Trusting

Welcome to the Neighborhood News

Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.

~ D. Elton Trueblood

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?

We'd like to share a story told by President Marion G. Romney in his talk Trust in the Lord, Ensign, Nov. 1977:

"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.'

"'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?'

“Certainly, replied President Grant.

"Now here was an expression of trust in the Lord which the bishop could not withstand. He took the remaining $45.

"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.

“I do not think it would have happened. I do not think I would have got the idea.

“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.)"

Absolute faith will open up the windows of Heaven. Can we take the leap?

To see the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 24 August, please click here.

We welcome your comments. Post by clicking the link below.

Personal Touch

Welcome to the Neighborhood News!

In today's Personal Touch interview, Rebecca Cressman turns the spotlight on the Easter bunny: Barbara Kenig is known as the Easter Bunny of Las Vegas. She is the founder and coordinator of E BUNNY, a volunteer outreach program that collects and delivers thousands of Easter baskets to homeless and underprivileged children throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

“Visiting teaching is hard, isn’t it?” That’s the beginning line of Heather Moore’s latest article ‘Visiting Teaching … Again?' Now, let me ask, is it hard? Let’s have a read and see how the story develops, and figure out if we can get inspired and do better. Of course life sends us in every direction, sometimes we don’t know which way we’re going, and thinking of someone else is just so out there. However, we know that blessings come from doing what’s right.

There’s this place called VisitingTeaching.net, you should visit it. They have all kinds of ideas for visiting teachers, you’ll be amazed. A submission by Rebecca Stoker looked so great, we decided to pair it with Heather’s article. It’s called ‘Scripture Scholar Crossword’. You can bring it and give it as part of a gift, or use it as a conversation starter.

We also have our guest contributor Melanie Adams. She’ll tell you why is so good to listen to yourLDSradio, and she will also re-introduce to you some of the people that make the radio unique. In her own words: “Through the expertise of Cherie Call, Rebecca Cressman and Steven Kapp Perry, yourLDSradio is anxiously engaged in providing you music, artists, and interviews of interests.”


To view a copy of Wednesday, 24 March's Neighborhood News, click  here.

Looking Ahead

The first article in our Monday, February 1st Neighborhood News is a reflective piece by the nationally recognized preparedness expert, Barbara Salsbury. Her article, "Mud Cakes and Alarm Clarks" is a stinging reminder of the current common day of the Haitians. Barbara's practical personal preparedness instincts are called forward as she sorts these matters of the heart.

Visiting teaching is a calling which is at the heart of the gospel. As a true disciple of Christ, sisters may proceed within the charge of their calling to perfect the saints, proclaim the gospel and care for the poor and the needy. A great work indeed! However, a women's touch often eases the way in the door and leaves sentiments that allow a fond recollection of the visit. The oft visited Sugar Doodle has prepared a creative and fun year's list of visiting gift ideas.

Valerie Albrechtsen is a mother of seven and author of the PreparedLDSFamily blog. Valerie was raised by parents who practiced preparedness principles and through her own family of nine has learned to be a wise steward over her blessings. She has created a month by month Food Storage and Preparedness Calendar that addresses the needs of most families. This is a valuable resource for any looking to be better prepared in 2010.

What are your most enjoyable memories of visiting teaching? Do you have plans for being further prepared by the end of the year? How are you preparing for upcoming events of 2010?