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I would like to share with you an experience I had this week while attending my religion class as part of my Pathway program. Earlier in the semester we were asked to look within ourselves and identify a Christlike attribute that we would like to develop. Throughout the semester we have been doing projects and activities to assist our growth toward that attribute. Each week a new study skill is taught so that we are able to more fully understand and recognize the teachings of the scriptures, and utilize them in our lives along with our desired attribute.

This week however a study skill of Visualization was presented in our class to help us in our scripture study. We were asked to not only “visualize” while studying the scriptures this week, but also to recognize the influence of our selected attribute in the reading. From there we were asked to “visualize” ourselves within the scriptures, demonstrating our attribute, and visualize experiences we might have and our projected actions.

Next, we were asked to create a story board using pictures and scriptures that identify our attribute and our individual growth and feelings as we have seen ourselves act, and react, with our acquired attribute.

This process has been such a spiritual experience for me, and one that I will continue to use as I study the scriptures and try to grow and become a better Disciple of Christ.

I hope that your viewers will find this helpful as they try to incorporate the scriptures into their lives, and teach their families of the Savior and his divine attributes.

Some of the stories that I have currently are: Story of the 24 Lamanite daughters who were kidnapped, Story of Abish, Journey of Lehi’s family across the seas, Zoram’s story, etc.

The writers of these stories must have a strong love of the Book of Mormon, and must have read it many times.

If there is somewhere else you would suggest I go to find writers who may be interested in pursuing this dream with me, please let me know. Thanks.

The wounds I speak of are the emotional ones. You know, the ones that are more difficult to see for they are more easily hid. They are the type which strong and faithful women are able to keep safely buried for years, for the most part anyway.

These wounds unfortunately usually came at the hands or lips of their own fathers. Not necessarily through sexual or physical abuse, but often merely through his unavailability, his business, her invisibility or his inattentiveness. No matter what the cause, far too many young women grow into adulthood never having been convinced as a child of their absolute beauty in the eyes of their father. They have instead learned the world’s methods to find this validation, makeup, diets, clothing trends, etc. Unfortunately again, these miss the mark and do little to bring inner confidence or assurance that these women are beautiful in the ways that matter.

Sadly too, because of their fathers’ faltering best efforts, these little girls grew into women uncertain that anyone would ever protect them from those many things which go bump in the night, and day. There is a real and deep seeded reason why so many stories and movies succeed based on the topics of the hero rescuing the beauty and of her eventually sharing that beauty with the one she loves. Again, Hollywood perverts all good things, and they have with this to. True, women yearn to be fought for, desire to share in an adventure and hopes to eventually feel safe and secure enough with one with whom they can share their beauty with, but the physical side of this Hollywood focuses so much on is only one out of many parts of this.

Why, if having Hollywood’s definition of beauty and sharing in that together is supposed to equate to happiness, do most Hollywood weddings or relationships end almost as soon as they start? Truly there is more beauty to unveil than merely the physical and there is certainly more to be desired than that as well.

While many do not recognize it and still others would not admit it, men want more and have a God planted need for more than a pretty face and shapely figure in a wife. He needs and wants to drink regularly from each of the fountains of beauty she can offer him. Be it her creativity, her joy for life, her tenderness with children, or even her bluntness when called for.

But since so many women were never validated as children, were never shown that men would defend her, be there for her or cared to really see her and understand her and love her unconditionally through her sad times, angry times, rejected times and so many more, she has had to learn how to cope the best way she can. And how does she cope? Largely by using the world’s tools of “Busyness” to keep from having too much time to think about all those sad and fearful feelings. Or the old standby of “Independence.” By convincing her that she doesn’t need anyone and that she can make it on her own, she is able to move forward through life relatively safe. Invulnerable to further disappointments from the failures or inadequacies of others; especially those she lets in closer to her heart.

But therein is the master of deceptions’ big lie. It is not in protecting our vulnerabilities that we find safety, peace, love, security, strength or happiness. And it is not in guarding our emotionally wounded heart where we find healing either. But in precisely the opposite manner.

Now I’m not suggesting we go blindly out into the cruel cold world of strangers and start baring our souls, seeking understanding for our deepest emotional pains and heartaches. But, from personal experience with myself and my own loved ones I have observed first hand the transformative/healing power which is available to him or her who will dig deep down to those painful places in the heart. The tearful sharing, understanding, reverence, grieving and healing which is available for such courage is well worth the risk such vulnerability requires.

And speaking from personal experience, I know I have not always been perfectly safe to share such things with. And I know that my own wounds have often led me to defend myself, when understanding was all which was sought. And there were times when the best I could muster was to see my dear one’s pain, then immediately attempt to fix the source of that pain through what ever means of logic or reasoning I could come up on the spot. Not the best way of responding for sure, but to avoid sharing and addressing our wounds, in order to avoid all potential of imperfect responses, only leads to no healing of our wounds. At least by being vulnerable, taking a chance with those most likely to give their best efforts, we have a chance at healing, of connection and progress.

Now in closing, I realize that I am just a guy, writing from a purely personal viewpoint to women coming from many varied backgrounds. But I have a strong sense that each of us have much more in common than we might ever realize. And it is that common heritage, that birthright if you will, which leads me to believe this, unless we seek and find the courage to become more vulnerable to those closest to us we have little hope in ever resolving the personal inadequacies and fears which so often serve as the primary motivators in our lives. And unless we realize that it is our enemy, even satan, who has been telling us to avoid such connection and such vulnerability, in order to stay safe, secure and independent, what we will get out of life will be just that; independence.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I know I came to earth to form connections, to become part of a forever family, to take chances and risk pain in order to improve my chances of finding growth, learning and a depth in relationships upon which eternal relationships could be formed. And the tears in my eyes right tell me that this is something I want right now more than anything this world could possible offer me. I pray Heavenly Father’s love to reside in my heart, my marriage and my home and upon each of you desiring similar blessings in your life.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

I have thought about this for some time, trying to find the right words. I was born & raised a Mormon. But it isn’t the whole reason I am a Mormon woman. Being a Mormon woman has given me fulfillment in my life. I am the wife to a active Priesthood holder who treats me as an equal partner on our marriage. I am the mother of 4 daughters & 4 sons. Being a Mormon woman has given me tools to teach & raise these daughters & sons to be fine responsible women & men. Even when we have had problems with some of these children, being a Mormon woman has given me an understand & a hope to deal better with these problems. Being a Mormon woman has given me opportunities to develop abilities & talents I never would have guessed I had. By fulfilling Church callings I have learns to give talks, teach classes, lead music, write programs, lead organizations, work with other people to make wonderful things happen. I am not downtrodden or surpressed by being a Mormon woman. I am a partner with my husband & my Heavenly Father to bring these 8 children into this world & to raise them. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me as an individual. He knows what I am capable to doing & being. He wants the best for me and helps me to be able to acquire the best. That doesn’t necessarily mean the best of world possessions but the very best in the world to come. I love being able to serve my Savior & my Heavenly Father by serving his sons & daughters here. I find great peace & comfort in the path I am on. I wish that all the women of the world could know & feel the comfort & peace & confidence that come from knowing that their Heavenly Father knows them & loves them.