Thursday, August 26, 2010

~Meekness~

So I was asked to give a talk on Sunday August 22, 2010. I was so nervous but got through it ok!

Here is the talk...

Intro: I’m Julianna Loggins! I’m from Boise, Idaho and am the oldest of 4. I’ve been in the ward for about 6 months. I moved to Virginia to nanny a beautiful little girl named Kaitlyn, who just turned 7 months. Watching a child this young is definitely preparing me for when I have my own children.

My topic today is on meekness, which I found is not an easy subject to write about. I want to go over 3 main points with you today.

  • What is meekness?
  • Why is it important?
  • How can we acquire meekness?
In Mosiah 3:19 it reads…

So first of all, what does it mean to be meek? Meekness is being humbly patient, calm, gentle, submissive and long-suffering. “Sometimes being meek means accepting circumstances as they are. At other times, being meek means taking action. It takes meekness to leave behind a familiar life to join the Church, or to accept a mission call, or to resist wickedness by taking righteous action. Meekness is humble submission to God‘s will. When we are meek, we acknowledge that God‘s ways are higher than our ways” (Visiting Teaching Message, February 1995).

I’ve thought a lot about what meekness means to me. Two things have really stood out to me (1) helping/serving others and (2) setting an example. When helping/serving others, I think we need to have a positive attitude about them. We should want to help and serve others and not do it just because we are told to. It is important to set a good example everywhere we go because we never know who may be watching us. “By the way you live the gospel, you reflect [the Savior‘s] light. Your example will have a powerful effect for good on the earth. ‘Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations‘ (D&C 115:5). It is a call to each of you. It is a call to move to higher ground. It is a call to leadership -- to lead out in purity, modesty, and holiness. It is a call to share this light with others. It is a time to ’arise and shine forth’” (Elaine S. Dalton, It Shows in Your Face).

Why is meekness important?

The Savior described himself as “meek and lowly in heart.” In that pre-mortal council wherein Jesus meekly volunteered to aid the Father’s plan, He said, ‘Here I am, send me’ It was one of those special moments when a few words were preferred to many. Never has one individual offered, in so few words, to do so much for so many, as did Jesus when he meekly gave Himself as ransom for all of us (Neal A. Maxwell, Meekness: A Dimension of True Discipleship,1982). In order to fulfill his divine mission, he patiently endured weariness, ridicule, misunderstanding, rejection, and, finally, the agony of Gethsemane and his crucifixion. He also took courageous action when necessary, cleansing the temple and casting out evil spirits. Always, He meekly accepted and followed His Father’s will (Visiting Teaching Message, February 1995).

In Moroni 7:42-47 it reads…

“Meekness is not only an attribute essential for itself; Moroni declared that it is also vital because one simply cannot develop those other crucial virtues --faith, hope, and charity--without meekness. In the ecology of the eternal attributes these cardinal characteristics are inextricably bound up together. Among them, meekness is often the initiator, the facilitator, and the consolidator” (Neal A. Maxwell, Meekness: A True Dimension of Discipleship).

How can we acquire meekness?

I asked this question to some of my family and friends from back home. These are some of the answers I got:
  • Put the Lord first
  • Put aside pride, greed or worry and focus instead on His divine mission and trust in His understanding of our divine worth and that of every soul on the earth
  • Realizing that meekness is not weakness, it is incredible strength and a real asset to any personality!
“Meekness is one of those attributes acquired only by experience, some of it is painful, for it is developed ‘according to the flesh’ It is not an attribute achieved overnight, nor is it certified to in only one exam ---but, rather, “in process of time.” Acquiring meekness is a process. We are asked to “take up the cross daily.” Our lifting should not be an occasional exercise. More meekness does not translate to weakness, but it is the presentation of self in a posture of kindness and gentleness. It reflects certitude, strength, serenity; it reflects a healthy self-esteem and a genuine self-control.” “More meekness will allow us to be tutored by the Spirit.” (Neal A. Maxwell, Meekness: A True Dimension of Discipleship).

In closing, I would like to bear my testimony that I know my Savior lives. Our Heavenly Father has made it clear that if we will not forsake Him, he will not forsake us. I know with all my heart that this is true, that if we do our part and follow the commandments, the Savior will be with us every step of the way. It doesn’t matter where we are, or if is day or night. He will ALWAYS be there to help us. I say this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Kaitlyn Grace Clark



1 month old Kaitlyn...



...and now 6 month old Kaitlyn