Sunday, April 10, 2022

I love Celebrating Holy Week


We are back from a trip to Bahia Blanca from April 7-10. Yesterday, we had the groundbreaking of the Bahia Blanca temple and how I love celebrating Holy Week or Semana Santa after we had just returned from the groundbreaking. How fitting! 


The beautiful program lasted for about an hour. I was touched by the young adult’s testimonies and the children’s choir. This special temple will be an added blessing for the people in Argentina.


As I listened to our dear friends, Ines Walker and Elder Joaquin Costa I thought about our grandchildren and their progression in the midst of all the complexity and uncertainty found in the world today.


I feel confident in their ability to navigate these choppy waters and testify that the Lord has foreseen our day and in loving kindness offered compensatory spiritual powers and amazing parents, aunts and uncles that all our children are. 


As I listened to the children’s choir, I thought of our grandchildren and these two questions came to mind:

 

· What the youth of 2022 are carrying (spiritually, mentally and emotionally) in their hearts each day

· What tools the Lord has provided for His and our children through Prophets, Seers and Revelators 


The following conference and related talks are excellent references and examples of the Lord's love and concern for our youth:

Watching with All Perseverance - Elder David A. Bednar

Parents and Children - President Dallin H. Oaks

A Sin-Resistant Generation and Essential Conversations - Sister Joy D. Jones

Be of Good Cheer; Children and Youth is Here - President Steven J. Lund


I see great evidences of the power of God in the lives of our grandchildren. I am grateful for our children and their efforts to be amazing good parents - it is making a difference and their lives are brighter and happier because of it. We feel gratitude for role in teaching their children, our grandchildren those things that matter most. 


We hope you take the time to be part of this special Holy week as we commemorate the life, atonement and resurrection of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The Church has a beautiful new Easter video under the ComeuntoChrist website we can enjoy together with our children. 


This is one of our favorites:  https://youtu.be/8KCUs7oJxjc 



I am also posting a newsletter I received today from Work and Wonder 

Sunday April 10, 2022 

The Power of Spiritual Momentum 

By Russell M. Nelson 

 

Good morning friend!

 

Happy Palm Sunday! What a beautiful day to begin our study of the words of general conference—sure testimonies of light, truth, and our Living Savior.

 

In his Sunday afternoon address, President Nelson extended 5 powerful invitations to us. But as I reread his words I noticed one of them was repeated 5 times…

 

— “My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life.”

 

— “I plead with you to do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives.”

 

— “I repeat my call to end the conflicts in your life.”

 

— “Between now and [Easter], I invite you to seek an end to a personal conflict that has weighed you down.”

 

— “Strive to end conflict in your life.”

 

When you first heard these words, maybe a point of conflict in your like came to mind right away. And maybe the immediate thought following was how impossible that seemed—the hurt is too deep, the time passed is too much, the opportunity is far too gone. When the weight of forgiving, hearts softening, and minds changing weighs on us, it does feel impossible. And quite frankly, with our ability alone, it likely is. But then President Nelson said this, “If forgiveness presently seems impossible, plead for power through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to help you.

 

Get on your knees and plead. Again and again. Believe that is it possible with Him.

 

The conflict may not end all at once. But that doesn't mean the promised blessings of “personal peace and burst of spiritual momentum” won't begin to be realized as we try. Let us begin today, on Palm Sunday, to shout Hosana (save us!) to He who bears healing in His wings.

 

Affirmation 

I am resolving personal conflict in my life as I plead for His power to help me. Through Christ, I know hearts will soften and what is broken will be made whole.



Happy Easter!

Vero and Daniel 

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

April 2022 General Conference


Wasn't the General Conference wonderful? President Nelson spoke out against war but asked church members to begin to pursue peace within their own hearts by forgiving others.

“My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end the conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home and your life. Bury any and all inclinations to hurt others — whether those inclinations be a temper, a sharp tongue or a resentment for someone who has hurt you. The Savior commanded us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies and to pray for those who despitefully use us.”

 

Also, issued a direct invitation to Church members to begin immediately 

 

 “Two weeks from today we celebrate Easter. Between now and then, I invite you to seek an end to a personal conflict that has weighed you down. Could there be a more fitting act of gratitude to Jesus Christ for his Atonement? If forgiveness presently seems impossible, plead for power through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to help you. As you do so, I promise personal peace and a burst of spiritual momentum.”

 

He gave 5 ways to maintain spiritual momentum

1 Get on the covenant path and stay there

2 Discover the joy of daily repentance

3 Learn about Bod and how He works 

4 Seek and expect miracles

5 End conflict in your personal life

 

Some of my favorite quotes were: 

“Any war is a horrifying violation of everything the Lord Jesus Christ taught and stand for” 

“Satan delights in your misery. Cut is short!” 

“the Adversary never sleeps. There will always be opposition to the truth.” 

“Positive spiritual momentum will keep us moving forward amid fear and uncertainty” 

 

We feel so blessed to have stayed a couple of extra days in Cusco and met some of the members. They were asking Daniel if he knew of a temple there, he had the feeling there would be one built soon and “lo and behold” one was announced yesterday in Cusco, Peru. In only four years, President Nelson has announced 100 new temples. There will be 282 temples operating soon and one close to our heart is the San Juan, Puerto Rico temple which is under construction. 

 

Those are some of our takeaways.

 

Con amor,

Vero

 

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Sunday Notes

(Morning)

Paying tithing is not a token gift we are somehow charitably bestowing upon God. Paying tithing is discharging a debt. 

We will give the God and Father of us all a helping hand with His staggering task of answering prayers. Providing comfort drying tears. And strengthening feeble knees. If we will do that, we will be more like the true disciples of Christ we are meant to be. 

He does not need you to be His sheriff, He needs you to be His sharer. 

Less about the way I which we were deliverer and more about the deliverer himself.

Grace is curative, redeeming and enabling.

He can heal broken.

We can fix this together

Every act of kindness and concern is the covenant way.

God’s plan is not a cosmic vending machine.

 Our deliverance will look different for each person, but there is nothing broken that He cannot heal. 

Waiting on the Lord can be a sacred place.

Rather than get angry with God, get close to God.

Forgiveness is the noblest gift we can give each other and ourselves.

Salvation is a personal matter, exaltation is a family matter.

Forward thrust. Positive momentum.

There is too much refining to do for this path t be made easy.

How should I go up to the Father and you (our friends, neighbors, family, community, not with me? All of us should be striving to gather Israel and leave none behind, take them all with us. 

Raising our kids to be self -reliant

Fear not, I am with thee.

Our emphasis should always 

Is it well with my soul

Covenant path

Daily repentance

Learn about God and how He works

Seek and expect miracles

Seek an end to conflict.

Spiritual momentum:

Get on the covenant path and stay there

Discover the joy of daily repentance

Learn about God and how He works (pray always, learn to conquer Satan)

Seek and expect miracles

End conflict in your personal life. (humility strength and courage are required) 

Caution: Returning to the covenant path is not easy. It is meant to test and teach us. 

The Savior gave His life so we could go home.

Find joy in daily repentance 

Give God a fair share of your time

The prophet promised: you will be able to move forward with increased momentum, greater strength to resist temptation, more peace of mind, freedom from fear and greater unity in families. 

We need daily worship experiences with God.

Cast Satan’s influence out of your life. 

Past admonitions: Hear Him, Moving Mountain, Let God prevail, Covenant Path.

Learn about God and the way He works.

Seek an end to a personal conflict that has weigh you down. 

Doubt nothing.

Satan enjoys in your misery, cut it short!

A testimony that is not nourished daily by the good work of God can crumble. 

How can I go to the Father and not take you with me.

We have never needed positive momentum more than now.

We need the peace that only the Savior can bring.

None of us can control others but we can control ourselves. My call is to end conflicts that are reaching into your heart, your hone, your life. Bury any weapons such as temper, a sharp tongue or resentment toward someone who has hurt you. 

Whether in a chapel, synagogue, mosque or tin-rooted hut, Christ’s disciples, and all like-minded believers, can express devotion to God by worship of Him and willingness to serve His children. 

His gospel blesses families here on earth and throughout the eternities. 

When religion is given the freedom to flourish, the good of religion, the reach of religion, and the heroic acts of loving our neighbors which religion inspires. Only multiply. 

Self- reliance has helped me gain the needed skills to be spiritual self -reliant. 

Religious freedom = love

Who will respond to the Saviors plea? We will! 

Believers perform simple and sometimes heroic acts of service.

Jesus went about doing good so must we.

Serve, love; Share, invite. Nothing new, extension of who we are. 

Jesus was the answer then and He is the answer now. 

Come and belong!

We all need to help others return to Him. He gave His life to bring us home.  

God will deliver, leave it to him. The management and timing. 

Provers: 3: 5-6 

Don’t get angry with God, get closer to God. 

We are God’s children set apart for immortality and eternal life. 

We can trust God and find joy in Him.

Waiting on the Lord can be a sacred place.

Come and see, come and serve, come and belong!

We are the focus of Heavenly Father’s plan

BE always ready for Him to do His work in His way through us.

Call upon them, walk with them, allow them to walk with you and prevail in your life. Let God prevail.

Waiting and learning in the sacred places, this is a sacred place to wait and learn of Him. Choose Him again and again. 

Even if you don’t know the meaning of all things, know God loves His children. 

The father in the prodigal son story started with love.

The miracles we need will fall on the very day we need them.

Forgiving others is a universal commandment. 

Jesus Christ is the answer. Why does Heavenly Father’s personalized plan for us include helping others to return to Him? Because that is how we became like Jesus Christ. God has a plan of happiness for each one of us individually. 

He knows our hearts, our names and what He needs us to do. 

None of us are beyond the reach of Christ’s healing powers. He loves us all, His atonement was for all. 

Intentionally choose Jesus Christ, again and again. 

How shall I go to my Heavenly Father and you not be with me.

A close relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is worth every cost

He can fix all broken things in your life 

The world is in desperate need of disciples of Christ, sharing his love. Come see and come belong. 

Whenever we show Christ like love towards our neighbor, we preach the gospel even if we do not voice a single word. 

Forgiveness is one of the noblest gifts we can give each other

Jesus Christ was the answer than and he is the answer now. Our focus should be less upon the way in which we are delivered and more upon the deliver Himself. 

In the end, it is the blessing of a close and abiding relationship with the Father and the Son that we seek. It makes all the difference and is everlasting worth the cost. 

 (Afternoon )

Your experience with the scriptures must be your own

When we study the scriptures, there is no spiritual famine in the land

Desperate Vs. the still small voice 

The gift of agency is not simply the right to choose. It is the opportunity to choose the right.”

The Savior isn’t a rest area or land mark. He is the way

It is not only possible but essential go love a child of God who also has beliefs different from our own. 

In mortality, it is our strength that is being tested—not God’s 

When choosing the Lord, we may choose persecution. If that’s true, I choose to be persecuted with you wonderful women as we stand out and speak up together.

Focus on your destination and get pedaling

There is always something wonderful and fascinating to learn about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Stand in Awe of Jesus, in spiritual wonder. 

Stand out, speak up. Be different, undoubted courage. 

We shouldn’t live our faith at periscope depth

Giving our all requires letting some things go and letting other things grow. 

Sacrificing anything that is holding us back, and then consecrating our whole selves’ souls to Jesus Christ. It wall becomes one work, one joy, one holy purpose. 

Consistent daily efforts. The core of our efforts should be love the Lord and our neighbors.

If we really want to be disciples of Christ, we will find a way

When we consecrate something we don’t leave it at the altar; we put it to service. We dedicate it to Him and is service. Many of us will not be called upon to sacrifice our lives, but we are all invited to consecrate or lives too Him. 

You will be my people and I will be your God

There is no substitute for the time you spend I the scriptures hearing the Holy Ghost speak to you.

Sacrifice what is holding you back and consecrate the rest.

Maintaining balance is about moving forward

My home is a sanctuary where God comes first. One benefit of Come Follow Me!

Let some things go and some things Grow

We need to immerse ourselves with faith and real intent in the Savior… there is always something wonderful and fascinating to learn about Jesus and His gospel.

The blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ are immeasurable because they are eternal. Choose to come. 

Complacency is a daily foe

Crowds cannot make right what God has made wrong 

“Positive spiritual momentum increases as we worship in the temple and grow in our understanding of the magnificent breadth and depth of the blessing we receive there.” President Nelson

WE can’t be casual or occasional. 

We choose faith 

Focus on the eternal blessings of the temple

One work, one joy, one holy purpose

The good Shepard is always good 

We need to choose to come

Out of small things proceeded that which is great

There are a lot of things we can’t control. One thing we can control is the use of our time. The Now on which we stand is all we have.


Now, it's time to dig in! 

Con amor,

Vero

Monday, April 4, 2022

Women's Session

A pinch, A spoonful. A ray. 

Weakness is different than rebellion

He loves you more than you know

It’ s not about doing more is about doing what matters

I you want to know anything you will have to do something

Our past and present circumstances do not determine our future

Keeping temple covenants is how we endure to the end

Salt Leven Light

No matter our circumstances our lives are sacred and have meaning and purpose 

A gospel of action a gospel of joy

Be doers of the word not just listeners. What matters most?

Boss your brain

Conversion won’t come by doing nothing

Your light can be steady leading others to peace

There is always a way to do the right thing

The more we do to stay in the covenant path the more our faith will grow

Keeping covenants brings happiness

Do not misplace eternal values

It’s not about doing more, is about doing what matters 

Repent repair and try again

Stepping up and standing out

The power is in us

Put on your shoes is coming

Repent, repair and try again

Distinct and different in happy ways

He will bless you with his priesthood power and enable you to be a profound influence on all with whom you will interact.

God’s love is perfect, the ability to sense that love is not 

You are the women who will fulfil the prophecies that have been foretold

It isn’t about the ice-cream and it isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters. 

Step up and stand out as a daughter of God 

Cut it short 

Current situation do not determine our future

Out of small things procedeth things that are great

Jesus Christ is our healing light 

God’s love is perfect but the ability to feel his love is imperfect

Be the salt in your family

Choose to be one of the 99. Be obedient. 

It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters. It’s applying the doctrine of Christ in our lives as we strive to become more like Him. 

Anger can obscure the spirit 

Is my love for God constant? 

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of action and a gospel of joy

The Lord sees weakness differently than rebellion

It’s about doing what matters. It’s applying the doctrine to Christ in our lives as we strive to become more like Him

Don’t let speculation lead to deception 

Heavenly Father’s prescribed path produces the best eternal outcomes

With Jesus Christ as our anchor and perfect partner, we are assured of his loving strength in trial and of eventual deliverance through Him… The spiritual equipment that keeps us from being broken on the rocks of adversity is our testimony of Jesus Christ and the covenants we make. 

Pray intently to know what is distracting me today from focusing on what matters most with a willingness to make some changes

I am a beloved daughter. I have Heavenly parents. My nature is divine. I have an eternal destiny. 

May I offer an invitation that we each study, ponder and pray about these truths and seek to understand how they can help us with our problems and challenges in this mortal life. 

I invite you to center your life in Jesus Christ and remember the foundational truths in the young women theme. 


Sunday, April 3, 2022

More quotes from Conference

‘We each have a story and in and through Christ we become our best story”

“Please stay for the whole feast even if you are not sure about the broccoli”

“Do not destroy a life that Christ gave His life to preserve. Do not deny us the chance to have you.” 

“We might want to run away from where we are but we cannot run away from who we are. Fear not! Believe only!” 

“He loves you in a way you have yet to discover” 

“Jesus specializes in the seemingly impossible.” 

“More capacity to do Good than any previous generation”

“Jesus really does want you for a sunbeam” 

“You are His most precious possession”

“Begin your search for happiness by embracing the bounty we have already received from the giver of every good gift.” 

“God’s promise to Israel, you are mine”

“He saved the finest for last. That’s you”

“Do not minimize the light God put in your soul before you were born”

“Be authentic to your real true self”

“Power is to change within us because of His grace.”

“We need to come converted to the will of God”

“The love of the Savior will be our guiding light” 

“True conversion is the conscious acceptance of the will of God.”

“Alma 34;31”

“We all have a story. Ties with ancestors increases family closeness gratitude, miracles. Such ties can bring help from the other side of the veil.”

“We were born at this time for a divine purpose. The gathering of Israel, with Jesus by our side we can do hard things.” 

“Find your family and bring them home’

“We can be changed and become new creatures through His Grace”

“When Jesus Christ is inviting us to repent, He is inviting us to change”

“We should be authentic to our true selves, we are divine” 

“The plan of happiness is also the plan of redemption…that is why He sent a redeemer”

“When we struggle for any reason, that doesn’t mean the plan isn’t working. That is when we need the plan the most. The plan works!”

“ Jesus specializes in seemingly impossible. He came here to make the impossible, possible, the irredeemable, redeemable, to heal the unhealable, to right the unrightable, and to promise the unpromisable.” 

“Peter trusted the Savior more than he trusted his boat”

“Connecting with our ancestors can change our lives in surprising ways”


Con amor,

Vero

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Saturday Feast upon the word

I love all the quotes that stand out at General Conference!

 

“May this conference be a time of spiritual feasting…seek and receive spiritual revelation” 

“Relief of poverty, illness, doubt, ignorance, and all that hinders joy and progress.’

“Each one of us has a role to play…you are vital to the Lord… you have been held in reserve.” 

“Hands open, hearts stretched wide.”

“Lord, I give you everything until I have nothing more to give” 

“Boundaries don’t need to be battle ground”

“Sometimes Jesus said nothing” 

“Contention violates everything the Savior stood for and taught. I love the Lord Jesus Christ and testify that His gospel is the only enduring solution for peace. His gospel is a gospel of peace.”

“Today is the day to decide to follow Jesus Christ”

“We will heed not”

“Covenant Connection”

“The Church is more than the buildings, the Church is us”

“Yoked with and bound to =trust “

“Jesus Christ is indeed a personal Savior.” 

“What helps you heed not worldly influences mocking and scorn”

“Have Love”

“Our Savior knows the storms and the places of safety on our way home.”

“So often children are at peace in whatever their circumstances because their parents are there. They trust that all will be well because their parents will make it so. Do we have that same trust in our Heavenly Father?” 

“The Savior knows the way and is the way”

“The church is the scaffolding in which we built eternal families.” 

“We strive to fulfill {Relief Society’s} divine purpose, which is for women to accomplish God’s work in individual as well as collective ways by providing relief. Relief of poverty, relief of illness, relief of doubt, relief of ignorance, relief of all that hinders joy and progress.”

“Even our smallest efforts are making a difference in the Lord’s kingdom.” (Like the child’s faith that a dollar could build a whole meetinghouse.)

“Sometimes we are givers and sometimes receivers”

“Your releasing from your mission isn’t a releasing from the membership of the Church”

“Each one of us has a role to play in the gathering of Israel”

“love generously live mercifully” 

“Peacemakers are confident in beliefs but void anger The are not passive. They are persuasive in the Savior’s way” 

“Hold fast don’t just cling to the word of God”

“We are all inflicted in some manner. Then later, He will make us whole”

“Faith focused on and in Jesus Christ fortifies us with spiritual strength” 

“We are all one family of Christ”

“Do not fear” D & C 6:36; 2 Timothy 1:7 

“The world hated Him before they hated you”

“Have the doctrine written on our hearts” 

“Press on, hold fast, heed not” 

“Fidelity to covenants and ordinances allows us to hold fast to Christ” 

“Heed not what the wicked may say but the Lord we will obey”

“If we abide in Christ, He will abide in us”

“When we want to please the Lord is when we know we are changing” 

“Do I allow my afflictions to be consecrated to my gain?”

“The place to begin is to know that I am a beloved child of God & to trust His inspired servants.” 

“To be like a child is not to be childish, it is to be like the Savior who prayed to His Father for strength” 

“Accepting His will is key to finding joy”

“Unbelief blocks our ability to see the miracles”

“Faith is not by chance but by choice”

“It has never been more important to understand how to build on that sure foundation.” 

“Accepting His will in place of our own is the key to finding joy no matter our circumstances.”

“He knows the way, He is the way”

“At judgement day, we don’t want to shrink in His presence. We want to stand and smile.” 

“Overdependence of ourselves can impede our ability to call upon the powers of heaven.” 

“Young Women theme is for all” 

“Show God He can trust you”

“This generation has more capacity to do good than any other. Lend your candle for the cause. Fear not, believe only.” 

“Jesus came to give us life by conquering death”

“To change our nature we need to be like little children: submissive, patient, humble, and meek.” 

 

Con amor,

Vero

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, April 1, 2022

How to get ready for General Conference

Here are some ideas of how we can get ready for General Conference.

Read your Patriarchal blessing

Go to the temple

Ask questions that has to do with family, your calling, work, move, think of each children, how to remain strong in the gospel, how do I stay in the covenant path, we need to be scriptorians and articulate etc.

Put on your favorite clothes as if you were going inside the Conference Center 

Clear out your calendar

Reviewing the last conference talks 

Go somewhere remote to focus

Having a notebook and writing supplies 

Reserve our place to watch conference with a blanket and pillow

Prepare special food

Preparing for Conference starting the week before:

Sunday: Prayer and scripture Study 

Monday: Establishing a house of God 

Tuesday: Let in the light

Wednesday: Gathering your questions

Thursday: Invite people to watch Conference 

Friday: Set your intentions for how General Conference is going to go


I can't wait to be back in Utah to start a new traditions. 


Con amor,

Vero