The Miracle of Fasting

Please enjoy these inspiring words from Christine Southwick:
A few months ago, I was traveling to Portland to take Jacob on yet another trip to Shriner’s. I decided to put in the Book of Mormon on CD to help pass the time. I was listening to Mosiah chapter 3 where King Benjamin was teaching his people. As I listened to this reading, I heard something that I did not recall being a part of the text. It was an ah-ha moment that required me to turn off the CD player and ponder the impressions I had. Tears came to my eyes as the impact of these words began to sink into my soul.

Although I cannot remember the exact words that were said, the impression that I received was that I needed to evaluate if I had done everything within my power to bring my brethren unto the teachings of Christ. The person that immediately came to my mind was my father, who has been inactive in the Church for about 35 years. I was left with the feeling that when I was facing my “Judgment Day” that I would not be found blameless if I continued on the path that I was on.

I pondered what it was that I could do that would bring my father back to the gospel without pushing him away or leaving him with the impression that I was nagging. I decided that we as an extended family needed to fast and pray in his behalf. I have been blessed to be the recipient of many blessings that have come as a result of fasting and prayer. The very fact that both Jacob and Jared are alive today and relatively healthy is directly a result of fasting and prayer.

I immediately called my sister, brother & mother. As I talked with my family regarding my desire to dedicate fast Sunday’s to our father and his eternal welfare, we decided that even the littlest of children should participate. Although they are too little to fast, they would give up something of value to them during that time of fasting. We even got my mother and her new husband involved in this fast. We have decided that in addition to our personal prayers and submitting his name in the temple we would dedicate part of our fast each month to him until……

When I first mentioned to my brother what I heard when listening to the CD, he was hesitant and did not remember that warning either. Because he is quite the scriptorian, I decided that I would go back and find the reference for him. I have now read over all of King Benjamin’s words many times and cannot find the reference or the impression that I received that day. I can only conclude that the Holy Ghost provided me with a prompting and the personal revelation that I needed. (This is not the first time that I have received personal revelation regarding my father and his eternal welfare.)

On the conclusion of our first fast, around 9:15 pm, my father called just to chat. This is an extremely rare thing. I could not recall the last time that he called just to chat, other than when he was doing a long distance drive and was struggling to stay alert. We talked for about 45 minutes, just about things in general.

When I hung up the phone, Ben asked if my dad knew that we were fasting for him and I exclaimed “NO WAY!” We both were in complete surprise.

I was touched by how quickly the Lord began to answer our prayers and to encourage the righteous desires of our hearts. Just as we have been promised over and over again in the scriptures, He would “turn the hearts of the children to the fathers and the hearts of the fathers to the children”.

Since July when we had our first fast, my father now calls me about every 10 days or so, just to check in and see what is going on in our lives. He has even had a number of conversations with my brother regarding gospel topics. When I was visiting him in August we talked about the importance of the eternal family and how we missed him in ours. We also discussed the challenges and rewards that come through the repentance process. To watch his eyes as I explained that there is literally an invisible weight that is lifted when one’s bishop feels compelled to pronoun you forgiven. To see the struggle within him that comes with making that decision. All of these things would not have been possible at the beginning of the year.

Before we began to fast in his behalf, he would become defensive and suddenly need to go whenever the gospel was brought up. He avoided as much as possible ever stepping into a chapel because of the flood of emotion and guilt that it would bring upon him.

Although he is not ready to begin taking official steps toward the repentance process, I can testify that the Lord is indeed creating our own little work and a wonder in the progress that he has made.

I testify that the Lord truly does hear and answer our prayers and that praying in conjunction with an honest fast, can literally bring forth miracles. I leave you with these words, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Touched Shoulders With You

The following post is from our sweet Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Billie Joy Myers.

I have something that I've loved to share over the years that means a great
deal to me, since we sisters 'touch shoulders' with each other each
Sabbath.


Touched Shoulders With You
Author – unknown

There’s a comforting thought at the close of the day,
When I’m weary and lonely and sad,
That sort of grips hold of my crusty old heart
And bids it be merry and glad.
It gets in my soul and it drives out the blues,
And finally thrills through and through.
It is just a sweet memory that chants the refrain:
“I’m glad that I touched shoulders with you!”

Did you know you were brave, did you know you were strong?
Did you know there was one leaning hard?
Did you know that I waited and listened and prayed?
And was cheered by your simplest word?
Did you know that I longed for that smile on your face?
For the sound of your voice ringing true?
Did you know I grew stronger and better because
I had merely touched shoulders with you?

I am glad that I live, that I battle and strive
For the place that I know I must fill;
I am thankful for sorrows. I’ll meet with a grin
What fortune may send good or ill.
I may not have wealth. I may not be great,
But I know I shall always be true,
For I have in my life that courage you gave
When once I touched shoulders with you.

We Are Sisters in Zion

One of the greatest things about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the way His disciples are organized. We are organized into Ward families. I love that- ward family. A family takes care of each other; they support each other; they learn from each other.

In that light, we'd like to open our blog to you, Sisters, to share your stories of life and faith. We all have something to share, and we all have something to learn.

Let's come together in rejoicing and sorrow, in faith and frustration, so we can mourn with those that mourn, and rejoice with those that rejoice. Let us come together as Sister in Zion, for that is what we are.

Please email me at 2michellewilson@gmail.com with your stories and I will post them on our blog. And be sure to check out the blog to see what other sisters have shared!

The Great Deep

In the book of Ether, in the Book of Mormon, we read of the account of the Jaredites, a group of people preserved at the time of the Tower of Babel who were led to the promised land. They lived and grew in number for thousands of years, and eventually killed each other off in civil wars. It's a beautiful, yet tragic tale of faith and war.

Amidst their story are hidden treasures of truth. One of my favorites is in the beginning of their story. At the time the languages were confounded at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:9) there was a man named Jared. He had a brother who was a mighty man. Jared asked his brother to cry unto the Lord, that their family might keep their language and be spared. The brother of Jared did so, and the Lord had compassion on them. The Lord also promises to lead them to a promised land and make them a great nation. Here is where I find one of the first jewels- in Ether 1:43 "...And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me." Another testimony of the blessings that come through faithful prayer.

But, the one that struck me particularly deeply was found in chapter 2. The Lord had given them instructions to build barges to take the brother of Jared and his family across the waters. Jared builds the barges and approaches the Lord with the issue of lighting. How will they see if there are not windows in the barges? During a three hour conversation, the Lord puts it back on the brother of Jared and asks him and interesting question: "What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?" He asked Jared to figure it out. But before he left Jared to find an answer, the Lord reassures the brother of Jared that He is over all. Ether 2:24 "Nevertheless I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth."

Then the Lord goes on to share with the brother of Jared the most simple, eternal truth. Vs 25 "And behold, I prepared you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come."

The brother of Jared was living in a time of great turmoil and disruption. He had the faith to approach the Lord a "long time" for help. The Lord prepared him for his journey to the promised land. And though the journey would be long and difficult, he extended his merciful hand which ensured a safe arrival. I have written next to this verse in the margin the word "life".

At times I feel like life is a "great deep". How am I to cross it? How will I see? As I seek the Lord for guidance, at times he gives me direction. But, at times He lets me work it out, in hopes that I will learn and grow, all the while watching over me. No matter how hard I try, I cannot cross this great deep unless I am prepared against the waves of the sea, and the winds and floods. I cannot get through this life unless I am strengthened through Him against the tragedies, frustrations and temptations life requires.

How comforting to know that the Lord, my Savior, is always there, preparing me, supporting me and guiding me through my "great deep".

We hope you'll share your thoughts on how the Savior has prepared you to make it through your "great deep" with all of us! Simply click the comments button below.

A Savior's Prayer

Our Relief Society Lesson on Sunday was about prayer. Through prayer we can communicate with our Father in Heaven our fears, dreams, desires, gratitude, and all that is nearest and dearest to us.

I was looking in the Book of Mormon today in 3 Nephi chapter 19, where the Savior visited the Nephites after he was resurrected. After he called and set apart 12 apostles to serve him on the American continent, he offered up a prayer to our shared Father in Heaven on their behalf. He prayed that they would have the Holy Ghost with them that all shall believe their words.

The next part of our Savior's prayer, I believe, was for us today as much as it was for the people then. It goes as follows:

23: "And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe of their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them, as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one."

I find it so touching that not only did Jesus Christ sacrifice for us, but even after the Atonement had been completed, he prayed to our Father in Heaven that we may believe in Him- that his sacrifice might not be in vain. He prayed for us.

Above is a picture that hangs in my hall at my children's eye-level. It is a reminder to them, and to me, that prayer is powerful. Even the Savior prayed- for us.

I would love to hear any comments or stories you sisters might have regarding prayer.

Color-coding your Patriarchal Blessing

A Patriarchal Blessing, when regularly read and understood, can be a source of comfort and guidance throughout our lives. But, sometimes we can be overwhelmed by information in our blessings. Sometimes we put them in a "safe place" only to forget where that place is. And sometimes we simply just don't understand it.

One thing I've done to help me fully understand the promised blessings, counsel, warnings and other wonderful things in my blessing is color-coding it.

Here's how you do it.

1. Make at least two photo copies of your blessing- one will be a "sloppy copy" and the other will be the final version.

2. Have three color pencils, hi-lighters or makers on hand.

3. Carefully read through your blessing. The first time, look for only the things that are promised you. Hi-light those the first color.

4. The second time, look for only what is asked of you, or counseled. Hi-light these the next color.

5. The third time, what is left should be considered "your life". This is things that you learn about you before you came here, or things you will do or experience while you are here.


So, you should have your blessing in three colors - What is promised. What is asked. and My life.

For me, when I am having down days, I read the What is promised colored parts. It brings me hope. When I am motivated to do better, I read the What is asked parts. And when I want to see if I am on the right track, I read the My Life sections.


Of course, there are many different ways you can color-code your own blessings. The above are just what has worked for me.

I have also typed my blessing into my computer and color-coded the text. Then I shrunk it down to fit into my scriptures. I have my color-coded blessing pasted in the back of my scriptures where I can read it often.

I hope you all take the opportunity to try this out. Your Patriarchal Blessing is meant to guide you through your life- and this is a great way to take full advantage of it.

I'd love to hear how this color-coding experience was for you if you'd like to comment below!

Michelle