[October 2013 World Report]

The Church publishes these World Reports bi-annually. Sometimes it's depressing to watch the news. It seems that most of the news are about crime and negative things that happen in the world. I love watching these reports because they remind me that much good is done in the world too. 

[depression and other mental illnesses]

I LOVE Elder Holland! Love, love, love him! His talks have given me so much comfort throughout the years. Even before he was an Apostle, I read his book "However Long and Hard the Road", and it helped me so much to put life's struggles into perspective. If you, or anyone you know, are affected by depression or any other mental illness, this talk is "balm of Gilead to a wounded soul".

We as a society, have to stop placing negative stigmas on mental illness. Just like any other part of your body can get ill, so can your brain. So often people with mental illness suffer in silence. It has to stop. We need to offer our love and compassion to anyone who suffers mentally. Not judge them. It is a lonely illness.

[You might be a good mother after all...]

LOVED this book!

This is what it says about the book:

"How are you doing as a mom? If you're like most of us, you base your assessment on appearances: how the children are behaving, the progress they're making, the evidences you see that they're moving forward. After all, as Matthew 7:17 tells us, "By their fruits ye shall know them."

But appearances can be deceiving, and they don't always tell us the whole story. As Emily Watts points out, most fruit isn't really very good until it's ripe - and "children are the slowest-ripening fruit there is." Using examples from the scriptures and her own life experiences, Emily will help you find the patience with yourself - and with your children - that you need to stay afloat on difficult mothering days. You'll laugh, you'll recognize your own challenges, and you'll feel the peace that comes from knowing that Heavenly Father is in charge and stands willing to help all along the way."

Couple of quotes from the book:

[consecrate all plus then some :)]

Loved this talk by President Uchtdorf at the last General Conference. So funny to think about all the things we do in the church. Voluntarily! Not a church for someone who just wants to hear a sermon and leave it at that. 

Once there was a man who dreamed that he was in a great hall where all the religions of the world were gathered. He realized that each religion had much that seemed desirable and worthy.

He met a nice couple who represented The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and asked, “What do you require of your members?”

“We do not require anything,” they replied. “But the Lord asks that we consecrate all.”

The couple went on to explain about Church callings, home and visiting teaching, full-time missions, weekly family home evenings, temple work, welfare and humanitarian service, and assignments to teach.

“Do you pay your people for all the work they do?” the man asked.

“Oh, no,” the couple explained. “They offer their time freely.”

“Also,” the couple continued, “every six months our Church members spend a weekend attending or watching 10 hours of general conference.”

“Ten hours of people giving talks?” the man wondered.

“What about your weekly church services? How long are they?”

“Three hours, every Sunday!”

“Oh, my,” the man said. “Do members of your church actually do what you have said?”

“That and more. We haven’t even mentioned family history, youth camps, devotionals, scripture study, leadership training, youth activities, early-morning seminary, maintaining Church buildings, and of course there is the Lord’s law of health, the monthly fast to help the poor, and tithing.”

The man said, “Now I’m confused. Why would anyone want to join such a church?”

The couple smiled and said, “We thought you would never ask.”

Why Would Anyone Join Such a Church?

At a time when many churches throughout the world are experiencing significant decreases in numbers, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—though small in comparison with many others—is one of the fastest growing churches in the world. As of September 2013 the Church has more than 15 million members around the world.

There are many reasons for this, but may I offer a few?

The Savior’s Church

First, this Church was restored in our day by Jesus Christ Himself. Here you will find the authority to act in His name—to baptize for the remission of sins, to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to seal on earth and in heaven.¹

Those who join this Church love the Savior Jesus Christ and they wish to follow Him. They rejoice in the knowledge that God speaks to mankind again. When they receive sacred priesthood ordinances and make covenants with God, they can feel His power in their lives.² When they enter the holy temple, they sense they are in His presence. When they read the holy scriptures³ and live the teachings of His prophets, they grow closer to the Savior they love so much.

An Active Faith

Another reason is because the Church provides opportunities for doing good.

Believing in God is commendable, but most people want to do more than listen to inspirational sermons or dream of their mansions above.⁴ They want to put their faith into practice. They want to roll up their sleeves and become engaged in this great cause.

And that is what happens when they join with us—they have many opportunities to transform their talents, compassion, and time into good works. Because we have no paid local clergy in our worldwide congregations, our members perform the work of ministry themselves. They are called by inspiration. Sometimes we volunteer; sometimes we are “volunteered.” We see assignments not as burdens but as opportunities to fulfill covenants we gladly make to serve God and His children.

Treasured Blessings

A third reason why people join the Church is because walking the path of discipleship leads to precious blessings.

We see baptism as the starting point in our journey of discipleship. Our daily walk with Jesus Christ leads to peace and purpose in this life and profound joy and eternal salvation in the world to come.

Those who follow this path faithfully avoid many of the pitfalls, sorrows, and regrets of life.

The poor in spirit and honest of heart find great treasures of knowledge here.

Those who suffer or grieve find healing here.

Those burdened with sin find forgiveness, liberty, and rest.

(This is only part of the talk. To read the full talk, click here)