Daily Ponderings: Know Your Faith

1 Thessalonians 3:5

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

I should seek out and learn empowering beliefs

I can gain power from any belief I choose to hold

Diversion v. Distraction

Diversion = planned, has a definite end point

Distraction = unplanned, is of indeterminate duration

Blessing

Blessing = a pleasant surprise

TFHW: Looking Forward

1-30-22 Discussed Youth Temple Trip with Jacom

Incoming Message

What makes you think we are separate?

We are not separate.

Daily Ponderings: Thought It Good

1 Thessalonians 3:1

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

I should seek to think good thoughts adn keep peace and joy in my heart constantly.

I can live a life free from the constant badgerings of the adversary.

TFHW: Fire!

1-29-22
Wrote to Roy
Wrote siblings that the Conachen Josephs were straightened out
Went to temple for initiatory

Daily Ponderings: Our Glory

1 Thessalonians 2:20

For ye are our glory and joy.

I should seek transformation

I can be at peace with the amount and timing of my transformation

How do I reconcile believing I am amazing as I am, with how much personal improvement is yet undone?

Realize those are two different questions, in two entirely different contexts.

The idea that uncompleted transformation is a moral failing is a lie of the adversary. It's not a character flaw, it's just a tracking statistic. Improvement is not a destination, like New York City, it's a direction, like east. When have I traveled east enough? As long as I'm traveling east, I'm doing it right. How far I travel each day is the Lord's timing. Think "Around the World in 80 Days". Sometimes by train, sometimes by elephant, sometimes by walking.

TFHW: Even More Countries

1-28-22
Improved place names: Kiribati, Korea (0 each)

Daily Ponderings: Which Effectually Worketh

1 Thessalonians 2:13

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Peace and kindness are hard for me sometimes. I think I might need power to make them happen. Have to ponder this

TFHW: Family & Countries

1-27-22
Improved place names: Jamaica, Japan
Wished Roy a happy birthday

Daily Ponderings: We Were Gentle Among You

1 Thessalonians 2:7

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

I should treat others, and especially myself, with kindness

I can be consistently and continually kind. His grace will make up the difference when I fall short. I can be forgiven and move forward.

TFHW: Countries

1-26-22
Improved place names: Indonesia and India

Daily Ponderings: Not As Pleasing Men, but God

1 Thessalonians 2:4

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

What does He want? That's what I want. Because what I've been choosing hasn't been getting me to where I want to be

Daily Ponderings: Jesus Which Delivered Us From the Wrath

1 Thessalonians 1:10

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

I should be like Him and approach every task and interaction with peace and kindness

I can become more like Him than I've been in the past

TFHW: Ancestors and Attaching

1-25-22
Attached Elizabeth Conachen obituary to all her kids
Pondered on why Elizabeth had two sons named Joseph
Emailed obit to siblings
Typed up Bernard Wright obituary

Hope

Hope is the belief that current impediments to progress are either temporary or circumventable

Covenant

Covenant is partnering with He who is enough to change me and make me whole

His Work, Not My Effort

I keep my Covenant to love God, and then He changes me. I don't have to do the changing.

Unworthy Nothingness

Mosiah 4:11

...[remember] your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures

It's not that I'm nothing, it's that there's so much more I can become

Daily Ponderings: Serve the Living and True God

1 Thessalonians 1:9

For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

He's not a dead thing like a carved chunk of wood. He's living because He's a part of me and can help me to become in whatever way I need, right when I need it.

Daily Ponderings: Ye Were Ensamples

1 Thessalonians 1:7

So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

I should live my life in a way that's worth emulation

I can be an example to others and also to myself as I look back on my life

Causing Us to Become Something

From Dallin H. Oaks' October 2000 "The Challenge to Become":

"What is essential is that our labors in the workplace of the Lord have caused us to become something"

I can respond to adversity with hope, and to blessings with joy.

The Mirror

I can turn every murmur against another person into an opportunity to examine myself to see in what way I contain the same flaw. Then I can spend my time working on correcting that flaw in myself.

Something One Becomes

From Dallin H. Oaks' October 2000 "The Challenge to Become":

"Charity is not and act but a condition or state of being. Charity is attained through a succession of acts that result in a conversion. Charity is something one becomes"

Becoming like Him means to respond to everything in my life by acting on an empowering belief

TFHW: A Fellow Former British Colony

1-24-22
Improved place names: India

Daily Ponderings: Knowing

1 Thessalonians 1:4

Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

I should feel for His peace to know that what I'm spending my time on is the right thing.

I can feel peace

Longsuffering

Longsuffering = still being able to find peace and joy amidst an ongoing trial of indeterminate duration

Forgive Their Enemies

Noticed this phrase in Quentin L. Cook's October 2021 "Personal Peace in Challenging Times". Had the thought that, just as I can cut off the adversary's whisperings in the present with peace, I can cut off the adversary's ability to use the past as a weapon with forgiveness.

TFHW: Mysteries in Old Records

1-23-22
Finished attaching Lydia Tooley obituary
Sent Lydia Tooley obituary to siblings and Roger
Transcribed Elizabeth Conachen obituary

Daily Ponderings: Grace Be Unto You, and Peace

I Theessalonians 1:1

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace when I can, grace when I can't

Daily Ponderings: Grace Be With You

Colossians 4:18

The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

I should remember to find peace at all times, but also to remember that if I fail to seek it, His grace allows me to not have to punish myself for failing, but rather just to find peace as I remember, and move on . It's like playing music and not worrying about the notes I missed.

I can be at peace with my missed notes.

TFHW: Temple and Family

1-22-22
Did baptisms at the temple
Texted Roger
Worked on Lydia Tooley obituary

Daily Ponderings: A Great Zeal

Colossians 4:13

For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

I shold embrace kindness and joy with great, though quiet, enthusiasm

I can trade anger, frustration, and sadness for peace in a moment. If I regret that I don't, I can replace the regret with peace and move forward.

TFHW: Note to the Council

1-21-22
Sent a note to the TFH council

Daily Ponderings: Stand Perfect and Complete

Colossians 4:12

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

I should stand perfect and complete in His will by doing what I know, and allowing His grace to make that sufficient.

I can do good imperfectly, and it still counts to bring me blessings.

Daily Ponderings: Fellowservant in the Lord

Colossians 4:7

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

I should give kindness in all things

I can be kind, regardless

TFHW: Iceland

1-20-22
Improved place names: Iceland

Daily Ponderings: Which He Hath Done

Colossians 3:25

But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

I should continue to monitor my peace and invite it back if I notice it's gone. Peace is the root of power and joy.

I can have peace regularly until I can have it continually.

TFHW: Thought Hungarian Was Supposed to Be Hard

1-19-22
Improved place names Haiti - 0, Honduras - 0, Hungary 30

Daily Ponderings: Be Not Bitter

Colossians 3:19

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Because all is a blessing for my good.

Daily Ponderings: Giving Thanks

Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

I should be equally thankful for blessings and trials, because all trials are blessings with a slight shift in perspective, which is simple to do and can become effortless with practice.

I can see all things as blessings and be thankful for them. That is how I find the power to be kind to myself.

I can take the same energy I use for murmuring and use it to be powerful, kind, and thankful

What I Should Do

From John H. Groberg's April 1982 "The Power of Family Prayer"

"...impressions will come as to what you individually should do..."

Liking my burdens feels like surrendering to unfairness. It actually means I have so much power that unfairness has no power to harm me. I stare at it like it was an ant trying to kick me - utterly powerless.

Essence of Character

From John H. Groberg's April 1982 "The Power of Family Prayer"

"...to make happiness and helpfulness and humility and love the very essence of our character"

What if I decided to take everything that's happening in my life and like it?

Can I find a way to like the inconveniences of my life?

Can I find something I honestly like about them? All these things I'm currently resisting and hating right now?

TFHW: Fixing Sources

1-18-22
Fixed sources for near relatives in Family Search
Attached Bruce Nonnenmacher obit to all mentioned
Began entering data from obituary into Dave's record

Daily Ponderings: Put off the Old Man

Colossians 3:9

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

I shoud recognize that the urge to distraction is not of Him, and not worthy of who I will become.

I can maintain the horizon view

TFHW: Chatting About the Eldest

1-17-22
Emailed siblings about Uncle Roy being the oldest, and Aunt Marion being 2nd
Sent Aunt Marion pic to Roger & Shandra
Sent relatives' obituary list to Elizabeth Merry
Updated Larry Ruka entry on contact sheet

Daily Ponderings: A Shew of Wisdom

Colossians 2:23

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

I should show myself how wise I am by following His commandments.

I can follow his commandments with very little effort, just a small shift in attitude. It's not a big deal.

TFHW: Asking for Help

1-16-22
Emailed Elizabeth Merry to ask if she'll look up 13 relatives
Linked John Olson photo to the people in the picture
Added sources and memories to Uncle Vernon's page, including pics of Stalag 2B
Sent link to Stalag 2B pics to siblings
Emailed Aunt Marion, who sent a picture
Forwarded Aunt Marion's pic to siblings

Daily Ponderings: Triumphing Over Them

Colossians 2:15

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

I should seek His assistance in overcoming obstacles both large and small.

I can overcome any obstacle in pursuit of His work

TFWH: Israel Will Be Gathered

1-15-22
Sent new Gathering Israel newsletter to Craig Quinney
Sent Aunt Marion my wedding picture
Emailed siblings about Uncle Vernon's Stalag
Compiled list of relatives with obituaries in the Antigo Daily Journal

Daily Ponderings: After Christ

Colossians 2:8

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

I should follow truth wherever it leads
I can be guided to know the truth

TFHW: Noted

1-14-22
Sent text to TFH Council
Texted Roger
Texted Mariah
Attached Uncle Vernon's Obituary
Searched Uncle Vernon's name in records, found name of Stalag he was held in, Googled it

Daily Ponderings: Worketh in Me Mightily

Colossians 1:29

Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

I should let his goodness work in me mightily

Like the cool-mister, His love fills me and it rises from me to bless others.

TFHW:Prayer Matters

1-13-22
Prayed for TFH Council

Daily Ponderings: In Him Should All Fulness Dwell

Colossians 1:19

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

I should remember that, in me also, all fulness shall dwell. Gaining that fulness is why I'm here.

I can become more like Him every day.

TFHW: Favor Asked and Received

1-12-22
Asked kitten to find pallbearer Richard Nonnenmacher

Daily Ponderings: Walk Worthy of the Lord

Colossians 1:10

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

I should be sure my actions reflect the faith I possess

I can feel worthy to be His and act accordingly

Empowering Beliefs

Empowering beliefs enable me to take action. Feel-good beliefs don't help me DO anything, they just make me feel better. Affirmations are feel-good.

TFHW: Letters Everywhere

1-11-22
Emailed Aunt Marion
Emailed Uncle Vernon obits to Patty, Roy, John, and Tom

Daily Ponderings: Christ Be With You

Philippians 4:23

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

I can feel for His presence and let His peace and transformative power fill me with every breath

I can do this

The Need to Work on My Own Shortcomings

From Neal A. Maxwell's April 1982 "A Brother Offended":

"The imperfections of others never release us from the need to work on our own shortcomings"

Notice, But Don't Celebrate, Their Weaknesses

From Neal A. Maxwell's April 1982 "A Brother Offended":

"...we do notice each other's weaknesses. But we should not celebrate them. Let us be grateful for the small strides that we and others make, rather than rejoice in the shortfalls."

So Little Is Being Tried

From Neal A. Maxwell's April 1982 "A Brother Offended":

"The reason, frankly, brethren, that so little is happening is that so little is being tried."

TFHW: Small, Simple Acts of Love

1-10-22
Prayed for TFH Council

Daily Ponderings: Think on These Things

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I should carefully choose what I spend my time thinking about.

I can ask for help in knowing what to focus my attention on. I don't have to drift. When I drift, the adversary can steer me where he wants

Random Thought off the Internet

"A man's success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he is willing to have."

TFHW: Uncles and Christmas

1-8-22
emailed Patty
emailed Roy
completed tasks and reserved names on Family Search
emailed Aunt Marion
requested Uncle Vernon's obit from Antigo Public Library

Peace and Kindness

Kindness is treating someone the way they deserve to be treated when they're at their best, without regard to whether they're at their best at the moment.

Peace gives me the power to unhesitatingly choose kindness.

Daily Ponderings: Rejoice in the Lord Alway

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

While holding His peace, I can think of good things that have happened in the past and believe that more good things will happen to me in the future.

Daily Ponderings: Whereby He Is Able

Philippians 3:21

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

I should seek His assistance to be able to accomplish His work.

I can make my work His work with just a slight adjustment of attitude. Just as any act of loving my family is Temple and Family History work, but only if I take the opportunity to view it as such.

Everything I do can make me more like Him if I want it to.

TFHW: The G's Have It

1-7-22 Texted Council
Improved place names: Grenada, Guadalupe, Guatemala, Guyana

Daily Ponderings: God Shall Reveal

Philippians 3:15

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

I should ask God if there's something I need to focus on.

I can hear His answers to questions I ask

Daily Ponderings: Press Toward the Mark (Peace Is His Prize)

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I should find His peace, then travel forward in hope and joy.

I can carry peace always

Intentional Looking and Increased Focus

From Alvin F. Meredith III's October 2021 "Look Down the Road":

"...be intentional about 'looking down the road' and increase your focus on those things that really matter"

I can look down the road intentionally, and focus on my definite major purpose

The Great Distractor

From Alvin F. Meredith III's October 2021 "Look Down the Road":

"The devil is the great distractor"

Any time I time travel without being rooted in peace, the adversary has sucessfully wasted my time. I can't get that back. But cutting my losses is victory.

Down the Road

From Alvin F. Meredith III's October 2021 "Look Down the Road":

"...look down the road at where we want to be and who we want to become and then make time every day to do those things that will help us get there."

Where do I want to be? Who do I want to become?

Ultimate Purpose Determines Focus

From Alvin F. Meredith III's October 2021 "Look Down the Road":

"Understanding our ultimate purpose helps us determine what our focus should be"

As I embrace truth, I come to understand my definite major purpose

TFHW: I Don't Know if Any Were Actually Greece

1-7-22
Improved place names: Greece

Be Kind, Embrace the Moment

In kindness - whether to myself or others - I should be fully present, fully of one mind, and fully embrace the moment I am in.

Peace, Kindness, Power

I can be kind because I am powerful. I cannot be harmed or made to experience loss through my acts of kindness.

I can be powerful because I know who to ask for power, and what to use it for when I get it

How, Not Why

God doesn't answer "why" questions. But He does answer "how" questions.

How to Be More Like Him

In worship, after I declare my intention to become more like Him, I should specify HOW I would like to become more like Him. God answers how questions

Doubt Not, Fear Not

D&C 6:36

"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."

I can feel His peace in every circumstance, and carry it with me into every other circumstance.

Daily Ponderings: That I May Win Christ

Philippians 3:8

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

I should strive to speak the truth at all times.

I can know the truth effortlessly at all times. I can live it, breathe it, be one with it.

TFHW: Everything Counts

1-5-22
Texted Roger

Daily Ponderings: For the Work of Christ

Philippians 2:30

Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

I should look upon my life with a goal of speaking truth

I can have sufficient courage to speak the truth

TFHW: Connecting With Family

1-4-22
Prayed for TFH Council
Texted Roger

Daily Ponderings: The Things Which Are Jesus Christ's

Philippians 2:21

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

I should seek to speak the truth

I have the insight to be aware of the truth, and the strength to make it my focus

TFHW: Sing and Pray

1-3-22
Did FHE
Gave Michael a blessing

Angels

From Russell M. Nelson's October 2021 "The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation":

"...[As you seek] to understand temple covenants and ordinances... you will learn... how to ask for God's angels to attend you"

How can I ask for God's angels to attend me? Do I even want contact with an angel? Maybe like the one who strengthened Christ in the Garden? Is a visitation from an angel a sign that I'm not listening to the Holy Ghost, so God has to do something dramatic to grab my attention?

Daily Ponderings: Do All Things

Philippians 2:14

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Whatever I'm doing, I should embrace it and be fully present in the moment instead of wishing I were somewhere else.

I can have the courage to embrace the moment.

Daily Ponderings: Every Tongue Should Confess

Philippians 2:11

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I should speak the truth

I can have the courage to speak the truth

The Witness Is Friendly

From Camille N. Johnson's October 2021 "Invite Christ to Author Your Story":

"Why do we put off asking a question to which we do not know the answer when the witness not only is friendly but will always tell the truth?"

I shouldn't be afraid to ask what His will for me is. I will like the answer, even if I'm afraid beforehand that I won't.

Who Do You Love?

Loving myself is exactly as important as loving others [Luke 10:27 - "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."]

If I love God with everything, how will I have any time left to love others and myself?

Loving God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind is NOT in conflict with loving others (and myself). Loving others (and myself) is HOW I love God. [Mosiah 2:17 - "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings [and yourself], ye are only in the service of your God"]

So... I should love others (and myself) with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind

Which love means to be kind by recognizing their value to me by telling them something I truly appreciate about them, i.e. being kind.

TFHW: Instructional Video

1-2-22
Emailed Tom
Invited Iran to tell his son the story about how he felt when choosing Nahti's name.

Empowering Belief

An empowering belief is a statement that begins with "I can," followed by something I would like to do differently that will change or transform my life

Daily Ponderings: Look Also on the Things of Others

Philippians 2:4

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

I should find something to honestly admire about anyone I meet.

I am keen enough of discernment to find admirable things in others' actions, and courageous enough to point them out.

Let Each Esteem Other Better Than Themselves

Philippians 2:3

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

This applies to myself, too. I should think of myself generously, being slow to discount my own virtues. Or to listen to the voice of the one who does, being quick to remember his insidious motivations.

Daily Ponderings: Having the Same

Philippians 1:30

Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

I should seek to find common ground with those I meet.

I can take the initiative to be kind to people.

TFHW: New Year, New Strivings

1-1-22
Emailed Tom
Texted Jacom Davie and Miranda Woolf about Newsletter items
Sent out Gathering Israel Newsletter

Daily Ponderings: In Nothing Terrified by Your Adversaries

Philippians 1:28

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

I should not be afraid of the adversary, because under His protection, nothing can harm me.

I don't have to feel fear at all.

Daily Ponderings: Stand Fast in One Spirit

Philippians 1:27

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

I should not let my mind be divided into wishing I were doing something else when I have to do something.

I can be united in my own desires and actions

Daily Ponderings: To Live Is Christ

Philipians 1:21

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

I should embrace truth, after I embrace peace.

I can embrace the inconvenient

TFHW: Responding in Kind

12-31-21
Texted TFH council with "Make an Appointment" PDF
Texted Roger about Christmas traditions
Emailed Tom

Submission to the Lord's Will

From Henry B. Eyring's October 2021 "The Faith to Ask and Then to Act"

"...I feel an internal quiet and submission to the Lord's will. That feeling of humility can be bst described as 'Not my will, but thine, be done."

When I hear "submit my will", I immediately think it will be hard and horrible, that I will be commanded to forsake my cushy mattress and sleep on a bed of nails and glass.

I'm beginning to suspect it's not like this. It's more like simply checking in to see if there's a better way, like patting my pockets to make sure I have everything I need before I walk out the door.