Above Yourself

Tonight as I rocked my daughter to bed, we sang “Families Can Be Together Forever“. Even though it’s a children’s song, it has the effect of bringing a feeling of peace to the room. What a great reminder it was of basic truths that are so important. It’s great that such a powerful message can be conveyed through simple music. It also serves as a reminder, do I personally follow God’s plan so that I can share my life with my family for all eternity?

My apologies for the cheesy title, but apparently you’re still reading. In the past several days, we’ve started a major decluttering project. This is certainly easier now that I’m done with school, but it still takes some motivation to get started. For the past couple of months, Julia and I have been casually looking around at houses “just to see what the market is like” and “for fun”. I put those in quotes because that’s what I always said when we went around doing it, but before too long I started daydreaming about having a big house with lots of room for all our stuff and plenty of space for our little girls to play.

Eventually I realized that we’re not ready for a house yet, and we don’t really need one. What we need for all of our stuff is a home. For some of our stuff that home is not our home. With too much stuff around, things tend to get in the way and make the whole house seem smaller. We plan on storing some of our things and getting rid of lots more. We’re learning that “guilt is not a reason to keep something“.

Although it’s still underway, we’ve made lots of good progress. Our food storage area is much more manageable, and now everything that had been there is in its proper home. We’re looking forward to making more progress on this in the coming weeks.

Last week I had a chance to finish the Book of Mormon Challenge Anniversary. Even with lots of other distractions like school and Holidays, I managed to finish a little bit early, which I am really proud of myself for. The first time I did this challenge, back when President Hinckley issued the challenge to everyone, I spent a lot of Christmas break reading, but this time I felt less rushed and it went really well. I regret that I didn’t post updates here more often, because I really learned a lot. I can share with you, though, that my testimony of the Book of Mormon has grown. I know that it is true, and I know that reading it daily has helped me considerably.

One of the final books in the Book of Mormon is actually written by a prophet named Mormon (he compiled many records together, so that is why the whole work also bears his name). As I was reading through his writings, I was impressed by the fact that he was faithful when all others around had forgotten about God. I have thought a lot recently about wickedness in the world, and it seems like fewer and fewer people believe in God, and those who don’t are very adamant about their ideas. Mormon’s writings help me recognize that living the gospel is possible in a godless world.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Book of Mormon Challenge with me! I’d love to hear more about your experiences reading the Book of Mormon again.

When we remember to heed God’s counsel, we can be blessed with more of that counsel. Who isn’t up for a little free advice from someone who knows just what we need?

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

-2 Nephi 28:30

This is one of my favorite scriptures. In some ways it’s very intimidating; I know that I could always improve at “lend[ing] an ear to [His] counsel”. In other ways, it’s very reassuring. The essence of this scripture is that God will bless us with continual understanding if we look to Him. If we don’t wish to learn more, then he won’t give it to us. General Conference is coming up in a little over a week. Now is a great time to prepare for the messages that we will receive.