Daily Ponderings: Desire to Know

Mosiah 12:25

And now Abinadi said unto them: Are you priests, and pretend to teach this people, and to understand the spirit of prophesying, and yet desire to know of me what these things mean?

I should ask of Him regarding things I desire to know.

TFHW: Reaching Out by Thumb

5-30-23
Texted Ryan
Texted Greg Cook

Daily Ponderings: Shall See the Salvation of Our God

Mosiah 12:24

The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God?

I should look for His hand in my life and be grateful when I need it.

TFHW: Yardwork

5-29-23
Took down hedge lights, pulled weeds, bought & planted tomatoes, bought and planted flowers
Texted Whitney
Texted Greg
Held FHE
Played National Parks game

Daily Ponderings: Break Forth Into Joy

Mosiah 12:23

Break forth into joy; sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem;

I should engage in frequent joyspotting, and pray too much gratitude

What would happen if I said a gratitude prayer every hour?

Avoid Comparison

From Mark A. Bragg's April 2023 "Christlike Poise":

"Christlike poise requires that we avoid comparing ourselves to others"

When I'm angry, I'm usually comparing myself to who I wish I were. Which comparison is not appropriate because I can't go back in time to change myself

Calm, Cool, Collected

From Mark A. Bragg's April 2023 "Christlike Poise":

"...be calm, cool, and collected in all situations, particularly in times of adversity and pressure..."

When I feel pressure, I can focus on the goal and not get distracted.

TFHW: Meeting Expectations

5-28-23
Held TFH Council meeting
Discussed meeting with Kitten

Daily Ponderings: With the Voice Together Shall They Sing

Mosiah 12:22

Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion;

I should aim to be in harmony with others.

No Envy, Self-Seeking, Easy Provocation, or Evil Thoughts

From "In Praise of Those Who Save" By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2016:

"...envy not, seek not your own, not be easily provoked, think no evil, and rejoice in the truth."

I have been envying, seeking my own, easily provoked, and thinking evil

I need to invite His peace, and pray too much.

TFHW: Two Sandhill Cranes and Babies!

5-27-23
Went birding all day at Sandhill Wildlife Refuge
Called meeting of TFH Council for Sunday

Kind and Compassionate to God?

From "In Praise of Those Who Save" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2016:

"no matter how flat your relationship may be at the present, if you keep adding pebbles of kindness, compassion, listening, sacrifice, understanding, and selflessness, eventually a mighty pyramid will begin to grow."

This also applies to my relationship with God. He has to run the universe. Am I kind and compassionate to Him?

Daily Ponderings: That Publisheth Peace

Mosiah 12:21

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth;

I should seek to have His peace in me and share it.

TFHW: Got Game?

5-26-23
Went to the temple for endowment
Got game from library and played with family

Daily Ponderings: What Meaneth the Words Which Are Written

Mosiah 12:20

And it came to pass that one of them said unto him: What meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught by our fathers, saying:

He can help me know what things mean

TFHW: Reconnecting

5-25-23
Emailed Aunt Marion
Texted Roger
Emailed Don Crego about choir practice schedule
Emailed Scott about his anniversary

Daily Ponderings: Neither Troubled Nor Afraid

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

This is a commandment.

This is peace.

Daily Ponderings: He Answered Them Boldly

Mosiah 12:19

And they began to question him, that they might cross him, that thereby they might have wherewith to accuse him; but he answered them boldly, and withstood all their questions, yea, to their astonishment; for he did withstand them in all their questions, and did confound them in all their words.

Whatever the question, I can answer it boldly if I speak by the Spirit

TFHW: In View

5-24-23
Watched Joshua while Kitten went to the temple
Went birding

Daily Ponderings: We May Question Him

Mosiah 12:18

And it came to pass that they said unto the king: Bring him hither that we may question him; and the king commanded that he should be brought before them.

I should ask for other people's opinions on TFHW

Hope

Hope means I believe the promises of the gospel apply to me, too, not just to others.

Sometimes I see Christ forgiving the woman in adultery, but I feel like, if it had been me thrown down in front of Him, He'd have said "stone him." But she was nobody special. Neither am I. Nobody is. And that's who's entitled to forgiveness.

Purpose

I came to do what He would do, because I choose to follow Him.

I am not following Him to gain eternal life. I'm following Him to maximize my joy on Earth. Immortality is just a bonus.

TFHW: Do My Calling

5-23-23
Attended Kitten's DoC class twice
Talked to Br. Davie about having a TFHC meeting

Daily Ponderings: Hold a Council With Them

Mosiah 12:17

And it came to pass that king Noah caused that Abinadi should be cast into prison; and he commanded that the priests should gather themselves together that he might hold a council with them what he should do with him.

I should hold a council with those who can give me good advice.

TFHW: All About the Children

5-22-23
Woke Joshua up for breakfast
Went birding at Seven Bridges Park
Worked on email to Mark

Daily Ponderings: We Deliver Him Into Thy Hands

Mosiah 12:16

Behold, here is the man, we deliver him into thy hands; thou mayest do with him as seemeth thee good.

I can choose into whose hands I place myself.

Perfect Stillness

From David S. Baxter's August 2007 Ensign "Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy":

"...spend more time just sitting, in a sense of perfect stillness..."

I don't always have to be doing. Quiet pondering helps me progress, too.

Quiet Moments

From David S. Baxter's August 2007 Ensign "Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy":

"...spend quiet moments in personal reflection and meditation..."

I need to seek silence, or at least the ability to be unaffected by noise.

TFHW: Council

5-21-23
Talked to Kitten about the bathroom
Received text about TFHC from Br. Davie

Knock and It Shall Be Opened

From Henry B. Eyring's April 2013 "Come Unto Me":

"...knock, and it shall be opened unto you..."

I knock, but He comes up behind me and opens the door. He's on the same side I am.

He doesn't open the door from the other side and say "Come in". He opens the door from our side and says "Let's go," because we travel this path together.

Draw Near Unto Me

From Henry B. Eyring's April 2013 "Come Unto Me":

"...Draw near unto me, and I will draw near unto you..."

Draw near... He's always right by my side. We are not separate. To draw near, I only have to turn my head and look.

Daily Ponderings: Cry Unto Him

Alma 34:20

Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

Believe that He's there, that He can hear me, and that He will answer me with either comfort or direction or both.

Daily Ponderings: Thou Shalt Also Prosper

Mosiah 12:15

And behold, we are strong, we shall not come into bondage, or be taken captive by our enemies; yea, and thou hast prospered in the land, and thou shalt also prosper.

As I seek peace and kindness, I will prosper.

TFHW: House of the Lord

5-20-23
Went to the temple for an endowment
Hard talk with Kitten

Daily Ponderings: He Has Prophesied

Mosiah 12:14

And now, O king, behold, we are guiltless, and thou, O king, hast not sinned; therefore, this man has lied concerning you, and he has prophesied in vain.

I should listen to Him when He tells me what to do next.

Follow Instructions

What do You want me to do?

"Let me help you feel peace
Be kind to your family.
I'll take care of the rest."

TFHW: Do It Anyway

5-19-23
Scheduled a temple trip
Sent TFHC text
Sent Gathering Israel newsletter
Scanned Gary pics
Called on Gary's ME report

Daily Ponderings: We Should Be Condemned of God

Mosiah 12:13

And now, O king, what great evil hast thou done, or what great sins have thy people committed, that we should be condemned of God or judged of this man?

I do not live up to my own highest aspirations. Instead of wasting time condemning myself for things I can't change, I can ask His help to move forward.

TFHW: Notes

5-18-23
Emailed Patty
Emailed Roy Worked on fixing suitcase

Daily Ponderings: Hardened His Heart

Mosiah 11:29

Now the eyes of the people were blinded; therefore they hardened their hearts against the words of Abinadi, and they sought from that time forward to take him. And king Noah hardened his heart against the word of the Lord, and he did not repent of his evil doings.

When I struggle, I can invite Him to help me keep my heart soft. I can strengthen instead of hardening.

TFHW: Birthday!

5-17-23
Watched Joshua while Kitten went to the temple
Wished John a happy birthday
Uploaded Gary pictures

Daily Ponderings: They Did Boast in Their Own Strength

Mosiah 11:19

And now, because of this great victory they were lifted up in the pride of their hearts; they did boast in their own strength, saying that their fifty could stand against thousands of the Lamanites; and thus they did boast, and did delight in blood, and the shedding of the blood of their brethren, and this because of the wickedness of their king and priests.

I can let Him help more. And give Him credit. And be thankful.

Daily Ponderings: Search Me, O God

Psalm 139:23

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

We are not separate, and I can tell Him what I'm thinking, even if it's not flattering toward me.

My Day

Make a list, pray, listen

Number the list, work on it

Report, ask how I can do better, listen

Possibility of Peace

I need to speak to my Father with full sincerity of feeling, holding back nothing.

"Eternal life" doesn't mean after I die, it means God's life - now.

God always knows what to do. Having the Holy Ghost allows me to know what to do, to live long-term, to live on God's time-horizon

How can I tell when I'm accessing the Holy Ghost? I feel strong and calm; in control and peaceful

In order to do His work, I have to have His peace about me first [do you understand?]. I don't know how to feel peace, but He does, and He'll help me if I ask. "I can't feel peace because I'm tired and achy." becomes "maybe I can feel peace even though I'm tired and achy", or "it's possible that I can feel peace even though I'm tired and achy.

"Maybe I can feel peace, even though..."

"It's possible that I can feel peace, even though..."

TFHW: Email Check

5-16-23
Attended Kitten's Doctrine of Christ class twice
Emailed Matt

Daily Ponderings: All Manner of Fine Work

Mosiah 11:10

And he also caused that his workmen should work all manner of fine work within the walls of the temple, of fine wood, and of copper, and of brass.

Whatever I do, I should do it well, and be grateful that I had the chance to do it.

TFHW: An Evening Together

5-15-23
Held FHE
Helped make dinner for the missionaries at the last minute

Daily Ponderings: May the Lord Bless My People

Mosiah 10:22

And now I, being old, did confer the kingdom upon one of my sons; therefore, I say no more. And may the Lord bless my people. Amen.

I can recognize the ways in which He blessed me.

TFHW: Mother's Day!

5-14-23
Gave chocolate covered strawberries to Kitten for Mother's Day
Daily Ponderings: May the Lord Bless My People

Daily Ponderings: Arrived in the Promised Land

Mosiah 10:15

And again, they were wroth with him when they had arrived in the promised land, because they said that he had taken the ruling of the people out of their hands; and they sought to kill him.

Where I am is a good place that I can be haopy about. Any fear I have is an attack by the adversary which I can say no to, and ask to be filled with His peace instead.

TFHW: Tanager!

5-13-23
Did initiatories at the temple
Went bird watching
Texted TFHC
Drove Joshua to dance
Helped Kitten with Mother's Day roses

Daily Ponderings: Men Armed

Mosiah 10:8

And it came to pass that they came up upon the north of the land of Shilom, with their numerous hosts, men armed with bows, and with arrows, and with swords, and with cimeters, and with stones, and with slings; and they had their heads shaved that they were naked; and they were girded with a leathern girdle about their loins.

I should seek His Spirit and power to help protect me against the assaults of the adversary

TFHW: Get Ready

5-12-23
Went early morning birding
Prepared temple names

Daily Ponderings: Spying, Discovering, Guarding Against

Mosiah 10:7

But I had sent my spies out round about the land of Shemlon, that I might discover their preparations, that I might guard against them, that they might not come upon my people and destroy them.

If I know the adversary's tricks, I can be prepared for them and they will have no power over me.

Daily Ponderings: With Mine Own Hands

Mosiah 9:19

And I, myself, with mine own hands, did help to bury their dead. And behold, to our great sorrow and lamentation, two hundred and seventy-nine of our brethren were slain.

The cure for sadness is doing.

The Too Much Solution

From Nephi Tangalin's September 2020 Liahona "I Finally Admitted That I Had Depression. Jesus Christ Helped Me Out of the Darkness"

"Start and end your day with a sincere prayer - ask specific questions, seek guidance, and express gratitude."

I should try praying too much.

Love What I Have

"When you love what you have, you have everything you need."
-Unknown

Do I love what I have? I can look at the things I have and think about being happy that I have them. I can at least call them good things in my life

TFHW: Errands

5-11-23
Took grass to dump
Returned package for Katrina

Daily Ponderings: Contentions in the Land

Mosiah 9:13

Therefore it came to pass that king Laman began to stir up his people that they should contend with my people; therefore there began to be wars and contentions in the land.

When I feel contention, I can ask for peace.

Show Love, Draw Closer

From "Your Life Has a Purpose":

"...when we show love to others, we draw closer to God..."

When I show love to myself, I also draw closer to God.

When I show love to others, it affirms to me that I am worthy, and enough, and have unto overflowing and to spare. It's an affirmation of abundance and safety.

Love, Peace, Joy

From "Your Life Has a Purpose":

"When we accept Jesus and follow His example, we become less selfish and can enjoy greater love, peace, and joy."

When I follow His example, I will feel love, peace, and joy.

At the base of all these is kindness. I need to allow myself to be kind to myself, and to accept His kindness toward me.

TFHW: Learning Math for Three Hours

5-10-23
Helped Joshua with schoolwork

Faith v. Mood

From "Mere Christianity" p.123

"Faith is the art of holding on to things my reason has once accepted, in spite of my changing moods"

I can choose to change my mood. He can help me.

I Wish My Own Good

From "Mere Christianity":

"Loving myself doesn't mean I like myself, it means I wish my own good"

The way I act on that wish is self-kindness.

Be At Least This Kind to Myself, No Less

I have no right to be harder on myself than Jesus would be. He would be kind to me. I should be kind to me too

The Pleasure of Despising

From "Mere Christianity":

"Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one's first feeling, 'Thank God, even they aren't quite so bad as that,' or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies are as bad as possible? If it is the second then it is, I am afraid, the first step in a process which, if followed to the end, will make us into devils. You see, one is beginning to wish that black was a little blacker. If we give that wish its head, later on we shall wish to see grey as black, and then to see white itself as black. Finally we shall insist on seeing everything -- God and our friends and ourselves included -- as bad, and not be able to stop doing it: we shall be fixed for ever in a universe of pure hatred."

Avoid schadenfreude

Faith, Virtue, and Pool

Mere Christianity p 77

"What you mean by a good player is the man whose eye and muscles and nerves have been so trained by making innumerable good shots that they can now be relied on."

I can train myself to become more like Him, similarly

Daily Ponderings: He Also Commanded

Mosiah 9:7

And he also commanded that his people should depart out of the land, and I and my people went into the land that we might possess it.

I should listen for promptings and do what He commands.

TFHW: Wing and a Prayer

5-9-23
Texted Ryan
Flew home with family

Daily Ponderings: Which Fleeth From the Shepherd

Mosiah 8:21

Yea, they are as a wild flock which fleeth from the shepherd, and scattereth, and are driven, and are devoured by the beasts of the forest.

When the shepherd calls, I should turn toward Him

TFHW: Last Shot

5-8-23
Spent time with Nelsons
Visited Ryan

Daily Ponderings: The King Said

Mosiah 8:15

And the king said that a seer is greater than a prophet.

Truth is king. I should hear it, recognize it, and act on it to bless me long term

Pray Too Much

From "Prayer to Our Heavenly Father" By Elder Bernard P. Brockbank Oct 79:

Very few pray too much. It is not one of our weaknesses.

I should try praying too much

TFHW: Together Time

5-7-23
Attended church with and spent the day with the Nelsons

Daily Ponderings: Yet They Were Diligent

Mosiah 8:8

And they were lost in the wilderness for the space of many days, yet they were diligent, and found not the land of Zarahemla but returned to this land, having traveled in a land among many waters, having discovered a land which was covered with bones of men, and of beasts, and was also covered with ruins of buildings of every kind, having discovered a land which had been peopled with a people who were as numerous as the hosts of Israel.

I should be diligent in keeping commandments and acting on promptings

TFHW: Open House

5-6-23
Went to Saratoga Springs temple open house
Babysat Haven and Azalea

Daily Ponderings: With Full Purpose of Heart

Mosiah 7:33

But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

I should focus on the good and the beautiful

TFHW: She Is Woman

5-5-23
Took Kitten to Women's Conference
Took Joshua birding

Daily Ponderings: How Great Reason We Have

Mosiah 7:23

And now, is not this grievous to be borne? And is not this, our affliction, great? Now behold, how great reason we have to mourn

I have great reason to be happy. I should keep that in my vision. There is no one I would trade troubles with.

TFHW: Commencement

5-4-23
Watched Ryan Graduate

Daily Ponderings: Endeavor to Speak with Boldness

Mosiah 7:12

And now, when Ammon saw that he was permitted to speak, he went forth and bowed himself before the king; and rising again he said: O king, I am very thankful before God this day that I am yet alive, and am permitted to speak; and I will endeavor to speak with boldness;

If it's true, kind, and necessary, I can say it

By Love and By Example

From Our Sisters in the Church By President Spencer W. Kimball, Oct 79

the headship of the man in the home is to be like the headship of Christ in the Church. Christ led by love, example, and selfless service.

I can lead my home more like Him

TFHW: Here It Comes

5-3-23
Watched sunrise at Bear Lake
Watched Ryan Sing

Daily Ponderings: You Are Permitted to Speak

Mosiah 7:11

And now, for this cause have I suffered that ye should be preserved, that I might inquire of you, or else I should have caused that my guards should have put you to death. Ye are permitted to speak.

When I pray, I should tell Him the truth

Daily Ponderings: There Was No Contention

Mosiah 6:7

And king Mosiah did cause his people that they should till the earth. And he also, himself, did till the earth, that thereby he might not become burdensome to his people, that he might do according to that which his father had done in all things. And there was no contention among all his people for the space of three years.

I should invite peace and avoid contention

TFHW: Coming at Ya

5-2-23
Flew to Utah
Hung out with Ryan

Daily Ponderings: Did Keep His Commandments

Mosiah 6:6

And it came to pass that king Mosiah did walk in the ways of the Lord, and did observe his judgments and his statutes, and did keep his commandments in all things whatsoever he commanded him.

Keeping commandments is how I enjoy life

Daily Ponderings: King Benjamin Lived

Mosiah 6:5

And king Benjamin lived three years and he died.

I should enjoy every moment

TFHW: Leaving on a Jet Plane

5-1-23
Packed for Utah trip
Emailed Patty
Emailed Roy

Daily Ponderings: Hear and Know the Commandments of God

Mosiah 6:3

And again, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of all these things, and had consecrated his son Mosiah to be a ruler and a king over his people, and had given him all the charges concerning the kingdom, and also had appointed priests to teach the people, that thereby they might hear and know the commandments of God, and to stir them up in remembrance of the oath which they had made, he dismissed the multitude, and they returned, every one, according to their families, to their own houses.

I should try to hear and know the commandments of God

Faith

Pray every day for rain. And bring your raincoat

Be Childlike

Children are painfully honest. Question. Wonder. Learn.

He's Never Helpful

Incredulous question in response to the adversary's whisperings: Are you SERIOUSLY giving me advice on how to fix something that I can't change? Really?

Not helpful.

Go away.

If you want me to listen to you, then warn me BEFORE it's too late, instead of just after the nick of time.

But that's not really your thing, is it?

I guess I'll go listen to someone else.

TFHW: Richard's Mystery

4-30-23
Emailed Mark
Emailed Patty
Texted TFH Council