Happiness

I love this scripture from 2 Nephi 5:27:

"And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness."

The big question is:  How do we live after the manner of happiness?

Trial of Faith

Reid does a daily Book of Mormon thought for the family. Today it was from Ether 12:6

And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Reid asked the question: What do you believe the phrase "trial of your faith" means?

To me, it means to be completely committed, sometimes to the point where you can't turn back.

I have a favorite movie clip that illustrates this leap of faith - From Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_-BOvWVycM]

It's interesting that last month's home teaching message (July 2011), by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, was about this same principle. It's titled "Brother, I'm Committed."  Here's a quote:

"Commitment is a little like diving into the water. Either you are committed or you are not. Either you are moving forward or you are standing still. There’s no halfway. We all face moments of decision that change the rest of our lives. As members of the Church, we must ask ourselves, “Will I dive in or just stand at the edge? Will I step forward or merely test the temperature of the water with my toes?”

One more scripture on this interesting topic.

In 1 Nephi ll, Nephi is on the verge of viewing a series of visions unfolding his father's prophecies and revealing all that will take place in the future. However, before this can happen, Nephi must express his unshakeable faith. Here's the conversation between Nephi and the Spirit:

1 For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.

2 And the Spirit said unto me: Behold, what desirest thou?

3 And I said: I desire to behold the things which my father saw.

4 And the Spirit said unto me: Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?

5 And I said: Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father.

6 And when I had spoken these words, the Spirit cried with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God; for he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all. And blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the most high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired.

I'll finish this topic with a quote Reid shared in today's message:

Elder Holland expanded upon this thought in the following quote: "Preparatory faith is formed by experiences in the past, by the know, which provides a basis for belief. But redemptive faith must often be exercises toward experiences in the future, the unknown, which provides an opportunity for the miraculous. Exacting faith, mountain-moving faith, faith like that of the brother of Jared, precedes the miracle and knowledge. He had to believe before God spoke. He had to act before the ability to complete that action was apparent. He had to commit to the complete experience in advance of even the first segment of its realization. Faith is to agree unconditionally, and in advance to whatever conditions God may require in both the near and distant future. (Christ and the New Covenant, 18-19)

Dallin's 12th Birthday!

Dallin turned 12 last Tuesday, but we had a family party today (Sunday) to attend his priesthood ordination and to enjoy a meal at his house after church.

It was a great day!

This was our first grandson to receive the priesthood. It will be a long time before we experience this again because Cooper, our next grandson, is only 5.

We took a few quiet(ish) moments and reviewed statements about the priesthood in Handbook 2: Administering the Church. I love this book! Fortunately it's available to everyone online.

Here are a few ideas we shared from the handbook.

What is the priesthood?

The priesthood is the power and authority of God. It has always existed and will continue to exist without end (see Alma 13:7–8; D&C 84:17–18). Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power, He exalts His obedient children, bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39; see also D&C 84:35–38).

In mortality, the priesthood is the power and authority that God gives to man to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children. The blessings of the priesthood are available to all who receive the gospel.

What are priesthood keys?

Priesthood keys are the authority God has given to priesthood leaders to direct, control, and govern the use of His priesthood on earth. The exercise of priesthood authority is governed by those who hold its keys (see D&C 65:2; 81:2; 124:123). Those who hold priesthood keys have the right to preside over and direct the Church within a jurisdiction.

How do you magnify the priesthood?

Priesthood holders magnify their callings as they minister in their own homes and to other Saints and as they conscientiously fulfill assigned responsibilities. The Lord counseled, “Let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence” (D&C 107:99). Priesthood holders magnify their callings as they serve with diligence, teach with faith and testimony, and lift, strengthen, and nurture convictions of righteousness in the lives of those for whom they have responsibility.

How can I learn more about the priesthood?

Important scripture passages on the priesthood for leaders to study include Alma 13and Doctrine and Covenants 13, 20, 84, 107, 121, and 124.  (President Uchtdorf suggested reading most of these sections in his recent priesthood talk "Your Potential, Your Privilege").

Food and Fun too

We had a little birthday party after church. I made a family entertaining standard - mini chocolate cheesecakes (recipe here).

Dallin liked his present - a Stomp Rocket

Baby Julia

We are cleaning out old files and I came across a stack of emails from Joelle when she just had baby Julia. I love this story from November 18, 1998.

"Julia's bedtime is still a traumatic experience every night.  She cries and sobs. Tonight I read and prayed with her and then put her in bed and told her that if she got out I would put her in the crib. She stayed crying for about 10 minutes and then came in here sobbing with her Book of Mormon story book, crying "read Lehi mommy, read Lehi!"

New family foodie blog

We have so many food lovers in our family that we started a blog to share favorite recipes and reviews.

It's called Robison Yum