Hope in Christ

This post should take five minutes to read from start to finish. What does Hope in Christ means to you?

This post is based on an October 1986 General Women's Conference talk from General Conference called "Hope in Christ" by Sister Barbara W. Winder. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

Sister Winder mentioned, "As our Father and the Savior planned for us to come to earth, they said, “We will prove them herewith, to see if they [you and I] will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abr. 3:25). This was to become a testing ground; we would come to an understanding of good and evil, of happiness and suffering, of joy and pain. We knew the plan. We desired it; we endorsed it. We defended it. We even fought for it!

With eagerness and excitement, we came to earth to learn each of us having our own particular set of circumstances with trials and temptations to overcome.

We were not left without hope. Our Savior, through his atonement, has made it possible for us to obtain salvation. He will not leave us helpless as we struggle to overcome the adversities of this life.There are so many kinds of challenges: the frustrations and disappointments of disobedient children or a difficult marriage, the loneliness of an empty house when one is so eagerly seeking companionship, the long upward road to repentance, or the difficulty of keeping a positive attitude and counting our blessings even in times of hardship.

The example of the Savior’s life and the teachings that he left us are patterns for us to follow. He faced trials similar to those we experience; he handled each situation in a perfect manner. In the wilderness of Judea and the Garden of Gethsemane, we witness two of the most grievous temptations of Christ, but during no part of his days in the flesh was he free from temptation. Otherwise his life would have been no human life at all. We read in Mosiah, “And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer” (Mosiah 3:7).

Which of us has not known disappointment, discouragement, and despair? That is one of the tests for all of us. Consider the Prophet Joseph, as he languished in Liberty Jail in March of 1839, having been there for months, knowing that his people had been driven from their homes and were destitute. His cry is touching: “O God, where art thou? … How long shall thy hand be stayed?” (D&C 121:1–2).

"Once you choose HOPE anything is possible."

And then the soothing answer came from a kind and loving Father: “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).

An then, later, tenderly, “Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” (D&C 122:7). Most of us have witnessed how living the gospel can change the lives of people in a positive way.

Sister Barnes writes: “As we read the scriptures, we found that Jesus gave the instruction to ‘be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee’ (Matt. 9:2), indicating that as we truly repent and forsake our sins, we may be optimistic about the future. He said, ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me’ (John 14:1). And we do believe in him, and this belief has changed our lives. We now feel that we can say, as Paul did, ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me’” (Philip. 4:13).

Another sister wrote: “On August 3, my twenty-one-year-old son broke his neck in a diving accident six hundred miles from home. He hovers near death, but we are at peace. We do not understand the reason this had to happen, but we do understand the gospel.”

Elder Richard L. Evans was sensitive to the need to prepare spiritually and emotionally for difficult times: “We have to prepare even for what we are unprepared for and do the best we can … to improve, to repent, to be grateful for all that is good and to have faith and hope even [in hard times]. …

“And whatever happens in the interim, there is solid assurance that life is everlasting, and that eternal progress is its purpose” (Richard L. Evans, Thoughts for One Hundred Days: Volume Four, Salt Lake City: Publishers Press, 1970, p. 169).

Let us recognize and be grateful for the blessings we have. From the Savior comes hope! Understanding the gospel, doing his works of righteousness, and following the counsel of our prophet are our assurance of the realization of that hope."

I encourage you to read the whole talk in your own time. Here's the link,
www.lds.org/general-conference/1986/10/hope-in-christ

Stay Tuned

We Are Children of God

Who are we? Did you know that you are child of God? 

This post is based on an October 1998 General Conference talk called "We Are Children of God" by Elder Russell M. Nelson. I would like to share with you some highlights what he mentions.

Elder Nelson mentions, “The Body:-

The marvel of our physical bodies is often overlooked. Who has not encountered feelings of low self-esteem because of physique or appearance?

Many people wish their bodies could be more to their liking. Some with naturally straight hair want it curly. Others with curly hair want it straight. Occasionally some ladies, believing that “gentlemen prefer blonds,” become “decided blonds.”

Your body, whatever its natural gifts, is a magnificent creation of God. It is a tabernacle of flesh a temple for your spirit. A study of your body attests to its divine design.

Physical Limitations:- 

For reasons usually unknown, some people are born with physical limitations. Specific parts of the body may be abnormal. Regulatory systems may be out of balance.
And all of our bodies are subject to disease and death. Nevertheless, the gift of a physical body is priceless. Without it, we cannot attain a fulness of joy. 

A perfect body is not required to achieve a divine destiny. In fact, some of the sweetest spirits are housed in frail frames. Great spiritual strength is often developed by those with physical challenges precisely because they are challenged. Such individuals are entitled to all the blessings that God has in store for His faithful and obedient children. 

Eventually the time will come when each ‘spirit and body shall be reunited again in perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame’ (Alma 11:43).  Then, thanks to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become perfected in Him.

"You are a child of God. You are wonderfully made, 
dearly loved, and precious in his sight. Before God
made you, he knew you. There is no one else like
you." 

Personal Behavior:-

How should these truths influence our personal behavior? We should gratefully acknowledge God as our Creator. Otherwise, we would be as guilty as goldfish swimming in a bowl, oblivious to the goodness of their provider. “Ye must give thanks unto God,” said the Lord, “for whatsoever blessing ye are blessed with.” And we can practice virtue and holiness before Him continually.

We will regard our body as a temple of our very own. We will not let it be desecrated or defaced in any way. We will control our diet and exercise for physical fitness.

Should not equal attention be paid to spiritual fitness? Just as physical strength requires exercise, so spiritual strength requires effort. Among the most important of spiritual exercises is prayer. It engenders harmony with God and a desire to keep His commandments. Prayer is a key to wisdom, virtue, and humility.

 Scriptural warning is clear: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” In time, addictions enslave both the body and the spirit. Full repentance from addiction is best accomplished in this life, while we still have a mortal body to help us.

As children of God, we should not let anything enter the body that might defile it. To allow sensors of sight, touch, or hearing to supply the brain with unclean memories is a sacrilege. We will cherish our chastity and avoid “foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown [us] in destruction and perdition.”We will “flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, [and] meekness” traits that edify the whole soul.

Who are we? We are children of God. Our potential is unlimited. Our inheritance is sacred. May we always honor that heritage in every thought and deed."

I encourage you to read the whole talk in your own time, here's the link to the talk.
www.lds.org/general-conference/1998/10/we-are-children-of-god

I love the Image that I have shared for this post. If you can not see the Image that I have shared with this post, it says "You are a child of God. You are wonderfully made, dearly loved, and precious in his sight. Before God made you, he knew you. There is no one else like you."

Stay Tuned. 

Some Ways to Prepare for a Mission

This post takes five minutes to seven minutes to read from start to finish. 

During my teenage years, I was thinking about serving a full-time mission one day. I even began my mission papers and I've submitted my mission papers for me to serve a full-time mission when I was nineteen years old. It wasn't until sometime right before or after I've turned twenty-one years old to find out that my mission papers wasn't submitted. I did have an opportunity to redo the mission papers but I've decided not to redo the mission papers. 

I was too focused on being employed in Domino's Industry, I was also focused on finishing Institute before I graduate in March 2017, I've began studying BYU (Brigham Young University) - Idaho Pathways program that was done mostly online and portion of the program requires in person attendance (which consist of gathering with other church members in the area with you that's studying the same program) and I also focused on other things as well. 

The mission isn't for everyone. If you have a desire to serve a mission, I strongly encourage you to pray with real intent and fast to know if the mission is for you or not. If you got a confirmation with an answer saying "Yes," I encourage you to go ahead and serve a mission.

If you received an answer saying "No," I encourage you to don't feel discouraged and look for other ways to serve the Lord. Giving up 18 months or 2 years or whatever how long of serving the Lord does take a lot of dedication and hard working. Missions are tough and missions aren't easy.

If you are preparing for your mission, I encourage you to go ahead and read a list that I have provided below. The list is a list of the mission preparations that I have done before I went on my mission. I know it will help me to become an effective missionary and I know it will help you too.

" - Fulfilling your Church calling/s; Fulfilling your church calling/s is a great way of service before your mission. 

- Build a habit of daily scripture study; it will help you heaps because you will be reading your scriptures daily during your mission and it will help you build a stronger testimony of the scriptures. 

- Become familiar with Preach My Gospel; it will help you heaps and it will help you to prepare and teach lessons. 

- Attending some sessions at the Temple; Attending the Temple will help you to receive personal revelations for yourself, you will gain a stronger testimony of Temples, you will come to love the Temple more if you attend the Temple often, you will gain a stronger understanding of the importance of Temples. 

I encourage you to take the opportunity to go to the Temple often before your mission because you won't be able to go to the Temple often during your mission. 

- Go out with your ward missionaries if you have missionaries serving in your ward; going out with them are the best way of experiencing what it is like to be a Missionary. Sometimes they will take you with them to go tracking or help them to teach lessons for the Investigators or doing rescue visits for the less actives/in-actives. 

- Listening to some past General Conference talks; you will receive some inspiration answers to your new questions, you will be able to learn new things and you will gain a stronger testimony in General Conference.

- Attending Institute; you will be able to learn new things while attending Institute often, it will help you to build a stronger testimony of Institute and if you accomplish the requirements for Institute, you will be able to receive a certificate of Achievement or Diploma for Institute.

- Attending Mission Preparation Class; it will help you heaps. Most classes provide a lesson and do role plays (the teacher gives you a situation and what the lesson's topic is on)."

There are other mission preparations that I could think of but I thought it would be best for you to figure out what those other mission preparations are."

I hope the list will you and I hope you can use it as a guide. If you aren't preparing for your mission, I encourage you to continue fulfilling your church calling/s, go to the Temple often if you are Temple worthy, build a habit of scripture study daily and listen to some past General Conference talks.

Stay Tuned.

What can we do when we can't sleep?

This post should take about three minutes to five minutes to read from start to finish. Sometimes we often feel that we can’t go to sleep either because we aren’t feeling tired or we’ve so many things in our minds that we just overthink about. What has been your strategies that has worked and helped you go to sleep whenever you can't go to sleep? 

"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying
there worrying, it's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep."
- Dale Carnegie. 

Let me share with you some suggestions of what can help you go to sleep without taking any sleeping pills/medications. 

- We can write in a journal (we can write about our feelings, we can write about what’s in our minds, we can write about our short-term goals, we can write about our long-term goals, we can write about some things that we’re grateful for, we write about our accomplishments throughout lives, etc). - We can read a book. 

- We can watch a movie that we’ve seen multiple times in the past and we know that it would be okay for us to fall asleep during that movie because we already know the ending. - We can watch a show that we’ve seen multiple times in the past and we know that it would be okay for us to fall asleep during that show because we already know the ending. 

- We can write down a to do list of things that we would like to accomplish the next day. - We can write down the groceries list of what we can get. - We can write down meal plans for next week. - We can letters to relatives and friends. 

- We can pray about our feelings, what’s in our minds, and express our gratitude of what we’re thankful for. - We can write down what we would like to accomplish throughout next week. 

Stay Tuned.

Some Things to Consider when Buying a Vehicle

This post should take three minutes to five minutes to read from start to finish. This post is similar to Some Things to Consider When Buying a House post. This post focuses on our experiences (my experience and Jacob''s experience) when we were considering about purchasing our current family vehicle and prior to making the full commitment of buying our family vehicle. Also the process it took for us to legally claim for us to legally own the vehicles from our parents. After sharing our experience with you, let me share with you some questions for you to ask yourself either as you read this post or in your own time.

Jacob's parents has purchased a truck during Jacob's full-time mission. Prior to meeting Jacob and into the first year of our marriage; he was paying off his truck to his parents. Once he finished paying off the truck to his parents, he was able to get his name transferred to the truck as new ownership. By then he can legally claimed that the truck once his parents to him. 

To my surprise; Jacob still owns the truck to this day. Jacob does a great job for taking care of his vehicle by doing oil change all by himself, changing the batteries all by himself, and other important things. However he seems to only go to the mechanics for getting new tyres (tires), balancing and rotating tyres (tires) for his truck. 

Prior to meeting Jacob online; I've gone through almost three different vehicles but I did go through three vehicles prior to meeting each other in person. First vehicle was originally what my parents (I think it was mostly claimed by my Dad) owned, and I gone ahead of going to mechanics to pay for the repairs to get the vehicle roadworthy. After that, I went ahead and paid for either six months registration or yearly registration to the vehicle. I also had to fill out the paperwork for transferring ownerships of the vehicle. By then, I was able to legally claim the vehicle is mine. 

The second vehicle, I honestly didn't think about any considerations. I was nineteen years old at the time when I've purchased a second vehicle. I just saw a cheap car that was on for sale on Facebook Marketplace. I kept wishing that I've thought about some considerations prior to purchasing that vehicle. That vehicle has lasted me most of my temporarily stay in Perth. 

The third vehicle, I didn't think about too many considerations. I've always looked around for a vehicle that I can afford and buy it upfront. I was hoping that I didn't experience any issues after purchasing the vehicle. I've considered about how many seats does the car have, for the car to be cheap to run on fuel (gas) - less than $75 a week preferably depending on how much driving that I do, does the air con/heater works in the car, and would I be able to have friends or relatives in the car with me to feel comfortable in sitting in the car. 

Let me share with you some things for you to consider when buying a car. Follow by, let me share with you some questions to ask yourself either now or in your own time. 

Think about the current condition of the car (inside the car and outside the car). Think about the car smell. he current condition of the car. The age of the car. The number of times of the car to be regular serviced. Any owners of the vehicle prior to you buying the car and owning it. The number of seats and rows does the car have. The car have any mechanical issues. 

Do I see myself driving in that car for short-term?

Do I see myself driving in that car for long-term?

What’s the purpose of having that car?

What specifications do I like that car have?

Do I know how many seats does the car have?

Do I know how many rows does the car have?

Does the car include a spare tire? 

Does the car include a spare key? 

When Jacob and I was car hunting for a family vehicle, we've considered a lot of things. Let me share with some things that we've considered prior to making a commitment and do a down payment of the car.

We've considered about the condition of the car. We've considered the age of the car (how old is it?)  We've considered about how many seats does the car have including how many rows does the car have. We've considered about how many mileage has the car been driven prior to us. We've considered and we both done a test drive. We've checked if the car has been regular serviced and maintained when the car was under the previous owner/s before us. We've considered about what are several top specifications do we like about the car have. 

Stay Tuned. 

Some Things to Consider When Buying a House

This post should take three minutes to five minutes from start to finish. This post focuses on sharing our experience (my experience and Jacob's experience) when we've considered some things prior to making the commitment of buying our current house. After sharing our experience with you, let me share with you some questions for you to ask yourself either as you read this post or in your own time.

If I remember correctly, it has taken several months when Jacob and I went house hunting while we were still living in our apartment (less than 1,000 square footage, two bedrooms, and one bathroom) back in 2021. We mostly did house hunting online. We knew that we wanted to move into a house that's bigger than 1.000 square footage and hoping the cost of paying house mortgage monthly is cheaper than paying month to month rental property. 

We've considered the hidden costs that can be involved with when to buy a house. We've thought about the travel time to commit of driving to get to places where we go to (such as Jacob's work, church, groceries stores, medical appointments, church, and more places). We've considered about it's a good idea of having neighbours. Although we definitely know that our next house, we prefer to be living not so close to neighbours in the future. 

We've checked out two houses. One house that Jacob and I've looked at, we really liked it and knew straight away that we would've make several major changes to it but the cost of the house is outside of our price range for how much we were willing to spend on. Then we've looked at a different house, we really like it and that house was in our price range of how much we were willing to spend on. 

Jacob and I do care about the current condition of the house (indoors and outdoors) prior to buying. Jacob and I do care about the current condition of the roofing for the house and the shed prior to buying. Jacob and I do care about the age of the house. We seemed to get a great deal because the previous house owners with their house insurance was able to get brand new condition the main house roof prior to closing the house to us.  

Jacob and I do care about the number of bedrooms that the house have. Jacob and I do care about we would be pre approved for the house mortgage loan. Jacob and I do care the location of the house and surroundings. Jacob and I do care about the number of bathrooms does that the house have. We ended up spending approximately of $15,000 US dollars/less than $22,000 Australian dollars towards the appliances to have installed in the house and also including the cost of renovations.  

"Buying a house won't bring you

happiness, but turning it into a home

certainly will." 

Ask the following questions;

Is the house in my price range of what I would be willing to spend? Do I see yourself or/and other people who I currently live with to move into that house? Am I aware of the current condition of the roofing of the house? 

Am I aware of the current condition of the house? Am I aware of knowing the age of the house? Am I aware of the location where the house is located and its surroundings? Has the mortgage that I’ve applied for has been pre approved for the house/s that I've looked at? 

Can I afford of paying month to month house mortgage along with other bills of living? Will I be doing any renovations or some projects here and there to the house? Do I know how many bedrooms does the house have? 

Do I know how many bathrooms does the house have? Does the house come with a spare key? Does the house comes with somewhere where to park the vehicle/vehicles? Does the house comes with a swimming pool? Does the house comes with a pond? 

Am I aware the cost of maintaining the swimming pool if the house have a swimming pool? Am I aware how many acres does the house comes with? Do I know my credit score?

I thought about some other questions but I would like you to do your best to think about and ask yourself the different questions. 

Stay Tuned. 

Saving Tips

This post should take no more than three minutes to read from start to finish. Do you have any saving tips top share with me that works in your household? 

Jacob and I often do our best to always be on top of paying tithing whenever we make earnings. As I’ve mentioned on a different day (about sharing some things to consider budgeting one person and raising family) that I would make another post about savings tips. Well here it is. I like to spend some items in bulk because those items last longer and is cheaper than buying certain items frequently. 

Here’s a list that I like to get things in bulk. 

Essentials: 

* Laundry detergent 

* Dishwasher detergent including dish soap

* Paper towels 

* Toilet papers

* Hand soaps 

* Pads

* Garage bags for my bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom

* Toothpastes 

* Toothbrushes 

* Mouthwashes 

* Body washes 

* Soaps 

Pantry: 

* Gatorades 

* Peanut butter 

* Jam spreads/jellies (doesn't need to be in the fridge until once opened)

* Honey

* Mayonnaise (doesn’t need to be in the fridge until once opened)

* Chicken broths

* Beef broths

* Rice 

* Gluten-free Pastas 

* Gluten Pastas

* Prego (spaghetti) sauces 

* Other American sauces 

* Australian sauces including recipe mixes 

* Condensed Milk 

* Evaporated milk 

* Boxes of Gluten-free bake goods (cookies, and sweets)

* Juices (certain juices don’t need to be in fridge until once opened) 

* Gluten pancake mixes 

* Gluten-free pancake mixes 

* Maple syrup (Gluten-free one doesn’t need to be in the fridge until once opened)

* Gluten-free Cereals including Oatmeals

* Gluten Cereals including Oatmeals 

* Gluten-free snacks (including children’s approved and aged snacks) 

* Gluten snacks (including children’s approved and aged snacks) 

Freezer: 

* Burritos (gluten)

* Meats 

* Pizzas (gluten) 

Items for two children who aren’t yet currently toilet trained. 

* Diapers (Nappies)

* Baby Wipes

* Diaper (Nappy) Rash Cream

Depending on the item; in my household if we’re down to the last ten days to fourteen days left of supply, we will then get more of that supply. Depending on the item; in my household if we’re down to the last four weeks of supply, we will then get more of that supply. Depending on the item; in household if we’re down to the last five days left of supply, we will then get more supply. 

A addition to having some items in bulk; the in my household, we also has food storage (more than one month of supply for non-cool items) and have enough food for emergencies (Jacob and I need to redo our emergency seventy-two hour packs sometime). 

Thankfully we do have own a generator now instead of us having the experience of borrowing one. 

"All of us can afford to pay
TITHING. In reality, none of us can
afford NOT to pay TITHING."
- Thomas S. Monson.

In our household; we’ve been blessed by having WIC (Women’s, Infants, and Children) benefits month to month which gives our household to save money and the benefits is funded by US government. I still budget weekly (to include and not include the WIC benefits). 

Whatever we use up after using WIC benefits covers for the month; we have to pay out of pocket and WIC benefits doesn’t cover every item that we need and want for groceries. Not sharing exactly the amount of what WIC benefits covers for my household but we’ve been able to save not having to pay for the following; 

* Milk

* Eggs 

* Loaves of Gluten Bread 

* Frozen and fresh Fruits 

* Frozen and fresh Veggies (vegetables)

* Cereals (both gluten and gluten free)

* Juices 

* Yogurt 

* Whole grains 

Some examples on how long estimably items last. 

Bulk of Diapers (Nappies), Pull ups, Condensed Milk, and Evaporated milk are purchased once every 6 weeks. Bulk of Baby wipes are purchased once every 12 weeks. Bulk of Gluten-free Pastas, Gluten Pastas, Prego (spaghetti) sauces, and Other American sauces are purchased once every three months. 

Laundry detergent, Dishwasher detergent including dish soap, Paper towels, Toilet papers, Hand soaps, Pads, Garage bags for my bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom lasts for six months for one round of supply. 

Stay Tuned. 

How to Budget for Yourself and Family?

This post should take no more than five minutes to read from start to finish. Budgeting for one person seems easy but reality is, budgeting for one person has its own challenges. If you’re living away from your parents’ home and living by yourself, you may be one of those type of people who doesn’t have a budget. 

If you’re living away from your parents’ home and living by yourself, you may be one of those type of people who does have a budget. When I was living by myself and away from my parents’ homes; I had a reasonable budget. I know that I’ve always wanted to be self reliant when it comes to budgeting and not relying on other sources of money other than employment. I know that I got paid from Australian government every fortnight (bi-weekly) for certain benefits for a period of time. 

When I was living in share houses with roommates in Australia and having my own room to myself; the weekly rent has included split payment for water, electricity, internet (WiFi) to other roommates in the same household. All those share houses had everyone to share common areas (kitchen - fridge and freezer, toilet, bathroom, living room, laundry room, and dining room). There was two share houses that I’ve lived at does have an en-suite bedroom (unfortunately I wasn’t blessed enough to have my own bathroom and toilet to attached to my room) but that’s okay. 

Most share houses come with first in, first serve situations. One of the challenges that I’ve mainly experienced while I was living in several share houses was providing our own plates, our own bowls, our own cups, and our own kitchen supplies (pots, pans, and other items for cooking).

The other challenge was to find out that everyone has different schedules and routines. Not everyone is at home at the same time. My roommates and I would have brief conversations time to time at home and that would be it. One portion of the household would be working while the other portion would be studying, there would be at least one person in the household who would be working and studying).

Those times was good, those brief conversations was enough to show roommates that we do live under the same roof. I’ve lived in two share houses  where communication was poor and had barely no interactions with each other. One time I came home after 4am from work; I’ve done simple quiet things to settle to get myself back at home, and eventually I fell asleep about 6am ish or so and another roommate would have just turned TV on after within thirty minutes or after the time that I fell asleep. 

I didn’t came out of my room and get angry. I learned to stay in my room and not say anything. I’ve done my best to go back to sleep. Jacob earns the main income for our household. He gets paid every fortnight (biweekly in other words two weeks). We often budget our savings and our bills including budgeting to get gas (fuel) for our vehicles monthly. 

"Every cent you own and every moment you
spend is always an investment." - Natalie Page.

I would like to share with you of some things to consider when it comes to budget one person and raising a family. 

Budgeting for one person and raising a family to consider: 

* Cost to maintain your vehicle; keep up with regularly serviced such as oil changes, keep up with tyres (tires) rotation and balance, etc. * Maybe cost of fuel/gas monthly (not necessarily) * Groceries (minimum and maximum spending a month) 

* Having one type of vehicle insurance if you own a vehicle and have drivers license * Cost of monthly (or yearly) for vehicle registration * Electricity bills (I know each month will cost differently unless you’ve a certain electricity company that charges the same amount of electricity monthly - minimum cost and maximum cost)

* Phone bill (cost of prepaid or cost of monthly or cost of yearly) * Subscriptions of channels to watch (such as; Netflix, Disney+, Discovery+, Apple+, etc) * Subscriptions to other things (such as; Amazon Prime, Spotify, iCloud storage, etc) 

* Water bill (if you pay for water where you live) * Cost of Rent weekly (or monthly), or house mortgage monthly depending on where you live 

* Cost of Jetpack (Hotspot) or WiFi monthly if you don’t want to rely on using your mobile data * Cost of medical bills (sometimes it hard to budget around medical bills)

There’s other things that I didn’t mention and I hope that you’ll figure those things out yourself. In my household, I also like to get some things in bulk and I would like share with you a different post on savings tips (including share some of the things that I do get in bulk) another day. 

Stay Tuned. 

Trail of Your Faith

What type trails do you face? This post should take five minutes to seven minutes to read from start to finish. This post focuses on highlights from a General Conference talk found in October 2012 and it’s called “Trial of Your Faith” by Elder Neil L. Andersen. 

Elder Anderson mentions;

“… The gift of faith is a priceless spiritual endowment. “This is life eternal,” Jesus prayed, “that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Our faith is centered in God, our Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. It is bolstered by our knowledge that the fulness of the gospel has been restored to the earth, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that prophets and apostles today hold the keys of the priesthood. 

We treasure our faith, work to strengthen our faith, pray for increased faith, and do all within our power to protect and defend our faith. The Apostle Peter identified something he called a “trial of your faith.” He had experienced it. … Peter later encouraged others: “Think it not strange,” he said, “concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.”

These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son of God and to weaken your resolve to keep your promises to Him. These trials are often camouflaged, making them difficult to identify. They take root in our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our sensitivities, or in those things that matter most to us. 

A real but manageable test for one can be a fiery trial for another. How do you remain “steadfast and immovable” during a trial of faith? You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith: you exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others.

When faced with a trial of faith  - whatever you do, you don’t step away from the Church! Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith …  It is within the sanctuary of the Church that we protect our faith. Meeting together with others who believe, we pray and find answers to our prayers; we worship through music, share testimony of the Savior, serve one another, and feel the Spirit of the Lord. 

We partake of the sacrament, receive the blessings of the priesthood, and attend the temple. … When you are faced with a test of faith, stay within the safety and security of the household of God. There is always a place for you here. No trial is so large we can’t overcome it together.

… “God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.” In the New Testament the Savior lifted the moral standard for His followers when He declared, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” He taught us not to condemn others, but He was unafraid to speak directly: “Go,” He said, “and sin no more.”

"Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel,
as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith,
we are spiritually refined and strengthened."

… Going to the temple frequently helps me keep a more eternal focus. It reminds me I am never alone. … Whether that will occur in this life or the next, I do not know. But what I do know is that I don’t want to do anything that will jeopardize the blessings God has promised both me and my future posterity. … 

Another friend served an outstanding mission, followed by rigorous academic training. He hoped to have a family. His trial of faith: feelings of same-sex attraction. He wrote me recently: “I am promised in my patriarchal blessing that I will have my own family someday. 

Living [the law of chastity] is a challenge, but did we not come to earth to confront challenges and to show God our love and respect for Him by keeping His commandments? I am blessed with good health, the gospel, a loving family, and loyal friends. I am grateful for my many blessings.”

… These two followers of Christ and tens of thousands like them have felt the Savior’s promise: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Here is another trial. There have always been a few who want to discredit the Church and to destroy faith. Today they use the Internet.

Joseph Smith said, “I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations.” The miracle of God’s hand in the history and destiny of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is understood only through the lens of spiritual inquiry. President Ezra Taft Benson said, “Every [person] eventually is backed up to the wall of faith, and there … must make his stand.” Don’t be surprised when it happens to you!

By definition, trials will be trying. There may be anguish, confusion, sleepless nights, and pillows wet with tears. But our trials need not be spiritually fatal. They need not take us from our covenants or from the household of God.

“Remember, … it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”

Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson explained what he learned from a personal trial: “Though I suffered then, as I look back now, I am grateful that there was not a quick solution to my problem. The fact that I was forced to turn to God for help almost daily over an extended period of years taught me truly how to pray and get answers to prayer and taught me in a very practical way to have faith in God. I came to know my Savior and my Heavenly Father in a way and to a degree that might not have happened otherwise or that might have taken me much longer to achieve. … I learned to trust in the Lord with all my heart. I learned to walk with Him day by day.”

... Moroni added that a witness follows “the trial of your faith.” ... With faith come trials of faith, bringing increased faith. The Lord’s comforting assurance to the Prophet Joseph Smith is the very same promise He makes to you in your trial of faith: “Hold on … , fear not … , for God shall be with you forever and ever.” 

If you're interested in reading the whole General Conference sometime in your own time, here's the link.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2012/10/trial-of-your-faith

Stay Tuned. 

What Do You Pray About?

This post should take no more than three minutes to rad from start to finish. I'm grateful for prayers. 

I'm grateful for receiving answers to most of my prayers in many ways. How often do you prayer? Do you pray daily? Let me share with you what I pray about. 

I often pray about a lot of things whenever I’m seeking answers to certain questions. I know that I don’t always get answers straight away and always find answers through different ways. We shouldn’t expect to receive answers from prayers straight away. We should always expect to receive answers in the Lord’s timing. 

I often pray about my safety and protection throughout the daytime, nighttime, tomorrow - day, and tomorrow evening and for the rest of the week. I often pray about safety and protection for Jacob throughout the daytime, nighttime, tomorrow - day, and tomorrow evening and for the rest of the week.

I often pray about safety and protection for all of my children throughout the daytime, nighttime, tomorrow - day, and tomorrow evening and for the rest of the week. I often pray about safety and protection for my parents throughout the daytime, nighttime, tomorrow - day, and tomorrow evening and for the rest of the week. 

"Prayer is your personal key to Heaven." - 
Boyd K. Packer. 

I often pray about safety and protection for my siblings throughout the daytime, nighttime, tomorrow - day, and tomorrow evening and for the rest of the week. I often pray about safety and protection for my extended relatives throughout the daytime, nighttime, tomorrow - day, and tomorrow evening and for the rest of the week.

I often pray about safety and protection for my friends throughout the daytime, nighttime, tomorrow - day, and tomorrow evening and for the rest of the week. I often pray about blessing upon people who are unwell, sick and afflicted. 

I often pray about my children to grow, be healthy, and strong. I often pray about repentance and seeking forgiveness whenever I’ve done something wrong. I often pray about my gratitude for being grateful for safety and protection throughout the daytime and nighttime. 

I often pray about help me to sleep well overnight. I pray about comfort and healing whenever I need comfort and healing. Most times, I pray about the blessing upon the food that I’m about to consume. Sometimes I pray about rain where it’s needed. Sometimes I pray about help me to feel guided to be at certain area and surroundings. 

Stay Tuned. 

Dates Suggestions

Jacob and I went on so many fun dates when Jacob and I was in a relationship stage and in engagement stage. We still go on dates during our marriage. I would like to share some fun dates that Jacob and I did together and I also would like to share some fun dates suggestions with you of what you and your partner (boyfriend or girlfriend or fiancé or fiancée or husband or wife). 

Our first date ever in person; Jacob and I went Skiing. Jacob and I absolutely had so much fun with skiing. Jacob has taught me how to ski because I haven’t gone skiing prior to meeting Jacob. Jacob has shown me a lot of patience while him and I was skiing. Skiing was our first date that we ever did in person. 

Jacob and I went to a zoo in Sunshine Coast. We got to walk around together in the zoo to see some Australian native animals (such as kangaroos, koalas, dingoes) and other animals) and it was fun. We even saw a kangaroo that was laying on the ground. He thinks that the kangaroo was either same height as Jacob is or taller than Jacob. 

Jacob and I went ice staking, we had so much fun with ice staking. I couldn't remember if Jacob went ice skiing prior to our ice staking date. 

Jacob and I’ve attended sessions at multiple Temples (mostly sealing sessions). We went to Provo City Temple, Oqurrih Mountain Temple, Salt Lake City Temple within 48 hours after meeting each other in person which sounds super impressive to me that we did that. We also attended sessions in Brisbane Temple, and Dallas Temple. Sealers at the Provo City Temple and Salt Lake City Temple thought Jacob and I was already married. They’ve asked for one of our last names and assumed that we had the same last name. I still remember the funny story behind Provo City Temple experience that Jacob and I had. I would share it in a different blog post. 

Jacob and I went bowling, and it was so much fun. I don’t remember who won. If I remember correctly, Jacob won and had better scores at bowling than my scores at bowling.

Jacob and I went to multiple fast foods in Australia and United States. I wanted Jacob to try out some Australian foods and Jacob wanted me to try out some American foods. I would admit Jacob loves eating Australian lamb at Australian Subway.  He was disappointed that Australian Subway menu didn’t have Australian lamb on the menu when we were on vacation with E in late January 2023 to February 2023. Jacob would admit that I’ve enjoyed eating American bacon. The Australian bacon and American bacon in fast foods tastes completely different. 

Jacob’s relatives hosted thanksgiving lunch in November 2018 when Jacob and I was boyfriend and girlfriend. I didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving as growing up but I knew the purpose of Americans having Thanksgiving. I remembered shortly after Thanksgiving in 2017 was when Jacob and I’ve met each other on LDS Singles website and when I’ve messaged Jacob on Facebook for the first time. 

Jacob has met some of my relatives when Jacob and I was into our sixth month of dating as boyfriend and girlfriend. I’ve met some of Jacob’s relatives when Jacob and I was into our ninth month to tenth month dating as boyfriend and girlfriend.  

Jacob and I had so much fun to go ring shopping together. There was multiple sales at multiple stores when we went ring shopping. I had multiple choices of rings that I’ve loved and I couldn’t decide. I couldn’t remember if it was Jacob or myself to make the decision of what rings. My rings are a bridal set (engagement ring and wedding ring) and we’ve purchased it from Sam’s Club (similar to Costco). 

Prior to meeting Jacob, I didn’t ever think that my engagement ring and wedding ring would be purchased somewhere where you can get groceries at, somewhere where you can get electronics at and so forth. I’ve accepted my rings to be purchased anywhere. 

If you've read this far into this post, let me share with you some dates suggestions. 

You and your partner can go somewhere to do fun activities together such as biking, bowling, ice staking, skiing, etc. You and your partner can go to the Temple, participate ordinances together, and pray together. You and your partner can go rings shopping together if we both ready to take the commitment to be engaged one day. 

You and your partner can go to a restaurant or fast food place to eat and chat. You and your partner can meet each other's immediate relatives. You and your partner can meet each other's extended relatives. You and your partner can sit down at a public park and chat. 

Stay Tuned.

All Feelings do Matter

This post should take five minutes to read from start to finish. All of your feelings do matter and they’re valid. Let me share how can we express some feelings. 

Feeling Comfort: We can feel comfort by taking care of ourselves (physically, mentally, and emotional needs). We can feel comfort by listening to several past General Conference talks that has topics for what type of circumstances that we’re currently going through in life. Whenever we feel comfort, we’re expected to feel loved. 

Feeling Confident: We can feel confident whenever we’re going to pass a written test before getting a learners permit. We can feel confident whenever we’re going to pass a drivers test (road test) right before getting a drivers license. We can feel confident whenever we’re going to accomplish any of our short-term goals. 

We can feel confident whenever we’re going to accomplish any of our long-term goals. We can feel confident whenever we feel that we’re making the right decisions. We can feel confident whenever we feel that we’re making the right choices. Whenever we feel confident in something, we’re always expected to feel not confident at times. 

Feeling Happy: We can feel our happiest mood whenever we are having our best days. We can feel our happiest mood whenever we are having our happy days. We can feel our happiest mood whenever we are having fun. We can feel our happiest mood whenever we are having our happy evenings. 

We can feel our happiest mood whenever we successfully get our dream jobs. We can feel our happiest mood whenever we’ve accomplished any of our short-term goals. We can feel our happiest mood whenever we’ve accomplished any of our long-term goals, and so forth. Whenever we feel happy, we’re expected to feel sad at times. 

Feeling Grief: We can feel grief whenever one of our relatives who passes away. We can feel grief whenever one of our true friends who passes away. We can feel grief whenever someone else who we know (once cared about) passes away. Whenever we feel grief, we’re expected to feel hope. 

Feeling Hopeful: We can feel hopeful whenever we find ourselves taking small steps towards a better future. We can feel hopeful whenever we find ourselves getting support or encouragement from relatives. We can feel hopeful whenever we find ourselves getting support or encouragement from friends. 

We can feel hopeful whenever we find ourselves getting support or encouragement from others that I didn’t mention previously. Whenever we feel hopeful, we’re expected to feel hopeless at times but we shouldn't let ourselves down whenever we're feeling down. 

"All feelings are valid, it's what
you do with them that matters."

Feeling Lost: We can feel lost whenever we experience major changes in life. Those major changes can be moving houses to a different location that you aren't familiar with, getting into a new job position at work, getting a new job that isn't at current employment, and so forth. 

We can feel lost whenever we aren’t sticking a routine. We can feel lost whenever we feel pressured how to run our lives. We can feel lost whenever we feel pressure to be settled into a career that we didn’t originally planned to do as a career. 

We can feel lost whenever we go through financial responsibilities. Whenever we feel lost; we’re expected to make new changes, make some adjustments if necessary and time will continue moving forward. 

Feeling Loved: We can feel loved by relatives. We can feel loved by friends. We can feel loved by anyone else who we love. We all deserve to feel loved.  Whenever we feel loved, we’re expected to also feel appreciated. 

Feeling Safe: We can feel safe whenever we’re inside our house. We can feel safe whenever we’ve made it safely to any appointments of where we need to go throughout the week. We can feel safe whenever we’ve made it safely to go to any groceries stores throughout the week. Whenever we feel safe, we also feel secure. 

Feeling Tired: We can feel tired whenever we’re experiencing sleep issues such as getting not enough quality of sleep overnight. We can feel tired whenever we’re experiencing anemia (meaning iron deficiency). We can feel tired whenever we’re experiencing Vitamin D deficiency. 

Stay Tuned.

Ideal Future Husband List

This post should take five minutes to seven minutes to read from start to finish. I know there is such a thing of creating lists for future spouses while people are dating and while people are being single. I do remember creating lists of some qualities and other things for an ideal future husband to have during my teenage years. I don’t remember where I’ve placed those lists. I’m truly blessed daily for meeting Jacob and to be married to him. 

One of the lists that I’ve made was while I was still in High School. After I’ve graduated High School, I’ve made another two lists. Prior to meeting Jacob and while I was going on dates with other men, I’ve learned what I really would like to have for an ideal future husband. 

When a former friend has asked me to write down a list of my ideal future husband to have, and I’ve said yes. It seems an easy task for me to do. I’ve asked her to write down a list of her ideal future husband to have. I don’t know why but we didn’t ever share each other’s lists. I know that I didn’t mention about certain things on the list. Let me share with you several of those certain things wasn’t on the lists and explain to you why. 

I didn’t mention about where I would like to meet ideal future husband because I didn’t want to feel too picky. I knew variety of ways how to meet and where to meet. I feel if I narrow it down to where to meet him, I would be letting other options missed out without giving them chances. 

I didn’t list about what language does he speak in. I knew in my mind that I definitely prefer a future ideal husband who understood English language very well because I know that I prefer to continue communicating with my native language (Australian English language) to him. 

I'm happy to learn a new language but I didn't want to have a language difficulties and have constant misunderstandings during marriage due to having a different language. I’ve already learned some basics of learning German language and I've already learned some basics of French language prior to my eighth grade in school. I’ve also already learned basics of Tongan language when I was eighteen years old. 

I didn’t list about someone who would be with me to attend every birth because I know births can be unpredictable. Considering I was born twenty two days (three weeks and one day) overdue via emergency cesarean (c-section) after my Mum had forty hours labor.  

"A godly man is:
1. Faithful 2. A spiritual leader 3. Respectful
4. A Family man 5. A provider 6. Honest 
7. A good communicator 8. Happy
9. Loving"

My list of ideal future husband was simple but long. Let me share with you some of the things that I’ve on the lists.  However I did list the following; 

* Someone who takes their time to get to know me and not rush into things. 

* Someone who has served a full-time mission and returned home with honor. 

* Someone who would love to share new ideas with me. 

* Someone who would be willing to take me on dates. 

* Someone who supports me into doing photography.

* Someone who would love to go to the Temple and participate ordinances with me. Someone who’s Temple worthy, and holds a current Temple Recommend. 

* Someone who has a career. Someone who has mindset to stay with one career unless it’s absolutely necessary to change career choice. 

* Someone who would love to share their mission stories with me at anytime. 

* Someone who would help me of doing household’s budget.

* Someone who would be on the same page as me. 

* Someone who supports me to be a stay at home Mum one day. 

* Someone who would love to have a family with me one day. 

* Someone who would love to share new ideas with me. 

* Someone who would love me unconditionally.

* Someone who would be trustworthy.

* Someone who would make me smile. 

* Someone who would make me laugh. 

* Someone who will be the main provider of the household. 

* Someone who sets their short-term goals. 

* Someone who sets their long-term goals. 

You may be thinking Jacob and I’ve rushed into marriage. We didn’t rush into marriage. We’ve asked each other over three hundred questions while we were dating. We got to know each other really well. The topics of questions that we’ve asked each other was Spiritual, Family, Finances, Expectations, Your Relationship, Past History and Trust, Love, Intimacy, and Communication, and Social Media and Technology. 

Jacob do make me smile. Jacob do make me laugh. Jacob did serve a full-time mission and returned home with honor. Jacob shares his mission stories with me at anytime. Jacob loves sharing with me new ideas and I love sharing with him some new ideas as well. Jacob and I often do our best to be on the same page on everything. Jacob supports me for me being stay at home Mum. Jacob loves taking me on dates.

Jacob and I go to the Temple whenever we can. I know ever since we've three children who has our attention lot, living over two hours (slightly) from the nearest Temple, and sometimes Jacob works on Saturdays or sometimes something else comes up for Jacob to be unavailable; we go to the Temple as a married couple and participate ordinances together at least once a year. We'll do better to make new adjustments for us to go to the Temple more often. 

Jacob does hold a current Temple Recommend. Both my Temple Recommend and Jacob's Temple Recommend expires the same month in the same year. Jacob seems to be enjoying his current employment despite the days are long and the nights are short and despite of him training new workers. He loves his career path. 

I strongly believe that Jacob does set his own short-term goals and his own long-term goals. Jacob doest love me unconditionally, he's trustworthy, and he does support me into photography. To be honest, I’ve always wanted to marry a guy who has blonde hair, blue eyes, and taller than me. I prefer someone who has close age gap between my age to their age. 

Have you created a list of what you have for ideal future spouse to have (if you aren’t already married)? Do you have to make some adjustments to your list/s to match to your current spouse/partner? 

Stay Tuned. 

E's NICU Experiences

This post should take no longer than five minutes to read from start to finish. Trigger warning: This post does mention premature. I strongly believe premature will be triggered because not every premature baby stays in the NICU.

NICU experience and expectations would be different for each individual to have. Let me share with you my experience of E being in the NICU. After E was born, she was sent to the NICU and she has stayed for thirty-three days. Thankfully she didn’t have to stay in NICU until her due date. I've heard from a NICU nurse that babies who has been born prematurely mostly stay in the NICU until baby's/babies' due date.

I know that I've felt sad for weeks about reminding myself that I won’t be feeling any more E’s kicks in the womb, and my pregnancy journey with E has ended (earlier than expected). Within an hour after E was born and while I was early stages of recovering in my room at the hospital, I was given breakfast to consume and I was able to pump colostrum. I got so excited for wanting to visit E in the NICU. I wanted to see how she was doing and I was looking forward to the first time holding E after she was born. 

When I first held E, I felt so much gratitude instantly that she’s alive and I’m alive. I’ve made it through the emergency cesarean (c-section) despite how much pain that I’ve felt. When the first NICU visit comes to an end, I didn’t want to leave. I kept telling myself that I should’ve been still pregnant with her if I didn’t have any complications towards the end of my pregnancy with her. 

"tiny but MIGHTY"

During E’s stay in the NICU; I’ve learned how to use the breast pump for the first time and I don't even remember if I've heard breast pump prior to E's birth.

The first time experience of pumping was easy but after pumping for five days, I've started to feel exhausted but I didn't want to give up pumping. 

I’ve learned the different stages of breastmilk which includes colostrum, and learning the difference between fatty breastmilk and watery looking breastmilk. I've also learned more information about breast pumps (including how to clean them), pumping how to store colostrum and breastmilk and so forth.

One of the visits while I was still in the hospital for the first week; my OB came and visited me to say that it was a rare for someone at 32 weeks to pump colostrum. I didn't know what to say, and inner me felt shocked. I couldn't remember what my expressions was that I've shown outer me.  I truly feel there was a valid reason why I was able to produce colostrum and eventually breastmilk super early into my postpartum recovery. 

I was producing over 1oz (30ml) every three hours for the first several days and then gradually I was producing over 3oz (90ml) every three hours. Eventually I was producing over 5oz (150ml) every three hours. 

Every NICU visit; Jacob would go with me. Jacob and I took turns of holding E. Jacob and I took photos for memories and for us to look back one day how far she has come. Most NICU visits, I’ve given the NICU nurses for E to have the colostrum and breastmilk that I’ve pumped. Each NICU visit; Jacob and I felt so much gratitude that E is still alive. We’re very proud parents. The visits lasts one hour. 

Our visits always consist of; Jacob and I to take turns who says family prayers while one of us was holding E, Jacob says “I love you” to E, I’ve said E “I love you”, Jacob and I share to E about her to stay strong. Sometimes our visits consist of as additional to what was mentioned previously, Jacob and I share to E about we look forward to bringing her home one day, and Jacob and I also share a quick summary about our days was. 

One NICU visit, I’ve asked Jacob to give E a priesthood blessing. Jacob says “yes,” and he has given a powerful priesthood blessing to E. I didn’t remember what was said but I’m truly blessed for being married to honest and true priesthood holder. One NICU visit; I was able to bathe E for the first time. It was a sponge bath and it was fun experience. 

There was ten days when Jacob and I wasn’t able to visit E due to private reasons. During those ten days of not being able to visit her, I was able to drop by to the hospital once for the NICU nurse to collect breastmilk for E to have and I’ve called the NICU everyday to check on how E is doing and any updates. I missed E so badly during those ten days. Those ten days felt so long. I got so used to seeing her almost everyday and always look forward to visiting her. 

While E was in the NICU; I was able to focus on myself to recover as much as I can. I’ve pumped every three hours, I’ve slept so much, I still did laundry, and I still made dinner time to time. One of the NICU nurses has sent me a link to watch E on live through cam focuses on just E but the audio was turned off. I wasn’t able to hear her cries but I felt so grateful to still be able to see her. 

Stay Tuned.

Atonement⁠, Agency, Accountability - Part Two

This post focuses on highlights from a past General Conference talk called “Atonement, Agency, Accountability” by Elder Boyd K Packer in April 1988 and this post is part two.

Elder Packer has mentioned the following; “Whatever else happened in Eden, in his supreme moment of testing, Adam made a choice. After the Lord commanded Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth and commanded them not to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, He said: “Nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (⁠Moses 3:17⁠).

There was too much at issue to introduce man into mortality by force. … The plan provided that each spirit child of God would receive a mortal body and each would be tested. Adam saw that it must be so and made his choice. “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (⁠2 Ne. 2:25⁠).

Adam and Eve ventured forth to multiply and replenish the earth as they had been commanded to do. The creation of their bodies in the image of God, as a separate creation, was crucial to the plan. Their subsequent fall was essential if the condition of mortality was to exist and the plan proceed.

Jacob described what would happen to our bodies and our spirits except an atonement, an infinite atonement, were made. … Because of the Fall, the Atonement was absolutely essential for resurrection to proceed and overcome mortal death.

The Atonement was absolutely essential for men to cleanse themselves from sin and overcome the second death, which is the spiritual death, which is separation from our Father in Heaven. For the scriptures tell us, seven times they tell us, that no unclean thing may enter the presence of God.

… introduced Adam and Eve and their posterity to all the risks of mortality. In mortality men are free to choose, and each choice begets a consequence. The choice Adam made energized the law of justice, which required that the penalty for disobedience would be death.

… A redeemer was sent to pay the debt and set men free. That was the plan. Alma’s son Corianton thought it unfair that penalties must follow sin, that there need be punishment. In a profound lesson Alma taught the plan of redemption to his son, and so to us.

Alma spoke of the Atonement and said, “Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment” (⁠Alma 42:16⁠). If punishment is the price repentance asks, it comes at bargain price. Consequences, even painful ones, protect us. So simple a thing as a child’s cry of pain when his finger touches fire can teach us that. 

Except for the pain, the child might be consumed. I readily confess that I would find no peace, neither happiness nor safety, in a world without repentance. I do not know what I should do if there were no way for me to erase my mistakes. The agony would be more than I could bear. It may be otherwise with you, but not with me.

An atonement was made. Ever and always it offers amnesty from transgression and from death if we will but repent. Repentance is the escape clause in it all. Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from inside. We hold that key within our hands, and agency is ours to use it.

How supernally precious freedom is; how consummately valuable is the agency of man.

Lucifer in clever ways manipulates our choices, deceiving us about sin and consequences. He, and his angels with him, tempt us to be unworthy, even wicked. But he cannot, in all eternity he cannot, with all his power he cannot completely destroy us; not without our own consent. Had agency come to man without the Atonement, it would have been a fatal gift.

We are taught in Genesis, in Moses, in Abraham, in the Book of Mormon, and in the endowment that man’s mortal body was made in the image of God in a separate creation. Had the Creation come in a different way, there could have been no Fall.

…  How well I know that among learned men are those who look down at animals and stones to find the origin of man. … They train themselves to measure things by time, by thousands and by millions, and say these animals called men all came by chance. 

And this they are free to do, for agency is theirs. But agency is ours as well. We look up, and in the universe we see the handiwork of God and measure things by epochs, by eons, by dispensations, by eternities. 

The many things we do not know we take on faith. … It was all planned before the world was. Events from the Creation to the final, winding-up scene are not based on chance; they are based on choice! It was planned that way.

.. Had there been no Creation, no Fall, there should have been no need for any Atonement, neither a Redeemer to mediate for us. Then Christ need not have been. At Gethsemane and Golgotha the Savior’s blood was shed. Centuries earlier the Passover had been introduced as a symbol and a type of things to come. It was an ordinance to be kept forever (see Ex. 12⁠).

When the plague of death was decreed upon Egypt, each Israelite family was commanded to take a lamb, firstborn, male, without blemish. This paschal lamb was slain without breaking any bones, its blood to mark the doorway of the home. 

The Lord promised that the angel of death would pass over the homes so marked and not slay those inside. They were saved by the blood of the lamb. After the crucifixion of the Lord, the law of sacrifice required no more shedding of blood. 

For that was done, as Paul taught the Hebrews, “once for all, … one sacrifice for sins for ever” (⁠Heb. 10:10, 12⁠). The sacrifice thenceforth was to be a broken heart and a contrite spirit —repentance. And the Passover would be commemorated forever as the sacrament, in which we renew our covenant of baptism and partake in remembrance of the body of the Lamb of God and of His blood, which was shed for us.

It is no small thing that this symbol reappears in the Word of Wisdom. Beyond the promise that Saints in this generation, who obey, will receive health and great treasures of knowledge is this: “I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them” (⁠D&C 89:21⁠).

I cannot with composure tell you how I feel about the Atonement. It touches the deepest emotion of gratitude and obligation. My soul reaches after Him who wrought it, this Christ, our Savior of whom I am a witness. 

I testify of Him. He is our Lord, our Redeemer, our advocate with the Father. He ransomed us with His blood. … For agency is mine, and this I choose to do!”

Here's a link to the talk; 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1988/04/atonement-agency-accountability?lang=eng

Stay Tuned.

Atonement⁠, Agency, Accountability - Part One

What does Atonement means to you? What does Agency means to you? What does Accountability means to you? 

This post focuses on highlights from a past General Conference talk called “Atonement, Agency, Accountability” by Elder Boyd K Packer in April 1988. and this post is part one. This post should take approximately three minutes to five minutes to read. 

Elder Packer has mentioned the following; “Before the Crucifixion and afterward, many men have willingly given their lives in selfless acts of heroism. But none faced what the Christ endured. Upon Him was the burden of all human transgression, all human guilt. And hanging in the balance was the Atonement⁠. 

Through His willing act, mercy and justice could be reconciled, eternal law sustained, and that mediation achieved without which mortal man could not be redeemed. He, by choice, accepted the penalty for all mankind for the sum total of all wickedness and depravity; for brutality, immorality, perversion, and corruption; for addiction; for the killings and torture and terror —for all of it that ever had been or all that ever would be enacted upon this earth.

In choosing, He faced the awesome power of the evil one who was not confined to flesh nor subject to mortal pain. … How the Atonement was wrought, we do not know. No mortal watched as evil turned away and hid in shame before the light of that pure being. All wickedness could not quench that light.

When what was done was done, the ransom had been paid. Both death and hell forsook their claim on all who would repent. … Then every soul who ever lived could choose to touch that light and be redeemed. By this infinite sacrifice, through this atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

Atonement is really three words: At-one-ment, meaning to set at one, one with God; to reconcile, to conciliate, to expiate. … I quote from Paul’s letter to the Romans: “Christ died for us. … “We were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

"What does Atonement mean?" 

“And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement⁠” (⁠Rom. 5:8, 10–11⁠).

...  Nephi said, “Because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, … an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them” (⁠1 Ne. 13:29⁠). 

He then prophesied that the precious things would be restored (see 1 Ne. 13:34–35⁠). And they were restored. 

I quote but one verse from Alma: “And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also” (⁠Alma 42:15⁠; italics added).

The cost of the Atonement was borne by the Lord without compulsion, for agency is a sovereign principle. According to the plan, agency must be honored. It was so from the beginning, from Eden. “The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency” (⁠Moses 7:32⁠)." 

To continue reading along with more highlights from this General Conference talk, I strongly recommend you to look forward to reading part two.  

Twenties Summary

Happy THIRTY Birthday to me. This post should take up to three minutes to read from start to finish. I have so much to share but I would like to share with you a summary of my twenties (from twenty years old to twenty-nine years old). 

• I’ve met Jacob online and in person when I was twenty-one years old. Jacob was my first boyfriend (we’ve dated for ten months - exactly) and I was twenty-one years old at the beginning our relationship.

•  Jacob was my first fiancé (our engagement lasted for ten months and one day). I was twenty-two years old at the beginning our engagement.

• Jacob and I got married when I was twenty-three years old.

• I've graduated Institute and received my endowments when I was twenty-one years old. 

• I've completed the Brigham Young University (BYU) Pathways program that runs through the Church when I was twenty-two years old.
  
• I didn’t serve a full-time mission or a part-time mission but I did serve as a Temple Ordinance Worker in Brisbane LDS Temple in Kangaroo Point, Queensland Australia when I was twenty-two years old to when I was twenty-three years old for 9 months.  

• I've completed two Self-Reliance courses (one of them is Personal Finances and the other one is Starting and Growing My Business) and I got married when I was twenty-three years old.

• I’ve worked in many Domino’s stores while I was employed in Domino’s Industry from when I was twenty years old (November 2016) to twenty-three years old (July 2019).

• I’ve moved countries when I was twenty-three years old, and I still miss living my home country - Australia. I'm still Australian and still have Australian citizenship.

• I’ve gotten my Green Card approval (proof of identification for being US resident, proof of identification for me to live in US legally, proof of identification for me being able to work legally, and proof of identification for me being able to study legally) and I’ve became a homeowner within two years of marriage. 

• I’ve experienced infertility before I finally conceived with E. I became a mother to three children within five years of marriage. Jacob and I definitely didn’t plan on having close age gap for our children so each child has been a huge blessing into our lives in different ways. I found out that I was pregnant with E when I was close to turning twenty-five years old.

• I’ve been to variety of states in Australia including layovers. I’ve been to Queensland (Brisbane), ACT - Australian Capital Territory (Canberra), New South Wales (Sydney), Western Australia (Perth), and Melbourne (Victoria).

• I’ve been to variety of countries including layovers. I’ve been to FIJI (Nan), New Zealand (Auckland), United States (California - Los Angeles, and San Diego), United States (Louisiana - Shreveport), United Staes (New Mexico - Alamogordo), United States (Texas - Dallas and many other places), and United States (Utah - many places). 

• I went to eleven LDS Temples in Utah to participate in ordinances within three weeks while being on vacation in Utah in February 2018. Jacob and I went to three LDS Temples in Utah together to participate ordinances within forty-eight hours after meeting each other in person. 

Stay Tuned.