Random Quotes I've Liked Recently

 Found in the Emotional Resilience Self-Reliance book:

"No pain that we suffer, no trial we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable... and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire." - Elder Orson F. Whitney.

On the BYU Speeches Instagram story.

"When we are able to make space for uncertainty in our lives and for the possibility of things that lie beyond our comprehension, we can come closer to our God, who knows us intimately, even if our human state prevents us from fully knowing God." - Amy Tanner

On @mrdavebutler Instagram story about "who won Sunday":

"Follow Him so closely that you run into Him all the time." - unknown

@johnbytheway Instagram story:

"God already knows what we're made of, but perhaps he wants us to learn what we're made of." - John Bytheway

A quote from President Russell M. Nelson's April 2023 General Conference talk, Peacemakers Needed.

"My dear brother and sisters, how we treat each other really matters! How we speak to and about others at home, at church, at work, and online really matters. Today, I am asking us to interact with others in a higher, holier way. Please listen carefully. "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy" that we can say about another person -- whether to his face or behind her back -- that should be our standard of communication." -- Russell M Nelson

On @mrdavebutler Instagram story about "who won Sunday":

"Jesus died so you wouldn't have to feel like this forever." - unknown Sunday School Teacher

On @mrdavebutler Instagram story about "who won Sunday":

"I need Jesus because I'm a repeat offender." - unknown young woman

Loneliness is no respecter of persons...

“Loneliness is no respecter of persons. It’s in everybody, in every way. I think a bishop’s very lonely. I think a bishop’s wife is very lonely. To watch your husband struggle and to not be able to have him share why and what. And then to know how to try and succor and nurture. Which is so tough because that’s what we’re built to do in so many ways, is just to love on and give. And anyway, you go through it like children.” Lori Newbold

When I heard these words this morning, they struck me deeply. It’s something I’ve felt and worked to understand and sought to wrap my head around for 3 years. I feel like I’m finally getting to a place where most days, I can manage it.

I’m sharing this because I know I’ve overlooked others’ needs because, based on external factors, I’ve assumed they are fine. Personal friends I know I could have and should have had more compassion and time for. I’m sorry. I’ll work to be better. Life has a funny way of teaching us and softening our hearts through experience.

Sneaking into Borders and Securing Strongholds

”And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea, because of dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in the most dangerous circumstances.” -Alma 53:9

While reading the account of Pahoran, the king-men, and the freemen, I found many parallels to our time. Although people are not seeking a king, they do seek the same thing the king-men were seeking - power and authority. While fighting amongst themselves, their enemies, the Lamanites, invaded the bordering lands, killing many, taking women and children prisoner, and securing strongholds.

We live in a very turbulent time. There are so many voices, opinions, and causes that vie for our time and attention. Social media makes it almost impossible to wade through what is real and what is not. So much of the information we are barraged with is confusing or altogether unreliable. It’s heartbreaking to see family, friends, and neighbors fighting amongst each other and developing hard feelings where there was once love and mutual respect. I have found myself, at times, feeling distracted towards anger and pride rather than focusing on how I can be loving, tolerant, and focused on my Savior, Jesus Christ.

It’s normal for us to form opinions and to do what we feel is best for ourselves and our families. But we would do well to remember that we are still commanded to be kind and loving. “And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in equity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth the all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” -Moroni 7:45

I am grateful that before any of this, our prophet, Russell M. Nelson, asked us to increase our capacity to receive personal revelation and to focus on how we Hear Him. I know that as we keep our focus on our Savior and His perfect example, we can have peace and hope even during difficult times. 🧡

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