I had some thoughts I wanted to blog, but it really needs some background first.  Hence, a three part series… on the topic of fortune.

Some of my favorite stories growing up were family history ones.  I loved hearing about John Tanner, my fifth great-grandpa and his conversion story.  He lived in upper New York and was one of the area’s leading entrepreneurs.  He probably would have stayed there permanently  if he had not met the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  John was a Baptist lay-minister who went to hear the missionaries speak – from what I understand, he wanted to protect his Baptist brethren from false doctrine.  He had open sores on his leg that could not be remedied, but was stubborn (a family trait – perhaps? maybe we’ll go with strong-willed…) and told the doctor that he would rather leave this world with his bad leg than have it amputated.  So, that evening, he propped his leg up in his cart and went to hear the missionaries speak.  John left that evening with a Book of Mormon and a desire to know the truth.  A few days later one of the missionaries (Jared Carter – the other missionary was Simeon Carter) visited his home.  Jared “administered to John, and commanded him to rise and walk in the name of the Lord.  [John] never used his crutches again.”  He was baptized that very night, along with his wife.  He walked three quarters of a mile to do so – after months of not walking on that leg.  (all quotes from “The John Tanner Family” by  Leonard J. Arrington, Church Historian, March 1979 Ensign)

John’s story is full of generosity and consecration.  He sold his farms, hotel, orchards, thousands of acres of timber and an island and proceeded to give his all to the church.  Some in loans, some in donation.  The large things he helped with were the Kirtland Temple and the church-sponsored bank, the Kirtland Safety Society.   Before he left on a mission in 1844  he met  “Joseph Smith on the streets of Nauvoo, he gave the Prophet his note for $2,000, signed in Kirtland in 1835 to redeem the temple land. The Prophet asked what he wanted him to do with it, and Father Tanner said, “‘Brother Joseph, you are welcome to it.’ The Prophet then laid his right hand heavily upon Father Tanner’s shoulder and said: ‘God bless you, Father Tanner, your children shall never beg bread.’”

I remember my mom claiming that blessing and prophecy – knowing it was intended for generations.  And it has been fulfilled – many generations over.  We never went hungry growing up.  We had a bountiful garden – my grandparents a flourishing orchard and farm – and a whole section of our basement always filled with food.  We were and continue to be so very blessed.  I have to wonder if perhaps this promised blessing is not one of the reasons my family so throughly loves food.

When I was younger I imagined what it would be like to be wealthy.  To have our own island (because, of course, we would have inherited it) and to live a rich life.  Especially when I found out that the property John Tanner owned back then is now worth more than $250 million dollars – that’s a huge sacrifice.  Then I thought about the blessings we would have missed out on if John Tanner had never heard the missionaries.  The abundant life that the gospel brings.  To know the joy of family and the purpose of our life here.  The knowledge of eternal families, a living prophet on earth today, temple worship and the peace it brings.  To experience serving and loving others – there is no comparison.  Once again I thank my Heavenly Father for a generous, big-hearted great-grandpa that knew where real treasure lies.

{Gedeborg Family – July 2011.  We’re in the middle.  ;)}

Lauri, one of my favorite ladies in the whole world – a beautiful mixture of elegance and spunk -, taught the lesson in Relief Society last month.  She taught from President Uchtdorf’s talk, “Your Potential, Your Privilege”.  It was wonderful to discuss a talk from the Priesthood session and apply it to our lives as women.

I adore this quote:  “As you read the scriptures and listen to the words of the prophets with all your heart and mind, the Lord will tell you how to live up to your priesthood privileges. Don’t let a day go by without doing something to act on the promptings of the Spirit.”

Personal revelation is a blessing we can all seek.  Lauri asked us to each finish this thought:

“If you want a spiritual experience  _______________________________ .”

We then shared ideas and I loved the variety!  Here are quite a few:

* go to the temple

* pray

* go for a long run

* read and study the scriptures early in the morning

* really listen to your children

* do something hard

* ask for a Priesthood blessing

* bear testimony

* act on a prompting

* listen to beautiful music

* stop being busy – just stop…and listen

* read your Patriarchal blessing

* do Family History

* ponder

* acknowledge the goodness of our Heavenly Father

* pray after reading scriptures for truth

* express gratitude in prayer

* give service – especially to the handicapped

* notice beauty and be uplifted

* create something beautiful

* be still

* have more faith and less fear

* remember why challenges are there

* spend time with your children

* create harmony in your home

* sit by a campfire alone

How would you fill in the blank?

The sister closing the meeting mentioned how wonderful it is that the Lord knows us and can reach out and communicate with us individually.  I agree.  What a marvelous blessing!

There are so many thought-provoking ideas – and more out there.   Definitely enough to do at least one daily – and many are things I do daily or would love to do daily already.  I just need to remember to look for those opportunities and then act on the promptings that come.

“The words written in the scriptures and spoken in general conference are for us to “liken them unto [ourselves],” not for reading or hearing only. Too often we attend meetings and nod our heads; we might even smile knowingly and agree. We jot down some action points, and we may say to ourselves, “That is something I will do.” But somewhere between the hearing, the writing of a reminder on our smartphone, and the actual doing, our “do it” switch gets rotated to the “later” position. Brethren, let’s make sure to set our “do it” switch always to the “now” position!

…Let us earnestly seek the light of personal inspiration. Let us plead with the Lord to endow our mind and soul with the spark of faith that will enable us to receive and recognize the divine ministering of the Holy Spirit for our specific life situations and for our challenges…” – President Uchtdorf