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~Michelle

Over the years, I have sometimes read The Book of Mormon with a theme or question in mind. A few months ago, I decided I wanted to learn more about what the Book of Mormon has to say about brain science. This is related to my educational and professional background and work. It’s also relevant to my own personal spiritual journey. I believe our brains and bodies and spirits are so connected, and I have wanted to understand more about how I can engage my brain for a stronger spiritual life.

There are so many facets to brain science and mental health. It has been fun, fascinating, and exciting to discover how much The Book of Mormon can expand my thinking on these things. I used a fresh copy of The Book of Mormon to do this study, and my pages are filled with purple pencil markings and notes. I dare say there is more purple than while on my pages!

While I went in knowing that narratives play a part in our mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual wellness, I wasn’t expecting to see the patterns that have emerged around this topic of narratives. One thing is clear: Our self-narratives can make all the difference between peace and agony, and between trust in God or turning away from him — even between societal peace or war, and definitely in family relationships, even across generations. One of the most stunning patterns that has shown up consistently is that violence (verbal and physical, to self and others) is connected to false beliefs in a sobering way.

Perhaps it was my personal study that made me all the more interested to read a recent post at ChurchofJesusChrist.org about a woman’s experience with coming awake to her narratives. (“Do You Need to Rewrite Your Life’s Story?”) The author, named Angela Ahn, suffered heartbreakingly difficult traumatic events at a young age. I felt great sympathy for her pain as I read. (We are supposed to mourn with those that mourn.) But she also had a friend who helped her consider that maybe the stories she had built around her mourning were causing her unnecessary pain. That was a brave friend who spoke up and invited her to consider her ways.

Angela bravely took her friend’s advice. And in this post, she shares her wisdom in being able to use a variety of tools to help her find a new lens on her life is inspiring to read. By reframing her story, she found healing in her relationship with God, and more ability to experience joy and peace in her life.

I love the definition of repentance in the Latter-day Saint Bible Dictionary that takes from the Greek word which “denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world.” This is not about peppy positive psychology, but about soul-searching to consider and hold space for the possibility that where we have suffered pain and sorrow (or even wrongs at the hands of another), with God, we can be enabled to see things with a lens that makes more space for our Heavenly Parents and Their love, for Jesus and His loving sacrifice and for the big picture of God’s plan and promises that all that we experience will be turned for good, because He is good. (See Romans 8:28; Doctrine and Covenants 122:7)

God is always at work for our good, but the lens we have on life can impact whether or not we can see and trust in that. It’s like the old adage, “Which wolf will you feed?”

I think many times we need God’s help to clear out our life lenses, just like Jesus helped the blind man see by inviting him to wash the earth-mud from his eyes. Simply being mortal means we have mud in our eyes, and traumas and trials can increase our blindness if we aren’t careful. We are veiled from seeing all that God is doing and all He is. But with faith, He can help us find His light and love in our lives, even in the hard times.

Again, the author of the post I read includes a variety of tools — from writing to therapy to daily exercise to daily scripture study, and more — that can be of benefit when we could use help rewriting our stories to include a more eternal perspective. I invite you to read her story and consider the list of tools she shares.

All of this also reminds me of a talk given by Camille Johnson, who is the worldwide president of the Primary organization in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Frankly, few of us would probably write into our stories the trials that refine us. But don’t we love the glorious culmination of a story we read when the protagonist overcomes the struggle? Trials are the elements of the plot that make our favorite stories compelling, timeless, faith promoting, and worthy of telling. The beautiful struggles written into our stories are what draw us closer to the Savior and refine us, making us more like Him.

For David to overcome Goliath, the boy had to take on the giant. The comfortable narrative for David would have been a return to tending sheep. But instead he reflected upon his experience saving lambs from a lion and a bear. And building on those heroic feats, he mustered the faith and courage to let God write his story, declaring, “The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.”3 With a desire to let God prevail, with an ear to the Holy Ghost and a willingness to let the Savior be the author and finisher of his story, the boy David defeated Goliath and saved his people.

-Camille N. Johnson, Invite Christ to Author Your Story

What’s your story? What are stories you tell yourself when things feel hard? Are there ways you can invite Christ to help author your story? Are there friends and professionals who could help? Do you have a practice of daily spiritual study, writing, and physical self care?

The story is never over, so we can always keep improving how we write our story, and with whom (Whom). I’m grateful for Angela’s story that helped me recommit to working on how I write my own.

The post What’s your story? Finding a fresh view on life’s narratives with God’s help appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Patricia Katopol

In many belief systems, only certain people are allowed to interact with God. For example, only some may say special prayers or conduct certain rituals. Many religions believe that the Bible contains all that God is going to say – that the heavens are closed. However, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe that the heavens are still open. The Lord still communicates with us. His words are not frozen in time and His words are for everyone. 

What is Revelation?

We hear the Lord speak to us through revelation, which is the “communication from God to His children on earth. Revelation may come through the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost by way of inspiration, visions, dreams, or visits by angels. Revelation provides guidance that can lead the faithful to eternal salvation in the celestial kingdom.”¹   All members of the Church [and all children of God!] are entitled to receive revelation. 

How Revelation Guides the Church of Jesus Christ

Revelation guides leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ in terms of administration and policy. For example, the Sunday meeting schedule was reduced from three hours to two to support the new focus on home-centered gospel study, and members were encouraged to use the full name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it was the name revealed to Joseph Smith.² Guided by revelation, rather than denounce social media, the leadership instructs members on how to use it for outreach (such as this site) and instruction, such as Scripture reading. The Prophets have also received revelation about ‘provident living,’ including storing food (where legally allowed) for an uncertain future and avoiding debt. 

Revelations are “the foundation of the Church in these last days, and a benefit to the world, showing that the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of our Savior are again entrusted to man; and the riches of eternity [are] within the compass of those who are willing to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” ³

We need revelation to understand God and His heavenly kingdom. The revelation received by the prophets helps Church members [and other willing listeners] to understand these things. In the early days of the Church, Brigham Young said that even Scripture does not convey to us the word of God as do prophets in our time because they speak to us through revelation. This is the truest example of the heavens not being closed – the Church is blessed with prophets who receive communication from the Lord in our time, for our needs both physical and spiritual. ⁴  

What Does Revelation Look Like?

You may know the story of Saul, who, while on the road to Damascus, saw a flash of light from heaven and heard the voice of Jesus. This spectacular event led him to accept Jesus and become a new person, Paul. In the Book of Mormon, Alma the Younger, a wicked man, was struck dumb by an angel who urged repentance. Elder Bednar has said that Saul and Alma were so spiritually bereft, that they needed lights and voices to get their attention before coming to the Lord. 

Most people are not so lacking in spirituality that they will need these experiences before the Lord gets their attention, but that doesn’t mean they cannot have revelation. We are cautioned not to doubt our testimony or connection with God simply because we have not seen burning bushes or heard voices. “The great volume of revelation … comes to today’s prophet in the less spectacular way—that of deep impressions, without spectacle or glamour or dramatic events. Always expecting the spectacular, many will miss entirely the constant flow of revealed communication”⁵    

What to Expect from Revelation

Revelation may enlighten us, helping us to understand spiritual matters. It may come as instant recall of lessons we once learned and now realize they are applicable to our present situation. Revelation may come from the counsel of Church leaders, for example, the revelation to store food. “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken … whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same”⁶ And, though we should not expect it, revelation may even come as visions or dreams.

Principles of Revelation

Ronald D. Anderson, a professor at Brigham Young University – Idaho, provided guidance on principles that govern revelation, some of which are: 

“The Lord decides where, how, and when Revelation is to come“ – The Lord will answer in His time and in His way. Relax and do not become anxious about when and how you receive an answer.

“Revelation is Stewardship Bound“ – Revelation is received only for those over whom you have authority. For example, the President Nelson may receive revelation for the Church, the Bishop may receive it for the ward, and priesthood holders may receive revelation for their family. But perhaps the best thing about revelation is that you can receive it for yourself. All members of the Church may receive revelation and no member of the Church is more entitled than you are to receive it. 

Search the Scriptures – Often the Scriptures will tell us what we should do. But we must read them with diligence, keeping our questions in mind, and searching for God’s answers therein, and not just hope that they will magically appear to us. 

Escape the Noise and the Tumult – Leave the social media and the electronics alone for a while. Invite the spirt by taking time alone, perhaps listening to conference talks or uplifting music. Said Joseph Smith, “when angels have come, or God has revealed Himself, it has been to individuals in private, in their chamber; in the wilderness or fields, and that generally without noise or tumult.”⁷  

Though we are urged to seek revelation, we should not ask the Lord about everything we do in life. What we should do is to ask for the Holy Spirit to be with us always so that we can feel the promptings of the Spirit in our daily lives without asking the Lord about every decision. 

The Intellect and the Spirit in Revelation

Some may think that revelation is unnecessary and that we can learn all we need to know ny using our intellect. I struggled with this myself when investigating the Church. I live in a college town and attend a ward full of academics, physicians, and scientists. A faculty member myself, as much as I enjoyed church, I thought that getting baptized meant I would have to leave my intellect behind and blindly follow the dictates of the Church. In my lessons, I constantly sought rational explanations for the spiritual. I know I was a trial for my poor missionaries (they told me). 

It seems silly now, but I was blind to what was around me every week – intellectually curious people from a variety of fields, who were happy, thoughtful, members of the Church. President Nelson himself holds both a PhD and an MD and is a renowned pioneer in heart surgery. We are certainly encouraged to use our minds.

But here is the difference. The intellect can help us discover many truths; however, “The things of God cannot be learned solely by study and reason. The religious view… includes reason as well as revelation, and it embraces the truths determined by both. In contrast, the rational view excludes what is spiritually revealed.” ⁸  

That is, we can study Scripture, we can use our intellect to ponder the word of God, but it is through faith and the Spirit that we receive revelation. We cannot expect to become spiritual beings purely through reason.  

The Blessings of Revelation

As an investigator, I once sat with others and watched a video about Wilford Woodruff, who, like Joseph Smith searched for the true church. In it, a missionary said to the assembled crowd, “Perhaps while reading the scriptures, you have wondered where are the prophets? The Apostles? The angels? The visions? The revelation and the voice of God today. Some will tell you that these manifestations are unnecessary in our day and age of the world, but I am thankful and rejoice that the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored and that there is a prophet again on the earth with revelation and the voice of God heard once more by men today.”⁹ 

For the first time, the concept that the heavens are not closed came home to me. I knew immediately that God still spoke to us; that He could speak to me. I knew that the revelatory experiences had by people in the past were not left in the past but could be had today. Even the actor was so moved, his voice trembled as he spoke. I was dumbstruck and had to stop myself from crying in public. I believe that day I was moved by the Spirit for the first time. 

Having personal revelation from Heavenly Father is a great blessing. Not only does revelation give us answers to challenges in life, but it also provides peace of mind. “If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things – that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.”¹⁰   

References:

1. https://www.mormonwiki.com/Revelation
2. Weaver, S. (2018). “Mormon” Is Out: Church Releases Statement on How to Refer to the Organization. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/mormon-is-out-church-releases-statement-on-how-to-refer-to-the-organization?lang=eng
3. Revelation and the Living Prophet – https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-16?lang=eng 
4. Ibid. 
5. LDS Living (September 28, 2021). Why Elder Bednar Says You Can Learn to Stop Worrying Whether or Not You’re Receiving Revelation.  https://www.ldsliving.com/the-precious-whisperings-of-the-spirit/s/10054?fbclid=IwAR1J3jUTp1Ho7MZt1K9gSQyevwAEnAHyYfNtuC0J09v4z0qJ4CQcg_bIkhk  Citing Conference Report, Munich Germany Area Conference, 1973.
6. Doctrine & Covenants 1:38  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/1.38?lang=eng#p38
7. Anderson, R. (2003). Principles that Govern Revelation. https://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2003_11_25_Anderson.htm    
8. Vinson, Terence (2018). The Essential Role of Revelation. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2019/08/the-essential-role-of-revelation?lang=eng
9. The Search for the Truth: Wilford Woodruff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZcDr3JUSOs&t=7s 
10. Doctrine & Covenants 42:61 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/42?lang=eng  

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See that spike right there? That’s what happens to our traffic on this website around Halloween. People really wonder if members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrate Halloween. I hope that those who wonder got a little more insight into that answer (short answer — the if, how, and how much varies for everyone, but on the whole, the answer is yes).

I hope we will have fewer people wondering about whether or not we celebrate Christmas (although some still may wonder, given the pagan connections to some of the Christmas traditions).

At the very heart of our faith is Jesus Christ, so when the birth of the Son of God is celebrated around the world, you can believe that we celebrate with the world! To us, He is the the Life and Light of the World. Once again, when it comes to how individuals and families might celebrate the Christmas season, that will vary.

But this post is about one way we as a worldwide church community celebrate the season. It’s called #LightTheWorld.

The intention is to turn the Christmas season into a month-long focus on service. This year, the #LightTheWorld effort has been expanded to say “Light the World with Love.”

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist

There’s a calendar of service ideas if you and/or you and your family would like to join in along the way. Or you can create your own service calendar. There’s also a child-friendly service calendar for those who have little ones.

And although the pandemic is still here with us, this year, the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines are back.*

If you haven’t heard of the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines, you can read more here. What started as an experiment a few years ago has expanded into a continually-collaborative effort in multiple cities across the United States, with nonprofits that serve people around the world. 100% of donations go to help the charity you choose, and the charities with which the Church collaborates all care about helping people one by one, just as Jesus did.

All credit card fees are covered by the Church of Jesus Christ to also serve the nonprofits to which you are donating.

“Imagine swiping your credit card at a vending machine—but instead of buying a candy bar for yourself, you’re buying a sheep for a family in a third-world country. Or a polio vaccine. Or a pair of shoes. Or 100 meals for your local food bank. With the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines, that’s exactly what happens. The Giving Machines provide a way for people to follow the example of Jesus to help those in need and make the Christmas season a little more meaningful for themselves and for countless others.“

You can also give online by donating to one of the charity partners working with the Church to do more good, together. Or, of course, feel free to donate to your favorite charity, with time or goods or funds or a social media share or whatever feels right for you.

“The organizations featured in the Giving Machines represent a wide variety of global and local causes—all with pressing needs and the goal of helping people one by one. If you’re wondering what you should donate, consider spending a bit of time learning about the charities before visiting the machines or donating online. You might find a cause or item that resonates with you. As you give that gift, remember that your donation is truly helping someone in need.“

#LightTheWorld starts on November 30 by encouraging people to participate in #GivingTuesday. There are so many ways to share more light and goodness and love. Although we can’t measure it here, we hope that this Christmas season, there will be a spike in service and good will as we each try to find ways to #LightTheWorld.

*As COVID is, unfortunately, still causing issues around the world, and there are those around you whose bodies may be more at-risk, please be cautious and considerate of others if you choose to use the machines and as you are out and about this Christmas season.

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~by Michelle

Last week, I heard church talks about the power of music, and it caused me to reflect more on the impact of music in my life.

I wanted to share two thoughts that came while I was listening.

One was a memory. I have suffered from migraines and dizziness for many years, and in the early years, my neurologist ordered MRIs to check to see if there was anything that could threaten my life.

I debated about whether or not to be sedated. I do deal with some clausterphobia, and a good friend of mine said that she opted for the medicine to help her through the procedure. The night before the MRI, though, I had a very clear impression that I would be able to endure the procedure without being sedated.

As I lay in the machine the next day, I had the thought to sing in my mind while the MRI was being conducted. I was in the loud tube for quite a while, and it was not easy. I could sometimes feel a sense of panic tapping at me and wanting to take over. But as I sang in my mind, my focus shifted to God, and it actually became a worshipful experience. As my heart and mind sang, at times I even wept for the help I was feeling through the experience.

The second thought was a reminder. A couple of months ago, I had the impression to go through the hymns to note all the ways these sacred pieces of music teach about God’s nature and attributes. Joseph Smith taught in order “for any rational and intelligent being to exercise faith in God unto life and salvation” one must have, among other things, “a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes.” (Lectures on Faith, 1:2, 4).

The first hymn I remember learning on the piano is “How Gentle God’s Commands.” This is one of the shortest in the green hymnbook that we have used for decades in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (A new hymnbook — considering input from 50,000 people and 16,000 submissions from people in well over six dozen countries — will be released in a few years.) But this little hymn is packed with beautiful truth about God’s nature. I’ve italicized words that stand out to me, including invitations He offers to us to give Him our burdens, which teaches about His desire to lighten the loads we sometimes carry as we walk this journey of mortality.

1. How gentle God’s commands!

How kind his precepts are!

Come, cast your burdens on the Lord

And trust his constant care.

2. Beneath his watchful eye,

His Saints securely dwell;

That hand which bears all nature up

Shall guard his children well.

3. Why should this anxious load

Press down your weary mind?

Haste to your Heav’nly Father’s throne

And sweet refreshment find.

4. His goodness stands approved,

Unchanged from day to day;

I’ll drop my burden at his feet

And bear a song away.

(Find various free arrangements of this hymn here.)

How has music helped you learn more about and feel God’s love?

The post Connecting to God through Music appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Michelle

I was recently thinking about the people who helped deepen my roots of belief, and S. Michael Wilcox is one of them. I took a Book of Mormon class from him my freshman year of college at Brigham Young University. I intend to write more about that in another post.

But for today, I wanted to share this podcast discussion with Dr./Brother Wilcox that a friend recently sent to me. Dr. Wilcox has studied and written about the questions Jesus asks in the New Testament. This question He asks of Mary is one He might ask us all at some point (or points) in our lives.

Brother Wilcox talks in his writings, and in this podcast, from experience in a vulnerable, tender way about losing his wife to an aggressive form of brain cancer ten years ago. He reflects on impressions he’s had when wrestling with the hard things in the world, the problem of evil. He shares scriptures that have helped him hold on when things have felt dark…including still at times, now ten years after his wife passed away.

For me, Brother Wilcox has a way of bringing the scriptures to life and giving me new lenses with which to engage them. He shows how endlessly full of truth and light and inspiration they are, especially when we go to them with questions of the heart.

[The question given to Mary at the tomb was], ‘Why weepest thou?’…Mary, to me represents all the pain of the world in that moment, all the pain seems to be in that one woman. And now even the body of the Savior is gone. ..And I love the three words, “She turned herself.” …we have our empty tombs, things we look into and there’s nothing there, but darkness, the empty tomb. She turned from it to the living Christ.

Brother Wilcox also can see God and life truths in the natural world. His thoughts the ibex goat, for example, feel like they could be relevant for many who may be passing through struggles with their faith, or even just how the struggles around us can sometimes make places to get our footing feel all the more rare or even apparently non-existent.

The video below will make Brother Wilcox’s insights from Habakkuk all the more poignant.

Sometimes I have to say to myself, “Lord,” Habakkuk’s prayer, “give me hinds feet. Just give me hinds feet. There’s not any answers. I don’t know the whys, maybe I don’t have anybody that’s watching and tarrying with me. I’m just desperate. I’m exceeding sorrowful unto death. And my path is only a half an inch wide, and I’m on a vertical cliff. Give me Habakkuk’s hinds feet for the high places.”

I love all those Hs, that alliteration. Habakkuk, hinds, high. “Just give me those feet.” So I’ll hold on because I know from experience the path widens again, things change. 

We’re all going to get our Mary-Jesus moment[s] when Jesus says [our name],” and we turn. And [the pain will] be over.

Sometimes those moments will come interspersed throughout life. Brother Wilcox has shared many such moments over the years, and he continues to share in his writing and speaking.

In my life, we look for what I call the attic moments and every single day there’ll be a dozen of them. So I don’t have in my life the big joy, the grand happiness, which for me is Laurie. For Latter-Day Saints, it’s love, it’s family, it’s relationships. I don’t think the celestial kingdom is a place. I think the celestial kingdom is people…. It’s relationships. It’s not an environment. It’s relationships. I don’t have that now. The big center of the painting [is missing for now], but there are all kinds of attic moments, little happinesses all around. And we look for those and they come all the time.”

There’s so much in this podcast that I would love to share, but instead, I’ll just send you to the original interview. You can also read some of his thoughts in this article.

Why Weepest Thou? – A conversation with S. Michael Wilcox: https://faithmatters.org/why-weepest-thou-a-conversation-with-s-michael-wilcox/ {NOTE: Linking to this episode does not imply endorsement of the website housing the podcast or other interviews on the site.}

[And here’s an ibex video…there are several available on YouTube]

*This post has been edited from the original

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Every day from now until Christmas, we’ll post some kind of inspirational Christmas music to help you celebrate Jesus Christ, the Reason for the Season.

Music can be a powerful way to remember Christ, and to invite His influence into our lives. And as 2020 comes to a close, who doesn’t need to feel more of His love, peace, and healing power?

We know there are so many wonderful options for Christ-centered Christmas music out there, so if you have a favorite you would like to share, please do so in the comments and perhaps we can share some of your suggestions on our Facebook page.

NOTE: Tonight there is a #LightTheWorld virtual concert that we’ll be posting about tomorrow, but if you want to watch it live, it premiers at 8:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. PST.

12 Days of Christmas Music, Day 1:

“Christmas with The Chosen“

If you haven’t yet discovered the wonder of The Chosen, the Christmas season would be a special time to gather those in your household together to watch it. This is the first television series of its kind: a crowdsourced, multi-season exploration of the ministry of Jesus Christ. (You can view this series on The Chosen app (streamable to other devices) or at BYU-TV.)

Last night, a special virtual concert was aired with narration and musical performances from the set of The Chosen. Performers gathered from various places (including as far as Israel) to be part of this amazing concert.

The Chosen is also a wonderful example of people from various faiths coming together to celebrate Jesus Christ. The show’s creator and director, Dallas Jenkins is an Evangelical Christian. Season 2 of The Chosen was filmed on a set owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And in this concert, you will hear a performance from a Messianic Jew, Joshua Aaron. See also the list of performers who are members of different churches.

You can watch this concert at The Chosen’s YouTube channel, their Facebook page, or at BYU-TV. (Video is also embedded below.)

You can also watch rebroadcasts in the following places:

● TBN: December 17th @ 5:00 PT/6pm MT/7pm CT/8pm ET and also @ 8:00 PT/9pm MT/10pm CT/11pm ET and then again on the 25th @ 8:00 PT/9pm MT/10pm CT/11pm ET
● UPtv: December 24th @ 4:30pm PT/5:30pm MT/6:30pm CT/ 7:30pm ET
● HILLSONG CHANNEL: December 17th @ 7:30pm PT/8:30pm MT/9:30pm CT/10:30pm ET

Artists include the following:
● Chris Tomlin
● The Piano Guys
● The Bonner Family
● Phil Wickham
● Stephen McWhiter and Jason Clayborn
● Zach Williams
● For King and Country
● Mandisa
● Hillsong United
● Matt Maher
● Joshua Aaron

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There was a time — quite a long stretch of time, actually — when I would hear people say, “Practice gratitude” and I would shrivel up a little inside. Things were bone-deep hard in my life, and gratitude definitely felt more like a platitude. When people shared (felt like threw) that idea over the pulpit or the social media fence, it often felt somehow like a dismissal of the pain that was already mostly invisible to others. It left me feeling even more invisible.

It’s not that I hadn’t tried being grateful, it just didn’t quite…work?…for some reason.

So this weekend when I heard ripples about how some people are responding to President Nelson’s #GiveThanks invitation with not-such-positive feelings, I could empathize, at least a little.

Of course, I don’t know what the specific bristle is about for different individuals, but I’ve heard from some that it can be hard to see people such a flurry of posts about the things that for many represent “sorrow that the eye can’t see” in their lives. For example, posts about health or health-dependent activities and opportunities can hurt when you are sick; posts about children can trigger the ache when you are childless or mourning a loss of a child; posts about happy marriages can sting when you are single or struggling with marriage issues. And the list can go on.

And we all know that social media is well-known for being a potential vehicle for feeding that sort of “pouring lemon juice on the wound” kind of feeling when someone is already hurting. (Sometimes it can even create pain when we didn’t feel it before. Social media is a topic for another day, though….)

I don’t know how that stinging feeling might be transformed for you if you are hurting, but I can share that God did bring friends and resources and language and mentors who helped the idea of gratitude slowly start to crack through the protective shell I was living behind. Through them, God helped the idea go from a sour platitude to something more like the oil the Good Samaritan poured into the wounds of his should-have-been enemy. The oil of joy, even.

Gratitude is still something I’m practicing, but I’m understanding more why sages from all traditions through millennia have encouraged it, and why those in the modern-day medical and mental health professions also encourage practicing gratitude. I can taste that it has the potential to be life-changing and life-giving.

One of my friends who is further along the gratitude practice path, who has helped me feel and understand more of its power, gave me permission to share the following.

As a little bit of background: Alicia is two years out from a devastating cancer diagnosis (stage 4 metastatic breast cancer). Her treatments thrust her still-young-body into way-too-early menopause, mocking her desire for more children. She will have to be on treatments for the rest of her life, which life she realizes may be shorter than she had planned or hoped for. (And this is only the stuff she has felt to write about publicly. We all have sorrows that are not visible to others.)

In short, she knows something of what it is like to grieve, to lose, to yearn. She knows the longing for something once experienced in the past (like health, flexibility, fertility) or the pain taking a future dream and packing it away for this life.

This is what she wrote a couple of days ago.

Through hard chemo, I kept a gratitude journal.

One day, I was only well enough to scrawl, “I’m grateful for puzzles.” The writing is wobbly, and I treasure it.

I learned a lot about the power of gratitude with that daily practice. I learned when we pay attention, really pay attention to our lives and every blessing worth expressing gratitude, healing pours through the crevices of our souls.

Gratitude mends individuals, relationships, communities, nations! I spent my life [before cancer] unaware of the power gratitude held.

One evening after a treatment, our family went out to eat. My head was wrapped in my favorite white scarf. My family all wore telling pink bracelets. Our server paid for our meal but I found it still came with a price: he’d lost his wife to breast cancer, and he laid his grief at our feet, going into great detail about the process.

It sparked an anxiety attack.

I went back to our hotel room and while everyone else slept, I forced myself to write two full pages of things I was grateful for. Through writing, my heart slowed down, my breathing returned to normal. I was finally able to fall asleep.

So I find: When I can’t find my footing to walk by faith, I walk by gratitude.

Are you breathing? Is your heart keeping time within your cozy core? Breath and blood are miracles. Commonplace, but no less miraculous.

I’m grateful for breath.

For blood.

My blood and Christ’s.

I’ve heard some criticism over public gratitude practices…and I disagree. Full stop. Gratitude is a healer. Not THE Healer, but it is a powerful, underestimated and often untapped force for healing.

There are times when others post about what they are grateful for and it hurts. It hurts like when someone my age goes jogging by my house or announces a pregnancy, but under no circumstances do I want anyone to try to manage my pain for me. Don’t you dare NOT share your pregnancy announcement. I want a chance to practice celebrating with you AND feeling what that pain/grief has to teach me. I want to go to God with it, lean in and learn. Also keep running by my house. It’s good for both of us. Your physical practice of running is making you stronger and my mental practice of accepting my new limitations is making me stronger.

If someone else’s public gratitude practice hurts, lean into your own practice ten fold.

Write two pages when you can’t breathe.

Write one line when you don’t have strength.

But do it. Do it, and see if your life isn’t revolutionized. Miracles have a funny way of flourishing when they’re paid attention to.

Kind of like people.

The post When it is hard to #GiveThanks (or to hear others express it) appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Rachel

I sketched this picture a few years ago while on the phone with a friend. I had this image pop into my mind as we discussed what it means to have the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.

This is what it means to me. It means I am not alone. It means I’m supported.

It means I am filled with Peace. I know that I have the companionship of the Holy Spirit with me, that Heavenly Father is simply a prayer away, and that Jesus Christ’s name is written on my heart.

I wish everyone could taste of this. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted something more.

I will be listening to the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints today and tomorrow, and I invite all who feel lost, disconnected, sorrowful, or broken to listen too. I’ve been feeling those things pretty poignantly lately, but I can testify that God’s power and the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ are real, and the hope I feel because of them is life changing.

The post Jesus Christ walks with me appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

This story is very inspirational. A couple goes to Salt Lake City for a conference…and because of the kindness of people working at the Family History Library, eventually end up deciding to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints back in their hometown. At first they weren’t sure this was a good fit for them, but Tina couldn’t stop thinking about it all. They invited the missionaries back into their home and decided to be baptized.

Tina writes: “We thought that we were going to a convention in SLC, Utah that week. The truth is, God had a better plan for our family. He wanted to show us His Church!!!”

You can read her story here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/churchofjesuschristinspirationandnews/permalink/586043468641706/

We’d love to feature your story of coming to know about The Church of Jesus Christ. Message us or comment below if you have a story to share.

The post An unexpected outcome appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.