Oh, remember, remember

I am doing the same job that I did 10 years ago. Every day I am reminded of things I did before that I had forgotten. I do learn a few new things, as we are doing some things differently this time around, but mostly it is a matter of remembering.
It makes me think about how often the scriptures ask us to remember, remember - usually repeated twice. When one stops going to church, or stops living the gospel as they know it, for whatever reason - they quickly begin to forget those things they knew or believed. Very quickly after choosing to ignore God and His ways we no longer remember what those ways were and it becomes easier to ignore more, which makes us forget more. Eventually we can drown out even the basic conscience that belongs to all men. God will do for us those things that we cannot do for ourselves, but we must do those things that we can, such as be good, be kind, follow the commandments, obey God's law. He that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, it is sin. That's a misquote but I'm not looking in my scriptures right now. I feel like I am seeing so much more immorality in the world than I used to. Those of us trying to follow the teachings of Christ must become better in order to keep the balance in the world.
I propose an experiment. Look up in the scriptures how many things we are told to remember. Maybe we can learn something we need from these things?

Family History work

We had a follow up fireside last night regarding the regional conference and temple week we had in September. Some amazing promises were made to us by our Stake President and we heard reports of some of the experiences members of our stake had in trying to follow the word of our priesthood leader. Too sacred to tell, but just let me say, when you are told to do something, and you follow through, fabulous things happen.
Get out of debt. Get food and other emergency storage. Get a financial storage (ie: save money!!!!) and most of all, attend the temple. Be spiritually prepared for the things that may come in the future. Do as the Lord says and trust in Him, and things will be ok.

Singing my heart out

So, my choir experience is over. What a fabulous time we had! Friendships made, jokes told, but mostly the most incredible spiritual experience. A lot of it was all the fabulous people we heard speak over the weeks of rehearsal. A lot of it was the wonderful director, who has such a bright, light spirit and shares it with all. Most of it was the introspection that we all went through in our attempt to be ready to sing our testimonies out to the world. We grew to love the women all over the world. We thought long and hard about what we believe and why. We spent much of the day at the conference center, rehearsing, doing lighting and camera checks, and visiting. The actual conference seemed to fly by in no more than 5 minutes and then, it was all over. Rather sad to break us up as we had such a great time. I just want to say that now, more than ever, I believe in God. I believe in Jesus Christ and his Atonement. I am finally beginning to understand the Atonement. How gracious, kind and good to us Jesus is! I believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I feel so privileged to belong to this church, and to this most active, serving, loving and spiritual group of women, the Relief Society! We are the largest group of women on earth, and the ones who do the most. (We aren't the loudest, but we do the most to serve others and change lives.) Thanks for listening to us all, we had fun.

Incredible Honor!

A few weeks ago a member of the bishopric approached me to ask if I would be interested in singing in the choir for the upcoming General Women's Conference. I wondered why they would ask me; I sing tenor normally and my voice has been very hoarse over the last couple of years. (Though it is better with a change in medication.) I know I cannot really sing well enough to do this but what an honor to be asked! And the opportunity to be near the prophet and other general authorities, too cool to pass up. Of course I said I would love to!
The rehearsals have been an incredible experience. We have met and heard a short encouraging "speech" by all three members of the General Relief Society Presidency, a number of members of the general music committee, our local musical representative, other members of the Relief Society General Board and the stake president for some of the other stake's involved in this. Our stake is the contact stake. At the first rehearsal our Stake President gave the entire choir a wonderful speech and a communal blessing, a rare and very lovely occurrence. we have essentially been told that this is more about showing our testimony than about singing. We have actually spent more time hearing encouraging words than singing. We are expected to practice singing at home on our own.
So, considering my voice and core tendency towards self-doubt, would I be asking too much to ask all of you to pray for me? Thank you! I hope not to be caught by the camera, I can just imagine me scratching my cheek just as the camera scanned my face, but as far as testimony goes, I believe in God, and this church, I love Jesus Christ, and hope that my testimony does show when people see me. Please, encourage everyone you know, member and non-member alike, to watch this conference. That is the point of this meeting.