Love Rising

by Nikki McBride Spencer

LOVE RISING

Cake,

Heated oven,

Greased pan,

Cracked eggs, oil, & water,

Mixed in bowl,

Fifty strokes,

Gently but firmly,

Bake as directed,

Serve when cooled,

Yummy, Mommy!

Faith Not Fear

(I did not have a good title for this, and spent a long time not knowing)

By Leesa Ostrander

Defensive behaviors occur when a person is hurt, in turn causing a reaction out of fear.

Recently, my Kindergartener came home from school very upset. She was angry at everything and snippy. After an hour and her telling me everything is miserable, she started to cry. I told her I will listen.

She blurted out, “She lied! Teacher deceit me. She was the Leprechaun. I saw the foot stamps. She deceit me!”

I tried hard to not laugh. Deceit is a big word for a six-year-old and to use it in context was really cute. My coolness over her choice of words was deeply misunderstood. I understood her sadness and fear. As her parent, I understand many of her trials.  

Turns out, my dear daughter was sad because she discovered the truth behind the magical surprise gifts and tricks of St. Patrick’s Day. She feared that it was the end of surprise gifts and mystical figures lurking around holidays.

She feared all she thought was not true and a person she respected and trusted had, indeed, deceived her.

This is a fear I have as an adult. I do not want to be deceived, let alone by someone I trust and respect.

She turned her fear into less productive measures. She became the afterschool nightmare. Her fear turned to defensive behavior that hardened her heart.

Hum, thinking that this follows some of the thoughts shared by our church leaders and scriptures.

When fear is a factor, behaviors shift to less productive actions.

Needless to say, after discussing with her, magic and the feeling of magic is more about the love of each season and not the physical person or items, she eased her anger. We can enjoy each holiday knowing that there is a person behind it making the day or season special. It is not the person but the holiday and the reason we celebrate.

I want to tie this to writing by saying; fear can play a role in a story. Yet if it is the main goal of the story it is a less productive use of time. We have better things to do in our short time here than to focus on fear. It is more productive to focus on the good feelings and lightness that we can find in positive surroundings.

To Everything There is a Season

By Tracy Astle

I hope you'll excuse me for getting personal today, but I just can't contain myself.

As we all know, sometimes life can stretch our souls beyond what we think is our ability to endure, like when the Spirit directs us to let a child go ("Testify and let go," is the exact inspiration I received over and over again), then for years to come being required to watch this child go further and further down "forbidden paths" and subject himself to habits and addictions which we only hope won't entrap him so thoroughly that he won't return.

Truly a time to weep, a time to mourn.

Then we get to experience what at the blackest times seemed almost unimaginable. The light shines brightly again as we receive the blessing we have long pleaded, fasted and prayed for.

I truly have no words to express my feelings today as I prepare to put my son on a plane bound for the Missionary Training Center day after tomorrow. Awestruck, humbled, overflowing with gratitude, these are just a few feeble words that come to mind, but in no way come close to touching the depth of feelings I have. The blessings you've sought, or are still seeking, may be different from mine, but so many of the feelings are the same.

Now, a time to laugh, a time to dance.

If you have received the desire of your heart, I rejoice with you and invite you to recall the sweetness of that. If you have yet to receive what your soul yearns for, I give you the words of Michael McLean, "Hold on, the light will come." If we endure in faith, I know it will.

I promise.

A Glorious Weekend

by Marsha Ward

Mormons all over the world are engaged this weekend in what is termed "General Conference." That is a world-wide broadcast of addresses from the assembly of leaders (General Authorities) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the huge Conference Center. They speak on religious topics in five sessions over two days: four meetings that are aimed at the general membership of the Church and anyone else who wants to listen, and one meeting for the males members, called the priesthood session.

The four general sessions will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. mountain daylight time. The priesthood session will be held on Saturday, March 31, at 6:00 p.m. mountain daylight time.

Not only are LDS members gathered in church buildings throughout the nations, some are able to stay in their pajamas and watch the proceedings at home via the BYU Channel. Others listen or watch on the Internet. There are other ways to participate, such as radio broadcasts, but you get the picture.

The words of the leaders--some of whom we members sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators--may be of counsel, exhortation, advice, or comfort. It is preaching of the purest sort, a call to come unto Christ and become the best you that you are capable of being.

I never tire of the twice-yearly Conferences. They are a wonderful opportunity to be reminded of my deepest roots of faith, and of my obligation to others.

I hope that if you are not of our faith, you might avail yourself of the chance to hear a living prophet of God speak to the world. It can't hurt you, and you might hear something to set your soul at rest. Who knows? Well, God does.

For more information on LDS Conference, see LDS.org. Archives of the sessions are posted for viewing or reading several days after the conference, so if you miss this weekend, you can still participate later.

[edited] Words cannot express my joy and sense that my spirit has been fed immensely this weekend. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang one of my all-time favorite hymns, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," just after the Prophet of God spoke on Sunday Morning.