The Church has created social media pages for members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve on Facebook and Google+. These pages will be maintained on their behalf by the Church and act as an official social media presence for each of them.
To learn more: Social Media Pages Created for Church Leaders
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
What is in your handcart?
From a talk by Linda K. Burton, General Relief Society President
"A few years ago, Elder Jeffery R. Holland shared his feeling about the deep rooted faith of pioneers who pushed toward the Salt Lake Valley even after the deaths of the children. He said, 'They didn't do that for a program, they didn't do it for a social activity, they did because the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ was in their soul, it was in the marrow of their bones.' He concluded with these thought provoking words: 'If we can keep that in our families and in the Church, maybe a lot of other things start to take care of themselves. Maybe a lot of other less-needed things sort of fall out of the wagon. I'm told those handcarts could only hold so much. Just as our ancestors had to choose what they took, maybe the 21st century will drive us to decide, what can we put in our handcart?"
In modern times, this era of materialism, what is in our handcart? If we put everything in we perceive as meaningful, could we pull the cart or would we be like some pioneers who had to leave their cherished possessions on the trail because they had too much "stuff"?
One of the most essential items in our handcart should be our 72-hour kit. We don't need everything in the cupboard to survive for a few days in the event of an emergency. Our 72-hour kits should be up to date, accessible and ready to go. We can temporarily meet our physical needs with a little preparation.
Our handcart must also include some spiritual preparation. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, "A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges but a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value."
Your 24-hour kit includes the gospel essentials and should be used and renewed every 24 hours:
"A few years ago, Elder Jeffery R. Holland shared his feeling about the deep rooted faith of pioneers who pushed toward the Salt Lake Valley even after the deaths of the children. He said, 'They didn't do that for a program, they didn't do it for a social activity, they did because the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ was in their soul, it was in the marrow of their bones.' He concluded with these thought provoking words: 'If we can keep that in our families and in the Church, maybe a lot of other things start to take care of themselves. Maybe a lot of other less-needed things sort of fall out of the wagon. I'm told those handcarts could only hold so much. Just as our ancestors had to choose what they took, maybe the 21st century will drive us to decide, what can we put in our handcart?"
In modern times, this era of materialism, what is in our handcart? If we put everything in we perceive as meaningful, could we pull the cart or would we be like some pioneers who had to leave their cherished possessions on the trail because they had too much "stuff"?
One of the most essential items in our handcart should be our 72-hour kit. We don't need everything in the cupboard to survive for a few days in the event of an emergency. Our 72-hour kits should be up to date, accessible and ready to go. We can temporarily meet our physical needs with a little preparation.
Our handcart must also include some spiritual preparation. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, "A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges but a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value."
Your 24-hour kit includes the gospel essentials and should be used and renewed every 24 hours:
- Daily prayer and study
- Stand in holy places
- Invite the spirit into your home and daily activities
- Partake of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and invite others to partake of His gift
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Be water wise in every way!
The heat is on! It’s the dog days of summer! (Dog days generally refer to July and August when it’s too hot to do much but take a nap in the shade.) When it’s hot, it’s important to be conscious of water usage and hydration for both your landscaping and your body.
Slow the Flow, Save H2O is a great website for water tips. You can learn how to be water wise including the best plants to use for our high desert climate, how to measure your water usage, and great water saving ideas for inside your home.
Hydration for the body is important because the body is mostly comprised of water. Drinking enough water is important at all times but especially during warm weather to keep your body from overheating. Signs of dehydration include:
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Flushed skin
• Heat intolerance
• Light headedness
• Dark colored urine
• Dry cough
The best way to beat dehydration is to drink before you get thirsty. If you wait until after you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated! There are many websites that give detailed information on how to beat the heat for both adults and children including www.webmd.com and www.familydoctor.org.
Now that your yard and garden are watered properly and you are well hydrated to tend to them, don’t forget to water your spiritual thirst. As water is essential to sustain physical life, the Savior and His teachings are essential for eternal life. “Whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst.” John 4:6-15 Living water heals, sustains us and brings us peace and joy.
Be water wise in every way!
Slow the Flow, Save H2O is a great website for water tips. You can learn how to be water wise including the best plants to use for our high desert climate, how to measure your water usage, and great water saving ideas for inside your home.
Hydration for the body is important because the body is mostly comprised of water. Drinking enough water is important at all times but especially during warm weather to keep your body from overheating. Signs of dehydration include:
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Flushed skin
• Heat intolerance
• Light headedness
• Dark colored urine
• Dry cough
The best way to beat dehydration is to drink before you get thirsty. If you wait until after you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated! There are many websites that give detailed information on how to beat the heat for both adults and children including www.webmd.com and www.familydoctor.org.
Now that your yard and garden are watered properly and you are well hydrated to tend to them, don’t forget to water your spiritual thirst. As water is essential to sustain physical life, the Savior and His teachings are essential for eternal life. “Whosoever shall drink of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst.” John 4:6-15 Living water heals, sustains us and brings us peace and joy.
Be water wise in every way!