“Now is the time for each of us to work toward our personal conversion, toward becoming what our Heavenly Father desires us to become. As we do so, we should remember that our family relationships—even more than our Church callings—are the setting in which the most important part of that development can occur. The conversion we must achieve requires us to be a good husband and father or a good wife and mother. Being a successful Church leader is not enough. Exaltation is an eternal family experience, and it is our mortal family experiences that are best suited to prepare us for it.”

Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Liahona, Jan. 2001, 41

A World Wide Ward Family

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints because I truly believe it's teachings. I know that Christ lives and died that we might return to live with him someday. I go to church because of faith, but there are so many other blessings that come with being a member of the church. Today, I would like to talk about the blessing of the ward family.

We recently moved about an hour and a half away from our home because my husband got a job. We weren't sure when or where he would find employment. It seems scary to move away from my support network, especially because I just had a baby. One comforting thing is that I know wherever we go, we will have a ward family that will welcome us. I know that I will have a place to make friends where we will be able to help each other no matter where we are.

Because of Christ we are never alone. So it makes sense that His church would provide that same comfort to it's members.

I pray that I can be in touch with the spirit so that I can provide friendship to those who stand in need. That I can fulfill my covenant to comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and give the comfort I have been given to others.

"As you feel the need to confide in the Lord or to improve the quality of your visits with him - to pray, if you please - may I suggest a process to follow:

Go where you can be alone, go where you can think, go where you can kneel, go where you can speak out loud to him. The bedroom, the bathroom, or the closet will do.

Now, Picture him in your mind's eye. Think to whom you are speaking, control you thoughts - don't let them wander, address him as you Father and your friend.

Now tell him things you really feel to tell him - not trite phrases that have little meaning, but have a sincere, heartfelt conversation with him.

Confide in him, ask him for forgiveness, plead with him, enjoy him, thank him, express you love to him,

and then listen for his answers...Answers from the Lord come quietly - ever so quietly. In fact, few hear his answers audibly with their ears. We must be listening so carefully or we will never recognize them. Most answers from the Lord are felt in out heart as a warm comfortable expression, or they may come as thought to our mind. They come to those who are prepared and who are patient" (Bishop H. Burke Peterson in Conference Report, Oct. 1973, p. 13; or Ensign, Jan. 1974, p. 19).

Pahoran's Humility

I have been thinking about the example of Pahoran today, and I wanted to write about it. The Book of Alma in the Book of Mormon there is a war going on between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Captain Moroni requests reinforcements from the government (Alma 59). When no help come he wrote another epistle to Pahoran, the chief judge of the Nephites (Alma 60). Moroni is very upset by the neglect of the government and censures Pahoran.

Pahoran's response impresses me so much (Alma 61). He explains that there has been up rising among a group of the Nephites called the kingmen who have joined with the Lamanites, and he has been driven out of the capital. In Alma 61:9 he states "in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry..."

I am sad to say that I don't thinks that how I would of responded to Moroni's epistle and criticisms. I think that I would have defencive and angered by it. Instead of anger Pahoran rejoices in the greatness of Moroni's heart. Because Pahoran is not blinded by his pride he is able to find an answer to his prayer in Moroni's epistle. He rejoices in the knowledge he gains instead of being offended.

Moroni had told Pahoran that "God has said the the inward vessel shall be cleansed fist, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also." Moroni goes to the aid of Pahoran in regain and restore peace in the capital city. They are then able to drive the Lamanites out of all their land and restore peace.

This story really makes me think about humility and trying to humble myself more. It encourages me to humble myself and listen to the Spirit when miscommunication or conflicts arise. I want to be open so that I can find meaning and answers to prayers.

Agency

I would like to take some time to explain my feelings on agency. Some would say that having to follow all the rules of the church is too restrictive. I don't feel being a member of the church is confining but the opposite. My religion has liberated me.

True I have been taught not to drink alcohol, coffee, or wear immodest clothing. Ultimately I choose to follow the guidance the Lord has provided, not because I am afraid of social ridicule or feel that I am force to comply. I choose because through prayer and experience I have found that following the gospel leads me to greater happiness.

This is an analogy that I think describes how I feel:

Imagine you are handed a delicious looking fruit juice. It smells and looks like it would taste better then anything you have ever had. You are very excited drink it.

Before you take your first sip, I inform you that there is cyanide in the drink that will kill you if ingested any of it.

Can you still take a sip?

Your answer if probably "no."

Did I take any freedom from you? Did remove any physically capability rendering it impossible to drink?

No. I only gave you knowledge.

You would not be able to drink it because you know that doing so would cause death, and you can't drink it because you do not want the consequence.

That is how I feel about being a member of the Church. I have been given knowledge that prevents me from participating in some behaviors. I feel more enlighten and free because I am taught how to avoid pitfalls that would lead me away from my ultimate goal of returning to my Heavenly Father.