Divine Counsel!

Those of you who know me well, know that i love writing, journaling, and taking notes! I wanted to share some thoughts from our Relief Society Broadcast on Saturday evening! We had the wonderful opportunity to listen to some much needed counsel. We heard our inspired general Relief Society presidency speak, as well as President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and in my opinion the words that touched my heart the most seemed to be centered around eternal families and what God feels about us, His beloved spirit daughters.
With what's happening around us i can't help but think about the first paragraph of "The Family...A Proclamation to the World." It states, "We the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children." The family is central! I love that! Here are a few things we were asked to do: attend the Temple often, inspire and encourage others, increase our faith, strengthen our homes, serve the Lord and His children, remind others that God loves them! Sister Julie B. Beck said we must be still and quiet. Does this mean we do nothing, say nothing? No, i feel that in essence it means that we listen to the still, small voice as it empowers us to do & say the things we should. President Uchtdorf reminded us that God is a God of creation and compassion. We are created in His image, therefore we have the ability/responsibility to create and be compassionate! (they are commandments!) We have been given those divine qualities! We innately have the desire to create. We love to create beauty, an atmosphere of learning, order, and love. He says to start small by cultivating our homes and our minds. In this same proclamation it also says that "God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.... that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife."
As to our compassion, we are commanded to help others! As we bless others, our own lives are blessed. We are to lose ourselves in the service of others. We should scatter sunshine. There is always a great work to be done. Small acts of kindness are part of this great work! Prayers can be answered through us- we can be an instrument in the Lord's hands.
Those are just a few things that i found inspiring and uplifting. Just remember that you can make a positive difference! Start with smiling! Make others wonder what you're up to! Genuinely compliment others! I know in our house we teach that we take responsibility and we give the credit! I bear testimony that we each have a mission to fulfill here! Each day counts in that journey! Whether small or large, He sees our efforts! As we are going about our days creating and being compassionate we need to remember that we too were created for a special purpose and that God loves us! I love you all!!