This photo is from 2010. It was taken at my son Michael's funeral. It was a very difficult day for me and my children. Still, looking back, I'm so grateful I felt Heavenly Father's love throughout the day from the Holy Spirit. I'm so thankful God gave it to us as a gift to feel His love and comfort us in times of need.
We are living at a time now where I feel it is more important than ever to hear… to listen to that still small voice within us. This voice talks to our hearts and minds and helps us know that our Father in Heaven is there listening to our deepest prayers. It doesn't yell, demean, or put down our efforts or other's. It is the voice of peace, calm, and direction for our lives.
There are voices all around us; some come as shouts with anger.
Some want to argue and cause stress and hate.
Some voices want to scare us with innuendo, half-truths, and blatant lies to create confusion and fear.
Some voices want to bully and tear down us, others, and our way of life.
Among all these, remember, we can choose the voices we listen to.
There is one voice that will always bring peace to our troubled souls...a still, small voice.
Our Father in Heaven's voice...
"...and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice...." ~ 1 Kings 19:11-13
He is not in the earthquakes, the fires, or the wind—the loud, rancorous parts of our lives. He is there as you slow down, breathe deeply, and honestly ask for His voice to fill your soul because He is in that still, small voice. Hearing the voice of peace takes practice. It is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets and will guide you.
Sometimes, we overthink thoughts that come into our minds. Don't analyze, rationalize, or overquestion… follow it… or as Nike would say, Just Do It! I could write volumes about all the wonderful things that have happened because I listened. And I guess you could say the same for when I didn't either🤦🏻♀️😂. All I know is that when we live our lives in accordance with God's will and not ours, the more we hear it.
This Sunday, I hope we all find that quiet peace inside and pray, ponder, and listen to find hope, love, and peace in our lives. Have a beautiful sabbath day, and remember, I love you all very much.
Marie's Sunday Message
January 7, 2018
On January 12, 2018, my dear friend and president of our church, Thomas S. Monson, will be laid to rest. I want to dedicate my Sunday message to this incredible leader who has helped me better understand our heavenly family reunions in the life hereafter. He consoled me at my parents' funeral services. During my son Michael's service, he gave me hope and a renewed promise of life after death. I will genuinely miss his great counsel and spirit.
One of my favorite things this loving servant of God did for our family was when he drove down from Salt Lake City to Provo, Utah, after my mother suffered a massive stroke to give her a priesthood blessing. When we asked him what prompted him to do this, he said he was just following the "Lord's List" that day. Then, President Monson taught me the importance of always carrying a little notebook in my purse or pocket. He said, "When the Spirit speaks, write it down immediately." At the end of the day, make sure you do "God's List" before you check off your list of "To Do's." He explained that the Spirit never hounds, pushes, or pounds at us but instead comes as a simple prompting, a thought, or a feeling. That's why we need to write these impressions down so we don't forget. President Monson taught me that day to listen more intently. By doing this, we learn how God wants us to serve one another, and even some of the answers to our questions and daily prayers often come to us through silent promptings from the Spirit.
He continued saying that the Spirit told him that my mother needed a blessing, and it definitely was a comfort to our family when he followed his prompting and showed up at the hospital.
He was a living example of following the promptings of the Spirit:
President Monson often said, "The Spirit of truth is of God."
I know that God communicates to us through the sweet, calm, and still small voice of inspiration that comes to those who strive to listen--those who are obedient to His counsels, covenants, and commandments. I pray this day and always that we will be able to be still long enough to feel the Holy Ghost, allowing it to communicate to our spirits and minds so we can always know His will for us.
One of my favorite quotes by President Monson:
"We watch. We wait. We listen for that still, small voice. When it speaks, wise men and women obey. We do not postpone... promptings of the Spirit."
Thomas Monson, you continue to be a disciple of Christ, a humble man who is always on the Lord's errand and a true inspiration. I am grateful for your wise, lasting words reminding us of the crucial things that go into the eternities. I love you, and I am eternally thankful for your devout love and dedication to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
And to all of you, remember how much you are loved! #HappySunday 🙏💋
#HisDay #BelovedLDSProphet #followthespirit #lovehim #RIPThomasSMonson