R-E-S-P-E-C-T

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

 Find out what it means to me

- Aretha Franklin

  Actually, to me respect means a lot. The world today doesn't encourage us to stand up for our morals, especially in our appearance. This is terrible. We live to a standard, and we should look like it.

 "Servants of the Lord have always counseled us to dress appropriately to show respect for our Heavenly Father and for ourselves. The way you dress sends messages about yourself to others and often influences the way you and others act. Dress in such a way as to bring out the best in yourself and those around you."

- President Thomas S. Monson

  I read a story recently about Muhammad Ali and how he reacted when one his daughters was wearing some less than appropriate clothes. He handles it like the champ he is, here is the story as told by one of his daughters: 

  “When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged as many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day. My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, 'Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get to them.' He looked at me with serious eyes. 'Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.'”

  Our bodies are sacred gifts from our loving Heavenly Father. We should follow the council of Aretha Franklin and respect them. You'll find new confidence and assurance in the way you appear if you will simply respect yourself.

I pity the fool that doesn't love Mother's Day!

"We are living in a great season for all women in the Church. Sisters, you are an essential part of our Heavenly Father’s plan for eternal happiness; you are endowed with a divine birthright. You are the real builders of nations wherever you live, because strong homes of love and peace will bring security to any nation. I hope you understand that, and I hope the men of the Church understand it too."
 -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The scriptures* have a lot to say about mothers and how amazing they are:

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also,and he praiseth her.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Mothers are the most powerful force for good on this planet. They have the patience and long suffering of Job, the strength of Samson, the Wisdom of Solomon, and the courage of David. Your mom shapes your life, from the second your born, and makes you what you are today. And don't you forget it!

Motherhood is the most sacred calling of them all. To be trusted with bringing souls into this life is something beautiful and amazing, and more than that, to raise that soul in a loving environment where it can be nurtured and grow. It must be hard, it certainly looks hard, but I know it must be worth it. I hope that everyone can remember their moms this Mothers Day, and make it a special one for her.  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a mother that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

I love my mom so much, she's the best. She put up with me for my whole life, and this is no small feat, and not only did that but did it with a smile. There's only one way to express my love for her, and that is by Mr. T's Mothers Day Rap:

Mother

There is no other

Like Mother

So treat her right

Mother

I always love her

My mother

So treat her right, treat her right

M is for the moan, and the miserable groan

from the pain that she felt when I was born

O is for the oven with it’s burnin’ heat

where she stood makin’ sure I had something to eat

T is for the time that she stayed up at night

and took my temperature when I wasn’t feelin’ right

H is for the hard earned money she spent

to keep clothes on my back and try to pay da’ rent

E is every wrinkle I put on her face

and every worry that I caused when I stayed out late

The last letter R is that she taught me respect

and for the room up in heaven that I know she’ll get

She’s a Queen

Second to none

Take care of Mother

You only get one*

*Proverbs 31:17,20,25,26,28,30

*Mr. T's Mothers Day Rap

Jurassichastity!

  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it. (Gen 1:27-28)

  We have a powerful and sacred gift to create life, and it was entrusted to us by our loving Father in Heaven. In whose image we were created. One of the very first commandments given to us was to have children, to multiply and replenish the earth. This is a big deal, this is Gods very power of creation given to us. When used properly it can bring so much joy into our lives, but when used improperly it can lead to so much sorrow.

  In the movie Jurassic Park a group of scientists try to create their own life. They clone dinosaurs for a theme park they are making and try to play God. They abuse the power of creation and it quickly leads to a dangerous situation that they were not prepared for. As a result of their toying with things they did not fully understand several scientists were killed by the dinosaurs they themselves made. While our choices may not lead to velociraptors eating Samuel L, Jackson, they may have serious consequences of their own.

 "I was overwhelmed by the power of this place; but I made a mistake, too. I didn't have enough respect for that power and it's out now. The only thing that matters now are the people we love: Alan and Lex and Tim. John, they're out there where people are dying."  -Dr. Ellie Sattler

  This privilege that God gave to man is not something to be taken lightly, but that isn't to say that it's bad! Within the bonds of marriage and with a full understanding of the importance it has, the ability to bring souls into this life is a beautiful and holy thing. But outside the bonds of marriage and with no thought of the consequences of our actions it can ruin relationships and even lives.

   Just don't forget whose power it is, and to treat sacred things like sacred things. Be chaste, and have a nice valentines day.