a quote I've been thinking about lately

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, fabulous, gorgeous, talented? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. You're playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that's within us. It's not just in some of us. It's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we automatically give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others."

--marianne williamson from "a return to love"

Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

[EDIT: my source credited Nelson Mandela, but Bonnie is right. THANKS!!!]
IN FACT:

"Several years ago, this paragraph from A RETURN TO LOVE began popping up everywhere, attributed to Nelson Mandela's l994 Inaugural Address. As honored as I would be had President Mandela quoted my words, indeed he did not. I have no idea where that story came from, but I am gratified that the paragraph has come to mean so much to so many people."
Marianne Williamson

Who's on Trial?

"I say to everyone within the sound of my voice, 'Do not fail the Lord.' We must accept the truth that the gospel principles are not on trial but that we are."

--Spencer W. Kimball, "Fortify Your Homes against Evil," Ensign, May 1979, 4

Receiving Answers

"This spiritual confirmation by the power of the Holy Ghost is given on the Lord's conditions to anyone who is willing to ask in faith, believing that an answer can come by that power. It starts by listening to the voice of the Lord, His servants, His prophets and apostles, and it continues by giving heed to their words."

~Charles Didier, "Man's Search for Divine Truth," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 49.

Sacrifice

Whether a volunteer, father, home teacher, bishop, or neighbor, whether a visiting teacher, mother, homemaker, or friend-there is ample opportunity to give our all. And as we give, we find that "sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!" And in the end, we learn it was no sacrifice at all.

--President Spencer W. Kimball, "Becoming the Pure in Heart", Ensign, May 1978

Spiritual Preparation Required to Receive Spiritual Communication

"In reality, the communication or hearing about divine truth can be

summarized in three words: revelation, commandments, blessings. However, it
is going to be a lifetime challenge to first hear and then heed the voice
of the Lord and His servants. . . . Spiritual preparation is a prerequisite
to receive a personal spiritual impression. . . . We must become 'a
saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord' and also become 'as
a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit
to' the will of the Lord, meaning His commandments. Then says the Lord,
'When we obtain any blessing . . . , it is by obedience to that law
upon which it is predicated' (D&C 130:21)."

( Charles Didier, "Man's Search for Divine Truth," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 48-49)

Attending Church

"Attending Church is, or should be, a respite from the pressures of
everyday life. It should bring peace and contentment. "
—President Boyd K. Packer




(Yeah. Talk about a call to repentance. I REALLY need to get to church tomorrow... errr... today as it is past midnight)

Bowing with Meekness in Our Prayers

Our prophets have admonished us repeatedly to make family prayer a
regular part of our daily worship. President John Taylor asked the
Saints:

Do you have prayers in your family?...

And when you do, do you go through the operation like
the guiding of a piece of machinery, or do you bow in meekness and with a
sincere desire to seek the blessing of God upon you and your household?
That is the way that we ought to do, and cultivate a spirit of devotion and
trust in God, dedicating ourselves to him, and seeking his blessings.
(Journal of Discourses, 20:118.)

L. Tom Perry, "Our Father Which Art in Heaven," Ensign, Nov. 1983, 11-12

(from LDS Gems)

Worthiness

Worthiness is a process, and perfection is an eternal trek. We can be worthy to enjoy certain privileges without being perfect.

--Marvin J. Ashton, "On Being Worthy,”", Ensign, May 1989, 20

(From LDS Nuggets)

Introduction. Why this Blog?

I have a blog about my life in general, a blog about my critters, and a blog for all the silly stuff I get in e-mail and want to store somewhere. So why do I not have a blog to share quotes and thoughts about my faith? Isn't that far more an important part of my life than jokes and chain letters?

Yes. It is.

And so begins Not Ashamed... The "Small Plates" of a Mormon Girl. It is a place to store inspirational quotes that I may need to look at again. (most of them sent to me by either one of my best friends, Colorchrome or else LDSGems or something) Yes, this blog is primarily for me. But all are welcome to read, obviously.

And if anyone feels so inclined, ask questions... in a tone of MUTUAL RESPECT, mind you. Do NOT TELL me what I believe! ASK ME!!! Contention is of the Devil... and flamers will be kicked in the proverbial head. ;O) hee hee!

Just to get a few out of the way...

1. Are you really Christian? Yes. I believe in following Christ, that he was God's literal son, that he died for our Sins and was ressurected that we might live again. Am I "mainstream" Christian? No, probably not. There are differences. But I think there are more similarities.
2. Do you believe in the Bible? Yes! Definitely. The Bible has writings of God's prophets, his mouth pieces to us on earth.
3. Okay, fine, but don't you have a different Bible than other Christians? I read the King James Version of the Holy Bible. But we do believe in other scripture as well, including the Book of Mormon; Another Testament of Jesus Christ. That is probably one of the biggest things that sets us apart (and makes people mad. Heh heh.)

Anyway, those are the semi-basics. Now on with the good quotes. *grins*