how to be

23. And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submmissive‍ and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

Alma 7:23-24

unique feminine identity

taken from the september 2009 first presidency message in the ensign:

The lives of women in the Church are a powerful witness that spiritual gifts, promises, and blessings of the Lord are given to all those who qualify, “that all may be benefited” (D&C 46:9; see verses 9–26).

The doctrines of the restored gospel create a wonderful and “unique feminine identity that encourages women to develop their abilities” as true and literal daughters of God.

Through serving in the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations—not to mention their private acts of love and service—women have always played and will always play an important part in helping “bring forth and establish the cause of Zion” (D&C 6:6). They care for the poor and the sick; serve proselytizing, welfare, humanitarian, and other missions; teach children, youth, and adults; and contribute to the temporal and spiritual welfare of the Saints in many other ways.

Because their potential for good is so great and their gifts so diverse, women may find themselves in roles that vary with their circumstances in life. Some women, in fact, must fill many roles simultaneously. For this reason, Latter-day Saint women are encouraged to acquire an education and training that will qualify them both for homemaking and raising a righteous family and for earning a living outside the home if the occasion requires.

We are living in a great season for all women in the Church. Sisters, you are an essential part of our Heavenly Father’s plan for eternal happiness; you are endowed with a divine birthright. You are the real builders of nations wherever you live, because strong homes of love and peace will bring security to any nation. I hope you understand that, and I hope the men of the Church understand it too.

What you sisters do today will determine how the principles of the restored gospel can influence the nations of the world tomorrow. It will determine how these heavenly rays of the gospel will light every land in the future.

Though we often speak of the influence of women on future generations, please do not underestimate the influence you can have today.

eternal perspective

12 I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend‍ my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold‍ nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;

13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—

14 And even I, myself, have labored‍ with mine own hands‍ that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden‍ with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.

15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience‍ before God this day.

(Mosiah 2:12-15)

i was reading this in my scripture study today and trying to apply this to me in my life. and i thought of how i usually get down on myself as a mother for little things like speaking sharply to my son who is blowing a whistle in the house after i told him three times to please go outside. guilt about getting frustrated with the two year old who kicks and hits and screams every. single. time. she gets buckled into her carseat. but if i were to take a big step back. an eternal step back and look at the big picture of my life. as a woman, as a wife, as a mother, as a daughter, as a friend. then i can shrink those small blunders and notice how much bigger are the good things that i am doing in my life.

king benjamin pointed out all the bad things he wasn't doing and never did as a king. to perhaps help his kingdom see what a good king he was? perhaps to help him understand what a good king he was?

do i sometimes need to do this as a mother? remind myself that for all the little mistakes i make, i am still having daily scripture study with my children, i am still praying with them each day, i am still teaching them gospel principles and striving to help them build upon their own testimonies. the good i am doing will always outweigh the mistakes as long as i am applying the atonement in my life. each week, i partake of the sacrament and promise once again to be a better wife and mother. how wonderful to have that sacred ordinance to remind me of my eternal goals and my eternal purpose while on this earth.

hope

As parents, we find our fondest hopes center around our children. We hope they will grow up to lead responsible and righteous lives. Such hopes can be easily dashed if we do not act as good examples. Hope alone does not mean our children will grow in righteousness. We must spend time with them in family home evening and worthwhile family activities. We must teach them to pray. We must read with them in the scriptures and teach them important gospel principles. Only then is it possible our fondest hopes will be realized.

-Steven E. Snow
April 2011 General Conference

All of us can meet God’s high expectations, however great or small our capacity and talent may be. Moroni affirms, “If ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is [God’s] grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ” (Moroni 10:32). It is a diligent, devoted effort on our part that calls forth this empowering and enabling grace, an effort that certainly includes submission to God’s chastening hand and sincere, unqualified repentance. Let us pray for His love-inspired correction.

D. Todd Christofferson
April 2011 General Conference

humility

We can help one another as fellow Church members; it is one of the primary reasons that the Savior established a church. Even when we encounter mean-spirited criticism from persons who have little regard or love for us, it can be helpful to exercise enough meekness to weigh it and sift out anything that might benefit us.

D. Todd Christofferson
April 2011 General Conference

desires

Let us remember that desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. In addition, it is our actions and our desires that cause us to become something, whether a true friend, a gifted teacher, or one who has qualified for eternal life.

righteous desires

If our righteous desires are sufficiently intense, they will motivate us to cut and carve ourselves free from addictions and other sinful pressures and priorities that prevent our eternal progress.
Dallin H. Oaks
April 2011

the atonement

"The one message Satan does not want us to know or understand or apply is what Elder Bednar has called "the enabling power of the Atonement," because without that understanding we are miserable like he is. This is the one message he doesn't want us to get."


Carolyn J. Rasmussen at BYU-Idaho, Oct. 2009

courageous parenting

Parenting teenagers in the latter days is a very humbling assignment. Satan and his followers are striving to bring this generation down; the Lord is counting on valiant parents to bring them up. Parents, “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid” (Joshua 1:9).

~Larry R. Lawrence

the Holy Ghost

in today's world we must provide quiet, reflective times for our children and teach them how to listen to the still, small voice. with all the blessings our modern age has given to us, let us not give up the things that promote the workings of the Holy Ghost: time alone to pray, ponder, meditate, and read the scriptures; and time with family undisturbed by noise, distrations, and too many activities.

~Elder Neil L. Anderson