Decisions, Decisions, and Decisions

"Neither Satan nor any other power can weaken or destroy your growing character. Only you can do that through disobedience. That is why Satan is so intently focused on tempting you to make decisions that will undermine your character. Satan is an accomplished master at making devastating choices appear attractive, even reasonable. So be careful. At this critical time of life, you will be faced with many choices. The decisions you will make will profoundly affect life now and for eternity. Make them wisely and prayerfully."
--Elder Richard G. Scott "Living a Life of Peace, Joy, and Purpose"

Cleave unto God

People "cleaving" to the iron rod

I was reading in my studies the other morning in Moroni 7:28 and I read the word “cleave.” In the verse it reads, “and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing.” This sparked a memory of a previous study I had a couple of months ago. I was reading in Jacob chapter 6. In verse 5 it states, “ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you.” The word cleave stuck out to me. I did a short scripture search on the word cleave. I found other scriptures such as Joshua 23:8, "But ^acleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day.” Another verse I found was Helaman 4:25  “and they saw that the Lamanites were exceedingly more numerous than they, and except they should ^bcleave unto the Lord their God they must unavoidably perish.” Here the Nephites would be destroyed if they didn't hold onto the Lord and keep His commandments. In this reference, they had to cleave onto the Lord, or they literally would perish.

Another reference found in the Doctrine and Covenants section 11 verse 19 states, “Yea, ^acleave unto me with all your heart, that you may assist in bringing to light those things of which has been spoken—yea, the^btranslation of my work; be patient until you shall accomplish it.” Joseph Smith wouldn't have been able to translate the golden plates, unless he cleaved unto God with all of his heart. We can't do the work unless we cleave unto Him, the Almighty, our Father in Heaven.

There are several moments in our lives where we can picture people cleaving. I see a person who is  cleaving to the cliff that they’re trying to climb or hold on to.  I see someone cleaving onto a rope that will pull them to safety. I see a shy little child cleaving onto her mother’s shirt to hide from a stranger. I see the people in Lehi's dream cleaving to the iron rod. So I ask myself this, "What am I cleaving to?"

 Am I cleaving to my Savior Jesus Christ? Am I cleaving to the eternal truths of the gospel? Am I holding on with every fiber of my being to the iron rod? Am I keeping my covenants? Am I doing my very best to remain steadfast? 

Now I ask you, Are you cleaving to God? Do you pray unto Him every morning and night? Do you pray unto Him when your heart is filled with gratitude? Do you pray unto Him when you are angry, lonely, depressed, irritated, or hurt? Do you keep following the commandments even if it's not the "cool" thing to do? 

ARE WE CLEAVING UNTO OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN?

If we are not, we must begin now. Get to your knees. Cleave unto Him in every thought, word and deed. It's possible. We must cleave unto Him. We will become more humble, we will grow. We will learn what we need to learn. May I invite you all to ask yourself honestly, "Am I cleaving to God?" What can you do now to start cleaving? 
Our Father in Heaven is there. He is reaching out to us. He loves us. As President Monson said, "your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there." (We Never Walk Alone, General Relief Society broadcast Sept. 2013)

Do You Feel so Now? Part II

Alma continues in verse 26, “And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?”

This last question always stings a bit. “Can ye feel so now?” Do I still feel that change of heart that I had? Do I still feel the power of the atonement in my life? Do I remember on a day to day basis what Jesus Christ has done for me? Sadly, I haven’t. I don’t. I try and I do my best. I want to feel that MIGHTY change of heart all the time. So now the question is, “how do I do that?”

Well first and foremost, pray to our Father in Heaven! Pray to feel this mighty change and partake of the sacrament. Our covenant is to “always remember Him.” I would also suggest to read the scriptures. Study Christ’s life and read the Book of Mormon. Attend church and keep the Sabbath day holy. These small and simple things will help you in the long run. They will help you remember your Savior.

Another thing that is keeping us from remembering our Savior is our own pride. The Nephites/members of the church were super wicked and not doing what God commanded them to do. This is all centered on pride. In later verses Alma asks, “Behold, are ye stripped of pride?...who is not stripped of envy?”  We are prideful. We constantly want to do what we want to do. We don’t want to listen to the commandments God has given us. So how can we be stripped of pride?

President Ezra Taft Benson said: “The antidote for pride is humility—meekness, submissiveness (see Alma 7:23). … Let us choose to be humble. We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. … We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. … We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. … We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. … We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. … We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently. … We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. … We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 6; or Ensign, May 1989, 6–7). This talk is AMAZING. It's titled "Beware of Pride." You can read it here.

Once again, this is a process. We can’t just be humble overnight, but if we do what Pres. Benson states here, our pride will slowly start to melt away. We will CHOOSE to be humble. We will ACT and move forward on the path to eternal life.

I know that we all can do this. We can have this mighty change of heart. We can ALWAYS remember our Lord and Savior. I know that we can. He is the only way. Just like Alma states later, “there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness. (Alma 38:9)” I know this be true! We all can humble ourselves and depend on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Do You Feel so Now? Part I

Isn’t the Book of Mormon amazing? I love reading it every morning. I know that it is the word of God. I know that because I have asked God if it is true, and I received an answer that it is. Yesterday in my morning studies, I studied Alma 5. I love this chapter so much, because every time I read it, I ask myself, “Have I (Sister Houtz) received HIS image in my countenance?” Some people might think that it’s a harsh rebuking from Alma to the members of the church. I think that it is a personal assessment for everyone to see if they are truly representing the Lord in their everyday activities. I actually taught a lesson about this chapter in church one time and I had kept some of my notes for it. I have put some of the quotes I used for that lesson in the post. I hope that as you read the words of Alma that you will pray for the Holy Ghost to enlighten your mind on how you can improve in your life and also that as you read this post you will receive whatever you come seeking to receive.

There are many some things stood out to me in this chapter this time around as I read it. In verse 6, it reads, “And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?”

I asked myself. Have I “sufficiently retained” all the blessing that my Father in Heaven has poured upon me? Do I remember when I was going through a very difficult trial and he “delivered me out of captivity?” Do I “sufficiently retain” that God sent his Son Jesus Christ to atone for my sins? Do I remember that when I’m out teaching the gospel to others? Do I remember that I am HIS daughter called by Him to preach His gospel to the people of this mission? Sadly, I pondered these questions. My answers were “no.” I don’t think I’ve “sufficiently retained” these things. Right from the beginning Alma, rebukes in such a thought provoking manner.

The overall arching theme though from this chapter is found in verse 14, “And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?”

My answer to these questions are yes...maybe…sure? Then I started to ponder, do I want this? Do I want a mighty change of heart? You BET I DO! President Ezra Taft Benson stated, “The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. … The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1985, 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1985, 6).

Jesus Christ can change our human nature. We can experience this mighty change in our hearts! We can! I know it! I’ve witnessed it in myself and many others. I’m constantly changing for the better. I think “Yes, I’ve got it down. I’m good.” Then God gives me another opportunity to be pushed, tried, and so I can grow. I’m not the person I was eight months ago, I’m not the person I was last week, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I am constantly changing because I want to progress. I want this mighty change. I would love it if His image was in my countenance! I represent Jesus Christ as a missionary. I want to make sure that I am representing well. So what happens after the mission? What happens when I am no longer a full-time missionary? Will I still be able to represent Him? Yes! Will I do everything possible to make sure of it? Yes!

From my lesson at church I read this powerful quote from Elder Bruce R. McConkie. He taught: “Except in … unusual circumstances, as with Alma (Mosiah 27), spiritual rebirth is a process. It does not occur instantaneously. It comes to pass by degrees. Repentant persons become alive to one spiritual reality after another, until they are wholly alive in Christ and are qualified to dwell in his presence forever” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73], 3:401).

It is a process! I am constantly changing and growing and progressing. I love how he says, “it comes by degrees!” There are SOOO many of us who think that we have to be perfect, now here and today. We beat ourselves up for not being perfect. Take a day at a time. Turn to Jesus Christ He will help you. He wants to help you on this spiritual rebirth. It takes time. Don’t give up. Keep going. The Lord is in our midst He will never leave us. I know this to be true. I testify of this. For I know that He wants us to change. He wants us to become like Him. He will do everything and anything to help us, but we MUST try. We must exercise our faith and our agency. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Become an Indexer!

Click on the LINK to watch a video about indexing!!
indexing video
I am a firm believer in Family History work! Before I came out on my mission I was called to be an "Indexer." At the time I was attending Brigham Young University-Idaho and my ward had filled up all the callings possible. Sometimes they would create "other callings" so that everyone had a part. I was called to be the Ward Indexer. I thought for sure that I had been given one of those "filler" callings, but then I started learning all about what people do who index. It was SO fun! I downloaded the program onto my computer and indexed away! I loved looking at the old census records and other forms that they use. It was interesting to read about where they were born, what their names were, age, and occupation. I love history and truly enjoyed finding out just the basic information about these people. It makes for such a wonderful Sunday activity and doesn't take that long at all. I have now indexed over 1,500 names. I love it! I know that indexing is just another important step into furthering the Lord's work on the earth today. If you would like to learn more about indexing or family history in general, please visit this website. https://familysearch.org/

As A Child

One of my favorite stories from General Conference was told by President Henry B. Eyring. It was given in the General Conference session back in April 2006 in his talk titled "As a Child." I remember this talk for many reasons, and to this day it is still one of my favorite talks. One reason why I remember this talk is because of the Spirit I felt when Pres. Eyring shared this story. I remember feeling that I could turn to the Lord for help whenever I needed it. I most likely won't get my prayers answered the way that I want them to be answered, BUT  I knew God was listening. This is the personal experience he shared:

 

 "Once, for instance, I prayed through the night to know what I was to choose to do in the morning. I knew that no other choice could have had a greater effect on the lives of others and on my own. I knew what choice looked most comfortable to me. I knew what outcome I wanted. But I could not see the future. I could not see which choice would lead to which outcome. So the risk of being wrong seemed too great to me.

I prayed, but for hours there seemed to be no answer. Just before dawn, a feeling came over me. More than at any time since I had been a child, I felt like one. My heart and my mind seemed to grow very quiet. There was a peace in that inner stillness.

Somewhat to my surprise, I found myself praying, “Heavenly Father, it doesn’t matter what I want. I don’t care anymore what I want. I only want that Thy will be done. That is all that I want. Please tell me what to do.”

In that moment I felt as quiet inside as I had ever felt. And the message came, and I was sure who it was from. It was clear what I was to do. I received no promise of the outcome. There was only the assurance that I was a child who had been told what path led to whatever He wanted for me.

I learned from that experience and countless repetitions that the description of the Holy Ghost as a still, small voice is real. It is poetic, but it is not poetry. Only when my heart has been still and quiet, in submission like a little child, has the Spirit been clearly audible to my heart and mind." ("As A Child" Ensign, May 2006) Read the talk HERE

Have you ever been on your knees pleading for Heavenly Father to tell you what to do? I know I have several times in my life. If you are seeking for direction in your life, might I suggest you get on your knees? Plead with your Father in Heaven for direction. Repent, change, submit yourself to HIS WILL and HIS DIRECTION. He will guide you! I know that He will answer your prayers and give you direction! You are HIS child! He loves you!

He is ALWAYS there!

Liberty Jail

"God is close to us and aware of us and never hides from His faithful children."

Lately, I have been pondering about an experience I had about a year ago. A group of people from my congregation had come together and planned a trip to go to several different church history sites in the United States. We went to Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, and Kansas. It was truly a very moving experience for me. The picture on this post is of Liberty Jail. It is where Joseph Smith was wrongfully imprisoned for about five months and the conditions were terrible. I felt the Spirit very strongly while I was in the visitor center. I actually got to touch the actual door of the jail. The door that Joseph Smith touched and walked through. It was a very powerful experience for me as I reflected and pondered on what happened in that place. Joseph Smith received revelations while he was there. President Henry B. Eyring explains, "In the depths of his anguish in Liberty Jail, the Prophet Joseph Smith cried out, 'O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding places?'" Have you ever felt like God is hiding from you? You are in the deepest moments of your life wondering, " How will I ever get through this? Is God really there? Does He know me? Why is this happening to me?" I can't speak for the prophet Joseph Smith, but I'm guessing that he felt something very similar. While Joseph Smith was in Liberty jail he received some very powerful revelations. These revelations found in the Doctrine and Covenants have helped me "endure to the end" of really hard trials. In section 121 the Lord comforts Joseph, "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (D&C 121:7-8)

 I have felt similar to Joseph's plea " Where art thou?" in several different parts of my life. One in particular was when my mother passed away. I didn't understand. I couldn't comprehend that this could happen to me. How could He abandon me? Didn't He understand that she was my mother? That I needed her? Couldn't He see that we were good members of  His church? Couldn't He see that we tried to do everything right because we loved him? I have pondered on this more than I can describe. But an answer always comes. He does know who I am. I am his daughter and He does loves me. President Erying continues, "Many of us, in moments of personal anguish, feel that God is far from us. The pavilion that seems to intercept divine aid does not cover God but occasionally covers us. God is never hidden..God is close to us and aware of us and never hides from His faithful children." ("Where is the Pavilion? Ensign Nov. 2012) God is not far from us! He is there willing and wanting to help us! The Lord has said, "even so am I am in the midst of you." (D&C 6:32) He is there! I know that if we are willing to get on our knees and open our heart unto God. He will hear us! He will strengthen you and help you! When you cry out " O God, where art thou?" He knows where you are. He knows what we're doing and how He can help us. We just have to ask. Then we have to act in faith and follow Him. I know these things are true. If you are struggling, please, turn to your Father in Heaven. President Gordon B. Hinckley said,"Our safety lies in the virtue of our lives. Our strength lies in our righteousness. God has made it clear that if we will not forsake Him, He will not forsake us." ( Ensign Nov. 2001)