Christ Wants Us To Accept All of His Love

By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

As followers of Christ, we are well acquainted with all the things we need to do in order to be law-abiding members of His kingdom. How familiar are we with the feelings that we should feel as His followers?

There is so much of Christ’s love for us to accept, and joy for us to experience, as we are ready to do so!  In Alma 36:20 we are introduced to the joy that replaced pain Alma had been feeling: “And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!”

Alma had spent his life, to this point, persecuting the saints of Christ and living a life devoid of light and truth. He had no comprehension of the goodness and love that was available.

As I go about day to day activities, I’ve become more of a people watcher. It’s interesting to note the ‘vibe’ and the disposition of folks as they come and go; as they interact; and as they carry themselves. Often, it is clear that many who pass me do not yet have that understanding – even in a small way- of who they really are, and how much love our Father in Heaven has for them… Of how much love the Savior has for them.

One lovely quote I’ve seen is this one: “The name of Jesus is the one lever that lifts the world.”  Author is unknown. Many have probably shared a similar sentiment in different words. It’s a beautiful sentence!

Jesus Christ lifts up the world and anyone in it. All we need do is ask; seek; commit to Him as much as we are able. He fills in the rest. Where there was darkness in us, we feel light. Where there was despair, we feel hope.  The ugliness that once seemed sewn to our mortal soul is beautified with the Savior’s grace and goodness.

As surely as a morning sunrise shines in the skies and lifts our soul for another day, the sunset we may too often feel can be replaced with that same kind of light.

But how?

A Few Good Ideas for Happiness

by Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Thomas S. Monson  offers some good, practical ideas to increase our happiness quotient. At least, that’s what I call it. We can be happy in direct proportion to our perspective in any given situation. Keeping ourselves steady allows us to remain right side up in a sometimes upside down world.
Today, I share the first few suggestions he has taught. They’re easy and do-able:

1.  Keep your mind stored with constructive thoughts.

The negatives of getting through heaps of laundry, dealing with crazy traffic, struggling with bills, or feeling overwhelmed with So Much To Do can wipe out the bank of positive stuff. If we remember to ‘bank’ our positive, faith-lifting thoughts, it allows us to draw on that savings when we need it. And we can fill it every day- in tiny ways- if we look past our problems and see the good. As often as we can. Noticing even the tiniest, precious good things has given me the strength to get past a dark hurdle or tough moment. I’m still working on this!    Read full article HERE: 

NOBLE WOMANHOOD

Noble Womanhood
by- Vickey Pahnke Taylor of Goodness Matters

In my heart, there are few things more compelling that noble womanhood. I remember well a quote I heard many years ago, that came from a General Authority quite some years before:

“If God made man a “little lower than the angels” (Psalms 8:5), he must then have made women his very angels.” [Elder William Critchlow, Conference Report October 1965]

Having been raised by a woman who was true to her womanhood, enjoyed being a wife and mother, and lived as an example of “the believers” – with faith, grace, and strength, I learned early of the sanctity of the role of a woman.

Many in the world want to destroy the foundation of true womanhood. Many have no real idea of what that role is, anymore. Others have abandoned it, preferring to sup from the cup of worldly pursuits and gratification.

Women; Students of the Scriptures

"...the divine role of woman in mortality is not only to be responsible for her own salvation, but to be also a helpmate to her husband and a guiding example to her children, hourly and daily. This requires that she be a student of the scriptures."

Marianne C. Sharp - Women and the Scriptures

Beautiful Quotes on Womanhood

From Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society:
 

"Women of the Church are [to be] seen as distinct and different — in happy ways — from the women of the world."    — President Spencer W. Kimball, p. 95

"The world's greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ." — Elder James E. Talmage of the Quorum of the Twelve, p. 3

"To be a righteous woman is a glorious thing. To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth ... is an especially noble calling." — President Spencer W. Kimball, p. 165
 
"Every sister who has made covenants ... has a divine mandate to help save souls ... and to lead the women of the world." — Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve, p. 25

"It is for you to lead the world and to lead especially the women of the world. You are the head, not the tail." — President Joseph F. Smith, p. 66

The Joy of Womanhood

"I am inspired by the lives of good and faithful women. From the beginning of time the Lord has placed significant trust in them. He has sent us to earth for such a time as this to perform a grand and glorious mission. The Doctrine and Covenants teaches, “Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men” (D&C 138:56). What a wonderful vision that gives us of our purpose on earth."

...Our Heavenly Father asks His daughters to walk in virtue, to live in righteousness so that we can fulfill our life’s mission and His purposes. He wants us to be successful, and He will help us as we seek His help.

...God sent women to earth with some qualities in extra capacity. In speaking to young women, President Faust observed that femininity “is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your … capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each … possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty.”  The Joy of Womanhood, Margaret D. Nadauld

 

Single Women; Noble Daughters of God

"We have special admiration for the unsung but unsullied single women among whom are some of the noblest daughters of God. These sisters know that God loves them, individually and distinctly. They make wise career choices even though they cannot now have the most choice career. Though in their second estate they do not have their first desire, they still overcome the world. These sisters who cannot now enrich the institution of their own marriage so often enrich other institutions in society. They do not withhold their blessings simply because some blessings are now withheld from them. Their trust in God is like that of the wives who are childless, but not by choice, but who in the justice of God will receive special blessings one day."  Neal A. Maxwell - The Women of God