Collected thoughts

I was able to go to the Draper Temple Dedication this last Sunday and I wanted to express that I know the temple is the house of God. As it says in Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:8, "a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of God." 

I want to share a couple of other things that have stood out to me recently. They may not have any coherent link but rather important principles. 

1. A friend asked me if my mouth ever hurts from Ismiling too much, it was a random thing said without thought but it made me think - sure i have had those moments but at the same time I can smile more...

2. Ether 2:16, the Lord is speaking to the Brother of Jared and tells him to build barges, the exact words are "Go to work and build, after the manner of barges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did go to work". I really like that phrase, its also interesting to note that later the Lord didn't tell him how to light the barges but rather Jared took an idea to the Lord. 

3. Here are a couple of quotes fr Personally, I am enthusiastic about the future. You can be too. You are living in the most exciting period of time in history. Many reasons could be cited for that optimism. Yet your greatest source of hope and assurance is that you have the fulness of the teachings of the Master. They will show you how to live a good life. You can receive ordinances and covenants that when righteously lived assure true happiness and significant attainment.

Life is beautiful when you make the effort to find beauty in it. In some of the most materially deprived parts of the world, I have seen the sunrise in all of its splendor and heard birds joyously welcoming a new day. I have seen beauty reflected in a small pot of flowers by a humble shelter or in the shy, beaming grin of a child at play, intent on discovering the world around him.

You can become depressed if all of your interests are focused on the media with its explicit details of the most worrisome world events. With care you can find much to reverently appreciate in this world Father in Heaven has given you. Begin by remembering that you are a son or daughter of God with divine potential. He will help you have a joyful, fulfilling life. om "The Power of Righteousness" by Elder Richard G. Scott, in the November 1998 Ensign - 

4. Attitude is Everything. It almost sounds cliche, and certainly maybe too definite. However, I have felt more and more strongly about the importance of attitude. 

5. I recently read again one of my favorite scriptures, "Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!" Doctrine and Covenants 128:22 - Joseph Smith is writing the saints about temple work, this can also apply to our lives in many ways.