Moroni Men and Wise Women Know How to Receive and Act on Personal Revelation.

I loved reading this counsel about personal revelation from the Doctrine and CovenantsGospel Doctrine Teachers Manual Lesson 6:

What should we do when personal revelation does not come when we desire it? (Answers could include those listed below.)

a. Be patient and continue to wait faithfully on the Lord (D&C 98:2). He will answer in His time. Exercising patience helps us grow spiritually and develop attributes of godliness. You may want to read the second paragraph of the letter that is quoted in Official Declaration 2 (pages 293–94 in the Doctrine and Covenants), pointing out that even prophets must exercise patience as they seek divine guidance.

b. Increase our efforts to be in tune spiritually so we can receive and recognize the whisperings of the Spirit.

c. Increase our efforts to study and pray, recognizing that we may not have done this as long, as faithfully, or as honestly as we should.

d. Be more faithful in obeying the commandments (Isaiah 59:2).

e. Set the matter aside for a while. Flashes of inspiration often come when we least expect them, while our minds are no longer consumed by the matter.

f. Recognize that we may be seeking counsel on matters that we should determine for ourselves, using our best judgment based on study and reason. In these cases the Lord may leave us to decide on our own (for examples, see D&C 58:25–28; 60:5; 61:22; 62:5). The Lord often allows us to make our own decisions in righteousness.

g. Evaluate whether we may have received an answer already but have not accepted it because it was not what we hoped for or expected. If we insist on what we want, we may close off the Spirit’s communication with us.

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Wise Women are "Quick to Observe"

Today I was led to look up a Devotional by Elder Bednar that caught my eye last Thursday as I looked through a lesson on spiritual gifts from the new curriculum for the Young Women. (It is interesting how things I noticed on a different occasion often come back to me and prompt me to take a closer look at them now). I was touched as I listened to this address and I noticed particular flashbacks come into my mind which reminded me of several times when I have been blessed with the gifts of being quick to observe and also with the gift of discernment. I am so thankful for those gifts and for a loving Heavenly Father who would help me to recognize specific ways they have blessed my life.

I am also thankful for how those gifts can help each of us to serve others as the Savior did:

"Observing and discerning also enable us to assist others who are seeking to obtain the path and who desire to press forward with steadfastness in Christ. Blessed with these spiritual gifts, we will not lose our way; we will not wander off; we will not be lost. And we can hope to obtain the supernal gift of discernment and its light of protection and direction only if we are quick to observe. As Alma taught his son Helaman, “See that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live” (Alma 37:47)." ( David A Bednar, "Quick to Observe,")  BYU Devotional May 10, 2005)

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

Wise Women Know and Fulfill their Duties as Mothers

"What I am about to say I am exceedingly anxious that it should sink into the mind of every parent in Zion, and that is, that while the Lord has provided all these wonderful educational institutions, while science has contributed so much for our comfort and our blessing, while the Church has prepared places to which we may send our children to be taught the gospel of Christ, that does not relieve you or me of the responsibility and the obligation that is laid upon us by our Heavenly Father to teach our own children. … It is not sufficient that my children are taught faith, repentance and baptism, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost in the auxiliary organizations. My Father in heaven has commanded that I should do that myself.

Nobody else can perform the part that God has assigned to us as parents. We have assumed an obligation when we have been the means of bringing children into the world. We can’t place that responsibility upon any organization. It is ours. … First and foremost the obligation is upon you and upon me to not only advise and counsel but to train, by setting an example, by spending sufficient time with our loved ones, these boys and girls, that they may not be led into … forbidden paths.

Call your families about you, and if you have failed in the past to give them an understanding of the purposes of life and a knowledge of the Gospel of our Lord, do it now, for I say to you as a servant of the Lord, they need it now and they will need it from now on." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, page 236).


The above quote brought several questions into my mind. Two of the most important are:
How well am I doing at fulfilling my duties as a mother?
What improvements does my Heavenly Father desire me to make?

I know only prayer, pondering, and listening to the Spirit will give true answers to those questions. I must choose not to pay attention to thoughts which contribute to feelings of inadequacy and less confidence in my ability to be a good mother. . .I need pure truth which can help me see how I really am doing and increase my confidence that I really can fulfill the divine calling as a mother.

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

Wise Women Use Good Judgement

"We live in a world in which many situations require us to make judgments that are often difficult. Yet the Savior gave the commandment to “judge not” our fellowman.¹ How can we do this and still exercise good judgment in a world full of deception and corruption?

We may often find ourselves making quick judgments about people, which can change or redefine our relationships with them. Often incorrect judgments are made because of limited information or because we do not see beyond that which is immediately in front of us

Good judgment is needed not only in understanding people but also in facing decisions that often lead us to or away from our Heavenly Father." (Gregory Schweitzer, "Developing Good Judgement and Not Judging Others," April 2010 General Conference)


Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Wise Women: Plan and Prepare

My Mission statement for the kind of Mom I want to be

A Written Plan or mission statement or list etc. for each of the Relief Society Emphasis Points of:

Faith

Family

Relief


The above links are examples of mine.  Those of you who have visited Mom's MTC might recognize that they are simply the tabs from that blog.  These written statements, as well as the more specific plans I make monthly and daily, help me to remember where I want to keep my focus and help me to reach my most important goals.

What will help you?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Wise Women: Prepare for the Plague of Pornography in Positive Ways

I strongly believe that we don't need to fear pornography, but we do need to prepare to fight against it. We need to understand there is a reason prophets refer to pornography as a plague. We need to decide now that we will act with compassion toward anyone affected by pornography. Finally, we need to have a plan in place to combat pornography.

Faith in the wise instruction of the Savior, Jesus Christ to "Be not afraid, only believe." provides courage to fight against " The sleaze and the filth of pornography" (President Gordon B. Hinckley,"The Condition of the Church, April 2003 General Conference). President Thomas S Monson affirms, " This is not a time for fear. . . but rather a time for faith. . ." ("Be Your Best Self," April 2009 General Conference). "I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them" 1 Nephi 3:7

  We must acknowledge that pornography doesn't only affect those who seek after it, it is a plague which also infects those diligently trying to avoid it. "Just as fiery serpents swept through the camp of Israel, pornography is sweeping through our world, and even the Saints of God are not escaping unharmed." ( Overcoming Addiction  Through the Atonement, Ensign September 2012) It is not only affecting those who go out and seek it, but biting some on the heel even when they are doing their very best to avoid it.  I have heard many stories from friends who have been horribly exposed to the disgusting stuff even after choosing very carefully what movie, etc.  they went to.  Like any flu germ, we can do our very best to avoid it, and we should, but we must also know what to do if we, or someone we love, becomes infected despite our best efforts at germ control.  Being prepared by choosing now to show compassion and understanding when we encounter or hear about someone who is struggling with pornography, and not reacting with fear, disgust, or anger, is extremely important:

". . . everyone I have met struggling with addiction suffers from a terrible sense of shame and a belief that he or she is broken, defective, and beyond the love and grace of God.

But this belief, in my experience, is far from the truth. Usually I find that those who struggle with addictions are warriors with tenacity, courage, and a strong desire to be clean. They win far more battles than they lose as they march toward recovery.

This may be hard for some to comprehend—if people are so strong, why is overcoming addiction so difficult? Addiction is often misunderstood, and some believe that if a person would simply choose to recover or work harder at stopping, he or she would be able to. But the nature of addiction—and all sin, for that matter—is such that we cannot heal ourselves from it. The children of Israel could not heal themselves from the bites of the fiery serpents, and we cannot simply wish or even work addiction away. We must find our hope of healing in Christ."( Overcoming Addiction Through the Atonement, Ensign September 2012) 

Clearly one of our duties as mothers is to have a clear plan in place to deal with pornography. That plan must have our own good example of avoiding all forms of that plague very close to the top of that list."Parents need to teach children to avoid any pornographic photographs or stories. Children and youth need to know from parents that pornography of any kind is a tool of the devil; and if anyone flirts with it, it has the power to addict, dull, and even destroy the human spirit."(Marriage and Family Relations Participant manual, chapter 15).  Have a specific plan we discuss with our children such as "if you see pornography, which is pictures of immodest or naked people, be sure to turn off the TV or computer right away, don't click on another thing on the Internet, don't turn another page in that book, run to me or to another adult and ask for help!" 

 Those efforts to avoid pornography are commendable and necessary, but they must also be accompanied with a powerful testimony of the source of healing: Jesus Christ and the Power of the Atonement must be at the very top our preparation plan.  As Moms we must nurture our own testimony of our Savior and do our very best to lead our children, and all those around us to him so that if they ever are bitten by the fiery serpent of pornography, or any other sin or addiction, they know from our example that they are still loved and still important to the Savior and if they look to Him they will be saved.

Yes we live in a world of darkness and fiery serpents so we need to have our armour and our family's armour as strong as possible so that we can fight each battle with confidence that even if we can't always see it, the light of Jesus Christ is never far away, and He will always win.  All we have to do is choose to fight with His help.

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Resources:
Overcoming Addiction Through the Atonement, Ensign September 2012
Combating Pornography Website

A Wise Woman is a Wise Steward

"Remember, brethren, to return and report is the final act of the faithful and wise steward. " (see here) 

Obviously the above quote applies to women as well as men. I believe being a wise steward requires listening and following the Spirit. That is part of what I want to return and report.

"You will receive nudges from the Spirit, ever so quiet ones, but clearly discernible. There may be an impression to call someone, to write, to say thank you to Mom or Dad, to express love to a sibling, to contact someone you are assigned to home or visit teach. These acts usually do not take large amounts of time, although on occasion they may.

I know that when I follow my impressions and act in behalf of one of God’s children, there is a special spiritual reinforcement, a recharge of the spiritual battery, if you will, that the Lord sends. Lots of those “hugs” come in the process of ministering to others. You learned that ever so well in your missionary experience.

These little acts of service are as fulfilling as those that are given to you by formal call or assignment. There is much good to be done in the world which does not require a formal call to perform. Do not wait for the assignment to serve before serving. Service, freely rendered, is evidence of internalized Christlike attributes and is deeply soul satisfying.

No one is expecting you to return and report on these personalized promptings quietly given by the Holy Spirit to serve others. In fact, it is possible no one will notice if you do not respond at all. You won’t even be asked about them. But cumulatively they will bring you closer to the Master and prepare you for your most critical roles of all: husband, wife, father, mother, home teacher, or visiting teacher. To be successful in these sacred relationships, absolute obedience to the enticings of the still, small voice is essential. And as you thus respond, you will bask in the love and peace showered upon you by a deeply grateful Heavenly Father! (See here).

I believe those "assignments" given directly through the Holy Spirit are part of a very important personal though perhaps informal report: that which we should continually have with our Heavenly Father as we pray always and work harder and harder to notice and act on more and more of those individual promptings. I have found greatest awareness of these promptings when I write down in a special journal each one I can recognize and then record whether I responded or not.

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

Wise Women Understand and Support Priesthood Power

I am thankful that I have started to learn more about the importance of the Priesthood in my life.  As a woman, I still have responsibilities to understand and rely on priesthood power.

“We have done very well at distributing the authority of the priesthood. We have priesthood authority planted nearly everywhere. We have quorums of elders and high priests worldwide. But distributing the authority of the priesthood has raced, I think, ahead of distributing the power of the priesthood. The priesthood does not have the strength that it should have and will not have until the power of the priesthood is firmly fixed in the families as it should be.

“The power you receive will depend on what you do with this sacred, unseen gift."

“Your authority comes through your ordination; your power comes through obedience and worthiness. …"

“Power in the priesthood comes from doing your duty in ordinary things: attending meetings, accepting assignments, reading the scriptures, keeping the Word of Wisdom.”
  President Boyd K. Packer

Hmmmmm. Now how do I encourage and support (not nag or control) those characteristics which bring more priesthood power to the men around me?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

exchange rags for robes and robes for rags

President Kimball taught: “There are many sisters who are living in rags—spiritual rags. They are entitled to gorgeous robes, spiritual robes. … It is your privilege to go into homes and exchange robes for rags. (Daughters in my kingdom chapter 7)

I believe that includes being willing to give up earthly robes, in other words, sacrifice for others and seek robes in heaven instead of on earth. Those around us, especially. Our families need us to be there for them with energy to listen and preparation to counsel in wisdom because we are worthy to have and recognize the promptings of The holy spirit. Of course we must work for our temporal welfare, but only work outside the home if it is Gods will for us to do. Not because we are seeking to earn worldly things.

Wise Women Pray Secretly and With Those They Love

"We [as family members] will not always see alike; men will not always reason as their wives do and vice versa, but if you will pray together, with a real desire to be united, I can say to you, you will agree on all important matters." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church : George Albert Smith page 100)

Wise Women Follow Simple Solutions

"You can strengthen your marriage and keep your family safe by following the counsel given in the proclamation on the family. You can find solutions to problems by studying the teachings of the Savior and His servants and by praying diligently for the Lord's guidance. Through prayer, you can receive strength to keep your covenants and to work in unity with your spouse. You can repent of bad habits and forgive. You can learn problemsolving and communication skills to resolve disagreements and avoid potential conflicts."  (Strengthening Marriage Resource Guide For Couples. I underlined some of the simple solutions I found in this quote)

Wise Women Carefully Choose Priorities

I read this poem during naptime after a very busy morning of Dr appts: Morning Glory needed a cast put on her broken thumb and Lady Slipper needed her ears checked (yes, she had an ear infection). I wanted to cry as I read it. It made me think of so many questions I want to continually ask myself in order to choose the right priorities from moment to moment during my usually busy days. It made me think of so many things I want to do better. But it also helped me feel joy in the knowledge that often, my choices do reflect priorities that are the best, though mostly unseen.
I hope that every night I can report to my Father in Heaven in my prayers and say something similar to the words of this poem. If I can, then I believe my priorities are in the right place.

"What did I do Today?"

Today I left some dishes dirty,

The bed got made around 3:30

The Diapers soaked a little longer,

The odor grew a little stronger

The crumbs I spilled the day before

Are staring at me from the floor.

The fingerprints there on the wall

Will likely be there still next fall

The dirty streaks on those windowpanes

Will still be there next time it rains.

Shame on you, you sit and say,

Just what did you do today?

I held a baby till he slept,

I held a toddler while he wept.

I played a game of hide and seek,

I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.

I pulled a wagon, sang a song,

Taught a child right from wrong.

What did I do this whole day through?

Not much that shows, I guess that's true.

Unless you think that what I've done

Might be important to someone,

With dark brown eyes and soft brown hair.

If that is true...I've done my share.

Author Unknown

(I found this poem quoted in

"Cloth Diapers Made Easy" by babyvilleboutique)

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy 



Moroni Men and Wise Women Revere the Priesthood

All Moroni Men need the Priesthood of God in order to most effectively do God's work.  Why should Women also revere and understand and support the priesthood? One simple answer is that Without the power of the priesthood, no one, including women, would have the blessings of the true Church of Jesus Christ. I first really began to realize that women need to really study about the priesthood too when I heard a talk by President Boyd K. Packer (The Power of the Priesthood, Ensign May 2010)

Here are some wonderful quotes from Teachings of President George Albert Smith, Chapter 5:  

• In the days of the Savior, He was the presiding authority. Next to Him came a quorum of twelve men, chosen by Him. When He passed away, the Quorum of Twelve, not a number of ordinary men who called themselves disciples, but a quorum of twelve men who possessed divine authority and had received it from Jesus Christ, became the leadership of the Church
• The priesthood … is a blessing that, if we are faithful, will open the doors of the celestial kingdom and give us a place there to live throughout the ages of eternity. Do not trifle with this priceless blessing.The priesthood … is a blessing that, if we are faithful, will open the doors of the celestial kingdom and give us a place there to live throughout the ages of eternity.
• When the time came and the world had lost the authority or Priesthood, the Lord called a humble boy and gave him a heavenly manifestation and talked to him, told him what he should do, and sent other messengers and heavenly beings from time to time, the result of which was the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and in that Church was deposited divine authority. …
  When Joseph Smith was a young man the Lord directed him to translate the Book of Mormon. On one occasion when Joseph and Oliver Cowdery were translating, the Lord sent a holy being to answer their questions about baptism. Who was he that came? John the Baptist, who held the Aaronic Priesthood. Where did he come from? He came from heaven. … He appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as a glorious resurrected being. He came directed by our Heavenly Father to confer the Aaronic Priesthood upon Joseph and Oliver, for it was not to be found any place in all the world. It was necessary that the heavens open and a man who had held the Priesthood, and still held it, should come and confer it.
• Your mission is a very remarkable one, you men who bear the Priesthood. Upon you has been conferred divine authority. You did not obtain your right to preach and teach the gospel and officiate in its ordinances as a result of training in a college or university. You received your authority from men divinely commissioned to act as servants of the Lord, and it was conferred upon you by those who received it direct from Jesus Christ our Lord
• Wherever you go, keep in mind the fact that you represent him who is the author of our being. The priesthood that you hold is not the priesthood of Joseph Smith, or Brigham Young, or any other men who have been called to leadership of the Church at home or abroad. The priesthood that you hold is the power of God, conferred upon you from on high. Holy beings had to be sent to earth … in order to restore that glorious blessing that had been lost to the earth for hundreds of years. Surely we ought to be grateful for our blessings

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

Learn More about my favorite book: the Book of Mormon and request a free copy

Moroni Men and Wise Women Turn Their Hearts to the GPS of the Atonement

Elder M. Russell Ballard's talk from General Conference April 2012 inspired me. Here are several of the thoughts I had after listening to his talk:

Have your heart turned to the Lord. Remove any of your fear with faith.

No career can bring you as much fulfillment as rearing a family. Read often The Proclamation on the Family and follow it.

Self sustaining vs self reliant. Draw upon the help of the Lord. It is good to work towards being self-sustaining in the things we are capable of doing, but if we begin to believe we should not need the help of others, we are in great danger of being deceived.

The church is the scaffolding from which we build eternal families.

Most importantly,Reach for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and you will always have a spiritual GPS to tell you where you are and where you are going.

Wise Women : Wives of Book of Mormon Warriors

I often think of the wives of men from the Book of Mormon like Ether, Mormon and his son Moroni, Captain Moroni and his son Moronihah, zennif and his grandson Limhi ... and so many others. Even though their stories are not directly written, I believe that they are very clearly,although indirectly, recorded through the stories written about their husbands and sons. Without the loving support and comfort and teaching of many wise women, those men would not have been able to be the warriors they were. Some of those men became warriors in flesh and blood battles for right and freedom. All of them were warriors in spiritual battles between good and evil.

I am indebted to those special women and desire to follow their wise examples.

Wise Women: The Woman Who Gave Me Life

The Mother who gave me life

Some of my favorite things she says to me:

 

  “There is no such thing as b-worded (bored)”

“You are my mission”

 “You really are like your name which means ‘Gods Gracious Gift of Joy’ to our family.  You even woke up happy as a baby”

“You are a peacemaker in our family.  Everything just seems brighter when you are home”

 “I am so thankful to have my daughter as a friend.”

“You are so creative.”

 “You are such an example to me.”

“You are such a good Mom.”

Some of my Favorite Memories:

Date with Mom Monday

Sewing and cooking projects together, especially my ruffled blue gingham apron

Teaching me how to be a Mom by trusting me to help babysit, do my sister’s hair and choose their outfits—and mine, even if they didn’t match.

Letting me rotate chores that made me feel grown up: laundry, cooking, kitchen, bathrooms . . .

Decided our family needed a piano and found a way to get us one and found ways for me to learn how to play.

Going to ward choir together for years.

Taking an organ playing class together.

Listening to her practice piano and trying to play by ear the songs I heard her play.

I love you Mom! Thanks for everything you continuously sacrifice for me!

Love,

Happy Mother's Day to All Supermom's!

I pray that all you girls and women everywhere remember that you are Daughter's of  God and all are invited to be mothers in his kingdom.  Whether you have born your own children yet is irrelevant to that role.  You can choose to be a mother today simply by using your God-given gift to serve and nurture everyone around you--including yourself as His Precious daughter with infinite worth. I hope all of you are treated with the love and respect you deserve.  Happy Mother's Day from me!

See what Prophets Today say about your special eternal role

Be Inspired,

Wise Women: Mary the Mother of Jesus

I am so inspired by these scriptures about Mary which show that the intent of her heart was so much like her perfect son, Jesus Christ:

"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Luke 1:38

"But Mary kept all these things, and ^apondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19

"Mary, mother of our Redeemer, was the perfect example of complete submission to the will of God. (See Luke 1:38). She kept confidences. (See Luke 2:19.) In faith she endured grief. (See John 20:11.)" Russell M. Nelson

I want to allow the mighty changes that need to take place within my own heart so I can be more like Mary.

Be Inspired,

Wise Women: Julie B. Beck

I was very sad to hear the Sister Julie B. Beck was released from her position as President of the General Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   I spent a lot of time yesterday listening to many of her addresses and messages available online.  Although I look forward to the messages I know will come from our new General  Relief Society Presidency and support them with all my heart,  I will never forget Julie B. Beck as a Wonderful example of a wise woman for me to emulate.

Be Inspired,