Your Worth and My Worth is Great!!

My Aunt Betty Wade had this picture hanging on her refrigerator for years. It was a strength and a reminder to my younger self, many times. Okay, even my older self at times needs it too. 

We all go through times in our life where we question who we are and doubt our worth, maybe that is you right now. You might question if you matter to God or if God really knows you. Here is my plea and witness to you (and maybe this post will be a reminder to me when I need it in the days or months to come, because I forget) - YOU matter, God does know you and you are not forgotten.

 

Ask Him how He feels about you.

Do not let the enemy rob you of your worth and don't let the world define your worth. Your worth is great! You really ARE a child of God!

The truth is, YOU are of such great worth that someone gave their life for YOU! Jesus Christ, your older brother, has already suffered for your pains, your mistakes, your sorrows - He really knows how you are feeling. Pause and think about that for a minute. It’s amazing, isn’t it?

 

That is one of the reasons why Easter time is so special to me.

The enemy of your soul and the world might tell you things like: “you are too far gone”, OR “what you say or do doesn’t matter” OR “you are not enough _______ (fill in the blank)”, OR that “you are beyond the reach of God or Jesus Christ and Their love and help”. Those are lies! The enemy desires you to be miserable like he is. Is it working? If so, please don’t let him steal another day of your worth, your peace, your happiness.

 

While it is true our choices might distance us from Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father, I know they acknowledge the reaching and humble heart.

As we turn toward God, have “a change of mind and heart that brings a fresh attitude toward God, oneself, and life in general” that is repenting. And oh, the great joy that brings Jesus Christ.

Let's all give God joy today! 

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Post script/side note... Posting and sharing truth like the above takes courage, which I do not always have it. I fear a lot and I have doubts. BUT, God knows that too and He sends little messages to give my encouragement, strength, and power to go forward and to do His will, which He inspired me to do. Such was the case with the following verses from Doctrine and Covenants 19, which I read a few days ago.

29 And thou shalt declare glad tidings, yea, publish it upon the mountains, and upon every high place, and among every people that thou shalt be permitted to see.

30 And thou shalt do it with all humility, trusting in me, reviling not against revilers.

37 And speak freely to all; yea, preach, exhort, declare the truth, even with a loud voice, with a sound of rejoicing, crying—Hosanna, hosanna, blessed be the name of the Lord God!

These verses spoke to my heart, given to me through the Spirit, enlightening my mind that this is a great guide to social media posting and what God desires of me.  Go forth and share my testimony, my witness, what I am learning, and my joy! 

Thoughts of Hope from The Christ Child Video

It is never too late, right? Sharing my thoughts from a #LightTheWorld challenge a few days ago. Which is to share The Christ Child video (https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world-2020/the-christ-child) along with a specific moment in the video that gives me hope.

One of the many moments where I feel hope in the movie The Christ Child, is just before Mary gives birth. It is when Joseph and Mary look into each other’s eyes with worry, concern, probably fear and surely a lot of physical pain for Mary (after all, no sterile and comfortable hospital and no epidural). They unite, clasp each other's hands. What I hear them say to one another is, "this is going to be so hard", "we haven't come this far only to come this far", "we can do this", "God will continue to help us." I think Mary quite possibly had moments where she thought this really was not what she thought her life might look like. Joseph probably had similar thoughts. Yet, these two important human beings were humble and willing to do God's will. So it can be with all of us. I doubt any of us have had our lives turn out just the way we had thought. Look at this 2020 year, none of us knew what laid in store for us. Many of our plans and hopes have had to be adjusted. And adjusted again. However, because of Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven there is hope. Hope in knowing that They know the bigger picture, They understand, They will lead and guide us into new ways and new paths, if we let Them. How? Through the spirit, which is the light of Christ that is within each of us, we can hear Him to know what to do. Listen for the guidance, be humble, trust, and do. Just like Mary. Just like Joseph. Just like the shepherds. Just like the wise men. 

We may not always see the big picture or know the end from the beginning, but God does. So why wouldn't we want to hear Him? At times we might see just a little ahead to make a right step. And then the next right step. Seeing just enough ahead to give us hope to move forward. The Holy Ghost, or the spirit of the Lord, "communicates to our spirit and carries far more certainty than any communication we receive through our natural senses."  Mary and Joseph had those moments of spiritual communication to give them hope and direction. "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)  We should all be thankful that there were moments when Mary and Joseph were enlightened by the Holy Ghost, received words spoken from an angel, and listened to words from other helpful people God placed in their path. Surely these moments came back to their mind, giving them hope and encouraging them to move forward. When Joseph and Mary clasped their hands, I see their hope and hear them say, "this is going to be hard", "with God we can do this", "we'll do it together", "let's do the right next thing", "we will let God prevail". And He did. 

Listen. Be Humble. Unite. Trust. Do.

#LightTheWorld 

Nauvoo and Carthage, Great Experiences

My family and I have been enjoying a fabulous family trip.  Actually, my husband and I call it "The Long-Awaited, Thaxton Terrific Family Road Trip to Nauvoo".  We've been gone 8 days now and there has been so much we've seen and done; so much to rejoice about and record and moments that I want to always remember. 

One such experience, was on Tuesday morning, June 24.  Lance and I had the blessed opportunity to go to the Nauvoo Temple - a first visit to this temple for both of us.  It is such a beautiful temple!  Before we went inside, we took a few pictures and walked around the temple grounds enjoying the beauty, the peace, the sunshine, the quietness and not feeling rushed.  Across the street from the temple but facing the towards the temple, is a statue of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum.  It depicts the last time they would see the Nauvoo temple before heading to Carthage.  Such a tribute to these two great men, this statue is.  I would later find out the person who did the sculpture is an uncle to one of my daughter's really good friends. 



As I took a closer look at this monument and particularly read the description posted there, I was overcome with complete awareness that this event took place 170 years ago that day!  To me, this meant my being in Nauvoo and going to the temple on this particular day in history was exceptionally special and moving for me.  I was filled with gratitude, yet combined with a feeling of reverence and sadness as I tried to imagine what the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum must have felt; how their families felt; and how the Saints in Nauvoo, which included many of my own ancestors, might have been feeling. 

So grateful I am that Lance and I were able to take our children to Nauvoo and experience all that is there to experience.  It's been wonderful and I hope to record more experiences later, because there is so much I want to remember about all our adventures!   

On Thursday, June 26th, our family went to Cartage, Illinois.  This is the place that Joseph and Hyrum were killed almost 170 years ago, as the next day would be that anniversary.  Again, I was filled with awe and reverence to be at such a important place in Church history near a monumental day.  I cannot really describe it, but there is a special feeling inside the jail and around the grounds.  Something you just have to experience yourself.  I am very thankful we were able to come as a family and witness this together.  I know each of my family members had unique and special experiences themselves. 

Just over 20 years ago Lance and I were able to visit Nauvoo and Carthage with some friends of ours when we were living in Topeka, Kansas while Lance was attending law school.  I was pregnant with our first child.  It was a great experience then and one of the many reasons why I have looked forward  to taking our family to many of these same places.  Twenty years ago I believed Joseph Smith was a prophet and never really doubted his account of seeing God the Father and Jesus Christ.  But that day I really wanted to know for sure.  I remember saying a simple, silent prayer as I we went inside the building asking my Heavenly Father if Joseph Smith was indeed a true prophet and if he really did see all he said he saw.  As I sat in that room listening to the account of what occurred in that room, I was overcome with a feeling inside me that I can't really describe.  The feeling was good and enlightening and I knew I was receiving confirmation to my prayer through the Holy Ghost witnessing to me of the truthfulness of what I desired to know for myself.  That experience has meant so much to me throughout my life.  It was simple, yet so powerful.  A witness that I never can deny.  Sitting in that upper room in the Carthage Jail this week with my family, a similar witness came to me again. 

I love the prophet Joseph Smith.  I admire him and appreciate him.  His sacrifices were great.  The work he preformed and the service he gave well over 170 years ago blesses me and my family today.  I KNOW he was a true and living prophet.  My experiences this past week with what I saw, the things I have felt inside my heart, and the knowledge and enlightenment I gained have only increased my testimony of him and his work.  I rejoice to know this!

A few days ago, I saw this article with outstanding photos and descriptions of Carthage Jail.  I reference it here for a few reasons.  First, to help me and my family remember the Martyrdom on the 170th Anniversary.  Second, if my photos of Carthage don't work out these are excellent to help us rejoice in what we saw and experienced.  Third, to help serve as a record that we were there.  And fourth, an event we always hope to remember.   

[http://ldsliving.com/story/76187-photo-gallery-remembering-the-170th-anniversary-of-joseph-and-hyrum-smith-martyrdom]

Other resources to share:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865602996/Finding-peace-in-Carthage-Jail.html?pg=all

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865605870/170th-anniversary-of-the-martyrdom-of-Joseph-and-Hyrum-Smith.html?pg=all

2014 Notable Church-History Anniversaries