~by Michelle

Al Fox is a Mormon woman. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints three years ago today. She’s been creating videos to share what the gospel of Jesus Christ means to her. The following video, “This is Happiness” was created to celebrate the anniversary of her baptism. The young man in the video was the missionary who baptized her. He shares a little of his experience as a missionary in the video as well.

This video captures so beautifully how the gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of joy. That doesn’t mean life won’t have its hard times. As Al acknowledges,

Since joining the church there has been a lot of hard times. A lot of changes. Trials. That’s life. But because of getting baptized, because of the Gospel, because of Christ, not once- not even for a second, did that happiness go away. Not only that, but it got stronger, and stronger!… The Gospel is hands down, the biggest blessing there ever is.

What struck me is how she described the difference — the tangible, physical difference — she felt when she was confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit is the key. Understanding and allowing the Spirit into her life made all the difference.

I’m reminded of this quote from Eliza R. Snow, an early leader in the Relief Society of the Church.

When you are filled with the Spirit of God, … that [Spirit] satisfies and fills up every longing of the human heart, and fills up every vacuum. When I am filled with that spirit my soul is satisfied. … The Spirit of God will impart instruction to your minds, and you will impart it to each other. … Remember that you are Saints of God; and that you have important works to perform in Zion” (Woman’s Exponent, Sept. 15, 1873, 62). [See Sister Julie B. Beck, “Relief Society History: A Look at the Lord’s Vision for His Daughters“]

I echo Al’s testimony about the gospel being the greatest blessing there is. The happiness that can come through knowledge of God’s love and God’s plan and God’s Son — and the powerful influence of God’s Spirit — is a kind of happiness that can exist even while facing pain and struggles of life.

I’m grateful for the faith and testimony of women like Al Fox who strengthen my own. Happy Anniversary, Al! [Edited to add a link to more of Al’s videos.]

The post This is Happiness — The blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Some of my friends have thoughtfully picked out words or quotes to inspire them for the New Year. I think this is a fun idea, though I hesitate to pick one for myself. I don’t know why. Maybe I’m just not that organized. Maybe things have just been so crazy for us the last few years that each year feels kind of like ten. Maybe I just don’t ever know what’s going to happen next.

My friend, Megan finally pushed me over the edge and made me really think about it. She picked the word RELAX. I really like that. In fact, I was just going to go ahead and steal it from her and make it my word, but something else kept popping into my head.

It’s that scripture–you know, the one in Psalms 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.”

It also shows up in Doctrine and Covenants 101:16: “Let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.”

Of course what kept coming to mind was “relax and know that I am God.” Not exactly accurate, but I think that’s one way of interpreting those verses. The more I thought about it the more I realized that this scripture is really what I need to think about and remember for the next year. We’re going to be moving across the country (again). We’ll be buying a business and taking it over (if all goes well). We’ll have to find a new house in a new place. We’ll have to find a new school for our son, Max and go to a new ward (again).

It’s all really scary. And intimidating. It makes me feel tired and frightened.

BUT. If I can think about it all in regards to these scriptures then I can think about it in a different way. If I can be still and know that Heavenly Father is God and that He is watching out for me then I don’t have to be so scared, or maybe scared at all. I’m not the only one watching out for me and my little family.

So maybe these big things we have to do can start to look exciting and adventurous instead of so scary.

The fact that I can’t ultimately control what happens in my life can be okay. There are divine beings watching out for us. Ultimately even if bad things happen we have hope that all will be ok and that we will be able to be together in the end.

I’ve just got to have faith. Relax, have faith and do the work.

One of my favorite men in the world, Jeffery R. Holland wrote the following in a wonderful article in the Ensign this month:

“Some of you may wonder: Is there any future for me? What does a new year or a new semester, a new major or a new romance, a new job or a new home hold for me? Will I be safe? Will life be sound? Can I trust in the Lord and in the future? Or would it be better to look back, to go back, to stay in the past?
“To all such of every generation, I call out, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the “high priest of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:11).”

Could that be more perfect and appropriate?

He writes and speaks so well. Just listening to his words brings me comfort.

“Be still and know that I am God.”

OK, I’ll try. I’ll try my best.

The post First Person: Be Still appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

My name is Kathryn and I recently emailed my fabulous meatloaf recipe to my only daughter, but I added a warning: “If you take off your wedding ring—especially during deer hunting season–put it in a safe place.”

When my daughter was in high school, we lived for a year in a town of nine hundred people. There were no streetlights in the entire county and you had to drive over two hours just to buy fast food or a ticket to see a movie. One day I slipped off my diamond wedding ring; mixed ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, ketchup, vegetables, and spices with my bare hands; and popped it into the oven. I was exhausted by the time we had devoured that yummy meatloaf and cleaned up the kitchen.

The next morning I looked down at my left hand. Where was my wedding ring? I checked all the obvious places, but no ring. I wondered if I had set it on the counter, carelessly wiping it into the trash. I checked under the sink, but my husband must have grabbed the trash on his way to work. In this tiny town there was no trash pick-up at your home; a landfill truck randomly emptied a few black dumpsters located on the outskirts of town. I immediately called my husband at work and he offered to retrieve the garbage bag he had just thrown into a dumpster.

A few minutes later he called with the horrible news –the dumpster was empty.  However, my husband was not worried. He had seen a deer carcass in the dumpster, so if we drove to the landfill first thing in the morning, we could locate the deer carcass and the diamond ring was certain to be near by.

I felt optimistic because I believe in miracles.  I prayed fervently that I would find my wedding ring.

The sun had just barely peeked over the mountains when we pulled up to the landfill nestled in the middle of an isolated valley.  I saw a bulldozer already spreading the previous day’s trash. I began scanning the acres of shredded white garbage bags and bits of paper for some sign of a deer carcass–I saw one!  And then another and another … and another!  This was deer hunting season and we counted at least twenty deer carcasses poking out from the bulging waves of trash. The bulldozer guy thought we were crazy, but he pointed to the approximate area where our town’s garbage might be located. For one hour we rummaged through the smelly trash.

I sat in stunned silence on the ride home. I couldn’t believe it. I had lost my diamond ring.

When we got home, I threw myself on my bed and sobbed.  First I was crying for the lost diamond ring, but then I started mourning every loss in my entire life.  I cried because I lost my father in a storm when I was eight years old and because I lost my sweet mother in that same accident.  My mother suffered a traumatic head injury and I grew up with an angry stranger who barely resembled the woman who had gone sailing with her husband on date night. I cried because my ex-husband had decided he hated the Church and he hated me, so he divorced me. My three little kids and I lost our beautiful home in the divorce. I also lost all my friends when we moved to Utah to attend graduate school.

I cried because I had recently quit my full-time teaching dream job in order to marry a man who worked in an isolated town where the people hated outsiders, killed deer by the dozens, and where my children were treated like pond scum.

I wept for several hours and then I finally prayed for peace and understanding. Eventually, I realized we could survive all our losses, because the Atonement of Jesus Christ has the amazing power to heal all our wounds, to restore our peace.  I just had to ask…and so I did.

A couple days later we were eating dinner and my ten-year-old son said, “Mom, look–your ring.”

I said, “That isn’t funny. You don’t make jokes about something like that.”

He pointed to the pepper grinder sitting on the dining room table, “Look, Mom — YOUR RING.” We all leaned closer to look and sitting on top of the silver knob was my wedding ring.

I no longer live in that small town, but I still lose things. Recently I lost my good health– but just like when I lost my ring, it has become a tutoring experience. I also try not to seek for happiness in landfills anymore. When I believed that I could only be happy if I was the size of a super model–that was absolute garbage. When I believed that happiness came from having the acceptance and admiration of other people– that was like looking for a diamond ring in a stinky landfill; I only found failure and tears.

I have found happiness by seeking only to please God.  Through obedience and seeking to understand His will, miracles continue to find me.  I have also found peace by searching the scriptures. The Lord promises that “ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13)  I have searched for the Lord with all my heart and I have found Him. His light and love is far brighter and more precious than any diamond ring.

The post Portraits of Mormon Women: Kathryn appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I’ve been thinking lately, I really think it’s fun to be me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s not always easy, exciting ,or flashy, but for me, it’s fun.

It struck me the other day as I was finishing up my cycling class. We were on our last “hill,” I was tired, sucking for air, and soaked. Suddenly I felt a rush of gratitude. Gratitude that I could feel that way. Gratitude that I had the ability to feel that way. I thought, someday I will not be able to do this, I will only be able to remember and talk about doing this…(probably to people that won’t really care that I did this.) So, I felt happy in my misery and it was fun.

I love to be a mom of seven children. It is so funny to me to think that seven people call me mom. I would have never guessed I would have had a large family. Never. But I am so happy about it. It doesn’t seem like that many really. They are all people I love to be with. I love them all. They are fun.

My kids play sports. They always have. To organize schedules and attend soccer and softball games is something I’ve done for 20 years now. I sit and enjoy the games. I am sad when I see parents who can’t just sit and enjoy. It’s fun to just sit and enjoy.

I have a husband that makes my life easy. He has always let me be me. Never has tried to change me. He is kind, easy going, fair, and always gives you the benefit of the doubt. He laughs at my goofiness. He works hard. He is helpful and just a plain good man. His love is consistent. Through poor (and a little less poor) marathon body to pregnant mega mom body, he has been my number one fan. Because I have him, and love him, it’s fun to be me.

It’s fun to be me because as a Mormon woman, I know who I am. I know why I’m here, what life is about. When you know that, it gives you perspective on everything else. It’s fun to have a sure measuring stick for life. It’s not fun to have to guess. It’s fun to know.

In a strange way it’s good to be me because I know I can be better. I am familiar with my weaknesses. They are not hard to figure out for me. They are obvious, and I claim them as my own. It’s good to be me because I know they don’t have to be permanent. It is fun to be me because I have faith and hope in my life because of the Savior.

The post First Person: It’s Fun to be Me appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave a talk years ago entitled “Be of Good Cheer.” One might ask, in this day and age, “How does one go about being of good cheer? How is it possible?” This talk gave me much to think about.

Elder Maxwell says:

Jesus has given that same instruction [to “be of good cheer”] to others before, when the stressful circumstances in which they found themselves were anything but cheerful. For instance, he told the original Twelve to be of good cheer when, on the surface, there was nothing to be cheerful about….[H]ow could Jesus expect the Twelve to be of good cheer? Because, the Savior said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33; emphasis his.)

With such discouraging, depressing, despairing events soon to transpire, Jesus Christ gave instruction to his apostles that must have seemed impossible as they moved through those events. They likely did not understand His final phrase, “I have overcome the world.”

Elder Maxwell continues:

Because Christ had overcome the world, the Atonement was about to be accomplished! Death would be irrevocably defeated! Satan would have failed to stop the unfolding plan of salvation! All mankind would be given—through the grace of God—immortality! Additionally, for those who would earn it, there would be the richness of eternal life! These were among the resplendent realities and the fundamental facts which justified the Twelve’s being of good cheer—not their grim, temporary circumstances! The precious perspectives of the gospel give to us this gospel gladness!”

Ah! Now we see. And gradually the Twelve saw, too.

It isn’t always easy to consistently be of good cheer. There are days when temptations and trials and afflictions threaten to get the best of us—days when we feel we have been given more than we can bear. And yet:

Thus we see, brothers and sisters, how we are justified in being of good cheer for ultimate reasons—reasons to be distinguished, however, from proximate circumstances. If, for instance, our attitude towards life depends upon the praise of men, the level of interest rates, the outcome of a particular election or athletic contest—we are too much at the mercy of men and circumstance. Nor should our gratitude for the gift of mortal life depend upon the manner in which we die, for surely none of us will rush eagerly forward to tell Jesus how we died!

Instead, Jesus calls upon us to have a deliberate trust in God’s unfolding purposes, not only for all humankind but for us individually. And we are to be of good cheer in the unfolding process.

Keeping an eternal perspective is absolutely essential in getting through this mortal life, intact and with good cheer, learning the lessons that our Heavenly Father would have us learn. Life isn’t always easy, but it isn’t always hard, either, and those respites can give us a breathing space to stop and remember our blessings and our knowledge and to remind ourselves of eternity. The things of eternity are far more important than the things of this world. It is just that right now we are in the midst of the things of this world and so it requires effort and focus to remember that this is not all that there is.

Elder Maxwell’s talk is encouraging and instructive. It gives me hope and reminds me to do my part—and to be of good cheer in the process.

——–

Do you have a quote or scripture that inspires you? Please send us an email at ‘mormonwoman’ AT ‘gmail’ DOT ‘com’ — Share an inspirational quote and include your thoughts about why it is meaningful to you.

For more Words that Inspire Us, please click here.

The post Words that Inspire Us: “Be of Good Cheer” appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

This is Gloria, and she is a Mormon Woman.

Gloria is 81 but feels and acts like she’s still 30. This is because she loves her healthy lifestyle. Gloria walks, at a jogger’s pace, miles and miles each day. She loves to eat fruit, nuts and nonfat yogurt as a late night snack. Gloria loves organic vegetables and lean meats. When asked what her doctor says about her health she said, “Oh he says I’m very healthy.”

Gloria loves, loves, loves musicals. In the early years of their marriage, Gloria and her husband Lee would usher for musicals in their city so they could see the productions for free. Gloria often bursts out into song with words from these beloved musicals as the situation requires. She loves to write skits, collects costumes and can light up a room wherever she goes. Gloria’s laughter is loud, and contagious. Smiles attend all who listen to her funny stories and fond memories.

Following is an example of a funny story she told recently. “My mother was talking to my daughters about getting married. She said, ‘Oh my friends threw me a Bridal Shower, but I’d say it was more like a sprinkle.'”

Gloria has been married for 63 years and has 7 children, 32 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren. She says one of her greatest joys was having all 7 of her children in the Temple at the same time. Gloria and her husband Lee, served a full time mission together in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana mission.

Gloria has had the same group of friends for decades. Some of them have been very dear friends for over 50 years. They enjoyed serving in church callings (service assignments) together, walking daily, holding a weekly scripture study group, going on overnight excursions, holding investment groups and dinner clubs together. When asked about how to keep friendships going for so long she said, “Feelings get hurt. Get over it. It is not worth losing a friendship over trivial things. One time I wrote in my journal that I was getting disenchanted with one of my friends. Within a day or two of writing that entry I came back and wrote, ‘These small and petty slights do not compare to the hardships my friend goes through, it is silly to hold grudges.'”

Gloria’s legacies will be family, friendship and service. Among the friends listed above there was one who was plagued by an undiagnosed illness that stole her mobility. At first, the Doctors assumed it was M.S. or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. But neither matched her conditions. They watched as their friend went from walking to dragging a foot, from carrying a cane to needing to use a wheel chair. Over time, her friend became a quadriplegic and needed full time daily care. These friends, tenderly and willingly cared for this woman for over 40 years. Full time nurses were needed but not always available, so these Scripture Study Sisters, would follow the example of their Savior by washing, feeding and caring for their friend. They would clean her house, come to her calls in the middle of the night, move her from her wheel chair to her bed at the end of the day. All these things they did because they loved her, she was their friend.

Gloria’s service to her family, friends and church were ordinary everyday acts, but together they paint the picture of a very extraordinary woman.

For more Portraits of Mormon Women, please click here.

The post Portraits of Mormon Women: Gloria appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I am in my early thirties and loving it. I have three kids and have been married for 9 years. At church, I teach an Adult Sunday School class. I love camping, nature, writing and playing games with my family.

I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Mormon church, since I was baptized at age 8 [the minimum age at which children are baptized]. A lot of my happiness stems from that one really good decision to join the church. I was cute, but nerdy, in High School and went on to college where I obtained a Business Degree in Finance. Promptly after graduation, I received a job offer from a prominent bank to work as a Bonds Broker. I was happy to have a job where I could completely support myself. I bought myself a Jeep Grand Cherokee and thought I was hot stuff.

But after months and months of cold calls, I thought, “There must be something more to life than Fund Managers hanging up and swearing at me.” That night I went home and pulled out the yellow pages. I circled every job that I thought I might like or be good at. I found a trend. Either I was supposed to be a teacher or a florist! I started calling private schools, since I didn’t have a teaching degree, and landed a job teaching Math. Can I tell you how happy I was? My smile muscles ached when I got home from work because I found what was just right for me. I have since taught math and quite a lot of science.

Initially, this change was hard. I had prepared to be and do something different in life. But when I started teaching I was happy. Thinking about this experience reminds me about the one thing I appreciate most about the Gospel of Jesus Christ: it allows for change. Through the principle of repentance we can do and become better.

I have friends who think that they are “bad apples” or are too far gone for happiness. This is simply not true! We can all change, and become better and happier. Sincere repentance has a lot to do with changing. With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe that He has the power to forgive sins and make us clean again.

I am thankful that I have learned about repentance since an early age. Just like changing careers was uncomfortable at first but led to happiness, change through repentance can lead to greater happiness in the future.

I hope you smile so much today that your face muscles ache.

The post Portraits of Mormon Women: Brenda appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

“Wow, mom has really nice teeth.”

“Look how cute she is in white.”

“Dad’s not looking bad himself.”

“They look really good together.”

My mom will always look beautiful to me. Nice, happy, reliable – the things you want a Mom to be. I know that is how my daughter sees me too, cuter, funnier, thinner and more lovable than I really am. If only we could see ourselves through our daughter’s eyes, wouldn’t the world be a better place?

The post <i>First Person</i>: A Daughter’s Perspective appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I didn’t know Brenda then, but I remember watching the massive news coverage of the murder. Joe was shot by a the son of a disgruntled employee, an illegal immigrant who already had one aggravated assault charge on the books. Because it was a politically hot topic (and still is), the media covered the murder relentlessly and unfairly.

Eleven days later little Trevor Joe was born. Brenda and I delivered our babies in the same hospital only one day apart. We remember the same inconsolable baby crying down the hall and we both remember flipping through the TV channels and seeing coverage of Joe’s murder on every channel. I thought, “Losing my husband, watching him vilified on television and then having a baby alone– that is my worst nightmare!”

After selling Joe’s business and paying all the debts Brenda was left with a bank account of $0– and she was grateful for that! With four children to care for and little work experience Brenda had no idea how she would care for her family.

I moved to this area six months later and met Brenda at the swimming pool. As we talked and I pieced the story together I could not believe that this vibrant, cheerful, beautiful woman in front of me was a widow of only six months. There was nothing pathetic about Brenda. She settled into her parents home, went right back to serving as the children’s chorister at church, found a job at a dentist’s office and worked tirelessly to cheer her children.

Brenda was and is wise about accepting help. One woman came and babysat her children every week, a sister filled her fridge with food, a neighbor fixed her car. She let people share her pain and take away a piece of her grief. Brenda had bad days, very bad days, but she never let herself slide into self-pity.

Faith is Brenda’s defining trait; her faith is simple, “God loves me and will lead me.” She isn’t troubled by politics, anti-Mormon banter or defending doctrine like I can sometimes be — she simply believes.

Today Brenda has a home of her own and a manageable work schedule. She is constantly doing something fun: playing tennis, sledding with her kids, visiting the neighbors to play ‘Guitar Hero.’ At the elementary she volunteers as a dance teacher and dresses thematically whether the dance is disco, line dancing, or ballroom. Neighborhood kids often stop by her house just to talk. My kids simply adore her.

Obviously I could go on and on, but the greatest lesson I’ve learned from Brenda is that your attitude– not your circumstances–determine your happiness.

Earlier today we went to the temple to remember Joe. The temple is so calm and pretty and full of sweet old ladies who look you right in the eye. On the way home she told us that she had finally had the courage to watch her wedding video with little Trevor. “Look my daddy talks! My daddy moves! Can we go clean daddy’s grave mommy?” Trevor has grown up with daddy as a story, a photo, a grave to visit, but never as the living, moving father he should have known.

When I dropped Brenda off at home she had a floral delivery of 4 dozen red roses— ah, people are still looking out for her, still taking away a piece of the pain.

The post <i>Portraits of Mormon Women</i>: Brenda appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Five winters ago I visited Kit and Kevin in their 420 sq. ft. apartment. I was heavy with unborn Mary and in a full-blown knitting frenzy.

The nesting instincts of pregnancy flew straight to my fingers where I spent several months knitting up hats, cardigans and light-as-air baby sweaters. The repetitive movement soothed my queasy stomach and the intricate patterns fed my need for creativity in a time where everything else felt out of control(I’m not a good pregnant woman.) More obsession than hobby, my needles followed me to the doctor’s office, book group and I really, really wanted to knit in church.

Delivery cures me of the compulsion, leaving half finished projects strewn about the house and a sweet little bundle in my arms.

Observing my progress on a little red & white cardigan, Kit begged me to teach her the wonders of knitting. I hesitated. Kit was in her 6th year of infertility, and inspiring her to knit baby sweaters seemed a bit cruel. Besides, I’m a lefty and a klutz at teaching.

But Kit is patient and clever. Following my inept instructions she began to cast on and cast off, to knit and to purl. I left her with a skein of red yarn and a set of good metal needles.

Alone with her new hobby, Kit visited a fragrant huddled yarn store in France where she purchased THE MOST COMPLICATED knitting patterns in creation and a dozen skeins of yarn to create a baby outfit. No one told her that beginning knitters usually stick with scarves and hot pads, no one told her that multi-color projects and cables and fancy stitching were reserved for hobbyists with years of experience. She didn’t know that most people end up with one sleeve 4″ longer than the other and pants two sizes larger than the top.

She didn’t know it was impossibly hard.

Kit carried her projects to doctor’s appointments and failed in-vitro attempts and of course, dozens and dozens of Kevin’s basketball games. Within months, her skills surpassed life-long knitters.

And then, two years later, a baby came to Kit and Kevin’s arms. And with 17 months more– another. Ryn grew too fast and I never got to see her in THE outfit, but petite little Elle has been wearing it comfortably for months.

I asked Kit, “How did you make this, how did you even begin, when you’d had so many disappointments?

Kit laughed, “But I always knew we’d have a baby. Birth or adoption, boy or girl. I knew I’d be a mother; it was just a matter of time. I’d be silly if I didn’t prepare.”

And so, on New Year’s Day when goals paralyzed me and I saw only limitations and impossibilities and age creeping on; I thought of Kit and her knitting needles, of dreams stitched into reality.

See that blue bump in the center? That’s baby girl number 3.

The post <i>Portraits of Mormon Women:</i> knitting up hope appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.