In Institute...

A girl shared a thought about her mission in Ecuador. There was a little boy named Paul that she was teaching that looked at her with tear filled eyes and cried..."I will never see the prophet" As she got emotional sharing this experience, I did as well. I feel so lucky to be able to have the opportunity if I'd like to, to go to conference, to listen and see the Thomas S. Monson speak in my own native language. I'm sad to say that I have never thought of being in a different country and accepting a prophet of a different nationality and language. My testimony of a living prophet on the earth today has been strengthened and I have been converted again. I will have the opportunity to go to the conference to attend the last session of the 180th general conference of the church. I'm extremely anxious and excited. Even more so now after hearing this story of the little boy Paul. I love this gospel and the our dear prophet Thomas S. Monson!

In my Sunday school class today, the story of Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt was discussed briefly. I found this story very interesting and it was also a good reminder to me to always seek and find happiness in the eternal things.

These were the quotes that got me thinking about it....

So, if history is this important—and it surely is—what did Lot’s wife do that was so wrong? As something of a student of history, I have thought about that and offer this as a partial answer. Apparently what was wrong with Lot’s wife was that she wasn’t just looking back; in her heart she wanted to go back. It would appear that even before they were past the city limits, she was already missing what Sodom and Gomorrah had offered her. As Elder Maxwell once said, such people know they should have their primary residence in Zion, but they still hope to keep a summer cottage in Babylon (see Larry W. Gibbons, “Wherefore, Settle This in Your Hearts,” Ensign, November 2006, 102; also Neal A. Maxwell, A Wonderful Flood of Light[Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1990], 47).

It is possible that Lot’s wife looked back with resentment toward the Lord for what He was asking her to leave behind. We certainly know that Laman and Lemuel were resentful when Lehi and his family were commanded to leave Jerusalem. So it isn’t just that she looked back; she looked back longingly. In short, her attachment to the past outweighed her confidence in the future. That, apparently, was at least part of her sin.

I must remember the Lord and to be careful to not set my heart on worldly things. Clothes, cars, accessories etc...But always seek for true joy and happiness found in and through the Savior and his gospel. "...but do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life..." (Hel. 5:8)

Your Heritage

Your GGGGG Grandfather, was HYRUM SMITH-Patriarch, his son was

Your GGGG Grandfather, John Smith-Patriarch, his daughter was

Your GGG Grandmother, Lucy Smith Davis, her daughter was

Your GG Grandmother, Gracie Davis Greaves, her son was

Your Grandfather John Ray Greaves Sr., his son was

Your Grandfather is, John Ray Greaves Jr., his daughter is

Sheri Lynn Greaves and you are her daughter,

Haley Lynn Johnson

The Savior spoke about our 5^th Great Grandfather Hyrum Smith saying:

“Blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith, for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me.” (D&C 124:15)

“Had Hyrum Smith escaped martyrdom, he would have been President of the Church and could have chosen two counselors to share the keys of the holy office with himself. However, it was essential that Hyrum Smith lay down his life as the Second Witness as it was for the Prophet Joseph. But had Oliver Cowdery remained true, undoubtedly he, not Hyrum, would have gone with the prophet to martyrdom. This great truth does not seem to be universally known throughout the church, but it is of utmost significance and in full accord with the divine law of witness.”

-Pearson H. Corbett

The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote of Hyrum, “I could pray in my heart that all my brethren were like unto my beloved brother Hyrum, for truly he possesses the mildness of a Lamb, and the integrity of Job; and in short the meek and quiet spirit, of Jesus Christ; and I love him with that love that is stronger that death.”

D&C chapter 11 was given through Joseph Smith to Hyrum at Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 1829. There is also a talk was given by Elder M. Russell Ballard entitled:

Hyrum Smith: “Firm as the Pillars of Heaven”

May I continue to remember and add to the greatness of my heritage, thus bringing honor to my name!