Be Blessed

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“… and they were also admonished… being commanded of god to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things” (Mosiah 26:39).

From President Thomas S. Monson we get this portion of a talk:

“Do we give thanks to God “for his unspeakable gift” and His rich blessings so abundantly bestowed upon us?

"Do we pause and ponder Ammon’s words? “Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever.” (Alma 26:37)

“Gracias, danke, merci—whatever language is spoken, “thank you” frequently expressed will cheer your spirit, broaden your friendships, and lift your lives to a higher pathway as you journey toward perfection. There is a simplicity—even a sincerity—when “thank you” is spoken.

“The beauty and eloquence of an expression of gratitude is reflected in a newspaper story of some years ago:

“The District of Columbia police auctioned off about 100 unclaimed bicycles Friday. “One dollar,” said an 11-year-old boy as the bidding opened on the first bike. The bidding, however, went much higher. “One dollar,” the boy repeated hopefully each time another bike came up.

“The auctioneer, who had been auctioning stolen or lost bikes for 43 years, noticed that the boy’s hopes seemed to soar higher whenever a racer-type bicycle was put up.

“Then there was just one racer left. The bidding went to eight dollars. “Sold to that boy over there for nine dollars!” said the auctioneer. He took eight dollars from his own pocket and asked the boy for his dollar. The youngster turned it over in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters—took his bike, and started to leave. But he went only a few feet. Carefully parking his new possession, he went back, gratefully threw his arms around the auctioneer’s neck, and cried.

“When was the last time we felt gratitude as deeply as did this boy? The deeds others perform in our behalf might not be as poignant, but certainly there are kind acts that warrant our expressions of gratitude.”

To read the complete talk, please click here.

We must also remember to give prayer for all that which we have or have received from the Lord. As Elder Bednar says: “Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all of our doings, as we express heartfelt gratitude, and as we pray for others.” (Pray Always, Ensign, Nov 2008)

We’d like to share with you this video from Mormon Messages in which our late President Hinckley told us about “Lessons I Learned as a Boy.”




To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 24 November, please click here.

Personal Touch

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In our Personal Touch with Rebecca Cressman segment, she interviews Mariama Kallon. Raised in war-torn Sierra Leone, Mariama Kallon saw many things as a young girl that might fill a person with fear and hatred. Soon after witnessing the violent murders of parents and siblings and spending her youth fleeing from rebels, she was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ and found hope and peace in God. She was given a humanitarian kit by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and later accepted a Mission call to Salt Lake’s Temple Square. Today, Mariama stands as an example of the divine purposes of humanitarian work and tells her story to numerous audiences, urging them to participate in this work. Deseret Book has published her story in a DVD called “Delivered By Hope." She currently resides and works in Salt Lake City, where she has attended LDS Business College.

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At Rachelle’s Writing Spot, contributor Steve Christensen brings “Thanksgiving: More than Just Turkey and Football.” He comments: “Thanksgiving is a beautiful time of year …. The very name itself contains the word “Thanks” in it, and also the often missed other half “Giving.” Then he goes on to tell us what we can do during this holiday: share ideas, help around and do service. These are great ideas that ought to be passed around your family and friends.

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Laura Hilton Craner writes for Depressed (but not Unhappy) Mormon Mommy. In her article entitled “The Gateway Virtue of Gratitude,” she shares what she learned while researching for a talk: “When viewed from an eternal perspective having a spirit of thanksgiving within ourselves is a gateway to not just more optimism, which is a considerable benefit, but also many wonderful spiritual blessings. Gratitude is an important beginning step on the road to eternal life.”

From Mormon Messages, we get the video “In the Spirit of Thanksgiving.” In this video, watch as random people on the streets of New York City share a variety of grateful responses to one simple question: What are you thankful for?


To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 15 November, please click here.

The Atonement at Work

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Heather B. Moore blogs at With Things Divine and she sent to us her post “Finding Peace Through the Atonement.” She comments: “Finding peace in our lives may sometimes seem impossible as we struggle with disappointments, broken hearts, illness, death of a loved one, or financial problems.” If we can understand the Atonement even a little bit, we will be able to balance our life and find that peace that ‘passeth understanding.” Heather is a published author; her latest, Alma the Younger is in stores now.




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 At TigerSue’s Jungle, she’s very “Grateful for the Atonement.” And shouldn’t we be grateful too? She says: “Yesterday Michael and I were at church without the girls during Sacrament meeting. Normally I try to focus on the symbols and emblems of the sacrament, but I think this time it was more focus on what it means for me.” Let’s count our blessings, especially for the Atonement, a gift from our Savior.

http://www.abountifulkitchen.com/

Don’t you just love fried chicken? Si Foster posted this recipe in her blog A Bountiful Kitchen, “Southern Buttermilk Fried Chicken.” I had been looking for a good recipe, and I think I found it. She sells it like this: “If you love fried chicken, you are going to go gaga over this. It's made with white meat, and fried in just a little oil.”


To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 10 November, please click here.

Personal Touch

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In our Personal Touch with Rebecca Cressman segment, she interviews Shaun Barrowes, who is an internationally acclaimed, award winning singer-songwriter who has toured the world, received major radio airplay, and written music for major video games and movies. He’s also an American Idol finalist who believes he and his band members have benefited tremendously from their own High School music and arts programs, so he envisioned a way to give back. Shaun Barrowes and his band members are traveling the country with the “Live For Music Tour”, performing at high schools, with school Choirs, Bands, and Dance teams to raise funds for local school music and arts programs.




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 Annette Lyon, from Out of the Best Books, wrote this article called “Forgiveness and Gratitude.” She mentions a time in her life when it was hard for her to forgive. She tells us: “Grudges are painfully easy to hold onto and are hard to let go. A cloud descends, blocking out the spirit and making other things—like feeling genuine gratitude during the Thanksgiving season—almost impossible.” She then lets us know how she dealt with those feelings, and how she let go of them. A lesson for all of us.



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 Laurie D. at LDS Blogs talks to teens in her article “Teens: Who Do You Think You Are?” In it, she alludes to a movie that led many teens to wonder about just that a while ago. She says: “I immediately appreciated the message this movie portrays, that we are so much more than our obvious talents make us out to be. If this weren’t truth I would never have tried out for Pep Club my junior year of high school, as my obvious talents lay in the fields of music and writing. Yet I made it and had a wonderful time.”

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President Benson gave this talk “Following The Prophet - 14 Fundamentals by Ezra Taft Benson” at a BYU devotional on 26 February, 1980. Just recently, two General Authorities quoted from it. Maybe we should watch this video, and take notes.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 8 November, please click here.