tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63955095437330461932024-03-19T02:06:20.620-06:00yourLDSneighborhoodyourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.comBlogger307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-72337355339118595022011-09-14T09:19:00.000-06:002011-09-14T09:19:42.094-06:00New BlogDear friends who've been following us faithfully. We have good news.<br />
<br />
We've moved to a new location: <a href="http://www.yourldsblog.com/">http://www.yourldsblog.com/</a><br />
<br />
Please come and see what new things we've planned. Some of them are still on the way, but we're moving ahead.<br />
<br />
We hope you like the new look.<br />
<br />
Patricia - editoryourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-45204959650280630632011-09-12T05:00:00.002-06:002011-09-12T05:00:16.981-06:00Balance Through ServiceWelcome to the <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110912.html">Neighborhood News</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBJRAGBpl4n1gLc0n95yPTnu3SUvgPW7xARPr-hClgpGgT_BycuinCTbLcJiN6Y1-6NOb5uv2rawOqurYYTkYMAfB8JUEfzrRbkQ4XqvxHkS-R7GpZW2KxV4AKtqI8KwRgf2XSDxZQMY/s1600/painting-86495249-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBJRAGBpl4n1gLc0n95yPTnu3SUvgPW7xARPr-hClgpGgT_BycuinCTbLcJiN6Y1-6NOb5uv2rawOqurYYTkYMAfB8JUEfzrRbkQ4XqvxHkS-R7GpZW2KxV4AKtqI8KwRgf2XSDxZQMY/s320/painting-86495249-ts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 15.05pt; margin: 0in 0in 16.75pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span><strong><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a> </span></strong></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 15.05pt; margin: 0in 0in 16.75pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">President Thomas S. Monson repeats what the Savior said—that in order to find purpose in life, lose yourself in the service of others.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 15.05pt; margin: 0in 0in 16.75pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">President Monson further teaches this doctrine by telling how individuals in one group found purpose in their lives by serving their neighbors.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 15.05pt; margin: 0in 0in 16.75pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In a letter President Monson received, Sister Mori Farmer explained that her family had experienced difficult financial times. One week, the Farmers attended a family reunion, and when they returned they found a letter taped to the garage door. The note read: <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 15.05pt; margin: 0in 0in 16.75pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We hope you had a great family reunion. While you were gone, we and about 50 of our friends had a great party at your house. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the years of unselfish service you both have given to us. You have been Christlike examples of untiring service to others. We can never repay you for that—but just thought we’d like to say thanks. Signed, your home teachers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 15.05pt; margin: 0in 0in 16.75pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Farmer family was shocked as they entered their house.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 15.05pt; margin: 0in 0in 16.75pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Our home teachers had decided that they would fix our carpet while we were away. They had moved the furniture out into the front yard so the carpet could get stretched and finished. One man in the ward stopped and asked what was going on. He returned later with several hundred dollars’ worth of paint and said, ‘We might as well paint the house while everything is out.’ Others saw the cars out front and stopped to see what was going on, and by week’s end 50 people were busy repairing, painting, cleaning, and sewing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 15.05pt; margin: 0in 0in 16.75pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Our friends and fellow ward members had fixed our poorly laid carpet, painted the entire house, repaired holes in the drywall, oiled and varnished our kitchen cabinets, put curtains on three windows in the kitchen and family room, did all the laundry, cleaned every room in the house, had the carpets cleaned, fixed broken door latches, and on and on. … All of this had been accomplished between Wednesday and our return on Sunday.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(249, 246, 237); line-height: 15.05pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Those who served the Farmer family said they felt spiritually uplifted and humbled as they demonstrated the pure love of Christ by serving those who had unselfishly served others for years.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Taken from </span><a href="http://lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/unto-all-the-world/serve-god-by-serving-others?lang=eng"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Serve God by Serving Others</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To see the Neighborhood News for Monday, 12 September, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110912.html"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.</span></div>yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-24438340369184381242011-09-09T05:00:00.011-06:002011-09-09T05:00:01.504-06:00Healthy HabitsWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110909.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">D&C 89:4</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEukYO4fKizh7p95fELIVH83eGi5hyaP5ju9zORgzItkLsmLB5XqEAwnsMdzzA3njnlmkKnSZ1bTuiIjPuzcmbBVaEng3gVX7GVusk9MrGBHYvqi3wZDd5r-Sl-pAmbKkIVlczJpYfu_k/s1600/foodCircle-105554056-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEukYO4fKizh7p95fELIVH83eGi5hyaP5ju9zORgzItkLsmLB5XqEAwnsMdzzA3njnlmkKnSZ1bTuiIjPuzcmbBVaEng3gVX7GVusk9MrGBHYvqi3wZDd5r-Sl-pAmbKkIVlczJpYfu_k/s320/foodCircle-105554056-ts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The Law of Health applies to all of us. It was given to us for our benefit and enjoyment.<br />
<br />
The following excerpt was taken from a May 1996 Ensign talk, given by President Boyd K. Packer, entitled <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/1996/05/the-word-of-wisdom-the-principle-and-the-promises?lang=eng">The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises</a>. He comments:<br />
<div> </div><blockquote><span></span>"The story is told of a king who was choosing between two drivers for his coach. He ordered each of them to drive his coach down a steep, winding road cut into a high cliff.</blockquote><blockquote> "The first driver came down slowly, hugging the wall of the cliff. The second driver demonstrated great talent and ability. He raced down the mountain, with the coach so close at times that half the wheel was off the edge of the cliff. </blockquote><blockquote>"The king was very thoughtful, then wisely chose the first man to drive his coach. It is best to stay on the safe side of things.</blockquote><blockquote>"The Word of Wisdom is 'adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints' (D&C 89:3). It is buttressed by other scriptures. They teach that the good things of the earth 'are made for the benefit and the use of man, … Yea,' the Lord said, 'for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul, … to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion' (D&C 59:18–20)."<br />
</blockquote> Don't forget to checkout our <a href="http://positivemusicanddownloads.com/store/843/843/after-daybreak/after-daybreak/"><span style="color: #cc6611;">Free Download Friday</span></a> from our Positive Music and Downloads. <br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Friday, 9 September, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110909.html"><span style="color: #cc6611;">here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-30933939802842219952011-09-07T05:00:00.021-06:002011-09-07T10:41:49.056-06:00Ready for What's Next?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Welcome to the </span><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110907.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Neighborhood News</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IeM5q1K4W3tN9lzHXi1IFZoZeUShW6kxHXLefcyB9jH8HAgayMSiaiphoKsQ9huB-5u2F4p-OJQ24DoZNKcQ1PterauiwYFBxF_MfD56J6_KrZPYnfIT8l2Pu0co3AgVyZKoauunsYs/s1600/rafting-dv617029-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IeM5q1K4W3tN9lzHXi1IFZoZeUShW6kxHXLefcyB9jH8HAgayMSiaiphoKsQ9huB-5u2F4p-OJQ24DoZNKcQ1PterauiwYFBxF_MfD56J6_KrZPYnfIT8l2Pu0co3AgVyZKoauunsYs/s320/rafting-dv617029-ts.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we make plans to take a trip, there's a lot of discussions on the subject, what way we're going to go, if we're going to fly or drive, and what we're going to pack.</span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Planning is part of life. We plan to go to school, or go on a mission, or go to the temple, we plan on doing our spring cleaning, or end of summer activities. </span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Did you ever plan on becoming inactive? Is that something we plan, or does it just happen? How about coming back to the church, is that planned?</span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's share the following excerpt from a March 2011 New Era article by Gary Leikness, </span><a href="http://lds.org/new-era/2011/03/a-small-and-simple-rafting-trip?lang=eng"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Small and Simple Rafting Trip.</span></a></span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In it, the author tells us how he'd been baptized at the age of eight, but through the years he and his family stopped going to meetings. Until one day after he'd spent some time with friends away from home, he comes back to find out his dad <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> had accepted an invitation from the bishop </span>and had signed him up for a youth rafting trip. He met boys that he knew, but he wasn't involved with the 'church people.'</span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The thing is, he had fun at that trip, and noticed the difference between his worldy friends and his newfound friends. He was invited to come to church, and he said that maybe he'd come. The next Sunday he got up and got dressed, and surprised his family by going to church. He did that for a few weeks, until his family decided to join him.</span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He says:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 5pt;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;">"One small invitation led a family back to church. I earned my Eagle Scout Award and went on a mission. Patti and I each got married in the temple to returned missionaries. We’re now raising our own families in the gospel.</span></blockquote></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 5pt;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;">"If you invite a less-active person to an activity, it may or may not impact their lives. But if you don’t invite them, it definitely won’t."</span></blockquote></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, tell us, what kind of trip are you prepared to take?</span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To see the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 7 September, please click </span><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110907.html"><span style="color: #cc6611; font-family: inherit;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.</span></span></div>yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-88848304380048523562011-09-05T05:00:00.022-06:002011-09-05T16:27:49.608-06:00Humbling ExperiencesWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110905.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>The tumult and the shouting dies;</em></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><em>The captains and the kings depart.</em></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><i>Still stands thine ancient sacrifice,</i></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><i>An humble and a contrite heart.</i></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,</i></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lest we forget, lest we forget.</i></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;">Rudyard Kipling</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWJa1b6jxrSr9-5KI-QtayKDOnHmn61zts0oGVlBFePP6LlCysj8IAWxLiuqp0cwU_X_pkMdjBGnGcnamdshFqEYZBUQgfzgjyPUJ4uoL1jNrsitbtfCsHVTooukCRXxt8PVKnCE8n1o/s1600/hand-80402113-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWJa1b6jxrSr9-5KI-QtayKDOnHmn61zts0oGVlBFePP6LlCysj8IAWxLiuqp0cwU_X_pkMdjBGnGcnamdshFqEYZBUQgfzgjyPUJ4uoL1jNrsitbtfCsHVTooukCRXxt8PVKnCE8n1o/s320/hand-80402113-ts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="line"></div><div class="line">It is a great learning moment when we have humbling experiences that help us understand more fully different aspects of the gospel of Jesus Christ.</div><div class="line"></div><div class="line">We can learn to humble ourselves and receive instruction from God, or we can choose to bring it upon our heads. Alma, in the Book of Mormon, said:</div><blockquote>“Blessed are they who <span class="highlight">humble</span> themselves without being compelled to be <span class="highlight">humble</span>” (Alma 32:16).</blockquote><div class="line">There are many things that will push us in the other direction (pride), so we need to stand strong and choose what's right for us and our families.</div><div class="line"></div><div class="line">Contention, dissolution of marriage, jealousy, impatience, aspiring for riches, and many other fallacies will keep us from having that peace that passes all understanding. That peace will help us conquer our imperfections and humble ourselves before God.</div><div class="line"></div><div class="line">President Ezra Taft Benson said the following in his talk <a href="http://lds.org/new-era/2003/10/the-faces-of-pride?lang=eng">Beware of Pride</a>, April 1989:</div><div class="line"><blockquote>"Let us choose to be <span class="highlight">humble</span>. We can do it. I know we can."</blockquote>To bring Zion here now, we need to humble ourselves. We need to reach out to others, bring each other up and help everyone.<br />
<br />
Is there anything else that our hearts can desire?</div><div class="line"><br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Monday, 5 September, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110905.html"><span style="color: #cc6611;">here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below. </div>yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-42575760750726454762011-09-02T05:00:00.015-06:002011-09-02T05:00:07.426-06:00Overcoming the Natural ManWelcome to the <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110902.html">Neighborhood News</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6vHf-u_XJLwJqUSzPu9r0s6Kga9r2sT6VGBDpUCk7wWKVH8e3fF3SM3lleuft-98NxVJBY2kLpz7SbR2zToAa-KNYYX4AGH1JsuBrAM7vtMFRSPz4nMRgCv7kiA5w5y1flZw43d0Twk/s1600/man-86513916-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6vHf-u_XJLwJqUSzPu9r0s6Kga9r2sT6VGBDpUCk7wWKVH8e3fF3SM3lleuft-98NxVJBY2kLpz7SbR2zToAa-KNYYX4AGH1JsuBrAM7vtMFRSPz4nMRgCv7kiA5w5y1flZw43d0Twk/s320/man-86513916-ts.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The key ingredient in our holding on to the natural man or woman in us is selfishness.<br />
<br />
Read the following comment made by Elder Neal A. Maxwell in his October 1990 conference talk, <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/1990/10/put-off-the-natural-man-and-come-off-conqueror?lang=eng">Put Off the Natural Man and Come Off Conqueror</a>:<br />
<blockquote>"Stubborn selfishness leads otherwise good people to fight over herds, patches of sand, and strippings of milk. All this results from what the Lord calls coveting “the drop,” while neglecting the “more weighty matters.” (D&C 117:8.) Myopic selfishness magnifies a mess of pottage and makes thirty pieces of silver look like a treasure trove. In our intense acquisitiveness, we forget Him who once said, “What is property unto me?” (D&C 117:4.)</blockquote><blockquote>"Such is the scope of putting off the burdensome natural man who is naturally selfish. (See Mosiah 3:19.) So much of our fatigue, brothers and sisters, in fact, comes from carrying that needless load. This heaviness of the natural man prevents us from doing our Christian calisthenics; so we end up too swollen with selfishness to pass through the narrow needle’s eye.</blockquote><blockquote>"Unchecked selfishness thus stubbornly blocks the way for developing all of the divine qualities: love, mercy, patience, long-suffering, kindness, graciousness, goodness, and gentleness. </blockquote><blockquote>"Restoration scriptures tell us much more about how we can really be forgiven through the atonement of Christ by means of which, finally, “mercy … overpowereth justice.” (Alma 34:15.) We can have real and justified hope for the future—enough hope to develop the faith necessary to both put off the natural man and to strive to become more saintly.</blockquote>Any thoughts? Just send your comments our way.<br />
<br />
Don't forget to checkout our <a href="http://positivemusicanddownloads.com/store/28/28/insideout-a-cappella/primary-jamboree/">Free Download Friday</a> from our Positive Music and Downloads. <br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Friday, 2 September, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110902.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below. yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-37830657569781760292011-08-31T05:00:00.003-06:002011-08-31T05:00:00.301-06:00Love is All We NeedWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110831.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true altitude of our discipleship.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">President Dieter F. Uchtdorf</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPw5BADoCe_v56ZKtmQB6wzANfBrewiI2W-kIhBZ6QD_y2SgcnDctpB5Pl02BGNn0l9zOSUA1r4PIeTifP8OseFwnSbFxA1jI0xKuV8scW_P9l-znUijohDDQFzCAti3oFVuEDZjLssQ/s1600/love-106579518-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPw5BADoCe_v56ZKtmQB6wzANfBrewiI2W-kIhBZ6QD_y2SgcnDctpB5Pl02BGNn0l9zOSUA1r4PIeTifP8OseFwnSbFxA1jI0xKuV8scW_P9l-znUijohDDQFzCAti3oFVuEDZjLssQ/s320/love-106579518-ts.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Love is a powerful emotion. Whether we're attempting to soothe an emotional child, take care of our bodies or corresponding with a birth mother who has made the ultimate sacrifice, we're showing love. Love comes in all forms and ways, but the most important show of love comes from our Heavenly Father.<br />
<br />
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said in his October 2009 conference talk, <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/the-love-of-god?lang=eng">The Love of God</a>:<br />
<blockquote>"Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.</blockquote><br />
<blockquote>"When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden."</blockquote>It's beautifully expressed, right? Do you have a way of showing love to yourself, others and Father in Heaven?<br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 31 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110831.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below. yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-64303770180405826632011-08-29T05:00:00.004-06:002011-08-29T05:00:01.180-06:00There's Sunshine in My SoulWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110829.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy more fully the sunlight.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">President Gordon B. Hinckley</div><br />
Coming from a Prophet, the following excerpt will help us be more positive about the things that are important. President Hinckley has said in his <a href="http://lds.org/new-era/2001/07/words-of-the-prophet-the-spirit-of-optimism?lang=eng">Words of a Prophet: The Spirit of Optimism</a>:<br />
<blockquote>"There never was a greater time in the history of the world to live upon the earth than this. How grateful every one of us ought to feel for being alive in this wonderful time with all the marvelous blessings we have. … And on top of all that is the Restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with all of the keys and authority, with all the gifts and blessings, with all the organization and doctrine of all previous dispensations all brought into one. And you and I are partakers of that marvelous restoration (from Church News, Aug. 14, 1999, 7)."</blockquote>So tell us are you a half-empty or half-full glass kind of person?<br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Monday, 29 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110829.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below. <br />
yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-24368248351280137252011-08-26T05:00:00.010-06:002011-08-26T05:00:12.106-06:00Exemplary BehaviorWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110826.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR2tJaYzHOLZz8C7eh_A3dBYH5wnCCbrmt2r1UWPcijD1dOaNgsijXPnJkv1xMpPkzxznXAPY1wwtv22k34YKfYXqVKTh9X8gQotDULaAYHcWoDVPB0QxOslqwG9MxI_YT0pOtkX55No/s1600/women+arguing-86522078-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR2tJaYzHOLZz8C7eh_A3dBYH5wnCCbrmt2r1UWPcijD1dOaNgsijXPnJkv1xMpPkzxznXAPY1wwtv22k34YKfYXqVKTh9X8gQotDULaAYHcWoDVPB0QxOslqwG9MxI_YT0pOtkX55No/s320/women+arguing-86522078-ts.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>How many times have we let others rule our emotions? Do we allow it to happen often?<br />
<br />
In an October 2006 Conference talk, <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/and-nothing-shall-offend-them?lang=eng">And Nothing Shall Offend Them</a>, Elder David A. Bednar commented:<br />
<blockquote>"When we believe or say we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. And certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean-spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.</blockquote><blockquote>"In the grand division of all of God’s creations, there are things to act and things to be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:13–14). As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we have been blessed with the gift of moral agency, the capacity for independent action and choice. Endowed with agency, you and I are agents, and we primarily are to act and not just be acted upon. To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation."</blockquote>It took me a long time and all the strength that I had to figure this out for myself. The desire to talk back or give an insult for an insult is too strong. To let go of the 'natural man' in us takes courage, determination and a strong desire to become a better person for yourself, your loved ones and especially the Lord.<br />
<br />
Don't forget to checkout our <a href="http://www.positivemusicanddownloads.com/store/701/701/due-west/due-west/">Free Download Friday</a> from our Positive Music and Downloads. <br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Friday, 26 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110826.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-39773668286883656592011-08-24T05:00:00.005-06:002011-08-24T16:52:46.380-06:00TrustingWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110824.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">~ D. Elton Trueblood</div><br />
<br />
We have been told by our leaders to trust in the Lord. How do we do that? We have learned to trust people close to us, people we know. To trust in the Lord takes a great leap of faith. Are we ready to make that giant step? <br />
<br />
We'd like to share a story told by President Marion G. Romney in his talk <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/1977/11/trust-in-the-lord?lang=eng">Trust in the Lord</a>, Ensign, Nov. 1977:<br />
<blockquote>"President Heber J. Grant tells of a different type of reward that comes from trusting in the Lord. When he was a young man, he heard his bishop in a fast meeting, which was then held on Thursdays (in the early days, we held our fast meetings on Thursdays), make a strong appeal for donations. At that time President Grant had $50 in his pocket which he intended to deposit in the bank. But he was so impressed by his bishop’s appeal that he tendered the whole $50 to the bishop. The bishop took $5 and handed him back $45, stating that $5 was his full share. Then President Grant replied, 'Bishop Wooley, by what right do you rob me of putting the Lord in my debt? Didn’t you preach here today that the Lord rewards fourfold? My mother is a widow and she needs two hundred dollars.'</blockquote><blockquote>"'My boy,' queried the bishop, 'do you believe that if I take this other forty-five dollars you will get your two hundred dollars quicker?'</blockquote><blockquote>“Certainly, replied President Grant.</blockquote><blockquote>"Now here was an expression of trust in the Lord which the bishop could not withstand. He took the remaining $45.</blockquote><blockquote>"President Grant testified that on his way back to work, 'an idea popped' into his head, acting upon which he made $218.50. Speaking on this incident years later, he said, “Someone will say that it would have happened anyway.</blockquote><blockquote>“I do not think it would have happened. I do not think I would have got the idea.</blockquote><blockquote>“I am a firm believer that the Lord opens up the windows of heaven when we do our duty financially and pours out blessings upon us of a spiritual nature, which are of far greater value than temporal things. But I believe He also gives us blessings of a temporal nature.” (Improvement Era 42:457.)"</blockquote>Absolute faith will open up the windows of Heaven. Can we take the leap?<br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 24 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110824.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below. yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-43313788130319794352011-08-22T05:00:00.006-06:002011-08-22T05:00:05.637-06:00Special MomentsWelcome to the <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110822.html">Neighborhood News</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifL6FH9e6EravIRCVIdqiVn5qFRwoirKkk7G2xWFUiMUQzPX1aiIxLnApQ3ml1qc3qtT6BubVOiLTMEYAKmdFUfKs_tZIV2LKrLszXUK2w5mS3N_ZTVo6VfMyp3q8-j52PiS7dZnNZuAs/s1600/mormon_temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifL6FH9e6EravIRCVIdqiVn5qFRwoirKkk7G2xWFUiMUQzPX1aiIxLnApQ3ml1qc3qtT6BubVOiLTMEYAKmdFUfKs_tZIV2LKrLszXUK2w5mS3N_ZTVo6VfMyp3q8-j52PiS7dZnNZuAs/s320/mormon_temple.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>We can relate to the stories we're portraying in the newsletter today simply because I'm pretty sure we've all been able to share the gospel with somebody, or hope that our children would remember the teachings we've imparted to them, or at some time or another had a misunderstanding with a friend.<br />
<br />
I'd like to share my own special moment today. Even though my temple wedding was the most special day of my life, and the birth of my son was the second one on my list, the third spot is taken by the time we went to the temple to have our baby girl sealed to our family.<br />
<br />
Our daughter had to come to our family a different way, so when she was six months old and the adoption was final, we went to the Salt Lake temple where my husband and I had been sealed years earlier. Our son was eight, and our bishop gave him a temple recommend, so he could be there with us, even though he didn't need to, since he'd been born in the covenant. <br />
<br />
It was so wonderful and beautiful to have our family complete at last. We were waiting for our children in the sealing room accompanied by family and friends. Then the temple workers brought our children to us, dressed in white. Our baby girl was peacefully asleep. <br />
<br />
If you're like us and had to wait a long time to get your children, then being at the temple dressed in white with your children's hands over yours is the most heavenly feeling you can possibly have.<br />
<br />
If you have a special moment and would like to share it with us, please do.<br />
<br />
To see the <strong><em>Neighborhood News</em></strong> for Monday, 22 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110822.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below. yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-27016708859048866782011-08-19T05:00:00.002-06:002011-08-19T05:00:15.371-06:00Artful FridayWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110819.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">To see the Summer Sky<br />
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -<br />
True Poems flee.</span>~Emily Dickinson</span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97vb2nMXPqlItnMOnQzWoiwH8CqUwBNykQhPie34bXrBI5sdEBRWulkSBJOTDfEpXujvV6San6xha_y_keanhpTuPaDJvCSbkrQVn15BBhsEZUTxEfsul6mD0TfFF6Eant1lWyemvXHA/s1600/beach-78460788-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97vb2nMXPqlItnMOnQzWoiwH8CqUwBNykQhPie34bXrBI5sdEBRWulkSBJOTDfEpXujvV6San6xha_y_keanhpTuPaDJvCSbkrQVn15BBhsEZUTxEfsul6mD0TfFF6Eant1lWyemvXHA/s320/beach-78460788-ts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Ahhh. The beautiful days of summer are getting shorter. School starts in a few days and days of going to the pool are in the past, until next year.<br />
<br />
It's a beautiful Friday, and for all of us who've enjoyed being outdoors (not that it's ending anytime soon), harvest will start soon. But before it's gone, let's hear it for summer in this beautiful short poem by <a href="http://lds.org/new-era/2002/07/taste-summer?lang=eng">Callie Taggart</a>:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Taste Summer</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="article-id" style="display: none;">22947_000_018</span></div><div align="center" class="figure "><div class="stanza"><div class="line">Taste the summer sea;</div><div class="line">its cool luscious juice will</div><div class="line">linger on your tongue.</div><div class="line"> </div></div><div class="stanza"><div class="line">Taste the summer air,</div><div class="line">and smear the raw sun</div><div class="line">on top of your tanned skin.</div><div class="line"> </div></div><div class="stanza"><div class="line">Taste a summer rain;</div><div class="line">whisper in its singing mists as the</div><div class="line">honey spray moistens your face.</div><div class="line"> </div></div><div class="stanza"><div class="line">Taste the summer sky;</div><div class="line">let the pastel blue cream</div><div class="line">drip freely down your chin.</div><div class="line"> </div></div><div class="line">Taste a summer day.</div><div class="line">It will be sweet and delicious</div><div class="line">until, finally, it is gone.</div><div class="line"> </div><div align="left" class="line">How's your summer going? Are you ready to enter the next season in life? Whether I like it or not, I think I am. Have a great weekend.</div><div align="left" class="line"> </div><div align="left" class="line">Don't forget to checkout our <a href="http://positivemusicanddownloads.com/store/845/845/daniel-beck/abide-with-me/"><span style="color: #cc6611;">Free Download Friday</span></a> from our Positive Music and Downloads. <br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Friday, 19 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110819.html"><span style="color: #cc6611;">here</span></a>.<br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.</div></div>yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-77129870661946541692011-08-17T05:00:00.014-06:002011-08-17T05:00:09.775-06:00Is This Joy?Welcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110817.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joy is more than happiness. Joy is the ultimate sensation of well-being. It comes from being complete and in harmony with our Creator and his eternal laws.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Elder Dallin H. Oaks</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx83ikDeyD-pT1P40fLtzSfZU-wMIAfJ6FaMqEfMXuGeaSQFFRpf9A8j7Lx26eb-OGvssmUgZ85o0wU6QIfELt4dqu8G8up4__VvY8M2SKII6ZLl-3QyIluquQlCpS05ebr4qw3HNFxiQ/s1600/bride-120708410-ts-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx83ikDeyD-pT1P40fLtzSfZU-wMIAfJ6FaMqEfMXuGeaSQFFRpf9A8j7Lx26eb-OGvssmUgZ85o0wU6QIfELt4dqu8G8up4__VvY8M2SKII6ZLl-3QyIluquQlCpS05ebr4qw3HNFxiQ/s320/bride-120708410-ts-2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We all know the scripture that says: "Men are, that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25)<br />
<br />
Did you notice that the word 'might' is used? Not 'may', not 'should', but 'might.' We use may when something is likely to happen. Might is used when the outcome of an event is uncertain or unlikely. So, is that how the scripture was meant? Can we find joy in this life for certain? Is joy attainable?<br />
<br />
In his Ensign Nov 1991 article <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/1991/11/joy-and-mercy?lang=eng">Joy and Mercy</a>, elder Dallin H. Oaks has said:<br />
<blockquote>"When I think of happiness or joy in this life, I begin with some experiences that are simple and basic. I see the expression on the face of a one-year-old taking those first steps. I remember a two-year-old immersed in a soft ice cream cone. I think of a child loving a puppy or a kitten.</blockquote><blockquote>"Another source of happiness and mortal joy is the accomplishment of worthy goals, simple things like physical exercise or more complex goals like the completion of an arduous task.</blockquote><blockquote>"Other goals have eternal significance. Their completion produces joy in this life and the promise of eternal joy in the world to come. A few weeks ago Elder Rex D. Pinegar and I saw an example of this as we visited the beautifully renovated temple in Cardston, Alberta. In the brides’ room stood a lovely young woman in her wedding dress. She was there because she had made righteous choices. The look in her eyes and the expression on her face were a perfect embodiment of joy.</blockquote><blockquote>"But despite all we can do, we cannot have a fullness of joy in this world or through our own efforts. (See D&C 101:36.) Only in Christ can our joy be full."</blockquote>Whether it's parents getting remarried, achieving a worthy goal, having a son going on a mission, welcoming a most desired baby into the family, I believe that we can find joy in this life.<br />
<br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 17 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110817.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below. yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-69445454516735163752011-08-15T05:00:00.024-06:002011-08-15T05:00:00.463-06:00Smart ChoicesWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110815.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow’s blessings and opportunities depend on the choices we make today.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">President James E. Faust</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0raW9q54-oUb5fOlZHqAWwBIushMQHz-Zp-dXD7yL3KsBitcgvM_r1b-ZRXnrcp0okjmmvh-BS_Uwv7n3Kx7UBobSmA6SjUZUHOsOg-MILnc9MDXYaLHjAXHUtE_fSjRikXpLu6o3bio/s1600/doors-BCN_039-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0raW9q54-oUb5fOlZHqAWwBIushMQHz-Zp-dXD7yL3KsBitcgvM_r1b-ZRXnrcp0okjmmvh-BS_Uwv7n3Kx7UBobSmA6SjUZUHOsOg-MILnc9MDXYaLHjAXHUtE_fSjRikXpLu6o3bio/s320/doors-BCN_039-ts.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The great thing about this life is that we're here to make our own choices. For good or bad, they're ours to make, unless we allow others to make them for us.<br />
<br />
Elder Faust said in his talk <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2004/04/choices?lang=eng">Choices</a>, in the April 2004 Ensign:<br />
<blockquote>"In this life we have to make many choices. Some are very important choices. Some are not. Many of our choices are between good and evil. The choices we make, however, determine to a large extent our happiness or our unhappiness, because we have to live with the consequences of our choices. Making perfect choices all of the time is not possible. It just doesn’t happen. But it is possible to make good choices we can live with and grow from. When God’s children live worthy of divine guidance they can become “free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon.”</blockquote>Please tell us what are your thoughts in this matter.<br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Monday, 15 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110815.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below. yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-89232249878424204002011-08-12T05:00:00.003-06:002011-08-12T10:29:55.082-06:00For Your Own GoodWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110812.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_P8DYjWwy8FYFnSEtLLsiRR2Gb4KnxyezwznYWnITflEVQ_ZIFY02UPm-FJMizUrl8hW5Vrjlm4PauTkUbhKeaZmtDZe_tXnlP3ISZfLJt6O5LZ7V6TVHrE4edlLXyn7SxrmEsOifUqg/s1600/603mormon-aol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_P8DYjWwy8FYFnSEtLLsiRR2Gb4KnxyezwznYWnITflEVQ_ZIFY02UPm-FJMizUrl8hW5Vrjlm4PauTkUbhKeaZmtDZe_tXnlP3ISZfLJt6O5LZ7V6TVHrE4edlLXyn7SxrmEsOifUqg/s320/603mormon-aol.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>We'd like to share this note from the Mormon Messages page:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Book of Mormon: What the Broadway Musical Misses</span></div><br />
You may have heard about the Broadway musical, The Book of Mormon. You probably already know that reviewers have said that it isn't exactly a family friendly play. Here is the Church's response to the play: <br />
<blockquote>The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but The Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people's lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.</blockquote><blockquote>—Official Church Statement on the Book of Mormon Musical </blockquote><br />
Experience tells us that years after The Book of Mormon play has faded from the spotlight on Broadway stages and elsewhere, the volume of scripture will continue to quietly strengthen families and promote Christian values.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Share The Book of Mormon</span><br />
<br />
The recent interest in The Book of Mormon gives us a great opportunity to share our beliefs. Mormon.org has a page about the Book of Mormon that describes very clearly what the purpose of the book is. Here are some ways you can share the page, including a video that introduces The Book of Mormon and an opportunity for visitors to request a copy.<br />
<br />
<br />
• If you have access to a blog or web page, you can describe how The Book of Mormon has influenced your life and include a link to http://mormon.org/book-of-mormon so that people who read your web page can learn more about The Book of Mormon.<br />
<br />
<br />
• You can embed the video directly into your website or blog as well. Once you've played the video you will see the link to copy the code to your clipboard. Simply paste that code in the appropriate spot on your website or blog.<br />
<br />
<br />
• You can also visit the Mormon.org Book of Mormon page and "Share" it using your Facebook account. Doing so will allow your Facebook friends to recognize your interest in The Book of Mormon.<br />
<br />
<br />
The Gospel of Jesus Christ will continue to go forth into the world, and the Internet is becoming a powerful tool for spreading the word. You can help others learn more about The Book of Mormon by sharing your testimony and truthful information through your blog or website, or by sending them an e-mail message containing links to official Church sources. <br />
<br />
Send feedback to: <a href="mailto:mormonmessages@ldschurch.org">mormonmessages@ldschurch.org</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Our mailing address is:<br />
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints<br />
50 East North Temple St.<br />
Salt Lake City, UT84150<br />
<br />
<br />
Don't forget to checkout our <a href="http://positivemusicanddownloads.com/store/828/828/various-artists/efy-2011---believe.-hope.-endure/">Free Download Friday</a> from our Positive Music and Downloads. <br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Friday, 12 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110812.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.<br />
<br />
yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-31250777441811198122011-08-10T05:00:00.000-06:002011-08-10T05:00:09.606-06:00Listen to the SpiritWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110810.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">D&C 8:2–3</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1lzRXLCVheaQBQ1hN1NgxvquojuHI3WLzyH37IW-NFUihqNydgXY9IRchuCUAc_SfQmC3xDVybpf1ksXXSxgZiN6t73xt55aJ0_6ILK7WzA140JYphGp_374UWxMRPBpMEOJGHH74iE/s1600/withSpirit-109842247-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1lzRXLCVheaQBQ1hN1NgxvquojuHI3WLzyH37IW-NFUihqNydgXY9IRchuCUAc_SfQmC3xDVybpf1ksXXSxgZiN6t73xt55aJ0_6ILK7WzA140JYphGp_374UWxMRPBpMEOJGHH74iE/s320/withSpirit-109842247-ts.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
As members of the Church, we've been given the blessing of the Holy Ghost. And we want to receive our own personal instruction. But how do we do that? <br />
<br />
In his talk <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/1997/03/teaching-and-learning-by-the-spirit?lang=eng">Teaching and Learning by the Spirit</a>, Ensign, March 1997, Elder Dallin H. Oaks is giving us a few pointers on how to recognize promptings: <br />
<br />
<blockquote>"The teachings of the Spirit often come as feelings. That fact is of the utmost importance, yet some misunderstand what it means. I have met persons who told me they have never had a witness from the Holy Ghost because they have never felt their bosom 'burn within' them.</blockquote><blockquote>"What does a 'burning in the bosom' mean? Does it need to be a feeling of caloric heat, like the burning produced by combustion? If that is the meaning, I have never had a burning in the bosom. Surely, the word 'burning' in this scripture signifies a feeling of comfort and serenity. That is the witness many receive. That is the way revelation works.</blockquote><blockquote>"Truly, the still, small voice is just that, 'still' and 'small.'</blockquote>Elder Oaks also goes on to quote:<br />
<blockquote>“The language of peace, as spoken by the Lord, embraces a sense of quiet confidence, comfort, and warmth. It is gentle and calm, amiable and sweet; it is temperate and kind; it is orderly and identified by happiness, joy, and feelings of love” (Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, The Holy Ghost [1989], 14)."</blockquote><br />
I recently went to the temple with my husband and son. Our boy is going on a mission soon, and he was receiving his endowments. The extended family was there, and when we made it to the celestial room, I was full of joy. It was a beautiful feeling, to think that we'll have that joy (and more) after we cross the veil. I said that to our company, and one of them got closer to me and said that she wished she could feel anything. Are we like that some times? We don't listen to the promptings, and then we say that the Lord doesn't answer our prayers. <br />
<br />
I believe that He does answer, we just have to keep working on our reception. <br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 10 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110810.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below. yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-54327360656292021632011-08-08T05:00:00.001-06:002011-08-08T05:00:16.915-06:00IntrospectionWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110808.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nu2uqWG6pfPqPNUGaqV7U8mOroH_tRDDLZcv2PrmcgaGINTL8kdTfD7YS-_IK8Jf68l6Yzv2n4aKwH1LLV7PyBoiiHNyPFzjPE3Zilwbp1OfXCXmunGhMKRKM2JSBet8tpEmjEXVE7E/s1600/JSM-photobucket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nu2uqWG6pfPqPNUGaqV7U8mOroH_tRDDLZcv2PrmcgaGINTL8kdTfD7YS-_IK8Jf68l6Yzv2n4aKwH1LLV7PyBoiiHNyPFzjPE3Zilwbp1OfXCXmunGhMKRKM2JSBet8tpEmjEXVE7E/s320/JSM-photobucket.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/">http://photobucket.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Did you know that introspection is a quality needed for leadership? Let's share the following excerpt, taken from <a href="http://lds.org/new-era/1977/06/joseph-smith-five-qualities-of-leadership?lang=eng">Joseph Smith-Five Qualities of Leadership</a>, given by William E. Berrett, Ensign, June 1977:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"Joseph Smith had some qualities that enabled God to use him and that would enable God to use you and me if we possessed them. For greatness is not handed to man upon a platter, and no individual can be an instrument in God’s hands except he possess the qualities that are inherent in leadership.</blockquote><blockquote>“The Prophet recognized in himself many weaknesses, but he set about to overcome them. He recorded that on one occasion a man came into his home and in a rage called him almost every name under heaven. The Prophet wrote that he was so incensed he kicked the man out of his house and all the way to the front gate. He then went back to his office and wrote in his journal how unbecoming of a prophet his actions had been. He never lost his temper again.</blockquote><blockquote>“As he rode out of Nauvoo on his way to Carthage to give himself up to the sheriff, he turned in the saddle, and looking back upon the city of Nauvoo, said, ‘Oh, that I could but speak once more to my beloved people.’</blockquote><blockquote>“On the highway he met Steven Markham who said to him ‘Joseph, where are you going?’ He answered, ‘I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am as calm as a summer’s morning. I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all men.’ (Essentials in Church History, p. 376.)</blockquote><blockquote>“This is the Prophet Joseph Smith who possessed these five great qualities: intelligence, zeal for learning, faith in a living God, the ability to look within himself and correct his own character, and a love of people. These five qualities, possessed collectively, helped to make Joseph Smith a fit instrument in the hands of God to be a prophet to this dispensation. These same qualities will greatly help us in our callings if we will but recognize and cultivate them.”</blockquote><br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Monday, 8 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110808.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-30979412202481857232011-08-05T05:00:00.011-06:002011-08-05T05:00:09.121-06:00Bad Hair DaysWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110805.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazjfRCd95qBLl1Q2XXgHSQ7Tt4BlpzTk7brGiwAxsKUKnyrWhtUdsvBcqwFIaXYTLwU96L-hioqGcd2na6ZYLsVIvK4VLm_9Cy77aqTJ2LK73XfeNJ3QW55890K_ZEJlaxBMp-GxE2DU/s1600/couple-91089079-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazjfRCd95qBLl1Q2XXgHSQ7Tt4BlpzTk7brGiwAxsKUKnyrWhtUdsvBcqwFIaXYTLwU96L-hioqGcd2na6ZYLsVIvK4VLm_9Cy77aqTJ2LK73XfeNJ3QW55890K_ZEJlaxBMp-GxE2DU/s320/couple-91089079-ts.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://lds.org/new-era/2007/04/tender-mercies-of-the-lord?lang=eng">Janice Kapp Perry</a> wrote the following poem and put it to music.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tender Mercies of the Lord</span> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">1. Tender mercies of the Lord</div><div style="text-align: center;">Come in quiet ways,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not by mere coincidence,</div><div style="text-align: center;">But by heaven’s grace.</div><div style="text-align: center;">As we choose to follow Him</div><div style="text-align: center;">With full heart and soul,</div><div style="text-align: center;">We become His chosen ones</div><div style="text-align: center;">And tender mercies flow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Tender mercies of the Lord</div><div style="text-align: center;">Come in times of need.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gifts of faith and confidence</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fill us as we plead.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Words of guidance, hope, and peace</div><div style="text-align: center;">Help us feel God’s love.</div><div style="text-align: center;">By our faith, His mercies come</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like manna from above.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Tender mercies of the Lord</div><div style="text-align: center;">Come as we repent.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet forgiveness, peace of mind</div><div style="text-align: center;">Follow, heaven-sent.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Faithfulness, obedience</div><div style="text-align: center;">Help us to discern.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blessings sweet and personal</div><div style="text-align: center;">For which our spirits yearn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Tender mercies of the Lord</div><div style="text-align: center;">Comfort us and guide.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In His time and in His way,</div><div style="text-align: center;">We receive His light.</div><div style="text-align: center;">As we yield our will to His,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blessings freely flow.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We partake of love divine</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thru mercies He bestows. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't forget to checkout our <a href="http://www.positivemusicanddownloads.com/store/827/827/nashville-tribute-band/the-work:-a-nashville-tribute-to-the-missionaries/">Free Download Friday</a> from our Positive Music and Downloads. </div><br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Friday, 5 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110805.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-50082377475373341342011-08-03T05:00:00.010-06:002011-08-03T10:08:43.014-06:00Finding StrengthWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110803.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
Have you ever had a dream that felt very real? Granted that in the dreaming state, they all do. But there are times when dreams take a different aspect and you can almost taste and feel what you see.<br />
<br />
Just before Joseph and Hyrum Smith's martyrdom, the prophet Joseph had a dream that he related to his brother Hyrum, in the presence of W. W. Phelps. Brother Phelps didn't write about it until 1862, but when he did, he entitled it "Joseph Smith's Last Dream."<br />
<br />
Here's the account, put to video by videographer <a href="http://sethadamsmith.blogspot.com/2011/07/original-painting-of-joseph-smiths-last.html">Seth Adam Smith</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="223" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1q_vgg4WjMk" width="340"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So tell us what's your opinion about this subject. What are your feelings and thoughts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">To see the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 3 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110803.html"><span style="color: #cc6611;">here</span></a>. <br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"></div>yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-55443154191906863502011-08-01T05:00:00.015-06:002011-08-01T05:00:12.059-06:00True to the FaithWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110801.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_HVlJmrygsgp_UZsex5aZYsboShNYtoXPY_XG9Wv9lbSZSSb3uBqfeFiVmJbk8JpTg7s6ntmu1Z33lcxeXT96PGiIzVfvm0AxNmdStF4zX211M6UTnRYsmylJ46uxVzqt3UcYTOUKYk/s1600/slTemple-91099945-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_HVlJmrygsgp_UZsex5aZYsboShNYtoXPY_XG9Wv9lbSZSSb3uBqfeFiVmJbk8JpTg7s6ntmu1Z33lcxeXT96PGiIzVfvm0AxNmdStF4zX211M6UTnRYsmylJ46uxVzqt3UcYTOUKYk/s320/slTemple-91099945-ts.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nothing better to remind us of traditions and why we LDS members do what we do than going on a good old fashioned trek. We were reminded of the reason the pioneers crossed the frozen plains: to live their religion peacefully, to make and keep covenants with the Lord, and to build another temple. <br />
<br />
<br />
In the March 1993 Ensign, Richard N. Holzapfel wrote <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/1993/03/every-window-every-spire-speaks-of-the-things-of-god?lang=eng">Every Window, Every Spire Speaks of the Things of God</a>. In it, he said:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"'I went through frozen mud and slush with my feet tied up in rags,' wrote one anonymous Latter-day Saint who attended the icy ground-breaking ceremonies for the Salt Lake Temple on 14 February 1853. 'I had on a pair of pants made out of my wife’s skirt—a thin Scotch plaid; also a thin calico shirt and a straw hat. These were all the clothes I had. It was go that way or stay at home. … I was not alone in poverty; … there were many who were fixed as badly as I was.' He was one of thousands who arrived at an early hour for the ceremony, scheduled for eleven o’clock that morning."</blockquote><br />
Do we take for granted what our forbears had to endure to get where we are now? Do we fully enjoy the blessings that the temples bring?<br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Monday, 1 August, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110801.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-29634330508851747182011-07-29T05:00:00.009-06:002011-07-29T15:10:01.407-06:00What's Your Story?Welcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110729.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
Story time! Today I'm sharing a Native American tale.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrb-9OG1j1Sr8rzREQvf5o3bBcARcnRRGtZW0rLAQClP57GDQYlxxaMozZCRUe0m49X7tBwaNaleZGkICfw7I-c-m84gjUHVezpRa9ZqBOGHxwPKvIioxdlUZBU-vIxi3ujHSQEhHWIE/s1600/raven-98460521-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrb-9OG1j1Sr8rzREQvf5o3bBcARcnRRGtZW0rLAQClP57GDQYlxxaMozZCRUe0m49X7tBwaNaleZGkICfw7I-c-m84gjUHVezpRa9ZqBOGHxwPKvIioxdlUZBU-vIxi3ujHSQEhHWIE/s320/raven-98460521-ts.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.angelfire.com/ia2/stories3/tides.html">How Raven Made the Tides</a></span> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">(Tsimshian Pacific Northwest)</div><br />
A long time ago, the old people say, the tide did not come in or go out.<br />
<br />
The ocean would stay very high up on the shore for a long time and the clams and the seaweed and other good things to eat would be hidden under the deep water. The people were often hungry.<br />
<br />
“This is not the way it should be,” said Raven. Then he put on his blanket of black feathers and flew along the coast, following the line of the tide. At last he came to the house of a very old woman who was the one who held the tide-line in her hand. As long as she held onto it the tide would stay high. Raven walked into the old woman’s house. There she sat, the tide-line held firmly in her hand. <br />
<br />
Raven sat down across from her.<br />
<br />
“Ah,” he said, “Those clams were good to eat.”<br />
<br />
“What clams?” said the old woman.<br />
<br />
But Raven did not answer her. Instead he patted his stomach and said,<br />
<br />
"Ah, it was so easy to pick them up that I have eaten as much as I can eat."<br />
<br />
"That can’t be so,” said the old woman, trying to look past Raven to see out her door, but Raven blocked the entrance. So she stood up and leaned past him to look out. Then Raven pushed her so that she fell through the door, and as she fell he threw dust into her eyes so that she was blinded. She let go of the tide-line then and the tide rushed out, leaving all kinds of clams and crabs and other good things to eat exposed.<br />
<br />
Raven went out and began to gather clams. He gathered as much as he could carry and ate until he could eat no more. All along the beach others were gathering the good food and thanking the raven for what he had done. Finally he came back to the place where the old woman still was. <br />
<br />
“Raven,” she said, “I know it is you. Heal my eyes so that I can see again.”<br />
<br />
“I will heal you,” Raven said, “but only if you promise to let go of the tide-line twice a day. The people cannot wait so long to gather food from the beaches.”<br />
<br />
“I will do it,” said the old woman. Then Raven washed out her eyes and she could see again. <br />
<br />
So it is that tide comes in and goes out every day because Raven made the old woman let go of the tide-line.<br />
<br />
Don't forget to checkout our <a href="http://www.positivemusicanddownloads.com/store/736/736/steven-kapp-perry/from-cumorah">Free Download</a> Friday from our Positive Music and Downloads. <br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Friday, 29 July, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110729.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-58494580698159333702011-07-26T05:00:00.003-06:002011-07-26T20:37:55.619-06:00Be Thou an ExampleWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110727.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcr5YgC3CQuC7lhntYV05f9KrgdUl8S3QqJWnuQhWCtMiHIQmrzMq-VWgmHOhCdZKWoOCkCkw52ZUYszy1QVcbUDZd8ZIqPKck3xqBAzHlvrROxbA0ujaysOky6CnWrxl12EvSEqhG-g/s1600/helping-91947725-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcr5YgC3CQuC7lhntYV05f9KrgdUl8S3QqJWnuQhWCtMiHIQmrzMq-VWgmHOhCdZKWoOCkCkw52ZUYszy1QVcbUDZd8ZIqPKck3xqBAzHlvrROxbA0ujaysOky6CnWrxl12EvSEqhG-g/s320/helping-91947725-ts.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Giving service is a good habit that most of us should cultivate.<br />
<br />
Homer S. Ellsworth has said: <br />
<blockquote>“There lived in my neighborhood a noble, white-haired patriarch, Bryant S. Hinckley, who was loved by all and was famous for many things, not the least of which was his Sunday School class. This elderly gentleman had seen the wagon train trails become freeways and the oxcarts replaced by jets. He was an outstanding teacher and the father of Elder Gordon B. Hinckley.</blockquote><blockquote>"He once said about service, “Service is the virtue that has distinguished the great of all times and which they will be remembered by. It places a mark of nobility upon its disciples. It is the dividing line which separates the two great groups of the world—those who help and those who hinder, those who lift and those who lean, those who contribute and those who only consume. How much better it is to give than to receive. Service in any form is comely and beautiful. To give encouragement, to impart sympathy, to show interest, to banish fear, to build self-confidence and awaken hope in the hearts of others, in short to love them and to show it is to render the most precious service.”</blockquote><br />
(From <a href="http://lds.org/new-era/1975/06/the-love-that-never-ceases-to-be">The Love That Never Ceases to Be</a>, Homer S. Ellsworth, Ensign June 1975)<br />
<br />
How will our children and grandchildren describe us? Will they say that we gave freely of our time, or that we never taught them how to be of service?<br />
<br />
To see the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 27 July, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110727.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-33077569051769210302011-07-25T05:00:00.013-06:002011-07-25T05:00:07.463-06:00Preparing for the JourneyWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110725.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="hw"><strong>pi·o·neer</strong></span><script>
play_w2("P0322200")
</script> <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="21" style="margin: 1px;" width="13"><param NAME="_cx" VALUE="343"><param NAME="_cy" VALUE="555"><param NAME="FlashVars" VALUE=""><param NAME="Movie" VALUE="http://img.tfd.com/m/sound.swf"><param NAME="Src" VALUE="http://img.tfd.com/m/sound.swf"><param NAME="WMode" VALUE="Transparent"><param NAME="Play" VALUE="-1"><param NAME="Loop" VALUE="-1"><param NAME="Quality" VALUE="High"><param NAME="SAlign" VALUE="LT"><param NAME="Menu" VALUE="0"><param NAME="Base" VALUE=""><param NAME="AllowScriptAccess" VALUE=""><param NAME="Scale" VALUE="NoScale"><param NAME="DeviceFont" VALUE="0"><param NAME="EmbedMovie" VALUE="0"><param NAME="BGColor" VALUE=""><param NAME="SWRemote" VALUE=""><param NAME="MovieData" VALUE=""><param NAME="SeamlessTabbing" VALUE="1"><param NAME="Profile" VALUE="-1"><param NAME="ProfileAddress" VALUE=""><param NAME="ProfilePort" VALUE="543957026"><param NAME="AllowNetworking" VALUE="all"><param NAME="AllowFullScreen" VALUE="false"><param name="_cx" value="343"><param name="_cy" value="555"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://img.tfd.com/m/sound.swf"><param name="Src" value="http://img.tfd.com/m/sound.swf"><param name="WMode" value="Transparent"><param name="Play" value="0"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value="LT"><param name="Menu" value="0"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value=""><param name="Scale" value="NoScale"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value=""><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="-1"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="543957026"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"><param name="_cx" value="343"><param name="_cy" value="555"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://img.tfd.com/m/sound.swf"><param name="Src" value="http://img.tfd.com/m/sound.swf"><param name="WMode" value="Transparent"><param name="Play" value="0"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value="LT"><param name="Menu" value="0"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value=""><param name="Scale" value="NoScale"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value=""><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="-1"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="543957026"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"><embed height="21" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="13" src="http://img.tfd.com/m/sound.swf" FlashVars="sound_src=http://img.tfd.com/hm/mp3/P0322200.mp3" menu="false" wmode="transparent"></object> <span class="pron">(p<img align="absBottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/imacr.gif" /><img align="absBottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/lprime.gif" /><img align="absBottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/schwa.gif" />-nîr<img align="absBottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/prime.gif" />)</span> </div><div class="pseg" style="text-align: center;"><i>n.</i> </div><div class="ds-list" style="text-align: center;"><b>2b: one of the first to settle in a territory <br />
</b><br />
From the Merriam Webster online dictionary</div><br />
<div class="ds-list"></div><div class="ds-list">A lot of members of the Church have ancestors that crossed the plains in companies, pulling handcarts or riding in wagons. But not all members do.</div><div class="ds-list"></div><div class="ds-list">So, what about the rest of us? If you're like me, and you were the first members in your area when it was open to preach the gospel, then you're a pioneer in your own right.</div><div class="ds-list"></div><div class="ds-list">President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has said the following in his talk <a href="http://lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/unto-all-the-world/we-all-share-pioneer-legacy">We All Share Pioneer Legacy</a>:</div><blockquote>"Pioneers of an earlier era provide a heritage of faith, courage, and sacrifice for all of us, according to prophets and apostles who lead the Church today. But they are quick to add that there are many modern pioneers who continue the legacy by spreading the gospel throughout the world. In a Church that has more than 14 million members from various backgrounds and origins, pioneer heritage is both a gift from the past and a unifying force for the future."</blockquote>Let's share the following video, also part of President Uchtordf's talk:<br />
<div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="270" id="flashObj" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=1065990366001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Flds.org%2Fstudy%2Fprophets-speak-today%2Funto-all-the-world%2Fwe-all-share-pioneer-legacy%3Flang%3Deng&playerID=760522676001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAsLrfxBk~,i2pMUQkB5iRHW-771aGbao6HVnCbsMVJ&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1065990366001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Flds.org%2Fstudy%2Fprophets-speak-today%2Funto-all-the-world%2Fwe-all-share-pioneer-legacy%3Flang%3Deng&playerID=760522676001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAsLrfxBk~,i2pMUQkB5iRHW-771aGbao6HVnCbsMVJ&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="480" height="270" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So tell us your own pioneer story, if you'd like to share it with us.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To see the Neighborhood News for Monday, 25 July, please click <a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/monday_20110725.html"><span style="color: #cc6611;">here</span></a>.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-26828967821847358152011-07-22T05:00:00.002-06:002011-07-22T05:00:02.022-06:00Fun TimesWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110722.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="float: right;"> </span><span class="sqq" style="font-size: large;">Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Anonymous</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDE1J4vGE_m9NFL_mVdPxju7bVZG0mauYeuWgQ9WW1ptxJ-sUsVnNnA4Eo6eRD-SdGynxcCI1QQpk5dX5QQ3hc8EhGo-Uo_g_8urXOSXtVkT59oDVJ1ZfkCFlSFI45VuVNf6yc_36CaFs/s1600/bear-117924668-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDE1J4vGE_m9NFL_mVdPxju7bVZG0mauYeuWgQ9WW1ptxJ-sUsVnNnA4Eo6eRD-SdGynxcCI1QQpk5dX5QQ3hc8EhGo-Uo_g_8urXOSXtVkT59oDVJ1ZfkCFlSFI45VuVNf6yc_36CaFs/s320/bear-117924668-ts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></span></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">A few weeks ago we spent a week in Alaska, as part of a cruise. In one of our excursions our guide gave us some advice that I'd like to share with you here.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Advice from an Alaskan Bear</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Live Large</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Life Gets Hairy, Grin and Bear It</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Live with the Seasons</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take Good Long Naps, and</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Always Look After Your Honey.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's so simple, to just smile when things don't go your way, enjoy the moments each season brings, take care of your body and take care of your partner. It's a straight forward philosophy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What are your thoughts on the matter? Agree or disagree?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't forget to checkout our </span></span></span><a href="http://positivemusicanddownloads.com/store/75/75/fiddlesticks/the-handcart-song/"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cc6611;"><em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Free Download Friday</span></span></em></span></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> from our Positive Music and Downloads.<br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To see the <em>Neighborhood News</em> for Friday, 22 July, please click <em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/friday_20110722.html"><span style="color: #668844;">here</span></a></em>.</span></span><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.</span></span></span></div>yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6395509543733046193.post-14528117178530192072011-07-20T05:00:00.025-06:002011-07-20T16:28:46.221-06:00Life LessonsWelcome to the <strong><em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110720.html">Neighborhood News</a></em></strong><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="body1"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Aristotle</span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRFthTEnC_1TFI_oOgSMSQo7jzj5ad6b6qb5wNt-K0jGb2d9oGsMa7GAqf7XrtH7hrOsudlCK_AeCPNh6w2p7dyZk1zaMO6PofBiARm3SgCyTiYQNite0klyNP2IqRfgzzulPpRsLuLo/s1600/friends-77005122-ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRFthTEnC_1TFI_oOgSMSQo7jzj5ad6b6qb5wNt-K0jGb2d9oGsMa7GAqf7XrtH7hrOsudlCK_AeCPNh6w2p7dyZk1zaMO6PofBiARm3SgCyTiYQNite0klyNP2IqRfgzzulPpRsLuLo/s320/friends-77005122-ts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/">http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Friends are such a blessing. They’re there when you need them, and keep your confidence when necessary. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In history and the scriptures there are a lot of examples of good friends: Sam and Nephi, David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi, Achilles and Patroclus. What can we say about friendship?</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let’s quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk, </span><a href="http://lds.org/new-era/1998/06/real-friendship?lang=eng"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Real Friendship</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, given in June 1998:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><blockquote>“Living the gospel and being true to gospel principles is the key to true, lasting, triumphant friendship. Weak bonds and less spiritual relationships will not hold up when confronted by a wicked person such as David and Jonathan faced, or an unbelieving background such as Ruth had known, or the youthful transgressions of the younger Alma and the sons of Mosiah. In each case it was gospel principles, commitments, associations, and covenants that led to the strong ties and triumphant friendship we celebrate in these examples.</blockquote></div><div><blockquote>“Real friends share the gospel—the living of it and the loving of it. No stronger bond nor higher compliment can be given from one friend to another.”</blockquote></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">None of us really want to be isolated, we all want and need friends. What are your feelings on this subject?</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To see the <em>Neighborhood News</em> for Wednesday, 20 July, please click <em><a href="http://yourldsneighborhood.com/newsletters/wednesday_20110720.html"><span style="color: #668844;">here</span></a></em>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.</span></div>yourLDSneighborhood<br>.com® Neighborhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09665172974605063092noreply@blogger.com0