Katelyn Elgaaen in Utica New York: April 23,2018 Small and Simple Things

This week has been truly an eye opener and adjustment on focusing more clearly on the Lord's will and doing more His work. Sister Thomas my former MTC companion truly is such a joy to work with.

“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6)

How true that scripture is. In the grand scheme of things, we are just a small and simple thing. Simple, yet of great significance to our Father above.

President Howard W. Hunter taught that “frequently it is the commonplace tasks … that have the greatest positive effect on the lives of others, as compared with the things that the world so often relates to greatness.”

I was reading in a talk called "Lessons from Eve" by President Nelson quite a few years ago. He quotes a poem that his Angel wife used as sort of a motto:

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait

’til tomorrow.

For babies grow up,

We’ve learned to our sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs.

Dust, go to sleep.

I’m rocking my baby,

And babies don’t keep"

It is the small and simple moments that take place within the walls of of a home that truly bring to pass greatness.

The difference between a house and a home is the spirit felt inside. 'Let the Holy spirit guide' should be a key element that defines walls that provide shelter from the elements; and walls that protect and shelter from the evil of the world.

Let us 'Improve the shining moments; Don’t let them pass you by'.

“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).

Let us strive to make the small and simple moments count. With our jobs, at school, but most importantly with our families.

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing is changed, but that our power to do is increased” Heber J. Grant

Making those changes to make our homes more focused on the small and simple things might be challenging at first. But I can promise that as we each prayerfully strive to do so, the spirit will bless us in our efforts. Family bonds will become stronger, and the worries of the world will be unable to dwell within our peace filled homes- centered on Christ.