tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32118805781745153162024-03-12T19:41:44.763-07:00Write your Story Writes from various writer. More importantly they are real writers! Their are stories, books, poems, short stories, songs, essay, etc. Chrisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15817096066493558658noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211880578174515316.post-56038785966548821392014-11-05T09:23:00.001-08:002014-12-24T09:08:58.694-08:00Art a Beautiful Expression<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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<b><span style="background-color: white;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span id="hotword"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">The dictionary defines art as "the</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">quality,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">production,</span> </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/expression">expression</a><span id="hotword">, <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">realm,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">according</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">aesthetic</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">principles,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">what</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">is</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">beautiful,</span><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">appealing,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">more</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">than</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">ordinary</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">significance.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span id="hotword"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">class</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">objects</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">subject</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">aesthetic</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">criteria;</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">works</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">art</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">collectively,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">as</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">paintings,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">sculptures,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">or </span><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">drawings:</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline;"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">museum</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">art;</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline;"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">an</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">art</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">collection.</span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline;"><span id="hotword"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword"> A</span></span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span id="hotword"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">ny</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">field</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">using</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">skills</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">techniques</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">art:</span></span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline;"><span id="hotword"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">"</span></span></span></span></i><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline;"><span class="hwc" name="hotword"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></i></span></span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline;"><span class="hwc" name="hotword"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></span></span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline;"><span class="hwc" name="hotword"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline;"><span class="hwc" name="hotword">Art is such a beautiful expression but especially for faith! </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Thomas S. Monson’s April 2011 conference address, “</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/liahona/2011/05/the-holy-temple-a-beacon-to-the-world?lang=eng" style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Holy Temple—a Beacon to the World</a><span style="line-height: 18px;">,” the prophet quoted President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), encouraging parents to display images of the temple in their homes to teach their children the temple's importance (see</span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Liahona</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> and </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ensign,</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> May 2011, 93).</span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><i style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Temples are so important and we can share even more through art, we should display images of family, and all the things God created for man to enjoy! </span></span></i><br style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">How can we worship God through art? The answer is simple we display art that would be pleasing to the Lord. And art that reminds us of Him in our </span></span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="line-height: 18px;">lives. We should also show our love and faith in Him by displaying beautiful art that expresses our gratitude to the Lord for his wonderful, beautiful, and miraculous creation! </span></i></span></span></b></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211880578174515316.post-20926994338246284542014-10-14T01:48:00.001-07:002014-10-14T01:48:21.242-07:00The Pheniox by my friend Lianna Edwards<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rqgKaHWYtpE/VDzjUgJWi1I/AAAAAAAAI_0/4yoDtWt6lbk/s640/blogger-image--2101859567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rqgKaHWYtpE/VDzjUgJWi1I/AAAAAAAAI_0/4yoDtWt6lbk/s640/blogger-image--2101859567.jpg"></a></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211880578174515316.post-48064990823521009122014-06-26T12:01:00.001-07:002014-12-24T09:09:50.442-08:00Graduation Speech<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-d20474ea-d989-5927-82dd-99a0d504d2c0"><b><u>Books</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Shadows Into Light'; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Shadows Into Light'; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. S. Lewis</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-d20474ea-df5b-fea2-6269-2a6d195b3ff9" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over the course of my homeschool years I’ve read a little over a thousand books. I haven't always liked reading.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I was first pulled out of school I hated reading. My mom gave me many books to read but I didn’t like them. Christmas came around and I received a Nancy Drew box set. Through mysteries I began to love reading. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Someone once asked Wendell Phillips when he was born. He said, “It was one Sunday afternoon when I was twenty-five years old, just after I finished reading a book.” That new birth has happened on innumerable occasion in the past and it will happened to many people in the future.” I consider Nancy Drew my beginning and added to it; Homer, Aristotle, Victor Hugo, Homer, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, and many many more. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abraham Lincoln once said, “What I want to know is in books, and my best friend is the one who will get me a book I haven’t read.” He said, “I will prepare myself now and take my chances when the opportunity comes.” Lincoln went on to great lengths to get the few books that were available to him in his day, and he spent all of his spare time in study. There were few books that influences Lincoln's life most. One was the Holy Bible and the other was the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Life of George Washington </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Mason Locke Weems. And while Lincoln had little formal education or cultural background for his reading , yet he studied and mastered these books in great in the evenings on the dirt floor of the backwoods cabin before an open fire.”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Classic’s teach you so much! As you read of peoples mistakes & success and their consequences, it teaches you so you avoid making the same mistakes. I have learned lifetimes of information in each classic I read. George R.R. Martin once said “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recently I began ‘Little women by: Louisa May Alcott and I have learned some amazing things about motherhood.. Here are a two quote that illustrates what I learned from it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. “He showed me that I must try to practice all the virtues I would have my little girls possess, for I was their example. It was easier to one of you, when I spoke sharply, rebuked me more than any words could have done; and the love, respect, and confidence of my children was the sweetest reward I could receive for my efforts to be the woman I would have them copy.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the second one.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. “My Jo, you may say anything to your mother, for it is the greatest happiness and pride to feel that my girls confide in me, and know how much I love them.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love that our family does many of the examples I’ve read in the book.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Shadows Into Light'; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Shadows Into Light'; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>FINDING MY MISSION:</u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Shadows Into Light'; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Shadows Into Light'; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Shadows Into Light'; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">W. Clement Stone</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The education received is mission based. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I was young I loved weather, especially reading about it. My favorite thing to learn about was tornadoes. I wanted to become a meteorologist that would change the severe weather warning system and be a tornado chaser on the side. I would read everything I could get my hands on! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then I went to a commonwealth school in Colorado and I took a writing class. We read a book a week, wrote tons of essay’s, and also gave speeches. We did the speeches and wrote essays based on what we thought our mission in life was. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At first I thought meteorology was for me than I thought of more options. I thought about how good I am at fixing any electronics without a manual, I reasoned I could be a computer scientist. My Aunt told me that most of the jobs for computer scientists were outsourcing to India. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I scratched that & I sat down and wrote a list of my talents and decided on becoming a nurse. I read, wrote, and gave speeches on great historical nurses and kept studying all about the how’s and what’s to being a nurse. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then after I finished the class and I wrote twenty essay’s I realized I have a strength and true love for writing. And ever since then I have been writing on blogs, and working on a mystery novel. I was taught that motherhood was the most important job in the world. I combined the two together motherhood & writing and truly found my life’s mission. I am not a mom yet, but its something I hope to become. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><u>HOMESCHOOL MEMORIES:</u></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Shadows Into Light'; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Shadows Into Light'; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Corrie Ten Boom</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some of my fondest home school memories were when helping the little girls with their home school. Also at the same time we were starting the charge system. Where we were in charge of one sibling. </span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At first the girls resisted us helping them get ready for the day, getting dressed, etc; and were super bored with whatever we taught them. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then as time went by we learned how to treat and motivate them and how to work with them as a friend & mentor.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Through these experiences I learned how to inspire people, how I want to teach my children, and how to do it. I also bonded with my sisters and learned to appreciate them, which to me is the most important lesson.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>EDUCATION:</u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Shadows Into Light'; font-size: 24px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“Education never ends, Watson. It is a series of lessons, with the greatest for the last.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Shadows Into Light'; font-size: 24px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>-Sherlock Holmes</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will always continue my education. It seems like everyday I learn something new.</span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the end I realized that no matter how hard some days were or how boring some books were, it was without a doubt worth the hard work & effort I put into it.</span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being home I had control of my education. I bonded with my parents and siblings. I’ve learned how to keep a home with nine kids in it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I did and still do have lots of chores & a job and I always will. I am so thankful for them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'The Girl Next Door'; font-size: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I now feel like I am ready to go out into the world and share the gospel and have my own family some day. </span></div>
</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211880578174515316.post-60377918263406127182014-05-29T20:10:00.001-07:002014-12-24T09:10:11.008-08:00What Memorial Day Means to Me<div>
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Since this is my first post on this blog, I'm going to start by explaining something about my writing: I'm a sharer, and I like to discuss things in writing.<br />
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That being said, when I was thinking about Memorial day, this poem is what came to mind:</div>
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In Flanders Fields, by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army</div>
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"In Flanders Fields the poppies blow </div>
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Between the crosses row on row,</div>
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That mark our place; and in the sky</div>
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The larks, still bravely singing, fly</div>
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Scarce heard amid the guns below.</div>
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We are the Dead. Short days ago</div>
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We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,</div>
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Loved and were loved, and now we lie</div>
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In Flanders fields.</div>
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Take up our quarrel with the foe:</div>
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To you from failing hands we throw</div>
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The torch: be yours to hold it high.</div>
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If ye break faith with us who die</div>
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We shall now sleep, though poppies grow</div>
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In Flanders Fields."</div>
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Memorial day, to me, is not just about remembering the great people who came before us. It's about remembering what they fought and died for. It's about respecting their sacrifice and vowing to continue their legacy. It's about respecting the heroes who may not have gotten any press for what they did, but who gave so much.</div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
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Rachel</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211880578174515316.post-72103935524099360452014-05-29T15:05:00.000-07:002014-12-24T09:10:29.511-08:00Things to love in life that are free:<div>
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The<br />
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+ world around you<br />
+ rhythm of a heartbeat,<br />
+ influence sunlight has on you<br />
+ call that excites your spirit,<br />
+ be in love in being marvelous, be in love with the unknown,<br />
+ authenticity over perfection,<br />
+ universal language of laughter,<br />
+ humbling fact there is someone or something greater than yourself,<br />
+ way a conductor conducts his symphony,<br />
+ radio talk show host who pleasantly greets you every morning,<br />
+ expression of love little flowers show when they blossom,<br />
+ way little children's eyes light up so effortlessly<br />
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Be in love in being.<br />
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When opening my eyes a little wider and breathing in life as it is, I feel a constant flush of goodness that penetrates every moment I get to live. People are ever so curious as to how I stay cheerful.<br />
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I tell them one thing: be grateful.<br />
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And act on it.<br />
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Enjoy what you have. Seek opportunities to throw your whole heart into loving people. Smile a little brighter. Admire beauty. Remember that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster - it's a cha-cha. Move forward until you feel good. Choose happiness and gratitude. Over and over again.<br />
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That, my friends, has been my north star. I dare you to think of one thing that made you smile today.<br />
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This is your life and you get to live it. Isn't that exciting?! I LOVE that we are presented with every opportunity to be happy. I am super excited for the infinite potential you each hold the capacity to and the ability to choose happiness in any given moment.<br />
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Stay groovy. Stay grateful. Stay fresh.alexandra mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07772070674728096756noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211880578174515316.post-14815300069323472092014-05-27T04:33:00.003-07:002014-12-24T09:10:51.655-08:00Agency and Accountability<div style="text-align: justify;">
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"wherefore, men... are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediator of all men, or to choose activity and death." 2nd Nephi 2: 27 </div>
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God had given us such an amazing and beautiful blessing to have free agency. </div>
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"God's long-suffereing is sometimes necessary to provide additional opportunities for us to repent. We may think God is merely marking time when actually He is marking openings for us which are sorely needed. But despite this patient care, we are slow to escape from familiar cell or selfishness." </div>
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( Neil L Maxwell) (Luke 10:18, Doctrine and Covenants 29: 36) </div>
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We have been blessed with agency to choose right from wrong. The Lord also wants us to know what is right and what is wrong. (Moses 3:17)</div>
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From the beginning the Lord has told us to return to Him, but yet we can choose liberty or captivity.</div>
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When people are truly righteous, there could not be a happier people it is the Lord who guides us to make good choices to return to Him. </div>
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The Lord desires for us to be happy, He wants you to endure and make good choices now to return to Him someday.</div>
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His work and His glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. But it will only be accomplished in His way and in His due time.</div>
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"The Lord wil surely stay the course the question is, Will we? </div>
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(2nd Nephi 2: 11)</div>
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There is and has to be opposition in all things.</div>
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You have the choice to make good decisions. (2nd Nephi 28:8)</div>
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You have the freedom to choose. Satan seeks to move us from the true path, and creates confusion and doubt. </div>
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" You are responsible for the choices you make. </div>
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God is mindful of you and will help you make good choices, even if your family and friends use their agency in ways that are not right.</div>
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Have the moral courage to stand firm obeying God's will, even if you have to stand alone. </div>
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As you do this you will set an example for others to follow." (For Strength Of Youth)</div>
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What ever circumstances we always have the right to choose.</div>
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With having the right to choose comes the responsibility to choose.</div>
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The Lord has provided us with the means necessary to receive guidance through prayer,</div>
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Holy Ghost, and scriptures.</div>
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Make the choice now to not deviate from the path which the Lord has led us on o return to Him in heaven. </div>
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Thomas S. Monson said " All our choices have consequences, some which have little or or nothing </div>
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to do with our eternal salvation and others which have everything to do with it."</div>
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God has given us so much! </div>
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May we all have the courage to stand for truth and righteousness.</div>
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Even though it may not always be the popular thing to do, as Thomas S. Monson said " Dare to have a purpose, dare to stand alone" </div>
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Friends I know from experience it is not easy! But as you do this you will be the one to set the example for others to follow.</div>
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Even though you have the freedom to choose, you however do not get to choose your consequences whether good or bad you will aways have consequences.</div>
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The question to ask ourselves is Are my choices leading me towards everlasting happiness?</div>
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Mathew 25: 14-29</div>
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Moroni 7: 15-19</div>
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Doctrine and covenants 58: 27-28</div>
Chrisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15817096066493558658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211880578174515316.post-60092506105416244232014-05-27T04:31:00.000-07:002014-12-24T09:32:35.919-08:00What does your mother mean to you and why?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Today,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
when we hear the word “mother”, we think of someone or a women in the 1800’s. The
word “mother” has been replaced by “Mom”. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most children and teenagers these
days run hither and thither about their lives, occasionally stopping by at home
to play a video game, eat, or go to bed. But other than that, the average <s>kid</s>
spends about as little of their time as possible communicating with their
parents,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and only about 3% is spent actually <i>talking</i>,
if at all. They spend their almost all of their time playing with friends and
participating in school sports, extra classes, parties, late nights at a friend’s
house, and other activities; most are degrading to their character in the most
unseemly ways, until finally the parents notice big issues with children such
as rebellion, lying, and an unfortunately prevalent case of suicide. Children
or teens hardly know their parents. Why? It’s pretty simple. Parents and
smaller children in the family just seem to “get in the way” of the “ambitions”
of a child. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most kids don’t realize how much
their parents do for them. Habits of ingratitude let us forget about the
worries and cares of family, and we think only about our current predicament,
such as fussing how 7-year-old Sally spilled toothpaste over new forty-dollar
jeans.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Today, most moms in America are
absent from homes where they’re needed. Jobs and shopping take the higher
priority than helping Johnny with a hard math problem, saying a friendly word
to a depressed neighbor, or having a nice dinner ready for Dad when he comes
home exhausted from work. While it’s never said like this: “I am a selfish
person who enjoys taking pleasure in my own tastes rather than helping others
progress.” —it’s more commonly accepted and enjoyable to think about in this
frame of mind: “I
help others a lot—I cook dinner and I clean the house. I’m usually home a lot
after the kids get home from school, and they don’t need me that badly. If
dinner isn’t ready they can always order a pizza! My poor nerves are exhausted
with the dinner schedule lately. I need a little me-time, to get away from my
cares and business. If I don’t ever get away from my house, I’ll be a socially
dead hermit! If I stay home all the time, where will I fit in my social life?
Besides, if I get some new clothes, it might help improve my mood . . .” and so
on.</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My mom is very different from the
thousands of “normal” moms out there in this world. Instead of getting a nice
job, having a few kids (and sending them off to be “parented” by other
teachers), she stayed at home and had <i>nine</i>
children, ages 19-3. And her parents weren’t superheroes like The Amazing
Wonder-Woman and Daringly Dauntless Dad. Actually, my grandpa died when my mom
was six years old, so she didn’t get to grow up with a father-type figure in
the home.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.gjdgxs"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My mom homeschooled everybody in our
family, and didn’t moan and groan about how “Billy spilled the milk and it ran
under the fridge” or “Frank thought lighter fluid was more interesting than
playing legos”—or, one of my last common mistakes, “over-watering all the
plants in the house which introduced our newest bug problem—<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitefly">whitefly</a>—indoors.” <b><i>*smile*</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">President Ezra Taft Benson stated:</span></div>
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<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It is a fundamental truth that the
responsibilities of motherhood cannot be successfully delegated. No, not to
day-care centers, not to schools, not to nurseries, not to babysitters. We
become enamored with men’s theories such as the idea of preschool training
outside the home for young children. Not only does this put added pressure on
the budget, but it places young children in an environment away from mother’s
influence. Too often the pressure for popularity, on children and teens, places
an economic burden on the income of the father, so mother feels she must go to
work to satisfy her children’s needs. That decision can be most shortsighted.
It is mother’s influence during the crucial formative years that forms a
child’s basic character. Home is the place where a child learns faith, feels
love, and thereby learns from mother’s loving example to choose righteousness.
How vital are mother’s influence and teaching in the home—and how apparent when
neglected!”</span></blockquote>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWr5nxN_mr-lmyNy7H7a7PITmUtGWTSJrpOi348sZWaBB89Zm8guUdT8sg-NMibHG5pEC_jvhfNl3ZRMaJqu34aAxsHW2Cy5KhH5qC_43uxyVgBXg3ZhXvQIj0Z_a5YeehT7Ro5mn8nH8/s1600/90d3322fefb3t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWr5nxN_mr-lmyNy7H7a7PITmUtGWTSJrpOi348sZWaBB89Zm8guUdT8sg-NMibHG5pEC_jvhfNl3ZRMaJqu34aAxsHW2Cy5KhH5qC_43uxyVgBXg3ZhXvQIj0Z_a5YeehT7Ro5mn8nH8/s1600/90d3322fefb3t.jpg" height="263" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sometimes I do not realize that I
have such a caring mom. I like to be picky and criticize everything in the
system that doesn’t go my way, which is not what I should be doing.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most
of go around on our day-to-day lives thinking about school, fun activities we
like to do, shopping, day-dreaming, playing with friends, clothes, hobbies,
hair, the next math assignment, and a hundred other projects. Maybe we should
take a second to pause and think about the last time your mom gave up one of
the aforementioned things to help you. I think we’ve all had times where we
realize that Mom did something to help us, and we forgot to say thank-you. Did
Mom unplug your hair straightener before you left for church? Say thank you.
Maybe she helped finish dinner so you could go outside and play basketball when
you got your work done late. Who cleans up the gross mess when someone gets sick
and throws up? Mom. Or maybe she helped you submit an art contest
submission—the day it was due . . . at 10:00 p.m. . . .</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The point is, lots of kids today
don’t think much about (or care) how their Mom’s feel.</span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
should be thinking about one of the ultimate examples of motherhood in the
scriptures—Mary, the mother of Christ. Wouldn’t we be honored if an angel
appeared to our Mom and said, “The Lord is pleased with you.”?</span></div>
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<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luke 1:28 “. . . Hail, thou that art
highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”</span></blockquote>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KtEW0jdMVgIZz7CpwG12IuohVmr_vTv391EmHwWLYEE7qXJRSd09yZQT3XEzuSgg50kOEnsRwU1fAYriZMFtjAxjxXLxDFGT-FIV1n4vsIMPEUBDens6ALhFyMA6GC67eTnqobwXDgE/s1600/f2120c27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KtEW0jdMVgIZz7CpwG12IuohVmr_vTv391EmHwWLYEE7qXJRSd09yZQT3XEzuSgg50kOEnsRwU1fAYriZMFtjAxjxXLxDFGT-FIV1n4vsIMPEUBDens6ALhFyMA6GC67eTnqobwXDgE/s1600/f2120c27.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">President Brigham Young said:</span></div>
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<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“If
you, mothers, will live your religion, then in the love and fear of God teach
your children constantly and thoroughly in the way of life and salvation,
training them up in the way they should go, when they are old they will not
depart from it. I promise you this; it is as true as the shining sun; it is an
eternal truth.”</span></blockquote>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Below
I wrote the top ten reasons why I am very blessed to have a Mom like mine:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -17.95pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
doesn’t try, she <i>does</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -17.95pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
respects my Dad’s decisions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -17.95pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
is patient with all of us kids, who are extremely un-normal in a worldly sense
:D<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -17.95pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
works hard--she makes sure the bills are paid on time and stuff gets done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -17.95pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
feeds us healthy food—it costs a lot more, too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -17.95pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
takes time to talk to us<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -17.95pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
talks to us after an argument to get problems cleared up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -17.95pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
never takes a break from work when she’s sick unless she <i>has</i> to lay down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -17.95pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
keeps her clothes nice and tidy in the closet—she is a good organizer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -17.95pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
does not waste time on herself—I don’t ever remember seeing her watch TV or go
shopping for fun</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I hope we take a little bit of time
and start thinking about how much our Moms help us and how much they mean to
us.</span></div>
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Leah Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03662436098798143691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211880578174515316.post-305061791708373962014-05-08T07:48:00.000-07:002014-12-24T09:11:10.631-08:00Are Your Heroes TRULY GREAT?<h2 dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-13b28f2f-e649-c012-94da-a398d62a7263" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjDBA08itluCoy5jRGkp1GVHwf3E2g35LzDKTwWxBZVxb4sXBixA857lgk2Iazm4h4bc0V9V09wFRVgUZMPy9_fIK4RnOPX1F2vxlCyKWzdsP4D43bMUiSfBMMfuKBAGBdNeD2sM9JT4L/s1600/are-your-heroes-truly-great.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img alt="How to select and choose the best heroes" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjDBA08itluCoy5jRGkp1GVHwf3E2g35LzDKTwWxBZVxb4sXBixA857lgk2Iazm4h4bc0V9V09wFRVgUZMPy9_fIK4RnOPX1F2vxlCyKWzdsP4D43bMUiSfBMMfuKBAGBdNeD2sM9JT4L/s1600/are-your-heroes-truly-great.jpg" height="337" title="Are your heroes truly great?" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15;">Stop for a moment and ask yourself the question, who is your hero, your exemplar, your mentor? Who inspires you and influences the decisions you make? If I were to ask this question to a group of young men and women the answer would no doubt vary depending on their personality, interest, spiritual level, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What makes a man or women great? What defines an individual as successful? What factors produce happiness and fulfillment? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A long while ago, my father asked my family a question that has impressed itself upon my mind over and over again. He introduced the question by asking, “Who is the happiest person alive?” Naturally, our answer was God. He then soberly asked the thought-provoking query, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Do you </span><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">really </span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">believe that God is the happiest person?”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pause for a moment and consider, do you honestly believe this? Do you literally believe that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ are more happy, filled with joy and satisfaction, than any other person alive on the earth today? If you truly hold this view, how does that change your decisions and worldview? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF-aW4zj2-tCbFgyUMnYoS5BYBRQzeuouRH2wJZm0h27H5cDZcS4WZNhrBQgcZWkKOjhpWqGsFjbQDhHYAJN7l9L8y_I93-6-Acos1tklYt5ToQ-lV4p6RLt-0QejbaQ65oS5SW3PeyVn/s1600/George_Alfred_Henty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF-aW4zj2-tCbFgyUMnYoS5BYBRQzeuouRH2wJZm0h27H5cDZcS4WZNhrBQgcZWkKOjhpWqGsFjbQDhHYAJN7l9L8y_I93-6-Acos1tklYt5ToQ-lV4p6RLt-0QejbaQ65oS5SW3PeyVn/s1600/George_Alfred_Henty.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Back to the subject of heroes. If God is our ultimate example and His happy life is our ultimate goal, logically any other heroes or heroines must point back to Him. A favorite quote of mine, originates from an author of young men’s historical fiction during the 1800’s. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"To be a true hero you </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">must </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">be a true Christian. To sum up then, heroism is largely based on two qualities- </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">truthfulness and unselfishness,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> a readiness to put one's own pleasures aside for that of others, to be </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">courteous </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">to all, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">kind </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">to those younger than yourself, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">helpful to your parents</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> even if helpfulness demands some slight sacrifice of your own pleasure. . .you must remember that </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">these two qualities are the signs of Christian heroism</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">." - G.A. Henty, author of historical fiction for young men </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I would now like to share two examples.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyMdgZbFHlgC1JweiOl3xnJq5QzdlbDGqPuq_fhgmyJ_9QHJZoEeb23g-V0ppSlsrb4vxsHYZoJ1Q69WPuH0TOIr2J6762N-JSQwBVpBLDoHR_kNHyTOcRgB8dv769xk91jCjdhg-rIed/s1600/L-25-kirtland-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyMdgZbFHlgC1JweiOl3xnJq5QzdlbDGqPuq_fhgmyJ_9QHJZoEeb23g-V0ppSlsrb4vxsHYZoJ1Q69WPuH0TOIr2J6762N-JSQwBVpBLDoHR_kNHyTOcRgB8dv769xk91jCjdhg-rIed/s1600/L-25-kirtland-05.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Prophet Joseph Smith</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I hesitated for a moment before deciding to include the great Prophet Joseph Smith. Why? In our modern culture today, we have become very commonplace and may I even suggest ignorant when it comes to our dispensation head. I was afraid that my readers would pass over this section thinking "He is already a great hero of mine." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the most often quoted, but forgotten, tributes to the Prophet is included in our Doctrine and Covenants.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">salvation </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Herein we are told that Joseph Smith did the greatest work for our salvation than any man except Jesus Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What is service? Service is doing God's work.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What is God's work? To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, i.e. man's salvation.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In other words, Joseph Smith did greatest amount of service for man and God </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(excepting Jesus Christ).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It would take more time than is allowed for this blog post to chronicle even a brief synopsis of Joseph Smith's character and deeds. His example is highly pertinent to youth today. It is one of my greatest regrets that almost no one has truly studied his life or the books authored by Him. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How many of us would jump at the chance of reading direct words written by Jesus Christ while he was on earth, without coming through a second person? Wouldn't we eagerly raise our hands to study such teachings? Why do we not jump with the same eagerness to read the direct words of the 2nd greatest, Joseph Smith? How is it that we have not read his direct teachings? I myself could greatly improve in this area and pay more heed and reverence to the instruction given us by this great Prophet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15;">I would highly recommend the following books for further study on the Prophet Joseph Smith:</span><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.josephsmithacademy.org/inspira/ebooks/history-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-vol-1/" style="font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none;">History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Vol. 1 </a><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px;"><a href="http://www.josephsmithacademy.org/inspira/ebooks/history-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-vol-1/">http://www.josephsmithacademy.org/inspira/ebooks/history-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-vol-1/</a></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.josephsmithacademy.org/inspira/ebooks/the-life-of-joseph-smith-the-prophet/" style="font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none;">The Life of Joseph Smith the Prophet (George Q. Cannon) </a><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px;"><a href="http://www.josephsmithacademy.org/inspira/ebooks/the-life-of-joseph-smith-the-prophet/">http://www.josephsmithacademy.org/inspira/ebooks/the-life-of-joseph-smith-the-prophet/</a></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.boap.org/LDS/Joseph-Smith/Teachings/" style="font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none;">Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith</a><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px;"><a href="http://www.boap.org/LDS/Joseph-Smith/Teachings/">http://www.boap.org/LDS/Joseph-Smith/Teachings/</a></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">"Who can justly say aught against Joseph Smith? I was as well acquainted with him, as any man. I do not believe that his father and mother knew him any better than I did. I do not think that a man lives on the earth that knew him any better than I did; and I am bold to say that, Jesus Christ excepted,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"> no better man ever lived or does live upon this earth.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I am his witness. [John A. Widtsoe, comp., Discourses of Brigham Young, 2d ed., pp. 702–3]</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Lord has often told us specifically who the heroes and anti-heroes are. Several places in scripture, He has placed his divine approval on the Pilgrim, Puritan and other founding colonists of the United States. (1 Nephi 13:10-16)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Modernists often turn up their noses and look condescendingly down at these men and women, criticizing them as harsh, strict and extremist.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">However, when one studies the original history and the blessings the Lord poured out over them, you will find that the history we have been fed is <i><b>NOT</b></i> history. These faithful men and women deserve to be classified among the “founding fathers” and "founding mothers" of the United States. Their chronicles teach us the importance of scripture, the essential role of fathers and mothers in the home, the power of multi-generational vision and the legacy of sacrifice. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord called the Puritan founders of Salem, Massachusetts a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">treasure</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. (D&C 111:9-10) Take a moment to read how the Lord refers to our day. It may surprise you. (Isaiah 3, Mormon 8, 2 Timothy 3:1-7) Why do the Puritans receive praise while we gather condemnation? If we have truly "progressed far beyond their culture”, why are we not receiving the prosperity, blessings and societal strength that our founders did? I hope by now you are asking questions and pondering what pieces of our history have been lost. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If you are interested in learning more, please take a look at the documentary <a href="http://josephsmithacademy.org/store/index.php/for-our-day-covenant-on-the-land-dvd.html">For Our Day: Covenant on the Land</a> <a href="http://josephsmithacademy.org/store/index.php/for-our-day-covenant-on-the-land-dvd.html">http://josephsmithacademy.org/store/index.php/for-our-day-covenant-on-the-land-dvd.html</a>. This documentary is packed with answers to these questions. It may change your understanding of our Founders and their connection with the Book of Mormon.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Who is YOUR hero?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Lord told the people of Israel to remember, remember, REMEMBER the great deeds of their fathers in the past. (Deuteronomy 32:7) Author Vicki Jo Anderson once said “To remember our history is to restore righteousness.” We hold up heroes and remember our history to remind us of our covenants, mission and the true path towards exaltation. </span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Who are your heroes? How do they reflect Jesus Christ and lead you towards salvation?</span></i></div>
Hannah Stoddardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00221797814378547180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211880578174515316.post-59576774415433903042014-04-21T09:00:00.000-07:002014-12-24T09:31:05.740-08:00The Universe Communicating With Me<div style="text-align: center;">
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I'm eighteen years old. I have barely entered into that world of responsibility and being bombarded with adult activities. I am still learning and growing tremendously though, and forming habits, ways of thinking, and ways of doing, that have the possibility to stay with me into my far future. I have been building a habit of opening my eyes and focusing myself on nature... on Earth. With this I have found such awe and amazement at the Universe. It's crazy how many times a week I can see and hear the Universe saying, "I have another lesson for you, Rebecca. Let me help you."<br />
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A few days I was watering the grass in my backyard. There have been troubles with our sprinkler system, so my mom and I have been watering the lawn by using hoses. This isn't much of a big deal or a hassle, though, as I enjoy the outdoors; it's rather nice. I spent around 15-20 minutes or so watering the grass, and once I was done I wrapped the hose back up and sat down on a lawn chair to enjoy the spring weather a bit longer. As I did so, multiple birds came to the lawn. They started drinking from a few puddles of water that were along the edge. I watched with delight as I saw more and more come, and they all looked different from one another. I don't have much knowledge in bird species, so I couldn't tell you what kind they were.<br />
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The sweet birds came and then they went. I smirked a bit as a thought came to my mind. When I nourish myself, my thoughts, my mind, and my body, others can be attracted to me. When I feed and water my soul, I can be of help to others. I cannot share my water with anyone if I do not have sufficient water myself. And when I do have water, I can help many different people. This instance also testifies to me the timing of experiences. Just like these precious birds, people will come and go as well. That doesn't mean that you won't see them again, that they didn't mean anything, or that you should be sorrowful over any relationship "lost", because it will never be lost. People come into our lives when we need them, and they need us. The wisdom shared between a relationship is everlasting. </div>
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Have gratitude, humility, and excitement for the future of new relationships and experiences that are in store for you.</div>
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rebeccajanelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04611943910206275771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211880578174515316.post-58871558246000761982014-04-16T08:24:00.002-07:002014-12-24T09:32:15.245-08:00What can I do to Inspire others?<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #ff8080; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px;">
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Everyone not matter what race or social status has a unique and divine calling! Gordon b Hinckley says " you were not sent here to fail." How true and profound that is?<br />
I think that quote gives me a different perspective of what you mean. From personal experience I have been able to help others in there lives through my own divine calling. I had to make the choice to set my standards high and to set a good example.<br />
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I have not even realized how much of an example I have been until I see how much i have grown gone through challenges myself to inspire others. The question is now is, What are my standards and how am I going to change the world for the glory of God?</div>
Chrisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15817096066493558658noreply@blogger.com0