Pray Always

Prayer, with loved ones invited
Brings us close. We are united
Can they substitute our own?
Where are heartfelt thoughts most grown?
The oft public and family prayers we give
Cannot be considered our sole motive

We ought to pray vocally
Even when said privately
Home teachers, they with priesthood
Can remind us that we should
Though amidst anxieties we attempt
Though darkness tells us not to and will tempt

The Lord cautioned Joseph Smith
Pray lest that which is wicked
Tries to deceive and over power you.
Through prayer, there's protection in all we do
Lest we find we are led into temptation
From the downed lines of communication

To those who are in trouble
Who feels their needs have doubled
What's the first thought one should say?
"Are you involved when you pray?"
There is knowledge God wants us to receive
Prayer is more powerful that we can conceive

For decisions in our lives
For direction as one strives
We can pray more fervently
Tenderly and honestly
Who will not gain love for His purposes?
As one demonstrates more faith and focuses

[Verse 1] Prayer, with loved ones invited Brings us close We are united Can they substitute our own? Where are heartfelt thoughts most grown? [Pre-Chorus] The oft public and family prayers we give Cannot be considered our sole motive We ought to pray vocally Even when said privately [Chorus] Pray with me Pray with me We are united Pray with me Pray with me Hearts grow inside [Verse 2] Home teachers, they with priesthood Can remind us that we should Though amidst anxieties we attempt Though darkness tells us not to and will tempt The Lord cautioned Joseph Smith Pray lest that which is wicked Tries to deceive and over power you Through prayer, there's protection in all we do [Pre-Chorus] Lest we find we are led into temptation From the downed lines of communication To those who are in trouble Who feels their needs have doubled [Chorus] Pray with me Pray with me We are united Pray with me Pray with me Hearts grow inside [Bridge] What's the first thought one should say? Are you involved when you pray? There is knowledge God wants us to receive Prayer is more powerful that we can conceive For decisions in our lives For direction as one strives We can pray more fervently Tenderly and honestly [Final Chorus] Pray with me Pray with me We are united Pray with me Pray with me Hearts grow inside Who will not gain love For His purposes? As one demonstrates more faith And focuses!

Enos wrestled before God
Now commissioned with the rod
He struggled with how he'd strayed
For sin's remission he prayed
When minutes turned to hours, turned to night
He heard the Lords voice after he cried with might

His soul was searching and reaching
While knocking, asking and pleading
He felt as though born again
The joy in his heart sunk in
He also prayed for all his families
Even though some were also enemies

He sought the lord out in prayer
How his soul hungered, he shared
Memory opened to his past
To the words his father cast
So earnest and determined was his soul
The spirit of repentance took a hold

'Our Father in Heaven
I seek to be forgiven
Help me forgive my debtors
And think on them as brothers
Help me to see each other, as Thou does
Help me to remember from where my start was

And when there is temptation
Help my communication
That evil may not have power
Keep me safe that very hour
For Thine is the power and the kingdom
Thine is the glory, forever. Amen'

Inbetween daily prayers said
May our minds and hearts be fed
May we have hope in all things
And call upon heavens blessings
Supplications, prayers and intercessions
Should, with gratitude, have inner sessions

Verse 1] Now commissioner, keeper of His Word Enos wrestled before God He struggled with how he'd strayed For sin's remission he prayed When minutes turned to hours, turned to night He heard the Lords voice after he cried with might [Pre-Chorus] His soul was searching and reaching While knocking, asking and pleading He felt as though born again The joy in his heart sunk in [Chorus] Our Father in Heaven I seek to be forgiven Help me forgive my debtors And think on them as brothers Help me to see each other, as Thou does Help me to remember from where my start was Our Father in Heaven I seek to be forgiven [Verse 2] And when there is temptation Help my communication That evil may not have power Keep me safe that very hour For Thine is the power and the kingdom Thine is the glory, forever. Amen [Pre-Chorus] He also prayed for all his families Even though some were also enemies He sought the lord out in prayer How his soul hungered, he shared Memory opened to his past To the words his father cast [Chorus] Our Father in Heaven I seek to be forgiven Help me forgive my debtors And think on them as brothers Help me to see each other, as Thou does Help me to remember from where my start was Our Father in Heaven I seek to be forgiven [Bridge] In between daily prayers said May our minds and hearts be fed May we have hope in all things And call upon heavens blessings Supplications, prayers and intercessions Should, with gratitude, have inner sessions [Final Chorus] Our Father in Heaven I seek to be forgiven Help me forgive my debtors And think on them as brothers Help me to see each other, as Thou does Help me to remember from where my start was Our Father in Heaven I seek to be forgiven

Spencer W. Kimball
Pray Always , Tabuli, March 1982

3Nephi
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
12 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
13 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.

D&C 93
49 What I say unto one I say unto all;
pray always lest that wicked one have power in you,
and remove you out of your place.

1 Tim. 2: 1
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks,
be made for all men;

D&C 20: 47, 51
47 And visit the house of each member,
and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret
and attend to all family duties.
• • •
51 And visit the house of each member,
exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret
and attend to all family duties.

D&C 19: 28
28 And again, I command thee
that thou shalt pray vocally
as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world
as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.

JS-H 1: 14
14 So, in accordance with this,
my determination to ask of God,
I retired to the woods to make the attempt.
It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day,
early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty.
It was the first time in my life that I had made such
an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never
as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.

When In Truth I was Speaking- Walking on Eggshells- Raising a troubled teenager?

When in truth I was speaking
You supposed I must be mad
For otherwise you'd be angry
As that means you have been bad

When you've a consequence
We tiptoe around like a birds
I know to not speak thence
For as eggshells are our words

At a party you lost your phone
Should I be sorry? Your consumption abused
The choice was soley yours to own
But, if I say a word, then I'm the one accused

Why must I be so careful?
When it's you who broke the rules?
Well, I'm afraid I've been a fool
In the chosen parent school

With a friend, you lost your purse
Now, who is looking after you?
What more is there to rehearse
As my cautions are futile too

For you, I've hope and love- not pity
I'd show you a path that's straight
For I believe in your ability
Though it's not been shown as of late

May this truth cut just so deep
That with your heart you'll listen
And desire to covenant keep
That for joy this time, eyes will glisten

Verse 1]

when in truth i was speaking you supposed i must be mad

for otherwise you d be angry

as that means you have been bad

when you ve a consequence we tiptoe around like a birds

i know to not speak thence

for as eggshells are our words

[Chorus]

eggshells are our words

eggshells are our words

why must i be so careful?

when it s you who broke the rules?

[Verse 2]

at a party you lost your phone should i be sorry?

your consumption abused the choice was Indie Pop, Dream Pop, Ambient

yours to own

but if i say a word then i m the one accused

why must i be so careful?

when it s you who broke the rules?

[Chorus]

eggshells are our words

eggshells are our words

why must i be so careful?

when it s you who broke the rules?

[Verse 3]

well i m afraid i ve been a fool in the chosen parent school

with a friend you lost your purse now who is looking after you?

what more is there to rehearse as my cautions are futile too

for you i ve hope and love not pity

i d show you a path that s straight

[Bridge]

for i believe in your ability though it s not been shown as of late

may this truth cut just so deep that with your heart you ll listen

and desire to covenant keep

that for joy this time eyes will glisten

[Final Chorus]

eggshells are our words

eggshells are our words

why must i be so careful?

when it s you who broke the rules?

A War Survivor

A war survivor
Battered and torn
Her best endeavor
Tossed away worn

It was her marriage
Verses Satan
Fought to the edge
Till she caved in

A once loving husband
Abandoned ship
Something he'd not withstand
Caused him to flip

What of the sealing
And the children?
Can there be healing?
How will it end?

With faith and some time
She will not descend
She will conquer the climb
As love steps in

She with a new life
That is not bitter
Again she is called wife
For this role fits her

From what was trampled
Two homes now blend
From their example
The children mend

And to their surprise
Her ex changed too
To repent and rise
And become new

As foundations build
With blessings sent
Who now will be sealed
For their ascent ?

With homes as Swiss cheese
Who has what name?
Are there remedies?
And who is to blame?

This war that we're in
Has casualties
Like walls of Berlin
An end one sees

Thanks to our Savior
We have full hope
We fall from grandeur
He sends a rope

And of that question...
Who's sealed to who?
The next life's session...
For what to do

That survivor is me
How I have been blessed
I am like too many
This life is a test...

I wrote this on my journey
At the start of the day
While unbeknownst to me
That night the letter came my way

My ex was sealed to his wife and started a beautiful family. Still, the Lord provided a tender mercy for me.  I was crying and writing and driving to work writing this and came home to the letter.

Swiss cheese is a term from Neal A. Maxwell who was a great man of deed and words.

Family Mirror Shows Who You Are- AI- Put it Down

Technology is growing 

At an accelerating pace

We can communicate quickly

Not in person, yet face to face

This makes staying close easier

And helps enhance family bonds

But when we're in the same room

To talk, please put your device down!

Using it so much...

It's easy to forget

Who you truly are

So lost in an AI forest

In your desire to discover Who you really are Let your family be your mirror To measure if you're near or far

https://youtu.be/D7nZe5jEDr8?si=7NKxvdWBYVhCMWBL

Read these inspiring words from Elder Bednar:
I hope we each will commit to do a little better in supporting families, children, and youth in their desire to discover for themselves who they really are—and to develop their moral agency in a way that will strengthen their lives forever. 

Put it Down

[Verse 1] Technology is growing At an accelerating pace We can communicate quickly Not in person, yet face to face This makes staying close easier And helps enhance family bonds [Pre-Chorus] But when we're in the same room Please hear what matters most One small choice can say it all Before the moment's lost [Chorus] Put it down, put it down When we're together Put it down, put it down Stay here with each other Using it so much It's easy to forget Who you truly are (Who you truly are) [Verse 2] So lost in an AI forest In your desire to discover Who you really are You keep chasing every answer But the ones who know you best Are sitting right there near [Pre-Chorus] Let your family be your mirror To measure if you're near or far A real reflection, clear and kind Can show you where you are [Chorus] Put it down, put it down When we're together Put it down, put it down Stay here with each other Using it so much It's easy to forget Who you truly are (Who you truly are) [Bridge] Look up at the table See the faces you belong to A laugh, a glance, a hands-on-heart Can bring the truth back home to you No feed can hold that moment No screen can love you through [Final Chorus] Put it down, put it down When we're together Put it down, put it down Stay here with each other Using it so much It's easy to forget Who you truly are (Who you truly are) Let your family be your mirror Let your family be your mirror

Walls, floors, Ceilings and Doors

Be considerate 

To those who sleep in

Close the door quietly 

Don't disturb dreaming

The day is closing

The walls are thin

Speak in hushed tones

For the children

Despite loud songs

The coming and going

You can pray on

For peace in you, growing

Through any wall

Any ceiling

Prayers, big or small,

Christ comes, hearing

Walls, floors

Ceilings, doors

Consider

What they're for

Safety, quiet, peace

Loving ties

May love, here, increase

May prayers, here, more rise

I remember being in a room and hearing coughing all night long.  I wanted to cough as well.  The room allowed smoking, but it allowed pets... us. I brought doterra and the smell stopped bothering me.  I think I should have offered it to the neighbor.  

I'm visiting my dad.  He traveled a lot for work and he talked about learning to shut doors quietly.  That was part of what teachers taught in school.  He noticed that the motels were full of door slammers at all hours.  I think certain noises bothered his ear that had little hearing from the war.  Like the neighborhood dogs barking.

He is now blind and nearly deaf.  He works to make sense of noises now. He repeats what I say until he figures out what I am saying. When he complains of hearing noises, now, I think he is just bragging that he hears something.

Through Any Wall

[Verse 1] Be considerate To those who sleep in Close the door quietly Don't disturb dreaming The day is closing The walls are thin Speak in hushed tones For the children [Pre-Chorus] Despite loud songs The coming and going You can pray on For peace in you, growing [Chorus] Through any wall Any ceiling Prayers, big or small Christ comes, hearing Walls, floors Ceilings, doors Consider what they're for Safety, quiet, peace [Verse 2] Loving ties May love, here, increase May prayers, here, more rise In the dark and in the hush The footsteps fade The house still knows A gentle word Can mend what shows [Pre-Chorus] Despite loud songs The coming and going You can pray on For peace in you, growing [Chorus] Through any wall Any ceiling Prayers, big or small Christ comes, hearing Walls, floors Ceilings, doors Consider what they're for Safety, quiet, peace [Bridge] For the ones asleep For the ones awake Let the smallest act Keep the night from breaking [Final Chorus] Through any wall Any ceiling Prayers, big or small Christ comes, hearing Walls, floors Ceilings, doors Consider what they're for Safety, quiet, peace Loving ties May love, here, increase May prayers, here, more rise May prayers, here, more rise

This Day- Probation and Grace

 

[Verse 1] Each day Thou gives us is as a fine treasure, For me and my house to serve with great pleasure. I've sought Thee early to find and to know Thee. Bless this wise servant for what brings cleansing. We have been given probation to improve. While we have bodies ever to control and move, We can know which tasks truly matter the most. Bless me with promptings of the Holy Ghost. [Pre-Chorus] Prayerful reading can set our course each new day. When we submit... we act without a delay. Will my garments be white to go no more out? Help me to know how I can show Thee I'm devout. [Chorus] Help me know, help me know Help me know what to do Help me know, help me know I will follow through Help me know, help me know When the moment is here Help me know, help me know And keep my heart clear [Verse 2] We are here to prepare for eternal life. We rejoiced to prove we're faithful despite strife. We can show we will do all the Lord does ask. Help me to choose against temptation's strong grasp. We needed someone with grace and God's favor. Who could perform with love as beloved Savior? We chose Jesus Christ to come qualify us. Help me not procrastinate, while there's justice. [Pre-Chorus] Although we may struggle with complacency, We have been placed purposely since infancy. Though we're seasoned we have not yet done our part. Help me show endurance with a steadfast heart. [Chorus] Help me know, help me know Help me know what to do Help me know, help me know I will follow through Help me know, help me know When the moment is here Help me know, help me know And keep my heart clear [Bridge] Though I'm discouraged with my circumstance, I will carry burdens with more confidence. Each day as thy servant I'll follow through. Bless me to know what I can here and now do. I know Jesus suffered my infirmities. He prayed for all men feeling all agonies. He forgave His enemies and their lies. Help me to forgive and build eternal ties. [Chorus] Help me know, help me know Help me know what to do Help me know, help me know I will follow through Help me know, help me know When the moment is here Help me know, help me know And keep my heart clear [Outro] Help me be thankful that I am yet alive. And to recognize that with Thee I do strive. As a small payment for debt from Christ's purchase, Help me share His charity through kind service. Of those who petition Thy aid, help me see. Bless me to hear Thy voice and know their need. Remind me to pray to Thee both night and day. Help me know my Savior, in His name I pray.

Henry B. Eyring
This Day
Ensign May 2007,89

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2007/05/this-day?lang=eng

The Reaching Hearts of Our Children

 

The reaching hearts of our children

Seek for the love of home

For that beauty found in heaven

Of being gently known

They have so much in life to seek

And grow up right before your eyes

Like crystals, each one is unique

Prepared with strengths for what tries

this is a cool thing to do for Easter with your little ones...
http://www.marthastewart.com/343344/crystal-egg-geodes

I have made it with epson salt for the classroom.  The egg looks cool when it looks like a cave filled with crystals. https://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/kid/how-to-make-crystal-geode-eggs/

Preservation

while most slept a battle to save lives went on

Thoughts of family
And your future goals,
As life's founding,
Fills us when we've holes.


“Another man and I packed his wound to stop the bleeding and we kept him conscious by asking him about his family and what he was going to do in the future. I hope we kept him alive.” https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1269999/florida-mass-shooting-biggest-massacre-american-history-fifty-dead-killer-omar-mateen/

I think it is stories like this that help us to get through tragedies.  Remember to point a person to hope in the future and remember loved ones.  Of course, the greatest hope we have is our Savior.  Of course, the greatest love comes from God.  Of course, the greatest need is to exercise our gift of choice, our conscience, and to heed the still small voice...

I was also deeply touched to see the scarred policeman's helmet that saved his life.  It's hard to believe just a little while ago people were down on police.  Look at the tremendous courage they have within them.

Pulse massacre 
Orlando, Florida.

Each

Each family member
Is needed to get things done
Just like every finger
Is made stronger with the thumb

Primary book 2 Lesson 6.

I also love this picture of the fingers close together and the message: Hold Me Tight

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/b2/79/ad/b279ad8e5d6470b02b408f2055d14caf.jpg

Priority Number One

Priority number one
Changes all day long.
Man's work is never done
Value love. Be strong.

What do you do to let your family and friends know you value them?
How do you show loved ones that they are priority one?
1. Let the phone go to voicemail
2. Recall to each other past memorable moments.
3. Call by name
4. Remember you are exchanging a part of your lives with each other.
5. Tell how you appreciate them.
6. Write a kind note.

Celebrate Each Day!

The Treasure of Heaven

The treasure of Heaven
Is the family
Mansions will be given
For homes, happily

Who will the mansions in Heaven be for?  the family- We are a part of God's family. His plan of eternal happiness is intended for families. The mansions will not consist of harems given to attend to one's every need. It will be a home of honor and love.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/spiritual-whirlwinds?lang=eng

560-Pound Man Biking Across US To Lose Weight « CBS Connecticut

560-Pound Man Biking Across US To Lose Weight « CBS Connecticut



Nothing else matters

When love is at stake

Every hope shatters

Incomplete, you ache!

Light the course to take

On it lose yourself

Christ will help you shake

The old to a new self!

See yourself lost in service
Lose yourself in this purpose
Seek a light that's bright to shine
Tender mercy is a sign

When you are given a goal that consumes you
and trials and aid comes along.
Know that God is with you to see you through
and will help you to be strong.

I was touched by two things in this story.  The man is working to save his life and marriage.  Others (complete strangers) are cheering for him and helping him along..

The Tutor

The vast past is a sure tutor
Linked to the present with chains
Which connects us to our future
Midst a constant cry for change

I love this picture!

Be the link
That is strong
Always think,
"Right what's wrong"

Heal the past
For the dead
Pains they cast
Heal instead

Just like sicknesses, it seems that families have trials and temptations that keep showing up,   How healing is it when someone, then, overcomes it. Generations passed and future must cheer to see an end in sight to this affliction. Still, this enduring wisdom gained must be passed on.

My Heart is Full

My heart is full
With my family
And the gospel
Heaven's sampling

A Soft Place to Land

Give all your children

A soft place to land

They are from Heaven

Do the best you can

#‎SeekReceiveAct‬

T I M E

It's quantity
Not quality
That children want
Then hearts are won

Time is all I need
In the home today
Mom and Dad and me
Every single day

The Calling of Callings

There is but one calling
Of which there is no release
Family is no small thing
So treasure your loved ones please

Patient Care

Upon the wings of wisdom

From days gone, he thought to share

The past to his son with him

And taught him of patient care

Osmonds 'Are you up there - I believe' Pioneer Day Jul08

Every step of the way

Is the family.

Sharing thoughts of the day,

With love and belief.