Family first
I served at the Veterans home for the first time this week. The staff there is so so nice and there are some hilarious old people there. I went to their book club which consisted of a whopping three residents. One of the residents loves to read, and so we listened to her read Harry Potter for like an hour, and then, with a couple of other residents, we played jeopardy. I read the questions and gave the answers. It was super fun and I think I’m going to like it there.
I love this mission. The service missionaries aren’t necessarily people I would’ve chosen to spend my time with in high school, but I have learned to love them. They are quick to laugh and quick to help. They are so genuinely kind, real, selfless, and fun. I have learned to talk to people about what THEY love and ask questions to get THEM talking. I am becoming a better listener. I am learning to love people for who they are rather than instantly just judge them. The people I serve and serve with are helping me become more like Christ.
My parents got back from Costa Rica late Sunday night. I am so grateful for my family and how they are always so willing to step up to help me and drive me everywhere. Eternal families are such a blessing.
This week’s spiritual thought goes out to the men. The whole talk can apply to anyone though.
It’s such a good one.
We Can Do Better and Be Better
Russell M. Nelson April 2019
Months ago, I received a heartbreaking letter from a dear sister. She wrote: “[My daughters and I] feel we are in fierce competition for our husbands’ and sons’ undivided attention, with 24/7 sports updates, video games, stock market updates, [and] endless analyzing and watching of games of every [conceivable] sport. It feels like we’re losing our front-row seats with our husbands and sons because of their permanent front-row seats with [sports and games].”
Brethren, your first and foremost duty as a bearer of the priesthood is to love and care for your wife. Become one with her. Be her partner. Make it easy for her to want to be yours. No other interest in life should take priority over building an eternal relationship with her. Nothing on TV, a mobile device, or a computer is more important than her well-being. Take an inventory of how you spend your time and where you devote your energy. That will tell you where your heart is. Pray to have your heart attuned to your wife’s heart. Seek to bring her joy. Seek her counsel, and listen. Her input will improve your output.
If you have a need to repent because of the way you have treated the women closest to you, begin now. And remember that it is your responsibility to help the women in your life receive the blessings that derive from living the Lord’s law of chastity. Never be the reason that a woman is unable to receive her temple blessings.
…
The Lord needs selfless men who put the welfare of others ahead of their own. He needs men who intentionally work to hear the voice of the Spirit with clarity. He needs men of the covenant who keep their covenants with integrity. He needs men who are determined to keep themselves sexually pure—worthy men who can be called upon at a moment’s notice to give blessings with pure hearts, clean minds, and willing hands. The Lord needs men eager to repent—men with a zeal to serve and be part of the Lord’s battalion of worthy priesthood bearers.
I bless you to become those men. I bless you with the courage to repent daily and learn how to exercise full priesthood power. I bless you to communicate the love of the Savior to your wife and children and to all who know you. I bless you to do better and be better. And I bless you that as you make these efforts, you will experience miracles in your life.
I love this mission. The service missionaries aren’t necessarily people I would’ve chosen to spend my time with in high school, but I have learned to love them. They are quick to laugh and quick to help. They are so genuinely kind, real, selfless, and fun. I have learned to talk to people about what THEY love and ask questions to get THEM talking. I am becoming a better listener. I am learning to love people for who they are rather than instantly just judge them. The people I serve and serve with are helping me become more like Christ.
My parents got back from Costa Rica late Sunday night. I am so grateful for my family and how they are always so willing to step up to help me and drive me everywhere. Eternal families are such a blessing.
This week’s spiritual thought goes out to the men. The whole talk can apply to anyone though.
It’s such a good one.
We Can Do Better and Be Better
Russell M. Nelson April 2019
Months ago, I received a heartbreaking letter from a dear sister. She wrote: “[My daughters and I] feel we are in fierce competition for our husbands’ and sons’ undivided attention, with 24/7 sports updates, video games, stock market updates, [and] endless analyzing and watching of games of every [conceivable] sport. It feels like we’re losing our front-row seats with our husbands and sons because of their permanent front-row seats with [sports and games].”
Brethren, your first and foremost duty as a bearer of the priesthood is to love and care for your wife. Become one with her. Be her partner. Make it easy for her to want to be yours. No other interest in life should take priority over building an eternal relationship with her. Nothing on TV, a mobile device, or a computer is more important than her well-being. Take an inventory of how you spend your time and where you devote your energy. That will tell you where your heart is. Pray to have your heart attuned to your wife’s heart. Seek to bring her joy. Seek her counsel, and listen. Her input will improve your output.
If you have a need to repent because of the way you have treated the women closest to you, begin now. And remember that it is your responsibility to help the women in your life receive the blessings that derive from living the Lord’s law of chastity. Never be the reason that a woman is unable to receive her temple blessings.
…
The Lord needs selfless men who put the welfare of others ahead of their own. He needs men who intentionally work to hear the voice of the Spirit with clarity. He needs men of the covenant who keep their covenants with integrity. He needs men who are determined to keep themselves sexually pure—worthy men who can be called upon at a moment’s notice to give blessings with pure hearts, clean minds, and willing hands. The Lord needs men eager to repent—men with a zeal to serve and be part of the Lord’s battalion of worthy priesthood bearers.
I bless you to become those men. I bless you with the courage to repent daily and learn how to exercise full priesthood power. I bless you to communicate the love of the Savior to your wife and children and to all who know you. I bless you to do better and be better. And I bless you that as you make these efforts, you will experience miracles in your life.
I love the personal blessings that he promises. We need to be more grateful for the women in our lives. As my dad likes to say, “You can’t live with ‘em, you can’t live without ‘em.”
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