FAITH

BACK PAIN NO MORE
June 2012

FAITH in Priesthood Blessings! I wanted to document the unfolding of events that took place before dad and I's first triathlon in the summer of 2012. A few days before the race, I was helping my best friend, Stephanie Perry, move some furniture when I hurt my back. I immediately came home and put myself to bed. I kept thinking that if I could just get a blessing, everything would be JUST FINE! That night after the kids were all in bed (or most of them! LOL) John and Jeff Rigby administered to me. I was told that if I took the time to rest my body and had faith, then I would be able to compete in the race and not have any discomfort from my back. I was ecstatic! I figured I'd wake up the next morning and feel just fine!  That was not the case. I stayed in bed all of Thursday as well. One of my YW counselors (Cherilyn Clemente) knew I was "out of commission" and baked Seth's Birthday Cake for us!  It was a delicious German Chocolate cake! Friday morning came and I was feeling better.  We were planning on leaving by around 2:30 to get down to Twin Falls and pick up our race packets before the closing time of 6pm. After being up for about 2 hours, my back started really hurting again - so back to bed I went. When we left to drive to the race, I couldn't even sit in the front seat and had to make a bed for me in the back seat to lay down on the drive. I was getting worried by this point and doubt was starting to creep in. I'm one that tends to struggle with allowing doubt to make it's way in - so I started changing my focus on my prayers to that of not letting the doubt in and to have FAITH!! The morning of the race came, and... you guessed it - still that pain in my back. I just kept laying down. Up to about 20 minutes before our race, I was still laying down in the suburban. However, by this point, I just KNEW that once I entered the water to start the race, that the pain would be gone and I would be able to do what I needed to do! There were no other options or time limits - the race was NOW and John and I got into the water. At that exact moment - it was gone! The pain left and never returned!  I remember about an hour into the race thinking "wow!  my back feels 100% fine and I'm able to have the strength and stamina to endure this course!"  It was awesome! I sort of anticipated that upon completion, my back would hurt REALLY bad... but here we are the next day and it's still not bothering me! I know I had many people praying for me and I knew that my faith combined with all of theirs would be sufficient!  I'm so glad that we have the power of the Priesthood upon the earth today and that I have immediate access to it whenever I may need it!  I'm grateful to a righteous and worthy husband who is able to act as a mouthpiece and in Gods name! This experience really tried my faith but has certainly reiterated how things happen on the Lords time and not necessarily on ours!  

TIME WASTING PHONE HABIT

October 2015

I've been thinking a lot about FAITH this week (and particularly today since our Sunday School lesson was all about Faith)... Some of the comments made in class really touched my heart and struck a chord with me. I took the challenge from General Conference about praying to find out what might be standing in your way of your own personal growth and received the answer that my phone habits were distracting me and wasting my time (in particular Facebook!). I would find myself "checking out" at different times to check my phone and that would inevitably morph into a much larger chunk of time! I follow many different homeschool discussion boards on Facebook (which is really where most of my time goes) but realized that even that can suck up a whole lot of unintended time!  So, with this newfound knowledge granted to me, I decided to move my FB app (which had been prominentely on my phone's home page) to 3 pages over so that it wouldn't always be staring at me whenever I turned on my phone... (I must admit that I felt that I should delete the Facebook app off of my phone and just check FB on the computer once or twice a day if I needed/wanted but I didn't feel like I could cut myself off cold turkey like that! haha!) Well, 1 week later and I realized that while I was more intentional with my "phone/Facebook" time, I was still spending too much time on it when I could be using that time elsewhere, BUT I didn't want to remove the app! Why?! Because I like "winding down" with it at night before I go to bed and feeling connected throughout the day! The lesson today in Sunday School spoke to me in the fact that I'm not showing my FAITH in Heavenly Father when I have been given specific counsel and guidance from the Holy Ghost. Two of the comments that were given today that have strengthened me were:

* Application of your Faith will set you Free (loved this one! Relating directly to me, I know I will feel more "free" from the binds of my phone!)

* Faith helps us to grow and become better (Again, I know I can use the time I used to spend on my phone in other, more productive, ways)

I'm happy to report that as of right now, I  no longer have the FB app on my phone and am ready to be (even more) connected with my family and to see how this (act of faith) brings me closer to Heavenly Father. I've been thinking about this a lot today and realized that our connection (and dependency) on technology will only increase! My children and grandchildren will have an even harder time disconnecting with electronics and connecting with each other. My posterity might read this and think it's silly that I felt I needed to disconnect with FB on my phone - but maybe it will inspire them to disconnect with something that is taking up their precious time :) Who knows!?

PIZZA TIPS!

Feb 2016

Tithing. Tithing is something that we have never struggled with paying - and I'm grateful for that! We have seen too many blessings come as a result of faithfully paying a 10% tithe. August had been complaining that his tips weren't very good lately and he was getting discouraged. I asked if he'd paid his tithing. He said that he was very good about putting it in the tithing envelope when he came home from work each night but that he hadn't turned it into the Bishop yet (and hadn't since October). I shared with him that while he was still an honorable tithe payer - the Lord couldn't give him the blessing associated with paying tithing until it was handed over. He decided he needed to pay it that day before heading to work. Since the Bishop is our neighbor, I told him he could go drop it off OR he could just pay it online (this is a new feature that has been recently added by the church and it is so very convenient!). So he logged into his LDS.org account and paid all of his tithing and guess what... that night he brought home the most amount of money in tips that he'd made since last October ($170 vs the typical $50 he'd been making)! He was so excited! I asked him if he felt that it was a direct result and blessing from paying his tithing or if he thought it was just a "coincidence" and that he would have made that much money regardless. He answered that there have been too many things in his life for this to just be a coincident and that he knew it was a direct blessing from paying his tithing. He went on to tell me that he had thanked Heavenly Father for those blessings in his prayers that night as well. I'm happy that he has his own testimony on the principle of tithing at such a young age - it will bless him his whole life!!

BEN GOES TO TREK

July 2016

Written by Ben...Trek was an amazing experience filled with fun, laughter, hard-work, and tears. I'm not going to be a part of half the youth saying, "I wasn't excited for Trek at all, but as I got into, I loved it!"
See, I was excited for Trek all along; I had a great lovable family, very emotional experiences, and a wonderful time.
My most memorable moment on Trek had to be the Womans' pull. Every one who was a boy/man had to stand at the top of a very sandy steep hill and watch as the young woman hauled the carts up to us. It really touched me, and I hope I never forget it.

Overall, I wish I'd be able to go on Trek again (sadly, it's unlikely).
I have a whole new respect for the pioneers, and I know for a fact that their sacrifices meant something - Ben

A TESTIMONY SHARED

Jan 2017

There was a testimony shared today in Sacrament meeting that touched me and was about submitting our will to God - for really that is ALL that we have to give to Him! She asked us to imagine ourselves hanging onto a rope and when we look down, all we can see is a white mist - we can't see through it and we have no clue how far down the ground is. Then imagine the Lord has asked you to have FAITH and let go of the rope! He has promised that he'll catch you - but trusting in the Lord enough to actually let go is hard! In our heart, we know that he is there and that he will catch us.. but to our minds it doesn't make sense to let go! She also compared it to driving on snowy/icy roads. When you are sliding through an intersection, your mind tells you to stomp on the brakes with all your might! However, we KNOW that we're supposed to take our foot OFF of the brake and then tap the brake. It doesn't make sense to take our foot off of the brake if we want to stop - but when we do it, we're kept safe. I just really liked how she related it to these 2 scenarios! This is probably something I need to be more mindful and aware of and really try to do all that God wants me to do!

A STAKE FAST FOR RAIN

August 2017

One word - FASTING! We've had a really neat experience with Fasting. Last Sunday, our Stake President asked everyone to participate in a special Fast (to "help those who have been suffering with the lack of rain and the extreme heat" - basically those whose livelihoods depend on the weather to find relief...) Well, if you had looked at the 10 day forecast on Saturday, it was to be HOT and sunny everyday. By Tuesday night, we had a big storm roll in with heavy rains and then it was in the upper 60's and low 70's for the remainder of the week! Seriously! Is that not the coolest thing! Eeven today as I'm writing this - it has been breezy and 70! We also had a second rain storm come through on Friday. We've been trying to remember to thank Heavenly Father for his (pretty much immediate!) answer to our collective prayers and fasting! That's one thing I need to be better at - remembering to THANK Heavenly Father when he has answered my prayers or when he blesses me. Ben and Nathan have been so amazed by this experience and I know it has been a definite Faith builder for the both of them (and in all honesty - it's been a Faith Builder for me, too!!)  So with such a miracle on my mind, I called all of my family and asked them to include "our Boise house to sell quickly and close to asking price!" since today is Fast Sunday (we were going to initially just count last weeks Fast for the month of August - but then realized we need all the help we can get and so did a second Fast today). I have seriously felt sooooo stressed about our house selling (to the point that it's interfered with my daily life! ha!) so we went to the Temple on Saturday and as I sat in the Chapel waiting to head back to the Instructional Room, I could tell that I felt different and when I stopped to analyze it, I realized I was experiencing ZERO stress and wasn't worried about the house. At all! I know that Fear and Worry are not from God (at least not in this scenario) and all today during my Fast, I haven't felt nearly as worried about our house selling - but rather feel confident that the right buyers are just around the corner and it will sell relatively quickly! There is real power in Fasting and Prayer and I feel so blessed to call upon that power each and every month!

TREK 2012

MERIDIAN EAST STAKE 

I'm grateful for our Pioneer heritage!  Dad and I had the privilege of being a "Ma and Pa" this year with our Stake's Trek. August and Seth were both able to go as well and Trek for ancestors that had been on the original trek West with the Saints. During Testimony meeting, I kept thinking in my heart how I wanted to tell our ancestors how GRATEFUL I was for them and their sacrifices and immediately the thought came over me very strongly that they were given the privilege of looking down upon us and seeing us pay tribute them!  I imagine we gave them a good chuckle with the medical vehicle and water truck and port-a-potties following behind us!  

SETH GOES TO MARTIN'S COVE

TREK 2014

MINOT, ND

July 2014 

Our Spiritually Speaking moment this week comes to you from Seth who just recently returned from the Pioneer Trek to Martin's Cove!

So I (Seth) recently returned from a week long experience with our and a neighboring stake. We went down to the actual site of Martin's cove, and to Sixth Crossing. We had to meet at the church at 2:30AM on Monday morning. In total we had around a 15 hour bus ride to reach our destination. So let's just say it was long. Once we got there we met up with our families and went to our campsite a few milies away.

The second day is when we actually went to the actual site of Martin's Cove. When we got there, you could just feel and tell the peace and the spirit which was in the area. Thinking that that's where the handcart company held up as one of their only ways of survival. We also went to a place a few miles away called Devil's Gate. It was really cool and gave us an opportunity to climb up many large rocks to reach it.

The next few days we went to the other campsite at Sixth Crossing. We did a lot of walking with the handcarts and many river crossings. Each time I tried to go back and help as many carts as I could. With my family we had two diabetics so they couldn't push as much as they would like to, one girl who had something happen to her leg, another guy who got injured and couldn't run, and lastly a girl who tore her ligaments in her ankle. So I was lucky enough to be the only child in our family who didn't get hurt. So I consider that a blessing, and it also gave me the opportunity to help others out more. Since we ended up carrying one of the girls in the cart, and the last two days, after we finished with all the cart stuff, I had the opportunity to carry the girl who tore her ligaments everywhere.

On the last full day we were there, we went to this spot, the name slipped my mind, but I'm thinking it was called Rock Creek. So there we visited one of the mass graves where there were fifteen people buried on that site. You could feel their presence there, with the peace and tranquility of that place. Even with 220 youth there, it was very reverent. (Yes 220 youth. They said that we had the largest group that has ever come there.) Afterwards still at that place, we had a large testimony meeting. There were a lot of really great testimonies that touched a lot of people.

Then there was the whole drive back to look forward to. On the bright side, I can now say that I have seen what 90 boxes of pizza looks like in one pile. And I can also say, that with 220 youth, 90  boxes of pizza lasts only around 10 minutes. We finally got home at Saturday around 1:30AM.

There were so many weird and funny experiences, so many I can't write them all. Things happened from a guy getting stuck in the bathroom for an hour, to me managing to split both pairs of my pants, to every single night wherever I was at, there was almost nonstop laughter. But as I said, there were so many, it would take a lot longer than I have to list them all, and some that shouldn't be shared.

That whole week I grew spiritually, and learned a few things. I leaned that with everybody helping, the task at hand is a lot easier, every little bit helps out. After coming back, I realized that people notice the hard work that you do. I didn't realize it at the time, but a lot of people were noticing all the extra work I did, and have commented on it. My mom's said a few people spoke to her about it, and my Trek Pa (in our ward) even mentioned it in his testimony in front of everyone. That week, I managed to grow a lot closer to my Trek family, getting to know each of them personally, my friends, and God.  

FATHER'S BLESSINGS

We are so fortunate, blessed and appreciative of a righteous husband and dad that can give blessings of comfort and healing throughout our life! The following section has a few of those blessings given to us by dad! Most are the "Beginning of School" Blessings ...

BLESSINGS FOR THE 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR

Boise, Idaho - August 2012

BLESSINGS FOR THE 2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR

August 2014

I love the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! I love that we have the Priesthood here upon the earth. I love that I have access to that Priesthood power at any time! I love that I have a righteous husband who can bless and serve others with his Priesthood! Next Sunday we'll be doing all of the kids' "Back To School" Fathers Blessings (and that's when I usually get mine, too!) However, I felt that I wanted to get mine a little bit early and so I had dad give it to me tonight. One thing that stood out - it completely solidified and reiterated the answers I received last week during my Fast. I need to remember to read these words often to remind me WHY we are homescholing! :)

Blessing given to mom on Sunday, August 10, 2014 by dad...

Sister Shandalyce Fae Vogt, by the power of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold, and by its authority, I lay my hands upon your head to give you a blessing at this time as you begin to prepare for another school year with our children. 

Know that Heavenly Father has entrusted you with this great responsibility. You are indeed doing His will and doing what is best for our children that they might be protected from the world and from all the sin and abominations that have been creeping in as the world grows more and more secular - and leaves behind those things which are precious, pure and righteous. 

Indeed this homeschooling is a means of salvation for your children - that they may be taught the things of the gospel and that they may be raised to love the Lord. To love good and not despise it. To not follow evil, but instead seek after that which is good, lovely and praiseworthy.

Know that as you take the time to prepare these lessons that you must first prepare yourself. Make sure that you take time for the Lord with your personal scriptures, studies and prayer. As you seek Him first, He will then guide you to know which curriculum and lessons to teach the children. 

Know that there are ways only which you can reach our children. As each one is different, you will have the gift of discernment and keys to unlock each of their successful educations. Remember as you prepare these lessons - the fact that you have been doing so much, means so much! Know that you are doing well and that you ARE good enough.

Your children, as they look back upon these years, will call your name Blessed and thank you. Generations will thank you - as your actions truly do affect generations forward! You will be remembered as a great matriarch and a savior to your family.

This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 


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March 2015

At the beginning of each school year, dad gives each of us Father's Blessings for guidance and direction. As I (mom) was reading over the past blog entries, I quickly realized that I never included this  years blessings! It then occurred to me that they were recorded on my phone but that I couldn't hear them since I still have no sound capabilities on my phone (from when Lexi's earphones broke off inside the headphone jack over Christmas). I figured they were lost and was quite saddened by that! Dad then suggested I try transferring the files onto the computer where I might be able to hear them - sounded like a great idea and so I did that this week and... it worked!! I've only gotten Lexi's transcribed but will continue to add them into the Spiritually Speaking as I get them written down.

Here is Lexi Fae's:

Alexa Fae Vogt, by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold, I place my hands upon your head and pronounce upon you a blessing at the start of this school year.

Lexi, I bless you with the ability to absorb large quantities of knowledge and information and to be able to retain that knowledge. I bless you with the ability to learn at a rapid pace. I bless you with the ability to understand and comprehend concepts that may initially seem difficult, but that you would be able to master them. I bless you with the ability to have patience and wisdom. Know that your Father in Heaven loves you very much. We're so thankful  for the good girl that you are and for your kind nature and for the love you have in your heart for the gospel and for Jesus. Heavenly Father knows what's inside of your heart and is grateful for the choice little girl that you are. Remember to be able to keep your composure and to be able to be patient with others and this will lead to harmony within the home. This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

As this school year is quickly coming to an end, I have seen these blessings come to pass. Her reading and comprehension has sky rocketed! Math concepts that are typically taught later (ie multiplication and large number addition) she has grasped and taken off with! She really is such a sweet natured little girl and helps us to remember to only watch "good shows" and follow Jesus.

BLESSINGS FOR THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR

August 2015 - Minot, ND

We all received Father's Blessings from dad this week! It was such a beautiful, reverent and spiritual experience. I loved seeing each child take their turn to receive loving and direct guidance from our Heavenly Father. I was so full of love towards dad, too - seeing him worthily and righteously be the mouth piece for the Lord is the best thing ever! I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father has not left us alone here on earth but willingly guides and directs us when we seek Him out! So far I have transposed Seth and Ben's blessing (from the recording) and have included them below:

Father's Blessing given to Seth at the start of the 2015-2016 school year

Owen Seth Vogt, by the power and authority of the Melchezidek Priesthood, which I hold, I lay my hands upon your head to give you a father's blessing at this time.This is a critical time in your life - as you prepare to serve a mission, that you will prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It is important this year that you continue to live righteously. Know that Satan will tempt to lead you astray. As you serve within the ward and in your calling, as you attend Seminary and read your scriptures and pray oft, Father in Heaven will give you the tools you need that are necessary to resist the temptations that the adversary puts in your way and you will have the ability to be strong - not only for yourself, but for others.

Know that there is great work for you to accomplish on this earth - especially on your mission - and these are things the adversary would not want you to accomplish. There will be lives that will be affected by you, and you only. There are those that are searching for the gospel, and you will be able to find them. In this coming year, pay particular attention to Preach My Gospel - immerse yourself in it and spend time in it each day - reading it and living it.

Father in Heaven has blessed you greatly with an open mind and sharp intellect. You'll be blessed that even though your load might seem heavy at times, that you will not falter and you will have the stamina that you need to accomplish your earthly tasks and your spiritual tasks.

You've been blessed with an even disposition and the ability to diffuse situations that can become tense. Your Father in Heaven loves you so much and is so proud of you. He has blessed you with the ability to recognize those items that others need and for ways that you can help them and also to recognize issues you yourself have and the ability to correct them.

Cling to the gospel. Cling to the Lord. You will be blessed beyond measure, as will others. You will be led and guided in the right direction. These blessings I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Father's Blessing given to Ben at the start of the 2015-2016 school year

Benjamin Noah Vogt, by the power of the holy Melchezidek Priesthood which I hold, and by its authority, I lay my hands upon your head and give to you at this time a blessing, even a fathers blessing that will help you through this coming school year. Benjamin, Father in Heaven would want you to know of the seriousness of education and learning and that the efforts that you put in this year, and for the coming years, will greatly affect your future life and the skills and abilities that you will need to acquire in order to fulfill your life's duties and life's callings. Know that is has been inspired for you to be home taught/ home schooled. Father in Heaven knew there'd be certain ways for you to respond to learning and this is the proper environment for you.

I bless you with the ability to focus and to maintain your attention and to keep it directed in the proper way. That you can learn and that you can catch up to where you need to be and that you will have good retention on those things that mom teaches you. Father in Heaven is pleased with your desire to write and to express yourself in the written form. This is a talent that He has given to you. It is one that you should develop and cultivate. Use it for a force for good - for entertainment for yourself and others - and as a means to uplift those around you and inspire those who read your stories.

Be diligent in your studies - both temporally and spiritually. Read your scriptures daily. As you concentrate and make it a priority, Heavenly Father will reveal to you within the scriptures guidance and direction for you. You will find answers to many of your questions within the pages of the scriptures and you will be able to keep yourself pointed in the right direction.

Father in Heaven would bless you that you would be able to recognize times when your OCD is present and you're struggling - that you can recognize it and that you can gain mastery over it. You've been given certain obstacles and challenges for you to overcome, and as you do those things (recognize it, seek help in the scriptures, pray) you will be become stronger and a better person and you'll be able to help others who have such issues and you'll have sympathy towards them.

Be kind and loving towards the members of your Deacon's Quorum and be inclusive of them. Help them to feel welcomed and help them to feel loved. Your Father in Heaven loves you very much, as does your family.  These blessings I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Fathers Blessing given to Nathan at the start of the 2015-2016 school year

Nathan Mark Harry Vogt, by the power and authority of the Melchezidek Priesthood, which I hold, I lay my hands upon your head and give you a fathers blessing at this time. I give you a blessing that as you go through the school year that your mind will be opened.  Though you will face obstacles and adversity as you learn, you will continue to overcome those barriers that have  been placed in your way. I bless you with the ability to continue to grow in your reading skills and in your reading comprehension - that you will recognize the letters and how they are put together to form words.

Father in Heaven is grateful for the sweet personality and spirit that you possess. He is thankful that you are such a good boy and that you take your Baptismal covenants seriously. He is proud of you and your ability to fast at this time. Know that you will be able to grow and to progress exponentially this year. Your understanding of the subjects being taught to you will increase and you will be able to retain those things which are taught to you.

Know that you have been placed in this family for a reason and that you are one part of this family that makes it function - and that the family would not be the same without you. This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Fathers Blessing given to Mom at the start of the 2015-2016 school year

Shandalyce Fae Vogt, by the authority of the Melchizek Priesthood which I hold, I lay my hands upon your head and give you a blessing. Father in Heaven loves you so much! He is so grateful for the strong daughter you are, the mother you are, the wife that you are - you are truly an elect woman. He is so grateful that you listen to him and that you put him first in your life - that you are willing to listen to the Spirit and act upon those promptings. He is so pleased that he can count on you and that you are willing to serve and are willing to show kindness and love to others - and that you make a difference in their lives. Your children are truly blessed because of you.  Always put Heavenly Father first and he will guide you and give you the inspiration that you need in schooling the children. I bless you that you will have patience and inspiration on lesson plans that you need for them and that you will be able to discern when certain methods are not working and you will be able to know what methods to use, curriculum to use and teaching styles to use for each child. Your children will be blessed because of your righteousness.

I bless you with the ability to feel rested - though your days may be full and hectic. That you will be blessed to feel recharged each day and have renewed enthusiasm and optimism. I bless you also at this time that you will be able to accomplish your weight loss goals - as long as you stay diligent. Pray daily to be given strength and keep your goals in mind and as you do that, Heavenly Father will take away temptations and the desires that you have that are contrary to your healthy needs. Know that you are loved immensely. These blessings I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

Fathers Blessing given to Aubrie at the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year

Aubrie Annabelle Vogt, by the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood, and by its authority, I lay my hand upon your head and give you a fathers blessing at this time - as you embark upon another school year.

You've been given a great gift - which is a desire and a great love of learning. You've been blessed to find learning fun and challenging and exciting. Always keep this sense of excitement and wonderment with you as you learn things of the world and things of the next world - as you learn those things that are of the gospel. You'll be blessed this year that you will learn quickly and that you will gain lots of knowledge and that the Spirit will be with you.

Learn to control your temper - that you can be patient with your brothers and sister. Use your kind nature to show love and affection to your family because it will help them out. Father in heaven blesses you with the ability to serve others and those within your family. Know that they appreciate it so much and know that when you are serving them, you are really serving Heavenly Father. These blessings I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Fathers Blessing given to Lexi at the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year

Alexa Fae Vogt, by the power and authority of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood, which I hold, I lay my hands upon your head and give you a fathers blessing at this time.

Lexi, I bless you with the ability to gain further mastery of reading. I bless you with a love of reading that you will carry with you throughout your whole life. Father in Heaven has much planned for you and is grateful for you and your kind spirit. Know that you are in a family that loves you greatly and know that you can be a blessing to them through your kindly nature and through your serving of your brothers and sister and your parents. I bless you with the ability to have quick comprehension of those things which you are being taught - that you would understand them and obtain them. I bless you with the ability to help your siblings also with their learning. Know that Father in Heaven has saved you for this time and this family because He knows what a great force you can be within the family - and a great influence.

I bless you with the ability to get a good nights rest. Know that Father in Heaven desires that you and your siblings get the rest you need each night - that it will help you focus as you learn and will ultimately help you to be happy and healthy. Know that your Father in  Heaven loves you and I leave this with in you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

BLESSINGS FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR

August 2017 - Park City, MT 

We all got our "Back to School" Blessings from dad today!

Sister Shandalyce Fae Vogt, by the Authority and Power of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, which I hold, I lay my hands upon your head and give unto a blessing at this time as you guide our children forward throughout this school year.

I bless you with the ability to educate, nurture and cultivate these children - not only these children, but your older 2 boys, too. You will have inspiration to guide them throughout this coming year and even though they are men - they need their mom and they need your guidance and your inspiration. As you listen to the Spirit, you will know how to reach them and how to talk to them. Know that they will never stop relying and depending on you - for that is your role as Matriarch and Mother to these children.

Know that you'll be blessed with inspiration this year. The Lord will give you impressions that you will not be able to deny that will lead you in continually fine tuning the curriculum and finding those ways that will reach the children and teach them.

Know that Father in Heaven realizes what a task this is and is so grateful that you are willing to do this to keep the children unspotted and unblemished from this world. Know that as you put Father in Heaven first, the windows of Heaven will be opened unto you for inspiration and that you'll be able to have a good spirit here [in the home] and the children will feel it and feel love and that they will be open to gaining knowledge.

This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Benjamin Noah Vogt, by the Power and Authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, which I hold and bear, I lay my hands upon your head and give unto a Father's Blessing at this time. Ben, I bless you with mental acuity this year that your mind will be focused and sharpened. That you'll have the ability to concentrate on the tasks at hand. As you focus, that intensity and that sharpness will enable you to pierce through whatever obstacles that might lay in your path when it comes to gaining that knowledge.

Concepts will be opened to you and you will be able to retain them IF you focus. Part of that focus comes from preparation -preparing yourself Spiritually before preparing yourself temporally by putting the Lord first, paying attention in Seminary and paying attention in your own daily study of the scriptures and in your seeking of the Lord and His guidance and wisdom as you pray.

You have been given many blessings and many promises in the past - do not forget those! Remember those promises you've been given from Bishop Goss, from August and your father. Know that those still are in effect IF you will do your part. I bless you with the ability to gain this knowledge and to focus. I bless you with the ability to have happiness. This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

* The following is what dad said to Ben as they embraced: "You've got to just aim and focus and these things are going to be opened up to you and you're going to pierce through those mental obstacles that you have from some of your learning struggles."  

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Nathan Mark Harry Vogt, by the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold, I lay my hands upon your head and give you a blessing at this time as you embark upon your school year.

Nathan, I bless you that you will have the gift of Patience this year and that you would not get exasperated. I bless you that you will not be frustrated and you will have the attitude of moving ahead and forging forward. You will continue to learn well and so many doors will be opened to you this year. As you continue to grow with your reading, your retention and your ability to comprehend - this will help develop a love that will last your lifetime -a love for reading!

I bless you with the ability to not get discouraged and the ability to have a thirst for knowledge. Know that your Father in Heaven loves you so much. Seek Him out through your scripture study and through your prayers. This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

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Alexa Fae Vogt, by the authority and power of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold and bear, I lay my hands upon your head to give you blessing - a Father's Blessing for this academic school year.

Lexi you've been given a love of life, joy, and happiness - use that to brighten the days of others and keep them happy in times of sorrow. You've been given a sweet disposition. Your Father in Heaven knows that you will be a blessing to your family and to those around you that you associate with.

Continue to search out after those things that interest you! Continue to Create! To make crafts, to cultivate your art, to continue to work with your cooking and baking! Devour books so that you will gain knowledge and a continued love for reading and a continued love of learning! Know that this knowledge will be stuff that you will retain for this life and into the next life. You'll be able to use it and be able to help others with it.

Know that your Father in Heaven loves you so much and is so grateful for the good daughter you are. Always put him first in your life and you'll be blessed and you'll be happy. This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Aubrie Annabelle Vogt, by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold, I lay my hands upon your head and give you a Fathers Blessing at the start of this school year for you.

Aubrie, you have been given a gift - which is a love for learning, a curiosity and a quest for knowledge! This gift is one that you should cultivate and continue to nurture as you learn more of the ways of the gospel and the ways of the world in science, mathematics, reading, crafts and arts.
You've been given a gift that new skills come quickly for you. You'll be able to use knowledge that you gain to help others. You'll be a force for them and a help for them when they struggle.

Be diligent with your scripture reading and diligent with your prayers and know that Father in Heaven will bless you. I bless you that you'll be able to gain and retain more knowledge and that your culinary arts will also grow. Know that Father in Heaven is mindful of you and mindful of the great blessing you are to your family with your willingness to always serve.  This is a a great attribute and it's one that your Savrior had.

Your Father in Heaven loves you very much. This blessing I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

BLESSINGS FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR

August 2018 - Nampa, Idaho

For Family Home Evening, our awesome dad gave us all BACK TO SCHOOL Father's Blessings (yes, even mom!) We are soooooo grateful for a wonderful, righteous, Priesthood holder that can be the mouth piece for the Lord and provide us personal insight and direction each year as we continue on in the schooling adventure.

Ben’s Father Blessing

(start of the 2018-2019 school year - age 16)

Benjamin Noah Vogt, by the authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, which I hold, and by its power, I lay my hands upon your head and give unto a blessing at this time - even a Father’s Blessing as you embark upon a new year of learning.

I admonish you to take this year seriously. To dive into your studies and to be voracious in your appetites for learning. I bless you with the ability to find interest in studies that you have not enjoyed so far - that you will realize that there is a need for you to learn them and that you will be able to rapidly understand them AND retain them and to master them!

Know that this year is critical for you in your schooling - you have much work to do ahead of you as you catch up, but that you can do it! You will have the strength of the Lord as you go about it! Start each day with your scriptures and you will be blessed with your understanding and your learning. 

I grant you the ability to have willpower for eating healthy and the correct portions; and also for exercising. Know that Father in Heaven has given you challenges for you to master - one of which is your health and your weight. Be stronger than your parents have. Learn to master and conquer your body. 

Father in Heaven has given you a gift to be a great influence to others and to lift them up. He’s also given you a gift t bring happiness to those that you know. Seek things that are positive. Seek not contention. Seek not hatred and disparaging remarks - but seek only to lift others up. Always look for things that are of good report and to lift others, not condemn those you may disagree with. If you do this, you will be a power and influence for good. You will be respected and looked to for your opinions, desires and decisions.

This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Nathan Mark Harry Vogt, by the authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold, I lay my hands upon your head and give unto you a Father’s Blessing at this time. I bless you as you enter into this school year that you will have great enthusiasm for the subjects that you will be learning. I bless you with the ability to be diligent and to not give up and to have good effort as you continue on with your learning and especially with reading. Know that this challenge (of reading) has been given to you and that you can overcome it and that it will be a strength of yours! Father in Heaven knew that you would value the gift of reading so much more and appreciate it so much more as you’ve struggled but also as you’ve overcome.

Know that your Father in Heaven is so grateful for you! He’s grateful for the kind and loving nature that you have. Know that you are a true blessing to your family. I bless you with the ability to retain the knowledge that you’re learning and to be able to take it into your everyday life. Continue to study your scriptures each day and they will be a strengthening tool for you. As you go about your day and are faced with temptations and with decisions to make - your scripture study in the morning will help you make those correct decisions and to be able to do what is right.

I bless you also as you prepare to receive the Priesthood this fall, that you will learn more of it and of the duties that are associated with being a Deacon. This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Aubrie Annabelle Vogt, by the power and authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold and bear, I place my hands upon your head and give unto you a blessing at this time. I bless you, Aubrie, with the ability to master the subjects that you’ll be learning this year. I bless you with the ability to help your siblings as they also grow and learn -that you might be a source of help and assistance to them. I bless you with the ability to teach your siblings on different subjects - you will be a great help to your mother.

Father in Heaven is so grateful for all of the help you give to this family and that you have a heart of giving, of nurture, of kindness and a willingness to serve. As you continue on in this, you will be blessed greatly! I bless you with the ability to not be weary as you go about your activities - but to have the strength and energy to do everything you need to do.

Know that you have the ability to discern the needs of other and to help find these needs and meet them. I bless you with the ability to continue to prosper and grow with your desire for knowledge. Know that Father in Heaven has many things in store for you and that as you seek His will and words through the holy scriptures that you will be blessed and know the directions and decisions that you must make. I bless you with the ability to be a good influence on your friends at church and for other friends that you may not have even met yet - which you will this year.

This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Alexa Fae Vogt, by the authority and power of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold and bear, I lay my hands upon your head and give you a Father’s blessing at this time.

I bless you with a love of learning. I bless you with the desire to learn more and to have your world opened up to you as you learn about those things which Heavenly Father has put in place to govern the world. I bless you with the ability to understand these principles and to understand how everything works and to be able to solve problems in math and science. Father in Heaven has given you a great attitude and a willingness to serve your family and a willingness to be a ray of sunshine in your family. KNow that your attitude and your disposition are one that blesses the family as you help others feel loved and happy.

I bless you with the ability to gain new skills and to identify those things that would be good for you in your life for you to learn and to master. I bless you as you continue with your art skills that you’ll continue to be blessed in that area. YOu have been given a gift - know that it is from Heavenly Father. I encourage you to further that gift and to be able to use it one day.

This blessings I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Shandalyce Fae Vogt, by the authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold, through its power I lay my hands upon your head and give you a blessing at this time as you embark upon this great and noble journey of educating your children. Know that you have been given the assurance that what you are doing is Heavenly Father’s will - and that will is reiterated again at this time. You are doing a good job. You are enough! And your children are blessed immensely because of your desire to educate them in both those things of a spiritual nature and of those things of a secular nature.

Know that you will be given strength this year to endure and to have the energy that you need and the optimism and the renewal of your excitement as you teach the children. Know that as you teach the children Heavenly Father will bless you with inspiration to know how to teach, what to teach and how to reach our children with their individual needs.You have seen the fruits of your labor with your older children and seen that even with times you must wait, great outcomes happen - and so much of that can be attributed to your efforts.

I bless you with the ability to take your health seriously - to find a renewed desire to exercise, to eat healthy and to conquer this challenge once and for all! Know that as you daily seek Heavenly Father’s Will and seek for His strength to exercise and to be diligent that you will be able to have a great mind set and learn to love physical fitness and healthy eating. Make it a priority for the children and have them incorporate it into their life that it becomes a habit at this age that will carry with them throughout their lives.

Know that you are loved beyond your comprehension. This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

FATHER'S BLESSINGS TO AUGUST AND BEN AS THEY HEAD TO NEBRASKA

May 2017 

I am very grateful for the Priesthood being here upon the earth and that dad holds this Priesthood which can bless our family. We felt that it would be well for the boys to get a Father's Blessing before heading down to grandma and grandpa's and so Saturday evening before they left, we all gathered in the living room as a family. I hope the boys will find personal comfort and guidance in their blessings as they spend the summer there in Nebraska. Below are the blessings that were pronounced upon them...

"John August Vogt II, by the authority and power of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold and bear and exercise at this time - I lay my hands upon your head and pronounce upon you a blessing at this time, even a Fathers Blessing as you embark on a new journey and new chapter in your life.

August, first know that your Father in Heaven has been very mindful of you today and that if you listen and pay attention you will feel His comfort as he comforts your heart in your time of loss. Know that Whiley is in a great place and that he is in heaven - and that he is waiting for you. Know that he has no pain and is happy and that what you did was right - you made the correct decision. Take comfort in that.
I bless you at this time that you will be able to drive to Sheridan tonight safely - that you will be alert and awake, that you'll have good roads and that you will not be drowsy. I bless you that tomorrow you will be able to do the same.
Have patience with your brother and love him. See him as your Father in Heaven sees him. Know that Ben loves you and that Father in Heaven has reasons why he should be with you on this trip and in this new chapter.

I bless you with the ability that your mind will be open to new concepts which you'll be able to grasp. Those concepts that are going to be taught to you - that you'll be able to master the curriculum. As you put Father in Heaven first, He will allow this to flood in for you. Start your day off each morning putting the Lord first. Seek him through prayer and through scripture study. As you make that a priority, these courses will go well for you. I bless you with the ability to stay focused and determined. I bless you with the ability to retain this knowledge. I also bless you with the ability not to become frustrated.

Strive to live your life clean - in your eating and exercise, and also in the entertainment that you enjoy. Know that as you seek after these things which are of good report, that your Spirits will feel lifted and that you will feel happiness. Know that your Father in Heaven loves you. Know that He is mindful of you and that He knows of your potential and who are and who you will become.

This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

 
"Benjamin Noah Vogt, by the power of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold and bear, I lay my hands upon your head and give you a blessing at this time - even a Fathers Blessing to guide you through these next 47 days. 

Ben, know that Heavenly Father is grateful for the testimony that you have truly gained. Continue to feed that testimony through good things. Strive to fill your life and your heart with light and avoid those things that would keep you from feeling and hearing the Spirit. Your brother has challenged you to read the scriptures for an hour a day - strive to do that and to keep that goal and your life will be blessed, your understanding will be magnified and your testimony will continue to grow.

This is a great time for you to work on being in shape. Listen to those who are there to help you - your trainer, your grandmother and brother. I bless you with the ability to be strong as you eat healthy - that you can fuel your body. I bless you with an abundance of time to work on your book - that you will feel guided and inspired as you work on it. Remember to keep all things in moderation - to include your relationship with Ashley and your phone time. If you heed the counsel of this blessing, you will be blessed immensely and have true happiness. 

This blessing I leave with you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." 

THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

Seth's Sacrament Talk on the Atonement of Jesus Christ

April 2013

I really wanted to get down the talk that Seth gave in Sacrament Meeting on Easter about the Atonement.  He did a REALLY good job and I was super proud of him (he was 14 years old at this time).  Especially since he wrote and prepared for his talk 100% by himself! He also took the initiative to invite Grandma and Grandpa Vogt to come listen to him. While grandpa wasn't able to come, grandma made it and stayed the entire Sacrament meeting with us - that was so wonderful to have her there! Here is the talk that Seth gave...

Hello My name is Seth Vogt and I've been asked to give a talk to you on the atonement. I've been asked to speak with some reference from the talk Is there a point of no return given by Dieter F Ukdorf and this can be found in the June 2010 New era.(if you want to read more on it you can go to LDS.organd search this talk Is there a point of no return)

            To start off I would like to ask you Is there a point of no return in our lives as we strive to get to the celestial kingdom.

            To answer this I will tell you about the talk that I told you about earlier.To start off this talk elder Ukdorf talks about pilots and how when they fly long distances that there is a point of no return. How when they wouldn't have enough fuel to make it back to the original airport that they took off of.

            He then precedes to state that in our lives there is no point of no return. This is due to the divine gift of the atonement. Through the atonement we can all be forgiven of our sins, no matter how big or small that they may be. Christ came to this world to save us from sin, he is also there to give us assurance that sin is not a point of no return and that a safe return is possible if we follow gods plan for our salvation.

            The atonement causes each of us to be accountable for their sins. It also provides a way to overcome the consequences of sin by depending on the blessings and benefits of this gift.

            For true repentance we need to feel a deep remorse or godly sorrow for our sins. This mean we need to confess our sins with our father in heaven, and if the sin is serious enough, meet with the proper priesthood leader who can help with this. One example is you could meet with the bishop.

            The outcome of using the atonement other than the obvious result of being forgiven is that you will have a deep feeling of peace and a true joy that you have repented. Once we have repented Christ will also take away the burden of guilt that builds up due to our sins. We can know that we have been forgiven and have been made clean through the holy ghost.

            Satan will try to make us believe that because we remember our sins that they are not forgiven. This is just not true. The reason that we remember our sins is that we won't repeat them in the future. Alma the younger the ancient prophet in the Americas testified that after he received forgiveness from his sins, he could still remember them but they no longer distressed and tortured him because he knew he had been forgiven. (this can be found in Alma chapter 36 verses 17-19).

            The gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ provides us at all times and all places with the blessings of repentance and forgiveness. Because of this wonderful gift, the opportunity and ability to make a safe return from sin is available to all of us and at all times.

            I Challenge all of you to be ready to use the divine gift of the atonement and be able to repent at all times and know that you can be forgiven and make it to the celestial kingdom to live with our heavenly father.

            I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

The Enabling Power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ

May 2013

I sort of had a "light bulb" moment this week that I wanted to document. This past month has been pretty emotional in regards to dealing with the photography (Hope and I) did for the dance studio.  I don't deal well with people who are upset with me and it really makes me get anxious and have a sick feeling in my stomach. It made everything else in my life get put on hold since I couldn't distract myself away from the MESS to carry on. I started having my prayers be more sincere and more heartfelt. I became a bit more committed to scripture study. I relied more on the Lord to help me through each day. At first, I was praying that no moms would call/contact me.... but then I realized that I had the ability to call upon the enabling powers of the Atonement to help me get through the days. I took inspiration from the pioneer story of the men who were stuck along the trail west with nothing to eat and instead of praying for food, they prayed that their stomachs would be able to handle the leather that they would eat. So I got to thinking that instead of praying that no contention be brought my way -  I would pray for COURAGE and PEACE and the ability to deal with whatever came before me!  And you know what?... it worked!!!  When the calls (or emails) came.. I dealt with it in a way that didn't ruin the rest of day. I took care of what needed to be addressed and went back to being with my family. In the moment and enjoying the kids!  I am so grateful that the Atonement covers much more than just saving us from our sins.. that is can also bring us the peace and comfort that I so desperately needed!

REFLECTIONS OF THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

March 2015

I have been continuing on into my 2nd month with my study on the Atonement. I have learned sooooo much over these past weeks and am so grateful for a deeper understanding of this matchless gift from the Savior. One morning I read the conference talk "Personal Strength Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ" by Richard G Scott and ended up with 3 pages of notes! Some of the things that stood out to me:

* The Lord sees weaknesses differently than he does rebellion. The Lord warns that unrepentant rebellion will bring punishment, yet when he speaks of weaknesses, it is always with mercy.

* Many of us have allowed weakness to develop in our character. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we, like the Ammonites, can build "Spiritual Fortifications" between ourselves and any past mistakes that Satan attempt to exploit. So... HOW do we build these Eternal Fortifications? Through Sincere, Thorough and Complete Repentance (remembering that Repentance is not punishment, but it is the hope-filled path to a more glorious future).

A SUCCESSFUL ENRICHMENT ON THE ATONEMENT

May 2015

We did have a (successful to me) Enrichment this week on the Atonement (that I found on the "Latter Day Mommy" Blog). I had read in 2nd Nephi where Lehi is about to die and is giving final advise/wisdom to each of his sons and when he is talking to Jacob, it struck me that the things he is teaching his son are the same things I should be teaching the kids. One of those "things" was the Atonement and how that is truly the most important thing for us to learn and understand (and teach)! We actually talk and teach of the Atonement regularly but I was impressed that we should be spending even more time on this and so I've decided to dedicate 1 Enrichment each week to the Atonement (I recently concluded a 2 month study of the Atonement and there is soooooo much to learn about!). Anyway, I came upon this really neat object lesson that we did to explain the Law of Justice and the Law of Mercy, and how the Atonement fits into this (it’s kind of deeper doctrine that can seem a little abstract but I think the visual we did helped solidify the concept to the kids). We started out by emphasizing the crucialness of the atonement, by painting a picture

of what things would be like without it. This is exactly what many prophets in the Book of Mormon did, such as King Benjamin, Abinadi, Alma, etc.

It’s important because, if we truly understand the needfulness of the atonement, it makes us more likely to exercise the faith and repentance necessary to make the atonement work in our lives. But if its importance doesn’t sink deeply enough into our hearts, we’re likely to take it for granted and not be as motivated to take the steps to apply the atonement to ourselves.

God abides by the law of justice. This is His law.
The law of justice is like the law of gravity or any other law of physics. When you walk off a diving board, there’s a natural consequence. When you put a pin through a balloon, it pops. You can’t avoid the consequence- it’s inevitable. Likewise, if we sin, there is a punishment: separation from God’s presence, because “no unclean thing can enter into the presence of God.” (1 Nephi 10:21)

Let’s suppose for a minute that there were no atonement. If you made a mistake, even once, in your life, you would be banished from Heavenly Father’s presence forever. You blew it- no second chances. That’s how the law of justice works.
(To demonstrate this, I had two balloons and popped one at this point as the kids threw out some sins - dishonesty, saying bad words, being mean to each other, stealing, etc).

Thankfully, there is an atonement. We all have sinned, but because of the atonement, there is a second chance. The law of mercy can balance out the law of justice.
(We then put a piece of masking tape on the 2nd (blown up) balloon and then I stuck the pin through the balloon where the tape was - the tape prevents the balloon from popping).

I explained that the tape represented the Atonement and is what protects the balloon from being “exposed to the whole demands of the law of justice,” just as Jesus Christ, through his atonement, stands between us and justice, if we will take advantage of his atonement.

We finished up by emphasizing that even though Christ atoned for our sins– if we don’t repent and take the steps required to access God’s mercy, it’s as if there were no atonement made and that not repenting of our sins is like having the masking tape right in front of us, but not applying it to our balloon. It is then exposed to the whole law of justice because there is no safety net. The atonement takes absolutely no effect in our lives if we neglect to do our part.

The kids then took turns demonstrating this (by poking pins into balloons). I think it really connected a visual to what they were learning in a way that hadn't happened before!

MOM'S EASTER TALK ON 

THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

April 2017

Also, today in Sacrament Meeting, I (mom) gave a 20 minute talk on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Apparently I had 40 minutes of material because I had to skip over half of it to stay within the allotted time! It went really well and I felt I said the words that Heavenly Father wanted me too. At the very beginning of my talk, I shared 2 analogies that I have used to teach our own family about the Atonement.  I wanted to include the first part of my talk here so that I can reference in years to come and also for my own posterity...
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Happy Easter everyone!

What a wonderful time of year we have dedicated to our Savior and the role he played in helping us realize our ultimate goal of Eternal Life!

One can guess that my words this morning will reflect on the Savior - and I wanted to focus on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

A couple of years ago, I was trying to teach my own children about the Atonement and came across 2 different analogies (that made so much sense to me (and to my kids!) and I wanted to start off by sharing those because I think that it can sometimes be difficult to clearly explain the law of justice and the law of mercy, and how the atonement fits into this. It’s kind of deeper doctrine that can seem a little abstract. Anyway, I found this really neat object lesson and it was a great way to help visualize these concepts and make the principles more concrete.  

I started out by holding up a balloon and telling them that God abides by the law of justice. This is His law. The law of justice is like the law of gravity or any other law of physics. When you walk off a diving board, there’s a natural consequence. When you put a pin through a balloon, it pops (and I then proceeded to pop the balloon so they could visually see it). You can’t avoid the consequence- it’s inevitable. Likewise, if we sin, there is a punishment: separation from God’s presence, because as it says in 1 Nephi 10:21 “no unclean thing can enter into the presence of God.”

Let’s suppose for a minute that there were no atonement. If you made a mistake, even once, in your life, you would be banished from Heavenly Father’s presence forever. You blew it- no second chances. That’s how the law of justice works.

Thankfully, there is an atonement. We all have sinned, but because of the atonement, there is a second chance. The law of mercy can balance out the law of justice.

I then showed my kids a second balloon and Put a piece of masking tape on the balloon and asked one of them to stick the pin through the balloon where the tape is. Of course they all wanted to try it and so we did this several times with multiple balloons and as you might imagine the balloon did not pop!

I explained that the tape represents the atonement of Christ and that is what protects the balloon from being “exposed to the whole demands of the law of justice,” just as Jesus Christ, through his atonement, stands between us and justice, if we will take advantage of his atonement.

We finished up our lesson by emphasizing that–even though Christ atoned for our sins– if we don’t repent and take the steps required to access God’s mercy, it’s as if there were no atonement made. Not repenting of our sins is like having the masking tape right in front of us, but not applying it to our balloon. It is then exposed to the whole law of justice because there is no safety net. The atonement takes absolutely no effect in our lives if we neglect to do our part.

This is emphasized in Alma 34:16 “And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.”

This was a very effective way (at least that I found) that even my youngest kids could grasp and understand and it completely opened up my eyes as well as how the Atonement works in our lives!

Now every so often I like to revisit the Atonement of Christ just to make sure that my children are remembering it and to maybe go a little deeper into the doctrine... and so it was time to do another lesson on it (but I didn’t want to do the same one - even though it truly is an amazing and effective one!) so back to the internet I went and this time I came across a talk by Brad Wilcox focusing more on Grace.

Now let’s pause for just a moment and let’s talk about “Grace” - what exactly is it? We see it written in the scriptures and we hear other Christians using the word - so what exactly does it mean??

Well In the Bible Dictionary we learn that the word grace frequently is used in the scriptures to mean the “Enabling power of the Atonement of Christ”

It occurs frequently in the New Testament, especially in the writings of Paul. The main idea of the word is basically “Divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.”

And finally Grace can be described as the Divine assistance or heavenly help each of us desperately needs to qualify for the celestial kingdom. Thus, the enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity.

Alright so back to the analogy that was shared: He said that

• Christ’s arrangement with us is similar to a mom providing music lessons for her child.
• Mom pays the piano teacher.
• Because Mom pays the debt in full, she can turn to her child and ask for something. What is it? Practice!
• Does the child’s practice pay the piano teacher? No.
• Does the child’s practice repay Mom for paying the piano teacher? No.
• Practicing is how the child shows appreciation for Mom’s incredible gift. It is how he takes advantage of the amazing opportunity Mom is giving him to live his life at a higher level. Mom’s joy is found not in getting repaid but in seeing her gift used—seeing her child improve. And so she continues to call for practice, practice, practice.

If the child sees Mom’s requirement of practice as being too overbearing (“Gosh, Mom, why do I need to practice? None of the other kids have to practice! I’m just going to be a professional baseball player anyway!”), perhaps it is because he doesn’t yet see with mom’s eyes. He doesn’t see how much better his life could be if he would choose to live on a higher plane.

In the same way, because Jesus has paid justice, He can now turn to us and say, “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19), “Keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

• If we see His requirements as being way too much to ask (“Gosh! None of the other Christians have to pay tithing! None of the other Christians have to go on missions, serve in callings, and do temple work!”), maybe it is because we do not yet see through Christ’s eyes. We have not yet comprehended what He is trying to make of us.
• Elder Bruce C. Hafen has written, “The great Mediator asks for our repentance not because we must ‘repay’ him in exchange for his paying our debt to justice, but because repentance initiates a developmental process that, with the Savior’s help, leads us along the path to a saintly character”
• President Spencer W. Kimball’s explanation, “The repenting sinner must suffer for his sins, but this suffering has a different purpose than punishment or payment. Its purpose is change” (The Lord’s Way [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1991], 223; emphasis in original).
• Let’s put that in terms of our analogy: The child must practice the piano, but this practice has a different purpose than punishment or payment. Its purpose is change. To Grow. To Learn
• Now I’m sure the child at some point will say: “don’t you realize how hard it is to practice? I’m just not very good at the piano. I hit a lot of wrong notes. It takes me forever to get it right.” Now wait. Isn’t that all part of the learning process? When a young pianist hits a wrong note, we don’t say he is not worthy to keep practicing. We don’t expect him to be flawless. We just expect him to keep trying. Perfection may be his ultimate goal, but for now we can be content with progress in the right direction. Why is this perspective so easy to see in the context of learning piano but so hard to see in the context of learning heaven?

Aren’t those both great ways of teaching and thinking about how the Atonement truly affects our lives? As I continue on with my talk, I wanted to focus more on this Grace or Enabling Power of Atonement of Christ

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “I suspect that [we] are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming power of the Atonement than we are with the enabling power of the Atonement.” He suggested that most of us understand that Christ came to earth to die for us, to pay the price for our sins, to make us clean, to redeem us from our fallen state, and to enable every person to be resurrected from the dead.

But, Elder Bednar said, “I frankly do not think many of us ‘get it’ concerning [the] enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement, and I wonder if we mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and with our obviously limited capacities.

I think many people today believe that through their own “sheer grit, willpower, and discipline” they can manage just about anything. This simply is not true. Heavenly Father and the Savior can inspire, comfort, and strengthen us in our time of need, if we remember to cast our burdens at Their feet.

On the eve of Jesus Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane, He issued these final words to His disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). I recently read a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland who said “[This] may be one of the Savior’s commandments that is, even in the hearts of otherwise faithful Latter-day Saints, almost universally disobeyed; and yet I wonder whether our resistance to this invitation could be any more grievous to the Lord’s merciful heart.”

I found myself as a part of those Latter Day Saints that Elder Holland referred to - letting my heart be trouble and being afraid.

One such time was early on in our marriage. John had just graduated college and been commissioned as a 2LT in the Army and I was 8 months pregnant with our 2nd son, Seth. It was around this same time that we found out where our first duty station would be. We had been anticipating orders to Colorado or Washington or even Italy (which had been submitted as our top picks) so you can imagine our surprise when we found out that we had been assigned to Korea! Oh, and one more detail I need to state - it was to be an unaccompanied 1 year tour. Our little family would be separated. Originally we just thought - no biggie, we’ll apply for a Command Sponsorship so our 2 boys and I could go with him... but that request was denied. My heart was troubled and fearful!

I’m not sure if I was consciously aware at the time that I was casting my burden at the Savior's feet but I threw myself into the scriptures to try and find peace and answers. True to His word, I was comforted and strengthened in my time of need. He brought peace to my heart and assured me that everything was going to be OK! As a little back history of me - I grew up in a military family and had actually lived in Korea for 2 years as a child. With my parents encouragement, we decided that we’d do whatever it took to be together - even if that meant living off post in a Korean Neighborhood and paying for it ourselves. And that’s just what we did! John got over there and found a little Korean Villa for us to live in and then sent for us. The journey over there is another story in itself (which I’ll share sometime if I’m ever asked to speak on Prayer -- and no, that is not an invitation for another speaking assignment!) but I look back on this experience as a time that I truly relied on the Savior and that through the enabling powers of Christ’s Atonement - I was comforted and no longer fearful.

Christ stands ready with outstretched arms as He waits for us to come unto Him and be encircled in the arms of His love (see D&C 6:20). It is here that we can be healed, nourished, loved, enabled, strengthened, and made whole. Although the trial may be hard and the relief may not be immediate, we need to learn to allow God to help carry our burdens. We can do this by turning to Him regularly to seek His enabling power..