Church Gems

Added to His Greatness

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 01:00 AM PDT--These stories come up once in a while to my email address,so I thought it would be a good one to post here today. Anna aka Mom, G-Mattie

"My father had a unique experience when he was the age of a priest. There were no high schools where he lived, and he wanted an education. He received permission from his father to leave the farm and seek his education elsewhere, but he had to make it on his own. Arriving in Salt Lake City, he heard of an employment position being offered in the home of President Joseph F. Smith. He was hired to care for the prophet's two cows. . . .". . . The Smith family took this poor farm boy from Idaho into their home while he finished high school and attended the University of Utah. They included him in their family activities, around the dinner table, and at family prayer. My father shared with us his witness that the prophet Joseph F. Smith was truly a man of God: 'When I kneeled with the prophet, in family prayer, and listened to his earnest supplications for the blessings of the Lord upon his family and their flocks and their herds, I realized that those same humiliating cows were the subject of his blessings, my feet were brought solidly to earth. . . . Every common everyday act added inches to his greatness. To me he was prophet even while washing his hands or untying his shoes.' "

L. Tom Perry, "Becoming Men in Whom the Spirit of God Is," Ensign, May 2002, 39

Church History Gems To Share

Added to His Greatness

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 01:00 AM PDT--These stories come up once in a while to my email address,so I thought it would be a good one to post here today. Anna aka Mom, G-Mattie

"My father had a unique experience when he was the age of a priest. There were no high schools where he lived, and he wanted an education. He received permission from his father to leave the farm and seek his education elsewhere, but he had to make it on his own. Arriving in Salt Lake City, he heard of an employment position being offered in the home of President Joseph F. Smith. He was hired to care for the prophet's two cows. . . .". . . The Smith family took this poor farm boy from Idaho into their home while he finished high school and attended the University of Utah. They included him in their family activities, around the dinner table, and at family prayer. My father shared with us his witness that the prophet Joseph F. Smith was truly a man of God: 'When I kneeled with the prophet, in family prayer, and listened to his earnest supplications for the blessings of the Lord upon his family and their flocks and their herds, I realized that those same humiliating cows were the subject of his blessings, my feet were brought solidly to earth. . . . Every common everyday act added inches to his greatness. To me he was prophet even while washing his hands or untying his shoes.' "

L. Tom Perry, "Becoming Men in Whom the Spirit of God Is," Ensign, May 2002, 39

My Gratitude is Great

Many years ago, a priesthood blessing promised both of my sons that their illness they had acquired would be healed from them. It was a promise that I took God at his word. I had with faith and prayer asked for that to come to pass over the years. It had been a constant prayer in my heart that I always knew would come to pass.

I have a firm testimony of the power of the priesthood and the gift of healing. About two months ago, one of the boys (Michael) called me and had been to his "lupus" doctor and was told he had a clean bill of health. I was filled with joy and the fruition of the Lord's promise about his health.

Then a few days ago, the other one, Aaron, told me he was tested for the lupus and it came up as "zero, negative." I was touched to know that he too, had experienced a miraculous healing that may have already happened without us knowing the certainty of it with all the healing methods that were made available to him over the last year. I feel my faith sustained me to always look for and know that healing would surely be granted through my faith, (temple)service and dedication to the Lord.

I know without a shadow of a doubt that my prayers were heard and as well as ANSWERED. It does my heart and soul good to know we are significant in the eternal scheme and plan of things with our Heavenly Father.

I also know that due to the boys' lupus, that they were more than excluded from ever being called into the military. I am most thankful for that. One son in the military in our family is quite sufficient. Don't you think?

I also know that during the time when Matt was called on his mission there was some kind of war going on then too. But when his call came to go to the Paraguay Asuncion Mission, I was given to know that "This is where I want your son to be. I have called him to serve me and sent him at this time he came to earth for a purpose." His serving in the military was not where he was supposed to be, thankfully. I know he was spared and protected to fill a mission at that very time. We have all been truly blessed. My heart is full.

There is a biblical reference (perhaps), that when there are a lot of daughters born it is a time of peace. Whereas, when there are a lot of sons, it is a time of wars. I learned that over thirty years ago. It seems to bear out to be truthful.

I know God lives and is in the details of our lives. This is surely a detail that was not overlooked.

My Ancestors Rejoice~Families Are Forever

This morning my family and I went to the Provo Temple to complete some family names and bound them as families forever. I felt their presence and acceptance of this work in their behalf.

It was sweet and joyful for me. I have a firm testimony that this work is sacred and a great blessing not only to them, but to me and my posterity. So much has transpired to bring this day to fruition.

The last several months, I have taken it upon myself to do some clearing of past issues and feel a great burden was lifted. I know that any work I do for myself affects me and my ancestors and posterity. Plain and simple. The kind of work we do in the temples is an extension of the work done out side when it comes to clearing emotional baggage. We carry in our DNA who and what our forefathers bore and or suffered in life. Letting go of a lot that clear the way for great things to come to pass.

Many are aware of how key the act and miracle of forgiveness to and from others empowers us and our progression here and on the other side. Suffice it to say that all that we can do is important. Yet God does the rest, as he sent his son to complete the plan of salvation; we just have to put our trust and faith in him, after all we can do.

After the temple we went to Mi Ranchito and had "heritage" food. We celebrated being together and the blessings for our ancestors. Beth, Matt's wife joined us for this week end activity and even suggested we go to the temple during her visit.

So, thank you Beth, for allowing us this opportunity to be together during your visit.

Charity Suffereth Long

I came across a nice quote by Marvin J Ashton on "Charity" this evening. I will share it here. May Ensign, 1992. It is a reminder of how we can love others with more patience in their weaknesses. Elder Ashton was a favorite of mine. His talks were always so calming and uplifting. We lost him too early. But the ones who have come after are inspired of the Lord in their new apostleship. I am grateful to have been blessed to get to know him over the pulpit as a general authority. I know he was called of God, by his holy prophets.

"Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other."

Being At the Right Place and Right Time

A couple of weeks ago I had posted an incident about a woman I met at the temple. She was concerned about a few things of how we did some changes in our process to bless our patrons.

Well, I happened to see her again today and had the overwhelming feeling I was placed at the right place at the right time. So many times, if we ACT on promptings they come to fruition so easily and quickly.

I just know with all my being, just who is in charge of our lives when we strive to allow ourselves to be guided and given instruction from oh high.




Sister M was so glad to see me as she followed up on a suggestion I have her to go forward to find the information of her departed sister who had died about ten years ago. She received the help she needed to go to complete the ordinances in her sister's behalf. I know I was there at the right place and the right time when I met her.

The lady gave me a hug and recognized me from before. She and her husband came especially for her sister's work.

I bid them well and went on my way.

It just made my heart feel good to see her yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit.

Going Retro For Lunch--

This last week I had a need to get the oil changed for my car. I went to American Fork to a dealership to get it done. The car needed some mechanical work on it, so I had them go ahead. It was for the better, since the service fellow told me over the phone I really shouldn't drive it that was.

So I bit the bullet and had the necessary work done. The car did drive better, and a car usually does when it is running of all of it spark plugs. The care ran smoother after the work was completed, I have to admit. Aaron said it was better anyway, as I told him after the fact. I used his truck to get some errands done in the meantime.

I was glad to get the work done, and for Aaron who let me use his prepaid coupon to get the oil change in the first place. I appreciate those kinds of acts of kindness too.

Then, since it was lunch time I went to Carl's Jr, right there in American Fork. I sat and ate my lunch and noticed the framed pictures around the inside walls. It was the photos of the original Carl's Jr's in California.

I sat there as I ate me lunch admiring the walk back to the past. What a blast! there on the walls were the places I used to frequent as a new college student almost daily where Hank took me on my lunch break from class. Can you believe french fries were only .25 cents? Hamburgers where only say, .89 cents, and a soda was about the same as fries!

I have some pictures in my own files of these poster framed picture. So I will display them here. It was so comical to see those so old looking versions of Carl's Jr. I will check out my photo files for the pics I took a while ago and post them.