Beautiful Words...

When does one fall in love with books?  How does it happen?  Surely it began with hearing my Mother's voice as she read a chapter to us each evening out of a book and we begged for just one more!!  please!!  I never remember her complying but I also never remember her missing a night. 

Uncle Wiggly- with his rheumatism and needed walking stick and nurse Jane Fuzzy Wuzzy and each chapter ending with a tease about some far fetched possible happening that would prevent the next chapter... if the sunflower doesn't shine in the face of the clock, and make it's hands go whizzing around backwards...then the promise of being told about the next adventure would happen.

Uncle Remus- a fast pace rhythmical heavily accented story with the likes of Br'er Rabbit and the tar baby and the pleading to please!!! don't throw me in the briar patch....a ploy to save his own skin.

Little Orphan Annie- she would read this several times to assuage our begging!

Was that where I became a book lover?  The stories?  The comfort of my Mother's voice as she read to us?... The coziness of feeling warm within?...way beyond my flannel nightgown warmed outside.

Could be.  Could be.  

I loved the feel of books in my hands.  I loved the feel of the paper...the look of the font...any illustrations...every word whether inside or outside.  AND I even loved the smell of the book.

In grade school, while buildings were being built, we went to school in old Army Quonset huts.  I thought nothing of it as that is just what we were doing.  Alaska was young and maybe that had something to do with there not being lots of old books that were re-used year after year.  We'd get new books at times.

I remember the teacher explaining to us about the care of a new book and to gently take a few pages at a time and open them out and then gently run our splayed fingers down the middle.  To be careful and not just snap the book open.  The care of the book spine was key to keeping the book in good shape.  I could never resist holding the book close to my face and breathing in the scent and stroking the pages. 

I found that feeling stayed with me when I got scriptures.  I love the feel of the paper in the softback Book of Mormon.  I love the heft of my quad in my hands and the softness of the pages and their hardiness as I flick back and forth and mark and underline and jot notes.

My love of stories in books and books themselves has transferred to my Scriptures.  Unlike pretend tales of talking rabbits, be they Br'er or Uncle Wiggly, I find promises of treasure awaiting...Promised treasures not for the asking but for the doing!  I can leaf through those delicate but strong pages with faded gilded edges and find recipes for living.  Things to do...actions for desired results that will enrich my life!  The if/then rule in written form.

I've always had faith in the basic rule of achieving blessings as found in Doctrine and Covenants 130:20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

 21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

and

132: 5 For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.

My love of books...my love of reading...my Gospel love and testimony were all so beautifully said in a recent talk we listened to by President Kimball when he was Elder Kimball.  I have re-read these words over and over.  To me they are sheer poetry.  I just LOVE them. 

I just picture quietly gently turning the pages and absorbing the necessary action for specific blessings ...just like poring over the Sear Roebuck Christmas catalog when I was a girl and dreaming of the offerings on the pages...I see that reaching for the stars, and catching one, is truly possible if I want to pay the payment price of obedience and faith of expectation.

Oh, wow!!  do I treasure these beautiful words below!!!  I decided to not embolden them as I wanted to do it all! but I don't know if I can resist!!  Don't you love these few words????  Reminds me of Hymn 271- Oh, Holy Words of Truth and Love

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And remembering that life is a time of rewards and punishments, may we consider the positive side today for a while, the rewards which come from him for obedience.

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All these blessings to all of us who remember the sayings and walk in obedience.

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There are depths in the sea which the storms that lash the surface into fury never reach. They who reach down into the depths of life where, in the stillness, the voice of God is heard, have the stabilizing power which carries them poised and serene through the hurricane of difficulties.

There are so many beautiful promises. To read the scriptures and turn the pages, and it seems that it is almost all rewards, evidence of living the commandments of the Lord.

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“For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing.” (D&C 132:5.)

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All this—what more could be desired or asked for? All these blessings and numerous others to every one of us who is willing to live the commandments and be truthful and honorable in our dealings.

(Excerpts from talk by Elder Spencer W. Kimball CR 1973 - 

The Rewards, the Blessings, the Promises - here)

If/Then

A wonderful Wednesday morning spent in the Temple to assist me in regaining my footing.  The room was packed with Missionaries and there was a great spirit and pure silence.  Even in the Celestial room there was nary a peep.  The sort of stillness that makes you wonder what unseen Being/beings were in the room.  Reminded me of the peace when you see mountains reflected in a lake.  A pervasive hush.

My friend and I each had the desire to go through a session and even though we were together, we each came seeking our own answers to the challenges that afflict us as mortals.  The Temple is the place to go for heavenly help.

"Many of our people not only go to the temple to participate in the holy ordinances, but also to seek comfort and security as they bear lifes' crosses.  Very often many come in response to 'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give ye rest'". 
                                                                                             by Elder Marvin J. Ashton -1986

Somewhere along the line I developed a testimony of quotes by authoritative sources like the General Authorities, are true.  If they say it, then it will happen.  It's the If/Then  principle.  It governs my inward life.  Some disagree with me and feel that a person shouldn't "expect" anything because of being obedient.  They feel loving the Lord, having membership in the Church just warrants the respect of obedience.  I'm not that way.

If I follow my recipe for Fudge then I expect fudge (delicious fudge) to be the result of my efforts.   We all know the garden analogy...if we plant carrots then we will have carrots grow.  If I do the laundry then we will have clean clothes.  My entire daily life is filled with IF/THEN scenarios.  My religious life is also. 

If/then acts of religious obedience increase my faith because I know what the outcome will eventually be.  God does not lie.  If I pay tithing, Then the windows of Heaven will be opened.  If He says it or one authorized then it will occur.  In His timing and not necessarily mine but it will happen if it's right, His will etc. etc.

When I'm obedient, I know what to watch for in the blessing arena and knowing the source was The Giver then I can express thanks.  Also I can anticipate and watch for fulfillment of promises.  I will recognize the blessing when it arrives.

I hold on to these scriptures as my main source of IF/THEN in my life...

Doctrine and Covenants 130....20–21, All blessings come by obedience to law

  20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

Also....  

Doctrine and Covenants 132:5
 5- For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.

This entire concept is incredible to me.  All of this was set in place, as a part of the plan, even before the foundation of the world...it must be a real foundational teaching for our lives, don't you think?  It was mentioned twice in a 3 month period between Section 130 & 132.

There are promised blessings for all sorts of acts of obedience and it's all based on the If/Then concept.  The promise of Temple blessings abound and I just so enjoyed being in that Holy place and feeling so good and so hope filled.  It felt familiar, warm and wonderful, extremely peaceful and...  It felt right to be in the Temple.