Funny Friday 8

By Sandy Munro

EMP Sister Profile - Valencia Sekona

Sister Valencia Sekona left Brisbane to serve a mission in Sydney for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on December 3rd. 2009.  On April 7th. 2010, Valencia flipped over the handlebars of her bicycle in an accident that has left her a quadriplegic.  She was 23 years old. 

After 8 months in hospital, Valencia came home to a purpose-built extension to her family home.  She now has some slight sensation in her legs, and can move her arms and fingers a little.  Carers come for 2-3 hours every morning, and about 2 hours every night, to help with meals, personal care and physio. 

Valencia works 4 days a week, doing administration work at Disability Services, where she worked before her mission.  She is the eldest of 6 children, and was born into the Church.  Her parents are Tongan.  The Sekona's live in Springwood Ward.  

What were your reactions after the accident?
"It helped a lot to know that people were fasting and praying for me when I was in hospital - not just for me, but I think it helped my family a lot as well.

"My life has changed dramatically, because I am not as independent as I was.  Some things can be a bit frustrating.  I miss being independent.  It didn't really hit me for a while..  I wanted to go back to my mission. It was when I left the hospital to come home that it sunk in. 

"I think I was very fortunate because of my family.  Of course I've had the biggest help from my mother. Because I've seen her cope really well with it.  My mother's been the strongest.  She's been the 'rod' in the family - the one that has held it all together, from the beginning of all that I've been through. She came to the hospital every day.

"A lot of people ask, 'do you regret going on a mission?' but no, I don't!  People ask if I blame God.  I think I never thought of it.  It's been the opposite way.  I think that's what's helped me.

"It was more that I saw it not being a challenge for me, but for my family.  What helped was, that despite what happened, it made me think of the long-term.  Everyone goes through a challenge in life.  I think that this is my challenge.  I see it as - Heavenly Father wouldn't put this challenge in my way if he knew I wasn't capable of it.  It has strengthened my testimony.  I feel I have more of a relationship with Heavenly Father now than I did before.

"It's what I believe in that has helped.  I always think of the scripture, 'Endure to the end'.  I have to think positive. This life is short.  My Patriarchal Blessing helps me a lot.  If I'm in this wheelchair for the rest of my life, I'm not bothered.  I've accepted it.  I know it's not going to be forever.

How would you describe yourself?
"I'm pretty easy-going and laid-back.  I get along with people easily.  A very organised person.  I plan things a lot.  I'm a 'by-the-book' kind of person; I'm very particular about things.  Quite open to learning about new things.

What has been your happiest moment?
"When I was on my mission.  It was a happy time for me.  It's so easy to talk to people about the gospel.  When you have a companion who has the same beliefs and ideas as you, and you can just talk about that.

Do you have any advice for the sisters?
"I think even though, no matter what I'm going through, that there's always someone else who's a lot worse off than me, and I also think back to the Saviour.  What I'm going through - there's no-one else who would understand that more than the Saviour.  For me, that has helped me tremendously.

What do you enjoy?
"I love food.  I love to go out to movies and I like to eat out a lot.  I enjoy being independent as much as I can.  I have a great group of friends that I enjoy going out with.  I'm out a lot.  I'm very family oriented.  I'm very close to my family and all my relations.  I love socializing."

By Sandy Munro

Apostle Of God Calls For Uplifting Social Media Messages To Flood The Earth.

On August 19, 2014,  Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles delivered an address at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.  He exhorted us, from this day, "to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth.. as with a flood."  In particular, to use new technologies to share simple, authentic, uplifting messages of goodness and truth.

Elder Bednar noted that the perils of the internet "indeed are real, but so too are the extraordinary opportunities," and the "powerful possibilities."

It was prophesied that righteousness and truth would one day sweep the earth

'And the day shall come that...  righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth... and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth.'   (Moses 7:61,62) 

All true scientific discoveries are from God

In 1862 President Brigham Young said: "Every discovery in science and art, that is really true and useful to mankind has been given by direct revelation from God, .. given with a view to prepare the way for the ultimate triumph of truth... We should take advantage of all these great discoveries.”


Advances in science foretold by Latter-day prophets

In 1966 President David O. McKay prophesied scientific discoveries that “stagger the imagination” would make possible the preaching of the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people. And further: "Discoveries latent with such potent power, either for the blessing or the destruction of human beings, as to make man’s responsibility in controlling them the most gigantic ever placed in human hands. … This age is fraught with limitless perils, as well as untold possibilities” 

(The Internet was created in 1973.)

President Spencer W. Kimball,  in 1974, described the future of missionary work:  "I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse...  For, verily... the gospel must be preached unto every creature.” (“When the World Will Be Converted”)

In 1981 President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: "We are confident that as the work of the Lord expands, he will inspire men to develop the means whereby the membership of the Church, wherever they may be, can be counseled in an intimate and personal way by his chosen prophet. Communication is the sinew that binds the Church as one great family. Between those facilities which are now available and those which are on the horizon, we shall be able to converse one with another according to the needs and circumstances of the time.” (“Faith: The Essence of True Religion")

(The IBM personal computer was introduced in 1981)

Can I have a real influence for good in the world?  

"I dispute the bold distortion that in order to have influence a woman must have money, fame or title... We are a sleeping giant..  It's time to wake up.. We have more influence than we think."    (Sheri Dew)

"Imagine the impact we can have as hundreds of thousands and millions of members of the Lord’s restored Church contribute in seemingly small ways to the rising floodwaters.  “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33).  (Elder Bednar)

How can I do more to influence the world for good?

In the lds.org Media Library, we read of our mandate to flood the earth with positive thoughts, imagery, and messages.  (Page includes a helpful explanation of some popular social media sites and how to use them.)

For more information about how to share the goodness in our lives, click here.

To watch or read Elder Bednar's talk in full, click here.

By Sandy Munro

Funny Friday 7

 Happy week-end everyone!


By Sandy Munro

EMP Mormon Journal - Sister Estelle Alfred

Two years ago, I came back to the Church after being inactive for almost seven years. During my time of inactivity, I lived as the world entices us to.  Like the great and spacious building in Lehi`s dream, I lived a life that to others outside of our faith would have been perceived as normal and happy. It is not a fact I am proud of, but it has helped shaped me into the woman I am today.  In a way, I consider my reactivation as my real conversion story.

Like the Prodigal son of old, I went out into the world to see the sights and wonders this earth possesses.  I lived overseas, away from family, friends and all I knew and was comfortable with, for six months. For a time, all was well – I lived as righteously as I could. I felt I had a firm foundation of faith in my Lord and Savior as well as trust in His infinite plan for me.  Unfortunately, due to certain experiences in my life at that time, I fell away.  I felt that because of this my Heavenly Father had turned His back on me and this confirmed my worst fear – that I was not good enough, that I was unworthy. For years this fueled my anger and to my shame, even hate.

At first, I would only go to church on what I considered special occasions: Mother's and Father’s Day, Easter and Christmas.  I did this because I knew what it would mean to my parents, who are righteous and had raised me in the love of the gospel, and required only an hour or so of my time – not much of a sacrifice.

Throughout my time of self-imposed exile I had many members try and reach out to me. For too long my heart was too hard and I rebuffed many who tried. I cannot pinpoint an exact moment of time when it changed but it did start with two women - my visiting teachers.  At first, I told them they could visit but I did not want to hear their message. Despite this, these two sisters continued to come and before they left each time would somehow manage to share their message without me even realizing it. I found I didn’t mind hearing it and my heart began to soften very slowly as it was surrounded by the love these sisters shared, not only from themselves but from the ward and from our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. These diligent sisters continued to visit for over a year, never wavering from their efforts.

The catalyst that pushed me into coming back was a musical fireside I attended by Kaye Starr, a talented musician from the States, who had bought her choir and gift to share. My mother has performed many cantatas by Kaye Starr, so I had grown up with her music. This night, I sat in the congregation and from the very first song, an overwhelming feeling of peace, love and rightness filled my entire being. With tears streaming down my face, I realized I was feeling the Spirit and thought “Perhaps I am not too far gone after all”. The Spirit stayed with me the entire performance, filling me with a sense of wonder and awe. Afterwards, I had many of the choir members come and thank me, because they had seen how touched by the Spirit I was, and in turn it touched them so much that they could hardly look at me during the performance. The Spirit testified to me that night that my Heavenly Father knew me, knew of my troubles and heartache, knew my sins and loved me nonetheless.

I share this with you sisters in the hope that for those of you who may be struggling at this point in time, with whatever life is throwing at you to bring you down, that you may know that no matter what, you are loved. Do not despair, do not lose hope, because if we lose hope, then Satan wins. Our Father in Heaven loves us with His whole heart and while we may do or say things that lead us away from Him, He will always continue to love us.

By Estelle Alfred

                                                                                                                                               

Estelle is married, with a beautiful six year old son.  She and her three sisters were born into the Church.  Estelle describes herself as compassionate, creative, loyal, hard-working, and responsible.  She works for Travelex, in the city, and has recently earned a promotion that will involve her traveling all over Queensland, to Darwin and to Guam.  Asked to name her happiest moment, Estelle answers that it was going to the temple for the first time after she came back to Church - there was a wonderful feeling of peace, and happiness that she was worthy to be in that sacred place.  Estelle has struggled with depression at times, but is learning that if she hangs on, it will pass. "It's a part of who I am", she says. Being active at Church  again has given her a sense of family - not just immediate family, but that the Ward and the Stake are her family too.  She feels a sense of worth and of belonging, and of being loved and accepted by all the members of her ward. "It's better - I'm now converted fully.  I've come back to Church for myself.  I feel faith and hope and love from my Heavenly Father and Saviour.  I can't do it without them.  They are walking with me every step of the way. I know I am not alone."  Estelle especially loves music, and is the Ward Music Director in Kuraby Ward.                                                                                    

By Sandy Munro

How Does The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints Serve The Poor?

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are 'to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever he finds them.' (link)

In speaking of its charitable aid programs, the Church strives for balance, to both, 'do not your alms before men, to be seen of them' and, 'let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven'.  Even members of the Church frequently have little idea of the scope of the Church's humanitarian activities worldwide.

Humanitarian Services is just one of several welfare arms of the Church.  Since the Church began keeping track in 1985, more than $1.4 billion in cash and material assistance (to 2011) has been donated through this program, to over 178 different countries in need of humanitarian aid. 

The following video gives a brief overview of the Church's Humanitarian Aid program:

(Further videos on Church humanitarian aid efforts are available here - recommended.)

Where does the money come from to support Church humanitarian aid programs?

One hundred percent of the donations given to the Church’s humanitarian services are used for relief efforts. The Church absorbs its own overhead costs.  A portion of our tithing donations are also disbursed directly to humanitarian and welfare efforts. (link)

Do Mormons only help Mormons?

The Church's humanitarian program serves mostly those outside the Mormon faith - all those who face disasters or acute needs throughout the world. Additionally, more than 11,925 welfare and humanitarian missionaries volunteer their time and money to administer this aid every day. During times of disaster, Church facilities such as Church buildings are used as places of refuge, and local Church members assist humanitarian missionaries and the currently more than 80,000 proselytizing missionaries in providing immediate relief.

What are some these humanitarian aid projects?

Emergency Response: the Church has partnered in more than 200 major disaster assistance efforts, including the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2010 Chile earthquake, the 2010 Pakistan flooding, the 2009 Samoa tsunami, the 2009 Philippines typhoon, the 2009 Indonesia earthquake, the 2008 Ethiopia famine and many others. 

Neonatal resuscitation training: providing resuscitation training and equipment to health practitioners and organizations each year in countries with high infant mortality rates.

Clean water projects: working with local community leaders to provide access to clean water with wells and other water systems in countries where such access is unavailable.

Food production and nutrition initiatives: providing training to families and communities to increase productivity and self-sufficiency with home food production and nutrition training.

Wheelchair distribution: working in partnership with local organizations to provide wheelchairs to the disabled.

Vision treatment: providing equipment and training to local, qualified medical personnel to perform eye surgeries and prevent blindness.

Childhood immunizations: partnering with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to provide immunizations and vaccinations for measles, whooping cough and other conditions.

Atmit: food supplement to help those who are malnourished.


800,000 Christian refugees have fled their homes this month in Iraq. Is the Church doing anything to help these refugees?
(link)



Humanitarian Aid Related Links

Humanitarian Aid
Humanitarian Services
Humanitarian Aid and Welfare Services Basics: How Donations and Resources Are Used
Mormon Representatives Discuss Church Humanitarian Efforts at the United Nations

LDS Charities
LDS Philanthropies

By Sandy Munro

Funny Friday 6

Happy week-end!

EMP Mormon Journal - Sister Karen Smibert

I am occasionally blessed to be able to accompany my husband as he fulfills his calling or priesthood responsibilities. On this particular occasion he was asked to give a priesthood blessing to a friend of mine. There was a lovely spirit in their home as we entered and chatted with them. I felt the spirit very strongly as I sat and listened to the words of the blessing.

Then something special happened. I began to see this friend differently. Through the words of the blessing and the spirit in the room, I saw her as Heavenly Father saw her. I really felt that I was able to get a glimpse of her through heaven's eyes.

I'm not sure why this happened at that time, and with this sister, because I had always felt so good towards her, but I was grateful to gain a deeper understanding of Heavenly Father's love for His children. I feel that this is what charity is. And, as most of us do, I had been regularly praying to have this charity, this perfect, Christlike love. And having this experience helped me to realise that I want to feel that all the time, with everyone. I want to see everyone through Heaven's eyes, the way Heavenly Father sees them. I would judge less, and serve more. I would think of myself less, and pray for others more. I would stay in my comfort zone less, and share the gospel more.As I pondered on this experience, a quote from Elder Wirthlin came to my mind...

"We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of
becoming."

First of all, I decided to change "ourselves" to "others". That explained how I had felt. We only know people from what has happened and what is happening in their lives. But Heavenly Father sees people
as what they may become. And I guess that is what charity is. We can see people and life with an eternal perspective. Now, I did not see this sister's future, it was more a feeling that Heavenly Father loves her.

Then I decided to keep the quote as is. And this was the second thing I needed to learn. I imagined seeing myself the way Heavenly Father sees me. As a woman, this is a hard thing to do. As I closed my eyes to ponder this thought, I also pictured the Saviour, pleading for me in Gethsemane. Because of the Atonement, my future is bright. If I can see myself as what I can become, I am a step closer to becoming like Heavenly Father. How would I act if I saw myself through heaven's eyes? Life would be bliss!!! I would be able to face and overcome any challenge with an eternal perspective.

I feel so grateful to have had that simple experience, and I continue to pray to see others and myself the way Heavenly Father does.

By Karen Smibert

Karen is the wife of our current stake president. She has a degree in Occupational Therapy, but keeps busy as a full-time mother to their four boys, ages 3, 5, 7 and 9.  Asked to describe herself, Karen says that she is, '"introverted, happy, no-nonsense, hard-working, and simple."  She loves serving and is happiest when serving, and when she is, "out in nature."  Her advice to the sisters is, "If you want the most out of your life, contribute to someone else's life."  On being married to the stake president: "It's good.  It's busy.  I'm blessed to meet and have experiences with so many people and to see so much goodness in the stake."    On Relief Society: "I like what it's all about - that 'Charity Never Faileth'.  I love Visiting Teaching.  That you make friends with people that you wouldn't normally make friends with."  Karen also plays piano and enjoys playing sport.  Her Patriarchal Blessing speaks of her seeing the good in others.


(By S.Munro)

Five Fabulous Mormon Web Sites

It has been decided that the EMP stake Relief Society Presidency will discontinue this Blog in its current five-day-a-week format.  The Blog will now post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only.

We most sincerely thank those sisters who have already shared their talents, lives, testimonies and comments with us.

The site has received 7,768 'views' since it began - 3, 398 of those in July last month.

1.   To read more articles and testimonies from members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the official church Ensign magazine is an excellent read that is highly recommended.  (Click here.)

2.   To learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the mormon.org site is available here.  

3.   Mormon Channel has great messages, videos, films and more.  (Click here.)

4.   Mormon Newsroom (here) delivers facts, statistics, background information, context, and more.  See an overview of what is available here.

5.   Lds.org is here.  A resource site especially for Church members.

By Sandy Munro

Funny Friday 5

Happy weekend everybody!

By Sandy Munro