Family Home Evening Thoughts - Sept. 6

While on our "sisters trip" this summer, Kathy Bertasso told of some advice she and Mike received in their mission presidents training. They were told that it was their choice to make every day a good day, regardless of what happened. We took that advice on Wednesday of our trip, as we walked around D.C. Our goal - we would not complain about the heat, regardless of how hot it was.
I have been trying to do better in my own life - trying not to complain about things that bother me. I'm not perfect by any means, but I am trying to be positive, even with the technology problems we are having at school.
Last night, we attended a fireside presented by Tom and Sandi Hachtel, of our ward. Tom and Sandi, together with many of their family members, participated in the Nauvoo pageant this summer. They told us of the advice they were given as family cast members. The weather in Nauvoo during the summer includes rain - sometimes very hard and persistent storm. Naturally, this isn't the most comfortable way to practice and perform. Tempers tend to flare, and complaints become divisive. They were given a quote from Brigham Young, telling the Saints how to get along with one another. This is my thought for the week.

"If you feel evil, keep it to yourselves until you overcome that evil principle. This is what I call resisting the devil, and he flees from me....when you are influenced by the Spirit of holiness and purity, let your light shine; but if you are tried and tempted and buffeted by Satan, keep your thoughts to yourselves - keep your mouths closed; for speaking produces fruit, either of a good or evil character...You frequently hear brethren and sisters say that they feel so tried and tempted, and have so many cares, and are so buffeted, that they must give vent to their feelings; and they yield to the temptation, and deal out their unpleasant sensations to their families and neighbors. Make up your minds thoroughly, once and for all, that if we have trials, the Lord has suffered them to be brought upon us. And he will give us grace to bear them...But if we have light or intelligence - that which will do good, we will impart it....let that be the determination of the individual, for spirit begets spirit-likeness; feelings beget their likeness....if then we give vent to all our bad feelings and disagreeable sensations, how quickly we beget the same in others, and load each other down with our troubles, and become sunk in darkness and despair!...in all your social communications...let all the dark, discontented, murmuring, unhappy, miserable feelings - all the evil fruit of the mind, fall from the tree in silence and unnoticed; and so let it perish, without taking it up to present to your neighbors. But when you have joy and happiness, light and intelligence, truth and virtue, offer that fruit abundantly to your neighbors, and it will do them good, and so strength the hands of your fellow beings.

Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 5:351-352

I am accepting the challenge...will you?

Love, Mom