Quote - Moral Courage

"The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived; behind that facade is heartache, unhappiness and pain. .. YOU be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow."

--Thomas S Monson, "Examples of Righteousness", Ensign, May 2008, 65-68

Julia and Emily: Sisters in Zion

Ever wondered who wrote the hymn "As Sisters in Zion"? Read the story below to find out.

My second great-grandmother Julia Hill and her sister Emily were baptized as teens in England, and then their parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Hill, disowned them. Nevertheless, Julia and Emily earned their own passage to America and sailed from Liverpool on the ship Thornton. Also on board this ship was Captain James G. Willie, who led the fourth handcart company west.

Once 23-year-old Julia and 20-year-old Emily arrived in Iowa, they joined the Willie handcart company. Early winter snowstorms caused everyone to suffer from hunger and exposure. On Rocky Ridge in Wyoming, many starved or froze to death. Those who survived were comforted in their suffering by their testimonies of Jesus Christ. But I believe what saved Julia and Emily, in addition to their testimonies, was their love for each other as sisters.

--Debbie J Christensen

(For the full article, click here)

Responding to Persecution with Faith and Courage

In February 1839, a kind neighbor helped Emma Smith place her four children and her few belongings into a wagon lined with straw. When their party came to the frozen Mississippi River, Emma walked across the ice with her children, carrying the manuscripts of the Prophet’s Bible translation in two cloth bags tied around her waist under her skirt. She and many other destitute Saints took refuge in the community of Quincy, Illinois, where they continued to suffer from hunger, cold, and sickness, though these sufferings were alleviated by many acts of kindness from a caring community.

To persecute means to subject (someone) to hostility and ill-treatment especially because of their race or political or religious beliefs.

The prophet Joseph Smith was very forthright when he said:

“All Saints! profit by this important Key—that in all your trials, troubles, temptations, afflictions, bonds, imprisonments and death, see to it, that you do not betray heaven; that you do not betray Jesus Christ; that you do not betray the brethren; that you do not betray the revelations of God, whether in the Bible, Book of Mormon, or Doctrine and Covenants, or any other that ever was or ever will be given and revealed unto man in this world or that which is to come. Yea, in all your kicking and flounderings, see to it that you do not this thing, lest innocent blood be found upon your skirts, and you go down to hell.”

Some pointers from this lesson:

1. The enemy of truth opposes the servants of the Lord , especially as they grow closer to the Lord
2. Those who love God will bear persecution with courage and faith
3. God's mighty power will sustain those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake

(For the full lesson, click here)

Quote - Courage

"Life's journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed: the courage to say, 'No,' the courage to say, 'Yes.' Decisions do determine destiny. The call for courage comes constantly to each of us. It has ever been so, and so shall it ever be."

--Thomas S Monson, "The Call for Courage", Ensign, May 2004, 54-55

I love quotes from our church leaders. They are like scripture to me. This is a feature I'd like to add to this blog so that all of us can learn together. What do you think?