Category: Promptings of the Spirit

All the math

Sometimes we need to add things to our lives, and other times, the best thing we can do is subtract. This quote is so vital in the process,

Sometimes we speak almost casually about walking away from the world with its contention, pervasive temptations, and false philosophies. But truly doing so requires you to examine your life meticulously and regularly. As you do so, the Holy Ghost will prompt you about what is no longer needful, what is no longer worthy of your time and energy.

As you shift your focus away from worldly distractions, some things that seem important to you now will recede in priority. You will need to say no to some things, even though they may seem harmless. As you embark upon and continue this lifelong process of consecrating your life to the Lord, the changes in your perspective, feelings, and spiritual strength will amaze you!

Russell M. Nelson, Spiritual Treasures October 2019

This quote identifies two important goals of mortality: to consecrate your life to the Lord and overcome the world. To succeed, President Nelson directs us to be intentional about subtraction.

Maybe you’re in a season of exponential demands. Perhaps you are in a season of multiplication, where you take on more responsibility or have another child. Or, you have to divide your time between heavy responsibilities. Perhaps you need to add something to your routine to make yourself stronger. No matter your season of life and its accompanying math, don’t forget the need for inspired subtraction.

Something that helped me this week

In my personal study of the Creation, I looked at each day and pondered what the Lord was revealing about himself.

For instance, on day 2, He created the heavens. Here were some of my thoughts,

God is aware of our specific temperature and oxygen requirements. The atmosphere protects, insulates, provides rain. = He doesn’t intend for our lives to be uncomfortable all the time. God is our protector and aids our every breath.

He prepared the atmosphere to sustain life. He prepared Jesus Christ to give life.

He provides a Comforter to be with us. During mortality, we are engulfed in heavenly help, just as we are encircled by the heavens.

Perhaps this exercise would be helpful to you. What is the Lord revealing to you about Himself through His creations?

Simple solutions

One night when I was sick recently, I struggled to fall asleep. There played in my mind a rapid-fire slideshow of images I had seen on my phone while I was sick in bed. Advice, decor, shopping, Christmas traditions, clothes, and all kinds of information flashed in an endless loop, robbing me of peace.

Eventually, sleep came, and when I woke up, I had no appetite for more images. Media was wearing me out, physically and mentally. It was time to consume less.

The solutions to our problems can almost always be articulated in a few simple words, or can be broken into simple steps.

Consume less.

Say less.

Be less impressed with yourself.

Drink more water.

Breathe.

Be present.

Keep going.

Do one thing differently.

Add one thing to your routine.

Call them.

Begin.

Each of these has been a solution, simply expressed, to different problems in my life.

My best advice for a concrete, approachable solution to your biggest problem is to pray. Trust that the idea, motivation, help, or information you need will be given to you at the perfect time. It will almost always be a simple command or a sequence of simple, actionable steps. Really!

My class

Posing for a picture to send to Mark on his birthday

I learn many things as a teacher of this Sunday School class. I have been a student of the scriptures throughout my life, and I have experience in receiving personal revelation about passages of scripture, but there is a new level of insight that has come with this calling.

Clear ideas flood my mind when I prepare to teach this group of adults.

My takeaway is that these adults are as precious to the Lord as the children and youth of the church. What happens in our Sunday School class matters to Him because He loves them and wants to help them.

He, Only One

Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him–

Saying: Father, behold the death and sufferings of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of the Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.

Doctrine and Covenants 45:3-5

Today I noticed that Jesus Christ refers to himself as the advocate, meaning he’s the only way any of us is returning home. And what a tender, omniscient advocate he is!

What seemingly invisible efforts does he notice you are making to improve?

What unspoken wound does he know you are carrying that would designate your efforts as courageous?

What answers are you seeking that he can help you realize?

What noble, internal battle are you facing that he is helping you overcome?

What personal victory is he celebrating with you?

Let’s try this. Tonight, before you pray, imagine Jesus Christ close by. He is your Advocate with the Father. Ask yourself, “What would my Savior say to the Father about me?”

And then become silent.

Listen for that voice that says good things about you—the voice of the Savior, your finest friend, and your Father in Heaven, who is really there. Remember, Their love and your worth are always great, no matter what!

–Tamara W. Runia, “Your Repentance Doesn’t Burden Jesus Christ; It Brightens His Joy,” April 2025

See also Hymn #129, Where Can I Turn for Peace?

Amplify

Here are some of my thoughts from a recent study of Doctrine and Covenants 25.

One thing I have misread in scripture with my modern eyes is the instruction to Emma Smith that her “time shall given to writing.” The Lord wasn’t telling her to be a writer or historian while running a 19th century household. Occasionally, she was to write as a scribe for Joseph. She was also to write in preparation to expound scripture and exhort the church.

I have found guidance and wisdom from this section of scripture all my life. One reason I misunderstood what the Lord was telling Emma was because the Spirit was inspiring me to actually be a writer through these words.

This scripture is still instructive to me. Like it was for Emma, my efforts to write help me learn new things. With this knowledge, I can amplify the gospel of Jesus Christ within my circle of influence.

In writing about faith and sharing glimpses of family life on the blog these past 16 years, I don’t think I’ve expressed anything new. However, I have come to see truth more clearly, so I have “learn[ed] much!”

On his way

For years, I noticed the palms placed in the celestial room of my nearest temple. I saw them as a symbol associated with the shout of Hosanna from the Psalms and Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Hosanna is used in hope and praise and means, “Please save us!”

Not too long ago, the palms in the celestial room of my temple were replaced with fig trees. Every detail of the temple can be a symbol of Christ, and these are just my reflections on the pretty plants in the room, and I don’t suggest any hidden intent in the change of greenery! The fig tree can serve as a reminder that the Savior will come again in the last days, or in other words, he answers our plea, “I’m coming!”

While we await a glorious Second Coming of the Savior when all will see him, I know when I pray for help, he is already moving to my aid. He gently reminds me that he’s coming. He’s already taken care of everything, but he is on his way to comfort me while I wait for resolution.

Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority.

-President Russell M. Nelson

By way of a broken heart

As I studied Joseph Smith’s First Vision this week, I made note of two words. What do you learn from the use of these words?

From President Eyring,

Joseph Smith’s experience is a pattern we can follow to recognize personal messages from God…

There may be many reasons God could speak so powerfully to young Joseph, but a primary reason was that his heart was ready.

A BROKEN HEART IS A PREPARED HEART

Joseph had a broken heart for at least two reasons. He wanted forgiveness of his sins and weaknesses, which he knew could only come through Jesus Christ. And he was desperate to know which of the contending churches was right and which he should join.

-Henry B Eyring, The First Vision: A Pattern for Personal Revelation, February 2020.

I think broken hearts are repentant and teachable, humble and malleable. I want a heart like Joseph.

If Any of You Lack Wisdom by Walter Rane

Happy memory

Richard and I became engaged during the first week of January, 30 years ago. This little remembrance has been like glitter to my thoughts this week as I have swept away most of the sparkle of Christmas decorations. I believe that we make important decisions each day, including how to spend our time, and with whom we spend our time, but there are a few moments of decision that have immense impact.

Choosing to say yes to Richard’s proposal was the best decision. I wasn’t expecting a proposal that evening, but I remember almost immediately after saying yes, I told him that we would have a good life together…as if I could know…which I couldn’t, on my own. This was a little insight from the Lord, given to me at a critical moment of decision: things are going to be good with this man at your side.

In the temple laundry room

A few months ago we took a shift to clean the temple from 10 pm to midnight. People are doing this all of the time, and it was not a big sacrifice. I helped clean the baptistry, and part of my job was to dust the walls of the laundry room, which were not dusty, unlike the walls of my own home.

I was regretting that I wasn’t having a spiritual experience in this temple laundry room when this song came to my mind. The Spirit reminded me that caring for this room was a way to show my gratitude to my Heavenly Father for this temple and for His goodness to me all my life. So, I finished my shift, singing this song in my mind. The Spirit showed up for me in the laundry room that night to expand my vision.

I should ask the question more often, what can I do this day to show my gratitude to God?