconscious is listening. And saying these powerful words will give you strength when you need it.

I have found many times that the Lord whispers the words to primary songs or hymns to me. And it’s when I finally pay attention to the music I’ve been singing in my mind that I get the message, and the strength, that He has been trying to give me.

Power in words

I also realize, reading this theme, that I need to work harder as a mom and wife to keep the Spirit in our home. I feel I have been distracted, and that my family needs my spiritual power and my voice to keep them strong.

Our prophets have cautioned that there are difficult times ahead. But family is the strongest unit in society, and together we can face anything. I feel the Lord is strengthening all of us with the new theme.

I sense that this new theme is just the beginning of great things. For those who have not heard yet, here is the new Young Women’s theme. I love it and commend those who worked so hard to word it so powerfully. May we all live up to this new ideal, whether we are teenagers or many years past.

New Young Women’s Theme

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

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.

Meeting My Husband

My husband and I met in a Young Single Adult (YSA) Ward. But what he didn’t know is that the Lord carefully crafted that day. To set the scene, I must give you a little back story. I had a terrible fear of commitment. I’d already witnessed my brother endure a terrible divorce, and the idea of marriage to the wrong person really scared me.

So, a year before I met my husband, I was being set apart for the Institute Council and the Lord surprised me by telling me that I was going to meet the man he had in mind for me in the next year. (I needed a full year to stop freaking out!) The Lord had also told me in my patriarchal blessing to take every chance for service because the greatest blessings would come to me through service.

Which leads me to the Sunday before Hubby and I met, when my friend called me up and asked me to cover her Sunday School class. She had to be out of town for something. It was the one and only time I ever taught in that ward — and it was the one Sunday Hubby decided to leave his regular ward and check out the local YSA Ward. We wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t been teaching.

Gaining a Testimony of Joseph Smith

A depiction of the First Vision

I still remember that the topic that day was about Joseph Smith. It was during preparation for that lesson that I gained a testimony that he was a prophet of God. I saw him in a different light and learned to truly love him. It was a wonderful spiritual experience and I felt closer to God than ever. After my lesson, three guys came up to me and asked me out. Hubby wasn’t one of them. And I’m glad, because I was SO mad at those guys for asking me out.

Here I had shone a light on the key figure in the Restoration, an event that changed the world. I had shared my heart to feed their souls. And all they could think of was a date?! Yes. I was mad!

Looking back, I was probably a little hard on them, because that’s the kind of girl I’d love for my son to find one day. But honestly, people, don’t ask her out right after the lesson! Hubby waited a week and I’m so glad he did. At that point, I was in a much better frame of mind to think of dating.

Infertility

Service brought another amazing gift into my life. My son was my miracle baby. Hubby and I had been married for about a year when we got pregnant with our first child. I miscarried at 10 weeks. That time was a major trial for me. We ended up having 3 miscarriages in all and we saw a specialist for several years. Eventually she told me that I needed IVF or I’d never get pregnant successfully. But I had a coworker who had done IVF unsuccessfully seven times. They had mortgaged everything they had with nothing to show for it.

I knew that if I went down the IVF path that I would be just like her. I knew that once I started, my determination could easily ruin our relationship and finances. I couldn’t be objective and I needed guidance before we went down that road, so we went to our bishop for a blessing.

Service

Our bishop was truly an inspired man of God. In the blessing, the Lord told me that I was a determined soul, so he would be very clear. He said God needed our  — and if we would serve Him, He would bless us with a baby. Two weeks later, Hubby was called to the branch presidency of the first Young Single Adult Branch in northeast Philadelphia. We were the same age as the members in the Susquehanna Branch and it was so fun to serve with them. I got to be the branch “big sister,” and if we’d had children at that time, we couldn’t have served in that branch since there was no primary.

We made such wonderful friends and had a blast, and I mentally put motherhood on the back burner. We had been serving almost two years when we found out we were expecting.

My Son

It was a high-risk pregnancy because of all the miscarriages I’d had, so I had to see my doctor right away. She was in shock. She kept saying “You did this all by yourself!” and I had to remind her I didn’t do anything. It was all the Lord.

Now, before I continue, I need to tell you that I didn’t know at the time that I had a blood clotting disorder that made my pregnancy very dangerous. In fact, it wasn’t until years later that I learned the hormones I had to have daily to maintain the pregnancy could have given me a fatal clot. All I knew at the time was that I felt terrible — so I got another blessing, and the Lord gave me another miracle.

The Lord was very generous in that blessing. He said He appreciated the sacrifice I was making and, since I couldn’t have medication because of the pregnancy, He would be my medicine during that time. He kept His word. Every time I felt sick, I would pray. Sometimes the symptoms were severe. But every time, I felt a warm wash of love and every pain and illness went away within moments.

Health

That time was a beautiful testimony builder that God is deeply involved with every baby born on this earth. There are no accidents with Him. I know we had to wait till it was Heavenly Father’s time for Carter to join us. But when it was time, He made it possible even though I found out years later that I had five separate conditions that should have kept me from motherhood. But nothing is impossible with God. And bringing Carter into our family, He handed me miracles by the fistful.

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

Testimony

Every major blessing in my life can be directly tied to service. I’m grateful for the example of faithful parents who taught me by example to serve and trust the Lord. I’m grateful that I get to be my son’s mom and Hubby’s wife. I can’t say I’m easy to live with. I have some chronic health issues. But I know that this life is a unique time in my eternity. I will never again in all eternity know what it’s like to struggle with infertility. I will never again know what it’s like to have fragile health. Both have opened the doors for the Lord to show me His miracles. Without my human weakness, I couldn’t have learned so much about God’s power and love. And it is always through service that God gives me His greatest blessings.

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.