"cause the heavens to shake"

In preparing for this general conference (April 2&3; 11-1pm/3-5pm both days), I am reminded of the prophecy given to Joseph Smith recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 21:4-6.
"Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God shall disperse the powers of darkness from before you, AND CAUSE THE HEAVENS TO SHAKE FOR YOUR GOOD, and his name's glory."
What an amazing promise is given to those of us who will listen and give heed to a prophet's words! How I would love to see powers of darkness recede and disperse and what does it mean for the heavens to SHAKE for my good!
I love this gospel.

THE GREATEST "GIFT" EVER

Last night I read the talk, "Receive the Holy Ghost" by Elder David A. Bednar, from the October, 2010 General Conference. It will be the text we study this Sunday at Relief Society. This greatest of gifts, we are bestowed, comes by the laying on of hands, through the Priesthood with the direction "Receive the Holy Ghost", to be with us always. With the bestowal of this gift, comes the admonition to so live the gospel of Jesus Christ, with exactness and faith, so that the Holy Spirit will remain with us constantly to direct, comfort, warn and testify of truth.


I want to share my favorite quote on the Holy Ghost, which come from an early apostle Parley P. Pratt. I have it typed and pasted on the inside of my bible, so that I see it often:

"The gift of the Holy Ghost, quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspires virtues, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and feature. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feelings. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man or woman. It strengthens, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being. "


I know that I have witnessed this animation, beauty, purity, peace and goodness among many of our Dallas 4th Ward Relief Society Sisters. Let us all live to have the Gift of the Holy Ghost permeate our lives.

SPRING in our Step!

It is officially Spring! The days will include more "light". I enjoy all the seasons and the changes that come with them. But Spring is the season with all the possibilities. Spring brings Mother's Day and Easter and General Conference. We have March Madness (or March Sadness as I call it as my brackets always do so poorly!)
With the change in weather, we can get out and exercise or start a garden or plant some flowers or open some windows and air out the house.
Spring spells a time of movement as the weather begs us to get out of our house and habits and be part of all that is living and alive.
What are your goals for Spring?

Charity

Our lesson this Sunday is on Charity and for Sunday's lesson I would like us all to ponder what is meant by the Pure Love of Christ and how do we go about developing that type of love within ourselves for our brothers and sisters.

Thank you,

Fronda Wiseman

Wear GREEN, and PRAY for Japan!

I grew up with a father (whom I loved very much) that was terminally ill for much of my childhood. At times, he was near death and silly things like remembering to wear green on St. Patrick's Day so one would not get "pinched" did not make much sense to me.
Yet as I have grown up, I have appreciated the perspective these experiences have given me.
I read about the awful crisis in Japan and wonder what I can DO for them. I am so mindful of what it feels like to live "at the edge" of all that used to be a normal life.
There must be balance in this second estate for us. We must have faith, hope, and charity. Those divine attributes remind me that FAITH and HOPE come in the form of looking to the small and simple events (such as St. Patrick's Day) AND having CHARITY for the Japanese(and all who suffer) in my prayers and checkbook.
Balance is learning how to appreciate one without forgetting the other!