a weekend spent in uplift.

My favorite weekends of the year come every six months.  In April and again in October there's a world-wide gathering of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where members are taught by the leadership of the church. It's 8 hours of inspiring messages, counsel and guidance that feeds my soul for the coming months. I love it!

There's always a common thread that seems prevalent, though each speaker prepares his/her remarks independent of everyone else.  This time there were a lot of messages of hope in adversity, the roles and blessings of individuals (male and female) within the bounds of the church structure and society, and a call for a return to the basics and foundations of spirituality and morality (prayer, obedience to the 10 commandments, mutual respect for others). Written transcripts of the entire proceedings can be found here a few days after the fact but there are links to the recorded messages up live. Here are a couple of my favorites.

Jeffrey R. Holland, Lord I Believe

Whitney L. Clayton, Watch and Learn

M. Russell Ballard, This is My Work and My Glory

How was your weekend?

Happiness is...a spiritual uplift.

This weekend I had the opportunity to listen to prophets and apostles of God speak and preach and testify of Christ, to warn and exhort and expound doctrine, to encourage and love and bless all within the sound of their voice.  I get to have this amazing experience every six months as the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gather for general conference. We forgo our regular Sunday church meetings and tune in on cable channels, satellite broadcasts, and through the internet all across the globe to be spiritually fed and taught by leaders who love us and want nothing more than to help us become more like Christ so that we can eventually return to His presence.

It's been a rough couple of months with the health challenges I've frequently complained about (sorry about that) as well as a few other things going on that I have felt pressured and confused and stressed over. I'd love to say that I got all the answers to everything I was questioning and worrying about but that didn't happen.  Instead my mind was stilled, my heart was comforted, and I was given peace and the reassurance that I'll be okay and things will work out the way they're supposed to. I was uplifted and renewed and reminded of what is truly important (*hint-it's rarely the things I actual spend time worrying about!)

If you've ever questioned where you came from, what will happen to you after you die, why you are here, if there is a God or what you should be doing in any aspect of your life I encourage you to listen to or read the messages found at the link above. Pray and ask for confirmation of the truthfulness of those things you learn.  I promise you will find peace and comfort and guidance if you have an open and willing heart. Or if you are curious about who Mormons are and what we truly believe you can go here for explanations and real member profiles.

And in the meantime, I'd love to hear what brings you peace and guides your life.  (One can never have too much peace!)

Happiness is...a good book. (Summer Reading edition #23)

I work in a library. I am surrounded by thousands upon thousands of books, just waiting to be picked up and enjoyed. And yet sometimes I feel the need to check out the competition. 

Yesterday I took a trip to another local library.  I felt as if I were committing a crime as I perused the shelves filled with books, some familiar, some new. I smiled as I recognized titles and images on the covers and spines and felt little jolts of excitement as I glanced at all the possibilities for new friends and favorites. I even brought home a few.  Check them out.

You may see a few of these again as I get them read and throw some reviews together.  Any requests for which one I should read first?

And now on to today's review!

Divine Signatures: The Confirming Hand of God
Author: Gerald N. Lund
Pages: 299
Age Range: Adult

Published: 2010
Genre: Non-fiction, Religious, Self-help
Cover Score: **
Overall Grade: ****
Rating: G

Brother Lund shares some step-by-step instructions for learning to recognize and appreciate the tender mercies (which he has re-termed ‘divine signatures’) of the Lord in our life.  He walks through the differences between the Nephis and the Lamans, those who thrive and find strength in the challenges of life and those who find their faith eroded by them.

He goes back to the essentials of the Lectures on Faith. First, we must have a belief that God exists. Second we need to have a correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes. And third know that the course of our life is in line with his will.

He also relays a host of personal and shared experiences, tiny and grand miracles that many might brush off as coincidence or luck but Lund exhorts the reader to recognize them for what they are; signs that the Lord is mindful of us and aware of our needs. There are some familiar pioneer stories but also plenty of stories from Lund’s own life and those he has met and interacted with during his sojourn as General Authority, bishop, neighbor and father.

I really enjoyed this book.  There wasn’t any new information but it was a great reminder and hands-on testimony builder. I often struggle with the exact problems he discussed. I firmly believe that God can and does work miracles…for other people.  But I have a much harder time believing that God would bother to make miracles happen in my life.  Lund gives suggestions for overcoming this and similar gaps in faith and building a strong foundation of knowledge that will stand the storms of life.  Highly recommended!

Happiness is...going to church in your jammies.

AKA General Conference.

Twice a year The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints holds a conference for all of its members to gather and hear counsel from prophets and apostles. Our regular church meetings are on hiatus for the week in April and again in October while we gather around our televisions, radios and computers to watch and listen to the broadcasts from church headquarters in Salt Lake City.  (For those who would like more information, go here.)

It's always relaxing.  Not only because you can hang out in your pajamas in the front room all weekend but because you come away so uplifted and rejuvenated emotionally and spiritually. Some of the messages are calls to repentance and warnings but many of them are hopeful and encouraging.

This weekend we were reminded of the love of our Savior; His sacrifice, Atonement and resurrection.  We were reminded to be prepared, and be obedient, live honest and moral lives, to have faith and strengthen our families.  We were given counsel to serve each other, to seek personal revelation, to obey the commandments.  There was a lot to take in and a lot to work on applying to our lives. But I'm always grateful for the opportunity to be taught and edified and guided and corrected.

What was your favorite message from Conference? If you are not LDS, what is your favorite go-to religious teaching (a scripture or doctrine or message or leader) that brings you peace or hope or strength when you most need it?