True Disciples

True disciples are those who go beyond simply believing. They act out their belief.

--James E. Faust, "The Resurrection", Ensign, May 1985 p.30

Mercy

"One cannot be merciful to others without receiving a harvest of mercy in return."

--Gordon B. Hinckley, "Blessed Are the Merciful", Ensign, May 1990, p. 70

Absolute Truths

"We cannot cope with the confusions and challenges of this world unless we use a clear and consistent moral compass that will unerringly take us through our own personal trials and the tugs and pulls of our own temptations--a compass that will chart our way to peace of mind, self-worth, and joy. This moral compass is built around four absolute truths.

The first absolute truth is that there is a loving Father in Heaven, and His Son, Jesus Christ, is our personal Savior--a more certain truth than any worldly fact. Nothing could provide a truer "north" for every person's own moral compass.

The second absolute truth is that there is an adversary, Satan, the tempter, who would lead us away from God and His infinite peace....One of Satan's most spiritually damaging lies which undermines our sense of self-worth and hope is that we cannot be forgiven of our sins.

The third absolute truth is that all of us choose our own course, endowed by agency. Yes, who we are is the sum of all the choices we make. We should always remember that our choices do not begin with the act, but in the mind with the idea. Given our agency, we are therefore individually responsible for our thoughts or ideas, acts, habits, character and yes even our destiny.

The fourth absolute truth is that the temptations of the devil can always be overcome by renewed faith in God and by repentance.

Yes, when we stray from that narrow and straight way, marked by our moral compass, our footing can be restored on the road that surely leads to salvation and eternal life. We can experience wisdom, peace of mind, self-worth, and joy not only in the life to follow but in the life each of us lives today by walking in the Savior's footsteps, guided by an unfailing compass calibrated on these four eternal and absolute truths."

Taken from Richard B. Wirthlin, Oct 1997 conference

I needed to read that today.

p.s. I remember reading this back in high school seminary, I think. It still makes me happy. And so, I link! Ha!

Be Willing to LIVE for Your Faith, not just Die!

"Some men are willing to die for their faith but will not fully live for it. Christ both lived and died for us. By walking in his steps and through his atonement we can gain the greatest gift of all--eternal life--which is that kind of life of the great Eternal One, our Father in heaven."

--Ezra Taft Benson, "Jesus Christ--Gifts and Expectations, Byu Devotional", 10 December 1974

from LDSNuggets.com

And God Said

"AND GOD SAID"

I said, "God, I hurt."
And God said, "I know."
I said, "God, I cry a lot."
And God said, "That is why I gave you tears."
I said, "God, I am so depressed."
And God said, "that is why I gave you sunshine."
I said, "God, life is so hard."
And God said, "that is why I gave you loved ones."
I said, "God, my loved ones died."
And God said, "Mine did too."
I said, "God, it is such a loss."
And God said, "I saw mine nailed to a cross."
I said, "But God, your loved one lives."
And God said, "So does yours."
I said, "God, where are they now?"
And God said, "Mine is on my right and yours is in the light."
I said, "God it hurts."
And God said, "I know."

--author unknown

The Lord's Standards

"The Lord's standards have come from Him. Some of them may appear a little out-of-date in our society, but this does not detract from their validity nor diminish the virtue of their application. The subtle reasoning of men, no matter how clever, no matter how plausible it may sound, cannot abridge the declared wisdom of God."

--President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Pursue the Steady Course", Ensign, Jan.

What is Your Destination?

"As we pursue our journeys, let us ever bear in mind that in train travel and in life, there are stations, there are departures, calls, schedules, and opportunities for being side-tracked and diverted. Wise is the individual who follows in his, the Savior’s, paths. Safety and joy belong to those who will come and follow him. I bear witness to you today that God is eternal. We are eternal, and God never intended for us to travel alone."

~Marvin J. Ashton, "What Is Your Destination?", Ensign, July 1972, 62

"If we choose the wrong road, we choose the wrong
destination."

~ Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Be Not Deceived," Ensign, November 2004, 44

Alice: Oh, no, no. I was just wondering if you could help me find my way.
Cheshire Cat: Well that depends on where you want to get to.
Alice: Oh, it really doesn't matter, as long as...
Cheshire Cat: Then it really doesn't matter which way you go.

God is at the Helm... (and my little Brother's on Deck!)

A little personal note. This isn't my real, about-my-life kind of blog, and I usually just share quotes here, but indulge me. Today my family took my little brother to the Missionary Training Center. We won't see him again for 2 years. We all cried a LOT. But after a few weeks there learning the Italian language and learning more of the gospel he loves enough to give up his life right now - filled with girls, his guitar, and, yes, his motorcycle - he will go to Milan Italy to share that gospel with all he meets. I am so proud of him. I will miss him. But I am so happy that the Lord means so much to him that at 19 he would go for 2 whole years to a foreign country (and let's face it, he has always been the baby, a mama's boy) to serve Him.

"Some, in speaking of war and troubles, will say, are you not afraid?
No, I am a servant of God, and this is enough, for Father is at the helm.
It is for me to be as clay in the hands of the potter, to be pliable and
walk in the light and countenance of the Spirit of the Lord, and then no
matter what comes. Let the lightnings flash and the earthquakes bellow, God
is at the helm, and I feel like saying but little, for the Lord God
Omnipotent reigneth and will continue his work until he has put all enemies
under his feet, and his kingdom extends from the rivers to the ends of the
earth."

~John Taylor, in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor [2001], 150

Do Unto Others?

"If you feel that Heavenly Father is not listening to your petitions,
ask yourself if you are listening to the cries of the poor, the sick,
the hungry, and the afflicted all around you."

—Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Hiding from Love... Yeah, I've tried that...

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything,
and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly
be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it
intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even
to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies
and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it
up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness.
But in that casket--safe, dark, motionless, airless--
it will change. It will not be broken; it will become
unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The
alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of
tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside of
Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the
dangers and perturbations of love is Hell."


C. S. Lewis

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*