CLOTHING CARE

Keeping clothing “neat and comely” can be a constant challenge. Just remember to read the care label on each article of clothing and keep whites, darks, and colors separated when you wash.

Try to keep away from purchasing “dry-clean only” items as this increases the price of the clothing article every time you clean it.

GENERAL METHODS OF STAIN REMOVAL

Always remember to treat stains as soon as they happen. If a stained article of clothing slips
past your notice, the heat of the dryer may set the stain permanently. Try these economical
methods of stain removal before you go out and buy the more expensive cleaners.


STAIN....... METHOD OF REMOVAL

BLOOD: Treat spot with hydrogen peroxide. After foaming has stopped soak in cold water for 30 minutes. Wring out garment and apply laundry detergent to spot and rub in. Launder as usual. Warning- when removing blood from colored fabrics, make sure it is colorfast by applying peroxide to an area that cannot be seen. If the peroxide doesn't bleach out the color then it is safe to use on blood stain.

CATSUP/TOMATO: Soak in cold water and treat spot with Dawn dish soap. Wash.
SAUCE

CHOCOLATE: Wash stain in warm, sudsy water with a few drops of ammonia rubbed in. Rinse.

CRAYON: Loosen stain with small amount of shortening. Apply detergent on stain, working until outline of stain is removed. Launder as usual.

GRASS: Rub detergent or Enzyme detergent into stain. Wash with bleach safe for fabric.

GREASE, OIL : Treat spot with paint thinner. Rub detergent into spot and wash.

GUM: Harden gum with an ice-cube. Scrape off as much as possible with a dull knife. Dab a few drops of Orange essential oil on residue spot until remaining gum is loosened and blot with paper towel. Wash as usual.

INK : Spray spot with hairspray or alcohol. Blot with paper towel until ink is gone. Launder as usual.

MILDEW: Pretreat stain with hydrogen peroxide. Rinse and then wash with bleach safe for fabric.

MUD: Allow to dry. Brush off dirt. Pretreat with liquid laundry detergent and wash as usual.

NAIL POLISH: Do not use nail polish remover! Treat spot with a solution of equal parts of alcohol and ammonia. Scrub and wash as usual.

PAINT: Work quickly before paint is dry. Most paints today are acrylic and water based, so quickly scrub spot with soap and water. If paint is still there, scrub spot with paint thinner, pre-soak with laundry detergent and wash.

RUST: Apply lemon juice and salt and place in the sun. Keep area wet with lemon juice until rust stain disappears. Launder.

YELLOWING: (For white fabrics only)
1/4 cup dishwasher detergent
½ cup bleach
1/4 cup soda
Dissolve and agitate in hot water. Add whites and soak for 1-8 hours. Drain and wash as usual. *This method is great for getting formula stains out of baby tee shirts and for getting the pink out of whites that accidentally got a red sock in them!

RECYCLING CLOTHING

Clothes can be made for all member of the family from used clothing or items around the
house for little to no cost. By using your creativity and artistic abilities you can create clothing for your family. You can accomplish this in several ways– by adding an accent, an additional piece (as in a new collar, cuffs, pockets, etc...), refitting a size or making an entirely new outfit for a small child from an adult’s piece of clothing. Make sure fabric is not so worn out that it will fall apart when being remade.

IDEAS TO HELP YOU GET STARTED:

ITEMS AROUND HOUSE- RECYCLED INTO...

Yarn Scraps- Granny Square Afghan, Poncho, Skirt
Potholder, Doll Clothes, Crafts


Old Levis- Purses, Skirts, Patchwork Jacket, Quilt,
Small child's pants or jackets

Old Acrylic Blankets- Coats, Inside batting for Quilts, Bunting
for baby

Old Coats/Furry linings- Stuffed Animals, Slippers, Child’s coat

Torn Sheets- Pillow cases, Costumes for Halloween (I
made a cute Indian girl costume by using
using an old, white flannel sheet that I
dyed tan, fringed the edges, added beads
and then sewed moccasins to match
from the scraps of leftover sheet. The
texture looked like real buckskin.

Man’s White Shirt- Child’s Slip, small boy’s White Shirt

Old Nightgowns and Slips- Children’s nightgowns, Underwear

Old Woolen Sweaters- Mittens, Caps, Child’s Sweater

Jumpers, Dresses, Skirts, Slacks, Shirts- Children's clothing


The ideas are only limited by your imagination.

SHOPPING, "SAILING," AND THRIFT STORES

I detest clothes shopping! It makes me tired and discouraged, besides the fact that it
depletes the pocket book very quickly. Because of this hatred for shopping, I’m probably the last person that could give any amazing tips on shopping for clothes, but I do have a few strategies that are helpful to those of you who are shopping fanatics.

First of all, never buy anything full retail price. In her book, “Tightwad Gazette”, Amy
Dacyczyn explains the differences between disposable purchases and investment purchases. Disposable purchases are items we buy for short term use, such as, food, clothing, toiletries, etc... When we pay high prices on disposable purchases we are basically throwing money down the drain. That is what we do when we pay full retail on clothing. Clothing goes out of style, is grown out of, can be irreparably damaged or soiled which makes that purchase a waste of resources. (Read Amy’s article as soon as possible!)

Next, shop the clearance racks. Stores always have racks at the back of the clothing
department with items marked down at great savings. My daughter and I went shopping at an
expensive department store and found a formal dress on the clearance rack marked down from
$129.00 to $19.00 and it was darling on her! Shop for the seasonal clearances. Usually, stores will clear out their winter clothing in January/February and their summer clothing in July/August. This may mean you’ll find a nice coat for the next winter but the savings will be over half the price. If shopping for growing children, buy larger sizes that they can grow into. It also helps to buy “unisex” styles so the article of clothing can be passed down from one child to another.

“Sailing” is what I like to call garage sale hunting. This is one of our family’s favourite things to do together on a summer Saturday. We live in a small town and many times we would just hop on our bikes and ride to the sales that were closest to us. Garage sales are vehicles in which God has seen that many of our needs are met. We’ve had some amazing miracles happen through garage sales. When my husband’s job was transferring him from St. George, Utah, to Southeastern Idaho, we were concerned about the need for winter clothing. We were living in a place that rarely, if ever, got snow to a place where snow was measured in feet during the winter. The
Saturday after we received the news of the transfer we went “sailing” with the sole purpose of
finding winter clothes and boots. At our very first house we found BOXES of coats, sweaters, snow suits, boots, mittens and whatever we needed for the snow in varied sizes! All of these winter clothes in a place that gets so hot that the Devil doesn’t even want to live there! And what was even more incredible was the price...a dollar a box full! There is no one that can convince me that God didn’t watch out for us and fulfill our every need. And this isn’t an isolated experience either. Many times we would make our list of things we would need and find it at garage sales. On several occasions I remember our eldest daughter, when she was little, would decide what special item she really needed for that “saling” day. She was so darling, as a little five year old, darting over to the area, scanning sharply for that item that she wanted and immediately wanting to leave if she didn’t find it. Nothing distracted her and without fail she’d come home that day with new shoes, or a dress, or whatever happened to be what she felt she had need of at the time. As I have said many times before, God wants us to succeed. He will provide us with our needs if we just have faith. Garage sales are a simple way for this to happen.

It is important to make a list out for garage sales, otherwise, purchases can be wasteful and all you end up is having a lot of other people’s junk messing up your house. That isn’t to say
that if you discover a real find that you shouldn’t buy it because it isn’t on the list. Just make
sure it is truly worth buying. Make sure you involve the children. Garage sales are a great way to teach children the difference between needs and wants, how to economise and how to use money. These are ideas that I would use for garage “saling”. You will probably want to add your
own needs to the list. Write them on a 3x5 card and carry it with you.

1- Clothing items and sizes (boy, girl, man, woman, baby)
2- Shoes and sizes (colors)
3- Books
4- Children’s toys (legos, porcelain dolls, stuffed animals)
5- Dishes, Cookware, Tupperware
6- Tools
7- Frugal Elegance (china pieces, crystal glasses and vases, silverware)
8- Craft/Decorating items (silk flowers, baskets, paint, frames, etc...)
9- Special Need Items_______________________________________

Thrift stores are just organized garage sales. Most of the time the prices are a little higher
than what one can pay at a garage sale, but many store’s profits go to helping those who
cannot help themselves, so I don’t mind paying a little more. Be mindful about prices. There
have been times that I have gone into our local thrift store and found a used item higher in
price than a brand new store purchased item.

CLOTHING: THAT WE MIGHT BE... “ NEAT AND COMELY”

“And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the
poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet
they were neat and comely.”
— Alma 1:27

I find it interesting that repeatedly in the Book of Mormon, a symptom of the moral decay
of the people was pride and the wearing of costly apparel. (See 2 Nephi 28:13, Jacob 2:13,
Alma 1:6, Alma 1:27, Alma 1:32, Alma 4:6, Alma 5:53, Alma 31:28, Helaman 13:28, 4 Nephi
1:24, Mormon 8:36‑37.) In contrast, when they were humble, they gave of what they had to
others and were modest, clean, neat and attractive. (Alma 1:27)
There is a danger when we become too obsessed with expensive designer clothing. Bruce
R. McConkie said, “Worldly styles and fashions in women's dress, whatever they may happen to be at any moment, being of the world, which those who join the Church are commanded to forsake, are improper and to be avoided. Almost always the apparel so involved is excessively costly, with those who wear it being lifted up in the pride of their hearts. The Nephite prophets repeatedly identified the wearing of costly clothing with apostasy and failure to live by gospel standards.”1
The prophets have stated the standards which correlate well with Alma 1:27.
“Wear modest, clean clothing. Your clothing doesn't need to be new and [it] should have some fashion of course, but [it] should be clean, modest, and neat. Be dignified in your outward manner and in your inward morality.”2

“Have your dresses neat and comely, and conduct yourselves, in the strictest sense of the
word, in chastity. If you do this you set a good example before the rising generation. Use good
language, wear comely clothing and act in all things so that you can respect yourselves and
respect each other.”3

“Let the sisters take care of themselves, and make themselves beautiful, and if any of you
are so superstitious and ignorant as to say that this is pride, I can say that you are not informed
as to the pride which is sinful before the Lord, you are also ignorant as to the excellency of the
heavens, and of the beauty which dwells in the society of the Gods. Were you to see an angel,
you would see a beautiful and lovely creature. Make yourselves like angels in goodness and
beauty. Let the mothers in Israel make their sons and daughters healthy and beautiful, by
cleanliness and a proper diet. Whether you have much or little clothing for your children, it can
be kept clean and healthy, and be made to fit their persons neatly.”4

How beautiful! To keep ourselves as “angels in goodness and beauty.” What a wonderful
ideal, yet it is an ideal that is possible to achieve. All it takes for us to be as “angels in goodness and beauty” is to be clean, modest, neat and comely in our clothing, reflecting an inner purity and radiant spirituality. As at-home-mothers, virtue is our clothing, our beauty and our wealth (see Proverbs 31:10-31). We exchange the worldly, expensive designer clothing for the opportunity to be with our children and raise them in loving, caring homes. It isn’t even an equal exchange. We are getting the far better end of the deal...one where the value is priceless.

1 “Doctrinal New Testament Commentary,” Bruce R. McConkie, Vol.3, p.80
2 “The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball,” Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, Utah, p.379
3 Journal of Discourses, Vol.12, p.299 ‑ p.300, Brigham Young, October 8th, 1868
4 Journal of Discourses, Vol.12, p.201 ‑ p.202, Brigham Young, April 8, 1868

Supplements to Build Faith

BOOSTER SUPPLEMENTS

Supplements are needed when there is a deficiency and our normal nutrition and activities
prove to be insufficient. Spiritually, we can notice a deficiency beginning in our faith when any
negative emotion shows itself. Boosters are needed when we are easily offended, or feel fear,
anxiety, criticism, ingratitude, insecurity, self-doubt, animosity, anger, pride, self-righteousness,
depression, selfishness, hate, indecision, vacillation, faltering, etc... The list can go on forever!
When there is an increase for good in our lives there will be an equal increase of evil from the
adversary in order to stop our progress. We can fight this by immunizing ourselves with the
“boosters” whenever needed.

1. FASTING: Sometimes we need the extra power that fasting can give to our prayers. “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matt. 17:21)
Spencer W. Kimball said about fasting, “Fasting brings spiritual blessings. The law of the fast is another test. If we merely go without food to supply welfare funds, it is much of the letter, but in real fasting, for spiritual blessings, come self-mastery and increased spirituality.”

2. TEMPLE ATTENDANCE: Howard W. Hunter admonished the members of the church to attend the temple often, and if that wasn’t possible, to at least be temple worthy and hold a temple recommend. The temple is God’s holy house. The quiet reverence inside is conducive to pondering and receiving the will of the Lord. Answers to our deepest needs are always to be found there. A rejuvenation and rebuilding of our spirits is a result if we go with real intent and humble hearts.

3. PRIESTHOOD BLESSINGS: “The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven...” (D&C 121:36) Ever since I’ve become a member of this church I’ve recognized the might of God behind the incredible power of the priesthood! God works through righteous men in this intimate and powerful channel, to bring about His work and glory. A priesthood blessing is the greatest “super vitamin” and “mega supplement” available to us ever! The priesthood has been restored to earth for our benefit from our loving Father in Heaven. We would be very foolish not to make use of this magnificent and powerful gift frequently!

4. WORDS OF THE PROPHETS: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)
“...Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” (D&C 1:38)
“For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me.” (D&C 84:36)
Between the revealed word of God in the recorded scriptures and all that He will reveal through His prophets, we have the security of knowing God’s will for us in all areas of our lives....if we humble ourselves and listen! Reading and rereading the conference reports can keep us committed and informed as to what the Lord has in mind for us today. Figuratively speaking, it is a booster shot in the arm!
It is my hope that this “exercise” program will be the help that you need to gain a stronger testimony of the importance of being home with your family. That you will be able to "lift the
weight" of fear from your shoulders and replace it with faith in Jesus Christ. That your hearts will be "made strong" with hope, love, joy and peace. That your homes and families will be "fortified" against evil by the protecting influence of the Spirit and mother in the home.
Remember, nothing is impossible for two [people] to do if one of them is God!

Nourishing Faith

DAILY NOURISHMENT FOR DEVELOPING FAITH

The right foods are important for physical health, so it is logical that we need to keep our faith nourished in order to have spiritual health.
1. DESIRE RIGHTEOUSNESS: Before we can have anything, we first have to want it.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matt. 5:6)

2. SCRIPTURE STUDY: This is our spiritual dietary daily requirement! Hungering and thirsting, we need to be “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine,”(1 Tim. 4:6)
“That they might be...nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way,” (Moroni 6:4).
The word is nourishing to our faith, but how should we consume it? “Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” (2 Nephi 32:3)
“Feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.” (2 Nephi 9:51)
“O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.” (Jacob 3:2)
The Lord does leave us with a warning, “Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger." (Luke 6:25) Apparently, feasting on the scriptures is one meal that should never leave us satiated!

3. KEEP COMMANDMENTS: “If it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them;” (1 Nephi 17:3)
These are the daily “musts” if we want to keep our spirits fat! We can not afford to become anorexic with our faith and spiritual well-being.

Exercise Program for Developing Stronger Faith

The Lord said, “If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is
expedient in me.” (Moroni 7:33) He also said these words on faith, “Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.” (Moroni 7:26; see also James 1:5) In this same discourse, Moroni states, “for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.” (Moroni 7:37)
Faith precedes the miracle. Let us all believe the Lord and take Him at His word! Let us
exercise our faith on Him daily, by expecting the blessings to come and recognizing His hand in all things. Great miracles will occur when we do!

DAILY EXERCISE ROUTINE FOR BUILDING FAITH
These “exercises” should be done daily if we are to keep our spiritual bodies strong in order to
build our faith.
1. PRAYER: Essential to our spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health! This is one essential element of our program that we dare not go without! Start each day with prayer to organize your thoughts and find what God desires for you. End each day in thank and prepare for the morrow. Always keep a prayer in your heart.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
(Jer. 29:13)
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matt. 21:22)
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thes. 5:17)
“For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.” (2 Nephi 32:8-9)
“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” (Alma 37:37)
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers on his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may b purified even as he is pure. Amen.” (Moroni 7:48)
“Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.” (D&C 10:5)

2. COMMITMENT: After prayer each morning, recommit your heart, mind, and energy to the gospel ideals that are most important to you in your effort to stay home with your family. This is the best time of the day for me. It helps me get focused and I’m able to ponder on the goals that I want to accomplish during the day. More importantly, I’m able to bring to heart what the Lord wants me to do that day.
“Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deut. 6:5)
“Choose ye this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh. 24:15)
“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,” (James 1:22).
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.” (2 Nephi 31:20)
“Come unto Christ....and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him,” (Omni 1:26)

3. HUMILITY: Without humility it is hard to see where we can improve. It is also hard to hear the Lord’s will concerning us because we are too busy saying, “My will, not Thine, be done!” Each morning as we recommit ourselves to living the gospel, we need to repeat to ourselves that we want what God wants for us...even if it makes us a little uncomfortable for awhile! It isn’t called the “refiner’s fire” because it is such an easy and pleasing experience to go through! But it is ALWAYS for our good and ultimate happiness. Remember, the opposite of humility is pride. If we are not humble, we are automatically lifted up in pride. Think about it.
“Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.” (D&C 112:10)
“For the natural man is an enemy of God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” (Mosiah 3:19)
“Always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come...” (Mosiah 4:11)

4. REPENTANCE: A daily necessity to recover from spiritual weakness. “I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.”(Alma 34:33)
Mormon tells us what the fruit of repentance brings to us. “And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God.” (Moroni 8:26) The Lord’s mercy is so beautiful!

5. GRATITUDE: Have you ever been around anyone that constantly complains about all of their problems? They are in essence telling God and all within their voice, “I can see no blessings in my life, therefore I have no blessings to be grateful for!” Ingratitude is one of our greatest sins against God. “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.” (D&C 59:21)
“Thou shalt thank the Lord in all things.” (D&C 59:7)
“...Let thy heart be full of thanks unto God...” (Alma 37:37)
“Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Heb. 13:15)
“Remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.” (2 Nephi 9:52)
“To the end that, my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.” (Psalm 30:12)
Gratitude is the joyful way to grow in faith!

6. SERVICE: Not only a great way of being useful to God and man, service can help us forget our own problems. When we assist others in their trials, ours don’t seem quite as bad. Whether it is family, neighbors, community or church responsibilities, find ways of serving others. One act of service, consciously given daily, is a healthy dose to begin with.
“As the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.” (Eph. 6:6-7)
“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17)
If we did all our service to other people, as though we were actually serving the Lord in his own presence, what a difference our attitudes would be!

7. COURAGE: This step in our “exercise” program is the most frightening to face. Men and women become heroes, not because they feel no fear, but because they ignore their fears for a greater good. Of necessity, we must place before our minds “spiritual blinders” to block out the fears that can distract us from our righteous course! The scriptures reveal to us a lot about fear and I have found immense comfort from these verses.
“Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” ( 2 Kings 6:16 )
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” ( 2 Timothy 1:7 ) My eldest daughter used this as her missionary scripture!
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear...” ( 1 John 4:18 )
“Fear not to do good...” ( D&C 6:33 )
“...If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” ( D&C 38:30 )
“Fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;” ( D&C 98:1 )
“Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you...” (D&C 68:6) This scripture leads us to our next “exercise” for faith.

8. CHEERFULNESS: Cheer, Gladness, Delight, Joy, Happiness, being Merry are all attitudes the Lord asks us to have concerning this life. I believe when we feel these things in our hearts it is easier to feel gratitude.
“Let thy heart be of good cheer before my face...” (D&C 112:4)
“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance...” (Prov. 15:13)
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine...” (Prov. 17:22)
“My heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God.”
(2 Nephi 45:49)

9. MUSIC: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord... Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:1-2)
“For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.” (D&C 25:12)
Beautiful music is so uplifting to our spirits. It is critical that we include a dose of it every day! Inspiring music increases our hearts with stronger testimonies, faith, understanding, joy, and peace. Could these be some of the added blessings promised in D&C 25?

Finding Faith to be an At-Home-Mom

The ancient people of the earth had major insecurity problems. For many of them, their fears made it difficult to believe in an invisible god that would save them from all their troubles, so they clung to their statues of stone, wood, or metal. Those idols gave them the false security of putting their faith in something that was tangible and visible. Yet, no matter how much they worshiped their graven images, those gods in effigy had no power to deliver them.
Are we any different today? How many of us go to work outside of the home because of the
security that a second income gives us? Do we place our faith in a paycheck because we can see and feel it, believing it has the might to rescue us from the difficulties of life or even give us things we desire, and like the ancient people who worshiped idols, put our trust in something that makes us feel safe, yet has no power to save?
Fear is deadly to our faith! When we let fear and worldly voices overwhelm us, faith cannot grow. The Savior taught this throughout His earthly ministry and a great example is in Matthew 14:26-32.
When the disciples were in a boat on the sea of Galilee, they saw Jesus walking towards them
on the water and were frightened, thinking him to be a spirit. Christ calmed their fears and Peter called to the Lord to bid him come unto Him. Christ did so, and Peter left the boat and began walking on the water to meet the Master. The winds, however, began to be very strong and becoming afraid of the wind and waves around him, Peter began to sink, calling out to Jesus to save him. Jesus, immediately reaching out to Peter, caught him and said, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Peter’s faith sustained him for a little while and he was actually walking on the water, but then fear for the raging elements caused his faith to falter and he sank into the waves of the sea.
Fear can cripple us from following God’s commandments. Fear of not having enough for the
bills can keep us from paying our tithing. Fear of rejection can prevent us from asking a neighbor if they want to hear more about the church. Fear about the lack of security can cause us to continue to work away from our homes and our children. When we realize that fear is the
opposite of faith, it can help us recognize the stumbling blocks when they come.
How can we achieve the kind of faith the Lord asks of us? Alma, gives us a key to tapping
into the source of greater growth for our faith. “But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your
faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye
can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner
that ye can give place for a portion of my words.” (Alma 32:27) Exercise, Desire, Work. Alma
didn’t casually use these words. Increasing our faith is an actual physical effort! Everyone
knows what an effort it is to stay physically fit. Constant exercise is necessary for our bodies to
stay fit, and so it is with our spiritual health! Our faith cannot grow to deeper levels if we do not
exercise it, constantly work at it, and desire to make a greater commitment to take our Heavenly Father and His Son at their word.