Love, true Love

You may remember one of my personal favorite movies, "The Princess Bride"?  I will be talking about three of the main characters, Prince Humperdinck, Princess Buttercup, and Westley.  First off lets think about a classic scene from the movie, the one where the clergyman can't pronounce his "R"s and thus talks really funny.  Remember that one?  Well if you don't, then that is OK.  All that really matters is that he talks about true love.  And in the movie Prince Humperdinck is not Princess Buttercup's true love.  Her true love is the farm boy Westley, who can hardly make a living for himself.  So why is he her true love?

In 1 Nephi 11:22 we are taught that the love of God "is the most desirable above all things."  Love is a very strong emotion.  What we truly love is what we will work for.  Think for a moment about last week.  What are the prominent memories that come to mind?  What were your desires for that week?  The things that we truly love are things that we will desire the most.  Christ has said that the greatest commandment is to "love the lord thy God with all they heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matt. 22:37)  And how do we show our God that we love him?  Again Christ said that "If ye love me, keep my commandments."  (John 14:15)

Alright, so back to the movie.  At the beginning of the movie we see Buttercup ordering Westley around, and all he would ever say is "As you wish."  Wow, that shows some love!  Are we always that submissive to the things that our Father in Heaven gives, or doesn't, give us?  Buttercup comes to realize exactly how much love Westley has for her, and she in turn falls in love with him.

So what is it that we truly love?  Are we showing our love to that person or that thing?  We all show our love in different ways, but Christ has said that "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."  (John 15:10)  I would challenge each of us to abide in the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by obeying them.  Then once we have that relationship established, show our love to the important things.  I know that you will see an increase of peace and joy in all of your lives if you follow this council.

BTW, this is my family,  I love them all dearly.  Some of them are no longer with us and there are some additions to the group, but I love them and miss being with them.  I also love my Heavenly Father, that is why I am spending 2 years away from my family to be his full time servant because he asked me to!!

Peace I Leave With You

We live in a world full of commotion!!  Where everything has to be done ten minutes ago and we seem to always be behind.  Everyday the news reports have some new disaster, tragedy, or war.  Some of which are in far off places that you may have never heard of before, but others seem to hit a little too close to home, or right on top of it.

Amidst all of this turmoil, how can we gain peace?  Where can we turn?  The Savior told his disciples that another name for the Holy Ghost is the Comforter.  "..the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name.." (John 14:26)  What a special gift!  Preach My Gospel (a manual that missionaries use)  says that "The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of our Heavenly Father's most precious gifts. . . He comforts us during times of trial or sorrow."  (Preach My Gospel p. 65)  And this gift is one that Heavenly Father is willing to give to all of his children!!  We may feel the influence of the Holy Ghost at one time or another, but we have to be baptized and then have hands laid on our heads by someone holding the priesthood authority of God to be able to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:18)  Then we can qualify to have his companionship at all times!!

I absolutely love music!!  And so I would like to share with you one of my favorite Hymns!! 

Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When, with a wounded heart, anger, or malice
I draw myself apart searching my soul?

Where, when my aching grows?
Where, when I languish?
Where, in my need to know?
Where can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.

He answers privately.
Reaches my reaching.
In my Gethsemane, Savior, and friend.


Where Can I Turn for Peace? Click to hear song.

I know that it is through our Savior Jesus Christ that we can return to our Father in Heaven.  He has a special gift for every one, so "Men and brethren, what shall we do?. . . Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."(Acts 2:37-38)